Bay Bridge
On my commute home the other day, I noticed that part of the old Bay Bridge was gone! 
Crazy!
Hog Island is back!
Hog Island has been closed for a couple months now for an expansion. They took over the space next door when it closed and renovated everything. It’s now bigger, has an actual bar area, and has lots more seating. We found it open this weekend and since it was their first weekend, they were still working out some kinks. Luckily they still serve drinks while you wait but there was a little confusion about who to order from.
Once seated, we discovered a whole new menu with some favorites still on there. We ordered a dozen kumamotos and clam chowder at first but they had run out of clams!! Whaat!? I was so disappointed. So, we ordered a bunch of other stuff and they were all still very good.
Here’s what we ate:
Smoked Surgeon
Seafood Stew
Salad with pickled onions, fried shiitake, and soft-boiled egg
Mussels and fries
Yum. We’ll just have to come back again for the chowder very soon.
Early Cinco de Mayo
It’s Friday before Cinco de Mayo so we went to Pedro’s Cantina for HH.
I love that we can have out own version of Girls’ Night Out any time we want.
Oahu: Day 7
Day Seven: 4/29/14
I always hate the last morning of Hawaii. There was just enough time to get something to eat, pack up our stuff, and say goodbye to all our favorite things at the hotel. In the morning, I tidied up and then took the kid downstairs for breakfast as we had done for the past week. 
This time, we grabbed some udon from Lawson Station and sat down at the pool bar by the water. I love this time of day when it’s quiet and all you can hear is the ocean and the hotel staff prepping for the day.
Our shuttle picked us up at 10:45 and while we waited, I got this one last photo of Kumquat free and happy with no shoes on.
On the flight home, the Lams sat next to us again and the flight started out well for us.
Kumquat even took an hour-long nap shortly after take-off.
Unfortunately, once she woke up, she had some tummy problems and had to poop just about every 30 minutes for the next 2 hours. At one point, we had just returned to our seats from pooping when she said, “Mama, poopoo.” I thought she was just recalling the yucky experience she just had but it was too late when I realized she was pooping again! There was so much that it went up the back and we had to change her entire outfit! 
Thankfully, it all settled down by the last hour and Kumquat sat quietly with her Blue’s Clues before landing. We arrived in SF around 9:45pm so I’d have to say she was quite a trooper.
Some of my favorite parts of our vacation:
- Early quiet mornings with my little girl by the pool or at the beach.
- Spending an extended amount of time with old friends.
- Watching all our kids play together.
- Seeing our usual vacation spots through a toddler’s eyes.
Things I’ve learned (or had reinforced) during this trip:
- Always pack extra clothes for yourself and the kid. Also bring more diapers than you think you’ll need.
- You can never have too many toys and games on the plane.
- Sunscreen that comes in spray form is awesome when you have to apply it to the kid 2-3 times per day.
- Renting an umbrella is always worth it in Hawaii.
- You really don’t need a car in Waikiki.
- Sheraton Waikiki is a fun place for families.
- Taxi drivers are usually willing to take your toddler without a carseat.
- Having clothespins in the hotel room is really helpful when you’re at the pool or beach everyday.
- Having a seat for your toddler on the plane is totally worth the money.
I can’t wait for our next trip. Next Spring really can’t come soon enough.
Oh and here’s a collage of 12 out of the 13 Mai Tais that I had over the course of the week. They were awesome.
Oahu: Day 6
Day Six: 4/28/14
*sigh* It’s our last full day in Hawaii. For breakfast, we went to eggs n things and didn’t have to wait so long this time around. Again, I had my coconut waffle and a side of bacon that Kumquat demolished. 
After breakfast, we walked down to Waikiki Aquarium where we met up with the Lams.
Jes and I have been coming here for years and it’s fun to see it again through a toddler’s eyes.
For lunch, Jes and Kevin picked up plate lunches at Rainbow and we ate at the park overlooking the ocean. Jen had brought a dozen malasadas with her so there was dessert for us too!
Back at the hotel, we all jumped into the pool one last time. I also took Kumquat out to the beach for the last time and it was so nice to be able to finally wade in the water with her without a total meltdown. 
I’d have to say that it took a lot of work to help her overcome her fear of Mr. Ocean but so worth the persistence and energy to have this one vacation goal achieved. I hope this lasts until the next time we’re at a beach.
Back at the pool, we just ordered some drinks and lounged on the lawn.
We were also very fortunate to have a whole family of sea turtles hanging out right outside the hotel. They were close enough and big enough for even Kumquat to appreciate them.
A bunch of people had dinner plans but the three of us stuck around for the sunset.
By the time we were ready to go out for dinner, Holly and Andrew had made their way back from Kaneohe so we joined them for an Italian/Japanese dinner at Arancino. I was a bit skeptical having Italian food in Hawaii but it did not disappoint. I ordered the Spaghetti Ricci di Marre (aka uni pasta) and it was SO yummy. You don’t even have to really eat the uni that was on top to appreciate the sauce. The photo I took in the dark doesn’t do it justice but it will just have to do.
It was also fun to watch Andrew and Kumquat eating spaghetti together. By the end of their meal, they were both so tired from the day.
While Kumquat went to sleep in the stroller, Holly was in a bit of a pickle with where to put Andrew. She decided the bench just outside of our table was the only doable spot. Poor guy was so tired, he didn’t care where he laid down. We put out some table napkins for him and then piled all our jackets on top. He had his doggy and sucked on his thumb until he passed out. It was hilarious watching people walk by with a confused look on their faces.
I think it was obvious who his grown-ups were with us chuckling nearby but it would be a pretty fun social experiment to do one day.
On our way back to the hotel, we walked Holly home and Jes carried Andrew over his shoulder. That was certainly a very memorable way to end our vacation.
Back at the hotel, we went to the outdoor lounge for a couple drinks with the Fernandos and I went out to the infinity pool to hang out on one of the over-the-water lounge chairs. I actually snoozed for a bit out there and it was so nice.
Here is a collage of the tasty food I ate today. It was definitely a delicious day.
Oahu: Day 5
Day Five: 4/27/14
The morning after the wedding was a slow one for everyone. Kumquat and I even slept in until 8:30 that morning. We had made plans with the Kwaks to meet them at the beach down the street where the water is calmer for the kids. When we walked out to the lobby, it was pouring outside! Luckily that didn’t last long and we were out in the sun again in just a half hour.
The beach was so nice and calm and we rented a big umbrella for only $10.
Roy was already there with Andrew and Holly and Jes met up with us later after they got up. At one point, all 6 of us were in the water together and it was Kumquat’s first time actually floating in the ocean!
What a fun morning! Too bad Roy had to catch a flight back that afternoon.
After a morning at the beach, we parted ways and Jes and I headed to Moana Surfrider for some drinks at the beach bar. It’s one of our favorite places to hang out, drink, and enjoy the view. We may not be staying there this time around but there’s no reason we should stay away from the bar! Kumquat took a fat 2.5-hour nap in the stroller!
When she woke up, we shared some Bubbies mochi ice cream. I also managed to drink a total of 4 mai tais that afternoon. Phew!
Before dinner, we headed back to our hotel and played at the beach and the pool again.
After washing up, we watched the sun go down over Waikiki and it was beautiful.
Take a look at this view from the infinity pool!
We also lounged around as we waiting for Dayantha and Krissy.
Dinner was at Tokkuri-tei. We had quite a feast! 
In addition to the beer and sake, we had skewers of meat, rolls of stuff, raw this and that, and lots of other goodies.
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