I'm Back, B*tches!

Koi Pond in Kauai

Aloha, Friends! Penelope is back to the land of reality after a beautiful vacation in Kauai. We explored the island, visited a gorgeous botanical garden, went kayaking and hiking in the jungle, saw lots of incredible waterfalls, got seasick while searching for turtles, ate a Puka Dog (hot dog loaded up with mango relish!), went to a luau, and the kids even took surfing lessons.

Here are some highlights of our trip..... (ETA: If you click on the first photo, you'll see larger versions of the pics)

Waterfall at the Grand Hyatt

My daughter on our beach

Hawaiian Monk Seals taking a snooze 

Scene from a luau

Fire, baby!

My kids paddling out for a surfing lesson

Natty got up on the first try!

Cristian had a blast!

View of Hanalei

Shot from the Allerton Botanic Garden

Reflecting pool

Jumbo Philodendron plant

Totally cool orchid that smells like chocolate

A wee little waterfall

Here's a funny story about our kayaking trip. I partnered with my son.....we were flying through the water like a well-oiled machine. My hubby got stuck with Natty. She was screaming, laughing hysterically, and they smashed into the river banks about 20 times. At the very end of the trip, they cut off the rest of the kayakers, crossed the river, and got to the docking area first. As the rest of the group finished up, Natty stood at the edge of the water with her paddle over her head, and pumped it up and down, yelling "We win! We win!" Heee heee heeee...she is insane.

Anyhoo, it's good to be back home, even though I do miss the wonderful ocean breezes in Kauai. Next on the agenda: baking camp for Nat, and revisions for moi.

Coming soon: Reading Update. I inhaled quite a few books on the hellacious flight to and from Hawaii. One was AMAZING! Tune in next Monday to find out which one was shockingly fabulous. By the way, I decided my new summer blogging schedule will be once a week posts, probably on Mondays. I might add a couple of extra posts here or there, but I'm really trying to finish up 2 books this summer while the kids are in camp. Good luck with that! (I can hear your sarcasm).

Hope all of you have been enjoying your summer.....

All my best,

Penelope