Not quite a county fair but close enough

Someone mentioned funnel cake last week and since then I've had a hankering for an old fashioned county fair.

Hello Santa Monica Farmers Market.

I almost had to take a valium to deal with the crowds, but Addie had an awesome time. I had been getting kinda wonky in crowds last weekend. We hung out on the lawn at LACMA on Friday night with hundreds of other families and a big squadron of kids from daycare. I sort of went into turtle mode and by the time Cap arrived I was ready to run home in a half panic. I realized that wasn't fair to him or Addie so I managed to hold it together until the sunset when it Time To Go Home NOW.

The farmers market definitely had more people clad in designer footwear (children included) than your average county fair, but we did have a picnic of omelets and strawberry crepes, listened to a band and Addie got an orange balloon butterfly. She also rode on her first pony. No matter what you may think of pony rides, I was so proud of Addie for riding Blondie all by herself while we waved from outside the ring. I'm already getting excited for pumpkin patch season. I think the influx of costume catalogs months in advance may also have started me on it.

Last Comic Standing

In case you are wondering what Addie thinks of her charming, 

eloquent parents, take a look.  Sorta reminds me of 

adults according to Charlie Brown.

so much for nostalgia

Have you had a push-up pop recently? Well, I don't think you need to 

chase the ice-cream truck down the street for one.  Tastes like chewable, 

orange flavored aspirin shoved into a toilet paper tube. Give me tart 

frozen yogurt any day (and recently it pretty much has been).

Twinkle Twinkle

Topping the charts at #1, Addie with "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"

22 Hours

I know, I know. I am totally milking our Hawaii trip, but this will be the last post on the subject I swear (pinkies crossed).

For most of the trip we pretended to be locals and stayed with friends of my mom in Haiku. For one night though I fully embraced my pasty-skinned, tourist-loving self. My mom became Extra Super Gran (if that is possible) and watched Addie, while Cap and I snuck out to the Sheraton at Ka'anapali Beach for one extravagant night in an amazing resort. Man, I LOVE resorts. 

We were miraculously upgraded 2 levels to a Deluxe Ocean Front room. Above is the view from our private balcony; nothing between us and the ocean but a manicured lawn and a long drop off a cliff. In 22 hours we attempted to relive our 7 day honeymoon, and I think we did a darn good job. We crammed in the entire resort experience complete with mai tais by the pool, wine and appetizers in our room at sunset, and dinner at a fabulous restaurant in Lahaina.


At sunset, we raced (and I mean I really ran) from our room service bottle of wine on our balcony, down to the beach to see the ceremonial cliff diver, and then a few minutes later hauled butt back to the room to catch the sun sink below the horizon. The next day we slept in (until 8 am but that still counts!), went snorkeling with a green sea turtle, and then topped it off with more pool time and a bloody mary. Did I mention that I love resorts? I LOVE RESORTS. I'm spoiled and I know it.



And to Po, thanks for sharing 22 hours with me in paradise.

Yucky

The top picture especially is Addie’s "I don’t like it, Mama. It’s yucky" face.

“I don’t like rice. I’m sorry.”
We’ll at least she was polite about it.

Sometimes she’ll also use the scrunchy nose face when she wants to remind me of rules involving what not to eat.

“Addie, do you want to go outside and look for roly-poly bugs?”
“I don’t eat bugs.” (scrunched up face)

"Today we're gonna go to the beach!"
"I don't eat sand." (scrunched up face)
That is also not always the case as Addie has been known to get down on all fours and lick the sand.

“Oh Addie, Look! A hummingbird!”
“I don’t eat hummingbird.” (scrunched up face)

“We’re going to the swimming pool today!”
“The big swimming pool? I don’t eat swimming pools.”

How much do I love you?

There are sunsets . . .




. . . and then there are sunsets from the top of the world . . .





The Summit, Haleakala Crater



"Addie, guess how much Mama loves you?"
I stretched out my arms really wide, "this much."
Addie replied, "Too much."

Blow Dolphin, Blow!

Addie takes on the dolphin exhibit at the Maui Ocean Center - headbanger style.

Promise from Heaven

Want to see your soul?

8,800 feet in the sky when the sun is shining from behind, we were blessed to see our own shadow cast onto the clouds below with a rainbow surrounding it. The Hawaiian legend around this phenomena is that your own soul is revealed to you as a promise from heaven that you will be cared for.

Pretty neato.

Return from Paradise

In case you happen to bump into me, I want to warn you first.

I am not tan. I am also not sunburned. This might be why (plus the 4 cans of continuous spray SPF 70 we went through).


Addie totally dug the ocean. We've taken her to the beach several times in LA but she refused to even dip a toe into the water. Of course, maybe the crystal blue water and warm ocean temperatures of Maui beaches may have something to do with her new love, and who could blame her?

Addie loved jumping into the waves holding hands with me, Cap or Gran. "One, Two, Three, JUMP!" she'd shout. I also found a new love - snorkeling. It is one of the most amazing things I've experienced in my life (after my wedding and giving birth to Addie of course, but it does rank way up there). After a day at the beach, we'd strip Addie down to her birthday suit and Cap would wade out and give her an "Ocean Bath." Ah, we're gonna miss Ocean Baths.


There was so much we did, I don't know what else to say really except it was a wonderful vacation and I can't wait until Addie can swim! (and snorkel). I think instead of trying to summarize our trip here, you can check out photos of our entire trip by clicking on the sidebar, and I'll try to break it down over the next few posts.

I do want to at least show the view from where we stayed. Our beyond-gracious hosts Dave and Irene have a gorgeous place in Haiku with views here:

and in the other direction. Seriously. They LIVE here.


It's back to work for me on Monday. Gulp! And we miss you Gran!

Aloha!