When in Hawaii. . .

Do what the locals do. . . .  Okay, it's not exactly surfing, but lei making with beautiful orchids is just as thrilling for us.

First remove the stems on all the orchids you plan on using.

Then take a long needle found that can be found at your local craft store

And some string (ours were provided for us at the resort we're staying at)

And start threading the orchids on the base of the flower on their sides

Or go through the center of each. 

When you reach your desired length, tie and proudly wear your pretty lei. 

Pirates of the Caribbean

After five straight hours in the sun yesterday, my skin needs a break so today my plan is to do some laundry and have a Pirates marathon. We aren't going to the opening of On Stranger Tides, but here are a few photos of the boat used in that movie. It's right across from where we're staying so we had to walk over and check it out.

For those of you who are going to the new Pirates movie, enjoy! I look forward to seeing it soon.

Recharging in Paradise

That is literally recharging. Fortunately for my kids and I (my husband isn't a fan of the heat and being away from Alaska in the summer), my husband had to come to Hawaii for work.  This opportunity couldn't have come at a better time as I just had my Vitamin D tested again and I'm still low.  Not for long though! These are the few things I get to enjoy for the next few weeks.

One of four lagoons at the resort.

While I like Waikiki, this place is much slower paced and perfect for kids. 

The grit of the sand is fine unlike Waikiki so my kids like it more. 

The view inland from the resort

Two of my girls on the beach

The new Disney resort next door will open in August

A fat feral cat and hungry mongoose

Kid fun

Beach Fun

Pool fun at one of the three pools

Fish come out for breakfast

Feeding the fish

And since my baby didn't get to attend her Kindergarten graduation, 

we brought her cap and took a photo here!

Off to the beach. Aloha!

Marathon of parties

It's that time of the year again where the marathon of parties mark the end of the school year. Today my daughter has a party in her Ignite class so she asked me to make cake pops (at the last minute of course). I had a paper due today so I simply couldn't take the time for cake pops, but I thought of something better, peanut butter balls. Simple and very yummy.

I got the recipe from my friend, Sundi. I hope she doesn't mind me sharing it. I have seen other variations of this recipe, but the graham cracker is what makes it. Initially I was going to place each ball on a stick and dip them in chocolate candy coating, but it turns out I didn't have any on hand nor did I have any almond bark. What I did have are Hershey's chocolate bars, so I melted the chocolate and drizzled a little on top.   My kids prefer it with less chocolate than the recipe calls for, and I prefer the balls without the chocolate.

No Bake Peanut Butter Balls
(Similar to Reese's Peanut Butter Cups)

1/2 Cup of creamy peanut butter

2 Cups of confectioners sugar

1/2 Cup of butter (melted)

1 teaspoon of vanilla

3/4 Cup of coarse graham cracker crumbs 

(I make my own and I use about a cup)

Almond Bark

Mix all ingredients together thoroughly.  Roll teaspoonful sizes and place on a cookie sheet in mini cupcake liners. Melt almond bark and drizzle or put a daub on each ball. Let the chocolate set and enjoy!