Hawaii Life: Meltdown Central

Today has been one of those days when you look at all those cute skinny little twinks wandering around with no care in the world and you actually ENVY them! It has been one of those days when people look at your kids and say 'Awww what a cutie' and you look at them and say 'Do you want them?' or 'Please don't let their cuteness fool you' OR 'Yah it is a darn good thing that they are cute'. It has been one of those days that I could down a whole bottle of wine in a matter of seconds but I think a drunk mother at home with her two kids is frowned upon by the authorities.

I really don't know what has gotten into my children today. Usually they have their moments by today their 'moments' started last night and lasted literally all day today. So much so that I really questioned why I am a stay-at-home mom. There is no job in the world harder than this.

It all started last night, we had just finished our scrapbook for the night, the TV was off and were just about to head in to read some books. For some reason Wyatt got it in his head that he wanted to watch the movie 'cars'. I told him it was bedtime and he lost his crap. Like seriously instantly fell on the floor into a fit of blood curtailing screams. He refused to calm down for any of my attempts. So I went and read to Ethan, I had to read loudly so Ethan could actually hear the words over the screams. Wyatt screamed for probably an hour without letting up. He was a huge ball of sweat, in the end I can't even tell you what made him snap out of it but all of a sudden he showed up at the bedroom door and asked for a story. The kids fooled around in their room for half an hour and finally fell asleep in a heap on the floor. I wasn't about to move them.

Ethan woke up first at 6:30. Ethan sat quietly and watched a show. I heard the trample of Wyatt's feet coming and knew I would have to actually roll out of bed shortly. Sure enough Wyatt insisted that it was now time to watch 'cars'. Ethan of course was in the middle of the show and didn't want to watch the movie. Commence 6:30 in the morning, in a condo meltdown. Ethan finally just said ok to the movie, thank goodness as I was having a very difficult time trying to get Wyatt to be quiet. He sat and watched cars for a matter of 5 minutes then insisted that he have some goldfish. I told him I would make him breakfast and that goldfish were not the best for breakfast. Wyatt shouted in my face "NO WE WANT FISH" (He always drags Ethan into the mix). Again it is 6:30 in the morning and the rest of the building is likely still sleeping so I gave him 4 goldfish in a bowl. Next issue, Wanted a different bowl. We searched around until we found a freaking bowl that would satisfy him. I put four fish in a bowl for Ethan. Then Ethan had a meltdown because he wanted a bowl like Wyatt's (Of course there was only one bowl like that). OH man.... I made them Mickey mouse pancakes and we managed to make it out of the condo without being shot at by all our neighbours.

They each picked out a toy to bring to the gym, while I was working out I could hear some Wyatt shrieks coming from the daycare room but I pretended I didn't hear them. I saw the Dad of one of the other kids peek in there several times. I soon learned he was peeking in because Wyatt was having a meltdown when he dropped his little girl off. Meagan (Daycare lady) said the guy couldn't understand what Wyatt's problem was haha. Meagan told him it was a boy thing, all you lucky people with golden quiet, play-by-themselves girls. Megan said the kids were absolutely wild today. Of course that always upsets me because I don't want people to dread my kids coming into the daycare. We packed up and were heading out the door. For some reason Wyatt didn't want to leave. He started screaming in the gym. I managed to drag him outside where he proceeded to scream for 20 minutes all while I was trying to convince him to get in the car. I kept calm but inside I wanted to just get in the car and drive away. People walked by, some people giggled, some stared. Finally when I turned on the car and sat in the drivers seat he decided that he'd better get in. On the way home he was talking about rainbows and the beach. Different kid. Two personalities in a snap.

Made it home and after the morning I was way to nervous to even attempt to go out in public for fear of a meltdown from either of them. I set them up with their crayons and turned on a show. They were happy with this for about half an hour then they decided to make a fort with all the cushions. This drives me crazy but I thought I would allow it because it was keeping them busy. Well of course they got in a fight so the fort very quickly was taken apart (in a fit of rage I might add, pillows flying everywhere---me) and I made the decision that TV privileges were gone for the rest of the day. Ethan hit me in the head with a stick so I put him in his room. I told him when he could be quiet for one minute he could come join us again. Well 30 minutes of crying (When if he was just quiet for one quick minute, could have been alot less). Anyways he calmed down and finally came out and apologized.

Taking away TV privileges is a great punishment for the kids,(as I think most of our troubles are stemmed from the TV) they were really upset about it which was somewhat satisfying for me but I swear it was like punishment for me as well because now they are running around like wild fools, took all the puzzles pieces and made a huge mound (about 7 puzzles combined). I was too nervous to go out but finally deiced to stick them in the car and go for a drive. We drove to the drug store. The kids and I had a huge talk about appropriate behaviour in the store. They promised to stay with me and listen carefully. Well that lasted all of three minutes. Next thing you know they were tearing around the store laughing and giggling leaving me to look like a completely useless parent who had no control of their children. Plunked the kids back in the car. No one was falling asleep, they seemed to be just playing off each other and the energy was building. We came home and made some Christmas cards which they seemed to enjoy.

Usually the kids watch a show right before bed but because I took away the TV for the day tonight we could not do that. We did our scrap book, had baths, brushed our teeth. I looked at the clock, it was 5:47. i made the decision that I didn't care what time it was they were going to bed. We read four extra long stories, I kissed them tonight and have retreated to my room. I am listening to Songza 'UNWIND' which is classical music. Surprisingly very calming but I can hear the kids fooling around in the bedroom and every so often one of them comes out and complains about the other one, I send them back. All I can think about now is that I have to make them both their advent calendars because tomorrow is the end of the month. Argg.... the things a mother does for her children after a day like this.

So hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. My plan is to take them up Haleakala and go for a hike. Tired them out (which really isn't possibly). I wonder if I treadmill would work....

Hawaii Life: Happy Thanksgiving... Again

Today we are lucky enough to get to celebrate Thanksgiving again. I have so many things to be thankful for that I could write pages and pages. Of course there are the usual things I am thankful like my family, my health and the amazing life I live. But day-to-day I notice some smaller things that I am very grateful for.

I am so thankful that I have two boys that are so happy (well for the most part). My boys are each others best friends and that couldn't make me happier. They play so well together and when we are so far away from our family and friends this couldn't mean more. When they are separated for even an hour both of them are constantly asking where the other one is. Considering the amount of time they are together (heck they even sleep together) I am so grateful that they get along so well.

I am thankful for the wonderful lady (Meagan) at the daycare at the gym. She is so kind and caring with my kids. She treats them as she would her own. She does cute little crafts with the kids, the other day they both came home with handprint turkeys. (This is more than I can say I did for our second Thanksgiving)

I am thankful for deodorant. Those who do not wear should try (uhem...man on treadmill next to me at the gym). I mean seriously I could hardly breath...

Familiar faces- Yesterday we met up with Kim, Ian and their little one Camille. We don't get to see each other much in Canada but it was so nice to see a familiar face! This morning we met up with Gord and Allison, long time family friends! The kids were SO excited to see them. Ethan keeps asking when we will see them again.

I am grateful for the farmers market, fresh, delicious produce!

Gluten Free Cinnamon Chex. This is a tough one, not sure if I am thankful or not. They are SO good but being that they are so good means I tend to eat more of them than I should. Even still I think I am thankful as I just bought three boxes for $8. I just couldn't resist the supersale!

I am thankful for the Hallmark Channel. Now growing up the rule was always December 1st for any Christmas movies/decor/anything Christmasy. I can't even tell you how wonderful it is to sit down at night once the kids are FINALLY in bed, with a green tea and watch a sappy, romantic super-Christmasy movie. So relaxing.

Zuzka Light- Online Fitness programs. These workouts are awesome and I include her daily workout into my routine everyday! Absolutely love them, they have re-inspired me to get 'super-ft' and I am feeling awesome! SO very thankful for her!

Huggies wet Wipes, Thank you for being so durable. Saved the day many times (Including today at the park) when Wyatt SH*&s his pants......


Anyways some of these might seem silly but they are definitely things I am very thankful for.

We aren't making a turkey, instead a spaghetti squash quiche...we haven't even done anything to celebrate, we drove into the city to go buy some new books for the kids but seriously the entire city is shut down. Since when is Value Village closed on a holiday... Not in Canada, that is when the die hards go. Anyways it was closed and we had driven all that way so I took the kids to the IOA state park. It was beautiful, very easy to walk and the kids loved it! Plus it was free. Doesn't get much better than that.

Hawaii Life: Life is Good

 Wyatt trying to stop the waves

 Would only stop for one photo

 About to be taken out by wave, he loves it

Beach wrestling

We had a late night last night, Kelly's flight leaves at 11:40 at night so we try to stay home as late as possible to maximize out time. We dropped him off around 8:45 and got home around 9:15. The kids fell asleep instantly and even slept in this morning! So I can't complain!

Nothing new, nothing exciting just a beauty life in a beauty place! Yesterday I had a bit of a clumsy day. I was out for a run in the morning, on the way home, after I had been running for well over an hour, I tripped on the side walk (you know when one piece of sidewalk sticks up a little bit higher than the other). Yes well I usually daydream when I run so I was off in lala land. I was on the main road in Kihei (which is a busy road) thankfully it was only 7:30 in the monrnig. Anyways I felt myself fall, it was like it was in slow motion, I managed to get my foot down and save myself, but then it was almost as if someone pushed me and I did a huge starfish faceplant onto the pavement. Scratched up the palms of my hands and my waterbottle. A nice old man helped me up. Only a little bit embarassed.

The clumsiness continued at the gym when I straightup walked RIGHT into a lady in a wide open space. Again clearly I was in lala land. After the gym I was making a smoothie and was cleaning the blender with my hands.. Stupid idea as most blenders have razor sharp blades inside. Well I jammed my finger in and cut it. Hurt! I made it a point to be a little more aware of my surroundings for the rest of the day.

I admit that I kind of dread the days that I am on my own because the kids don't get along often and they are long long days. Today the kids slept in until 7:30, happily got dressed and ate all their breakfast. I was very happy. After the gym Ethan requested we go to the 'Secret' beach which is a beach past Wailea. So we packed up and headed out. The kids kind of took a turn for the worst. I just sat down to relax, dumped all the toys out for the kids and they immediately start to wrestle. Ethan's new 'THING' is to push Wyatt's head into the sand or under the water. Highly dangerous. So I played referee for awhile. Ethan also trys to get out of actually doing the 'work' to play. 'MOM make me a castle", "Mom make me a monster jam track". Because clearly making a mound of sand is near impossible. So I quickly made a castle and a road (not my best work but wanted them to just play). They seemed satisfied and finally continured to play for an hour or so. Then of course a trip to the beach wouldn't be complete without Wyatt pooping. Mound in butt returned before we were able to make it anywhere appropriate to poop. Captain MOM dug a nice hole and discarded the mound.  Probably the grossest thing ever. I thought the spot I chose was appropriate, it was between rocks and in a place where the waves could eventually wash it away. I mean what would you have done?

I later saw people walk darn close to the mound.

The kids were ready to leave the beach at 2:30, kind of early so I wasn't sure what we were going to do, but nothing a shave Ice couldn't fix. We stopped and the kids were overjoyed!!

My spaghetti squash is cooking, kids are playing very happily. We are making Christmas wreaths tonight. That is all! My internet is spotty, seems to crash every 5 minutes, driving me nuts, since I can't make calls here I can't call to fix it. Affects my facetime and texts. Grrr to seclusion...

Hawaii Life: Sun, Sand and Poop.

Well it was another beautiful day here on Maui! Sometimes I have to pinch myself to remind me that this is not a dream! We have been in Maui for over a month, Kelly thought I would be sick of it by now but quite the opposite, I never want to leave. I still have a huge list of places to go and things I want to see.

Today was a fantastic day, mixed with a few ups and downs along the way. We go to the gym every morning around 8:30, so we did the same today. The kids have a great time in the childcare centre and there were a few other kids there today so that was nice for them! After our workout we headed home very excited to walk to the farmers market. We decided to bring the stroller to help carry our veggies/fruits and just incase the kids got tired. Well the kids got 'tired' about a block down the street so very thankful we brought the stroller. We LOADED up at the farmers market. I bought all of my fruits and veggies for the week. It is cheaper, fresher and local so why not! The farmers market is every Wednesday and Saturday so I think that might now be included in our routine. On our walk home I looked down at the BOBs tire and it was flat as a pancake. Lucky for us there was a bike store about a block away. The had the tire fixed and us up and running in a matter of five minutes (for a small fee of course).

We had a delicious fresh lunch then headed off to the beach. We found a beach we had never been too just across the street from our place. It was absolutely amazing and were pretty much the only ones there for the entire time! The kids were having a ball, Kelly and I were tanning. Wyatt came and stood beside me and said 'I have to poop'. We jumped up, but while we were jumping up a softball size mound had grown out of Wyatt's butt in his swimsuit. yup he had already gone. Wyatt was not disturbed at all by the poop in his butt. WELL what to do, too far to walk to the condo (or we really just didn't want to leave). So there was a small cave at the top of the beach... we dug a hole (Well Kelly dug a hole) and that is where the mound now rests. Wyatt came back to the water for a good clean and we were back in action for another hour.

A fellow and his girlfriend showed up and were fishing, didn't want to tell them that their fish may be contaminated with poop.... lol. Anyways the man who was fishing caught a fish and let Ethan reel it in. He was really excited about it. It was a trumpeter fish, one you cannot eat. Well the fact that Ethan caught a fish and Wyatt didn't spurred a huge major catastrophe meltdown from Wyatt. So we packed it up. Wyatt screamed the entire way home, dragged himself along the road. Tough life this little young man has.

I have no idea what to do with Wyatt and his poop. We can't even go to the pool no for fear he will poop in the pool. Tempted to put him back into diapers but he pees on the potty and when he is back in his diaper he just pees in it so we would be going backwards. So frustrating. I guess we will just give it some time.

Super excited for tomorrow we are off on an adventure and to explore more of Maui!

Hawaii Life: Free Shipping

I am offering a child (or two) depending on the hour/day. I will pay for shipping to anywhere in the world! Alexis in Aussie, Aunty Sue in England or even Dad in Nepal. The child will be a surprise again depending on hour/day. Definitely a boy between the ages 3 and 4, cannot guarantee behaviour and both will break out in meltdowns over what is seemingly nothing.

Oh what a day it has been, there are glimmers of fabulous then it quickly turns and those glimmers fade, then they shine brightly again the lightening strikes and the glimmers burn. My two beautiful children have been nothing short of a nightmare today. When was one is gold the other is poo.

We woke up late this morning (7:15) after a night of no sleep. The kids have been so great at going to sleep together they usually sit and play for awhile, read some books, wrestle a little then fall asleep, the past two nights have been hell. Last night the two boys wrestle, screamed, hurt each other, talked ridiculously loudly for over an hour. I was loosing my mind. (Being in a condo just ups my stress level because we have people all around us who can probably hear everything). Finally after an hour I took wyatt and put him in my bed. Now normally I would never sleep with Wyatt because he is like a rollie pollie kicker but it was Ethan who was misbehaving so I put Wyatt in the big bed with me. Ethan cried for awhile about that then eventually fell asleep. Wyatt too fell asleep, but then started snoring loudly, then kicked me all night. Finally I had to wake up him and move him over so he cried, 3 am cry. Again in the condo, so hard to get Wyatt to stop crying once he starts. Anyways I managed and I am positive my neighbours hate us.

This morning we went to the gym, after my workout the lady in the daycare told me Wyatt was not pleasant to deal with. I chalk that up to lack of sleep but I was still a little angered. I took them to the park to try to run off some energy. Then we headed home for lunch and to make some cookies.

After lunch we decided to head to the beach, Ethan had a MENTAL breakdown when I told him to turn off the TV because we were leaving. So us leaving was a 20 minutes struggle dealing with Ethan. I asked him to sit down and when he calmed down and was quiet for 1 minute we could leave. Easy right? Well he did my most hated thing, pointed his finger at me (like a gun) and said 'I'm going to shoot you'. I tell you there is NOTHING I hate more than that and he knows it, so in his room he went. When he had calmed down (several minutes later) we headed to the beach.

Ahhhhh the beach, my golden glimmer of calmness, the kids love the beach. We had tons of fun playing with trucks, digging holes, splashing in the waves. We brought lunch and stayed for three hours. It is really too bad our house is not situated RIGHT on the beach, we would never have to leave. but alas it was time to leave, I told them if they could behave at the beach we would stop for a shave ice on the way home, and they did they were wonderful at the beach so shave ice it was.

On the way up to the car Ethan sprinted right up, Wyatt 'ran out of energy' and insisted on me carrying him. I was packed down with a cooler, chair and the big bag of toys/clothes. Since I am absolutely sick carrying him honestly because he is just being lazy and knows I will usually say yes to get it done quicker. I said no.... commence mental breakdown. Ethan was already at the car so I just left Wyatt. Put everything in the car, Wyatt was still seated in a hump on the grass waiting for me to come and get him. (We are causing somewhat of a scene I might add)  I think when he saw me put the stuff in the car he realized that his free ride was over he jumped up and sniffled over to get in the car. Once he was strapped in, just like that he was a happy camper again. WTF

When we get home I go to making dinner, dinner was all ready and Wyatt sat in the middle. Ethan's next mental breakdown began. He wanted to sit by me. Same breakdown as before, told him to calm down and come back after one minute. He 'SHOT' me again, I may go batty, in his room he went, I swear there is nothing that gets my heart rate going like that 'shooting' business. After his chill out time in his room he came back happy as a clam and ate dinner.

Here I am counting down the seconds until bedtime, look at the clock and it is only 5:30. I got a craft out to do with them, craft takes in-full, five minutes. We do our scrapbook (We are keeping a scrapbook of our time in Maui, the boys love it). Finish that up, put on jammies and brush teeth. To avoid the crazy hour long wrestle I put Ethan straight in my bed. Wyatt can't seem to grasp that it is not his turn to sleep with mom. Screaming on the floor for half an hour, the neighbours really don't know what hit them.

Now they are both sleeping peacefully, if only it wasn't such a struggle to put them to bed, and I honestly don't know what else I can do to tire them out, they wake up at the crack of dawn and we are gone all day, no naps.

Now I get to work on my photo book and look at the happy smiling faces of my boys playing happily on the beach. At least I don't go to bed angry :)

Tomorrow we are hopefully going to go to an event where they put all the big trucks (garbage, fire trucks, diggers etc) out and allow children to get in and explore them. I think the kids would LOVE it, but if they sleep in I am not waking them up lol

                                                    Picnic in Paia

                                                         LOVE this beach

Their favourite part of the beach, hosing off in the shower