Hawaii Trip
Seeing as it’s been almost a month since our trip to Hawaii to visit my family, I probably should hurry up and post in the blog about it.
The week leading up to the trip was a stressful one. In addition to the normal preparations that needed to be made, we also had anxiety about how the kids would do on the trip. The 7+ hour plane ride was a concern, in addition to the time change and different sleeping arrangements.
Things went fairly well until takeoff. Either because her ears wouldn’t pop or because she didn’t want to sit in her seat with the seatbelt on, Zoe began to scream and throw a tantrum. Yes, friends, we were THAT family. She quieted down some when we reached cruising altitude, but refused to sit in her seat for very long. Nicole and I spent much of the trip walking up and down the aisles. Once we began our descent, the screaming and tantrum returned. This is what led us to believe that she might have a problem with the pressure change. Sometimes it’s really hard to tell with Zoe. In sharp contrast, Haley was perhaps as well behaved as I’ve ever seen her. She watched a DVD, colored, played games, and helped with Zoe whenever she could. With minor exception, Haley behaved herself extremely well on this trip.
I can’t go further into this blog without mentioning my cousins Lisa and Gary. My grandmother’s house has seemingly gotten smaller and smaller as my family has gotten bigger and bigger. For a while, we stayed in hotels, so as to not inconvenience her. Now that we’re paying for FOUR airplane tickets when we fly to Hawaii, the additional hotel cost would have added to the drain on our budget. Lisa and Gary allowed us to stay with them and it worked out perfectly. The girls loved their “Aunty Lisa” and were just as sad to leave her as they were to leave Tutu and Great-Grandma. Lisa and Gary, if you’re reading this, I honestly can’t thank you enough.
The first full day was a trip to a beach-house on the other side of the island. This was the first chance for the kids to play in the sand and surf. Haley had a great time. Zoe… the jury is still out. Zoe loves water, and she loves sand, but the combination… not so much. We tried to go to the beach as often as possible during our stay.
The next day we held a party for my grandmother’s 90th birthday. The whole family got together to help her celebrate with good food at a family-style Chinese Restaurant. The kids even got to see a traditional Chinese dragon dance. The loud noises and large dragon costumes scared Zoe a little, but Haley enjoyed it, even if only because one of the dragons was pink. Grandma had a great time with everyone, but the highlight may have been blowing out her candles with the help of her great-grandchildren.
The following Monday, Tutu joined us at Sea Life Park. The kids had a great time watching dolphin and seal shows, and looking at all the fish in the large reef tank at the park’s entrance. Haley even got a special gift. During the sea lion show, one of the animals painted a picture. As we were leaving, the trainer approached Haley and asked if she wanted to keep the picture. How many of you can say you have art hanging in your room painted by a sea lion?
The night before we had to head back, we had one more family party at Lisa and Gary’s house. When I think of my childhood and time spent with family, this is what I think of: Tons of local food on paper plates and everyone sitting around “talking story”.
All throughout the trip, we tried to spend as much time as possible with Tutu and Great-Grandma. While we all enjoyed our time with them, I think that Zoe in particular enjoyed spending time with them the most. Even though it’s been over three weeks since we came back, Zoe still points to their pictures on the wall and says “Tutu” and “Gamma”. I think she’s looking forward to a return visit.
The trip back was thankfully uneventful. It was a red-eye flight that left late at night and got in early the next morning. We brought the car-seat on board and let both kids sleep for the duration of the trip.
A pretty fantastic trip overall, and we can’t wait to return to Hawaii in the near future. However, first I have a promise to keep. I told two special princesses that the next family vacation would involve a Cinderella’s castle and a 6-foot mouse.
The week leading up to the trip was a stressful one. In addition to the normal preparations that needed to be made, we also had anxiety about how the kids would do on the trip. The 7+ hour plane ride was a concern, in addition to the time change and different sleeping arrangements.
Things went fairly well until takeoff. Either because her ears wouldn’t pop or because she didn’t want to sit in her seat with the seatbelt on, Zoe began to scream and throw a tantrum. Yes, friends, we were THAT family. She quieted down some when we reached cruising altitude, but refused to sit in her seat for very long. Nicole and I spent much of the trip walking up and down the aisles. Once we began our descent, the screaming and tantrum returned. This is what led us to believe that she might have a problem with the pressure change. Sometimes it’s really hard to tell with Zoe. In sharp contrast, Haley was perhaps as well behaved as I’ve ever seen her. She watched a DVD, colored, played games, and helped with Zoe whenever she could. With minor exception, Haley behaved herself extremely well on this trip.
I can’t go further into this blog without mentioning my cousins Lisa and Gary. My grandmother’s house has seemingly gotten smaller and smaller as my family has gotten bigger and bigger. For a while, we stayed in hotels, so as to not inconvenience her. Now that we’re paying for FOUR airplane tickets when we fly to Hawaii, the additional hotel cost would have added to the drain on our budget. Lisa and Gary allowed us to stay with them and it worked out perfectly. The girls loved their “Aunty Lisa” and were just as sad to leave her as they were to leave Tutu and Great-Grandma. Lisa and Gary, if you’re reading this, I honestly can’t thank you enough.
The first full day was a trip to a beach-house on the other side of the island. This was the first chance for the kids to play in the sand and surf. Haley had a great time. Zoe… the jury is still out. Zoe loves water, and she loves sand, but the combination… not so much. We tried to go to the beach as often as possible during our stay.
The next day we held a party for my grandmother’s 90th birthday. The whole family got together to help her celebrate with good food at a family-style Chinese Restaurant. The kids even got to see a traditional Chinese dragon dance. The loud noises and large dragon costumes scared Zoe a little, but Haley enjoyed it, even if only because one of the dragons was pink. Grandma had a great time with everyone, but the highlight may have been blowing out her candles with the help of her great-grandchildren.
The following Monday, Tutu joined us at Sea Life Park. The kids had a great time watching dolphin and seal shows, and looking at all the fish in the large reef tank at the park’s entrance. Haley even got a special gift. During the sea lion show, one of the animals painted a picture. As we were leaving, the trainer approached Haley and asked if she wanted to keep the picture. How many of you can say you have art hanging in your room painted by a sea lion?
The night before we had to head back, we had one more family party at Lisa and Gary’s house. When I think of my childhood and time spent with family, this is what I think of: Tons of local food on paper plates and everyone sitting around “talking story”.
All throughout the trip, we tried to spend as much time as possible with Tutu and Great-Grandma. While we all enjoyed our time with them, I think that Zoe in particular enjoyed spending time with them the most. Even though it’s been over three weeks since we came back, Zoe still points to their pictures on the wall and says “Tutu” and “Gamma”. I think she’s looking forward to a return visit.
The trip back was thankfully uneventful. It was a red-eye flight that left late at night and got in early the next morning. We brought the car-seat on board and let both kids sleep for the duration of the trip.
A pretty fantastic trip overall, and we can’t wait to return to Hawaii in the near future. However, first I have a promise to keep. I told two special princesses that the next family vacation would involve a Cinderella’s castle and a 6-foot mouse.
posted by Haley and Zoe @ 11:10 AM
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