South Shore Sherie

Monday, Sherie took off for the east side, taking my bike to enjoy the Kealia path and stopping for a gorgeous afternoon at Donkey Beach.  Meanwhile, we did a full day of school and of course our piano lessons/visit to the dog park.  I think that I enjoy the dog park the same level as Kate and Owen--we love these dogs so much!  We barely see Roxy as she charges around and plays.

This dog, Sherlock, paws at Owen every time he stops petting him.

Tuesday, we went early to the west side for hiking in the canyon.  We knew views could be limited based on the weather but hoped to have some morning visibility.  We were not disappointed!

Kalalau, you showoff.

Kate and Owen were so excited to be included in this hike.  Zac even said he was jealous, but clarified, "Not because they are hiking, of course.  I just wish I could skip school."

The kids were disappointed when it was time to turn eat lunch and turn around.

The boardwalk really is the best part for kids, bouncing and balancing.

The mud.  Thick and ever-present.

On the way back, the fog rolled in and blocked out ocean visibility.  Every time I watch fog come in this fast, I'm reminded of San Francisco.

Muddy.  Puppy.  She's looking at me asking, "Do I really need a bath?"  It's the same look my kids give me after every trip to the beach.  "Do I really need to shower?  I promise I'm not sandy."  Right before this picture, I cleaned her as well as I could in a mud puddle.  That was short-sighted because she got in my car and shoot muddy droplets everywhere.  

That night, I took Sherie to see the resting turtles.  Thankfully, they are protected from flash photography and any lights, so we were at a distance talking quietly and sitting in the moonlight.

Wednesday morning after we knocked out a few hours of school, we took Sherie snorkeling.  Kate was excited to show her around and teach her where to find the fish.  It was chilly and windy, but Kate exclaimed after their 30 minutes in the ocean that it was her "best snorkel experience EVER!" and they said "hundreds of fish."

After, we took Sherie and Kate showed her the joys of boogie boarding at Brenneckes.  The squealed and smiled down 50 waves together while Owen courageously mini boarded on the inside.  I was most excited to see Owen and his sudden desire to be a water boy.

After ballet, the kids surfed at Sheratons and we were graced by a double rainbow while tide pooling.

Brady barely made it home from the north shore that night, with the transmission acting up.  He had to get towed in the morning.  Luckily, the issue was a recall and an otherwise very expensive fix was free, minus the week's car rentals.

Another day, another trip to Brenneckes.  The island opened up to tourism on April 5 (meaning less stringent requirements for visitors), and it was obvious by Thursday based on the number of tourists on the south shore.  We haven't seen this many mainlanders for a year.

I picked up fish tacos and we gobbled them up on the beach.

The next day, Owen joined us on a cliff walk/hike.  We saw a manta ray from Shipwrecks rock!  

Owen was the best hiking buddy, swinging from trees, running ahead, and jumping over roots.

He showed Sherie where to find sea cucumbers and asked her to get one for him.

Kate joined us again at Brenneckes after açaí bowls.  Zachary joined us in the afternoon, too.  He is so good at making even small wave days fun.  Owen found new friends and rode 30 waves with them before dragging me over with goggles to snorkel at Poipu Beach (envious of Kate and Sherie's experience).  We found a few and I had one excited little boy to listen to the rest of the day.

That night, we went on a date night with Sherie to Keokis for fish plates and hula pie.  Sherie and I got permission to go hot tub and Koloa Landing that night and talked until late.

Soccer Saturday and Sherie generously loaned us the rental car and slept in, anticipating a sleepless red eye that night.

COVID soccer....standing and squinting for every play.

Swim lessons.

That afternoon, Sherie wasn't feeling well so she rested on the lanai while Owen and I cooked dinner and a key lime pie with limes Owen picked at Hilary's farm.  He proved his gutsiness by making his own lime juice and drinking it on a "double dog dare."

After the games were all finished, we took Sherie down for the late afternoon to Allerton's Beach.  It had tiny waves but gorgeous surroundings.

Beach Yoga buds.

As we drove home the scenic way, we caught the sunset right on time and shared final words and tears.  

She gave last goodbye hugs to the kids and rushed out the door, very nearly missing her flight but thankfully made it through with an airport attendant.  Whew!  We will miss you!  Thank you for playing countless games of Skull King with my kids, creating moments with them, and sincerely listening to all they wanted to say to you.  They were open and excited around you and I appreciate that so much.

Aloha 'Oe, my dear cousin.

Finally, a few Easter pictures the next day to round this out.

Owen could not have been more proud to match his brother, and Kate coordinated her own outfit with them, too.

Whirlwind weeks like this fly by and leave me trying to catch up, but oh, I'm so happy and grateful for the experiences we had and the memories we made.