makou i ko makou mākaʻikaʻi

 Aloha! After a two year absence, we arrived on O'ahu after a long day of travel. Other than a few hiccups due to fatigue, hunger and boredom, the girls are fantastic travelers.

We were met by the strong South Pacific sun, a heat that by entire being inhaled and digested in minutes. Island life, tropical island life; my shoulders relaxed, my mind slowed down as I inhaled the scents of Hawaii. I said a silent prayer of thanksgiving for the blessing to be able to travel to this special island once again.

Our destination for the first few days would be Turtle Bay, on the North Shore.  Turtle Bay holds a special place for our family. Don and I spent a week here when I was seven months pregnant and again when Amara was a mere four months old. Amara first touched the ocean here on the North Shore. A few of years later, when Havana had arrived (and was already two), we spent almost two weeks here with Nana. We made a similar trip two years ago but didn't stay on the North Shore. While we had a great time on the Windward side I longed for the quiet energy of the country. That all said, here we are again, back to what feels familiar, what feels relaxing and what we love

Before we reached our condo, we had to make some supply stops. We got lucky that the farmer's market was happening at Waimea Valley. We got some fresh veggies, homemade bread and some interesting lemonade. But what we really needed was some pool time.  After we unpacked the car, the girls couldn't change into their swimsuits quick enough. Later, when night fell, our jet lagged selves fell into deep slumber, with sweet island breeze soothing us. Mahalo Hawaii for welcoming us back.

Luvey, Ellie and Sucky Take in the View

Luvey, Ellie and Sucky are part of our family. They go everywhere. But it was too cold for them to go the pool while we were on Hollywood Beach (too windy for a giraffe, elephant and bear!) They still got to partake in the good times, however. They watched the girls in the pool from the window in our seventh floor condo!!!

"Can We Go Swimming?"

To my eye, these are boring, same ole, pool shots, not of great quality. Yet, they had to be included in the girls blog. Why? Because the main thing they both kept asking for in Florida was "Can we go swimming?" It didn't matter if it was cold and windy at our condo on Hollywood Beach, at Nana's pool or with our friends on South Beach; if the girls could go in the water, it was a good day!!

Free Bird

Two Sisters in South Florida

Everglades

Traveling to Miami recently meant the girls missed four days of school. I was not that concerned. Being with family, traveling, experiencing new things,  are just as, or maybe more, valuable and educational than being in school. That said, I still wanted to include some educational outings while we were in South Florida. What better classroom than the Everglades.

My younger sister Sabrina has a hookup with the Everglades Alligator Farm, so off we went to see some gators, glades and whatever else would show up for us.

 Tia Natalie was excited to show the girls the gators in their various stages of development. The girls thought it was pretty cool to see such tiny reptiles.

 The highlight of the visit may have been the airboat ride. Normally, I am not a fan of noisy environments and equipment but the boat started out cruising quietly, allowing  to see some pretty awesome sights along the way.  We were fortunate that morning, having rare glimpses of very young gators in the water (they usually stay on land, hidden in the bush to avoid predators.) We also got a brief history of the Everglades including how Lake Okeechobee has changed the glades. Personally, there is something auspicious being out in the vast open space of the Everglades that reminds me that being on this planets is a pretty mystical, magical and magnificent gift. Especially alligators; they are just super awesome creatures.

When it was time to board the boat, Amara had conflicting feelings where to sit. The front seat was calling her but some fear was also present leading her to hem and haw. Once she heard she might get wet the decision was made. Amara had the time of her life with the speed and excitement the front row provided. Getting soaked was icing on the cake!

After the airboat ride, we watched a show that included baby gators  and some grown ones that the trainer did some tricks with. That initially upset Amara as she felt the alligators were being hurt and she didn't like how they were being handled. I was proud of my girl in the moment as I too don't like circus tricks with animals, even if they are treated well. Amara later asked me to ask the gator handler about this but he kind of blew us off. That didn't impress me. What did impress me was the Amara and her Aunt Nat got up the courage to hold one of the baby gators. It took a bit of coaxing from me but when it was all said and done, I think, they had enjoyed themselves. Havana was a different story. She wasn't going to hold an alligator, even one so small. But she did reluctantly pet one.

One of the more interesting sites at the farm was the Cuban Crocodile. Admittedly, we may have been partial since we are part Cuban, but the s/he was very interesting. The coloring and skin was different than the others. I wondered if he made it to Miami with the balsersos!

Overall, our visit to the Everglades was educational and soul nurturing. There is nothing like being outside in the warm sun, seeing some of the wondrous aspects of Mother Earth and some of more unique creatures. To have Aunt Natalie as our guide made the day even more memorable.

Cuban Bread

2017

2012

It's a Family Affair

Family; the people whom you share mutual love, respect, trust, deep loyalty and fierce protection with. I think most would agree that family is not always those you have a blood connection with. Often it is, but not always.  In my own bio family, there are many members whom I don't share a connection with. And that's okay. I didn't grow up with them. I have deep bonds with the family I did spend my childhood with. But there are a small handful of my bio family, like my sisters Kimberly and Nat, who have a special place in my heart, and whom I couldn't imagine this life without. Ditto for both my bio grandmothers, who at 91 and 92, remain strong figures in my life. 

Which is why this trip to Florida was especially sweet. The girls didn't really remember their aunts or Grandma Melba as it had been several years since we made our way to South Florida. Yet, they both felt right at home the minute they saw their family. The girls also got to meet Uncle Timmy (Kim's spouse), and it was love at first site. And, of course, we spent time at Nana's, who the girls couldn't wait to be with and whom they didn't want to leave. 

It was a lovely week of making memories in the land of my birth, with some of the people I love the most. I have quite the complicated family history but I would not change it for anything in the world. It's what makes my world all the better and much more interesting. 

Key Lime

Tia Natalie has a lime tree in our grandmothers backyard in Miami. Not just any limon tree. But a Key Lime tree. Key Limes are a prized citrus for concs (Key West natives-my bio dad) and their relations, who use the tart fruit to make the infamous Key Lime pie.

During our recent trip to South Florida, Tia Natalie showed the girls the young tree including a hands on smell taste. So fragrant for such small leaves. 

It was a sweet moment for the girls and their aunt; exchanging information about things that grown and in this case, a part of our our family history.