Conversations with Pearce

1. Eric and Pearce, who is not even in school yet, looking at little leagues on the Internet.

Eric, "You get to play baseball games, got to practice, have a uniform, and a hat."
Pearce, "And I don't have to do my homework."

2. Pearce, "Why did Braden and Camiron move to another planet? Why can't they stay on our planet?"

3. Pearce announces at dinner, "My peanuts are down now, so I can talk low!"

4. Pearce showing his Dad his math test.

Pearce, "Dad, I got an A+ on my math test today!'
Eric, "A+, no way. Who helped you?"
Pearce, "No one. I helped myself."

5. At the dinner table. Pearce says to his Dad, "You and me are just two guys who are fake funny. But Mom is real funny."

6. After watching the scene in Star Wars when Luke asks Leia if she remembers her mother. Leia replies, "I remember very little," and then Luke continues, that he didn't remember anything. Pearce blurts out at the TV, "Well duh, you mom died while giving birth."

7. Driving in the car, Eric says, "let's count to 50."
Pearce, with a sigh, "I can't. I am having a number nap."

8. At dinner.
Pearce, alarmed, says: "Hey, who put Hulk sauce on my salmon?"
Eric says, "Your Mom, and its just a pesto sauce."
Pearce thinks for a minute, "So it's safe to eat?"

9. Pearce has recently started a bad habit. He's in bed by 9, but stays up, reading books, playing guys, and watching DVDs on his portable DVD player. At around 10 or even 10:30, he'll come out of his room and tell us:

"It's weird because my tummy is so hungry. I'm not. But my tummy is."

He'll even talk about how he tries, but fails, to reason with his tummy that it is too late to eat. The problem is, thought, he really is hungry because he eats so little at dinner. He'll typically sit at the table for hours, transforming his utensils into heat seeking missiles, or pretending his fingers are the enemies, fighting to the death. It's hard to discourage a budding imagination like that, so we normally just let him play in his own world, occasionally reminding him to eat. He outlasts us most of the time, and we end up clearing a half-full plate, which just perpetuates his habit.

But a few weeks ago we decided to get serious, because by 10:30, we want to be asleep. Not making a meal. So we gave him the old: "You eat what's on your plate or go to bed hungry. No or buts about it!"

This worked for a few weeks, but even when he ate all his food, he was still hungry by 10: 30. And we still wanted to be asleep. so a friendly battle ensued.

A few nights ago, 10:30 rolled around, and our bedroom door opened up. Pearce waltzed in, avoiding eye contact and suppressing a smile. We knew what was coming, and he knew that we knew. He stood there silently for a while, obviously adjusting his strategy in his head. Suddenly he starts rubbing his tummy in a circular motion:

"When I do this it means I'm hungry. But I'm not hungry right now. That's just for down the road." With that he turned and sprinted back to bed. Five minutes later he returned ...rubbing his tummy.

10. The other night I was rocking Emry to sleep and Pearce came into her room and started to give us a "Ninja Show." Fists were flying, breaking the sound barrier, legs were slashing villains in half. And the show was also accompanied by an increasingly detailed account of his life as a Ninja. Basically, he'd been hardened by a life of struggle, but he'd decided to devote his life to protecting the innocent anyway. His only void was a romantic interest. This revelation was followed by the ensuing conversation with me, who he'd cast into the role of damsel in distress:

Pearce, "Do you have a boyfriend?"
Wendi, "No." {the answer I was told to give}
Pearce, "Do you have a husband?"
Wendi, "No" {the answer I was told to give}
Pearce, "Do you want one?"
Wendi, "Yes." {the answer I guessed}
Pearce, "OK. I can be your boyfriend and your husband. Do you have a family?"
Wendi, "Family, no."
Pearce, "How were you born?"
Wendi, "My family lives far away."
Pearce, "So you're alone."
Wendi, "Yes."
Pearce, "You have bad parents, don't you?"
Wendi, "Yes." {the answer I was told to give}
Pearce, "I'll take care of it for you."

Then Pearce left the room. I heard a lot of thrashing, jumping, rolling, and kill yells. Then he ambled back in the room.

Pearce, "Don't worry anymore. I took care of those bad parents. That's what a good boyfriend does."

11. This is pretty much Pearce's motto to life. No idea where he got it, but he says it at least 5 times a day. Pearce, "Mom, the movies are the games and the games are the movies."

12. Pearce's negotiation style.
Pearce comes downstairs in his underwear just before bedtime and says, "Mom, I am really cold."
Wendi, "Put on some pj's."
Pearce, "Mom I am really cold."
Wendi, "Put on some pjs and I will turn down the air conditioning."
Pearce, "Mom I am really really cold."
Wendi, "Do you feel sick?"
Pearce, " No, but I would like some hot chocolate."

13. Eric to the babysitter: "so we will be back around 10 or 10:30."
Pearce, "10:30 is better, Dad."

14. Pearce has been into magic lately.

Pearce, "look Mom, I'm magic."
Wendi, " No Pearce it's an illusion." {for all you Arrested Development fans!}

More magic.

And more magic. Pearce's tricks are endless. If you are wonder what his trick is... he can hold a coin in his ear.

Thanksgiving 2010

We were on our own this year for Thanksgiving, so we took the first invite to join our friends in Honolulu at the Banyan Tree hosted by Derek and Kellie Hatch. Emry's third big outing.

Pearce and Eric attended a University of Hawaii football game the night before instead of playing early morning Thanksgiving football. Go Warriors! They ran into Brian (smiling in the right corner) and Tammy Walther, good friends who live in Honolulu.

Thursday morning I made a Pecan Pie and...

...my famous Pam's Yams.

In the tradition of giving, here's the coveted family recipe:

Yam Filling

1/3 c. butter (room temp.)
3 c. mashed yams (5-6 yams, peel, chop and boil)
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. milk

Topping

1/3 c. butter ( room temp.)
1 c. brown sugar
1/3 c. flour
1 c. walnuts (chopped) or pecans

Don't cover. Bake for 1 hour at 350. If you are a Phillips, Taylor or a Piller you will need to add a little more sugar, butter and vanilla to yam filling and make double the topping.

Everyone brought their favorite dish, then voted for their favorite...Pam's Yams won! The prize was a box of divine truffles that were like 6000 calories for one.
The kiddie play area with toys. Nice touch Kellie!

About 20 couples and their tag- a- longs came, so we ate with around 50 friends. The Hatch's win for longest Thanksgiving table ever! And for atmosphere decor, all of which were made possible by the help of Olga, Heber and Stephanie.

We went home with full tummies and a full heart. We are truly blessed. Eric and I crashed but Pearce had energy to spare. I guess he is immune to the turkey's potent sleep effects. He came home, whipped off his clothes and prepared for battle. Eric and I don't remember much after we took these pictures of Pearce, fully armed for something.

Chicken Vindaloo Curry

Chicken Vindaloo is a popular Indian dish in Goa. It's spicy so I serve it with basmati rice, natural yogurt and roti.



Ingredients
2 tsp whole cumin seeds
1 tsp black peppercorns
1 tsp cardamom seeds
3 in stick cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp whole black mustard seeds
1 tsp whole fenugreek seeds
5 Tbsp white wine vinegar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp light brown sugar
10 Tbsp vegetable oil
2 large yellow onions, peeled and cut into half-
rings
6 Tbsp water
1 in cube of fresh ginger, peeled and coarsely chopped
8-10 cloves garlic, peeled and coarsely chopped
1 Tbsp ground coriander seeds
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
2 lb boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
8 oz tomato sauce
1/2 lb new potatoes, peeled and quartered

Directions
1. Grind cumin seeds, black pepper, cardamom seeds, cinnamon, black mustard seeds and fenugreek seeds together in a spice grinder. In a small bowl, combine ground spices, vinegar, salt, cayenne pepper and brown sugar. Set aside.
2. Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Fry onions, stirring frequently, until they are a rich, dark brown. Remove onions with a slotted spoon and put them in a blender. Turn off the heat, but do not discard the oil.
3. Add 3 Tbsp water (or more if necessary) to the onions and blend until you have a smooth paste. Add this onion paste to the spices in the bowl. This mixture is the vindaloo paste.
4. Put the ginger and garlic in a blender. Add 3 Tbsp water and blend until you have a smooth paste.
5. Heat the remaining oil in the saucepan over medium heat. When hot, add the ginger-garlic paste. Stir until the paste browns slightly. Add the coriander and turmeric. Stir a few seconds.
6. Add the chicken, a little at a time, and brown lightly.
7. Add the vindaloo paste, tomato sauce and potatoes to the chicken in the saucepan. Stir and bring to a slight boil.
8. Cover the saucepan, reduce heat to low, and simmer for about an hour, or until potatoes are tender.

Tips
I sometimes use this if I am in a pinch for time, instead of measuring out each spice.



If you need to know how to make roti here is a good link, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD4o_Lmy6bU.

Enjoy.

North Shore

This was Emry's first official full day out. She was 25 days old. We went to the Laie Temple Open House (it took almost two years to re-design the interior and exterior, during which we learned what it's like to be without a temple an hour away). The Laie Temple (5th to be built) is certainly architecturally nice and has a beautiful exterior, but my favorite part has always been the grounds, especially how it sits atop a hillside overlooking a long manicured driveway that ends at a perfect sand beach. I'm also a big fan of the new interior design, which has an unmistakable Hawaii flavor to it, but still is calming enough so as not to distract from the main purpose and focus of going there.

Emry's little body parts hang out of the Baby Bjorn. I look like I could sleep standing up.

Then, we went over to Turtle Bay Resort. Eric took Pearce snorkeling for the first time. He loved it! He even chased a turtle. Later they played whiffle ball on the grass while Emry and I lounged on the beach under a tree enjoying the view and fresh air. It was great to be outside again.

This picture shows the Resort, the Bay and the Golf Course. Turtle Bay has become one of our favorite places to go with the kids because it has something for everyone. A calm swimming bay for the kids, big surf for the adults, good facilities (like groomed grass and parking) for convenience, and gourmet food for the stomach.

Pearce snorkeling.


Pearce and Eric playing whiffle ball.

We ended the evening eating right on the beach as the sun went down at their main restaurant, Olo. It's one of the best restaurants on the Island. Pricey, but worth it. Especially because you can wear a swimsuit and flip flops.

Appetizers.

My favorite entree, the Salmon. It melts in your mouth. If you come to this Island and don't partake of this dish, I promise you, you will forever be burdened with remorse. It's that epic.

Eric's scallops. The best prepared scallops we've ever had. Tender, not chewy. And I'm not even a fan of scallops.

This was a perfect day, which is the case more often than not in Hawaii. How do you beat the weather, food, activities, scenery and attitude. (OK, by living in a place that costs 75% less, probably). But it's been 7 years here and I still love it more than ever!

Anniversary

Our first date since Emry was born turned out to be our Anniversary also. Emry came along of course. She is sweetly sleeping behind us in her car seat. We went to our old standard Roy's for dinner and talked for hours. My favorite thing in the whole world is to hang out with my lover.

Emry was 12 days shy of being 1 month old. Me...still need to lose 15 pounds.

Papa and Tutu's visit

Emry (two weeks old) and I stayed home to get some much needed recovery.

We slept while Eric, Pearce, Tutu, and Papa had fun.

At the beach. Pyramid Rock Beach at the Kaneohe Marine Base.

At the bating cages.

At the bumper boats.

Took Papa out for a sunset on the beach birthday dinner.

Pearce made Papa a card. He drew Papa snorkeling with a shark and crabs.

Tutu, Pearce and Papa.

Emry's first short outing. She was only two weeks old. Naturally she slept the whole time.

Pearce, sad to see them go, tried to fit into a suitcase.