Tales of the Traveling Tote to the Beach We Go

Welcome to my second 

Tales of the Traveling Tote,

where twelve bloggers share the fun 

they have had as they take along their

MacKenzie Child's large travel tote.

And be sure to enter our MacKenzie Child's

giveaway at the end of this post.

My totes name is Miss Madi K.

Miss Madi K and I are of one mind and heart, 

we love to travel, and we love to go warm places 

so already 2018 has been a fun one for the

both of us.

For those who know me, you know that I

love to grow older on my birthdays in a warm

place and since my birthday is in January, it 

certainly isn't spent at home in the cold and snow. 

Last year for my big birthday I took all 20 of us 

to Hawaii, so this year I just wanted it to be hubby and me. 

We decided to stop on the way to Hawaii in Disneyland. 

They sure know how to greet you for your birthday 

in Disneyland.

Not only did I get tons of well wishes, but I even got free 

birthday desserts.

It had been a few years since I had 

seen Disneyland at Christmas, so we thought

it would be fun to stop there on our way to 

Paradise.  Miss Madi K and I are waiting to get 

checked into the Happiest Place on Earth.

Although I love seeing Disney through a child's eyes, 

I have to be honest, I love experiencing it with hubby 

only the best.

It didn't disappoint, but the crowds were unbelievable.

I thought the week after New Year's would be lower 

crowds, but in all my Disney trips, I have never 

experienced such huge crowds.  

We had a surprise visit from our son Marcus and 

ou granddaughter Goldie, as we had just settled 

in to order Monte Cristo Sandwiches at Cafe Orleans. 

It was revenge since he honeymooned at Disneyland, 

and just before he left, he said, "Meet you Wednesday 

at Bengal BBQ for lunch!"  Well, that was an invite

we couldn't resist.  I took my daughter and DIL and a 

couple of grandkids and called him Wednesday afternoon 

and said to meet us for lunch!  Of course, we only saw them 

for the afternoon and we stayed at another hotel.

I had fun introducing all of them to 

"getting cozy at the cone" with one of my favorite 

treats - chili and chicken green chili bread filled cones. 

How I could go for another one of those on this cold day!

One of my big financial weaknesses is that as soon as I 

go somewhere, I start scheming as to how I can take 

my family there.  We are kind of naughty, and send 

home lots of pictures to tempt them.  These 

holiday Mickey beignets were so amazing, that 

after we left, Marcus and Goldie stayed on for a few 

days and she ate these several times.

We had such a great time, that we upgraded 

our park passes to a year pass!  Alas, it was time 

to head out!

Miss Madi K was stuffed to the brim, and the vacation 

was just starting!  What a huge and wonderful tote bag,

but no matter how large, I can manage to fill my carry on! 

We all arrived safely in beautiful Maui, and Miss Madi K 

and I both approved of hubby's choice for a car.

She thought she looked pretty smart with the car!

Actually she looks pretty smart wherever we go! 

My birthday finally arrived and we were off 

to the other side of the island.

We dined at Mama's Fish house and of course I

had to have their famous dessert,

The Black Pearl.

It is a chocolate and passion fruit mousse

inside a cookie shell.  It is huge and easily

feeds two.

We also enjoyed this giant chocolate chip and macadamia

nut pancake at Charleys in Paia.

We were so disappointed last year that the

Grand Wailea's Molokini Bistro had 

dropped their Pineapple Banana Split,

but they brought it back.  I guess others

complained as much as we did.

Here is my copycat recipe for this dessert

for two.

The Five Palms Kihei is ocean side and outstanding.

This was their amazing dessert.

We also enjoyed Frida's for Mexican, and

The Grand Wailea's Humuhumunukunukuapa'a

for a sunset dinner.

All too soon it was time to go home.

Miss Madi K is my best friend on these long

trips home.  She carries all of my comfort items.

I am going to share with you some of my favorite

items:  

Special neck rest - which keeps my head in place

better than the curved one,

Gel seat - to keep my bottom from getting numb ,

Leg Rest/Hammock - so my legs don't go crazy,

and a stuffable down blanket to keep me warm

on cold flights.  I also keep my snacks and a pair

of slippers in my comfort bag.

We were home just about two weeks when we were

off to Cabo.  Those who have followed me for a while

know we have had a home there.  We bought that 12

years ago with the intent of tearing it down and

rebuilding, but then the economy crashed.  We 

finally tore it down a year ago and have begun

construction.

Of course, it has taken a lot longer than we were told,

so we were down checking on the construction.

Obviously we weren't able to stay on our property so we

chose La Villa Estancia to stay in.

We would run from there to the construction sight.

They have spent the last six months taking down the

hillside and building these amazing retaining and

support walls.

La Villa Estancia was beach front and of course Miss Madi K

loved bringing all of our beach goodies.

I also brought my money and room key in this adorable

clutch by Jenna at The Painted Apron.  She is so

talented and produced her art into useable items such

as pillows, clutches, phone cases, and many other adorable

items that would be perfect for a gift.

Click here to see some of her items which

are sold.

Of course we hit up all of our favorite foodie spots

in Cabo.  This is my favorite breakfast at Solomon's Landing.

Click here for a copycat recipe I developed.

Climb aboard and I will let you follow the crazy

construction process as it continues.

Now on to the fun stuff - our giveaway!

Hop on over to see Jenna at

The Painted Apron to enter our MacKenzie Child's giveaway.

Come along and travel with:

Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths 

Emily with Miss Courtney Childs@ The French Hutch

Patti with Miss Kenzie @ Pandora's Box

Jenna with Miss Coquille @The Painted Apron

Katie with Miss Daisy @ Preppy Empty Nester

Linda G with Miss Poppy @ More Fun Less Laundry

Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda

Rita with Miss Luna C @ Panoply 

Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul

Jackie and Miss Madi K @ Purple Chocolat Home

Ricki Jill and Countess De Monet @ The Sketchy Reader

Lea and Miss Scarlett @ Cici's Corner

And mark your calendars for June 1st when we

have our next adventures of the Traveling Totes.

Birthday Break

For those of you who follow me on Instagram,

you know I took a fabulous break from cold,

snow, slush, shoveling, ice, (taking Christmas down),

etc. and took my entire family to Hawaii.  Only one little

18 month old was left behind with her favorite aunt.

We had so much fun in the ocean and pool and

celebrating

my big 60th birthday!  How can that be?  I still feel

30 something inside.  

(To create the cake, I ordered a two tiered

chocolate and chocolate raspberry cake

from the local grocery store, then found

macarons at Whole Foods, added fresh roses

and orchids and fresh raspberries.  The cake

plate came from Wal Mart on Maui and I had

ordered the diamond studded Happy 60th

on Amazon.)

Hubby and I went one day early and stayed

three days after the kids left.  

No, I haven't been gone this whole time,

but it was fun taking a break from blogging.

What a way to celebrate!

To be surrounded by my favorite people, little and big,

was the best present ever.

The Grand Wailea on Maui is our favorite place.

It is so family friendly and gorgeous.

There are turtles right on the corners of

the beach.

We offered a photo contest for the kids to encourage

them to take lots of photos too.

(A winner above!)

The only thing missing was the Grand Wailea

Pineapple Banana Split, that we looked forward to.

It was still listed on their online menu, but

sadly they had a new chef and he had crossed it

off the menu.  (Why, oh why?)

Our waiter quietly told us that all

of the new desserts were so small that they were

not worth buying - two bites apiece!  Loved him!  Big tip!!

So we promptly had to come home and make them

for Sunday dinner.

(They also told us that they had never served them

poolside - well we have pictures over the years proving

that wrong!  Time and time again!!)

Click here if you need to make this at home too.

We also got to see turtles coming in to rest

at night.  Yes, these aren't rocks - about 63 of them.

And we jumped by waterfalls.  Who knew the

water would be ice - I mean ICE cold!

Honestly, I have always wanted to do this

and I never dreamed it would be so cold

it would stop your breath!  Of course,

I still had to do it.

They also had a new water toy called

The Fish Pipe.  It turns and feels like you are

on a mile long waterslide.  It was fun!

Thanks family for the best birthday.

You made getting older fun!

Goodbye paradise!

Thanks for coming to visit and celebrating

my 60th year with me.  I am willing to celebrate

all year long!