My B-day

21 hours to get to the boat. We were all exhausted.  Rough sleeping well on a plane.  Travel was all smooth. Kids were great.  Miami is gorgeous.  Getting on the boat with the Luk pass was a breeze.  The food has been great.  The ship is full.  Lots to do!  Great way to spend a Birthday. Cell service isn't great.  Wifi slooowww.  Half Moon Cay tomorrow. Not sure how to post pictures with iffy wifi and no cell service.

Powering up.

Pretty excited to be on a plane.

Lili joining the dance at the bon voyage party.

Dinner without the littles.

Loving our new pet every night.

Jia is creating a farm.

Half Moon Cay

Hands down the most beautiful beach I have ever seen.  As lovely as all the photos.  Private island owned by Holland America.  Carnival owned by Holland America.  Not a lot here.  No one lives on the island.  Staff come in from other islands.  The only people here are from our boat.  Tender boats were huge.  They served lunch on the island.  Food was horrible but the idea and intent are good. Jia tanned.  I burned.  Haha.  Everyone else seems ok.  Nice weather.  Warm.  Not hot, nice breeze. Calypso music playing non stop. The boys are exhausted.  Luk fell asleep at lunch.  We're back in our room.  Showered and resting.  Hoping Luk will sleep for a bit.  I think we'll need to respect bedtime tonight.  They're used to bed at 7.  Kids club evening parties don't start until 7.

No resting.  There is so much to do.  We have a long list of things to get to still.  Tons and tons of walking.  Seems like we're always on the wrong end or side of the boat.  Can't get aft to forward on each level so lots of backtracking and up one level, mid ship, back down type of travels.  The chair makes it complicated.  No chance Luk could manage without it.

Making dreams come true.

Doing the movie walk.

Beer never tasted so good!

Resting. Haha.

Fun Day at Sea

Looking for a bathroom and found looky loo windows to the kids dance party.  Luk resting.  Kai encouraging everyone with a microphone. 

Balmy nights.

Jia enjoying big kid priviledge in the dining room.

Just getting to know the ship.  It's been refit recently.  We like it.  Super clean.  Mediterranean style.  Rooms are good.  Connected.  Staff is fabulous.  The boys are loving kids club.  Kai is managing fine.  He's figured out how to garner all the attention of course. Still working on getting him to stop cuddling every adult he comes across.  We dropped the kids at the club for dinner.  A bit shocking.  Kids age 2 - 11.  Baby size side plates with tiny servings.  Kai was eating with his hands.  I asked for a fork for him and they said the kids get spoons for safety.  Jia had been complaining that the club was too babyish for her.  I looked at her as they were handing her a cup with only a third of milk in it.  She looked at me pleadingly.  I told her to come with us to the dining room.  Formal night so we had to run to the room and get her changed.  She enjoyed the fancy dinner and is asking to do that again tonight.  Lili and Fei have been keeping Jia with them here and there.  Swimming, exploring and movies.  Movies are under the stars on a giant screen.  Looks fun.  I haven't gone to one.  Too late for the boys. Lili and Fei have been going to their club.  Looks like they're having fun.

On our way.

Snow from our driveway all the way to the Seattle airport.  The one hour, 40 minute drive took 5 hours!  My dislike of Seattle remains strong. 

I did get to see killer whales at the ferry terminal!

I loaded an app for a parking place.  Paid online.  Scanned the phone when we arrived and a shuttle arrived in three minutes.  Very slick. 

Now to check one bag.  Go through security and find dinner. 

CNY Group Dinner

Long, fun day.  Picked up Mary and May from the ferry.  Took Lili to work and stayed for lunch.  Lili was our server.  So cute.  Then home for a wee gathering and snack before dinner at the Dragon.  Got Mary and May back to the ferry tonight and then home to fine tune the last minute packing and house prep.  Finally in bed at 11.  We leave here at 8am.  The holiday is finally here!

Beginning of Lunar New Year

The boys are having a cultural lunch exchange.  Eric sent in chow mein.  I sent in red envelopes and flying bamboo toys.  Jia took in red envelopes and Pokey sticks. 

Traditions

Cramming in some kitchen god coloring.