Amy and Fernando were married on Saturday evening at the Hotel Wailea which was just stunning, Mum and I had a great time. The guests were fresh, champagne cold, food delicious and there was plenty of love in the air.

I think it is the nicest hotel on that side by far, pure class. I can’t wait to go back.

Friday we went on the Pacific Whale Foundation whale watch, the weather was challenging and the kids were even more so to say the least. It was an early morning, but great to be out and about. I was very excited to get home to Hana who I new would be very excited to see us, and she was. I love her.

The weather has turned Winter on us, it’s been wet rainy and cold this week which makes staying indoors a real treat…? We are off on a Whale watch this morning, it’s pouring here hopefully it will be ok on the other side. Something different non the less.

We’ve been working in the yard a lot this week, well we’ve been thinking about the hard work, Pascal and Dan the digger man have been doing all the hard stuff. We hired Pascal to come and chainsaw to the ground what was left of our Bamboo on Thursday, the next day he fed it all to the chipper which made great mulch, on his way back into town Pascal stopped on Hana Hwy to close his tailgate. As he was closing it he spotted a little back pup in the cane grass. Having such a kind heart he felt he could give it a better home so put her in the truck.

When he arrived back at our house with her, we were pretty excited about the idea of having a dog. At least I was, Jason wanted to feed her to the chipper (but has warmed up to her now). We thought we were just holding her over night for Pascal, now we have her until Monday… I think we will keep her, little Hana. She’s such a good dog with a pleasant nature, we shall see. I am happy with her and think it will add to my work load but at the same time be a great addition to the family

Yesterday, “Tsunami warning day” Dan was here digging out the root balls and filling in the holes. It was an amazing day, so hot and perfect. We were all set to go on our whale watch walking out the door at 6:30am. The sirens were sounding and our whale watch was canceled due to the 8.8 earthquake in Chilli. Ryan and Vann evacuated their beach side home and spent the morning with us on high ground, the Tsunami fizzled into nothing which was a good thing both for the fact we were all forced to spend the day together in the beautiful weather like it was Christmas Day.

Amy’s hens night went ahead as planned, Tina, Hanna and I drove to Lahaina where we met with the girls for dinner at Kimo’s. They all went out dancing afterwards but us grannies drove home in the “minivan” to go to sleep.

Today is so wet, cold and grey so different from yesterday. Hana is snuggled up in a box on the deck, we went for a walk this morning before the rain and she’s loving the attention when we go out on the deck. We will take her to the vet tomorrow and get her sorted.

I’ve heard something about the terrible 2’s been nothing compared to the terrible 3’s and now don’t know if that is a fact or if I am manifesting it all, but Darwin is an absolute handful. He has learnt how to lie and takes much satisfaction in either not doing what he is told or the complete opposite no matter how calm we remain while desperately trying to understand him. Of coarse like any faze there are many glorious moments which counteract these difficult times, he can be so loving and thoughtful which is why it really makes you want to tear your hair out when he is not.

To top it all off he is trying to use the bathroom during the night but seems really confused about the whole situation. He wakes and comes to our bed side with a wet nappy in hand and no pants on then refusing to go back to bed, this is often around midnight or 4am. It is a trying time which I hope we can work through quickly, I thought I’d just got used to sleeping through the night again.

Yesterday morning we discovered Kula park behind the Fire Station, it is a terrific space for just about any activity with the most amazing view of Maui. Darwin excelled in his bike riding, making it all the way down and back up the windy path. We also spotted 4 horses on our adventure and were able to share our apple with 2.

I was very excited about our evening at Lisa Letarte’s 10 year celebration at the Paia boutique while Mummy so kindly stayed at home with the kids – again. Unfortunately I was far too excited and drank way too much white wine which resulted in a wobbly drive home and a good spew at our front steps. I woke wanting to lye horizontal all day and had the intention of spewing again. I’m much better now thank god and am very much looking forward to enjoying a fresh new day tomorrow.

Saturday afternoon Darwin found the little bike with training wheels that was given to us months ago under the house.  He was quite proud when he could get on himself and reach the pedals and so declared it was time to ride, which was great as Matilda has now inherited Darwin’s tricycle. Since then we’ve been on a ride a day and Darwin’s skills are improving drastically. I can foresee the future, he loves to do burnouts and ride through puddles and mud. I just hope the neighbor kids who ride their dirtbikes up and down the road and do huge burnouts in their hot rods move out before he really catches on.

Matilda has her walking down, she can manage 360’s and pivot turns and I imagine will be running to catch up to Darwin in no time. They are really becoming quite the peas in a pod, it will be exciting when they can go to school together and be together on their own.

Yesterday was Mum’s 59th Birthday. She had a wonderful day which started with a haircut and color then a facial at Paragon Salon in Makawao. Darwin and I made her a cake and we ate it for afternoon tea on the deck before we left for The Old Lahaina Luau.

I was thrilled to finally be able to take Mum to the extravagant Luau, it had been a long time since I’d been there with the Van Der Arks and it hadn’t changed a bit, it didn’t need to it is just perfect. It was a great feeling for just Mum and I to spend time together, Jason watched both kids and managed to feed bath and put them to bed just as I knew he could.

Today Nanny lives the second day of her 59th year, poor dear Darwin is quite the handful at the moment and it must be a lot for her to wake up to.

Life is getting more difficult for sure, we do have such great memorable moments throughout the day but also equally frustrating difficult ones. For instance, Darwin has a legitimate fear of the doctor or any likeness to a doctor, hospital or surgery. A situation like this results in an uncontrollable tantrum, Matilda cries because he is upset and then instantly I have a disastrous situation on my hands. I must say I am able to keep my composure and assess the situation in an appropriate manner but it is stressful.

Today we had our WIC appointment in Wailuku, Darwin had to be there to be weighed, measured and have his iron level tested. It was a sight for sore eyes, his blood decorated the cold floor as he danced mid tantrum pleading to be taken away from the situation which was an impossible task. It’s not just the doctors, he is really testing his boundaries, as a true Gemini. He is adorably sweet, kind and very funny and then all of a sudden he will try to get away with something mean or rude, I use that word a lot, rude.

On a better note his sleeping is getting better, he’s not coming in to bed with us in the middle of the night as much although he does wake early around 5 – 5:30am. I can usually persuade “bribe” him to sleep in with us until about 6 – 6:30am but not unless he’d really still tired or very very keen for the bribe!

We’ve got a lot of fun stuff on the cards for the coming weeks so I’m looking forward to trying to relax our routine schedule and try to let the house go, just a bit. I find it really difficult but know it needs to happen for my scantily. Now for my head to hit the pillow.

Mum arrived Friday morning which was the beginning of our exciting whirlwind weekend. I was busy planning, decorating and managing our regular lives so it was great to have Nanny as an extra helping hand especially since Jason has been so busy with work. Both Darwin and Matilda are thrilled to have her here and now that all the Birthday rush is over I am looking forward to spending some time catching up with Mummy too. We have 3 months to do so which will be so sweet but I do have the sneaking suspicion I may have to come up with a way of slowing time.

Matilda’s Birthday was a great success, everyone had a great time. I had a little too much fun and woke struggling with a very bad hangover. I came good around 10am which was astounding considering I probably drank enough champagne to buzz and small army.  Just in the last 2 weeks Matilda has really blossomed she is really walking and talking so much, well blabbing. She is really Daddies little girl too which is just so nice to see, their relationship is very sweet.