Fun Factory-Kahala Mall

On the way to the Kahala Mall Consolidated Theathers, we passed by Fun Factory. DS1 saw the mini merry-go-round, which he said he wanted to ride, and I told him he could after the movie.

Well, after the movie, he didn't want to on the merry-go-round, and instead wanted to play games.

DS2 was happy to go on the merry-go-round though!

Here is DS1 playing some of the kiddie games.

His favorite games are the driving/riding games.

DH needs to help him play since he can't even reach the pedals.
DS2 copying his big brother.
A motorcycle game DS1 also needed help with.

Fun Factory at Kahala Mall is a lot smaller than the one in Pearlridge. There were a lot less kiddie rides, but there were a lot more kiddie games (there were a lot less "big kid" games though).

It was a fun way to end our afternoon at Kahala Mall!

Fun Factory: Kahala Mall, Ste 7070, 4211 Waialae Avenue Honolulu, HI, 96816-5350 - (808) 732-9600

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Crybaby Matinee at Consolidated Theaters

A few weeks ago DH and I took the boys to their first movie ever (and it was the first movie DH and I went to in over two years), and since we didn't know how well-behaved or not the boys would be, we took them to a Crybaby Matinee at Consolidated Theaters.

After checking the movie listing, we found the only "appropriate" movie for our boys was Toy Story 3 at Kahala Mall (most of the other movies playing at the Crybaby Matinee at other theaters were Rated PG-13 movies, like Salt).

According to the website, "Every Week, Consolidated Theatres presents the Crybaby Matinee! We keep the lights dimmed, the sound volume down and the movies coming. We provide a baby changing table and stroller parking for the convenience of our parents. Regular matinee admission for adults and children under 5 get in FREE!"

We arrived at the theater, and upon purchasing our tickets ($8 adult for a matinee), we were advised (warned) that it was a Crybaby Matinee movie. Since we had intended to see the Crybaby movie, of course we had no problem with it, but it's great that people are warned just in case there are those who weren't aware and may end up not enjoying the movie after discovering they're in a theater full of crying babies.

There were about 30 or so people in the theater--families with babies and toddlers, and there were families with older kids too.

We found our seats, and since we had a few minutes left until the movie started, the boys played with the iPhone to keep themselves distracted.

Although I didn't see any changing tables in the theater or a designated stroller parking area, there was plenty of room for strollers to be parked throughout the theater, and if a baby had to be changed, I'm sure the restroom would've sufficed.

The lights were indeed dimmed and the theater was not really dark as usual, and the sound was definitely not as loud as usual too.

The boys did pretty well throughout the movie. They didn't cry and for the most part they seemed to enjoy the movie and all the popcorn.

There were babies crying in the theater, but they really weren't too distracting.

There was, however, one girl who roamed around the ENTIRE movie. She would often come into our row too and she'd pat my legs, and each time, the mom just waved some food in front of her to get her to stop, but not once did the mom say "sorry" or anything.

The little girl just walked up and down the aisle and through the rows; she'd pick up stuff from the ground...and each time the mom just tried to grab her attention with a piece of food.

Other than that distraction, we all enjoyed the movie and it's great that Consolidated Theaters offers Crybaby Matinees for families with little ones.

To find showtimes and theaters, visit the Consolidated Theaters website.

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WW: "Hawaiian Squirrel"

aka Mongoose

Photo taken at Ko Olina

For more participants, visit Wordless Wednesday or 5 Minutes for Mom.

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Cha Cha Cha Salsaria

After spending the afternoon at Sea Life Park, we went to dinner at Cha Cha Cha Salsaria.

We started off with some complimentary Chips and Salsa, which were good!

DH ordered the Carne Asada Fajita Burrito, which he enjoyed.

The entrees come with some kind of slaw on the side, which I thought was a little strange, since I'm used to having rice and beans on the side whenever I dine out at a Mexican restaurant

I ordered the Chicken Chimichanga.
It was really good, I just wish there was rice and beans to complement it!

DS1 ordered the Kids Chicken Quesadilla.

He enjoyed it.

DS2 ordered the Kids Chicken Nuggets.

It's the first time we ordered kids chicken nuggets at a restaurant and got Disney chicken nuggets! Usually we get chicken nuggets that are prepared on-site or they at least look like they're prepped on site...I thought getting served these Disney chicken nuggets was a little strange too. Despite that, DS2 still enjoyed the chicken.

The prices were pretty reasonable, and we used an e-coupon from the website to get 10% off.

Our server was really nice and friendly, however, she failed to tell us that getting take-out boxes would cost us $.35 a box.

We didn't find this out until after we got our check! That was the first time we EVER got charged for takeout boxes.

We still enjoyed our dinner, and if we happen to be on that side of the island and go there again, we'll be sure to share food so we don't have any leftovers.

Cha Cha Cha Salsaria: 377 Keahole St. C-1A Honolulu, HI 96825, 808 395 7797

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Sea Life Park

We recently took advantage of a Foodland Maka`i Card promotion at Sea Life Park-$10 adult admission, $5 junior admission ages 3-11.

Regular prices are $29.99/adult and $19.99/ages 3-11, so we couldn't pass up such a great deal.

The first attraction was the Hawaiian Reef Aquarium.


We saw lots of fish, a couple of sharks, and some stingrays.

We then visited the Sea Turtles.

We then watched the Kolohe Kai Sea Lion Show.

The show was a "pageant" featuring two sea lions who participated in talent and Q&A, and the audience got to pick the winner.

We also visited the Penguin Habitat.

Because we arrived at Sea Life Park late in the afternoon, we missed the Dolphin Cove Show (12:30pm daily), but we still got to see the dolphins!

Here is a sea lion lounging in the sun.

We ended our visit with the Hawaiian Ocean Theater Show.

A penguin came near the audience (the trainers reminded everyone not to rush down or come too close to the penguin).

A sea lion came by as well.

The show then ended with dolphins jumping and doing tricks.

The kids enjoyed Sea Life Park they loved seeing all the fishes and other sea creatures, but I thought a lot of the exhibits didn't seem to be maintained too well or they were shut down. I do like how they added canvases to shade the Dolphin Cove (it didn't exist the last time we visited; there is also some shade in the Sea Lion show), because it can get very hot.

Despite being a very long drive from where I live, it was a very nice and scenic drive, and the next time we visit Sea Life Park, I hope the exhibits that were shut down will be open, and hopefully there will also be another really great admission deal.

Sea Life Park: 41-202 Kalanianaole Highway, Waimanalo, HI 96795-1897, (866) 365-7446

Waimanalo Beach on Dwellable

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Luibueno's Mexican & Seafood Restaurant

We recently went to one of the newest restaurants in Haleiwa-Luibueno's Mexican & Seafood Restaurant.

Our dinner started with some complimentary Chips and Salsa, which were pretty good.


I ordered the Pollo Taco.
It was quite good, especially since I could really taste the cilantro in the tacos, and I love cilantro!

DH ordered the Blackened Ahi Burrito.

He really enjoyed his burrito.

DS1 ordered the kids Quesadilla.

It was just a simple cheese quesadilla, but he loved it!

DS2 ordered the Kids Chicken Tenders.

He loved his dinner too!

The kids meals came with dessert, which was a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream.

The prices were reasonable, the service was great, and the food was delicious.

I'm sure we'll be back again one day soon!

Luibueno's Mexican & Seafood Restaurant: 66-165 Kamehameha Hwy., Haleiwa, HI 96712, 808-637-7717

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WW: Manana Island aka Rabbit Island

For more participants, visit Wordless Wednesday or 5 Minutes for Mom.

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Poke Stop - Mililani

I was craving Eggplant Fries one day, so I decided to go to Poke Stop.

I ordered the Tofu & Portabello w/Basil Pesto Sandwich with Eggplant Fries.

The last time I ordered this, they made a "special" sandwich--they were out of tofu so they put an extra portabello and some cheese.

This time they had tofu, but for some reason, I didn't like the sandwich as much. It was still pretty good, but not as good as the "special" sandwich I had the last time.

The Eggplant Fries were also a little soggy, but they were still super delicious. And at least this time I had a lot more of that yummy Remoulade Dipping Sauce!

DH ordered the Trio special, which consisted of Furikake Mahi Mahi, Bacon Wrapped Scallops, and Pork Won Tons.

He said everything was good and ate them all up in one sitting!

Of course I couldn't leave Poke Stop without getting some desserts.

I got the Peanut Butter Oreo Cheesecake.

YUM! It was rich, creamy, and super delicious!

I also got a Gloppy for DH.


It's basically a brownie covered with all kinds of good stuff--nuts, candies, chocolate sauce. I usually like my brownies plain, but all the stuff that was "glopped" made it really good!

Although my sandwich was not as good as the last time, I know I'll be going back again because those Eggplant Fries are just so good, and so are the desserts!

Poke Stop: 95-1840 Meheula Prkwy, Mililani, Hawaii 96789, 808-626-3400

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Rocky's Coffee Shop

I love going out for breakfast, and our most recent breakfast stop was at Rocky's Coffee Shop.

The boys shared a Banana Short Stack.

They loved it! I even gave it a taste, and I don't normally care for pancakes, but they were really good!

DH ordered a Loco Moco.

He enjoyed it.

I ordered a Fried Rice Omelette.


It was HUGE, and the fried rice itself was very tasty.

I couldn't finish it and DH had to finish the rest.

The prices at Rocky's were very reasonable, and although at first it seemed like the service was non-existent, our server ended up to be pretty friendly.

I'm sure we'll be back again one day, and I'll definitely be ordering the Fried Rice Omelette again!

Rocky's Coffee Shop: 94-314 Waipahu Depot Street Waipahu, HI 96797-3011 - (808) 677-3842

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