Spring Coffee Date! Latest Instas, Updates, and Links to Love

Hi Friends!

I love to stop in occasionally for what I like to call a Virtual Coffee date.  (like this one in January, and one from last fall.) These are for times when I just wish I could sit down with you over a cuppa, share some photos, links you might love, and in general catch up on life.  There are so many little (and big) things that tend to get lost in the shuffle of a busy life and busy blogging.

And coffee dates feel a little more personal like that.

So, thanks for being here. ☕️
(Cream?  Sugar?)

Let’s dive in–

SPRING BREAK:  When is your spring break?  Already done?  Still coming?  Smack in the middle of it?  Here’s a little known challenge about living in Hawaii:  When you live in Hawaii, you get to experience about six weeks of everyone else’s spring break, as a long string of guests roll into town, and all just assume you are also on spring break.  And as nice as six-weeks of spring break sounds, we JUST CANNOT.  So, we find this time of year to be a great practice in self-control and moderation.  ?  The struggle is real.

We did, however, hijack a hotel room last weekend when some friends were taking a red-eye and had to leave their room just after dinner.  Hey, we try to help out where we can…?

KIDS GROW UP:
Have I even mentioned yet that Josiah got his driver’s license a couple of months ago?  I probably did but just don’t remember because I’m obviously old now since I have a son old enough to drive. 

But here’s the truth about this stuff:  As hard and weird and sorta-sad as it is for me to see my little sweet boys growing up right before my eyes…The driver’s license thing is all kinds of cool.  Like:  Life-changing-kinda-cool.  Spread your wings, son!  Drive and be free!  (And while you’re out, please pick up a gallon of milk and some dish soap, k?  Also:  Pick up your brother and grab us some takeout.)
Seriously cool.

MORE INSTA’S:

Ke’Iki Beach last week…Thanks to friends who rent beach houses…(Live long spring break.  I really wasn’t complaining…)

And Haleiwa beach…

I’ve probably mentioned it before but:  When I need to get some serious writing done, I go down the road to Turtle Bay and get a cup of fresh watermelon lilikoi juice.  And then I don’t get any writing done but I feel really happy.

Spring on the north shore is probably my very favorite.  The waves are just perfect-medium size, and a sweet little sandbar develops for all of the little kids to play in.

Because if you can’t surf the big waves…
(it’s hard to be five.)

At least you can practice.

Part of being a boy mom is often just not really knowing what’s going on but enjoying every minute of it.
This is the good stuff. 

You can find more photos and daily doses of Aloha on  my main instagram account.  You can also follow my newer instagram account, @healthyhappyandfree, which I created to support my book and to offer fun and healthy inspiration.  There’s a lot of color there.  

Breaking News!
This book is being released to the world TODAY!

I have just gotten to know Trish Blackwell recently and feel like I found a long lost sister!  She is so many things: An incredible athlete, a committed mom and wife, and she’s got some powerful things to say about “detoxing” your body, mind, and spirit.”  Check out her book on Amazon: Insecurity Detox: A Breakout Plan to Rejuvenate Your Body, Mind, and Spirit

MORE GREAT LINKS AROUND THE INTERNET:

11 Ways to get closer to your kid

200 Things to Throw away

Why Teaching Kids Self Control is the Most Important Thing (I totally agree!)

Helping Kids Become Best Friends (I wrote this one for the Kids Activities Blog! :))

Have a long distance BFF?  You’ll love this post.

10 Mindfulness exercises to do with your kid

Hipster baby names?  So funny. (Go Utah.)

I know Easter is over now, but Josiah wrote a pretty amazing EASTER POEM on his own website and I think you might love it.  ALSO:  He has made it possible to subscribe to his blog now and if you subscribe he will give you a link to some really gorgeous screen savers for your phone, computer, or pad.  (And then he’ll pick up a gallon of milk for you, too. ? )

Have a great week guys.  Dave and I are slipping away today to celebrate our 20th anniversary. (!!!)  The Sheraton Princess Kaiulani is treating us to our own getaway (Just the 2 of us!) and we are beyond excited!   I’ll be 90% unplugged for a few days, but you can be sure I’ll be sharing a few Facebook and Instagram posts as we go.  Because you know Dave just loves being an Instagram Husband.  (haha.  You have to watch that one if you haven’t seen it!)

I’ll fill you in on our adventures back here next week!

Leave a comment!  Tell us about your spring break…What’s your family up to now?  Sports?  Travel?  Upcoming plans?  I’ll looking forward to sipping my coffee from a hotel balcony and hearing from you, too!  

With Aloha, ?

Monica