I feel so bad that I am just writing this now, but I think I am trying to stretch out the vacation feeling a little bit longer. We have been home a week now from 2 glorious weeks in Hawaii. It was a great family vacation, in fact the best we have had in a long time. It was the first vacation where we noticed that Alex was totally at ease. He accepted the trip, was looking forward to new experiences, and was excited to do new things. Not that he hasn’t had fun on previous vacations - I don’t want to imply that. It is just that now he seemed totally at ease whereas before, we could detect some anxiety or at times difficulty adjusting to so many changes in his life all at once - something vacation tends to bring on.
The first week we were in Oahu, right off of Waikiki Beach. Because of a snafu in hotel reservations, we ended up in a single hotel room (all 5 of us). At first we were bummed - that is a lot of people in one room, but actually it turned out fine. The room had two double beds, and a pull out sofa and we requested a cot so that all the kids had their own bed and Daddy John and I shared. Even though it was cramped quarters, everyone got along and I think all became just a little bit closer. When you are that close as a family - you have to laugh a little at yourself and go with the flow! Sharing one timy bathroom all makes you a little closer as well!
Oahu was fun. We visited the North Shore, went snorkeling in Haunauma Bay, and spent endless days at the beach. We bought Alex tacky Hawaiian shirts and ate enough malasadas to sink a boat. We visited the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor also. Then after a week, we flew to Kuaui and settled into a 2 bedroom condo, but I think everyone was a little nostalgic for our close quarters in Oahu.
We went horseback riding, more snorkeling, hiking and on our last day, we took a zodiac raft ride out to the Napoli Coast, a place only accessible by boat. The snorkeling was FANTASTIC! We saw turtles, dolphins and baby dolphins, rays, and so much more. We were so sad to come home, but I think a little tired of the sun. All of us were burned except for golden boy Alex who now looks like a native - with tanned golden skin and lighter hair from his time in the sun.
All in all, a successful venture and one that I hope has turned the tide of vacations for Alex into something to be concerned about to something that is routine and enjoyable.
