Howe's Life: November 2015

We were so lucky this year to spend Thanksgiving in Hawaii. We went to Ko-Olina and stayed at the condos next door to the Disney Aulani resort (this is the same place we stayed when we took Madi to Hawaii for her first Christmas). The complex is perfect for kids: multiple pools, a protected lagoon, walking distance to the Disney craziness, and (best of all) a bar right next to the kids rock/walk in pool for Mom and Dad!
The flight out was better than expected. The girls did a great job getting through the airport - each in charge of a bag. Ella is obsessed with the rolling backpack! Matt had a car service pick us up at home and drop us at the airport, so nice and easy. Ella actually slept for an hour or so of the flight to Hawaii, both girls watched a show (but not nearly as much as Matt and I had expected). They played with every toy that Madi had packed and blew through all of the fruit snacks before landing. The last hour of the flight was hard, but we all managed to make it through without screaming or losing it (there was alcohol involved for Mom and Dad, that helped with patience). The flight home was even easier since it was late in the afternoon (and shorter by over an hour). Both girls napped part of the time, both watched shows, played with toys and the ipad, and of course ate as many fruit snacks as they possible could!
Hawaii was so relaxing. We spent most of the days at the beach or pool or both. We took a walk over to Aulani for shaved ice, a drive to the North Shore to see a farmer's market (and have more shave ice), and had brunch with the Disney characters. Matt and I had dinner at Roy's alone in the middle of the week (so nice) and really enjoyed being able to spend so much time with the girls without feeling our usual push to get them up and ready and out the door for school all week.