Trial Run

I know that it has been awhile since I have blogged, but life has been crazy.  Also, in the near future, the first of August to be exact,  this blog will be private.  From researching how to do it, it appears that I can put in your e-mail as an allowed user and you will automatically be able to check it without a password.

The reason for being private is because I don't like how you can google my child's name and be led to our blog.  The purpose of this blog was to create a scrapbook of our memories so I want to be as open as I can.  When I started this blog it didn't occur to me use a silly nickname for Payton, and I really didn't want to do that.  Therefore, I am pretty sure I have everyone's e-mail address that reads this blog, but if there is someone out there that reads this blog and I don't know who you are then please just leave a comment with your e-mail and we can go from there.


Okay.......back to the good stuff.  Two weeks ago my mom had knee replacement surgery.  She is doing well, but she won't be able to drive for a few weeks.  The week of the surgery Granny Camille and Addison came down to watch Payton.  Also, Payton was introduced to the world of American Girl.  I thought dance was a racket, but apparently American Girl has the racket on overpriced items that makes a little girl want everything.


So last week I had to get Payton ready for school and drop her off around 7:30.  She usually goes to school at 9:30.  My mom, with the help of her brother who is in town helping her, picks her up at the regular time of 2:30.  This has been a huge change in both our routines.  Usually I drop Payton off in her jammies and my mom gets her ready for school and takes her.  Not last week (or this week for that matter.)  I had to get up earlier than usual and get ready.  Then I have to get Payton up and fed and dressed for school.  The first couple of days it went smoothly; however, by Thursday she was over it.  Now when I wake her up she throws a huge fit about not wanting to go to school or getting out of bed for that matter.  I keep telling her that this is our practice for kindergarten because when she starts kindergarten she has to go.


Also going to school so early makes her super tired at night.  The good news is she usually passes right out; however, there are numerous melt downs between four and seven in the evenings.  I know she is just tired, but the fits are just so over the top.  I keep thinking that she is four and a half and that this little phase should be over.  However, it appears that it is not in Payton's case.

Fingers crossed we can make it through this week.

Far and Away

Well, we made it back from Hawaii and it was awesome.  I haven't downloaded any pictures yet.  In fact, right now I am sitting in a CLE in San Antonio learning about non recourse backed mortgage loans.  Fun, Fun, Fun.  I was hoping to get into the Oil and Gas lecture, but I kind of overslept a little and now I am in the lending lecture.  Gee.....I wonder why this lecture didn't fill up fast?

Okay......back to Hawaii.  This was my first time going and my biggest worry was the flight.  I am not scared to fly, but I was concerned with being on a plane with a four year old for eight plus hours.  Turns out, my concerns were misplaced.  Payton did awesome on the trip.  The flight was really long, but everyone did great.  Payton, Granpat, Stephanie, Cooper and I headed out on Thursday morning.  Derek arrived on Friday, and finally my dad arrived on Saturday.   We stayed at Aulani, which is the Disney resort on Oahu.  It is only a year old and it was amazing.  We had a three bed/ three bath condo with a ocean view on the ninth floor. The condo had a wall of sliding glass doors that went out to the balcony.  Every room had access to the balcony.  The view from each room was breath taking.

Of course when we first arrived we went to the local Safeway and stocked up on food and drinks.  Then we hit the lazy river and water slides.  I think the biggest thing was getting used to the time change.  I am serious when I say that I think the first night there we were asleep by 6:30 p.m.  Keep in mind that is 11:30 p.m. and we had woken up really early in order to make it to the flight on time.  We were pooped.  The draw back of going to bed so early is the fact that little miss thing woke up at 3:30 a.m. and was ready to go.

Here is a quick run down of the agenda while in Hawaii:

Friday -- Nothing but fun in the sun
Saturday -- Derek Golf
Sunday--Boys go sea fishing
Monday--Pearl Harbor Tour  (Glad we did it, but when we go back we will not be doing that again)
Tuesday-- Me spa day/ Derek Golf
Wednesday-- Derek and I went to Waimea Valley Park and to the waterfall (amazing) and then we stopped at the dole plant for some pineapple ice-cream.  We also drove up to turtle bay, but didn't see any turtles.

Wednesday Night -- the Luau
Thursday -- Nothing; but fire works viewed from our balcony.
Friday --  Head home.  Boo............

 Wednesday was by far the best day.  The Waimea Valley is a state park (?) or some natural preserve and it was beautiful.  The flowers and the smells.  I can't believe the smell of this place.  It was an easy hike and at the top was a waterfall you could swim in and play.  Of course we did it and it was great.  I really wish Payton would have gone with us, but that morning she decided that she wanted to stay and play with Cooper.

The Luau was also fun.  They has a ton of activities for the kids before the dinner and show.  Both Payton and I got lovely flower tattoo on our arm.

We also found a restaurant within walking distance of the condo called the Monkey Pod.  It had the best drinks and food.  I am not a huge drinker, but there were a couple of nights that I got a little buzzed and Derek may or may not have had to help me walk straight.  We also made plans on where we are going next year.  It looks like Key West.  Then the next year Europe and then back to Hawaii.  Yes, we planned out the next three years,



Here are my general observations about Hawaii:

1)  I don't think I could live there.  I think I would get rock fever.  It is so strange to be on an island with two main roads that literally just end into the ocean.

2)  I wasn't impressed with the food.  The fruit was good and the food at the Monkey Pod, but other than that not that great.

3)  There are a lot of tourist and people living there from Japan.  Everything is written in both English and Japan.

4)  I have no idea how people make a living there outside of tourism and the military.

5)  The weather was awesome; however, it is like that all year long.  Although it was wonderful, I like having a little bit of seasons.


Hopefully by next week I can actually load some pictures for your viewing pleasure.