Beach day

After the dentist, we had planned to go the beach. Kyle & Emily had school, but we figured taking them out for the morning for their dentist appointment and then some beach fun would be in order. Our beach morning turned out to be beach day so they had a free day from school. Don't tell. :-) We had a blast soaking in the 90+ degree heat and hitting the waves on boogie boards and surf boards. 

Aaron at the dentist

Today was a big day for Aaron. It was dentist day. We all had our 6 month dentist cleaning and Aaron went for the first time today. We weren't going to take him until he was 3 based on our experience with Kyle & Emily when they were young. (We took them at 1 per the popular recommendation, but all that occurred was a tooth count. Between a lot of screaming over the purple gloved hands, the dentist actually said, "wow they have a lot of teeth". We knew that. And gave us a huge bill. We didn't carry dental insurance because it didn't make sense since we just needed cleanings and were willing to hedge bets against adult cavities.) Well, now we carry dental insurance so we figured why not try Aaron at the dentist since it didn't cost anything extra and if he screamed we would just take him home and try again in another year. We were utterly amazed at how well he did! He sat in the chair the entire time, had his teeth counted, had his teeth cleaned with the peppermint spinny thing, spit in the suction tube and even tried to get flouride! The only reason the flouride wasn't a full success was because the tray was too big for his mouth and he was just swallowing it and gagging a little bit so I asked them to remove it. Not bad for being 2 at the dentist for the first time. 

Funnily, the only issue he had was when I had to get my teeth cleaned. He wouldn't leave my side and insisted on sitting on me while I had my teeth cleaned. Jeff and I had only been home 1 day from Maui. He wasn't willing to let me out of his sight for very long for fear I would leave again. Sweet boy Aaron. 

So after the dentist, the kids played hookie from school and we went to the beach in the 100 degree heat and went surfing and boogie boarding. Perfect day to play hookie. Jeff was even able to join us for the beach fun for a bit between calls. 

Sitting nicely at the dentist

Getting cleaned

Getting flouride

Our Maui trip

I realize this is a blog about our kids, but this post is about Jeff and myself. We took a trip back to Maui for our 10th anniversary. We went for our honeymoon 10 years prior. How things have changed in our lives since then. And how things in Maui have stayed pretty much the same. We had a wonderful time escaping for a few days and enjoying uninterrupted conversation, save for the "would you like a cocktail" interruption. 

We were staying in Wailea so when we landed mid-morning we took the opportunity to enjoy the sites up by the airport like Mama's Fish House and the road to Hana since they are very much out of the way from Wailea. 

The beach at Mama's Fish House

Outside Mama's Fish House

We had the most spectacular meal at Mama's Fish House. We went there on our honeymoon as well. I don't recall what we had that time, but this time we had an amazing sashimi plate, ceviche and a roasted fish. The sashimi was probably the freshest, most amazing sushi we have had. 

After our lunch, we did a little bit of the drive to Hana. I think the whole drive is 40 miles and can take several hours due to the small, windy roads. We drove 11.3 miles of the drive and made a cute little waterfall our turn around point. We picked up some banana bread and coconut candy (not at THE banana bread shack that people rave about, but a lot of them now sell banana bread probably because of the lore of THE banana bread place). 

The path to the waterfall

Our turn around

Jeff driving. He rented a Jeep, something he always raves about driving. He was a happy driver. We were even able to take the top off the Jeep before it started to rain. We headed over to our hotel since we would be able to check in. 

This was our view at the pool. One thing that did change in the 10 years we were away was that the hotel put in an adults only pool. The hotel is very kid friendly, but it was nice to have a dedicated we-didn't-bring-our-kids-area with its own pool and swim up bar. We actually learned about it from the Modern Family episode when they went to Maui. 

Our second day in Maui, we got up at the crack of dawn, actually well before it at 2:30am which was 5:30am San Diego time and drove to the top of of the volcano, Haleakala to watch the sunrise. It was amazing, but we were not prepared for how cold it was. We were told it would be cold, but not that it would be Chicago in the winter with windchill cold. We had jeans and hoodies on and the hotel gave us blankets, but that didn't even begin to cut it in 0 degree temperatures... This was one of the few times that it was rough to be coming from San Diego in that we didn't have our winter jackets with us from whatever winter destination others were coming from.

It was unbelievably cold. And here we are a bit warmer since the sun was up.

We did a little hike afterwards on the volcano.

After recovering from waking at 2:30am, the following days, we truly relaxed. We laid by the pool, swam, went in the ocean, went for a scuba dive (well, Jeff did successfully. Mine lasted 5 minutes due to my tank emptying within minutes), snorkeled and saw some awesome sea turtles, did stand up paddle boarding, and went outrigger canoeing.

Some kids built a pretty awesome castle on the beach

Jeff & a sunset

Jeff & a sunset

There were these beautiful blue eyed birds that we called "Bear Bear Birds" since their blue eyes were as stunning as Aaron's blue eyes. I believe they are actually called zebra doves.

We caught a few sunsets. Maui is just beautiful.



This was at a new lava field. Well not that new, but in the last 100 years new. It is this unpaved, unincorporated part of Maui. It's basically at the end of Wailea taking the short way to Hana, but the highway ends so you can't actually get to Hana by car. Kind of crazy to have been walking on 'new' land. 

On the flight home. Maui was amazing. Thank you Mom for watching the kids!! 

Grandma with Kyle, Emily & Aaron

While Jeff and I went to Maui, my mom watched the kids. They had a fabulous time with her while we had an amazing time in Maui. 

Grandma & Aaron taking a selfie. In Grandma's words, "If Barack Obama can take one, so can we!"

Meatloaf night. I didn't like meatloaf that much growing up, but my kids go absolutely nuts for meatloaf!! Go figure! And Grandma's meatloaf did not disappoint. 

Aaron still got to see his friend Alice while we were away. They had some park time and zoo time together. Here they are driving the park. 

Park time with Grandma & Alice. 

Making / playing with flubber that Grandma, Kyle & Emily made. Simon joined in on the fun. 

Aaron checking out his 'momo"

When we returned, we seemed to have brought the warmer weather with us. We went to Cabrillo together with Mike & Mom and it was empty. People in San Diego don't know what to do when the temps are above our normal 75 degrees. We went to Cabrillo and the tide pools. Aaron had a great time throwing rocks into the water. 

Easter Egg Hunt (2014)

Easter Egg Hunt

Kyle, Emmie, Bear-Bear

Happy Easter to you three.

A special treat we have in store,

so excited you should be.

Again on Easter Egg Hunt

do we now send you on,

but challenges you have not seen

await to give you fun.  

This third of Easter Egg Hunts

your expertise does show.

Too easy to repeat it:

at this you are now pro.

New hints, more challenging,

in eggs await you now,

and what is more a special trick,

so attention you’ll allow:

Each egg you find a number has

as secrets for the final clue

so keep good track and write them down

to see the egg hunt through.

A space you see for each egg here

18 eggs there are for you.

In order write the numbers down

to keep the answer true.

To figure out the cipher,

think Air-Bear’s ordered test:

His ABC’s, his 123’s,

will be needed if you’re blessed.

Do not fret our children now.

We do believe in you.

To figure out the answer

think of all B’s as 2.

New rules as well, we do insist,

shall guide your egg hunt’s stroll:

Switch off each egg as “reader”

and as “number-writer” role.

What’s more: your little brother,

To be like you he’ll beg.

Some clues have bolded guidance:

Let Bear Bear find that egg!

And at the end a special prize

for each of you does wait.

If you can solve them all and more

stand up and seize your fate.

For intellect and thinking hard

are now the tools to use.

Be off, enjoy the hunt,

and Mommy’s / Daddy’s ruse.

The Easter Eggs are near now,

On this I'd like to bet.

The first place that one’s hiding in

He’s bound to get quite wet.

1. ____________________
2. ____________________
3. ____________________
4. ____________________
5. ____________________
6. ____________________
7. ____________________
8. ____________________
9. ____________________
10. ____________________
11. ____________________
12. ____________________
13. ____________________
14. ____________________
15. ____________________
16. ____________________
17. ____________________
18. ____________________

EGGS:

(1 - Shower)

Roses are red

violets are blue

look in the place

where we keep your shoes

(2 - shoe box in garage)

To check the mail you'll need a key,

Hiding in your mailbox is clue #3

(3 - mailbox)

Pink Pens and Pencils

Books and lunch

you’ll find me here

I have a hunch.

(4 - Emily’s backback)

Buttons here for Bear to push

to make your food get warm.

And timers ring as cooking’s guide

does tell in its alarm.

(5 - microwave)

I have four legs but cannot walk;

each night at this we all do talk.

(6 - dining table)

Seek Bear-Bear’s Mo-Mo for this egg,

but where on here to look?

Look for the source of magic

that lets this baby cook!

(7 - MoMo battery compartment)

You've been at this for some time

Now you're getting the rhythm

your next egg/clue is hidden

upon the Rayman system!

(8 - Playstation)

THIS CLUE IS FOR BEAR.  READ IT OUT LOUD FOR HIM.

You've been searching for a while;

a noble troupe your crew.

Be careful: this one’s smelly:

It's hidden in Bear's shoe!!!

(9 - Bear’s shoe)

It spins around

It makes me dizzy

But when it’s done

my clothes feel frizzy

(10 - Dryer)

What do you need to have to get the cereal from the bowl to your mouth?

(11 - spoon spot in the drawer)

Come find me before `the mouse’ eats me!

(12 - Computer)

At beach or patio, in it I play and bustle

but for this clue there is no need

for you to build a castle.

(13 - In the sandbox)

THIS CLUE IS FOR BEAR.  READ IT OUT LOUD FOR HIM.

To always be clean is what 14 wishes,

This clue can be found in the washer of dishes.

(hint:  not Mommy)

(14 - Dishwasher)

Next to a popsicle, which is really quite silly,

Is egg number 15, in a place dark and chilly.

(15 - Freezer)

Buckled in baby, safe and ready for a drive,

Clue number 16 should be easy to find.

(16 - Bear’ car seat)

YOU CAN HELP LEAD BEAR TO THIS PLACE. PLEASE LET HIM FIND THE EGG.  TELL HIM HOW.

You sit on me at day

Sometimes you even lay

To watch a show: a George or Chopped

Or oft for games to play.  

(hint: Ostrich)

(17 - Couch)

2X - 5 = 11

make a rhyme with the answer,

and go to the……

(18 - Gate)

The egg hunt is done,

but no prizes yet won.

To the numbers now ponder,

But if your guesses do wander

and help you do seek

for the answers to peek.

Look back at the start

at the blue instruction part.

1. M    13
2. O     15
3. M    13
4. A     1
5. N     14
6. D     4
7. D     4
8. A     1
9. D     4
10. T     20
11. P     16
12. H     8
13. O     15
14. L     12
15. D     4
16. E     5
17. R     18

TP Holder has Map.

Map leads to Prizes.