I love that the beach is endlessly entertaining for boys.
About three and a half years ago, we got a letter from Starwood. In it was an offer for five days on Kauai at a ridiculously low price. It was an offer we could not refuse. Randy and I had never been to Hawaii together and we had yet to travel with Spencer. It was time and Kauai in February seemed like a great idea.
(Yes, we rented a convertible. We thought the boys would totally dig it. They were a little perplexed by the whole thing. I loved it and so did Randy.)
We knew we would get some kind of pitch to buy something while there, but it seemed worth it to us. Five nights of cheap accommodations for a sales pitch seemed like a small price to pay. Randy went instead of me and came back with the news that he thought we should go for it. I was shocked. Randy is the more fiscally conservative half of our marriage and I would never have thought a time share would appeal to him. I resisted initially. To me, time share meant mediocre accommodations, being forced to travel only certain weeks, getting penalized if you didn’t use your time, etc. Life is complicated enough without stress about a vacation.
But, as it turns out, this time share is very flexible. There are lots of different ways we can use it and so far, we have had only positive experiences with it. Being able to travel with two young boys and stay in a place that has a kitchen, separate bedroom for them, and a washing machine takes a lot of the stress out of the picture. It also ends up being cheaper because we are able to eat in more than out. (Although the groceries in Princeville are no bargain. I went for a basic shop – breakfast stuff, snacks for the boys, wine, enough food for a couple of simple dinners, and spent $400.)
Anyway, this is the reason that we went back. And will go back again. After our last trip, I swore we would never go back to Kauai. Six hours of sun in seven days was not a vacation. In fact, when we walked in to the living area of our condo this year, it seemed so much bigger – I think because it seemed very small after being cooped up there for an entire week with a then four and two year old. We had some rain this time but we also had sun and Kauai is impossibly beautiful in the sunshine.
Our boys ask me everyday when we can go back. Our place has a kids pool that is only 1½ feet deep with a water slide and turtle fountains. They played there for hours everyday. The beach paled in comparison for them.
We fell into a nice routine. Wake up, eat breakfast, be mellow for a bit, hit the pool. Maybe a lunch outing, maybe not. After hours of playing in the sun and the water, the boys would take a three hour nap – heaven! By the time they woke up, it was time for happy hour.
(Trust me, we are not drinking the same thing.)
Randy and I had two dinners out, one with a couple who are friends of ours and happened to be there at the same time, but mostly we just stayed local and mellow. This is something I like about Kauai. The pace is slow and relaxed, the people are nice, the beauty is overwhelming. We heard stories about how you have to get your towel in place on your beach chair by 9am in Maui, otherwise you were chairless (the horror!). We never felt anything like that on our trip. Just cruising the roads, soaking up the sunshine, drinking fruity rum drinks, and eating lots of pineapple. I’m ready to go back.
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look at them!! in their Hawaiian shirts!!!!!! looks like loads of fun. How did they do on the flight over??
Comment by tracy — March 15, 2011 @ 10:00 pm
It sounds like you’ve been there multiple times now, but just in case you don’t know… the north and east sides of the island tend to be cloudier. But just because it is cloudy and rainy on that side doesn’t mean it is on the south or west side. Take a drive… you might be pleasantly surprised.
Comment by Michelle — March 15, 2011 @ 10:54 pm
Fun fun fun. Our best friend lives there.
Comment by leslie — March 15, 2011 @ 11:30 pm
Your boys are too cute! It’s great you enjoyed it and the weather played in your favor.
Comment by Annika — March 15, 2011 @ 11:57 pm
The boys are SO CUTE! I swear it seems like they grow at least a foot each time you post a new picture. And get more adorable.
I’m so glad to hear your trip was fun! My family has considered doing the time share thing but now that our schedules are all so insane, I think it would be a bit impossible. I am super jealous of your trip, though. And the kitchen that you had. Sounds like my kind of vacation!
Comment by Joanne — March 16, 2011 @ 12:10 am
Lucky!! You and the boys seemed to be having so much fun.
I have yet to go to Hawaii.
Comment by Nisrine M. — March 16, 2011 @ 1:05 am
Oh my gosh. Those hawaiian shirts. PRICELESS.
Comment by Catherine — March 16, 2011 @ 4:55 am
Looks like pure bliss! Your boys are darling! We always hit up the Costco by the airport, because yes, you’ll go bankrupt buying groceries in Princeville. And now I’m craving sunshine and a tropical cocktail!
Comment by Emily — March 16, 2011 @ 6:20 pm
Next time you go I’d be happy to tag along to watch the boys. You know…to work…really… ;o)
Also – adore Spencer’s outfit in the fourth picture down. SO cute!
Comment by Maris (In Good Taste) — March 16, 2011 @ 6:23 pm
Wonderful pics…Hope u had a good time.
Comment by Nithu — March 16, 2011 @ 7:18 pm
How great! Your vacation sounds perfect. Coincidentally, we also have a time share plan with Starwood. The suites (or villas or whatever they’re called) with kitchens have spoiled us. Now, I hate staying in a hotel room without a kitchen!
Comment by lisaiscooking — March 16, 2011 @ 8:21 pm
Omg, I love that picture of you and Graham! I got so many good hugs from him today, by the way, love that boy. Glad you had so much fun!
Comment by Niki — March 17, 2011 @ 5:50 am
Hi Dana!
A) Your boys are adorable!
B) Just saw your mention in Sunset–congrats!
Comment by Olaiya — March 17, 2011 @ 6:48 am
Lovely pics of your boys Dana! I love the second one especially as it looks as if they are doing the posing thing my 5 year old has started doing (all the time!). The mini GQ stances just crack me up. Bit jealous of the sunshine tho’ as it hasn’t been very sunny here lately.
Comment by Charlotte — March 17, 2011 @ 7:01 pm
A very handsome, healthy-looking family. Appeared to be having a great time, too–good for you.
Comment by Nancy Baggett — March 17, 2011 @ 10:27 pm
Beautiful photos, you have a wonderful family, your boys are way too cute!
We love Hawaii, but we’ve only been to Oahu, the North Shore our favorite spot. I think I need vacations…
ps- congrats on the Sunset bit, awesome!
Comment by SallyBR — March 18, 2011 @ 1:16 am