Category Archives: Island_Life

Our Weekend Staycation

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What a great weekend I had!  My daughter’s birthday was earlier in the month and she asked that we stay in a hotel for the weekend where we could go swimming all day and night and eat some good food.  Of course I wanted to give this to her but we were so busy on the weekends with sports and other commitments that the only weekend we had open was this past weekend.  We decided not to tell the kids and make it a nice surprise for the all of them.  So last week Monday I made the reservations at the Outrigger Reef on the beach.  I reserved a 1 bedroom suite so that we’d all be comfortable.  On Thursday night after the kids went to sleep I packed up everything we’d need for the weekend.  On Friday after work I picked up the kids from school and told them that I’d forgotten something at work and needed to go back and get it.  As I pulled into the hotel they were confused saying “this isn’t where you work”.  The valet attendant opened up and asked “checking in?”  and I said “yup” and the kids freaked out.  When he asked when I’d be checking out I replied “Monday” and they were so excited!

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The first thing the kids wanted to do was go swimming in the pool.  They didn’t even wanna wait for their dad to get there, so that was the first “fun” of the weekend.  When Kahele finally got there the kids wanted to relax for a couple of hours before we headed down to the beach to watch the fireworks.

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On Saturday we headed over to the Honolulu Zoo (which I’ll share pics in a later post).  We actually went to take Aria for the first time, but she ended up falling asleep before we could reach the Keiki Petting Zoo.  We were all tired and worn out that once again the pool sounded like a great idea.  We picked up Zippy’s plate lunches and headed back to the hotel for more fun in the sun.

I’ll share more about some other things we did during our weekend but another great surprise was that they expected to go to school yesterday and got up early, got dressed and had sad faces on.  Then Kahele was like… “Hey how about we go downstairs and have breakfast and swim today instead of going to school?”  OMG the excitement erupted again!

It was such a much needed, relaxing weekend that we all needed.  I hope that we can get around to doing something like this more often.

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Wednesday Wows- A $12 course lunch in Waikiki!

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Gyu-Kaku is the restaurant I go to if I want to get more for my $.  It’s one of my kids favorite places to eat and their happy hour allows us to fill up for a great price.  In Waikiki I spend close to $15 even at fast food restaurants.  But here they actually give a 15% Kama’aina discount, so I spend $10!  What a steal! They have so many specials on the menu but I always get the non-grill lunch set.  My favorite is the Garlic Shrimp Bibimbap and 2 sides of cheese won tons and 1 side of cold tofu. But there are other options (shown below).  Definitely check out this place if you’re staying in Waikiki.

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I don’t know what kind of sauce they use on their tofu but it is so good that I have them add it on my cheese won tons as well.  Soooo yummy!

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307 Lewers St.
Honolulu, HI 96815

Life Lately

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Life has been pretty busy.  I wish I had more time to sit at my computer and blog- it’s the one thing that really helps me escape, this and reading a book or watching a good movie.  Honestly it’s so hard to get a good amount of downtime to do either.

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I love this picture of Aria!  She started a little cold last week so obviously she was very grumpy so I’m glad I caught one of the rare moments when she was happy.  She’s constantly wanting to be carried, she’s had a runny nose that had her throwing tantrums because she was so irritated and there have been a few sleepless nights. It’s so sad and at times frustrating.  Of course I can’t blame baby but when I have to get things done sometimes I just have to put her in her crib and let her cry while I try to do as much as I can.  I’ve been feeling like a zombie for almost a week now.

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Last week Friday was my son Maui’s homecoming football game and senior night.  They won!!! He played so well and it was nice that so many of my family members were able to show up and support him.  This Saturday is their last season game before heading off to the playoffs.  Hopefully they can make it pretty far (fingers crossed).

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We very rarely take pictures with all 6 of us in it.  Even in this picture my mom is included lol.  Maybe for Christmas this year we’ll get some professional ones done with all of us.

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On Saturday Tea went to my niece’s birthday party.  My cousin let my niece invite a few of her closest friends and had someone come over and give an art lesson. They were all taught to draw the same thing- a picture of a mermaid.  Tea sent me this photo of her painting.  Kahele and I were so confused on what we were looking at lol.  Kahele saw a blue volcano with orange lava flowing into the sea and I…. sort of agreed with him hahaa!  But when Tea came home she explained that the blue volcano is actually the mermaid’s hair and the orange is her tail!  Do you see it now?!  She loved it so much that she wants to paint all the damn time now.  Maybe she has a future, she’s way better than her father and I am for sure.

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Sunday BBQ was so relaxing!  The weather was so pretty and the sunset and rainbows were gorgeous.

Well, that’s pretty much been whats been going on in my life as of late.  Hopefully I’ll have a new post soon!

 

Sugarfina Waikiki

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Why do these candy stores keep popping up all over the place?!  Don’t they know that sweet shops are my weakness?!  Last week the new International Market Place opened up in Waikiki.  For those of you who have been to Waikiki in the past you may remember the market place… well it’s nothing like it was before.  But we’ll just save that for another post.  Let’s just say that it’s not the same “bargain with the vendor” shopping like it used to be.  Now it’s expensive shops everywhere!  Among those expensive stores, that I probably won’t ever walk into, is this cutest candy shop called Sugarfina.  I saw one in San Francisco but never went in.

It’s so pretty and inviting that I couldn’t help myself and had to check it out.  It is pretty pricey, but your treats come in the cutest packaging and everything looks so beautiful. There’s such a wide variety of “boutique” style candies, I had to pick up a couple of things for the kids (and myself of course).  The saleswoman told me that what was unique about their shop is that they get their candy imported from all over the world.  I also love that this candy store seems to cater to grown-ups with their Champagne Gummy Bear, Peach Bellini Gummies, Pale Ale Pint Gummies and their Maple Bourbon Caramels just to name a few.

The 4 photos below are from sugarfina.com

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They also customize their labels for special events like weddings, showers and birthdays. So if you got the cash to spend this may be something perfect for your next party.

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The Cutest Baby Shower

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My cousin Pili is about to give birth to her son any day now.  Yesterday my Aunty Donna (her mother) threw her the cutest baby shower.  It was at a friends beach-house in Ewa.  First of all, the house is beautiful it’s like a modern day plantation style home right on the beach.  Secondly, the theme was the cutest sailor theme. Lastly, the food was AMAZING!  My Aunty had a private chef prepare all of the food, and a lot of it.

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I wasn’t kidding when I said right on the beach.  It was a little muggy yesterday but just looking at this scenery was well worth a little heat.

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There were these little stations set up where we were able to make personalized onsies, guess mom’s belly size and there were also cards at our seats where we could write words of advice for raising a boy.

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Here’s my onsie I created.  I tried to keep the whole Beach Theme 🙂

Now let’s get to the good stuff…

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I could hardly fit everything on one plate!  Everthing was done by Tamura’s Corporate Chef Aaron Siguenza.  Everything tasted die-licious.  If you’re looking to cater or even have a private Chef come to your home I highly recommend Tamura’s.

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Here’s a pic that the older cousins took with my Gram’s.

Now we just need the baby to come along so that we can meet the little guy.  BTW  my niece (baby’s big sis to be)  insists that her brothers name is Lion!

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SNOW FACTORY MCCULLY

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Yesterday I took my two middle kiddies to Snow Factory.  I didn’t realize that my kids have never had this!  I felt so guilty because I’ve had it a few times.  So, we all know what shave ice is right?  You may also know them as snow cones?  Well here in Hawaii shave ice is super popular, you can find it in just about every town, mall, and they even serve them in candy stores.  The toppings are endless but one of the most popular toppings is condensed milk.  At the snow factory they basically shave a block of flavored condensed milk which gives you this amazing texture and sweetness!  OMG  i can’t even put into words the party that goes on in your mouth.

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Kuha’o had the Pineapple Li Hing Mui!  Yesterday it was so hot and he honestly chose the perfect flavor.  Of course Tea and I sampled it and agreed that we should’ve gotten the same.

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Tea went with the Nutella.  Another yummy one.  I mean you can’t go wrong with anything nutella.

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I had the Halo Halo.  I love how the mochi balls get so chewy because of the coldness of the the ice.

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They also serve this Pipe Ice Cream that we were really excited about but they ran out 😦  I told the kids that it just means that we need to visit again.

Aria is 8 months

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Can I just say that this year is flying by so quickly.  So much has happened this year and so many changes are taking place in my life which is making it seem like my little baby is growing up way too fast.  Aria is probably my last baby so I really try and be present in every second that I spend with her.  I can’t believe that in just 4 months she’ll be a year old!  In Hawaii we usually throw a big luau for the baby’s first birthday.  I did this for my two boys but not for my daughter and I’m debating on whether or not Aria will get one.  Money is so tight and if I’m gonna dish out 5grand on a party to feed and entertain everyone else I think it’s probably better to just plan a trip and take my family to Disneyland!

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This little girl loves being outdoors.  As long as she’s being strolled around or in her walker she’s happy.  Over the weekend we finally took her to the pool and she loved it.  We can’t wait to take her to the beach.



Kulu Kulu Japanese Style Cakes in Waikiki

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There’s another yummy bakery across the street from where I work!  I don’t even know if this is a good thing or a bad thing.  Everything that they create is a die-licious and gorgeous work of art.  Their newest location is in the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, so for all of you planning a visit to Waikiki be sure to check them out.

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In addition to there cakes they serve boba drinks and soft serve.

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It was so hard to choose just one, so….. I chose two!

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This is the Mango Short Cake.  You can taste the real mango flavor in this moist fluffy cake.

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I just had to get this one because of the fresh strawberries.  There is so much strawberry creme filling which I love!  I can’t wait to try some of there other treats…. maybe for lunch today?!