Keeper Boy's Hawaiian Adventure, Day 33

I don't have a lot to update because I don't get a lot of updates. I know the kids love having Keeper Boy there, and Gma Geri says she thinks Jenrie is going to miss having Keeper Boy there, too. But Keeper Boy himself has not been the best at keeping in touch by phone, by text, by email, or by Facebook. Sigh. I guess this is what I have to look forward to when he goes off to college... information blackout!

I do know that they spent five days on the Big Island over Hubby's and my birthday weekend and that they saw and did a lot in those five days. Uncle Hooter posted a lot of awesome photos on Facebook from that mini-vacation.


And, I got a video over the weekend of Keeper Boy and Spidey at some sort of water park running around inside what looked like giant hamster wheels in the water. Very amusing, and very tiring for them, I'm sure. Looked like they were having a blast!

I know Keeper Boy has taken surfing lessons twice, learned to use a push lawn mower, learned to change diapers (though I don't know that he's yet actually changed one), not gotten any better about using deodorant, is still lying about using soap/shampoo in the shower, and bought everyone pizza for dinner last Friday  night.

I guess that's something...

Keeper Boy's Hawaiian Adventure - Day 7

Day 7 - 6/26/12

We talked to Keeper Boy on FaceTime last night for a little while. It was quite an adventure with Spidey and CJ reaching for the iPod and such. We got disconnected a few times during the conversation. :)

But Keeper Boy looks good. He says he's wearing his retainer, showering, taking his meds, and keeping his room picked up. Jenrie concurred. ;-P He's watched the kids a few times already while Jenrie has run out to the commissary, and he keeps them entertained while she makes dinner. He's also serving as an able partner for Uncle Hooter to play X-box games that he normally has no one to play with. ;-P

Hubby's uncle, aunt, and two of their grandchildren are currently in Hawaii and Keeper Boy is going to go hang with them for the next couple of days, I guess. The grandchildren are around Keeper Boy's age. They are going to do the Remembrance Tour at Pearl Harbor tomorrow morning and then do all the war monuments and memorials that we did last summer when we were there. He is going to stay with them at their condo tomorrow night.

Other than that, nothing new. He seemed totally comfortable there and the kids seemed completely comfortable with him. Spidey was hanging all over him, just like a little brother. :) Keeper Boy and Spidey are the same age spread at Hubby and Uncle Hooter, so I think it's been funny for Uncle Hooter to watch the interaction from the perspective of an adult.

Keeper Boy's Hawaiian Adventure: Day 6

Day 6 - 6/25/12

Hubby received this message from his brother (Uncle Hooter) yesterday...

The 'plan' was to call you guys or FaceTime yesterday, but [Keeper Boy] & I ended up at AlaMoana Mall for about three hours getting [JenRie] a new iPhone... [Keeper Boy] loves Jamba Juice which is nothing more than blended fruit in a cup.

He's doing really good ... helping [JenRie] out around the house and keeping the kids busy so she can get some stuff done during the day. We're starting a 'shower-a-day' regiment for him so he stays clean. I told him its always warm here so we're always sweaty and need to shower everyday...plus it's just the right thing to do. He's okay with that. He's wearing his retainer all the time and keeps good track of it when he's eating.

I don't know how [Spidey] will take [Keeper Boy] leaving when it comes time for him to head home! He missed [Keeper Boy] yesterday when we were at the mall for all of a few hours! Too funny.

We find it immensely amusing that Keeper Boy appears to like a drink that is nothing but fruit juice when he won't eat much in the way of fruit. But, hey... not complaining. :)

The "we're staring a 'shower-a-day' regiment" comment about killed us. We were laughing so hard. I'm not sure if he's not showering or if they are having to nag him about showering, or what. He was good about showering every morning throughout this school year... especially after he started dating his girlfriend. But, whatever they need to do... we're all about him showering every day. Ha ha.

I also got a text from Keeper Boy yesterday. They were driving around the base so that he could get an idea of where everything is. He's a little directionally challenged, so I'm not sure how much that will help, but it's a good idea nonetheless. He told me his retainers still hurt "a smidge," but that he's wearing them and that it's not too bad.

We are hoping to talk to him tonight on FaceTime...

Keeper Boy's Hawaiian Adventure: Day 3

Day 3 - 6/22/12

From Jenrie's Facebook page:

I figured out what's been missing in my life... a 14 year old that helps entertain the kids! I could get used to this!

Keeper Boy's Hawaiian Adventure: Day 1

I'll try to post any updates I get from Jenrie or Uncle Hooter here.

Day 1 - 6/20/12 - Arrival

Keeper Boy's flight landed a half hour early, and by the time he texted me to let me know he'd arrived, he was already at baggage claim and Uncle Hooter was still on his way to the airport. They connected via cell phone and made a plan... Keeper Boy got his luggage and met Uncle Hooter outside, where he was waiting in the car. He told me that he slept on the plane, watched some movies, had a cheeseburger for lunch, and ate most of the snacks I had put in his backpack... a package of beef jerky and an entire bag of goldfish. The only thing he didn't finish was the box of Nilla Wafers and a small bag of popcorn he'd gotten from the orthodontist when he got his braces off.

I got this email from Jenrie last night:

The kids were thrilled to see Justin, we had dinner and everyone is watching a movie now. Peyton is cuddled up with her Justin! aww!

I just can't get over how deep his voice has gotten since last summer!

Tomorrow afternoon Josh's unit is doing a hike and family can join them so Justin is going along.

And so his big adventure begins!