Aloha!

It is amazing to think that we fast forwarded through the holidays and already through "ski week" break. Where does the time go? Why do schools seem to have so many weeks off school? We have had a child in school now for 5 years and you would think I would have the schedule down, but I don't. It still amazes me all of the time kids have off school.

My point to my soap box above is that so much has happened since my last post. Because I don't have time to blog every week I miss a lot of milestones and fun things that I would like to include.

Right after I posted the last time I discovered head lice on Phoenix and myself!!!! What a week we had following this awful event. I feel so ignorant about ignoring the notices that have been sent home. I never had to worry about it with Axel. I now know that I need to check her as regularly as I can remember as girls with long thin clean hair are a magnet for the little suckers. I was exhausted after doing, home treatments, professional treatments, haircuts and 20+ loads of laundry and cleaning. I am so grateful for that event to be over.

To be extra cautious I made all of the boys get buzz cuts. I actually think they all look cute with short hair. I also like Phoenix's hair short. She looks a lot different. She looks older to me and brushing her hair is no longer a chore or whine/cry feast, which is really nice for me.


Rubix still loves playing with cars and airplanes. He brought 5 cars on our trip to Maui and he plays with his cars on railroad tracks, car tracks or anywhere he can.

Phoenix has been really trying hard to be a big girl. Her crazy screaming and tantrums have really come to a minimum compared to what we have experienced over the past year or two. We have all been trying very hard to not raise voices and learning to use our words. In the picture below she was VERY upset at me. I was not going to tolerate her fit. She escaped her room and instead of continuing in her fit she sought out Axel for comfort. She quietly sat there while I quizzed Axel for his Spanish test.

   
We decided to take the family swimming together on Super Bowl Sunday which resulted in Rubix missing his nap. Here Rubix is just about to fall asleep while watching the Super Bowl. I love how he puts his hands behind his back while relaxing and sleeping.

Here is another picture of the boys watching the game.


On Wednesday, Feb 6th, I had the privilege to go to the Exploratorium with Axel and his 4th grade class. We have never been before, but it didn't take long to figure out how to explore the exhibits and participate in the science experiments. It is  similar to the Discovery Museum in San Jose, but much bigger and geared to an older population.
 
It was much less stressful than the last field trip I did because I only had to watch Axel and two of his classmates. I was actually able to enjoy myself rather than worry about keeping track of half a dozen kids.
      
On Friday, the kids had their Valentine's Day celebration. I had to work because I took Wednesday off for the field trip. I was bummed to miss both of their classroom celebrations. We woke up bright and early on Saturday to head to SFO. Unfortunately, our flight was delayed by over an hour for "repairs". Rubix had a blast watching the airplanes, push back tractors and workers. Phoenix was not as happy. Daddy and I were a bit annoyed, especially when we found out that the repairs consisted of re- tapping the arm rests on a dozen or more seats! The flight was full and the service was minimal as the Captain had the flight attendants sitting all of the time for what seemed like very little turbulence. After over 4 hours of no water the kids started to melt down. Despite the seat belt sign I got up to get water for my very thirsty, cranky kids. It was awful feeling like a criminal stealing water as the flight attendants were not friendly or empathetic to my families needs.
     

Despite the long day we arrived safely and were at the beach by 4 in the afternoon. Here is the place that we stayed. It was just across the street from Whaler's Village and the beach. It was a nice 2 story townhouse with an ocean view. The kids loved the stairs and much time was spent playing on the stairs.



The kids were able to enjoy the beach and some outdoor play for a couple of hours before heading in for the night.

They loved this climbing structure at Whaler's Village. 

Sunday was a rain day so we headed to the Ocean View Aquarium. It is important to note that the Aquarium is an outdoor/indoor Aquarium so going from place to place with torrential downpour means that you get soaked without proper rain gear. My children hate getting soaked to say the least, although we all embraced the moments of no rain and the beautiful sea animals we got to see. 

We watched a 3D film on the hump back whale. Phoenix and I watched it and then Axel and Keith watched it as Rubix was not allowed in the theater because of "eye development". I love this picture of Phoenix being silly.

On Monday we did a lovely hike from Kapalua beach to DT Flemming Beach. It was a beautiful. 

DT Flemming Beach had hula hoops as it was part of the Ritz Carlton Hotel. 

We took advantage of the entertainment and the cold water. 

After the hike we played at Kapalua beach. Axel and Daddy went into the ocean and swam a bit. Otherwise, Axel and Phoenix played and played. 

Rubix was exhausted and really wanted to sleep. I tried to get him to lie down and nap on the beach. As you can guess, he didn't sleep, but he calmly hung out in the shade and watched others.

On Tuesday, we drove more North to do the Acid War Zone hike to the Nakalele Blow Hole and Heart Rock. It was an even better hike with even more beauty to see. I highly recommend the drive and hike to see it.

Here is Keith from the watch tower. 

 This is the decent down.

 The beautiful flat section with the "acid rocks".

 Nakalele blow hole.

 More Blow Hole.

 The 400 foot hike up the opposite way in. This was the "easy 400 foot hike". We took the "hard 3/4 of a mile hike." We all agreed we liked our way in better than having to try to descend these slippery rocks.

 King and Queen of the mountain!

We got back for Rubix to nap for the first time in 3 days. Phoenix also took a nap as we were headed to a Luau that night. Here we are all checked in and waiting to be seated. It was a beautiful night.

The kids really enjoyed the show. Daddy and Axel got up on stage to learn how to Hula dance.

 Rubix couldn't stop clapping during the entire fire dance which lasted about 5 minutes. We were all cracking up at how much he enjoyed it. He enjoyed the other dances as well, but you can see from the picture, he was more curious than anything.

All done and heading home. 

Ready for bed!

 Daddy loves to buy gifts for the kids. Phoenix picked out a hula skirt, lei and flower clip for her hair. She can't wait to wear it to school. I suggested she asked the teacher if it will be allowed during free dress, otherwise she is going to have to wait until Halloween to wear it to school.

We learned that the bigger the flower in your hair the more "available" you are. Females who are not married wear the flower on their right ear and those that are married wear it on their left ear. Phoenix loved how the flowers looked and found this big flower while we were playing outside.

More beach play time. 

Another rainbow after a swim workout with Daddy at the local rec center. They had an amazing free rec center and pool that was completed funded by the state. It was a great find by Daddy!

Axel and Daddy got to do an Escape Room. This was a highlight for both Axel and Daddy. 

For Valentine's Day we went out to breakfast. Here we are walking to breakfast.

We all enjoyed a delicious meal.

On the way back from breakfast we were blessed to see another beautiful rainbow. This was one of about 25 rainbows that we saw during our week in Maui.

It rained quite a bit 2.5 days that we were in Maui. We did some outdoor activities despite the rain, but during the downpours we stayed inside and enjoyed doing puzzles. We completed 3 puzzles during our stay.

On Thursday we enjoyed sunset beach play as the rain finally stopped before 4pm. 

The kids loved their last 2 hours of beach play. 

Rubix loved playing football with Daddy. 

Silly Phoenix and Axel!

Mommy and Daddy getting a picture!

What a beautiful last evening in Maui!

Since coming home Keith and I have been busy trying to get everything done. He finished the taxes, and started his long days to finish his 4 presentations for his work conference next week. I have a presentation next week, and have to catch up on nearly 4 weeks of work for my fellowship and to add more stress to my schedule my phone broke!!! It just won't turn on and it is likely I will need to get a new one. So if you have tried calling or texting I am without a phone for at minimum of another couple of days until I have time to purchase another one, for a very pretty penny! 

Next up is Axel's early birthday celebration on March 2nd, as he wants to go to the new Lego movie for his birthday. Then we have Rubix's birthday celebration the day after his birthday on the 16th. If I am got up with my assignments I will try to post after Axel's birthday celebration.