Hawaii Adventure

At the last minute {read I had 3 days to pack} Scot was called out to a client in Hawaii for two weeks. He was bummed to tell me the news that he'd be gone for that long & I was ecstatic to book my own flight! I figured be a single mom here or be a single mom there...umm, I'll take Hawaii. So while Scot worked around the clock Zack & I & my mom {did I mention I convinced her to book a flight too?} lived the island life.

Scot had one weekend available so we tried to jam all the fun stuff in on Saturday & Sunday that we could. He insisted we visit the North Shore...a 45 minute drive to the best waves. I have to say the North Shore did not disappoint! The waves were HUGE and breaking right on the shore. The lifeguards were allowing "experts only" in the water...needless to say, Zack did not qualify. And while Zack didn't qualify Waimea Bay is still my favorite beach there. So pretty & so fun to watch the waves. Beautiful. we also drove around the scenic route & it was just gorgeous!
This was just a random stop along the way home to take a picture. I love the clouds covering the mountains. Soo pretty.
This is a "secondary" beach we found on the North Shore. Zack was literally dying to get in the water so we had to find a toddler friendly beach {read, no deadly shore breaks}. This did the trick...although I have to say, it was the most white trash beach I'd ever been too. My mom & I were laughing like, "aren't we in hawaii?" The scene behind us, wasn't too pretty. But I love Zack "checking out the waves" with Scot...he apparently had to squat down to get a better view.
While at the North Shore we definitely had to stop at Masutmoto's for a shaved ice. To die for. I went back 2 other times...remember it was 45 minutes away! YUM!

For the most part we were in Waikiki which must be the shopping mecca of Hawaii. We were right on the "strip" of shopping delights. Everything from Fendi, Burberry, Diesel, NikeTown...you name it it was there...multiple times. There were literally 2 Louis Vuitton stores within walking distance & 4 Coach stores...as if one might not be enough. And then there was a mall 1 mile away with a 2 story Louis Vuitton...go figure. And while this definitely wasn't a shopping trip, it was fun to browse & window shops...and pick up a few things. And the restaurant selection was fantastic.
Did I mention that the Waikiki strip is where Elmo lives as well? Betcha didn't know that. Neither did we, but on the weekend nights the street performers come out in droves. Zack was completely enthralled with each one which made the walk home...long.

We mostly did Zack friendly things...the zoo, aquarium & of course the beach!
The zoo was fantastic. Have I ever mentioned I detest the Phoenix zoo? It is so deserty & such a hike to each exhibit & oh yeah, it's hot & deserty. So the Honolulu zoo? It's freaking awesome! Zack got to see the elephants take a "shower" and I learned that he knows how to climb a fence. Man, when'd that happen?
Zack loved the aquarium & it was nice because he could just run around to all the different fish tanks. He was going nonstop & is still talking about the "big fishies." We also saw plenty of peacocks. They were wandering around the zoo & Zack had a hayday chasing after them.Soaking up the sun on Waikiki. Zack's most favorite thing.
But my favorite thing we did was Waimea Falls. This was the "hawaii experience" I was looking for. It is a 1 mile walk through a Hawaiin botanical garden to a waterfall where you can swim out to the fall. Soo fun. Zack was able to walk most of the way there & we were also able to bring his stroller. Perfect for a 2 year old & his 6 month pregnant momma...we were quite the pair...let me tell ya. I went once with my mom & then I made Scot go with me again before our flight on Saturday.

I will spare you the shot of us swimming out to the water fall with me looking stunning in my bikini. Oh man, just imagine it. It was good. reeeal good. Scot actually swam under the waterfall...I chickened out...just got close. Zack was loving it. They had life jackets for him & a body board that he could sit on, so Scot swam him all the way out. He was begging to go under the water like he'd seen Scot do. crazy kid.

We had a total blast, but I have to say I was glad to get home! Thanks mom for coming along on our last minute, crazy adventure! I'd have been so lonesome without you!