Easter in Kauai

The time change and excitement due to the prospect of a visit from the Easter Bunny both played a role in our 3:15am wake up on Easter morning.  At the first morning cry, we quickly sprang from our beds and into action.  A few minutes later, we welcomed the kids into the main room of our vacation rental where, with a sigh of relief, we all discovered that even though we were across the ocean on the beautiful island of Kauai, the Easter Bunny had found us!

That rascally rabbit hid our colored eggs in the silliest of places!

Yes, we even made time to dye Easter eggs the previous afternoon.

As became the routine during our weeks stay, Allison was up for a few hours and back down for her morning nap before the sunrise!  After nap, and once we had a bit of daylight to guide us, we headed out (south, on this day, in hopes of dryer weather) for a day at the beach. 

Our first beach stop was Lydgate State Park, in Kapa'a.

Walking barefoot in the sand was a puzzling, new, sensory experience for Allison.  Her reaction surprised us all.  When we arrived at the beach she immediately stepped out onto the sand in pursuit of her brother, or possibly the water's edge, but just as quickly stopped.  With a perplexed expression, she peered down at her feet, which she picked up in large marching steps, and tentatively put back down in the sand.  Almost as if in slow motion, she continued this odd marching until she found a place to pause (the picture at the log above) and contemplate her new surroundings.  A short time later, with some encouragement, she continued the long walk down to where Peyton was already planning and preparing his work site for the day. 

Peyton's Paradise = 

Endless sand + endless days to play + endless playtime with parents.

Maybe the cooler, damp sand was easier to walk in and less of a shock to her, or maybe her sights moved on to other beach wonders, but she soon got over her sand anxiety and enjoyed digging and playing and fearlessly ventured out into the ocean water as well.  She definitely was our water baby this trip.

Our Easter in Kauai will be one that we will remember forever.