Hawaii birthday boy -day four

Friday was Hunter's birthday. I can't believe he is eight years old. How can we have an eight year old??? Today everyone was pretty much helping set up wedding stuff and relaxing for the big day tomorrow. Hunter told us that the one thing he really wanted to do for his birthday was go snorkeling. Sharks Cove is a great snorkeling spot on the North Shore about five minutes from Kaulin's house. Hunter was sure that this was exactly what he wanted to do on his birthday. With the preparation of Hawaii and the expense we decided to have their parties after we got home and settled again. Deke and I gave him a lei made of candy for his birthday and a cool "fish identification card" that he could take with him when he went snorkeling.
Even though it was overcast the water was still clear and you could see all kinds of fish. Quite a few of Hawaii's state fish the Humuhumu-Nukunuku-Apua'a, say that five times fast. We swam through several large schools of fish and could feel them swimming around you which sort of tickled. Marley and I saw some sea cucumbers and an eel sleeping in a hole in a rock. Alec and Marley saw a turtle but we could never find it again. Deke and I had fun identifying the fish on the card I think as much as Hunter did. It was pretty rocky there so you really had to be careful with the current not to bash yourself into the rocks. There was also a lot of underwater caves and holes to dive down into but now being a mom I wouldn't venture near when I possibly would have when I was younger. Again I couldn't believe how warm the water was which was great because you wanted to stay in longer. We snorkeled for quite a few hours until we were all tired and headed back. Since sharks seemed to be the theme that day we found this sweet shark balloon for Hunter. We also watched quite a few episodes of Discovery channels "Shark Week"

Deke grilled up hamburgers out back and Grandma made some brownies. Hunter, Avery and Emma went out back and played and played until dinner time. I would have loved to have this backyard to play in as a kid. Even as an adult I could envision all the imaginative play scenarios I could come up with. The kids enjoyed playing jungle and hot lava, and house etc. etc. The lawn chair was their ship and Emma was the "cooker girl" Avery was the mom while Hunter the dad kept the sharks away by diving down into the water. Not to mention the hammock. Somehow we avoided any major crashes off of that thing and the kids loved it. Swinging each other, swinging together, attempting to swing Emma when we weren't looking in the name of "giving her a turn." After a yummy dinner we had birthday candles in brownies and then each person went around and said three things they love about Hunter. We often do this at birthdays in our family and it is actually really neat. Everyone including Grandma, Grandpa, Kaulin, the aunties and our family went around and said what they loved about him. It was really neat for both him and Deke and I to hear. He is such an amazing kid. I love being with him. He is so vibrant and funny, tender and smart and responsible. People love to be around him because he brings so much personality wherever he goes. Time goes so quickly and soon he will be baptized. We love him so much and know how lucky we are to have him. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUG!!!!