Katherine and I explored a castle!

I met the Queen!

And she was smart! Somehow she knew I was a little Princess. 

Great balls of fire!

We went to the Renaissance Faire this year! I dressed up in my Tangled dress to look like I truly belonged in Medieval times. 

As soon as we walked in, there were people spinning yarn and making fabric. There were dress retailers, gold sellers and a myriad of other merchants. There were also entertainers ranging from knights to singers to THIS GUY, who juggled fire balls. Wow! 

Another USC event?!

When mommy and daddy go to USC events, I hang out with Amma and Baba. In exchange, mommy brings Amma a centerpiece from the event. This year was no exception. While mommy and daddy attended the 80th annual USC Alumni Awards at the Bonaventure, serenaded by the Greatest Marching Band in the History of the Universe (accompanied by the Song Girls), I played games and read books. Mommy and daddy brought me favors, though. I got USC cookies. That's much better than a centerpiece. Don't tell Amma. 

Front lawn is installed!

Installed, you may ask? What do you mean installed? 

Mommy and daddy love the look and feel of grass, but have allergies. Mommy has difficulty breathing around real grass and gets red and bumpy right away. So we hired a company that specializes in high end artificial turf! 

The end result is both beautiful and realistic. I know -- I've already rolled around on it. 

Gotta go -- we're having a picnic lunch today! Picnic dinner, too. 

Celebration of Community!

We returned from Hawaii just in time for my preschool's annual weekend fun day. Great timing!

I got to pet a bunny. A big bunny. 

I chased a duck. 

I looked at a big turtle. 

And I made a bird feeder for our garden! It's full of nutritious seeds for the birdies. 

It was a fun day -- and a nice welcome home. 

Coming back wasn't my idea, but I'm making the best of it

Despite the smiles, I was all but smiles earlier today. I did NOT want to leave. 

Aloha, Maui.

We'll see you next time.

Walks on the beach were so fun!

I walked up and down the beach, leaving beautiful little footprints in the sand behind me. There was only one problem - when I was done with the sand, it wasn't done with me! Despite efforts to wash it off in the water, tub it off on daddy's feet, or yell at it, it was just stuck to me. Thankfully, outdoor showers just up the stairs from the beach solved the problem for me. Now OFF, sand! OFF!

Always prepared

From sunscreen to flotation devices to additional protection from the sun, I've got it covered. The Boy Scouts could learn a thing or two from me!

My policy is first in, last out...

... of the POOL, that is! I can outlast them all!

Well hello there, little buddy!

We ran into this little guy when we were playing in the water. I'm brave - I touched him, too. Snappers and claws aren't enough to intimidate me!

Thank goodness for the Baja shelf!

I love the idea of being able to walk out into the water a long ways and still being only waist deep. I was thrilled that I got to do this in Maui! What a thrill! I got to wave to mommy standing far, far away - yet my feet reached the sand, and I had plenty of room before even my shoulders would touch the water!

As an added bonus, the water was incredibly clear. I saw so many fish! I saw even more the next day, when I brought my boogie board out with me. All I had to do was lay on my boogie board and look down while daddy pulled my board's leash to areas rich with underwater life. With water this clear, you don't even need goggles! Seriously, when are we moving here?

I also replenish!

Part of a good education is also good replenishment, and plenty of vitamins and nutrients. I replenished regularly with water and milk. Sitting on a boogie board in a Hawaiian dress just made it more consistent with the theme.

Vacation doesn't mean a week without education!

It wasn't all fun and games. We also worked on math, problem-solving skills and recognizing patterns. I enjoy it, though - so it doesn't seem like work!

I'm a hula dancer!

We went to see a hula show. At the end, they invited the kids to join the hula dancers on the stage to learn how to do the traditional Hawaiian dance. I'm not bragging, but I was awesome. Some of those kids just danced like mainlanders.

Air Honey Bunny!

Michael Jordan, eat your heart out.

I might move here.

Seriously. How do you visit this, then voluntarily leave?

More!

This is so fun.

How do I keep sunscreen out of my eyes? Simple.

Sunscreen with protective goggles. Safety first!

Time for water play!

I love the water. We have water days at preschool during the summer. No offense to water days, but this is WAY BETTER. Just look at the glee on my face!

Sand castle time!

I'm making a sand castle. A sand castle in the sand, Scott Kirkowski.

I'm freeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Now that I'm rid of the flight attendants who kept telling passengers to remain in their seats, I can get OFF of my seat and run around to my heart's content!

We arrived in the early morning because of the time difference

And I soon learned that I was as excited as Stitch was about visiting his Earth home! Now where is Lilo...

And we're off!

Maui, here we come!

And Maui, here we are.

Sometimes I declare it to be silly pajama day

That's when I wear normal clothes to bed instead of PJs. Mommy and daddy let me because it makes getting dressed for school in the morning a breeze! Except when I decide to wear something other than my silly pajamas, that is. 

This is normal for us

Nail polish for everyone!

Like it or not, dude, you're getting sparkly nail polish. It would behoove you to learn to like it. 

There's a Katsuya near our new house, too!

Thank goodness. I missed the one in Brentwood - it was a favorite for us. This one is delicious, too!