In February we flew our frozen selves over to paradise. We stayed on the island of Oahu, home of Pearl Harbor, Honolulu and Magnum P.I. I love that moment as we disembark from the airplane and enter the open-air terminals. We usually arrive in the evening (covered in dried applesauce with a dusting of goldfish crackers) and yet the air is so warm and so soft. I always stop, take a deep breath and focus on the tremendous difference between Alaska and Hawaii. Of course we flew Alaska Airlines. As far as airlines go, they are quite nice. I find that many of their staff members, like so many others in Alaska are capable of warming to you rather quickly. Most folks are from somewhere else and many Alaskans operate on the awareness that friends are family that you make for yourself. Perhaps it's a stretch but I have found people stepping in and acting like a grandma, an aunt, uncle or even my mom in various situations. I just can't help but think that everyone knows you may be far from somewhere. In any case, while we were checking in and waiting for Steve to join us from parking the car, a very nice woman from Alaska Airlines took to the kids and helped distract them while I checked in. There was some sort of company anniversary going on complete with cupcakes. She kindly gave the kids each one and they went right to town. We literally had just begun our journey. To the right of the kids in the picture below was the ticket counter. I tried really hard not to mind the mess that would eventually transfer to my clothes. The cupcakes were exceptionally moist. I know that because when I tried to brush the crumbs off the kids they melted into their clothing instead of flying off. She meant well. She even took pictures to post to the employee website.
I have complete amnesia regarding the flight itself. I trust that is for a reason and so I choose to leave it at that.
Fast forward to the Honolulu International Airport. Once we arrived Steve took the rental car shuttle bus to get the car and return to pick us and our luggage up. It doesn't take that long and I was happy to simply be off the airplane. I was craving the fresh air so after a safety pep-talk with the kids we ventured outside to wait. There was to be no running off or clowning around in general. They were actually quite good and yet even though they were being good and I was watching them, Shane managed to bang his head. Again. The first picture is the scene of the accident. Ava is sitting in the shot explaining to me while I took the photo that she had nothing to do with his fall. Shane was standing on the raised wall looking at the coconut tree to the right of Ava. He then stepped back only to find there was nothing to support him. I tried to reach him but the luggage was in my way. He fell back and somehow managed to rotate in mid-air and land face first.
He howled! I checked to make sure he had all his teeth and an intact tongue. All I saw was a scrape on his forehead. In the time it took to hug and comfort him the biggest goose egg I have ever seen developed on his head. I was shocked but he seemed to rally quite well and in no time he had stopped crying. After making sure that he was okay I took a picture.
I am not exaggerating when I tell you that one of the squares on my camera's auto focus actually recognized it. Shortly after the incident, Steve pulled up. He hopped out of the car and got to loading the luggage and kids into the car. He was so focused at first that he didn't notice the second brain growing out of Shane's head. He picked him up carried him to his car seat and then buckled him in. I was sitting in the passenger seat waiting for him to notice. The bump was so ridiculously huge that I couldn't help but laugh as he finally noticed. As you can imagine he was speechless. His jaw hung open as he tried to absorb the story all the while this mass seemed to be growing before our eyes.
The rest of the trip was thankfully uneventful. We rented a cottage a few blocks from the beach. We swam, built sandcastles, ate Hawaiian shave ice (so good), and toured the island. It was so nice to not have to bundle everyone up. The kids were outside as much as possible. Here are some shots from the beach. Note the rather small vessel they chose to carry water from the ocean to the hole in the sand.
One day we went to the Honolulu Zoo. We all loved it. He is a picture of Shane's good side as he and Steve watch the rhino. I love how intensely he's watching it.
We also went to Shark Cove on the North Shore near the Banzai Pipeline. The area has amazing tide pools that you can wade in and see some beautiful fish. Ava loved it. Both kids collected all sorts of great shells, sea glass and rocks.
This was a fun photo. I asked Ava to show me how you feel about being in Hawaii and she jumped up. I lucked out with this shot.
Here is a shot of all of us during quiet time. It didn't happen often but I think we all needed to unwind. I love this picture because of Ava's little hand wrapped around Steve's neck.
Below is a cute picture of both kids. As you can see the swelling went down as the week wore on. This was taken close to the end of our trip.
We were lucky enough to spend Valentine's Day in paradise. Steve and the kids bought me chocolates and other great treats. While they were at the store Ava saw a hula costume that she wanted. She was all smiles as she came out of the bedroom all decked out to surprise me. Too precious.
I loathe photos taken of oneself by oneself but I had to on this occasion. It was our last day in Hawaii and Ava and I took one last walk on the beach. She ran all over the sand and in the water, soaking up every last bit she could. It is amazing how much children love the beach! They exude such joy and excitement. We are now back in Alaska watching this great land defrost only to freeze up again. Still, spring is just around the corner with more adventures to be had.
Our last meal in Hawaii....
