The Glow of Motherhood Mahalo Style

This Post Is Sponsored By My Brand Partner, Disney Aulani! As Always, All Opinions Are My Own! Thank You For Sponsoring CityGirlGoneMom!

A huge part of who I am comes from those four little beings who made me a mother. My children are the ones who light my soul ablaze and open my heart to the biggest kind of love. With Mother’s Day vastly approaching, I reflect on the position I have as their Mom. Sure, it’s demanding, but more so rewarding, and I am so proud and honored to give every inch of my being to them.

With Mother’s Day top of mind, and summer right around the corner, I can’t help but reflect on the beautiful time our family had this past winter in Hawaii. As a guest of the enchanted island of Oahu, one of the first things I picked up on was the connection between the native Hawaiian women and all of the children who were visiting. As I watched the women at the magical Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, as they interacted with my kids, the sweetest sense of comfort and compassion filled my heart. You see, these native women viewed all children as if they were their own. I will never forget how endearingly maternal they were.

At Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, they are a big fan of moms, and a one day celebration is simply not going to cut it. They actually celebrate makuahine (Moms!) all month long during Mahalo Mama Month, with a serenity filled spa package at the award-winning Laniwai Spa, a fabulous breakfast-in-bed and memorable experiences with their treasured ‘ohana. As you daydream about the perfect family getaway, or a fabulous weekend for just Mom, keep Aulani in mind.   

As a busy body (if you haven’t noticed), sometimes it’s hard for me to just sit still and unwind. The next level experience at Laniwai made it pretty darn easy, leaving me more relaxed than I’ve ever been on a family vacation! Hawaiian for “freshwater heaven,” Laniwai lives up to its name with more than 150 treatments, including the only outdoor hydrotherapy garden on the island of Oahu. The Mahalo Mama Spa Package features signature treatments for the entire body, including:

• The Lomilomi Massage: Lomilomi is a traditional Hawaiian massage passed down through generations by healing kūpuna (elders), providing a gentle, rhythmic massage, releasing tension, pain and fatigue.
• The Cinderella Facial: Beginning with a skin-refining exfoliation and followed by a vitamin-rich facial mask, this treatment leaves every princess with a youthful glow!
• The Yummy Mummy Organic Pedicure: This special pedicure features a foot soak, deep cleanse, nail grooming, exfoliation, massage and polish.

Imagine all this, and breakfast in bed. When’s the last time you’ve had a spa day and breakfast in bed in the same week? Year?! A mom’s dream, right? Aulani’s chefs are so perfectly trained to spoil us rotten, with Hawaiian-style French Toast stuffed with chocolate and strawberries and topped with warm strawberry compote and whipped cream. Decadently on point for moms like me!

The entire Aulani experience was magical, and not just for mom. As a family, we often look back on the memories together. With Disney PhotoPass opportunities located throughout the resort, we were able to capture our time together on camera, without expecting another mom or dad to capture for us. Moms of multiples, I think you’ll agree; If you’ve ever tried to get someone to take a photo of your family, it’s never an easy task. As a special offer in May, guests will receive 15% off Family Portrait Sessions. Additionally, during arts and crafts at the Pau Hana Room, kids can make photo frames and other mementos.

Mom Tip: Participate in ‘ohana activities: Every Sunday in May in the Pau Hana Room, mothers and children can bond over creating a Lei Poʻo (Head lei) and learning the art of Hula. For moms interested in swimming among the tropical fish in Rainbow Reef, Aulani’s private snorkel lagoon, the resort is offering a 10% discount in May as well.

As you plan out your Mother’s Day wish list (& travel bucket list), hear me when I say this has to be the best family vacation we’ve ever taken. When the kids are happy, Mom is happy, right? And when Mom is happy, everybody’s happy! Happy Mother’s Day to everyone, especially the moms who took such great care of our family at Aulani.