Recap of Trip

Our month long stay has been wonderful. We've been staying in Maryland during the week and going to Pennsylvania on the weekends. Dann drove from Philadelphia to the campground the first weekend we were here to take me to our friends party While Betty watched the girls, the first weekend I've ever been away from them. It was a little strange but I was able to push the mommy guilt to the side for most of it. I got to see people there that I haven't seen since we first moved to Hawaii. So that was really special and very sweet of Dann. Their were really two parties one on Saturday and one on Sunday. Saturday there were belly dancers and a mixing board for a DJ spin off. Sunday night was the 4th of July so there were fire works courtesy of the hosts and amazing fire dancing. Lots of drinks, great friends, and yummy food.

The girls and I got to see Grace and Wyatt which was awesome and amazing to see how much Wyatt has grown. We got to swim;Julia and Wyatt were having so much fun in the pool being silly splashing and what not. Then Sarah took Wyatt for a ride in her Barbie mobile. Julia got upset because she wasn't in the mobile and then got stung by a wasp. She got over it fast and played more with Wyatt and the trio had lots of fun til it was time to say goodbye. My heart was so full seeing the kids together like that. We will miss those guys until the next time.

I got to spend a whole weekend with Angie and Audre which hasn't been done since maybe high school so it was very special. Audre and I picked wild flowers, tried beerfloats, tried Angies' choice of Jalapeno Pizza which is amazing, and just had a riotously good time with Ben, Angie, and Audre. Lots of wonderful spicy food, drinking, catching up with friends, and Rock Band playing. I also felt so blessed to be able to spend so much time with Angie and Audre this trip.

The girls got to spend a bunch of quality time with their Nana, Poppa, Aunt Katrina, and Aunt Erin. They have had so much fun making crafts,painting ceramics, and dancing like there is no tomorrow at the campground. Sarah has been so happy to make best friends where ever she goes and Julia has made great friends too; especially with a really nice man who works at the campground who she likes to call Mr.Nobody but has graduated to Mr.Ice cream. Julia also discovered she can swim without floaties and very recently started swimming on her back.

Betty, the girls, and I also visited Katrina and Cris in Salisbury. Katrina had got the girls a balloon making kit and Katrina made this really wonderful multicolored Octopus balloon animal. Julia really enjoyed twisting the balloon so she got the hang of it pretty fast. She also didn't mind popping the balloons so we heard a lot of that too. Betty had gotten a hotel room so we all had fun swimming in the pool and enjoying the continental breakfast. We also got a chance to go to Ocean City. It was the girls first time there and they loved the sand. Julia was fearless in the water and loved it. Sarah unusually enough wouldn't get into the water until Katrina carried her and then she was still afraid while being held above the water. She seemed to relax after a while. It just surprised me because Sarah is usually so fearless. They saw their first sky boards,seagulls, and Katrina bought them souvenirs. Sarah chose a pink and white poodle that fits in a pink purse and Julia chose a little doll with outfits.

We were going to drive straight from the campground from Katrina's but we ended up stopping at Betty's house since the girls were being insane and wouldn't stop screaming at each other in the car. Betty had gotten some fruit and vegetables at a farmers market on the way so we enjoyed delicious cantaloupe and tomatoes. We still have some cantaloupe in the fridge and the thought of it makes my mouth water.

We just got back from the campground for the last time and it was great. Erin, Bobby and their friends, Dann, Jenn ,Beth, my brother Dan, Ruth, and Eve all came to enjoy Pirate weekend. Dann, Jenn, and Beth got there first so we went swimming in the adult pool which is a different world from the regular pool. It was the first time I had been in it and it was quite, warm, and calm. Everything an adult could ever ask for. The girls spent the morning with Erin, Bobby, and their friends so they were all pretty spent when Erin and Bobby brought them back but I think they had a good time. Erin and Bobby also brought a Surrey for us to ride. So Dann peddled while Jenn, Beth, the girls and I enjoyed his efforts. It was a lot more work once Dann got off. Then Dan, Ruth, and Eve showed up so we peddled to their cabin site, relaxed a while, and then showed them around.

We all went out to a really nice dinner in town where we ate fresh local cheese, fruit, and enjoyed wine that they had brought with them. Unfortunately I forgot my purse at the restaurant but I'm hoping that someone can overnight it back to me because it doesn't open until Tuesday. We all went for a swim in the morning, said our goodbyes and then headed back to Maryland. I sat in back with the girls while we played a million questions. Our stay has been wonderful and I feel so appreciative for everyone especially to Betty for bringing us out here and doing so much.

This is our last week and tomorrow we should be meeting up with my Aunt Mary, Dan, Eve, and hopefully Ruth at some point at the DC museums. Wednesday is plan-free, Thursday we are doing lunch with Mike, and Friday morning we are getting on a plane back to Hawaii. The biggest task at hand is getting the girls to take a bath. I fear that I might have to cut Sarahs' hair if she doesn't let me wash it soon. Something needs to be done because it is starting to look like road kill.

Dan,Ruth,& baby!

Dann I will have made it to our 7th anniversary by Monday. Not really monumental but it's a good number! We are celebrating tonight at Vino's Italian Restaurant because it's not open on sunday through tuesday. It's better that we do it tonight anyway because Dan,Ruth,& baby are coming on Monday for a visit! It will be the first time meeting our little neice Eve and the girls meeting their baby cousin! We will be cleaning non-stop for their stay so it will be especially comfortable and nice for everyone. Must charge the camera for some cute pictures to come!

Sarah had a great birthday party. It was much better than last years because almost everyone she invited came! My grandma's house is officially the party place. So open, nice big shaded area, pool made with kids in mind, and the marina is right in back of all of this. Everyone had a great time and there were only a few crying fits from the usuals.
It was a really nice way of wrapping up an incredibly long week. My Dad has some big shoes to fill, I was basically thrown in to closing 3 escrows and negotiating a deal for him. It was the perfect way to get experience, I have a better appreciation for what he does, and I can definitely do more for him now. Dann has been amazing through this, he's really been Mr. Mom and has done an awesome job with the girls. The summer has been going good.

Aloha Friends

Sarah's best friend Carmel is moving to Texas today. It's really sad because we've really become friends with the whole family. Carmel's mom Loida teaches at Julia's preK and would do Julia's hair when it was in her face. She's just one of the sweetest people and her dad Frank is one of the friendliest people, always making everyone feel included and providing the kids with many a snack. They have all been dear friends through out the school year and we will really miss them. Luckily they are going to Jersey to see Loida's brother, I asked them if they'd be able to make it out to DC since we would be there in July. They said they could do that because Loida and Carmel have never been and the girls would love to see each other again! We wish them good luck and know it's something they have to try and I know they will do well where ever they go with there generous spirit and amazing little girl. It was really sad yesterday on the way home from their play date because Sarah told me that she feels like she's all alone in a dry desert without Carmel. All we can say is Aloha friends!

Julia Fish

Julia is becoming very comfortable in the water. I remember a few years ago when she barely wanted to get in, then she was ok with the stairs, last year she scaled the walls, and now she has finally become comfortable enough to swim on her own with floaties. A big step, Dann and I were so proud of her for being such a big girl. She said she was going to start swimming on her own when she turned 4 and she did it!

Dann's B-day

I got Dann a BC Burrito for morning breakfast after dropping the girls off at school. These burritos are the most amazing things ever! They put Soyrizo, eggs, fried potatoes, spicy ranch, and hot sauce. For lunch we stopped by the grocery store and picked some stuff up. Then it was time to pick the girls up from school and then we went over to a friends house to swim so the girls could get some energy out and Dann could have some quite time. Then it was time to start dinner which turned out fabulously. He said he wanted Italian so I went on epicurious and found a great recipe; Orzo with Grilled Shrimp(can be substituted w/ garbanzo beans), Summer Vegetables, and Pesto Vinaigrette. Usually I mess up recipes or forget one of the ingredients but this time was fine, the adults loved it, Sarah tolerated it, and Julia ate one shrimp. Then we ate a cake from a box, of course everybody enjoyed that. After the girls were asleep Dann and I watched Modern Family, a good solid birthday all around.

Mammas Day Weekend

We had such a great weekend. Friday I hung out with Sarah for a while for furlough and then she went hiking with her friend Catherine. Sarah had a lot of fun from what she told me;she fell in a stream, saw a toad, and her friend used a banana for fishing bait. Julia and I also had a chance to pick out a princes present,wrapping paper, and a princess card for her friend Ruby's birthday party, the girls played once everyone was home, fought after a while, and then we all relaxed and told stories.
Mom couldn't do a lot today so we went out yesterday after Manoa Falls hike and a kids birthday party we all went out to see Babies. It's the cutest, most beautiful, and interesting documentary ever. The adults and kids were equally captivated. After the movie we ate at The Counter; a really yummy burger joint but the best thing there has to be the sweet potato fries. Grandma said she would definitely come back for the fries again.
This morning everyone in the house went for a hike up Koko Head Trail. It was nice and we topped it off with a humongous breakfast. Then the girls and I went to Duck Island to feed the birds there are mostly pigeons there now though. The pigeons followed us to the car while we were leaving, It was a little Alfred Hitchcockesque. After that we made some juice and the girls made some of their own juice; consisting of strawberry lemonade, cinnamon, almond extract, and bacon fat, I'm just glad they didn't drink the bacon fat. Once I got all of the paraphernalia out of the way they played in their room until there was more fighting than playing. Thats when the books were busted out and then the three of us took a much needed nap and the girls are still napping! I can't believe they are both napping but I'm sure they really needed it after the long weekend.