Home Again.
We landed back home safe & sound late last night from a spring break adventure in Maui.
It was our first big trip with two kids (and our first visit to Maui). The flying part was pretty much all good except for our final leg from San Francisco last night. Anna was seriously done with all this travel business and let us and everyone else on the plane know just how she felt about it. I kinda felt like crying right along with her. (Note to self: remember to always send a kind look towards any mom flying with little ones, especially when they are crying.)
Simon was sick for a couple of days right in the middle of our trip with a fever which was a pretty big bummer. We thought at first it might have been some sort of sun-sickness after a big first full day swimming in the pool and ocean but it ended up it was likely that we have just been passing around this fever-cold for the last month or so.
Overall Maui was beautiful. We were together. When he was feeling well Simon loved the pool and he also loved playing in the surf and crashing around in the waves. Anna wanted to do everything that Simon was doing which was a bit of a challenge but also really cool. Sometimes I think she thinks she's eight too.
Chris took Simon on a whale-watching boat on our second-to-last morning. They got to see quite a few whales, even a few swimming under the boat.
There was not a lot of relaxation with two active kids (see part about adjusting expectations below). I found myself always on the lookout for shade for Anna and I especially, constantly reapplying sunscreen, and always making sure the next meal/snack was in the works.
The technology break was much needed. I did actually stay away from the internet, email, and work for the duration (quick email checks on my phone to delete the junk but that was it). It's awesome that we have so much access to information and the ability to work anywhere, but it was so nice to just turn it off for a week (and now I'm ready to be back).
We learned a lot about the ups & downs of traveling with two kids and about once again adjusting our expectations in a variety of different areas. Where to push and when to pull and when to just let go and look up at the sky and be thankful wherever I was at that very moment.
A big thank you to my guest posters this past week. I really appreciate your willingness to share your creativity and projects and thoughts.
I am tackling email today and getting back down to business. I'm also thinking of ways to document this latest family adventure.
It feels good to be home.
it sounds like you had an amazing trip, isn't maui incredible? we went for our honeymoon, and it's amazing how relaxed you felt as soon as you landed in their airport. welcome home.
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The photo of Simon & Anna is SO ADORABLE!!!
Glad you had a great time!
I have just begun checking out your blog and am very interested in doing the Week in the Life project.
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Congrats on a restful vacation. Unplugging every now and then is a great thing! There is such a thing as too much access. Glad you could make time to spend it in a quality way. Aloha from Hawaii Moku (Big Island of Hawaii).
Kate
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So glad you had a great trip! I missed your blogging.
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That is totally what it was...LOL.
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Go for it Melissa!
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Oh Anna. We've got a couple other long trips planned this year. I'll email you to see if you have any tips.
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ohhh. Looks amazing!
Would you mind sharing the name of the hotel you stayed in? We've been trying to plan a trip to Hawaii, and haven't figured out where to stay yet.
Can't wait to see what you do with the pictures!! :)
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Welcome home! We have one child and vacations are definitely less relaxing than they used to be, but we are happy to be a family of three. :) Your guest posters were *stellar* but we're glad to have you back.
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I love coming home, nothing like sleeping in your own bed :) We have three young children (only one in a carseat) and have yet to really travel other than a couple 8 hour car rides which was interesting. I will remember to look kindly at the mom with the crying kid on the plane, good advice. Glad to see you back! Susan
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Welcome back Ali.
I travel home (to the states) from Europe every year alone with my kids and I agree that a kind glance beats a side-eye glance when one of the kids melts down. Of one thing I'm sure, each adventure creates a tighter bond with my kids. One day the vacations will be again relaxing - for now, it so worth the experience for our whole family.
Love your photos (as ALWAYS :).
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Welcome Home!
Although you were missed, your guest posters did a great job filling in for you.
Your photos from Hawaii are wonderful. Looking forward to our trip there in 2012.
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We stayed at the Westin on Kaanapali Beach.
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Welcome home Ali.
I hope you can keep the vacation-spirit up for a while. Routine comes around the corner way too quickly.
Enjoy the recharged batteries, for as long as they may last! Thumbs up to a good relaxation! Well earned!
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You definitely are brave! We only did road trips at this age so we could return home easily if we had to. They will be traveling pros at a young age!
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Absolutely Ali! 22hours from Alaska to London was our longest flight, flying solo with 6 month and almost 3 year old.
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Missed you this week, but loved your Guest Posters! Welcome home!
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Glad you enjoyed your family time together, always good for the heart:) Wishing the Edwards family a wonderful Easter weekend.
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Thank you so much for sharing your vacation photos. Seriously...your kids are just ADORABLE! The 2 I love the MOST are the one of Anna sitting under that shade with the cutie hat reading a book (ugh...so stinkin cute!) and the one of her in the yellow dress peering over the bed at Simon. You seem like an amazing Mom and kudos to you for being aware that even with fevers and tantrums there is cause to be grateful. I have 2 children as well. My eldest is also a boy and my youngest is a girl. They were a bit closer in age but I really really hope that when we traveled with them I was as patient and thoughtful as you seem to be. My babies are now 10 and 7 and it makes my heart just a bit sad to know that I will never get that cute baby time back with them! Enjoy your precious little ones and welcome home!!!
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OMG! I can't believe how grown Simon looks in the whale watching picture. The trip looks like it was amazing on many levels ... location, family time, technology break. Good for you!
My sister and I took my neice to Houston when she was 3 years old and the only time she was quiet was as she laid across the three tray tables on the back of the seats in front of us. Thankfully the folks in those seats were so kind and generous they never said a word. I made a vow I would never give the "stink eye" to another traveling parent with a loud child. LOL!
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looks like a fun trip! and how nice to just turn off the computer for the week and reconnect with your family! just the thing to rejuvenate yourself!
welcome home :)
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What nice family photos!
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Welcome back! Great guests that I have enjoyed!!!
Tell us how the Westin was....I've been dying to stay at that particular resort. That is our vacation club but we haven't even been there yet!
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Glad you're back! We're planning a Hawaii trip but not for a few years. My SIL lives their and her husband is native Hawaiian so when we do show up, there will be a ton of aunties and uncles and a gazillion cousins to play with our kids. That will be a huge help in letting us relax, too. :)
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Totally - that will be awesome Erica :).
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