July 4th in the Ham

We both had the 4th of July off this year (hallelujah!) so decided to scoot off to Bellingham for a few nights and Grandma and Grandpa's. I always forget how much I love this holiday. I'm training Isla well because even still she asks "What is that day where we where red, white and blue?" and "What happens if we don't?" I think she now has St Patty's Day confused with every other holiday and is worried she will get pinched if she doesn't adorn herself with the right color. :)

We were a rather festive sight if I do say so myself. Isla insisted on wearing her heals.

Pop-It's were the new fun trick this year. Emma thought everyone was just throwing rocks and was happy to join in (and Isla was happy not to have to share her fireworks!) 

We played croquet, ate nuts and bolts and hung out all afternoon. Ben and I snuck away and spent a half hour filling up 3 tubs of water balloons. The kids had a blast...for the whole 3 minutes they lasted. Later Isla returned to her Pop-It box for another round in heels and a swimsuit!

After putting the kids down for a short evening nap, we pulled them out of bed and headed downtown Bellingham for the Blast Over the Bay. We were treated to a gorgeous sunset.

Isla was so excited (maybe the M&Ms in the nuts and bolts were part of that)

Emma was totally and completely freaked and finally settled with her head in Graham's armpit, attempting to block out all the noisy chaos around her.

This video captures just a small snippet of Isla's firework enthusiasm. We literally spent the entire 20 minutes of the show listening to her squeal and say "That one was my favorite!" after every firework. She always can make me smile!

Isla 47 Months

Started saying "I love you" back regularly (probably a parenting moment highlight for me)

 Even started to play an "I love you more" game

Was a super star in session 2 of swim lessons, bobbing and learning to float on back and front

Definitely so much braver in the bath because of them
Went to her very first in-theater movie (Monster's University)

Loves being the center of attention

Naps ~2 times/week if I can really wear her out

Despises having her hair combed

Really writing her alphabet now

Into sending snail mail to people she loves (and using stamps)

Asks how to spell things and I turn around and find this:

Most often spoken phrase: "I can't wait that long!!!"

Prefers mommy to put her to bed

Playing with her sister a lot and actually entertaining one another for good lengths of time

Memorizing scripture - quoted me the reference for a Bible verse we were reviewing

Loves doing artwork and keeps my walls covered daily with new masterpieces

Is loving her library book about going to the ballet

A great oldest cousin and ringleader 

Calls her tip toes her "tips"

Always an early riser (6:45 AM at the latest)

"Look at our beautiful gowns, Mom!"

Emotions to from 0 to 60 when she doesn't get her way 

Super helpful with raspberry picking and jam-making

Until she decided the buckets were better served as potties...

Would eat Raisin Bran every day if allowed

Dresses herself totally and completely

I think more or less believes the sky is the limit

Embraces every day with energy

Kauai Adventure - Part 9 (The END)

I apologize if my readers have had enough of Hawaii! I'm trying trying to get our trip documented before I move on to more current happenings...

As I mentioned, the Kauai Beach Resort was fair. They had a lot of silly rules and regulations - which reminds me, I was going to write a review on it because we had some staff really rub us the wrong way. They seem to know how to take fun out of vacation! Anyway, on this day, we had breakfast in Kapaa at my favorite Hawaiian breakfast spot, the Ono Family Restaurant. Of course I ordered the banana coconut macadamia nut pancakes (I'm a sucker for pancakes with "the works"!) After a busy day of playing tourist the day prior, we were ready for another lounge by the pool day. And that's pretty much all we did. 

See the scary water slide that does one gentle zig zag? I was called out on being pregnant and was told I was forbidden from using it because I was "under the supervision of a doctor." I literally laughed at the lady's face and said "Really?! Funny. I just was at Disneyland last week and went on Splash Mountain. I really don't think your tiny water slide is going to cause any issues." But I obeyed their rules nonetheless. Graham and Michael found a nicer water slide guard who let both of them take Gid and Isla down on their laps "when he wasn't looking" (lap riding wasn't allowed). Seriously, what's the fun of a water slide if no one can use it!?

"CHEESE!"

We tried desperately to get a good cousin picture but finally settled with no one looking and 2/3 smiling...

 We brought pizza in to eat poolside but were promptly kicked out and told no outside food was allowed. The lady said that "This happens all the time. We have to break up a lot of birthday parties when people bring their cake to the pool." Umm say what? Maybe you should re-think your rules? The one positive about the place was that they had a free hula show with complimentary drinks in the evening. The girls had a ball watching the dancers.

Emma even attempted a little hulu show herself

 

 Then they were ready to let loose themselves (notice Emma wearing the shells...always wearing the shells).

 

 Wow! I think I know where my kids got their eyes!

 Lani got carded and had to go back to her room for her ID. Must be nice to have 2 kids and still have people think you're 18...

 Emma would not hold still for a picture but from a distance before she took off running again.

 For dinner we went to a burger joint with a water view. 

We ate on the deck and put the kids at their own table with a sign that read: 

 It worked out perfectly! :)

Of course we had to make one last stop at Lappert's for some of their amazing local ice creams. Graham put his put down and said Emma didn't need a cone but then she ended up eating half of mine just like a puppy....I'm not bitter or anything.

The next day was mostly just a travel day. We headed to Lihue in search of more doughnuts like we'd had at the coffee plantation. Graham found some but they definitely weren't as good so we landed at Starbucks where we had free wi-fi to try and download a movie and a couple more apps for our kids for the plane (this was only marginally successful - though we were there 2 hours, it was only enough time to get the first 20 minutes of Cars!) Our flight to LA was better than the one from LA to Kauai but Emma still gave us a few challenges. Isla was pretty content to watch those 20 minutes of Cars over and over and over. We had to stay the night in LA since we'd booked our flights on 2 separate airlines (one using miles and the other not). We stayed at the Sheraton Gateway which was actually super nice. By that time we were starving because, though our flight was over both lunch and dinner (with the time change), they didn't serve either meal. So we ordered room service at the hotel at 11:30 PM and had a picnic on the floor. Emma was beyond tired and was wailing through the paper thin walls until the food finally came. Graham entertained them by downloading and watching more Cars. Once fed, they happily fell asleep and we made home safely to Seattle the following afternoon. 

THE END!!!

Kauai Adventure - Part 8

Sadly we were unable to stay at our lovely condo for all 7 nights of our trip. We bid it adieu and then since we couldn't check into our next hotel until 3 PM, headed north to Hanalei. Initially we'd hoped to stay up here for part of our trip but lodging is hard to come by. Next time I think I will try harder because it is BEAUTIFUL! Pictured above our some of the rice paddies and taro fields in all different shades of green.

Lani was dying to try a fresh coconut so we pulled over at "The Coconut Experience" to make all her dreams come true. I think Isla was the only one who really liked the coconut water.

 We found a crazy large papaya that I sort of wanted to buy just because it was so ridiculously big.

 
 When we finally reached, Hanalei Bay, the weather was feeling indecisive.

 It was neat because as you looked up into the green mountains (also known as Bali Hai in the movie South Pacific), you could see spontaneous waterfalls forming as the rain clouds covered the peaks. They are tiny but you can see some if you enlarge the picture below.

 We had a nice picnic that lasted about 10 minutes before the lifeguard started flailing and yelling something at us. I thought he was saying something about seeing a crane. He was so stern about it and acting really concerned so we kept yelling "What?" back until we realized he was screaming that it was going to rain. Ha! Dude, we're from Seattle. Rain is no emergency in our books. Granted, it did rain pretty hard but we'd pretty much finished eating by then.

 Isla discovered back at our 2nd day at Poipu that she really loved "jumping" the waves and letting them crash into her as her Daddy lifted her into the air. She was shrieking with glee and couldn't get enough.

Until....

 She recovered nicely though and was back out there in no time. Emma, on the other hand, was perfectly content to sit in Lilly's stroller and watch the action.

 Ahhh. Finally blue skies!

This bay was so gorgeous, I must go back!

The kids were pretty wiped by this time so we headed out and checked in at the Kauai Beach Resort (definitely no place to write home about!) For dinner, I yelped a taco joint called Tiki Tacos that left a few things to be desired from it's outward appearance in a rundown strip mall. Oh man was it ever good though! Totally worth it. We'd been excited to try an ice cream place recommended by a friend after dinner but it was close so we ended up with frozen yogurt instead. I think it's safe to say my girls are following in my footsteps with their love of frozen treats!