Home Again.
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We landed back home safe & sound late last night from a spring break adventure in Maui.
It was our first big trip with two kids (and our first visit to Maui). The flying part was pretty much all good except for our final leg from San Francisco last night. Anna was seriously done with all this travel business and let us and everyone else on the plane know just how she felt about it. I kinda felt like crying right along with her. (Note to self: remember to always send a kind look towards any mom flying with little ones, especially when they are crying.)
Simon was sick for a couple of days right in the middle of our trip with a fever which was a pretty big bummer. We thought at first it might have been some sort of sun-sickness after a big first full day swimming in the pool and ocean but it ended up it was likely that we have just been passing around this fever-cold for the last month or so.
Overall Maui was beautiful. We were together. When he was feeling well Simon loved the pool and he also loved playing in the surf and crashing around in the waves. Anna wanted to do everything that Simon was doing which was a bit of a challenge but also really cool. Sometimes I think she thinks she's eight too.
Chris took Simon on a whale-watching boat on our second-to-last morning. They got to see quite a few whales, even a few swimming under the boat.
There was not a lot of relaxation with two active kids (see part about adjusting expectations below). I found myself always on the lookout for shade for Anna and I especially, constantly reapplying sunscreen, and always making sure the next meal/snack was in the works.
The technology break was much needed. I did actually stay away from the internet, email, and work for the duration (quick email checks on my phone to delete the junk but that was it). It's awesome that we have so much access to information and the ability to work anywhere, but it was so nice to just turn it off for a week (and now I'm ready to be back).
We learned a lot about the ups & downs of traveling with two kids and about once again adjusting our expectations in a variety of different areas. Where to push and when to pull and when to just let go and look up at the sky and be thankful wherever I was at that very moment.
A big thank you to my guest posters this past week. I really appreciate your willingness to share your creativity and projects and thoughts.
I am tackling email today and getting back down to business. I'm also thinking of ways to document this latest family adventure.
It feels good to be home.
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110 comments
Absolutely Ali! 22hours from Alaska to London was our longest flight, flying solo with 6 month and almost 3 year old.
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Missed you this week, but loved your Guest Posters! Welcome home!
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Glad you enjoyed your family time together, always good for the heart:) Wishing the Edwards family a wonderful Easter weekend.
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Thank you so much for sharing your vacation photos. Seriously...your kids are just ADORABLE! The 2 I love the MOST are the one of Anna sitting under that shade with the cutie hat reading a book (ugh...so stinkin cute!) and the one of her in the yellow dress peering over the bed at Simon. You seem like an amazing Mom and kudos to you for being aware that even with fevers and tantrums there is cause to be grateful. I have 2 children as well. My eldest is also a boy and my youngest is a girl. They were a bit closer in age but I really really hope that when we traveled with them I was as patient and thoughtful as you seem to be. My babies are now 10 and 7 and it makes my heart just a bit sad to know that I will never get that cute baby time back with them! Enjoy your precious little ones and welcome home!!!
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OMG! I can't believe how grown Simon looks in the whale watching picture. The trip looks like it was amazing on many levels ... location, family time, technology break. Good for you!
My sister and I took my neice to Houston when she was 3 years old and the only time she was quiet was as she laid across the three tray tables on the back of the seats in front of us. Thankfully the folks in those seats were so kind and generous they never said a word. I made a vow I would never give the "stink eye" to another traveling parent with a loud child. LOL!
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looks like a fun trip! and how nice to just turn off the computer for the week and reconnect with your family! just the thing to rejuvenate yourself!
welcome home :)
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What nice family photos!
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Welcome back! Great guests that I have enjoyed!!!
Tell us how the Westin was....I've been dying to stay at that particular resort. That is our vacation club but we haven't even been there yet!
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Glad you're back! We're planning a Hawaii trip but not for a few years. My SIL lives their and her husband is native Hawaiian so when we do show up, there will be a ton of aunties and uncles and a gazillion cousins to play with our kids. That will be a huge help in letting us relax, too. :)
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Totally - that will be awesome Erica :).
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We were in the hotel vs. the villas (which I think is the vacation club part). It was really nice - we would stay there again. We looked at the villas one day when we were driving around and they were really nice - better baby pool area there vs. the hotel. We like Westin's in general.
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what great photos! i've traveled with my little ones and always have empathy for the moms with crying babies. they grow up and i miss those vacations. trips with teens and older kids are fun too!
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Welcome back Ali. I am thrilled that you made a trip to Maui. We will be making our 5th trip this summer (conference related). We have always stayed at Kaanapali Beach (Hyatt). I have such a passion for that place and I am always overjoyed when other get to experience it.
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Welcome back! Looks and sounds like it was a special week.
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I just spent the day with my daughter & 2 young grand-daughters(3 & 3 months) on a trip to a city 2 hours away. I empathize with you on the travel thing but it is nice to just get a break from the everyday, isn't it? Glad you are back though!
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Welcome back. I hope you thoroughly enjoyed your technology break as well as the quality family time away from it all! Lovely photos...
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Welcome back! The pictures are incredible and especially love the one of Simon holding Anna his face shows so much love to her! Sounds like you had a wonderful time! Best!
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what great pictures ali! i love the first one of the whole family, it is just wonderful. glad your trip was great and so sorry to hear anna was sick of traveling last night...it is so hard with little ones...i totally understand that now.
welcome home!
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You deserved having a splendid vacation like that ... but take a nanny! LOL, that way 'she' can take care of getting all the necessities out of the way while you just all spend time and have fun. Yeah, I know, wishful thinking on my part, too. But thank you for sharing your pictures ... and you looked wonderfully relaxed! Good for you!
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The pictures are beautiful. Sounds like you had a great vacation.
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