First time paddleboarding

One of the first times I went to Hickam Beach S and I asked the lifeguard about renting paddleboards.  He inquired on if we had paddleboarded before and we said no.  He chuckled and said that he strongly recommended lessons before going out.  S and I thought nothing of it, how hard could it be, right?  A week later (when it was a different lifeguard) Ticklebug, S, and I went and rented the paddleboards.

Sadly, I didn't get any pictures of the event.  I keep going back and forth on if I want a waterproof camera or a waterproof case for my phone.  To make up for the lack of actual pictures I shall grace everyone with my paint drawings.  Don't worry, they are awesome.
  
The lifeguard told us that we could paddleboard to the left as close to the Honolulu Airport flight line as we liked, just make sure we don't go to the right towards Ahua Reef.  We thought we would be safe just going out straight.  We were wrong.  

Maneuvering the paddleboard was more challenging than we anticipated. S had never done any type of paddling before so she was pretty much learning on the spot.  At least she had an excuse though.  I had paddled before and would still go the opposite direction.  Of course Ticklebug got the hang of it the quickest.  

S and I had gotten the hang of paddling boarding on our knees (how you start off) so Ticklebug encouraged us to try it standing up, like him.  He fell a few times so S and I were both timid at trying it. We both tried it once but were too scared and went back to our knees.  Coming back down S couldn't manage the direction of her board at all.  I paddled over to her to try and help.  However, before I could get to her another paddleboarder started laughing.  I yelled to him, "Stop judging us!"  Then he pointed out that S was backwards on her board.  As in she was facing the tail end of it. 

That little fin means it's the back of the board.

When she had come down from standing she turned the wrong way.  LOL!  I was laughing so hard I almost fell off my board. 

In our attempts to get control of the paddleboard we had drifted out towards the right.  We heard over the loud speaker "Paddleboarders, you are too far to the right.  Please move to the left."  Ticklebug came over to help us and at one point we decided it would be easier if he just pulled S along behind him. 

Ticklebug pulling S by his ankle leash thingie.

 Again, I couldn't stop laughing and was doing it so hard that I almost lost my balance on the board.

We had gotten so far out that the waves were much higher and harder.  I started to panic at this point thinking things like, "There are sharks in this water.  They are going to come out and eat me." and "These waves are going to knock me over, I'm going to get knocked over and hit my head on the board.  Then a shark is going to eat me."  We must have looked pretty ridiculous because the rescue boat came out and asked us if we needed a ride back.  S was quick to jump in and I followed right after her.  Ticklebug had too much pride and said he would be paddling back. 

While we were in the boat the rescue lifeguard told us that we were his second rescue of the day and that a group before us had drifted towards the reef as well. We also heard the lifeguard that rented to us say over the radio, "I told them to stay to the left?  Why didn't they listen?"  Oops!

We all made it back to the beach safe and sound.  S and I hanging our heads a little bit in embarrassment lol.  Even though we had to be rescued we still have every intention to attempt paddleboarding again. 

Special thanks to S for letting me tell everyone how much I laughed at her.  Love you, S!

Interview with the Ladies - Two Weeks in Hawaii

For fun I did an interview with my ladies on what they think of their time in Hawaii thus far. 

Me: "What do you think of Hawaii after two weeks?"
A: "Good so far."
K: "This is how much fun I'm having..."  :: holds hands a small distance apart::

Me: "Bring me my coffee, please?"
A:  "Yea."

Me: "What's the most fun thing you've done so far?"
Both: "The beach."
A: "Being one with the waves."
K: "Being one with the waves had its consequences though."
A: "Yea, swimmer's ear."

Me: "What's something you want to do while we are here?"
A: "Swim with sharks."
K: "Scuba dive, but I'm not old enough."
Me: "You can do the bubble maker."
K: "That's not fun."
Ticklebug: "K, come here and look at this."  ::shows bubble maker info on phone::
K: "Ehhhhh"

Me: "If you could change one thing what would it be?"
A: "Less heat."
K: "I want E to be here."
Me: "At least there is no snow."
K: "Snow is fun though.  If we visit Maryland I want to be during the winter."

I do not wish to return during winter.  Neither do the dogs.

Me: "Are you ready for school?"
A: "Nope!"
K: "Eh."

Me: "What do you think about the new house?"
A: "It could be bigger, but it's okay."
K: "I wish my room was bigger."

Me: "What's been your favorite thing to eat since we got here?"
K: "It's all the same thing we ate in Maryland!"
A: "NO!  Coco's is the best!"
K:  "Oh yea!  Coco's!"

Ticklebug has passed his addiction down to our children.

Me: "What do you miss the most about mainland?"
K: "E."
A: "I miss my friends."
Me: "I miss my kitchen."
K: "So you don't miss your friends!?"
Me: "Of course I do!  I just also miss my kitchen."

Me: "Is there anything else you girls have to say about Hawaii?"
A: "Not really."
Me: "No good, bad, indifferent?"
K: "There is good Pokemon!"
Me: "Priorities!"

Entertaining Kids while in Temporary Housing

My original intent while in temporary housing was to have all kinds of activities that would mentally stimulate the kiddos' minds.  Electronics would be restricted for the majority of the day and the children would work on something that was challenging, but not so much so that it would interrupt my reading and coffee time.   The different things we tried were:

Writing exercises
Reading
Coloring
Make Attempt knotting friendship bracelets
Kiddo friendly yoga
Puzzling
Baking

Looks good, right?  Well, all of those things involved calm concentration and it just wasn't happening.  The kids would attempt the tasks but it came with a million questions (sometimes the same one over. and over. and over. again.)  It ended up with me throwing my hands in the air and saying, "Park time!" or their favorite "Just turn on the tv..."

Who is this guy?  Does he even have kids!? 

...The tv...  Even though I'm not fond of kids having too much tv time I have to admit it's the best babysitter ever.  (Don't judge me!  Don't you dare judge me!) That half hour  two hours of peace and quiet in a room is like heaven.   I can gain back all the sanity and confidence that I lost in the time that I was trying (and failing) to be the perfect parent. 

What I'm saying every afternoon.

I'm throwing mommy guilt to the wind while in temporary housing, so what the kids get more television time than usual.  The bright side to that is lots of cuddles on the couch. <3

Hickam Beach

Less than ten minutes away from our hotel is Hickam Beach.  I'm already in love with this little stretch of water and sand.

Both times we've gone it's been beautiful and peaceful.  *COUGH* With the exception of my demons ladies throwing sand at each other and inciting the rage of some woman. *COUGH*

It's neat because to the right there is a view of Honolulu Airport and can see the flights take off.  I thought it would be unbearably loud but it's not at all.

Kayaks and paddle boards can be rented from a little MWR shack.  S and I went tried to rent paddle boards but the clerk chuckled when we said we had never taken a class and said the water was too rough for a first time.  I wanna call bullshit on all of that.  I think he just didn't want to rent us the boards because he thought he would have to come in and save us.

Something to watch out for is to the left of the beach are some restricted buildings.  So I won't be letting my ladies wander around without adult supervision.  I love them and for the most part I trust them, but I can't let their kiddo curiosity get the best of them.

To the right of the beach is a restaurant/bar.  I haven't been yet but I hope to go soon.  Cross your fingers for yummy blue cocktails!  If they aren't good the best thing about the beach is that it's a wet beach, meaning alcoholic beverages are allowed as long as they aren't in glass containers.  Yay!

I foresee many days, afternoons, and evenings here in my future. 

Friday Evening Drive to North Shore

Ticklebug and I were bored Friday night so we decided on a whim to take a drive to the other side of the island and visit the North Shore.  We had no plans or intentions, just some Hawaiian go with the flow mentality.

The view on the drive up was absolutely beautiful!  For real, pictures do not do it justice.

The only thing we had hoped to see were some sea turtles along the shore.  Sadly, none were out.  The water ended up being too choppy.  Sea turtles prefer when the water is calm (or at least that's what the interwebs told me).  for was spotting some sea turtles along the beach, but none were out.  The water was too choppy for hat the no swimming flag was posted.  That didn't stop some surfers from going out and catching waves.

My anxiety went up a notch watching the surfers because the beach is full of huge rocks.  It's gorgeous, but looks very dangerous.

We stopped in at Uncle Bo's Pupu Bar and Grill since it was one of the highest rated restaurants on Yelp.  Honestly, I insisted we go because it when I looked at the description it said traditional.  In my mind I was thinking traditional Hawaiian, not mainland traditional.  I was a bit disappointed (fish tacos too dry (hahahahahahahaha, I'm a 13 year old boy) and my cocktail was dusted with something odd) but Ticklebug and the ladies loved their meals.

Looking around the interwebs after the fact I know for sure that we will be going the route of food trucks next time we visit the North Shore.  They have the best reviews and I typically like hole in the wall places more than chains.

I'm not sure when we will go back but when we do I plan on having a better plan on what to do.  One stop for sure will be the beach again. Check out this view!

Isn't that beautiful!?  No filter or anything.  I can't wait to go back!

Aloha!

First, of all isn't the view in the above picture beautiful?  It was our view from breakfast our first morning in Hawaii.  The past few days since arriving have been going by in a blur and things are finally starting to settle down. 

The ladies did awesome on the flights.  No tears, meltdowns, nothing!  Just some game playing, reading and sleeping.  They were a little concerned when the pilot pointed out that we could see Hurricane Lester from a distance, but that's it.

The pets all made it through the flights and didn't have to go into Hawaii's quarantine program.  Addy did have me worried in a little in the beginning.  She was making some strange wheezing sound after the flight.  I explained the noise to LA (bestie/animal enthusiast extraordinaire) and she said it was probably an anxiety/panic attack.  I guess pets get them just like people.  Makes sense, I'm sure if I was locked in a box and placed under a plane for around 12 hours I would be having an anxiety attack too.  No stress now though.  Addy is totally fine now and back to being her demanding cat self.  

The hotel we are staying in a fantastic.  It's like a little condo.  It has a living room, dining room, kitchen, master bedroom, bedroom with two beds, two bathrooms, washer/dryer, and a fenced in yard.  I'm very happy that S recommended it to us.  While the Navy Lodge may have the better view the Royal Alaka'l Inn is more accommodating for pets.

Hawaii is absolutely beautiful!  There is so much sunshine and the land is so lush and green.

No filter or edits.  Just natural, beautiful sunshine.

There is only one negative factor so far.  All the nature is currently making love inside my nostrils so passionately the contents of my skull are shaking.  The more formal term for this would be called allergies.  I'm pretty much dependent on Zyrtec to make it through a day.