Halloween - Samoan Style

Independent Samoa doesn't actually celebrate Halloween. Luckily a few people from our ward are Americans and still celebrate so they had a ward activity for kids to trick-or-treat to people's houses in the ward. We also had a Halloween Party for the boys at Andy's work, which I was in charge of so we still got our yearly dose of Halloween festivities. It was kind of late by the time the work Halloween party was over so we didn't get out trick-or treating till almost the boy's bedtime, but we still made it around to a handful of houses.Their costumes were my idea - Samoan slap dancers. It was a really cheap costume - only about $3 for the material and the necklaces were homemade by Suzie (thank you!). I know they took her a long time. The boys even performed a little dance for a few houses. Tyler doesn't really know what candy is yet and I decided to keep it that way for a year longer. He just didn't understand why we weren't going into everyone's house after they gave us candy. I'm sure he'll "get it" more next year.

Gratefuls

(Grateful #1 - My son)

Two days ago I had a very low point in our stay in Samoa. I came down with a cold Tuesday night and was feeling pretty lousy. Our car was in the shop for the 3rd time since we bought it and I had no way of getting anywhere. Andy was also sick and Tyler was getting his fourth and last molar . Its probably been one of the hottest weeks since we've arrived and on top of that we've had daily power outtages for at least 3 hours everyday. I was putting Tyler down for his afternoon nap when he looked at me and said "Prayer Time?" (from the mouth of babes). We don't usually say prayers before his naps, only before bed, but who can turn down a one year old who wants to pray. I started the prayer and said "Thank you for..." and felt like at that moment I couldn't think of a lot to be grateful for. Well I realized instantly that was what I needed to do - Be grateful.
So this is what my grateful list became:
1. a healthy, wonderful son who teaches me so to look at whats important when I'm feeling grumpy
2. a supportive, loving husband who provides for us with a good job
3. my family back in the U.S. that supports and loves us
4. a nice home
5. food on the table
6. an education
7. Electricity
8. My faith
9. Good health
10. The power to change my outlook

My Play Group Friends

These are some women who I've become friends with at church. We meet for a playgroup about twice a month. They're all amazing women who I've learned so much from and are a great support to me. Pictured above is Caroline. She's from Tonga and has five children who she calls her "soldiers." These are her youngest two.
Pura is from New Zealand and has lived in Samoa for a few years now. She has three older boys and Isara, almost three. She has the best accent, she always greets me with a kiss on the cheek and calls all of us "sistas."
Apu was born and raised here in Samoa but actually went to highschool in Midway, Utah. I feel like she understands me as an American living in a foreign land because she's done both. These are her two daughters, Spring and Nanni.

Cars, Balls and Dirt

Tyler is definitely a boy. His favorite things right now are cars, balls, and dirt. He loves to play in our yard and get dirty. He finds dirt and rocks in the potted plants and throws it around until he's a mess. Here are some pictures of a very messy day. Good thing he loves baths too.

American Moment

After watching the documentary "Super Size Me" several years ago, Andy and I vowed not to eat at McDonalds again. I seriously can't remember the last time I did. I've also said that I would never have my children play at a MacDonald's playland, mainly because of the germ factor and I've heard a lot of horror stories about those ball pits. Well on an island with very few, if any, toddler friendly play grounds, walking past the MacDonald's fenced in, all plastic, toddler friendly playland started to look a little intising. We decided to treat our children to their first ever MacDonald's Happy Meal, and allow them to play on the playland. Our compromise was giving them a "wipes bath" afterwards. Little did we know - its one of the biggest holidays of the year here in Samoa - White Sunday. In honor of White Sunday they had a special on Happy Meals for all children - $7 tala instead of the usual $10. Great for saving money - not great for beating crowds.
We were thrilled to see they actually had these little high chairs for them. I think they both enjoyed the "treat." Although Tyler is still on a hunger strike from his molars coming in and ate exactly one bite of one Chicken nugget and spent most of the meal sucking sweet and sour sauce off of french fries. I guess we'll be sharing a meal if we ever do it again. It was getting close to nap time and the boys were falling asleep in their high chairs so no playland time on this trip. Maybe next time. The free toy was hit on the way home though. Thank you MacDonalds for this small American moment in Samoa!

Endless Summer

So while all of our friends and family back home in the states are now enjoying cooler temperatures, long sleeves, falling leaves and apple cider - its still hot, humid and green in Samoa, the land of endless summer. Its been kind of strange for me not to have a change this time of year. I think I'll appreciate fall even more next year. So while everyone else may have blog posts about fall activities - we're still swimming in the pool, going to the beaches, and sweating all the while. Here's some pics of our trip to the local Aquatic Center on Wednesday. They have a big Olympic sized pool and a great kiddie pool with a slide. Tyler and Kye loved sitting on the edge of the pool, counting to three and jumping into our arms into the water.

A Bad Case of Molars

Over the weekend Tyler got a fever and started to act pretty lethargic. Kye had had a fever a few days before so we figured he'd caught something from him. He wouldn't eat anything on Saturday afternoon, fell asleep at 5:45 pm and slept until 6:45 the next morning! He had a fever on and off Sunday that got up to 103 at one point. We kept up with the Tylenol and tried to make sure he at least had fluids even though he ate next to nothing. Sunday afternoon the drool fountain started for Tyler and still hasn't stopped. He had a rough night sleep last night too. Suzie took Kye into the doctor on Saturday because he had similar symptoms. The doctor thought all of it was probably being caused by his molars coming in. I started wondering if it wasn't the same for Tyler. This morning I decided to inspect his mouth a little closer only to find out he's getting all 4 molars at the same time and at least 2 of them had broken through all ready. It just seemed funny to us that Tyler and Kye would have the same symptoms and be getting the same teeth in days apart from each other. Who knew getting molars was contagious?