Day 28 :: Do You Want to Build a Sandman? ::

7/9/14 

After C's request, "Auntie, I wanna go beach?", we packed up and went to Kailua Beach Park. I couldn't remember where the canal was (calm, shallow water that empties into the ocean) so we ended up on the shore. So beautiful!

Per usual, Z made a new friend at the beach who was visiting from the mainland. They shared sand toys and played 'princesses'. When they asked me to help them build a sand castle, I asked if they would be interested in building Olaf from Frozen. "Yaaaa!", was the excited response. 

This was the result:

"Do you want to build a sandman? C'mon let's go and play..." 

Looks more like a sand monster, haha :)

Day 27 :: Best Summer Job :: #100HappyDays vs. #100RealDays

7/8/14 

Hung out with these two cutie-patooties today! We colored, watched Frozen, attempted to walk to the park but got ice cream instead, danced, and did an art project- just to name a few things. Tomorrow is the BEACH! 

#bestsummerjobever #lifeofapreschoolteacher #summer #theepicsummer2014 @knplaw

It really is the #bestsummerjobever. I mean, not many people get the privilege of living in paradise every summer and watching 2 of the world's cutest, most well-behaved children.

 ("Can we listen to princess songs?" and "Auntie, where Torbin?")

Whenever my preschool students excitedly tell me about something they got to do or a gift they've received, I often reply, "Wow, you are so lucky! That was so nice of ____ to give that to you/take you there!"

That's what I should be telling myself every day. I'm so lucky to be in Hawai'i and it's so nice of Portland and Kenneth to give me a job/place to stay/car to drive. :)

Day 26 :: 2nd Home :: #100HappyDays vs. #100RealDays

7/7/14 

 I'm in #hawaii!! Love my 2nd home ♡♥ 

 #theepicsummer2014 #oahu #lifeofapreschoolteacher #summernights 

I feel very blessed to have a job that allows me to travel during the summers, visiting family and friends whom I don't get to see during the school year. The last two summers I've been able to stay for extended periods of time in what I consider my 2nd home, Beautiful Hawai'i. Thanks to some of the most generous people I know, I have a summer nanny job, a place to stay, and a car to drive while I'm there. (More about that in this post.) 

My first night on O'ahu, some of us went to dinner at Kua'aina Burgers near Ala Moana beach. So good to be back in my old stomping grounds!

Group selfie!

Day 25 :: New Swimsuits :: #100HappyDays vs. #100RealDays

7/6/14

 

Finally got to wear my new swimsuits! (The top from one and the bottom from the other.) I took a break from packing for #hawaii and laundry to relax by the pool with @luannajbruce. AND I got to sleep in my own bed for the first time this summer! 

P.S. I'm thankful my Mom is so awesome and helped me clean my apartment before I left to Hawai'i for 5 weeks! ♥

#theepicsummer2014 #portlandissunnyforonce #victoriassecret #semiannualsale

Day 24 :: Good Surprise :: #100HappyDays vs. #100RealDays

 4/5/14

 @ericamohler @babblingbrook08 @leximus8 & Matt decided to stay another day! 

#crazybrucefamily #goodsurprise

We tried to go to Stuffy's, somewhat of a family tradition- we usually always go there the morning that someone is leaving to go back home. However, the wait was over an hour. The only other breakfast places in town that we could think of were Denny's or Shari's...ew. Then we remembered the Pancake House! We used to go there during high school on Late Start mornings.

Day 23 :: Independence Day :: #100HappyDays vs. #100RealDays

4/4/14

Happy Independence Day! 

#crazybrucefamily #myniecesrockmysocks #theepicsummer2014 #Phonto

Usually there isn't much to do in the Kelso-Longview area, but it comes alive with the Go Fourth Festival every year for Independence Day! Maybe a little too much alive...too many Kelso-Longview citizens in one place is a little bit scary... ("My eyes, my eyes!!!).. Kidding! Kind of. After my sister got yelled at for stopping on the bridge to tend to my niece when she cut her foot "*Siiiigh" Really? You're just gonna stop on the bridge?", we decided to call it a day and head back to Matt & Sarah's :) 

But not before we got our faces painted!

L didn't want her picture taken...she kind looks like Michael Jackson!

Walking back to Matt & Sarah's from the lake.

Dad photo-bombing me

Mom really liked these flowers.

Minecraft, anyone?

 The cousins all LOVE this creative-mind based video game. They set about building their own real-life Minecraft world using cardboard boxes, scissors, duct tape, and markers.

K chillin' on the swing during the Minecraft building frenzy.

I had to snap a picture of these 3 before we left to go back to my parents' house for fireworks. They were friends way back in the day before they were family!

Day 22 :: Grandma Lois :: #100HappyDays vs. #100RealDays

7/3/14 

Went to see Grandma Lois today! 

Finally.

 #100happydays #theepicsummer2014 @advocare_michellelaghezza

Grandma Lois is my adopted 3rd grandma. Her grand-daughter, Michelle, is my BFF. We grew up together (literally...we knew each other in the womb) and I have many memories of playing at Grandma Lois' house. Ever since Michelle, moved to Texas, I've been telling Grandma that I would come visit her. Well, Michelle moved in August of 2013, so obviously I haven't been very true to my word. :/ Glad I got to see her before I flew to Hawaii for 6 weeks!

Day 20 :: Breakfast Outside :: #100HappyDays vs. #100RealDays

7/1/2014

*WARNING*

 This is a stereotypical Instagram post about food.  

I woke up to SUNSHINE today! Sunshine in the PNW always makes me happy because it doesn't happen very often (even in the summer, it doesn't happen as often as it should). Thus my hashtag, #portlandissunnyforonce. Granted, this was at my parents' in Kelso, but same difference.

Ate my breakfast outside in the #sunshine!

 #theepicsummer2014 #ilovecereal #nofilter #cerealneedsnofilter

Day 19 :: Mount St. Helens :: #100HappyDays vs. #100RealDays

6/30/2014

#100realdays 

I was NOT very happy today. In fact, I was quite cranky. I yelled at my sister, "Why don't I EVER get to sleep in??!!"  (Never wake a sleeping Sonja too early...in this case, it was about 10am...)

 But at least it was a perfect day to see the mountain!

#100happydays #mountsthelens #myniecesrockmysocks #theepicsummer2014

First good view on the ride to the top. I took this out the car window as we were driving!

It almost looks like we're standing in front of a mural.

This little guy came right up to us! Must be used to all the people visiting the mountain. Matt fed him a chip!

 

Chowing down on his chedder cheese Sun Chip.

B and the chipmunk sharing a chip moment :)

He came right up to L too!

Probably was looking for another handout :)

Beautiful Mt. St. Helens

SEEELLLFIEEEE!

 I have a few other pictures I'll add tomorrow...I'm tired and going to bed!

Day 18 :: Jelly Bellies :: #100HappyDays vs. #100RealDays

6/28/14 

Earlier in the day I told @ericamohler that our mom @luannajbruce should drive down to Costco and buy some Jelly Bellies. (It's always a fixture at family gatherings around the game-playing table.) Low and behold, later that night my parents came back from dropping family off at the Portland airport with a jar. Score! 

 #100happydays #winning #itwasfate #bestmom

I found every flavor and put them in order!

Day 17 :: Awkward Family Photo :: #100HappyDays vs. #100RealDays

6/28/2014

We've talked about wanting to recreate a family photo for a while now- "Next time we're all together, let's do it!" Well, lucky for you that "next time" has come along! After taking 'normal' professional family photos this morning, we recreated one of the best photos of all time. Enjoy!

May 26, 1998

Sonja- age 13

Lisa- age 5

James- age 11

Caitlin- age 9

Erica- age 15 

 June 28, 2014

Sonja- age 29

Lisa- age 21

James- age 26

Caitlin- age 25

Erica- age 31

  @ericamohler @jamesbruceky @lisathedinosaurrawr and @mrscait. We found the shirts James and I are wearing in my dad's closet. Lisa is wearing the sweater Erica had been wearing all day. Erica is wearing one of Matt's t-shirts. And we recreated Caitlin's outfit using some of my mom's extra quilt fabric, safety pins, and one of my dad's ties.

Love my family :D 

  

#100happydays #apictureTHISgooddoesntneedafilter #crazybrucefamily #theepicsummer2014 #photorecreation #awkwardfamilyphotos

Some snapshots from our photo shoot at the lake. These were taken on my personal camera by me and other family members.

(Professional photos from Bethany Raelene coming soon!)

Sisters

Sisters, Sisters, Cousins

Bald eagle!

 

Day 16 :: Grandma & Olivia :: #100HappyDays vs. #100RealDays

 6/27/2014

So many happy moments today! Almost the entire side of the family on my dad's side is in town for family pictures on Saturday. Everyone else will arrive tonight and tomorrow morning. 

One of my favorites was watching Olivia play with Grandma ♡ 

 #100happydays #theepicsummer2014 #crazybrucefamily

 Other moments...

My cousin Caitlin showed me this- so true! My students are always like, "*gasp* You have a JOB? Where is your job?" And, "You have a house? But you live here!"

Aw, Bella was so happy that she got to come inside! What a good girl :)