Maui

Here are a few of our almost 400 pictures that we took on our trip to Maui.

Sunset in Hawaii the first night.

At the resort when we got there they had a "Make your own stuff animal". So Kaelyn picked the pink pig (because it was the only animal that was pink) and Jack picked the Dinosaur (really it was a alligator).












Kids ready for their first day at the Pirate pool then off to the beach.






Hula dancing lessons. Kaelyn had to wear her Hawaiian hula outfit, with new flower rubber band.



Look at this smile.

Little miss diva. This is what she did when I asked her to look at the camera for a picture.

Hula dancing. I have video of this too, but for some reason I can't figure out how to download video on this blog.

The next day we went to a beach so that Rich and my dad could surf. They had this great tree that provided shade and also a cool backdrop for a family photo.




Holding daddy's surfboard for a picture.

The next day we drove up a little north and found this cool beach for the kids to play. It had a nice pool area for the kids to swim in and not get taken down by the waves. It also had huge sea turtles swimming just on the other side of the rocks.


I love this photo of Rich and Jack checking out the surf.


a beautiful rainbow out our window.
Kaelyn and daddy jumping in the waves.

This was our last beach day. We met up with my parents friends and their family and it was HOT!! Probably the warmest day we had, plus there was no shade or trees. But the kids had fun.





Kaelyn had to take a picture of our airplane. It is funny, now every time we see a plane she says that it is going to Hawaii. I guess airplanes only go to Hawaii.


We had so much fun and can't wait to go back. Maybe when the kids are older and can swim in the ocean by themselves. And don't need naps (even though they really didn't take naps, only when they fell asleep in the car on the way back to the resort). But we look forward to going again, hopefully with more of our family next time.

One of THOSE mornings...

This morning has been one of THOSE mornings with the kids. A morning that has been filled with crying, hitting, not sharing and big tantrums. Normal punishment was not working. It got so bad this morning and I was so tired of the yelling and me having to tell the kids to share and be nice, that I did something that I never thought I would do.

I separated both kids, cleaned up the toys that were out, and I put ALL the toys in TIME-OUT. I have put a toy in time-out before, but never ALL the toys. I told the kids that if there were not going to play nicely with each other and share their toys, then they weren't going to play with their toys for the rest of the morning.

After a few minutes of crying, it finally worked. Silence.

No more yelling. No more crying. No more hitting. No more tantrums. They were forced to play nice together, because they had nothing else to play with.

It was amazing.
They were back to being best friends.
Back to being loving to one another.
Back to being the kids that I am used to.
Back to this.

"Moley Mommy"

Tuesday was Jack's birthday and it was just me and the kids for dinner. Rich had a work dinner he had to go to. When it is just me and the kids for dinner, I let them pick what they want. Jack said burrito and Kaelyn said quesadilla. Got to love that they love their mexican food as much and their parents. It was a little early to start making such a quick and easy dinner so I told them I would make it in a few minutes. They went back to playing, until a few minutes later Jack walks up to me and says "Moley Mommy, Moley." I looked at him puzzled. What was he trying to say. I thought he was saying "Molly" my in-laws dog, nope. "Movie Jack?".. no not what he wanted. I could not figure out what he wanted. Looking around the living room for anything that could be "Moley." I felt so bad. He was getting so frustrated with me. He eventually gave up on his idiot mom and went back to playing.

I then went into the kitchen to make dinner and it was like the light switch went on in my brain. I look over and see the avocados and ask "Jack, did you want GUACAMOLE?" I wish I had a picture of his face. The biggest smile suddenly appeared and he shouted "Yeah!!!" Like, it was about time you figured out what I was trying to say mom. I felt so stupid.
You are probably thinking it as well. How did I not think of guacamole? but it just didn't come to mind. Needless to say, I now know what "moley" is and considering it is one of his favorite things to eat, I am sure we will be having much more Moley in the future.
Jack went on to eat 2 avocados (guacamole) and his bean n cheese burrito. The birthday boy was hungry.

My Little Man is 2!!

Happy Birthday Jack. I love you so much. You are such a sweet little boy. So mellow and easy going. Your laugh is so contagious and your smile melts my heart. I can't believe that you are two today. Where has the time gone? You have grown up way too fast. I enjoy seeing your personality come out even more now. You love your sister so much and love playing with her (even if she doesn't want to play with you). It is so sweet to watch. You have gained your independence, so much that you always want to do everything yourself. Even if it takes you 15 minutes to buckle your seat belt. You are determined!
Your favorite things to do right now are climbing on anything and everything, throwing or should I say pitching a ball (we have a Major League Pitcher on our hands), playing with cars, trucks and dinosaurs and doing anything Kaelyn does! (which means an occasional tea party, Sorry Daddy)
You are my big boy today, but will always be my baby!