Aloha!

We made it to the first pit stop in our race around the world! And for the first time in many, many weeks, I feel completely relaxed.  Also, deliriously tired which may be the same thing.

Our day started at 5 a.m. Friday in an airport hotel near RDU, and is finally ending now, at 2:00 a.m. Saturday according to my brain.  It is still Friday evening here in Honolulu.  Because the thought of trying to transfer photos from my phone to this blog makes my brain hurt, let me give you a few written snapshots of our day.

The girls stayed awake for nearly 19 hours with about 30 minutes of rest on the first flight. It boggles my mind.  And despite utter exhaustion, they were (mostly) helpful and good.  Tic-tacs, lifesavers, and ring pops are cure-alls at 40,000 feet.  Also, iPads.

We spent $1.99 on one string cheese, $5 for 2 apples, and $3 for a travel pack of Wet Ones (how did I forget to pack those?).  

LAX is a crazy place.  

Upon landing in Honolulu, Zoe declared it looked a lot like Durham.  Girl has spot on observation skills.

When we arrived at the airport in Honolulu, another family gave us two of their beautiful fresh leis for the girls to have.  Zoe gave the nice folks her grumpy face, but I gladly accepted on her behalf, and was woozy with the smell of fresh gardenias. 

The girls are intrigued that we are staying at a Disney resort, but we have yet to see anything "Disney" other than towels arranged to look like mouse ears.  We hope to have some character sightings and perhaps watch a Disney movie al fresco tomorrow night.  That said, it is gorgeous and comfortable, and we ate pizza and drank beer while watching the evening settle in over the Pacific. Perfect.

We have already swum in the Pacific and floated along a lazy river. Maddox has conquered one water slide, and Zoe and I have played "swim lessons".  Jet lag can't stop these kiddos.

Looking forward to a good night's sleep tonight, and a total lack of to-do lists for the foreseeable future.