Close Quarters

Things I've learned so far on this Hawai'i adventure:

• You can have jet lag, even if it's just a six-hour flight and a three-hour time difference.


• Kids don't like to sit and relax and watch the view from the balcony. That's my thing.


• DVD players on a plane are as important as those oxygen masks that come down and don't inflate during a drop in cabin pressure.


• You'll pay $6 for a bag of pretzels – OR – a three-hour time difference means that kids are hungry and and ready for bed at the same time and you can't simply go down to the cafe and expect a relaxing meal.

More adventures await today ... I expect I'll learn even more.

Blogging By the Sea

OK, this is going to be harder than I thought. "Sure, I can blog from Hawai'i," I had convinced myself. Yet here I sit, on a pretty little balcony at the Grand Waikikian in Waikiki, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. No matter what, my mind can't seem to grapple with the idea of opening this laptop as I peer down at the lagoon.

For inspiration, I've downed a bag of Maui-style potato chips and an Asahi beer, hoping that will spur me into "work" mode. But alas, all I can do is stare blissfully at the blue sailboat bobbing along the beach and think about what might be the shortest route down there.

But I, over the course of the next five days here with the family on O'hau, will do my darnedest to file a report not so much to brag about FINALLY getting out of Los Angeles after a long dry spell of no travel; but also to share a little piece of my family's experiences here in our 5oth state, which, by the way, turns 50 this year.

And I've already discovered that it won't all be quiet balcony moments and beer sipping. Kate and Jack have been slapping and snarling at each other since I rattled them out of bed at 6 o'clock this morning. And Steve and I must maintain the notion that "traveling with kids" is just "close quarters with no camp or school to spare us." Kate couldn't put down Teen Beat even though the vistas of this island were breathtaking, and Jack erupted into a major crying jag after we told him the Nintendo DS was off limits while we were watching the surf. I had barely stepped foot inside the room before a chorus of "I'm hungry!" shattered the sound of the waves echoing through the room.

But I know that soon (especially once they find the pool and beach), they, like me, will be able to shed those mainland trappings and find themselves just staring out to sea, relaxed, deep in their own thoughts and enveloped by sea breezes and the sounds of the islands.

I can hope anyway, right?

Go for Gambling

We just got back from a belated Mother's Day trek to Sin City, and I have to admit it, it was pretty sinful (and not on my part, I might add).

Las Vegas is a relatively central meeting spot between my house in L.A. and my mom's in New Mexico, so the city is a natural and neutral destination for us when we want to plan simultaneous getaways. Besides, my mom loves Las Vegas – and always has. My sister and I cut our carnival teeth on the games at Circus Circus, back when that was the only (kid) game in town.

But these days, it's a whole new game. With all the ritzy resorts and naughty nightclubs and shows, it can be a real eye-popping experience for kids. For instance, while my mom and I hit the casino games, Steve decided to treat the kids to a day of splashing and sunning at the pool. What he got was an eye-full of teeny weeny bikinis and overpriced rum drinks.

So he retreated to the desert, or more specifically, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, where the kids scrambled over rocks and Steve didn't have to worry about their cannonballs making a splash in the middle of someone's romantic poolside moment.

Of course, that's not to say there aren't resorts there where parents and kids can relax and soak up some resort-style recreation. Avoid the abundance of jiggle and glitter on the Strip by checking out Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort's SummerFest. Not only are these activities and attractions "kid safe," they're target right to kids – and their Las Vegas-loving parents.

The resort, located about 25 miles miles east of the Strip near Lake Mead, is rolling out its SummerFest activities from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Parents and kids can check out:

• Kids' Concierge: A special welcome desk for kids that includes a gift and information about all the activities.


• SushiSKool: Master Sushi Chef "Fuji" Fujita offers classes for kids to develop their sushi-making and eating skills ($20, reservations required). Adults can partake in the "Maki Mommies" all-you-can-eat sushi and wine special or sign up for adult sushi-making classes of their own.


• Pool: Parents can let their children splash and play at will at the kids-only pool, which has a waterslide, playground and lake-front beach as well as games, contests and other activities. The Fisher-Price KidBana offers shade and Fisher-Price toys near the splash pool.


• Kids' Club: Find nature hikes, fishing, basketball and other activities.


• Mini Moulay: Moms can bring their daughters in for special salon treatments.


• Dive-in Movies: On Saturday night the pool area is transformed into a "dive-in" movie theater with family-friendly flicks. Roast s'mores at the fire pit during movie nights, too!


• On the Water: Take a kayak or a guided Gondola tour.


• Other Stuff: Loews Loves Kids program is ongoing and features a gift pack for kids younger than 10, access to a "Kids Kloset" packed with games and books, children's menus at restaurants, cribs and roll-aways and child-proofing kits for guest rooms.


• For Parents: Date Night includes romance films and drink specials in the lounge, and the sushi and sake classes make for a fun evening out, too.

The property is tucked away from the (some would say) gaudier side of Las Vegas, overlooking the scenic, manmade Lake Las Vegas, so the pace is a bit less frenetic. There's even a Kids Camp ($80 for 10 a.m.-5 p.m., ages 3-12), which offers supervised fun and meals so adults can hit the links or the spa (or the Strip). And if you want to bring the family pet, too, the property charges just $25 per stay and offers a range of services for the four-legged.

And the best part? Kids stay for free in their parents' room, and you'll find other specials, such as the Loews As You Wish offer (stay two nights, get the third free; includes food and beverage credits, based on the length of stay). Rates start at about $209 per night ($119 without the package and food credit).

I've Got Mail: Duckies

Lewis the Duck has a new book!

Lewis Goes to Canada is the second tale in based on Lewis the Duck, the mascot of the Homewood Suites by Hilton. Originally conceived as a tool for business travelers to help young children cope with parents who do a lot of traveling, this book has Lewis and the whole family (wife Lois and kids Lisa and Lance) taking a trek to Canada. This clever bit of branding also serves to remind family travelers that the chain, which has 260 properties, offers amenities that will work for moms and dads who can combine a business trip with pleasure (the latest annoying term for that is "workation," in case you need an annoying term for it).

The book is cute, and mine was delivered with rubby ducky versions of Lewis and his feathered clan, all of which are available at Homewood's Suite Shop (perfect for those baths away from home!).