Day 34- Busy!

Took on some home improvement projects, which are taking up my time. We are getting new carpet upstairs, painting interior, and eventually redoing floors downstairs, and window treatments.

To get it all done, I have been getting estimates, and trying to declutter. When my husband and I got married 9 years ago, we combined two households of stuff. We both owned homes, and are both pack rats. Since the addition of our danger, also a pack rat, we have amassed a lot of stuff! I've been shredding, recycling, and donating, but it doesn't seem to make a dent!

K has science camp this week, so it's the first week since vacation I have been kid free for a few hours. She is a good kid, in that she will sit and read or play self directed, so I realize I have it pretty "easy" as a stay at home mom.

Day 27- Stay at Home Mom

Why do they call it being a stay at home mom? I feel like I'm out more now than when I was working.

Today, errands, plus swim class for K. She hasn't been taking swimming since she was about 3.5. Did well today, I think being in the water in Hawaii helped. Whew. Hopefully she will learn to swim, as I never did. It was a Groupon 4 class deal, and she did back to back classes, and had a private lesson the first half today.

She did so well, I treated her to Menchie's frozen yogurt, and almost forgot about free donut day at Krispy Kreme. We missed National donut day. Because we were in Hawaii. That's one happy girl!

She is also rediscovering the rainbow loom, the hype of that blew by fast. She occupied herself for 3 hours at my hair appointment yesterday! I love her big heart. Today, out of the blue she said, "I wish we were a little bit rich, so we could give half our money to help the poor."

Day 21- Fair Day

Today we went to opening day at the County Fair. $1 entry, $1 rides. It was about 400 degrees though. I hate heat. Armed with a spray fan, cool it towel, and water bottles, we met friends, rode rides, ate corn dogs, and got Icee. Had to get cool in the shopping areas. Pirate show was fun too. Making memories... 

Day 20- Proud Mama Moment

We try to teach our daughter strong moral values, and what is important in life isn't material things. She loves to learn about Jesus, and has a sweet heart. Today I got a call from a cancer charity we donate to. After I got off the phone, K asked who I was talking to. I told her, and she inquired, "What's cancer?" And I explained that it is a very bad disease that makes people sick. We have been praying for my cousin battling pancreatic cancer, but haven't really specified what she has. K immediately responded, "I'd rather give to that than go to Japan." We have been planning to visit family there next year, and her beloved grandmother is moving there this Summer. I was so moved by her statement, tears sprang into my eyes, and I gave her a big hug and told her she is very giving, and that I am proud of her. She was kind so surprised, like what's the big deal? I love moments like these, and if I was at work, this conversation would not have happened.

Day 19- Summer fun

Today I finally woke us both up in time to make Zumba class at the gym. Yay. I sweat some bullets, and had lots of fun too. It's been a couple weeks. After shower, we went to my summer moms book group. I was on the book launch team, and was included in some quotes for "The Mean Mom's Guide to Raising Great Kids." And about 7 of us are doing a book study this Summer. I love my MOPS moms. Even though I graduated a year ago, they are still my peeps.

I promised K that I would take her to Subway for lunch, and after lunch, we did hide and seek with a Shopkins 2- pack. If you don't know what Shopkins are, it's the hottest toy on the market, and hard to find. She was clingy at book group, so I had to bribe her to let me lead the group. 

Then a friend texted to meet up at our favorite milk tea place, and we took off. I love this new found freedom. After that, we went to the library to play the summer reading game, and collect our first prizes. Then Dinner before karate class. 

Day 15- I love sleep

Still sleeping past 8 am. It's 1 pm now, and K is still in her Jammie's, watching a movie, and eating lunch. I have cleaned, done laundry, and prepped for small group. We spent some time drawing scenes from our vacation.

I took K to the American Girl store for an event, and let her stay and enjoy herself leisurely for almost 2 hours... She got Grace, the girl of the year, and a few other things. We didn't rush. I took pictures of other things she wanted. She spent some of her own money, and watched dolls get their hair done. And then we went and had dinner at The Melt... No worries about sitting in traffic, since I won't be rushing to After care at school. I took back roads, and it didn't seem to take long. Amazing how this same commute while working would stress me out.

Life is good.

When hubby came home from work, this is how he found us...

Day 13- Summer sinks in

Today I would normally be back at work after vacation. Since I don't have to work, I get to sleep in, no alarm clock. It's going to be difficult to get back on PST at this rate. Daughter is up earlier at least. Her friend is spending the day with us, so I guess she is motivated to wake up.

She is waiting and waiting for her buddy to come over. We have a leisurely morning, as they do workbooks (this Asian mom, not so much tiger, but still fighting the "Summer slide"). I can hear them chatting and giggling as I work on my trip photo book on the computer. After lunch, they watch a movie, and I finish a book. A book that I just started last week on vacation. I could get used to this life. We go over to the park for a bit, but it is cloudy and windy... Compared to the 90+ degrees of sunburn in the park yesterday. I start a new book.

After dinner (Taco Tuesday), K gets to go with her friend to piano lessons. And I watch the basketball game with hubby. I am enjoying this Summer of leisure so far! And I didn't spend any money today. Except for the photo book order, which I had a coupon for.

Book finished: A Brewing Storm by Richard Castle

Book started: All the light We Cannot see by Anthony Doeer

Number of Summer reading logs daughter is working on completing: 4

Day 12- Home sweet home

Back from Hawaii a couple days. Still on the wrong time zone, and came home to a heat wave. It's hotter than Hawaii today. And I got sunburned at the park!

Here is my top food picks for our trip to Oahu:

Shaved ice at Waiola- lilikoi, mango with ice cream

Chicken musubi from Foodland 

Guava bread from Foodland

Chicken katsu curry at Curry House CoCo Ichibanya

Manapua (pork buns) from Chun Wah Kam

Fresh Strawberry mochi from Kansai Yamato

Matsumoto's shave ice- tropical- guava, lilikoi, papaya with condensed milk

Dole whip at Dole Plantation

Zippy's chocolate dobash cake

Chocolate peanut butter mochi from Kansai Yamato

Coco puff from Liliha Bakery

Plate lunch from Rainbow Drive Inn

Shaved ice from Shimazu Store- Georgia peach, guava, lilikoi

Hot malasadas from Leonard's 

Misoyaki butterfish, crab cakes, and chocolate soufflé from Roy's

Ko'Olina sunset (cocktail at our resort)

Fried shrimp saimin from Shiro's

Chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies from Betty's Cookies

Chocolate dipped shortbread from Honolulu Cookie Company

No surprise, I gained a few pounds on that trip? Time to hit the gym! 

Today, we had a play date with friends, picnic in the park, visited the grandparents, and signed up for another library Summer reading program. Karate class tonight, and a baby shower dinner with the girls.

Day 9- Last day in paradise

Pretty much did a whole lotta nothing today. Started in the pool, progressed to snorkeling at the beach, and back to the pool. Leftovers for lunch. Packing. Quick trip to Target and a Starbucks stop with the kid. Hubby took K back for pool time, and I kicked it on the lanai. Does vacation have to be over?

Last dinner in Oahu... Where shall we eat? I've hit about 18 spots on my massive food list- not too shabby! We end up at Shiro's Saimin Haven. I had fried shrimp saimin. Hit the spot. And another slice of Zippy's dobash cake, yes please!

A week flies by, but I think I gained 8 pounds, so it's probably long enough! K just said, "this week sure flew by fast! I feel like I've been here just half a day!" From the mouths of babes...

Some parting shots from our resort...

Day 8- To the top of the world!

Hiked up Diamond Head. Got parking close to the trail head- cool, saved from walking another mile! Cloud cover helped us stay a bit cooler, but it was strenuous, and I barely made it. I knew to take the route to the left after the tunnel, but hubby and daughter were ahead and took the steep route. They did fine though, and K wanted to take the steep route back, but I made her take the easy road. :-) It is gorgeous, but you really should wear sneakers, we only packed Crocs and flip flops.

Worked up an appetite! Luckily, Rainbow Drive Inn is only a mile away! Hello mixed plate! (Mahi Mahi, teriyaki beef, chicken). Yum!

Followed by shave ice #4 for me at Shimazu Store. Probably the priciest shaved ice, but lots of choices. Parking is difficult, and K fell coming out- watch out for that step! She dropped her shaved ice, bit they quickly made her a new one. The small size is as big as her face!

Quick stop for coco puffs at Liliha Bakery... Probably the best thing I ever ate on Oahu! I only bought one, and one chocolate covered puff, cuz we have so much food collected. You can pick up a pack of frozen ones, and I am tempted... But we already have one extra bag going home, filled just with cookies!

Back for a rest for my kid, and her swollen ankle, then a dip in the pool before dinner. Hubby fell asleep on the lanai, but took her to snorkel when we got back from pool time.

We love Roy's restaurant, and there is one in the Ko 'Olina golf course nearby. Love how kid friendly this Roy's is. Kid's meal comes with starter, brought out right away, juice, entree (K got the short rib), and cookie ice cream sandwiches. One happy kid. I checked in on Yelp, and scored a chocolate soufflé, one of my all time favorites! I had the crab cakes, which were awesome! Misoyaki butterfish (sublime), and soufflé. I asked for the cocktail I had at our resort, Ko 'Olina sunset, but our server wasn't familiar with it, and had the bar whip up a peach martini with citrus and guava juice. Yum! 

Our nicest meal so far on the trip!

Day 7- Disney and More

My daughter asked me once how come we always do something Disney on vacation. Lol... Today, we surprised her with a character breakfast at the neighboring Disney Aulani resort. She didn't seem excited at first, but had fun, and ate 3 plates of food. That girl can chow. We wandered the grounds of the fairly new resort, it's glorious! Dropped some cash at the gift shop too.

We rolled back to our condo, and got in the car to hit the Aloha Stadium swap meet. More shopping, can you hear my hubby groaning? :-) we should have started shopping there, cuz we got earrings, necklace, hair flower clips, for a buck each! Way hot out though. K got shaved ice, but it wasn't really...more like ice chunks.

Stopped by Waipahu for some hot malasadas from Leonard's truck- the box was piping hot. I wanted to gobble them all up!

Hit the pool, as the sun hid behind clouds. I was cold, so I sat in the hot tub. I wondered earlier how people could ever sit in one in Hawaii. Hubby is grilling steak, and we will eat some fresh poke from Foodland, and leftovers tonight.

Dinner on the lanai:

Another gorgeous sunset, followed by a walk to the neighboring Marriott, and a nightcap at our beach bar. I like my new found cocktail, called a Ko 'Olina sunset. Can't beat this one though...

Day 6- family and shopping in Oahu

Another early day... Been waking up at 6 local time. We did some snorkeling at the lagoon by our condo. Love it here! No photos, cuz I didn't take my phone or camera. Saw some fish, got some shells, and just sat and enjoyed the island air.

Cleaned up and headed to Pearl City, lunch at Gyotaku with my husband's auntie. My daughter enjoyed her Keiki meal, complete with, you guessed it, shaved ice!

Then, to one of my happy places, Ala Moana Mall. Knocked off a bunch of places on my food list- Honolulu Cookie Company, Big Island Candies, Minamoto Kitchoan, and Shirokiya, where we got lots of savories for a beach/sunset picnic! Also hit the Sanrio (Hello Kitty) and Disney store. Wow, this Disney store had lots of the Tsum Tsum new release, Inside Out, and it was already 4 pm. I should have gotten a couple sets to sell on eBay. Here is K in Hello Kitty heaven.

Sat in traffic for a good long time. They sure play a lot of Taylor Swift on the radio. She's like always on when we get in the car. Dropped off Auntie, who had fresh mangoes and yep, more cookies for us.

Back to the condo in time for the sunset!

Day 5... To the North Shore

Day trip outing to the Dole Pinapple Plantation. We caught the 2nd Pineapple Express train of the day. Good to arrive early, as this place is popular. Their gift shop is huge, and of course, there is Dole whip!

Next stop, Waimea Valley. We did the hike to the waterfall, which was sold to is as a 3/4 mile, paved, flat hike. It seemed longer, and it was a trek in the humid conditions. After that we were hungry...

So instead of continuing on to Turtle Bay, we went to lunch at Haleiwa Joe's, on my 5 page long food list. K got the Keiki burger, with cheese, and added avocado. She said "this is the best burger I ever had!" I opted for the local fish sandwich, which was good, but a bit dry. Hubby got the Cajun fish (ahi) sandwich.

So, naturally, we cooled off with some shaved ice. If you are counting, that makes 3 in as many days. That's what vacation is all about! I got the tropical- guava, lilikoi, papaya, with condensed milk. K got cherry and watermelon. I remember going to Matsumoto's store when I was a kid, so it's been around a long time. The line was crazy! But well worth it. I couldn't finish my large shaved ice.

Went back to the condo, and hubby took K to the pool, as I caught up with the blog. Then, it was time to eat again! Headed to the local Zippy's, and a got a small portion Zip Pack, with teriyaki beef, fried chicken, and rice. Tempted by the chocolate dobash cake, also remembered from childhood, I got a slice to go. Yum!

A good day!