Everybody loves a long weekend! Daddy had four days off for Memorial Day weekend, and we took full advantage of them: we explored a new beach, went on a 5-mile hike, spent a few hours at a bouldering gym, and played the girls current favorite board game.

White Plains Beach
We drove a little bit further in search of slightly bigger waves, and this beach was the perfect next step for the girls. It took a bit of doing, but Daddy got them all playing in the surf--they had a blast! Especially when some friends from the neighborhood pool showed up at the same beach at lunch time!

Those four heads across the front are Daddy and the girls.
(They didn't go out that far by themselves at this beach.)

Picnic at the beach!

Where did her legs go?!

Kuli'Ou'Ou Ridge Trail
We were so excited to go on a real hike--this 5-mile hike does switchbacks up the mountain, follows along the ridge, then up stairs to the summit. We were fascinated by the plants along the trail-- especially when it suddenly switched from jungle-like to pine forest.

Following switchbacks up the valley.

We call these "Lego trees" (very distinct straight branches
perpendicular to the trunk). We think they're actually Cook pines.

Taking a break to enjoy the view.

This is the ridge with a steep drop off on either side.

It's all worth it for the view, right?

The clouds finally burned off on our way back down.
We can see the city and the ocean from here.

These trees made doorways! 

Bouldering Gym

The girls were thrilled that we found a climbing gym here! (Our last location didn't have one.) This was a very reasonably priced bouldering gym. FYI: bouldering routes are more likely to be horizontal than vertical and don't involve harnesses or belay lines, so it's a lot less hassle. Also, the floor is a crash pad, so they can just let go if they need to and nobody gets hurt.

Bug with a grin and a note of triumph: "I think I could get really
good at this. Not because I'm actually good, but because I'm persistent."

Lion paused her climb to cheese for the camera.
"Can we come back, like, every month?"

Monkey's just chillin' mid-way through her climb.
She tired out first, but she tackled more difficult routes earlier on.

Magic: The Board Game
Just before we moved we made an impulse purchase of a board game version of Magic: The Gathering. This is the most complex game the girls have ever played and quite possibly their favorite. Daddy still wins, but they're doing their best to give him a run for his money!