Taro Patch

We took our field trip to a taro patch a few weeks ago and it was so neat to see.  Taro is a staple in the Hawaiian lifestyle.  Taro is a starchy plant that they use to make poi.  It is very bland in flavor and they either mix it with something or eat it with salty fish.  It grows in fields that are flooded with water.  They add more water or drain it, in order to speed up or slow down the growing process.  

 Above is a "parent" taro plant (fully grown) and a keiki (child) taro plant that still had some growing to do.

 The boys got to walk through the mud and pull some weeds.

 Finally, the taro farmer showed us the process in turning the taro into poi.

Almost there! From simply pounding and scraping the taro it has turned into a dough like substance that many Hawaiians use for eating.  Poi is a dryer version of this.  I'm glad Mason is getting to experience some of this Hawaiian culture before we leave.  I wonder if he will remember any of it?

Horse Ranch

It was time for Field Trip Friends again and we headed to a Horse Ranch to see the horses!  These are all rescued horses that are being rehabilitated and hope to be adopted out.  

 Mace was ready, with his boots on, and listening intently... for about 2 seconds.

 He got to hold a horse shoe.

 And even a hoof.

 We got to feed them carrots.

 NeeNee liked the horses too!

 They had a few miniature horses.  

 Happy boy!!

 Then they got to feed some of the smaller animals.  They liked the goats.

 Beautiful Hawaiian scenery.

Silly NeeNee!!  Neiiiiigh!

While the cats are away the mice will play!

While we were in Lana'i, NeeNee and PopPop took the kids to the Hawaii Book and Music Festival.  We went last year and had a blast.  Of course, the main attraction was Mr. Steve from PBS Kids, Steve Songs.  They loved him so much that they went FOUR times.  NeeNee and PopPop knew all the songs by the end.  Steve also knew Julianna by name by the end! ha  Free entertainment and the kids loved it. Doesn't get much better than that.  

 There were some other characters from PBS kids.  Curious George was there.

 The "Wild Thing"

 I think you know this one.

 NeeNee and Mason danced silly.

 Snack time!

 Super star on the stage.

 A trip to Aloha Tower in between performances.

 After the second day they headed over to Ko'Olina and went to the beach.

 They just couldn't get enough of Steve!

 Lyle the Crocodile

 If you give a mouse a cookie...

I think we've got a performer on our hands!! :)

Weekend Getaway!

After the stress of our move... and babysitters on hand... Ike and I hopped on a plane and headed to Lana'i.  

I was really excited, until I saw the tiny plane.  Thank goodness it was only a 25 minute flight.

 And this is what we saw when we got to the hotel.  Hallelujah!

 And THIS was the view from our room. 

 I headed straight to a lounge chair and stayed there for the rest of the afternoon.

 That night we went out to dinner and had one of the best meals I think I have ever eaten.

 This was an ahi poke appetizer.  Phenomenal.

 Mahi Mahi and mashed potatoes with lime, garlic butter.

 Filet with crab meat on top, mashed potatoes and béarnaise sauce.  

 Fancy in the lobby. ;)

 After a spa appointment I headed back to the pool.

 So beautiful!

 Ike played 18 holes of golf at The Challenge golf course.

 Hazard on par 3 #12.  

 We met for lunch at the clubhouse.

 Then we headed back to the pool for some fruity drinks.

 A very relaxing trip this was turning out to be. 

 The next morning Ike went back to the golf course for 36 more holes.

 Gorgeous views from every hole.

 He did not play golf in his flip flops.  We went back to take pictures later.

 Check this hole out.  #17, par 4.  The fairway is somewhere over there on the other side of the cliff.

 Camera timer.  Not bad.

 Walking on the beach.

 The sun was about to set.

 Ike says his smile is goofy in this picture.  It kind of is, but we were having fun and I like it.  

 One more photo op in the lobby.  I love this island.  Nothing here but a Four Seasons. 

Our last day and I didn't want to leave.  It was such a relaxing trip and so beautiful.

 But our time was up and we sat in the tiny airport waiting for our tiny plane.  Boo.  

So, the moral of the story is...  if you ever get the chance, spend a few days at the Four Seasons in Lana'i.  :)