Thursday, May 15, 2008

Surprise!


That's what Lindsey got last Thursday when I picked her up from school unexpectedly early and took her to the airport. She had many questions about what we were doing, but I did not answer any of them until we were at the airline counter, at which point she figured out that we were bound for Hawaii--the place she has loudly dreamed of going since she was 4 years old.

Her reaction to the news was worth everything I had put into planning the trip. She started to cry and whispered, "Thank you, mom."

So, off we went to four nights in beautiful Maui where we had mother-daughter time that neither of us will ever forget.

We snorkled, laid around the pool and beach, went to a luau and even took a helicopter over the volcanic crater. We toured a tropical plantation and ate fresh pineapple. We read and ate and watched the Survivor finale. But most of all we hung out, just the two of us. It was a true paradise.

There are many disadvantages to all of Jay's travel, but the airline miles and hotel points are not one of them! We were so blessed to be able to do this for Lindsey at a time when she really seemed to need a little one-on-one time. Because I homeschool Joey, I spend a lot of time with him and know him very well. The preschool kids are home much of the day, so I am good with them too. Lindsey and Sam, because they are at school much of the day, do not spend as much time with me as the others. Therefore, Jay and I are making an extra effort to have one-on-one time with them both. Sam, too, will have some special time before the end of the summer (but perhaps not quite this special!).

At any rate, some photos of our trip are below. It was, quite honestly, the best and most relaxing mother's day I can ever recall. Thanks a million to the grandparents and, of course Jay, who all pitched in, working themselves to exhaustion, to make this possible. You are truly appreciated!

View from our balcony...

A new palm tree growing out of a whole coconut, as seen on our tropical plantation tour...


Eating fries on our snorkel boat...

Altar of the beautiful church where we went for Sunday mass. They had liturgical dance, which normally doesn't do anything for me, but has a whole new meaning when it is hula dancers. It was beautiful and reverent. I loved the Polynesian statues of Jesus and Mary. Also, the choir was amazing!


Waiting for the luau to start...

Barefoot and pregnant...these are some happy toes!

Splashing in the warm ocean. There was decent snorkeling right here off of our hotel beach.


Our fun rental car, which took us all over the island...

Our helicopter and pilot...

Lindsey on the helicopter ready to take off. This was definitely the trip highlight for her.

Aloha!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful thing to do! By the way is that the new purse you wrote about? Very cute! :)

Anonymous said...

Fantastic photos!! What a wonderful trip that the two of you enjoyed. One question though, are those your feet in the sand? We are talking real sand right?

Tina

nicole said...

Lucky girls! What a great gift for both of you.

Greg said...

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Suzanne Di Silvestri said...

Jen, yes, that is my new purse--I still love it!

Tina, it's funny, but somehow Hawaiian sand feels pretty good on my normally sequestered feet! Also, I was surprisingly well during the trip (very little nausea) yet it is back with a vengeance since my return. Therefore, I have concluded that I need to pass all weeks of early pregnancy on the beach in Hawaii for my own health and well being. :-)

Annie Bizzi said...

What a dream come true! Thanks for sharing a bit of paradise with us...
I totally agree with you--all women should spend their first trimester in Hawaii!!!

KatieGirl said...

Wow! what an amazing memory for a lifetime. I could feel the excitement for both of you reading about it. Thank for sharing this wonderful special gift with us. I knew there was a good reason you are my hero. I realize you are not perfect but I think you are pretty close. What wonderful people who supported the rest of the family so you could do this. A warm fuzzy for everyone that will keep me smiling for a while.

KatieGirl said...

Maybe there was ginger in your food and it helped the quesies.

Anonymous said...

I think she has enjoyed the trip most. Too remember my New York trip through Hilton Grand Vacations. It was also having lot of fun.

DJ said...

What a wonderful thoughtful thing to do! I know my little girl sometimes feels left out because she's at school while I'm at home with her little brother - how nice of you to address that!!