As you read this, we're on a plane traveling back to our home state.  

We'll miss beautiful Hawaii and our daily walks to Waikiki beach to play in the ocean, but we'll hold our memories dear.  Snuggle Bug and Boo may not remember this trip, but we have lots and lots of pictures to share with them later!

I must admit, I'm looking forward to being home, to sleeping in my own bed, to seeing our two kitties, and to buying groceries at reasonable prices again. 

Mahalo Hawaii for the wonderful time!

We made it back home safe and sound.  The kids traveled surprisingly well and for that we were thankful!

When we stepped off the plane back home, Snuggle Bug said, ALOHA to many passersby!  He also asked us when we were going to see the ocean again.  I had to explain that it'd be quite a while.  He got spoiled with walking down to Waikiki beach every morning! 

Both kids were happy to see their two kitties and neither of them protested when we gave them a quick bath and put them to bed shortly after dinner.  I think they were happy to be in their own beds again!

It hurts to swallow.  It hurts to talk.  It hurts to eat.

I'm wondering if I should go see a doctor but we're flying home Thursday morning so I'm thinking of waiting until I get home to do this, if my throat is still hurting by then.

We only have 2 full days left in Hawaii.  I don't want a sore throat slowing me down!

Any recommendations on how to sooth a sore throat, besides cough drops?

One day as we were passing a beach front shop, Snuggle Bug noticed a boogie board in the shop window and asked if he could have it.  Oronzo took him in and let him pick out which one he liked.

At first Snuggle Bug just held his new "surf" board.  Then he asked me to pull him on it in the water, with him laying on his stomach and holding on to the board.

Today, there was a breakthrough, thanks to this "older" boy on the beach.

This boy and his three friends, all within the 6-7 year age range, were using their boogie boards to hone their surfing skills.  

Snuggle Bug watched as they stood on their boards and balanced in the shallow part of the water.  He noticed that they put the boogie board strap around their wrist on so he wanted his on his wrist too.

He asked me to hold his hands as he attempted to stand up on his boogie board.  

In no time, the older boys were cheering Snuggle Bug on, giving him pointers like,

"Keep the front of the board up slightly out of the water," and 

"Real surfers put the strap around their ankles when they surf, but it's okay for you to wear yours on your wrist for now."

Snuggle Bug spent the entire morning on the beach focused on learning how to balance standing up on his boogie board.  He was excited that he was "surfing"!  I was impressed that he caught on so quick, has great balance, and is overcoming his fear of water.  Not bad for a new 4 year old!

Here's are some more pictures of my little surfing dude!

As for Boo, she was content to search the shore for rocks and shells, filling her bucket full of her treasures!


And when they put out a sign cautioning about jellyfish, she decided she wasn't going to let jellyfish stand in her way of having a good time!  She stayed out in the water.


Good thing her brave daddy was out scouring the water and removing any jellyfish that he spotted before they could reach her.

We have one more week left on Oahu island.  We're sure going to miss this beautiful place!

I thought I'd share a couple neat pictures that Oronzo took while we were out and about.