The delinquent blogger

From Karin:

Don't say I didn't warn you....yes, I know it's been almost a week since my last post.  "This is haaarrddd", she says with a whine.  Before I know it, it's 9 pm, the kids are in bed, I've had a glass of wine and I'm exhausted.  This vacationing stuff is hard work!  Which brings me to my first point:  If I continue to treat this adventure like a vacation, I will weigh 250 pounds by the time I come home.  We've been relaxing, trying local restaurants, eating amazing food cooked mostly by my mom and having Happy Hour every night.  While I could definitely get used to this, it's time to settle in and start to live "real life" here in our home away from home.  This should include exercise, one would think.

Let's recap the week...

Tuesday, 3/29, was Peter's birthday.  We were still in our condo on the West coast and it felt necessary to something really fantastic.  Instead, we did 4 things that were really fantastic!  Thanks to PK, you've already seen some photos from our whale watch.  We did the Early Bird trip at 7:30 am in hopes of avoiding the crowds of tourists who undertake this activity and the intense tradewinds that kick up every afternoon.  Mission accomplished!  We were on a boat that holds 150 people with about 30 other people and we had what our crew deemed an awesome trip because we saw breaching whales and had "a close encounter".  A large and active competitive group (5-6 males chasing 1 female and constantly showing off to gain her affection and desire to mate) swam across our front bow within about 25 yards.  While photographing this proves to be incredibly difficult, the images of this event are burned in my memory, making the perfect photo not only impossible, but also unnecessary.  When asked if I would now become an active whale watcher out of Gloucester, the answer is most definitely NO.  This is one of those days that you just don't ever try to recreate.  Truly, truly an amazing day, topped off by Captain Dave (wearing a Red Sox hat...I KNEW it was going to be a good day) and a guide who answered all of my nerdy science questions.  Did you know that a mama whale feeds her calf 150 gallons of milk a day and that allows the baby to gain about 100 lbs a day?  Kudos from one nursing mom to another, sister.

We left the boat high on whale spray and new-found knowledge and went out for a great breakfast at the Plantation Inn in Lahaina.  While they did offer macadamia nut pancakes with coconut syrup, Davis opted for the more traditional plain, Mickey Mouse shaped variety.  Later that night, we took advantage of our free babysitting and went out for Peter's birthday dinner.  A good meal, my first REAL cocktail since Carter's arrival and chocolate souffle for dessert: the perfect end to a perfect day. 

Lahaina Harbor as we headed out

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fans for life...of baseball AND humpback whales.

Enjoying the ride back in after all of the excitement.

Wednesday, 3/30 brought our first real beach day as we ventured to Honokawai Beach Park so we could have some calm waters for Davis, some shade for Carter and some snorkeling for Pop Pop.  Again, mission accomplished.  Once home, I made Peter's second birthday dinner (the 4 for 4 of b'day activities):  seared, local Ahi tuna with a mango salsa and grilled pineapple eaten on our lanai followed by birthday cake.  As he has said, a birthday not to be forgotten.

Honokawai Beach

Carter's first beach day.  Not much of a swimmer, just yet.

Happy 35th to Peter! xoxo

Thursday, 3/31 was our last day on the West coast before moving to our house in Haiku.  Since my parents belong to the Marriott timeshare program, we were lucky enough to spend the day playing at the Marriott Ocean Club resort in Ka'anapali, a beautiful resort right on the ocean with lush grounds and amazing pools.  It was such a great contrast to the small, quiet condo complex where we were staying.  Being there allowed us to play in the pool and on the water slide, rest in the shade while sitting comfortably on lounge chairs and have a mai tai in hand within moments of asking for one.  Paradise for 3 year olds and grown ups alike.  As for infants, Carter seemed indifferent but we won't hold that against him.  He, too, will love a good mai tai someday.

Marriott Ocean Club on Ka'anapali Beach, West coast of Maui

Davis at the pirate ship pool for kiddos.  Nirvana for the under 4 crowd...

Davis and Pop in the pool.  Goggles are the hottest accessory in Hawaii.

Friday, 4/1...a big day for two reasons.  1) It is my nephew's birthday...Happy 9th Birthday, Tyler!  2) MOVING DAY into our beautiful house in Haiku!  Friday morning as we packed and got ready to leave Polynesian Shores, we saw a full rainbow over the water.  It seemed fitting that we were welcomed by a rainbow one week ago and then bid adieu by another.  Moving in and the highlights of our spectacular house will be the topic of the next post...this one is long enough.  I don't think it's fair to monopolize your entire day just because I am a delinquent blogger...more soon.

Full rainbow as we left Polynesian Shores.

Disappearing into the ocean.  (Sorry it's sideways...MUST learn to rotate photos, ugh!)