Happy 8th to Jack

We are spending Jack's birthday at the Disney Aulani resort on the west side of Oahu. It has been a lovely few days.  The kids are both proficient swimmers so they have been free to wander independently around the pools and slides. It's been quite a luxury not to have to make meals or run errands and spend all of our time lounging in the sun.

Jack has enjoyed his birthday. He got to choose what he ate (mostly sugar) and what he did (a lot of screen time). We convinced him to swim a lot too.  He and Sonia have also loved Auntie's Beach House which is essentially a free child care center. They have gone there for a few hours each afternoon and had dinner there.

Yesterday, while they were with Auntie, I visited the spa (without my camera so here a few from the web)

entry

Stonehenge showers

It also had 5 outdoor hydrotherapy tubs and steam and dry saunas inside. Everything at this resort is perfect. If someone thinks you are having an experience that is less-than-perfect they are trying to fix it before you consciously know it's a problem.

Example: yesterday we went to the "character breakfast" We didn't know that the buffet breakfast was themed. It was and this meant that Disney characters were walking around greeting the children. A Hawaiian woman was also walking around serenading people at their tables with Hawaiian music. I heard one child ask her if she was Santa Claus. While other children were enjoying the festivities, Jack freaked out, left the table, and walked as far as he could go on the property. When the waitress returned, I asked if we could take Jack's food to-go since he could not handle the gaiety. She said no -- they didn't have to-go boxes since it was a buffet. I said that was fine. I understood. No problem and then I ate his food.

About 1 minute later a man with an ear piece comes to the table to say he was sorry Jack had freaked out and not eaten. He would make sure we were not charged for the meal. I pointed out that I had already eaten the food so that was not necessary. He insisted. What else could he do? Nothing. Ask the characters to stay away from Sonia as well? She was also nervous.

So, it is nice to be somewhere where everything is perfect. It is also a little weird. I am used to my unpredictable, messy world.

I am 8!

Flipper while walking to the slide

slightly crooked picture of the entry to the resort's restaurant. We sat at the table just to the left of the entry and just stared at the ocean the whole time. how can this place be so amazing?

We swim every night. It is fun.. until the children are so exhausted they become monsters. Then we know, it's time to go.