Hawaii Chronicles 1: Water Time

Seeing as we're pretty much submerged here in MA (see photo above of our driveway), I thought it was appropriate to start our Hawaii tales with a story about water. Kai spent ALOT of time in the liquid medium during our trip. Enough in fact to transform flat bunny (one of the original bunny 3) into "Water Bunny." Our beach house had an absolutely amazing pool that was exceptionally child friendly with its shallow lagoon style entrance and slow slope into the deep end. Kai was one happy little boy. During breakfast on our first dark, rainy morning back in MA, Kai said sadly "no fimming pool outside." Sorry buddy! If I could whisk you back to Hawaii I would!!!

He is a true man of his name (Kai = ocean in Hawaiian. We also learned on our trip that more specifically, the word Kai refers to a friendly, near ocean....like a beach, whereas the word moana refers more to the ocean "out there").

Here are Kai and Daddy taking Water Bunny for a ride on the boogie board. Kai enjoyed many watery games like running and jumping into the pool, watching Mommy and Daddy run and "fall down" in the water, tossing a ball around, making a shower out of a watering can and pouring water on guess who... He even got to enjoy some pool side dining with his little friend Sara. In fact, Kai had so much fun that he got in touch with his inner assertive voice and hollered "more fun! more fun!" as Daddy dragged him kicking and screaming to dinner.

You'll notice Kai is wearing an inside out purple life vest. We found this great vest at the pool house where we stayed. At first Kai didn't seem to mind the orange and purple flowers but I'm guessing he overhead some commentary on boys wearing flowery life vests b/c after the first day he started insisting that the life vest be put on inside out and sometimes he even wanted it backwards! I guess this where gender biases begin!

We are very proud of our little man who decided that he would put his head under the water during our trip! He made up his own mind that he would do it and plugged his nose, closed his eyes and mouth and DUNK he was under! He was a bit scared when he emerged but quickly a big smile spread over his face and he wanted to do it again! What a great thing to watch him pushing his limits and gaining the confidence that comes from trying new and intimidating things!!!

Miss Teia tried dipping her tender tootsies first in the ocean and then in the pool. The first few times she complained a bit but by the end of the week she decided that maybe this water thing wasn't too bad after all, even if Mommy couldn't figure out how to put her bathing suit on and put it on backwards! I'm sure she'll notice when she is 16 and looking back at these photos! Dressing girls is so complicated! This was a big week for Teia. She started rolling from her back to her tummy and pushing herself up to her feet while holding just Mommy's finger. She can also sit almost by herself. In fact, she did sit by herself for just a few seconds but Mommy wasn't taking any chances in letting her face plant into the pool from her perch on the rock.