Steve enjoys some shut-eye on Tunnels Beach
Leah does me favors by emptying cupboards
Steve and I just returned from a fabulous trip to Kauai. I won't say a much deserved trip, because anyone who has the audacity to dump six kids on someone else doesn't deserve a vacation. And I won't say a much needed trip, because I don't feel like I will die without a break from my daily life. But I will say a much wanted and much enjoyed trip because that is exactly what it was.
Last May, Steve got a letter from the Westin in Princeville, Kauai, inviting Steve and I to visit. It looked like junk mail so I opened it. I had just had a baby and I thought, "Uhm, yes, I want to go to Kauai." So I took the bribe (of course it involved a timeshare presentation) and agreed to come within a year. My year was approaching and Leah was getting old enough that I felt like I could leave. I called my Mom and asked if she could come watch the kids for us. She graciously agreed.
Steve and I had a great time. Kauai is without a doubt the most beautiful tropical place I have ever seen. Although, I'm willing to keep trying to find another tropical paradise more beautiful. We went on a hike over a slippery muddy trail to a beach along the Napali coast. When we were done, Steve was a little tired. He asked me if I was tired at all. I said, "Physically, no, but I do find the mud disgusting." Steve had a lot of fun snorkeling. I also enjoyed it, but I'm not quite as taken with it as Steve is. There is something about seeing animals in their natural habitat that makes Steve go crazy. After seeing turtles, he kept his eye out for monk seals, but we never saw any. He did mention that he had a sixth sense for knowing when animals are around. And honestly, I think he does.
We were really looking forward to the helicopter tour. Steve was a tiny bit nervous and I was ecstatic. When we got off the helicopter, Steve was ecstatic and I was relieved. It was the first time in my life where I have struggled with motion sickness. And for those of you who battle with it, I'm sorry. I definitely feel more empathy for George who gets carsick every time we drive to California. Although I'm sure it was amazing to see waterfalls coming down from everywhere inside Mt. Wai'ale'ale crater, I have trouble looking at the pictures Steve took without feeling queasy.
Our last day was an amazing day spent on Tunnels Beach. At first it was raining (it rained everyday on Kauai) and we ran for cover under the trees. Then the sun came out and warmed us up. It was amazing to look at the mountains around us with a waterfall that you could see the volume go up and down, depending on if it was raining or not. There were a ton of fish to keep Steve happy. Steve loved Tunnels so much that he wants to bring our kids back there this summer. None of the kids seem to mind.
We got home Sunday morning. Max cried all through church cuz we didn't bring him the right souvenir. Sam apparently didn't even know we came home because when someone asked if his parents were home yet, he replied, "No." He was wearing his shirt that we had brought him from Hawaii. Cara said, "Sam, they are too home." Sam said, "Oh yeah, I forgot." Maddie walks around with visions of Hawaii in her head while wearing the flip flops we brought her that are too small (she says she will buy bigger ones when we go back). George was happy to get all his gymnastics awards hung the day after we got back (fulfilling a promise made before we left). And well, Leah is still up to the same old stuff. We missed her a lot, but I think she didn't miss us quite as much.
So thank you so much to my wonderful mother. Not only did she watch my kids, but she also agreed to watch Matt's children for the weekend along with mine. She is a superstar after all. However, I did feel a tiny bit better about my own mothering skills when she leaned over to me on Sunday at church and said, "If you weren't coming home today, I wouldn't have brought eight little kids to church on my own."
1 comment:
Looks like a lovely vacation. I hope reality is treating you well.
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