Things We Did While on Oahu (Toddler Included)

Our PCS move is creeping up on us...4 weeks away until we move off island. Sad face. As Jason and I sit in our "home" we have made for the past year and a half, while we have no TV and no couch, I decided to write a blog of all the fun places we did, specifically with Nate in tow.

Before we moved here, I joined FB groups and did research on "kid-friendly" activities to do on Oahu. Let me just say, "kid-friendly" is a vague description. It really covers a wide range of ages. Wondering if a toddler was considered in the category for each activity, we asked around or just tried it on our own.

So this list is a compilation of "toddler-friendly" activities we did with Nate from ages 1-2 1/2 years old. If you are visiting, moving, or live here already with a toddler or just want a list that is all together, here ya go! If not, it is basically a list of memories that I got to experience with my son.

I'll break it up into groups.

INDOOR ACTIVITIES: Despite the amazing weather, it does rain here or it is too hot to be outdoors for a long period of time. Here are a few inside places we went to.
1. 808 Bounce Basically a huge area with a bunch of inflatables to bounce on. $10 everyday except Tuesdays which are "Toddler Tuesdays" for $5. Only have to pay for the kid, huge plus for me.
2. Windward Mall Train ride that goes through the mall, indoor play area, arcade, and a pet store.
3. Chuck E. Cheese. Self-explanatory.
4. Discovery Center Three stories of entertainment. A tad on the expensive side, in my opinion, especially because everyone has to pay over 1.
5. McDonalds. Not a great activity, I know. But some days, you want to get out of the house and let them climb and burn some energy. Or have some mom-time to talk with other moms.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES:
1. Beaches. This may seem obvious. I list the beach first because a "toddler-friendly" beach is hard to find, meaning...small waves. and it's Hawaii. Beaches are a must.
a. Hickam (you need military access)
b. Bellows
c. Ko'olina lagoons
d. Kailua  (biggest waves out of the four mentioned)
2. Parks. They are everywhere. Drive around, find one, stop, and play.
3. Zoo Small, but cheap and has a playground.
4. Waikiki Aquarium  Also small, but still fun. Pack a picnic to eat there or walk to the beach across the street.
5. Dole Plantation
6. Sea Life park A super small Sea World type of place. Perfect for little ones and has a playground.
7. Botanical Gardens Walk, have a picnic, feed a ton of birds and coy fish.
8. Hawaiian Railway 90 minute train ride around some of Oahu. Long ride, but you can bring your own food and drinks.

HIKES: This is a difficult one because I can't tell you how in shape you are. I also babywear so doing hikes while carrying Nate in a SSC(Soft-structured carrier) is often how I accomplished them when he was smaller. At 2 1/2, I still bring a carrier, but he can walk most of the way on all of these. On all of them I  bring water, hat, sunscreen, extra clothes(leave in car) and a small snack. None are stroller friendly, except Pali Highway and even that one is iffy with a stroller. Do these at your own risk and there are more hikes people say are kid-friendly. These are just ones I have personally done and feel comfortable wearing a toddler or letting them walk on.
1. Diamond Head
2. Moana Falls
3. Makapuu Lighthouse
4. Aiea Loop
5. Friendship Hike
6. Pali Highway Lookout

MILITARY SPECIFIC: These are things/places/activities to do on base and require a military ID.
1. ASYMCA Playgroups on different bases Monday-Thursday. Different bases have different times and days. $2/playgroup per kid.
2. Splash pads. Schofield and Hickam are my favorite 2.
3. Camping at Bellows AFB
4. Hickam beach and/or Dog Beach
5. Parks. Drive around a military base, there is a park around every corner.

We did so many things! Hawaii will hold a special place in my heart. We were able to do a lot here without a toddler being a "burden" on living an active and fun lifestyle.

Bump Brief #28

Bump Brief #28: 36 weeks

How far along? 36 weeks, baby is the size of 8lbs of cherries. Because I've literally eaten that many cherries in one week. 

Total weight gain/loss: 166 today. Up 1lb from last week which is really surprising since I feel like I eat every 20 minutes. 
Stretch marks? No
Sleep:  Not happening.
Best moment this week: My friends threw me a baby shower!!! This was planned last minute because a shower really wasn't necessary. We are moving so soon, Morgan already has a ton of stuff I have to pack in a suitcase, and everyone is so busy with life! But...they did it anyway! My friend, Martha, put together a tea party. It was adorable! It was small and intimate and perfect. And the food was delish! Thank you, Martha, for hosting the shower and thank you to my friends that came to celebrate!

The menu:

*4 different types of sandwiches: 1. nutella and granny smith apples 2. smoked salmon and cheese 3. turkey and pesto 4. hummus and cucumber

* Vanilla Scones

*Strawberry shortcake stacks

*Puff pastries filled with lemon curd and topped with raspberries

*Fruit platter

*2 different types of cupcakes

*Assortment of hot teas and pink lemonade

Preggo Problems: Still peeing at least once an hour. I'm pretty sure I could keep Angel Soft in business with just me alone using the toilet paper. 

Movement: 
Food cravings: Cherries and orange juice.

Interesting facts about baby (according to pregnancy app): 

1. Skin is getting smooth and soft and gums are rigid. 

2. Liver and kidneys are in working order.

3. 28 days until EDD!! That's less than a month. Granted she could go late, but still...

Gender: Girl!! And her name is.....

Labor Signs: More and more Braxton hicks. All day long and all night. My stomach is constantly tight. My best friend here in Hawaii is letting my use her birthing ball so I've been on it a lot. I found an awesome blog explaining the birth ball. Hopefully it works "its magic". 

Belly Button in or out? Out.
Wedding rings on or off? Off. Had them on for a few days and the rash came back.. I put on a fake ring because it is super weird not to have a ring on. I have my fake wedding ring on and wear 2 rings on my right hand. The cheap, fake rings don't irritate my skin at all. Yay!
Mood: Tired from lack of sleep. Trying to keep myself busy. Trying to enjoy the last few weeks of one child. Trying to enjoy my baby bump that will be leaving soon. Trying to get the house in order for movers to come. Trying to do a lot of stuff. Trying is the key word. My motivation to get stuff done is lacking. Probably because I don't want to leave Hawaii. 

This week I had the opportunity to model for A&B Burns Photography! This married couple work together and they wanted a beach photo shoot to add more to their portfolio. They do amazing work and I was happy to help them out. Here are some of my favorites from the shoot. If you are in Oahu, I would highly recommend them! The only bad part was there was sand in places sand should not be. ;)