Hawaii Mom Blog: December 2015

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December 31, 2015

Top 10: Favorite Desserts of 2015

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Traveling to Las Vegas with Kids



Prior to going to Las Vegas with the kids earlier this year, I was very apprehensive.

To many (including myself), Las Vegas is known for its gambling, parties, and nightlife - in other words, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." I don't ever recall seeing any marketing geared towards families. In fact, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, for 2014, only 10% of its 41-million-plus visitors were under 21 (the average age of a visitor was 45.2 years).

Even though I've read articles online discouraging parents from taking kids to "sin city," I know a lot of people who've traveled to Vegas with their kids and had a nice time.

Since my husband and I don't gamble, we knew we wouldn't be disappointed if we didn't deposit a single cent into the slots, so after doing lots of research, we planned two full days of family-friendly fun!

There are kid-friendly hotels in Vegas, and although the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino may not be the first hotel to pop into one's mind when thinking of family-friendly hotels in Las Vegas, I found the hotel to be a perfect place to stay.
Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino
Although most of the guests were adults, we did see a few families. An adjacent Las Vegas Monorail stop and kid-friendly dining made the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino ideal.

Speaking of dining, there are many restaurants that are kid-friendly in Vegas, most of which offer kids meals.
Enormous Kids' Pancakes at Hash House A Go Go
And there are plenty of activities for kids.

We found plenty to do -  the Fremont Street Experience, Madame Tussauds Las Vegas, and M&M's World were just a few highlights, and there were many other things we wanted to do, but we just didn't have the time.

M&M's World
There are a few things to watch out for, however, when taking the kiddos to Vegas.

People dressed up in costumes are aplenty - Mickeys, Minnies, Transformers, Olafs, and more - entice your kids to take photos with them in exchange for a tip.

And then there are those who are wearing barely anything who solicit photo ops.  They don't go after the kids, of course, but seeing adults wearing next-to-nothing walking past your kiddos is a bit awkward.  I had to shield my kids from protruding body parts on more than one occasion.

We did walk around at night to see all of the dazzling, colorful lights, but we made sure to not stay out too late.  Even at 9pm we did encounter some boisterous (drunk) young adults, as well as a couple who was fighting and yelling expletives in the middle of the sidewalk, but other than that, the Vegas crowd was mild.

So if you're thinking about going to Las Vegas with the kids, do it!  Our family had a blast, and we'd definitely take the kiddos again!
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December 29, 2015

Get Spoiled at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea


Located on 15 oceanfront acres in the resort community of Wailea, the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea truly knows how to spoil its guests.  A few weekends ago our family spent an unforgettable weekend at this amazing resort, where the service is so outstanding, I felt like a celebrity.

No, really.

Four Seasons Resort staff members address you by name, take care of all your needs, and anticipate all your wants.

After the 30-minute drive from the Kahului Airport to the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, we pulled up to the valet, where the Four Seasons staff immediately began to spoil us.

All we had to do was step out of our rental car, and the exceptional service began.

The valets carried out our luggage and took a photo of our family (without us even having to ask), and the smiles only continued as we were greeted with lei.
Greeted with lei and refreshments!
We were walked over to the front desk, where I checked in and our family was greeted with refreshments and cool oshibori.
The bell attendant walked us to our room, which was a rather far walk from the lobby, but this gave him plenty of time to tell us where certain things were at the resort.
We stepped into our Ocean View Room, and I was impressed with how spacious the room was. With two queen beds, a pull-out sofa bed, a dresser, a desk, and a nook for the coffeemaker and refrigerator, the room was beautifully decorated in clean, crisp decor and wood furnishings.
Spacious room!
Desk and TV
I was wowed by the large, marble bathroom, which included a deep soaking tub, a stand-up shower, a double vanity, and exclusive bath amenities by Lorenzo Villoresi.
Large bathroom
In the bathroom is a control panel for in-room music, with options such as Easy Listening and Hawaiian.

The kiddos received cute stuffed honu (turtles), and our entire family was welcomed with goodies!
Warm welcome!
How cool is the shark made out of a watermelon?
Of course, the ocean view was just incredible.
Ocean view!
Our room was on the sixth floor
As soon as we settled into our room, my kids changed into their swimwear while I took a quick tour of the property.

Our family spent a lot of time at the pools, particularly the Waterfall pool, where cabanas are complimentary (also complimentary at the Fountain pool), and staff would come around with ice cold water, Evian spritzes, and sweet nibbles, like brownie bites, pineapple, and muffins. Complimentary sunscreen, pool toys, and reading material are also offered.
Waterfall pool
Complimentary cabanas are plentiful!
Brownie break!
For those who opt for a more tranquil pool experience, the adults-only Serenity Pool is the place to be. With luxury cabanas for rent, as well as a swim-up bar and bubble loungers, the Serenity Pool offers guests the perfect peaceful oasis.

The Serenity Pool

Luxury cabanas available for rent at the Serenity Pool
Another place guests can find peace and tranquility is the Spa, where I was pampered with an Ola Kino / Ultimate Foot Spa Treatment.

I honestly thought nothing could tear my kids away from the Waterfall pool and its waterslide, but I was wrong.

The Game Room was my kids' favorite spot - a place they constantly begged to go to play video games, board games, billiards, table tennis, and even shuffleboard!

Playing video games
We spent a lot of time at the Game Room!
My kids also loved Kids for All Seasons.  This complimentary program for kids ages 5 to 12 (kids under 5 are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult), offers a variety of fun activities throughout the day (gecko hunting, kitchen tours complete with a tasty treat, swimming, etc.) as well as a fun space where kids can go rock-climbing, play air hockey, draw, build with LEGO bricks, and more!
Rock climbing
As for my favorite feature of the resort - the dining, of course!  

The Four Seasons Resort Maui is home to three restaurants and a lounge.  We had a chance to dine at DUO (read my breakfast review here and my dinner review here), and we even indulged in room service!
From top left, clockwise: Hot Dog with Fries, Onion Rings, Macaroni and Cheese, Grilled Chicken Panini
A great thing for families dining with little ones - kids 5 and under dine for free with a paying adult at DUO and Ferraro's.

Speaking of families, Four Seasons Resort Maui really knows how to take care of `ohana. The resort offers strollers, playpens, high chairs, swings, and more - all complimentary!

Other complimentary amenities the resort offers include fitness classes, scuba clinics, daily bottled water for two, sandal repair services, a photo ambassador, and so much more!

On property guests can also play tennis, putt on a green, croquet, and volleyball on the beach!

And Wailea Beach has no trouble beckoning beach goers. Beachside services such as spritzes and ice cold water are available to enjoy while you lounge under an umbrella.


Our stay at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea was incredible.  The beautiful and spacious accommodations, the fab dining, and the rejuvenating spa experience were all wonderful, but what really stood out for me was the exceptional service.  From the moment we arrived until we had to depart, the service from everyone at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea was always stellar and full of aloha.

I can't wait to get spoiled all over again!

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
3900 Wailea Alanui Dr,
Wailea, HI 96753
(808) 874-8000

For rate information at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, click here.


Thank you to the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea for offering a media rate and waiving our parking fee.  Gratuities were paid on my own.

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Book Review - Custom Confections: Delicious Desserts You Can Create and Enjoy

Disclosure:  The book was provided complimentary for review purposes.  All opinions are entirely my own.  



Lately, my daughter has been obsessed with the show Cupcake Wars and for Christmas asked for a decorating set.  It was such great timing that I received a complimentary copy of Custom Confections:  Delicious Desserts You Can Create and Enjoy by Jen Besel.  The book is full of fun dessert creations that look amazing, but are simple enough for kids to make.  Looking through the book together for ideas was a great way for us to spend some quality time together as well as keeping her busy during the winter school break.    


Deciding on a recipe.

After looking through all 40 yummy recipes, my daughter decided on the Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes.  The book contains easy step-by-step instructions and photos which is perfect for kids.    


Sprinkling.

Piping.


Her masterpiece!

Custom Confections also has recipes for more difficult desserts.  A couple of them that caught my eye were the Checkerboard Cake and Sweetheart Cupcakes (cupcakes with a heart baked in the middle).  But, the step by step instructions make the desserts seem do-able and not as daunting.  Thanks to this great dessert book, I'm looking forward to our next baking project together! 

Disclosure:  The book was provided complimentary for review purposes.  All opinions are entirely my own.            

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