We went to Hawaii! Well, specifically Kauai, our favorite of the Hawaiian islands. This was actually your second time visiting Kauai, but you don't remember the first trip. You were four months old and it was your first vacation ever.
Unfortunately the morning we left you had come down with a cold. We woke you up at 5 am and my poor boy was stuffy and coughing. You were still down for the adventure so we packed up the car and headed for the airport. The plane ride started out a bit rough. You were antsy to get in the air because you wanted to watch movies, but once we were up, it was a bit bumpy and even I felt a little off. It didn't surprise me you complained your tummy hurt and didn't want to watch the movie. You ended up falling asleep for at least an hour or more, which honestly Dada and I didn't mind because we got to watch a movie. After your nap you felt much better and the rest of the plane ride was uneventful.
Although I did't get a photo of it, you were pretty excited for us to pick up our rental car because we rented a Jeep. You point out Jeep trucks all the time at home, so it was a big deal for us to have one to drive all week. You told us how much you liked the Jeep several times throughout the trip.
Our first stop was at a hotel with a great beach near the airport. We ate at a restaurant on the beach and after you finished eating you went for a run to get the wiggles out. It's so funny how much you love to just run. You'll do it anywhere we let you. We'll be walking around somewhere and you'll randomly ask us if you can go run. The other folks at the restaurant found your running entertaining as well.
After that we went to the house we rented in Princeville. It was great because it had a lot of space, all the supplies we needed for the beach, and your favorite, bunk beds. Now that we're back from the trip, I've asked you what your favorite part of it was and you told me it was the bunk beds. The only downside of the house was that there was no air conditioning. You insisted on being on the top bunk so we had to have a huge fan on you the whole time.
That night we had dinner at the hotel we stayed at for our last trip with you. We enjoyed the music and epic sunset views. My photo doesn't do it justice.
We decided to keep it simple the next day, so we went to the beach and you loved it, of course. Did plenty of digging, and had fun jumping the waves with Dada. After nap we chilled at the house for a bit, then took a drive to find dinner and ended up finding another amazing sunset instead.
Day three started off with miniature golf at a botanical garden. This was your first time doing mini golf and you loved it. You asked several times the rest of the vacation if we could go again. After golf we had some shaved ice (another first for you) and cookies as a treat to cool off before continuing our day.
We still had some time left in our morning so we thought we'd try to find an off-roading trail. Dada thought it'd be fun to get the Jeep a little dirty so he had looked some up the day before. We drove to one close by, but it ended up looking a little to dangerous so we headed back. I made Dada stop along the way to capture this beautiful sight.
I wanted to stop at an activity desk before going home to get us set for the rest of the week. I think I talked to the woman at the desk for too long, because you started falling apart. You and Dada had stopped in a toy store while I was at the desk, and you of course found a car you wanted. This shows the meltdown the happened when you didn't get that toy.
I have to be honest, you had a rough time on this vacation. I blame the cold. Your cold didn't seem that bad - a little stuffy and a cough. Nothing terrible...except your attitude. Since the cold started there has been and still is :( lots of talking back, attitude, opposition and sass. Oh, and the meltdowns. Plenty of meltdowns. I call you my threenager. Three year old acting like a teenager, complete with phrases I didn't know you knew how to use...properly.
We had a helicopter ride planned for early the next morning, but when we woke up it was raining. We had an hour drive to get to our helicopter spot, and sure enough they canceled our ride 10 mins before we got there. We rescheduled for later that day, so we had some time to spend. We started by driving up to Wailua Falls. Not sure how impressed you were, but I thought it was gorgeous.
Next up was a train ride at the Kilohana Plantation. They have a short train ride that goes around the grounds, and toward the end it stops by the animals. We got off and fed the pigs, goat and donkey. I think you liked that you got to throw something at the animals.
After a delicious burger lunch, it was time for our helicopter ride. I swear both your dad and I thought you would LOVE it. You talk about helicopters, planes, cars, trucks, etc. all the time. Until the plane ride to Hawaii, you always did good traveling, or on rides or whatever. Anyway, you lasted about five, maybe 10 minutes on the helicopter before you lost it. I'm not sure who I felt more sorry for, you or Dada. You were crying and screaming majority of the flight, you threw up, and then you passed out cold. For a bit Dada and I thought something was really wrong with you, but turns out you just fell asleep...quickly. Dada was sitting next to you (I was up front), so he didn't really get to see much on the flight because he was taking care of you. I still think it you had't had the cold, you would have been fine, but now it will probably be a long time until we try a helicopter ride with you again.
We did manage to get a few good photos on the flight. It's Kauai just crazy beautiful. Makes you understand why they call it the garden isle.
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| This was our pilot, Bogart. Pretty sure Dada took this photo to document his hair. |
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| Maybe the last smile before you didn't smile anymore. :( |
After a busy and fun, but slightly rough day, we decided to chill the next day...at the beach. We went back to Hanalei Bay, this time equipped with a boogie board. This was another first for you and you loved it. Just look at that smile below.
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| View from the scenic overlook on the drive down to Hanalei. |
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| At dinner that night you asked for dessert. You were very excited about our brownie a la mode. |
Since boogie boarding went so well, Dada wanted to get you out on a SUP (stand up paddle-board). We drove back to the beach we went to the very first day in search of calmer water...and we knew they rented SUPs there. You went right out there with ease. Dada said you were a little scared at first, but after about 10-15 minutes you were loving it. I tried to get some photos and videos, but my phone doesn't zoom that great and you guys were pretty far out there. Oh, and you had to run after the SUP ride...of course.
Our last full day we went back for some more boogie boarding. We met a nice family that you built (and destroyed) sand castles with, then we all headed out to the water. They had a small surf board for the kids that they used more like a boogie board. Once Dada saw how they held on and rode with their kids, you two were out there for a long time.
I know your dad is really excited that you liked being out in the waves with him this trip. He loves surfing and I know he hopes you'll love to go with him one day. This vacation was a wonderful first step at getting you comfortable and confident out there. Great job baby boy. I'm so proud of you...and so is Dada.
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| Scenic overlook coming back from Hanalei. I think there are taro fields down there. |
That night was our luau! I'd say you did great at the luau and I was really proud of you. We had some fun before dinner and the show started, but once the show was going you had to be still. You moved around from my lap to dad's to your own, but you were quiet and watched some. You and Dada got up for a closer view when the fire dancer started, and I'm pretty sure that was your favorite part.
This was a fun vacation. We some bumps along the way and I think your cold didn't help. You would ask us to go back to our rental house while we were out, but would get antsy when we were at the house. I think you would have been more chill if you had felt better. And let's not forget how hot it was outside...and even in the house since there was no air conditioning. I'm sure that didn't feel great with a stuffy nose. Overall, I'm excited for all the new experiences we had together and all the things we got to show you. I wish you had felt better and enjoyed them a bit more, but that's ok, I can't blame you for being off, sweet boy. I hope this post will one day remind you how awesome Kauai was...is. I'm sure we'll go back again.
Love,
Mama
P.S. The last day there we went back to the toy store and got you the car you had seen at the toy store. Dada and I got some hats, so it only seemed fair that you had a souvenir from the trip as well. You are still carrying that car around everywhere we go, since we've been back. ;)
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