Sea Life Park

We ventured to Sea Life Park today.  Hadley couldn't wait to see the dolphin show.  She is completely obsessed with animals.  We first got to see the new exhibit of hammerhead sharks, which was cool and the girls liked it a lot.  Then we went to the sea lion show.  This was actually rather silly, but the girls were entertained.  We had some time before the dolphin show so we grabbed a little bite to eat.  We all shared some chicken bites and fries.  Then Kiki bought the girls some Dippin' Dots, yummy!!  By the time the dolphin show started Emrey just wanted to run around.  She had been in the stroller the entire time because this mom forgot her shoes!  You'd think between three adults we would've noticed, but no.  I was so upset with myself.  So, I took Emrey over to a shaded area and let her run around while Riley and Hadley enjoyed the dolphin show with Kiki & Po.  When I met back up with everyone, Hadley was passed out on my moms shoulder.  Apparently she had only made it about 5 or 10 minutes into the dolphin show before she fell asleep.  Poor girl, she was worn out.  Riley was still wanting to stay and look at the penguins and play on the playground.  We stayed a bit so Riley could see everything she wanted.  When we got to the car Hadley and Emrey were both asleep and woke up as soon as we put them into the car.  Hadley said, "I want to see the dolphins!"  I felt bad for her that she didn't stay awake to see more of them.  It's always fun to take the girls here and let them watch the shows.  

Visitor Time Again!

 Yesterday the girls and I picked up Kiki and Po(my mom and step dad) from the airport.  The girls couldn't have been more excited to go pick them up.  I was excited to have them here too!  Of course the girls don't really understand how exhausted people can be after traveling all day to get here, so they expect Kiki and Po to start playing immediately!  Which Kiki had no problem doing, but Po on the other hand was noticeably tired.  It was only 3pm here, but in actuality it was 9pm his time which was past his bed time.  Po managed to keep his eyes open until around 6:30ish when he headed to bed.  I couldn't really blame him though.

The girls woke up and were ready to play with Kiki & Po.  There was no resting for them!  We had breakfast and then headed to Waikiki to get some beach time in.  We went to the lagoon because it's so kid friendly there.  Po had Riley hold onto his shoulders and swam across the lagoon and went over to the big beach and ocean.  He took Riley out there for a bit.  She really enjoyed herself and I'm pretty sure Po had fun too!

Kiki was out in the lagoon the whole time with the girls.  You couldn't get my little fish out of the water, well at least until it was time to eat.  I knew Emrey was exhausted so I put her in her stroller and my mom and I walked down the beach a bit to go grab everyone a bite to eat.  Emrey passed out in the stroller for a little nap which I was so grateful for.  She normally won't fall asleep while we are out and about.  But all the beach play and sun had her worn out.  After lunch the girls played a bit longer in the water and then we packed up and headed home.  It was the perfect day for the beach.  

Hand in Hand

Walking home from the playground this afternoon I got to witness one of the sweetest moments between Riley & Hadley.  My heart just melted watching the two of them walk hand in hand.  I dug my phone out from the bottom of Emrey's stroller, hoping that I could snap a picture before the moment ended.  Score!  They actually held hands on the entire walk home.  My sweet girls, I love them so.

Decorating

Madeleine had been talking to Riley about getting her a nightstand and lamp for her room.  I said she didn't really need one right now, but Madeleine insisted so that Riley could feel more like a little girl.  I surely hope she wasn't feeling like a little boy before!  Ha ha!  We went to Target to see what we could find.  Riley found a lamp and had to have that lamp.  Madeleine and I told her that we needed to find a night stand to put it on first.  We looked and looked and found a night stand we liked, and Riley liked.  Of course they were out, didn't have any in stock there or at the other Target, and weren't due to receive any in the next month.  Lovely.  So we picked up some other things we needed and went to check out.  On our way to check out Riley said, "what about my lamp.  I NEED that lamp."  We left the store with the chosen lamp that Riley so desperately needed.  I told her she couldn't have it in her room until we found a nightstand.  

The next morning Riley asked, "are we going to find me a nightstand today?"  There is no getting past this four year old!  So we loaded the girls up and headed to Pier 1 Imports.  It had been forever since I'd been in one of those stores.  Good golly, I could've bought the entire store.  I literally wanted one of everything.  Madeleine was in the Tahoe with Hadley because she was sleeping, so Riley, Emrey and I walked around looking at their night stands.  Riley found one that she liked, and I did as well, but I told her to keep looking to make sure that's the one she wanted.  Riley looked, and looked, and looked, but was certain she wanted the first one she picked out.  So we walked out to the car and this time I stayed in the car with Hadley and Emrey while Riley took her Nanny back into the store to buy the night stand she had chosen.  It really is a pretty night stand and once we put it together we were all pleased with how wonderful it looked in her room with her bedroom furniture.  And Riley's lamp made it just perfect  because her room appears pink when it's turned on.  Riley now calls it the "pink room."  A big thank you to Nanny for sprucing up Riley's bedroom!

While Madeleine was buying the night stand for Riley, she saw a crocodile stuffed animal and picked it up for Hadley.  After our zoo trip Hadley hadn't stopped talking about crocodiles.  She's a bit obsessed!  That crocodile is now glued to Hadley's hip!!

After our Pier 1 shopping, we headed into Waikiki to grab some lunch.  It was a beautiful day and we all enjoyed the nice walk through the hustle and bustle of Waikiki.  We ate at Hard Rock Cafe, mainly because Riley was really thirsty and wasn't going to make it much further!  It was my first time at this one and I really liked the atmosphere.  The restaurant was upstairs and completely open to the outside.  There was the most wonderful breeze blowing through, which felt marvelous.  Emrey was hopping and bopping to every song that was playing.  I think she was enjoying herself!  I tried to get some pictures of her dancing, but most of them were really blurry from her dancing and moving so much.  I thought this one was cute though!

Pampered

I remember when I was single and I'd go get my manicure and pedicure every two weeks, and my hair done on a monthly basis.  Ha!  Now, being married with three little kids doesn't exactly allow for that type of pampering.  I definitely didn't appreciate those things back then like I do now.  These days I get my hair cut every 4 months and a pedicure every 6 months.  They just aren't on my priority list anymore.  Perhaps they should be!  

I am extremely grateful to Madeleine for treating me to a haircut and color!  My grey hair was coming out in full force.  I hated it!  There were too many grey hairs for me to just pull out.  I'd start pulling and get tired of that after about the fifth one.  I went to a new stylist and a whole new salon.  My old stylist wasn't really meeting my expectations anymore, other than giving the best head massage during my shampoo.  He just wasn't cutting my hair like I wanted.  I feel like he was too comfortable with me and would just do what he wanted my hair to look like.  Anyway, I asked my friend Sara who she went to and made an appointment with her stylist at a different salon.  I was a bit nervous to try someone new, but figured what do I have to lose.  Plus, my friends hair looked good, so this new girl I'm trying couldn't really be bad.  

I started chatting with Missy, the hair stylist, and found out that she's from Missouri, like Trey.  She actually lives in South County like his mom, Madeleine.  What a small world!  I told her exactly what I wanted with my hair and she did an absolutely amazing job.  My hair was a hot mess before she cut it and I couldn't have been happier with the results.  I didn't have it colored the same day.  Madeleine made sure I went back to have it colored before she left, so the color got done a couple of days after the cut.  I couldn't decide if I wanted to do highlights and really had no idea what color I'd want to highlight my hair.  Therefore, I just went with an all over color job to get rid of my old lady grey hair.  I feel so refreshed and rejuvenated after my cut and color.  Those grey hairs were really bothering me!

On top of getting my hair cut and colored, I also got a manicure and pedicure, courtesy of Madeleine.  Ahhh, time away from the house, all by myself, to pamper myself.  It was very pleasant.  My pedicure was awesome too.  The place wasn't busy, so they took their time and I got the best leg and foot massage.  I almost fell asleep in the chair.  It was so nice to have some time to myself, for myself.  Thank you, Madeleine!!

Trees, Fruits, and Flowers

After the girls were done feeding the koi we just walked through the gardens.  The grassy fields are perfect for running.  The girls, picked flowers off the ground and found some fruits that had fallen from the trees.  They also got a kick out of trying to climb a tree.  I don't think dresses and crocs made it easy for them to climb, but they were having a blast trying!  I was having fun watching them climb and frolic around the gardens.

The Fishy Gardens

We made it back over to Moanalua Gardens(or the fishy gardens as Riley calls it) when the shop selling the koi food was open.  Riley was a happy camper!!  The girls each got their own fish food container and we headed over to feed the koi.  

Hadley kept making me nervous every time she'd lean over to feed the koi.  I just kept picturing her little legs flying up and her tumbling over.  Luckily that wasn't the case.  She reassured me she wasn't going to fall in the water by saying, "I not fall in the water momma.  I good."  I love her!

This is a classic Hadley moment that I captured.  Hadley is telling me to "weave me lone!"  Which is interpreted to be leave me alone.  She was having a moment because she was out of fish food.

Sweet Riley.  She's such a good girl!