Day 29 Oct 3 Last day. :(

Wednesday Oct 3

Up and ready early again today. W have a dolphin watch charter to catch! I packed most of our things up last night so the condo is in pretty good Orr. Fortunately we booked with great people that let us have the condo for a late check out since our plane didn't take off until almost 11 pm. The condo just booked as if we had an extra night and clean the room the next day when we were gone. We packed all our leftover groceries to take to someone who would enjoy them (Carrie in Lanaina) and got on our way.

When we got to the store the lady was surprised to see me and Cam. She told us yesterday Cam was not allowed to come on the raft. After much persuasion and phone calls it seemed the information give to us the night before was not accurate and She was not able to come for the dolphins watch on this smaller boat. So we found ourselves with some open unplanned time. The kids decided they wanted to shop a little and get a homemade Tiki from the man that carves them on the street. H took great pride and finesse etching the kids names into it in cursive. The kids were pretty impressed.

We also took a walk through the shopping center there to where there is a little Koi stream that runs through the lower level.  We visited this with the kids on the last trip and thought it would be neat to get a pic of them there again this time.

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Back to the condo we went for a swim while daddy had another nap. The last swim in the pool before we head back. :( it will be deeply missed. The kids wanted to watch a movie while I finished packing and cleaning and so I let them. Then it was time to load in the car for the last minute running around and catching a flight

We stopped in at Costco for supper and then into the airport.  They found a few friends there to play with and spent time playing cards, running around, drawing and enjoying the last few minutes of vacation before they got on the flight.  They slept the way home and were very happy to see Lori pick us up at the airport.  Cam was happy to get home to her puppies, as was I.  It was a great trip and we look forward to doing it again!

Day 28 Oct 2

Tuesday Oct 2

We booked our whale watch for this morning which by default meant an early up and at 'em. The kids were happy at this point that they had gone to bed early and so was I. I did not want to deal with crabby kids all day. W were eager to relive our last dolphin watch. It was the high light of the trip for the kids, especially Cammie. Se loved seeing the baby dolphins jumping up and the big dolphins swimming.

Grant and Brooklyn parked the car while the kids and i checked into the charter and walked down to the slip. It didnt take long for Brooklyn adn dad to join us each with a coffee in hand. Brooklyn had a smile a mile wide that she got her own coffee. The water looked nice and calm as we left the harbor but as we started crossing the channel to Lanai it picked up quite a bit into a rocky choppy experience. Brooklyn's coffee didn't stay down long and she spent most of the ride at the back of the boat keepin the other sick people company. At one point all five kids were at the back with buckets, but not until after acammie puked all over the deck. They weren't the only ones, the ocean had us bobbing pretty good in the water. As such the bay we snorkelers in last time was too worked up for us to stop there and we continued on to lighthouse point to drop anchor and jump in. The bay here was very deep and the fish far away but it still made for a good snorkel. The visibility was good. There were a variety of fish, a few active eels and some nice coral stretches. I did see a rays wing tips breaking the surface of the water before we got int, but no rays once we were down. The kids attempted to come snorkeling but Brook was soon back on the boat playing and coloring with another little girl. Sydney and Maddie soon followed the smell and found themselves back on board, followed by Cam and Bob. grant and I savor red the quiet and snorkelers for the last few minutes on our own. Once we we all back on the boat we started heading back to the harbor, a good hour long ride, and Cam and Brooklyn were happy to spend it with me at the back of the boat with the hurlers. Grant sat with them on the way out, so it was only fair that I stayed back and watched the people turn green and lose their cookies over the side. Fortunately my kids didn't seem to need to puke. Someone had taken. Pity on Brook on the ride out and given her bracelets that u pressure points to calm motion sickness and she was happy to wear them. No sign of any dolphins though, so that meant a free trip!

We went into the store to book the free trip only to learn it was on a little raft that Cammie would not be welcome on. It didn't seem very fair and we weren't impressed but we booked it for us with the thought one of us could stay with her while the other went. When we got home though I checked online and the booking app they had let me select a 3 yr old for the trip. I was happy about that but not wanting to take any chances, I called the office to make sure. We spoke with a gentleman there that assud us that yes Cammie was booked on the boat and everything was good. I was happy. Tomorrow is dolphin watch day!

We picked up our birds pictures from the man who does the prices. Our old photo was in with them, even in the original envelope. It was great to pull the pic out and see us and the kids from 6 years ago just at the end of our vacation. Everyone looked so blonde and tanned. Can't wait to get the other images in the computer to see. Sydney really wanted pictures done again with the morning set of birds but we managed to convince her that her money was spent better elsewhere. Tomorrow is another day and maybes she will find something she likes more.

Hard to believe tonight is our last evening swim. Our last shot to sit in the hot sun and converse. It seemed so far away and now it seems that this day came too soon.

Day 27 Oct 1

Monday Oct 1

It's just getting too close to when we are leaving. We know we would like to take the kids for another dolphins adventure but the lack of vis and high swell is concerning to us and we have been wondering if the trip would be worth going. We would like to take the kids up to the sumit of Haleakala to see the goodies that it has to offer, photograph the silverswords and take in the view but the overcast weather and clouds have us worried about vis up top as well. I don't feel we are finished exploring the water world and would love to do another beach snorkel before we go. After much discussion, it was decided that today we would head to the farthest point on the northwest side of the island and do a snorkel at Kapalua Bay. It would serve to see how the swell, vis and weather was and then we would decide if a dolphin watch would be good.

First off, was a trip on down to the pool though to go for a swim while daddy slept in and woke up. Cammie has been really missing her bed back home and hasnt been sleeping well. She likes to sleep horizontally across the bed, with our king size bed its a pain in the butt but doable with this little queen bed its impossible. When you toss in a cold the end result is a very fitful restless sleep for everyone.

When we got back from the pool we loaded the kids with the gear into the van and started our scenic trip around the island. I love looking at the ocean and the waves rolling in. I love the smell of the air. I love the vast difference between the rainy side of the west Mali amounting and the dry dessert like side. As we passed Lahaina and then Kaanapali, we were entering into a side of Maui we had only seen once before and then we went beyond even that. The landscape changed back and forth between the dryness and the landscaped tourist areas, finally into a lush forest with towering trees that stretched out with and numerous different plants growing on and around them. Walking into the first was like going to visit the wood elves. The canopy was astounding and we felt so small and insignificant looking up. The kids saw some neat spiders and webs that were huge. We continued the walk through the woods until we reached a rocky bay with several people around both in and out of the water. There were a couple boats anchored and snorkelers in the water. We were eager to gear up and get in. Wile Bobby took advantage of the woods and their privacy for a bathroom break, I tried convincing Cam there there were no waves here that we're huge. (Cam loves that words - Everything is huge these days). When we were all ready we swam out in to some wonderful coral formations, hidden eels and numerous fish species with a couple turtles thrown in. It was an incredibly beautiful dive and made us feel pretty good about booking our adventure to see whales again.

We stopped in Lahaina for lunch and then home to the pool. Supper wasn't a extraordinary fare. I swear there won't be any pasta, cheese or bread in our diet for a very long time when we get home. The kids were very petered out after our busy day an they were eager to fall asleep and dream.

Day 26 Sept 30

Sunday Sept 30

The last day of September has finally arrived and with it is the knowledge we are only 3 days from flying home. This is somewhat welcome as home would be nice right now but thinking about leaving this paradise and returning to the crisp fall back home is somewhat depressing.

The shorebreak is still a bit rough out there so we started the day again with the trip to the pool. It doesn't bother me as it gives me a chance to spend some time checking my emails and facebooking, keeping somewhat caught up. In the world. I find myself viewing my page as more of a waste of time and less of the requirement that it used to be. Everything is more of the same and find myself doing a quick scroll to check up on friends before setting it aside and wondering what to do next. When having the option to go to the pool and check it, rather than looking at this opportunity as a great thing like at the beginning of the trip, I'm more blasé about it and would rather leave the iPad behind. I was taking more trips to the pool while the kids were sleeping or before they woke up to check in more frequently, and now leaving it at home is more appealing. I think a habit may be pretty much broken.

Back at the condo and after lunch is eaten, I'm almost disparate to get the kids and us out of the condo. Cammie is tired and not feeling well and very homesick. She wanted to head home to her puppy and her grandma and was very upset we have to wait a few more days. I can't spend another day with them mostly in front of the TV and we load into the van with plans to head up to the summit for a walk or hike around. Of course just before getting into Kanului we look up and see the summit so entrenched in clouds that it seems kind of pointless to take the 1.5 drive up there to just look at clouds....we decide to possible try it out tomorrow and head up a little earlier in the day when it is supposed to be clearer.

I did not want to turn around and head back home and Grant agreed. So we headed to the mall in Kahului to spend some time just walking around there. This excited the kids as there is a play place there fore them to play. The kids had fun looking at the clothes in Sears. We walked into a quant little used book store called the Friends of Maui Library. It had a great selection of used books, all of r around $1-3 and we picked up some great titles like Forks over Knives, The Gerson Therapy, The Omnivores Dilemmna, and several others. I was very happy, but we will have a couple heavier suitcases to take home. The kids played at the play place while Grant and I browsed and were even given balloon animals from a mall worker. The next stop was over to Costco where we browsed and had supper before we headed back home to the sun setting behind the west Maui mountains. We stopped in again at Crazy shirt with all the kids so they could pick their souvenirs to take home.

Another trip to the pool in the dark rounded out the evening. The kids enjoyed watching a movie on deck in the dark while Grant and I visited with other visitors in the hot tub. Then it was time for bed and a movie to relax.

Day 25 Sept 29

Saturday sept 29

The day started off with a quiet morning with a pancake breakfast and some TV movies. W tore the kids away from the screen for a trip to the pool. The kids were tired today and spent time reading or relaxing in the chairs with very little swimming.

The afternoon was spent with more reading and relaxing and TV time. A much as I was enjoying time to read I was eager to enjoy our last few days outside! Cammie and Brooklyn are definitely coming down with colds though and they needed the extra sleep.

We woke up Cammie shortly after 5 as I wanted to get the kids together and get them outside for some family pictures by the beach. There is a great tree across the street that I though would make a great picture spot. W had fun getting them all up in there and then I snapped a few pics with the help of the tripod and self timer. The kids stayed to play on the swing set. A local boy showed Brooklyn and Maddie how to climb up the poles and they had altos of fun trying that out. Sydney was a little less successful at it and Bobby was happy to sit and watch. The kids played there, each taking turns pushing Cammie or each other on the swings while the sun started to set. W watched until it went down before heading back across to the condo.

Of course we went back to the pool for an evening swim before heading out to Blockbuster to change out our movie selection and settling in to watch.

Day 24 Sept 28

Friday Sept 28

The days until we go home are starting to go by pretty fast. The smell of the air and the sounds of waves are needing to be ingrained on my being so I can remember them when we get home. The kids have decided that we need a pool at home, they are getting way to used to being able to swim every day. The people here are so amazing. The feeling of Aloha and the relaxed atmosphere really does bring out the best in people.

We had our pictures taken with the "bird man" in Lahaina when we were here 6 years ago. When we were in Lahaina last, we saw him on the street again and I let him know we would be back before our trip was up for more. We visited for a few minutes and I mentioned how we had our pics taken last time but never had them mailed out or got back to pick them up. He let us know he kept most of his pictures and if we could give him the dates and year he could dig it out and get it for us. He called and let us know that he spent time going through boxes and found it. We were completely amazed.

The beach is still flying flags and dangerous shore break signs so we knew it was a pool day again. Brooklyn continued with her book,the kids made new friends, I got slightly farther in my book. The kids all trickled back to the condo and we started getting ready for an afternoon in Lahaina.

I wanted to take the kids in for more pictures with the birds on front street. It was a great time. The kids all looked so cute posing with the birds and we created quite a traffic stop. Many people stopped to watching our cute little kids and the birds. Cammie was so cute holding her Red headed parrot. The photographer was trying to get her to smile and look at the camera but the only time she would smile was when she was looking at the parrots. I'm looking forward to seeing the pics when we pic up the CD.

Home from Lahaina and back to the pool. Cammie was enjoying the time in the hot tub when she saw "the bad lady" coming up to the tub to clean the filter and take her water tests. Cammie sat on the edge next to the filter and pulled her toes out of the water. The lady bent over next to her andI engaged her in conversation. Cammie looked up at her with big sad eyes and said to her "I'm sorry" then again a couple minutes later. As Grant put it, you could see her heart melt and she continued to chat with us and not say anything about Cammie being in the hot tub. This made her very happy and she jumped back in.

Back at the condo I made the kids their favorite meal of homemade hamburger helper. Something we haven't had in so long since we cut so much meat out of our diet. We have cheated lots on this trip and so we picked up some organic grass fed Maui beef and enjoyed a great dinner with the kids. Then back to visiting and then curling up together in bed to watch some movies.

Day 23 Sept 27

Thursday Sept 27

Maddie's birthday day 2. She seemed to have got her wish for some big boogie boarding swells has really come true. The shorebreak is so high and dangerous today that they are flying flags and have posted signs to stay out of the water. It's definitely not a beach day and instead we head to the pool.

Brooklyn has started to do a grade two level curriculum book every day at the pool, working through phonics to start with and learning digraphs and vowel and blended sounds. She jumps in the pool to cool off and then is right back to doing her school work. Maddie and Bobby love to sit in the sun and use the iPad and I need to kick them off of it and into the water routinely. They also love being able to play ping pong and spend a lot of time out of the water playing that. I spend a lot of time doing the dip and then drip routine...reading my book or working online on the iPad during the drip part. We are still working on which programs we are ordering so we can start homeschooling when we get home.

Maddie was eager to have a quiet day at home and so that is how we spent the day. The kids watched movies and TV, Maddie read her books and did origami, the kids enjoyed time in the bath tub and then back to the pool. We spent the time just relaxing together in the condo. Something we rarely ever do together at home. It seemed almost a waste of Hawaiian time but it was great for the family dynamic.

Grant and I decided we wanted to head to Coconuts tonight for supper of fish tacos. We went up the road to pick up some new blockbuster movies and order some supper for us all. We were sitting out front of the restaurant waiting for our order when a couple of police cruisers pulled up. A few cops came running up to the area and motioned for us all to move and get away. They were pretty intimidating looking, not carrying the smaller handguns we are used to seeing but big machine guns hanging down past their hips. We moved. As did the other people sitting outside, some in a very big hurry. The cops went into the restaurant next door did a sweep and then came out again. We were told we could come back and sit. We learned as we ate our tacos that someone had called in a robbery at the restaurant next door. When they got there all was fine but they checked her back rooms and kitchen to make sure there was no one hiding out. Pretty freaky. Makes you wonder who would try doing a robbery when the officers are packing weapons like that.

The rest of the night at home was pretty quiet. We cuddled and watched our movies and fell asleep pretty early.