MNL or TNL or WNL...

One of the perks of having a gainfully employed spouse is that sometimes, work hours stretch into the late evening hours.  Are you picking up my sarcasm or should I just spit it out already?  OK, this week, even though he was only out of town just one night, we have yet to see our Daddy-o around these parts on any given evening due to dinner meetings with clients, Young Men's duties, catching up from playing hooky in Hawaii, you name it.  And while I could totally whine about it all... I am guessing you yourself are in some kind of similar boat.  The boat with the missing co-captain.

At least it ain't sinking, yeah?

Soooo, after night three of Operation Solo Mia, I opted to take pictures while the littles went berserk for the last half hour of the day.  Because someone may or may not have had them all bathed, brushed and ready for bed a good thirty minutes before night fall.  Eager much, Amber?  Geez.  

Anywho, they were, (pardon my crass) full on "balls to the wall" this particular evening, chucking bouncy balls "HIGH IN THE SKY" over and over and over again.  And Lawd knows we have ourselves a grand collection of bouncy balls...  Yep, many a quarter done died at the "dog store" as unabashed bribes for good behavior played out.

Meanwhile, little man played the Rocky theme song in the background all Linus-like on his little piano and his mad concert skills escalated the ball throwing into rogue couch jumping and eventually "human chariot" races.  And here's my take on it all.

I have decided that this whole evening "show your craziest stunts game" is fine.  Totally rad in fact.  Furthermore, I have decided to consider it my high five for a day well played... this while I snap pictures of the whole thing from my butt in the corner of a primary colored play room.  Because, in all seriousness, there is not a whole lot of other places I would rather be than that squeal infested, ball zippin', Rocky theme song playin', bonus room turned preschool with a bunch of silly little brothers.  Except maybe right there with their Papa Bear too.

Low expectations... Key to Success y'all.  :)  

Or a Plethora of 25 Cent Bouncy Balls.  Your Call. 

You Should Know...

That I am so grateful to be able to stay home with my little rascals.

That said, you should also know that some days I want to run screaming from the house just to get a break from the constant flurry of activity and *you won't believe this happens here* MAYHEM.  Most particularly on those days when we've grown accustomed to our fair weather freedom outside and then, BAM, Spring does its thing and we're stuck inside for a couple of days.  Oui.

But mostly, I am just grateful.

The boys are so very big & chatty lately... Seriously, after seven days apart, I saw them and swore that they had each grown a year in a week's time.  I couldn't even take it all in to process it.  They were just HUGE and talking circles around one another and so very, very sweet to welcome us home.  And they really haven't stopped with this warp speed growing up. 

Kaelster told me that he is,

"Gonna pack his suitcase and go to Gramma Gail's cactus house and go swimming and put his 'sun-cream' on and do a cannon ball and he will bring my swimmy suit for me too."  

Count me in little buddy.

Daxi told me from the porcelain throne that I should,

"Back away while Daxi does a duty because it's gonna be a stinky bug, Mom."

Thank you for the warning, my friend.

He also told me, "I'm goin' on a boat ride and I'm takin' my deer.  Love you, bye.  And thanks for the prophet, Mommy."  News flash, bud, I didn't have anything to do with him, but I'm glad you're grateful... so am I.

And Ace Face - that boy chatters non stop.  And randomly I'll pick up a, 

"Oh-Tay, Dog, Bee, Andy (Candy), Food, Mowk (Milk), Zebra, BIG Ball and Panda!"

Because, you know, why not?
At least he's got range, eh...

And I adore listening to them interact with one another and make mischief with one another and console each other.  I'm so in love.  The things they do!  It is seriously the stuff that makes gray days the days of silver linings...

So there you have it... a cluster of sweet baby boy fuzzies and a hefty dose of workin' spousal gratitude along with a whole festival of general life appreciation.  Wow - you would think I did the serenity pose or something this morning, yeah?

Beach side effects, I presume...

Whaddya do?

Kauai, Why-ee Do We Love Thee...

You know how in the game of Monopoly the old "Boardwalk" costs a bundle more than "Baltic Avenue", right?  Well, I think the RyGar and I get why our dream Kauai property was listed at a mere 8.9 million.  The garden state flexed her muscles for us and made us fall head over heels in love.  And if you're going to be booking a flight anytime soon, this is a list of must dos while you're there.

YES, Heck YES, kayak up the Wailua River then hike to the Secret Falls and swim in the amazing water.  You won't regret it.  Pinkie Swear.

In Hawaii's history there were many wars.  The King of Kauai knew that eventually his island would be attacked, and often, enemies would poison food and water sources in order to weaken their opponents before overtaking them.  So, the great King set up an irrigation source that stemmed from this waterfall and had secret gardens, fish ponds and clean waters to feed his kingdom if that ever happened.  To this day, Kauai has never been conquered.
History, I kinda dig good stories in history.

And yes, Heavens Yes, take the helicopter tour around the island.  You will DIE of amazement as waterfalls and rainbows literally sprout out of the mountainsides all around you.  And if you're livin' right you might get a born and raised white guy named Jodi as your pilot who will give you the tour as the "Jurassic Park" theme song plays in the background while he tells you the most romantic of all legends about Hawaii. (And you'll almost want to make out behind him in the chopper)

Dude, I seriously took these photos out the window of a chopper.

Post Card material - that Kauai.

Yes, Oh Yes, do the Kauai Golf Challenge if there is even a smidgen of a golfer in you.  The courses are AMAZING and your hubs will be giddy, child-like, over the moon HAPPY that you took the time to do it.  I am serious - ALL SMILES.

Another name for Heaven for Ryno - The Prince Course - a top 100 Course.

Or the course at Poipu.  Yep, you say that "Poy-Poo" --  Awesome.

And ride along even if you don't golf with him.  Because A) It's cheaper to do that than a lot of other day tours and the views are breath taking and B) Because you would be surprised how chatty and hilarious and ready to buy you snacks your hubs will become when he is in the aforementioned state of delirious happiness.

Do stop to watch the waves a bazillion times.  Because, those waves of the ocean?  I don't know but they almost put me in a trance a few times there.  They are the epitome of power and they make you feel peaceful and introspective and so very little all at once.  

And while you're there, on the beach, walking in the gorgeous sands of Hawaii... always take the time to write love notes.  Because, duh.  Why wouldn't you?

ALWAYS take pictures of island horses.  

If I am a horse in the next life, I am going to be a horse in Hawaii.

In a yellow flowered field that looks out onto the ocean, to be specific.

You could check the weather, but it won't matter if it is rainy, overcast, sunny or breezy... It will change in fifteen minutes and the "rain, wind & overcast conditions" are so mild.  Nothing like the horizontal snows of home.  Why do I love it here?  :)

Do take a few hikes on your own.  You cannot get lost.  And for those of you from my home stompin' grounds, you will marvel at the "red dirt that looks JUST like it does at home"!

And do ask RyGar how many times I said that.

Patient Man.

And do not ask me how many times I tried to launder out our now salmon colored socks.

Patient Woman.

And yes, all the way, YES lay on the beach, by the pool, and on the beach again as much as you can.  

And if you're braver than me and you're accustomed to rip currents and gnarly waves and all sea creatures - go surfing.
Me?
I hear the sound of "Jaws" every time I go into water that is deeper than I am tall.  And did I mention I even hear that sound in my head in, say, Lake Powell when I water ski?

Water wuss.

More accurately Ocean wuss. 

But one can't really blame me when I've been raised in the mountains.  So I tell myself.

Final note.

DO ask more than one stranger to take a picture of you with your lova boy.

Or else you'll have just one gem of the two of you together.

Not that I'm complaining...

I'll ask our parents, but I'm thinking of adding "do go again in a few months" to my "To-Do" list.

I'm guessing they won't quite be recovered from all the babysitting they did while we were away...

But maybe they won't need to be.  Kaelster and Daxi have assured me numerous times that they will be quiet on the "airpwane" and will "keep their seat-bewts on".

Guess we'll have to plan a family outing next...

:)

Zen Sprinkled with A.D.D...

We're back.

We spent seven luxurious days in Kauai and we basically showed Hawaii all that we are capable of doing in the most efficient yet relaxing way possible.  I hereby crown RyGar and I as two of the best damn tandem travelers alive... On top of that - I kind of like him.  I won't go all mush on you, but let's just say, RyGar is my jam.  And some days I still can't believe I get to be his wifey.

Anywho, that Hawaii, man.  Gets right under your skin, in like, the first five minutes rain or shine.  And you just NEED to be there and your heart starts beating at the same pace that the waves crash upon the beaches.  I could set up shop there and raise little Haole surfer boys.  Pretty sure.

Which leads me to today.  I am a little A.D.D. here on the home front.  I guess I haven't fully hit my post-vacation stride.  I mowed the back yard yesterday, our first afternoon home, because the littles had their mowers out and begged me to join but what I didn't do is mow the rest of the yard.  Then I did a couple loads of laundry, cooked a lame little meal, half-way unpacked, read another chapter in my cheesy Nicholas Sparks vacay novel, and finally, with bathed snuggle-bugs went up to the playroom and watched Cars before bed.  Needless to say, my unpacking and getting back into the rhythm of home life is being conquered "island style"... or slowly but zen nonetheless.

With the risk of sounding like Mister Rogers, I just feel happy.  RyGar and I made some great memories and also made some goals while we soaked up the sun.  I am excited about spring and summer and our little trio of boys and I feel ready for the daily grind again.  

And yes, Heavens Yes, I might just have to post a Hawaii Part II so I can remember more pictures like these when I'm old and senile and, what the heck, I'll throw in my two cents by way of travel pointers for Kauai, the beautiful.