Joe to the mainland Opps a little late on this. He's back!

Unfortunately for all of us, Joe is on the mainland working. We enjoyed some playtime in Kona before he left and then it has been full throttle since, Parent evenings, Plays, Aila growing and expressing herself in so many ways, and much much more.

The first couple nights Lotus cried for her Appa and resorted to saving her tears in a little container to show him upon his return.

Best Mother's Day

Elijah was born on Mother's Day as well as his Aunt Gerry's and Auntie Julie's Birthdays. What a special day to share with him this year as he turned ELEVEN!


We really are not this washed out looking. I hope it was the flash and dying camera.

Elijah loves to have a homemade apple pie in lieu of cake for his birthday! After a dinner out together, we enjoyed sharing in this yummy dessert!

SEVEN

The Balloon Fairy showed up for yet another birthday!

The morning of her birthday at school with her teacher and friends.

We had to do things in a different order this year. After school Lotus was able to open her presents instead of waiting until after dinner and cake. She was very happy with the change.

I think it looks as if she loves her knitted bag Grandma made for her!

So after a quick opening of presents at home after school, we hurried to meet at her Halau to celebrate her Kumu's (teacher) birthday which was the day before Lotus'. This meant I did not have to cook dinner since the dancing was followed by a potluck and fun times with friends.

This is a part of the Halau preparing to chant as they enter the building to gift us with hula.

Lotus and part of her class preparing to bring hula to the parents, grandparents and friends.

Following a beautiful evening filled with hula and great food, we found ourselves back at home in time to celebrate the end of Lotus' big day with an ice cream cake made by her mom. She had decided she no longer likes icing and quite picky about cake so this was perfect since it had neither.

ALOHA and AHUI HO!

(Love/Goodbye and until next time)

Bon-Bons and Tequila

Well I guess you have been wondering where we have been and I guess I have no excuses but I do wish I could blame it on the title. Life just gets so darn busy and I had to let some things fall to the wayside and this was one of them. I must admit I'm busier than I have been but found I should get back in the groove of posting.

As you probably already know, Aila turned 2 and we still can't believe it...heck, we still can't believe we have a third child. Here are a few pictures and videos taken during her big evening. Elijah and Lotus were so excited that they busily wrapped various items of theirs for her.

I don't think this grin could get any cheesier.

The kids were so excited!

I do think she definitely loves the baby doll from GRANDMA and PAPA!

You two are THE BEST!

It is SO HARD to get a picture of Aila and forget a video, although we did score a few tonight. Here is another one that I wish she had let me get more than I did as she read a SHORT story to her baby.

Thank you for your well wishes and I promise to do better!

Farmer's Market

This is definitely the prettiest market bag EVER!!! Knitting is fun but far from easy. It takes a lot of planning and more time than anyone could recoup from a paycheck. 

THANK YOU MOM for this adorable, raving mad bag!!!!!!!!

HALLOWEEN

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate

The first one said, "Oh my, it's getting late!"

The second one said, "There are witches in the air."

The third one said, "Well I don't care."

The fourth one said, "Let's run and run and run."

The fifth one said, "That's Halloween fun."

Whoooo went the wind and out went the light,

And five little pumpkins rolled out of sight.

The festivities began with a visit to the Kohala Pumpkin Patch on the north end of the Big Island.
Lotus' entire class so enjoyed the hay ride, corn maize, and picking out their own pumpkins.

 Lotus and her friend Ginger trying with much difficulty to find just the right pumpkin.

 Lotus and Ginger holding hands as they entered the corn maize.

 The final pick!!!

These three pics are such telling photos about personalities....

 First pigtails!

We met many friends for a treating trek around a coastal neighborhood...so much fun for the kids!

A group shot along the shore. Aila and Joe didn't make it in this one. Mostly to show the beauty of how lucky they are to be out in such terrific weather this time of year.

And you are probably asking, 'where the heck did those peanuts come from?' Well, our local bulk food place, Cost U Less is selling them so couldn't resist buying a container.

Party continues with a birthday bash back along the shoreline. Elijah's teacher was able to come to. She is in the blue dress. Lotus to the right trying to keep warm with her friend Ella.

Aila is sure she would love to eat whatever that is in Lotus' bowl (brownie and ice cream). In another few years, maybe!

MICHAELMAS

Michaelmas (mic-ul-mas) 
At autumn time, as the life forces of nature recede, turning toward a winter sleep, the inner life of the human soul is awakening. It is a time of conscious self-hood  a time when we celebrate the building and strengthening of our inner life. In many cultures, the autumn time marks the beginning of a new year. The forces of nature are transiting with the autumnal equinox, as the relationship of light and darkness changes in the world around us.

The equinox is for us a turning point, a change in the relation of light and darkness in the world around us. On September 29th the autumn festival traditionally known as Michaelmas is celebrated. This festival is named for the Archangel Michael (My-kai-el), conqueror of the powers of darkness, the harvester with the dragon appears before us as a mighty imagination, challenging anxiety and fear. This demands inner activity, a renewal of the soul which is brought to consciousness in the Michaelmas festival, the festival of the will.

The children bringing there chairs to the performance.

Michael is often portrayed as the angel warrior, astride his powerful steed carrying a sword of light. The children hear stories about St. George, a brave knight, who with the help of the Archangel Michael, slays or tames the dragon. 

Elijah's teacher since first grade will be leaving at the end of this semester. Her students guilted her into letting them do one last play with/for her. So they decided to do a play they did in 1st grade...St. George and the Dragon. Elijah played the King. The children only had 1 1/2 weeks to learn it and they did such a fabulous job!

I was not able to download it but you can see it on YouTube. Malamalama Waldorf's St. George and The Dragon.

These images speak to our deep need to carry an inner light of wisdom and courage at this time when the light is diminishing and the times challenging. Through strength of will, inner activity of selfless consciousness, we bring light to the darkening time. May we gain insight, courage and truth at this Michaelmas time, to bring light to our inner life, our community and the world in these times of darkness.