With a vacation as packed with fun and adventure as this has been, you have to build in some down time, and that's just what today was. We took the kids to the beach in the morning, but devoted most of the day to pool time. Today was another one of those lucky days where most of the families ended up in the same body of water at the same time. Even with so many little ones, there have always been plenty of adults around, so some stay in the water, some relax and visit, and some even get to read or nap!
All of our boys have improved their swimming skills over the last week and a half. Benjamin will even ask to take his water wings off from time to time. Nathan has been by far the hardest worker. His latest craze is free diving. Well, as much as you can free dive in a 6-foot-deep swimming pool. He and I will play games to see how deep he can dive, how fast he can dive down to the whale at the bottom, or how long he can stay down at the bottom. I'm really proud of his determination.
Not only have the kids gotten to hang out with cousins they don't get to see much, but they've also gotten to be with aunts and uncles too. All of them have especially had a good time with Uncle Chase. Maybe it's just because he's the youngest (and therefore in the best shape and has the most energy), but they've all gravitated towards him, and he's been great. Other times when the whole family gets together, I feel like I spend so much time keeping my own kids in order I don't get to interact much with the other nieces and nephews. I'm really glad that hasn't been as much of an issue this trip.
Dinner tonight was the Hard Rock Cafe in Lahaina. Again, practically on the beach, and amazing views. Even if you're not a Hard Rock Cafe fan, this one is a lot of fun. Quick story about my dinner: There is a section called "Legendary Burgers", and one of them is call the S.O.B. Burger. It's got all kinds of spices, jack cheese, guacamole, grilled onions, etc. Now there are several phrases that fit the acronym "SOB", and as this was the HRC, I assumed it was one that needed to be abbreviated. When they brought the food out, they kept asking who had the "South of the Border" burger, and I kept looking around thinking, "Hmm, that one sounds interesting." It was a good 15 seconds before I connected the dots and realized "SOB" was South of the Border. I've got a fairly high threshold for spicy food, having grown up in Arizona and served a mission in Mexico. This burger, however, was something else entirely. Maybe I got an extra spicy batch of the Chipotle puree -- I don't know, but it was so hot I almost couldn't get through it. Thank goodness we ordered ice cream for dessert!
We ended the night shopping up and down Front Street, including a trip to Bubba Gump's gift shop. Grandma and Grandpa had promised all the kids a souvenir T-shirt, so tonight was the night. The youngest two got "I Survived the Road to Hana" shirts, and Nathan picked out a shirt with a cartoon pirate skull with "Maui" beneath it. Even though neither his mother nor grandmother thought that was a particularly great choice, we
are on vacation, and it was
his choice, so I backed him up. Maybe I'm not such a mean dad after all!
All of our boys have improved their swimming skills over the last week and a half. Benjamin will even ask to take his water wings off from time to time. Nathan has been by far the hardest worker. His latest craze is free diving. Well, as much as you can free dive in a 6-foot-deep swimming pool. He and I will play games to see how deep he can dive, how fast he can dive down to the whale at the bottom, or how long he can stay down at the bottom. I'm really proud of his determination.
Not only have the kids gotten to hang out with cousins they don't get to see much, but they've also gotten to be with aunts and uncles too. All of them have especially had a good time with Uncle Chase. Maybe it's just because he's the youngest (and therefore in the best shape and has the most energy), but they've all gravitated towards him, and he's been great. Other times when the whole family gets together, I feel like I spend so much time keeping my own kids in order I don't get to interact much with the other nieces and nephews. I'm really glad that hasn't been as much of an issue this trip.
Dinner tonight was the Hard Rock Cafe in Lahaina. Again, practically on the beach, and amazing views. Even if you're not a Hard Rock Cafe fan, this one is a lot of fun. Quick story about my dinner: There is a section called "Legendary Burgers", and one of them is call the S.O.B. Burger. It's got all kinds of spices, jack cheese, guacamole, grilled onions, etc. Now there are several phrases that fit the acronym "SOB", and as this was the HRC, I assumed it was one that needed to be abbreviated. When they brought the food out, they kept asking who had the "South of the Border" burger, and I kept looking around thinking, "Hmm, that one sounds interesting." It was a good 15 seconds before I connected the dots and realized "SOB" was South of the Border. I've got a fairly high threshold for spicy food, having grown up in Arizona and served a mission in Mexico. This burger, however, was something else entirely. Maybe I got an extra spicy batch of the Chipotle puree -- I don't know, but it was so hot I almost couldn't get through it. Thank goodness we ordered ice cream for dessert!
We ended the night shopping up and down Front Street, including a trip to Bubba Gump's gift shop. Grandma and Grandpa had promised all the kids a souvenir T-shirt, so tonight was the night. The youngest two got "I Survived the Road to Hana" shirts, and Nathan picked out a shirt with a cartoon pirate skull with "Maui" beneath it. Even though neither his mother nor grandmother thought that was a particularly great choice, we are on vacation, and it was his choice, so I backed him up. Maybe I'm not such a mean dad after all!
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