Saturday is a special day...

We had a really fun and busy Saturday!  We drove into Honolulu to go to the ALOHA SWAP MEET!  If you want to buy goodies to take back from the island - this is the place to go!  The market wraps around the Aloha Stadium, which means there are hundreds and hundreds of vendors to look through their goods & although some booths repeat themselves, there are still many treasures to find.  And some you want to buy...and some you laugh at who would buy such funny little trinkets.  And yet people do!  

The weather was finicky the morning we were there - the rain would start and stop, over and over.  At times it was wonderful to have some cool water falling down....until it brought in the sticky, heat & humidity!  Honolulu doesn't get the breezes like the North Shore, and after we had made it about 1/2 way around the stadium it was definitely time to stop for a cool treat! 

Hawaii's Shaved Ice - which we keep hearing rave reviews about, but to me it's just a glorified snow cone!!

We watched a vendor chiseling the wood to create island art....

....which the boys were in awe of.  I'm sure in their minds they wondered where they could find their own piece of wood and a chiseling tool!

As Bryson himself so fittingly put it, "Mom, Jacob and I are 'frienemies'"!  Yes.  That would be a fairly accurate way to explain their relationship.  Fun and friendship one moment.  Woes of brotherhood and possible worse enemies another moment.   I've seen their relationship really take on a new level this year --- they are close enough in age to drive each other bonkers....and yet they just can't live without each other.  Thankfully.  As they have forever together and can possibly sort some of their relationship issues out over eternity! :)

After the Swap Meet we drove up through the west side of the island, and stopped over at the Dole Plantation.  We wondered how pineapples could grow so pink!  There are so many more varieties than we see on a regular basis at the grocery store! 

We knew we were a long way from home...but we didn't realize we were this far away!!!

All aboard the Dole Pineapple Express!

aye - ready to roll on the grand adventure of the Pineapple Express!

The fields were spectacular!  Colors that popped right out from the bright red clay of the earth --- it was beautiful!

James Dole was the original founder of Dole Pineapple Plantation and the industry it became.  I read through the snippet of history that was on a plaque in the Gift Shop and it said that James Dole had graduated from Harvard, and came to Oahu on board a ship, landing with only $1.50 in his pocket and dreams of doing something with producing food in the rich soils of the island.

 He worked for his cousin keeping his land trimmed for $1 a day, and meanwhile scoured the island for an opportunity.  That seemed to arise when the Gov't put over 60 acres up for auction and James Dole purchased it with money that he borrowed from anyone that would give him some money.

It makes for an amazing self-made story!  

We continued our drive up towards the North Shore, and stopped at a spot along the Kam highway where sea turtles have made their home.  It's such a beautiful spot in the landscape, and there is something amazing at seeing those turtles swimming....I think that is what they are doing, as it looks like they are getting thrown around on the rocks and getting pummeled into the stony reef.  But they keep swimming along, poking their heads up out of the water and providing great entertainment for all the people that stop by to catch just a glimpse of them in the water!  

                                    

We then drove up to finally hit....the beach!  It was a new beach that we haven't been to, and although it was a much different set-up than we had wanted...it was still a beach and the kiddos still had a blast!

Bryson Jr. really wanted boogie-boarding waves - but the beach was so steep and as the waves came in, they would come in at about 6-8 feet high and then crash right into the beach.

Instead they chased and were chased by waves.  They played games in the sand, dug and buried in the sand, found treasures and just ran around exerting the energy that children do, that once upon a time we as adults did as well...and are now envious of.  

And when the sun started to dip down in the sky, we started to think it might be a good idea to get home.  But even then there wasn't a great hurry....

There was still time for the boys to play tag around and around each other after they were showered off and waiting for me to carry them to the car......

What a bunch of goofs!.......

...... and oh we love them and are so grateful for the fun that they bring to each day!

We had a really fun day and although we were exhausted and everyone fell asleep rather quickly once we got home and ate dinner and got ready for bed....it was a day that puts a smile on your face.

Fantastic! :)