Happy Birthday, Dirty Dawg!

We lived in Phoenix.

That was before Twitter or Instagram or phones that start with I. A time when social and media would never have been used in the same sentence. A time when people read books and wrote letters and had actual face-to-face conversations.

We were busy.

But 12 years ago, we got the news... 

About this boy.

He was our miracle baby, an early Christmas gift. God's gift.

Just when we thought we were too old to fall in love again, we became Gamma and Lowlo. 

He kinda captured our heart.  So we decided to jump. Retired and found a place to stay longer-term than a week's vacation in Hawaii.

I'm now thinking that First Grandson must have inherited the quirky family gene of contradictory humors.

In preschool, he might have broken the record of having a Mom receive the most number of phone calls from the principal, three times during his first five-day school week. (Ahem... I don't think it was for good behavior.)

But on his last day of first grade, he came home with a certificate for winning third place for his poster Sight is Beautiful for the Lions Club. His prize? A $10 gift card to Longs. 

True that in second grade, the day before the start of classes, he was busy playing games and had slept for as long as he could the-day-of. Reportedly, at breakfast, while his sister was happily eating her cereal, all dressed with her hair brushed, First Grandson was still in his pj's with his hair sticking up, grumpily muttering, I don't want to go to school!

But he was Kamiloiki Star Student for March. The theme was balanced. When his Mom asked what that meant, he said, I don't know. Maybe because I wasn't bad? 

It actually means, his Mom learned, 'understanding the importance of physical and mental balance and personal well-being'. She has interpreted that to mean First Grandson was good at athletics and academics.

Just like his Mama, he has taken to playing the piano, but practicing in his own unique cool and comfortable way...

Butthoven At The Piano. At two (?) and almost-nine
years old,respectively. The baby pic on left is framed
and displayed on top of piano in right photo.

Then.

And later.

Art, reading, Beethoven... First Daughter says, He's taking after me after all!

But where has he shone the most? We think out on the field, playing flag football with his team, scoring runs like they were hot cakes.

Just look at that face. It was just him, the ball, and his will.

Strong and tough. Touchdown!

The Champs. Son-In-Law Coach, First Grandson and the Dirty Dawgs team were 2021 Spring i9 Sports Flag Football Champions. 

Undefeated Champs. All sports photos: V.E.V., June 2021

Marriott Beach Club, Ko Olina, 2017

Yet even a top-notch sports champ has his goofy moments...

Making funny faces to greet the New Year.

Dancing Dino. Halloween, 2019

Being Dino dancing the Orange Justice, floss, and dabbing.

Or simply relaxing using his new headphone.

I'm not retired. I'm a professional Grandma.

Despite the seeming dichotomy of his persona, the one constant we've cherished is his love during the times we've spent with him... 

Whether building a sand moat on Waikiki Beach.

 l

Lolo hanging out with him during time out.

A Journal Entry, May 2019

And, oh, the sweetness of his words on why December is his favorite month (see reason number three).

Because my grandma and grandpa come to stay in Hawaii with us. And the(sic) stay for 4 months.

And his answer to an interview question with 'Iolani last year describing a person who has had a great influence on his life. 

His was a very special answer, Lolo.

Because Lolo would tell him about the newest things and help him practice piano. He played board games and cards with him. He would throw the football with him and help him with batting practice.

So many great things come in '12s': months in a year, inches in a foot, doughnuts, eggs, roses, hours on a clock, drummers drumming and most importantly this year...

... First Grandson's totally epic 12th birthday.

A 1048-Steps Hike At The Top.

Photo: A.V.H., Koko Head, 2021 

So on this especial day, Lolo and I pause to wish you a brilliant and smashing day. After all, it’s not every day you turn 4,383…

... days. Wow! 

Go wild, Dawg! Cheering you on, as you make it to the top.