Back in November we spent the weekend at White Plains with some of our best friends. Since we have another weekend planned at the end of next month, I figured it was time to get this video done 😉
our life in the aloha state
Back in November we spent the weekend at White Plains with some of our best friends. Since we have another weekend planned at the end of next month, I figured it was time to get this video done 😉
Back again with another old video. I can’t believe this was TWO years ago.
I could use a trip to Aulani right about now, how about you?
One of Lyla’s favorite things to do is watch the videos that I put together up on our TV. I’m always happy to use our screen time to look back on some of our fun memories.
This is an oldie (pre-kid!) hike that we did with our friends. Trail overlooks Hanauma Bay. We went at sunrise and a pod of whales put on a show for us.
M A G I C A L.
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #JumpIntoSummer #CollectiveBias
Summertime has arrived here in Hawaii and we are finding ourselves at the beach more than ever.
Yes, even with a newborn.
For a little while, our tradition of surfing on Thursday nights with friends was the only beach time we were fitting in each week but as the temperatures are rising we have been trading in our park days for beach days and squeezing in weekend trips too.
Weekend beach time is extra sweet because Alex gets to come with us.
Yes, it’s a lot of work. Packing up (what feels like) the entire house, loading it – and the kids – into the van, unloading it at the beach, setting up camp, tearing down camp, bringing it all back to the van, washing off the kids, dressing the kids, taking care of the wet, sandy stuff at home (tired yet?).
But it is SO worth it.
I love watching Lyla and Simon’s confidence in the water grow. Alex took Simon out on his surfboard for the first time this week – how cool is that?
I love the quiet time that I get with Etta Rae as I sit with her in the shade.
I love seeing the smiles on the faces of my family and hearing them laugh.
I love watching Lyla and Simon play. They sit in the sand together and make “soup”. They chase birds and each other. They play peek-a-boo with their baby sister. They just have fun.
So much goodness.
I know a lot of you mamas out there will have fresh babes this summer and the thought of bringing them to the beach/pool/any body of water is daunting. Especially if you have older children too. But, mama, you can do it! Whether you are taking them solo or will have extra hands around to help, here are my “must have” items for bringing baby to the beach…
If you want to pick up a Puddle Jumper® life jacket for your child this summer, you can find them at Target! They fit children 30-50 pounds and have lots of fun designs for kids.
What is your “must have” item for a trip to the beach?
Soooo I haven’t posted a “Year of the Byrds” update since week 16. My goodness.
(I have, however, been emailing myself photos for the past eighteen weeks. I’ll get around to posting them…eventually)
Life has been very, very good to us. This week was no exception.
Started off the week catching the sunrise with my favorite son 😉
Hit up one of our favorite beaches on Saturday.
Lots of fun with friends in our neighborhood.
A coffee farm excursion.
More playing.
More beach.
And a special dinner at Monkeypod to welcome home these boys 🙂
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In the week leading up to our big trip to the mainland we spent a lot of time with my brother (AKA Uncle) cruising the island and hitting all of our favorite spots.
[If you didn’t know, Uncle had been living here on Oahu for the past year but recently decided to go back to the mainland to finish school.]
Waimanalo Beach is one of my favorites on the island. The mountain views are unreal, the water is the bluest of blues and the sand is so nice and soft. Just a little slice of heaven here on earth
On this particular morning, it was pretty windy and we were getting sprinkled on here and there but it was still just as magical as we wanted it to be.
Sprinkles or shine, I take sun protection very seriously, especially for my kids which is one of the reasons I love SwimZip products. Their rash guards have UPF 50+ Sun Protection, have an awesome zipper in the front which makes it super easy to put on (am I the only one who thinks my kids’ heads are huge?!) AND are super cute. What’s not to love, right?
While Uncle and Lyla played in the waves, Simon and I hung out on the beach. And by hung out on the beach, I mean I was an obnoxious mom and put him in the grass for some photos.
Admit it, you wouldn’t have been able to resist either.
(Simon isn’t repping SwimZip here but they do have tons of cute options for boys. Which one do you think would look cutest on him?!)
Before calling it a day, we spent some time on the giant rope swing.
SwimZip isn’t just for kids! They have products for women and men as well as sun hats and fun circle towels. (seriously, how cool is the world one?!)
I know that I have a pretty long wish list going…what would be on yours?
Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post, however I did receive a sample for my review. All opinions are my own and not influenced in any way.