Thursday we headed to the outlet stores and a did a bit of shopping. We had lunch out at Chilli's and then came home to watch a movie. Grandma, Ella and I went for a walk in the evening and then Grandma took Ella to the park.
Friday, we headed to the beach at Ko Olina and had a picnic lunch. On the way home we drove up the west side of the island and through the mountain range and Kolekole Pass (an ancient site where it is claimed that defeated warrior chiefs were beheaded). We ordered Thai food for dinner. 
Today was the first time Ella ventured out into the water without being held by one of us. She has loved playing in the surf, but once she gets to her knees, she has to hold onto someone (a very safe thing - thank goodness!). Today, I kept backing away from her as she took more steps deeper into the water. She's still shaky so I am just inches out of her reach, but she walked out to her chest and made a jump into my arms. Then, once she could touch the bottom again, pushed me away and made her way back to shore (with me very close behind). She was so proud of herself that she continued to walk out to me as far as she could touch and then make her way back to shore, over and over. Could this be a first step in learning to swim??? No worries about her safety, I have no delusion that one little misstep could be fatal so I stay right behind her. I have turned it into a game of "I'm going to get Ella" - she loves making it to the shore without me tickling her and triumphantly shouts, "Mommy funny" before coming in again. 
Today after lunch, we drove around the north part of the island, up to the North Shore and through Waiamea Bay to Turtle Bay. We stopped at the Dole Plantation for some pineapple ice cream. We had some friends and neighbors over for a small BBQ tonight. 
