R & R in Hawaii (Part 2)

...Jump down to my last post to see new photos...

Hi again.
I just wanted to get some of these posted before too long (and before anything happened with my connection...)

We are coming to you tonight (Sun. evening) from the Marriott Ko Olina Resort where we've been enjoying some well-deserved (and somewhat stress-free) downtime and family bonding time.

So at this point, young Dylan figures that he's been adopted by a wandering tribe of nomads, who only stay in one place for a few days before packing up and getting on another airplane for some new destination. He's been in more hotel rooms in the last two weeks than Lisa and I have in the last two years! Imagine his little brain trying to process what's happening...

We're hopeful that every morning he wakes up and sees all of us, at least he feels comfortable and that he can trust us to take care of him. There will be plenty of time later for routines and structure. Certainly not on this journey!

A few Disneyland notes...
In "Small World" a favorite of both D & K, every time Dad pointed to an item of interest, young Dylan would nod approvingly three times. It meant one of two things:
(A) - "Yes, Dad, thanks for pointing that out. I do enjoy looking at it."
(B) - "OK, Dad, that's enough pointing. I'm not blind, I'm just being polite."

There seemed to be a confusing (to me) overabundance of the "Stitch" character? Perhaps positive test marketing and focus groups were the cause - but the effect was a little disturbing - what the he** is "Stitch" anyway?? It's no wonder attendance is down...

We are thankful for the downtime here in Hawaii. The Tokyo layover was brutal. Meltdowns were plentiful (we had 6 hours to kill!). In general, airports were a challenge, juggling Strollers, three carry-on bags, Starbucks Coffees, and oh yeah...two squirming three-year-olds! As soon as we get home, Lisa and are will be putting the4 finishing touches on our new Cirqe-du-Soleil juggling act - look for it this fall in a theater new you.

The last days in GZ were fun - you know about the Zoo...
But we forgot to tell you about the RATS.
No fancy cages, carefully planned exhibits or expensive habitats - just rats!
Running free and enjoying the zoo - just like us.
Miss Helen, not sure of the degree of OUR OWN domestication asked: "Have you ever seen a Rat up close?"
Perhaps the rats were running to stay one step ahead of the feral cats we also saw patrolling the shadows behind the cages and exhibits!

It must be cultural, because both boys have a keen sense of smell!
Did we mention that GZ was hot?? On our many walks we wandering behind several restaurants, and the stench of garbage was heavy in the air in some places.
When encountering any foul odor, Kyle, ever the diplomat, blurted out "Something Stinks, Daddy!" Almost at the same instant (without even knowing what Kyle was saying...), Dylan's little hand shot up so that his fingers could pinch his nose shut!

Hawaii has been fun so far. We've been staying close to the hotel, eating breakfast at the nice Buffet, and Lunch & Dinner out. We've hit Zippy's (don't laugh - Special K ate his entire pizza, while Lisa and I choked down a Grilled Cheese and burger, respectively) which is a local favorite, and Pizza Hut (same as it ever was...).

Last night we watched 4th of July fireworks (shot off from the "Wet-n-Wild Hawaii") from the Home Depot parking Lot across the highway. There were about 30 other carloads of people that joined us!

The hotel has a nice pool and there are four protected and sheltered lagoons nearby with sandy beaches for swimming and fun.

Last night was not a good one for K-man (bigtime tantrum at Bedtime, one for the record books). So as Dylan began acting up at Dinnertime tonight, Kyle says, "Dylan's not going to start with this tonight, Mommy!" The epitome of the pot calling the Kettle black!!

This afternoon we visited the Dole Pineapple Plantation where we had a nice morning. We took a narrated train tour of the working plantation that thrilled both Kyle and Dylan. We picked up a couple of small items on the way out and took the long way home. Mission accomplished - about halfway down the foothills, they both fell asleep. The quite time was priceless for Lisa and me...

We continued to drive right past the resort and on up the west coast of the island, just to keep the quiet time going. We also snuck a couple of McD's sundaes on the way - please don't tell the boys - they didn't even wake up!

We'll try to catch up with more photos soon.

Tomorrow we're driving up to the North Shore to have a day out with a picnic lunch.

Good night all.
C