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.
Wauw Ali welcome back!!!
Great photos!
I live in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles. When ever we can we fly to the USA. I always say we live and work in paradise....beautiful beaches.... white sand.... sun is always shining.....great food.... It is really a beautiful place.
Sooo if you are ever considering a tropical vacation think about us!
I Love your blog and admire you're style!
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reading your post, i was telling me exactly the same things about three weeks ago. We went to the Riviera Maya in Mexico for two weeks with my little one who is 19 month old and the eldest who turned 5 when we were there. We flew from France. We had so much fun alltogether as a family but also very tiring to constantly run after the little devil.
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We leave for Hawaii this weekend with our two-year old and five year-old. Do you have any tips? We're also staying on Ka'anapali Beach.
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the feeling you captured of simon & anna looking at eachother is just too sweet...you can "feel" the love!
glad you had a nice break-and glad you are back!
xoxo
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It looks like a perfect vacation!!! Love Anna in her sun hat!!!!
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As my cousin (mother of 3, now 5, 4 & 3) said to me last summer: "Vacationing with small children is not a vacation, it is a change of venue". So true! We've taken our 4 to Hawaii many times and that trans-Pacific flight is a killer, but oh, what wonderful memories! Glad you had a great time!!
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Wonderful pictures
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When I read your comment: "Note to self: remember to always send a kind look towards any mom flying with little ones, especially if they are crying" I initially thought you meant the MOM crying. But, hey maybe that WAS what you meant. I would feel like crying too if I was on a plane with my crying child! Bless your heart. Loved, loved the photos! Glad you enjoyed your trip--err, change of venue.
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Welcome back home!
Lovely pictures! and Huge congrats for being featured in Martha's magazine!!!
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I absolutely LOVE that picture of Anna reading in the shade. She looks so grown up in the picture, yet still so small. I love the hat too. Great color. I can't wait to see the page you do with this picture.
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What a fun trip! Can I just say that your family photo at the top of the post is gorgeous! You look beautiful
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It is such lovely place to go...welcome back to your blog..
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Welcome Home! Glad you had a great family vacation...we need one! Thanks for sharing!
(Sometimes vacations are 'more' work than being home...but entirely worth it!)
Good guest posters while you were away. Thanks!
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Looks like a beautiful trip! You captured some gorgeous photos, especially the one of Simon and Anna looking at each other - so precious. Thank you for sharing you journey with us!
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Hi Ali,
I'm sure you have lots of great photos..... But the ones you posted are BEUTIFUL!!!!! Thanks for sharing them.... Glad to have you back....
Annette
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A simply stunningly beautiful photo of S & A hugging ~ it made my heart melt.
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My 2 (7 and 4) have made the UK-US trip about 5 times (usually sans spouse), and when the eldest was under 2 we hauled off to Oz for 3 weeks... Gerber sweet potato puffs, fuzzy felt shape/character boards, Hyland's Calms tabs if needed, and Triaminic cough/cold strips are WONDERFUL. Those 4 things, and the hard-learned lesson of "change the baby BEFORE getting in the immigration/customs line, no matter how short it LOOKS". That and just to relax and breathe.
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Oh Ali, we're getting ready to drive two days with our five year old and 10 month old and you have me worried! Seriously for my daughter the 14 month to two and a half stage was the worst for travel, at least you bought the seat for Anna, it could have been worse, trust me!
I have to turn this off now before DH sees it, he is dying to go back to Hawaii. We love westins too but have never been to that one.
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Ahhh, Maui...my favorite place in the world! We got married on the island almost 9 years ago. I'm glad you had a great time. Welcome back.
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Welcome back Ali. We too went to Maui for Spring Break (Mar 10 - 21, did we overlap?) with our kids. We have 3 daughters, 6, almost 4 and 12 months. I TOTALLY get about adjusting expectations!!! The biggest issue I faced was adjusting my husband's expectations!!! Somehow he thought we'd be able to go, go, go - I think he forgot about the really important things (to kids) like nap times, snack times, TV 'down' times and the unexpected twists like fevers and coughs and bloody noses. Oh, and babies that throw up because of the turbulence on the approach to Kahalui (sp?) Airport and then can't sleep because their favourite blankie is puke covered and there's no laundry detergent in the apartment! Ah, travelling with kids. I need a vacation! You?
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Those are more that a few holiday photos, they share with us a story, thanks :)
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Beautiful pics! Glad you had a great time :)
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I know I'm not the first to say it, but Maui is our favorite place too. I'm sure there are some great scrapbook pages percolating in your mind.
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Welcome back. Sounds like you had a great trip. Yes, traveling with kids adds an extra dimension to life. Try it with 4!! Doesn't always go as planned but is always an adventure for sure.
We missed you but I am so happy you shared other bloggers with us in your absence. I have added several of them to my new favorites. So glad you exposed us to such inspirational women in the industry. thanks so much.
Now take a vacation from your vacation before you dive right back into crazy busy mode.
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Welcome back! I can't wait to see what you do with the photos from the trip.
After seeing the ones you have posted, I do have a question for you. I noticed that Anna was sitting in a Britax car seat, but I can't make out which model it is. Our 10 month old is about due for a new car seat, and we're trying to decide what to get. So, my question is three part: 1. Which model did you buy? 2. Why did you choose this one? 3. After using it, what do you think? Would you buy this one again?
Thanks much!
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