Mother’s Day Weekend

IMG_3858I had a really nice Mother’s Day weekend.  On Saturday, we rode the train to the zoo and had fun watching Kumquat play and explore.  IMG_3885On our way home, we stopped at Hog Island a second time in two weeks to have the clam chowder that I didn’t get last weekend.

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It was delicious and this little kid tried it for the first time and loved it.IMG_3900

We sat outside with a gorgeous view and awesome weather that evening.

On Sunday morning, I was up with the kid but Jes got up shortly to make me corned beef hash with an oozy egg on top.

IMG_3916After some coffee, we popped open a bottle of champagne that we worked on for the rest of the day.

IMG_3910We also finally watched “Frozen”, which we all really enjoyed.  Even Kumquat seemed to appreciate the slapstick humor, music, and loveable characters.

IMG_3914The rest of the day was spent hanging out at home.  I literally did not change out of my glasses and PJs all day.  Heck, Kumquat ran around with no pants on too!

For dinner, all I wanted was spaghetti so Jes made a homemade sauce and cooked up a mean bowl of pasta.  It was perfect.  As if this weekend wasn’t enough, Jes also made a dinner reservation for Thursday night at Saison.  Awesome.

Jimmy’s 39th

IMG_3745We went to Jimmy and Eleen’s to celebrate his birthday today.  It’s crazy how it’s become a kidfest nowadays.

IMG_3749Zoe was scared of the kids but had a good time hanging out with Jes this afternoon.

IMG_3752They had Hawaiian food and two fancy cakes for the birthday boy.

IMG_3756We also made Jimmy do his birthday push-ups but didn’t quite make it to 39.

IMG_3758Happy Birthday, Jimmy!

Bay Bridge

IMG_3597 On my commute home the other day, I noticed that part of the old Bay Bridge was gone!  IMG_3724Crazy!

Hog Island is back!

IMG_3687Hog 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.

IMG_3690Once 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:

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Smoked SurgeonIMG_3696

Seafood StewIMG_3698

Salad with pickled onions, fried shiitake, and soft-boiled eggIMG_3699

Mussels and fries

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Yum.  We’ll just have to come back again for the chowder very soon.

Early Cinco de Mayo

IMG_3636It’s Friday before Cinco de Mayo so we went to Pedro’s Cantina for HH.

IMG_3640I love that we can have out own version of Girls’ Night Out any time we want.

Oahu: Day 7

Day Seven: 4/29/14

IMG_3539I 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.  IMG_3524This 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.

IMG_3549Our 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.

IMG_3575On the flight home, the Lams sat next to us again and the flight started out well for us.

IMG_3574Kumquat 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!  IMG_3577Thankfully, 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.

IMG_3722Oh 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.