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.

DAY ONE

Joe is in California and had to miss the first day of school. Following a summer of sleeping in and late nights, they ALL were tucked in and sleeping by 8:30 last night and were up, dressed, and ready to go by 7:10 the next morning. I didn't have to wake either Elijah or Lotus. We did let Aila sleep until the last minute...change of diaper and off to school in her pjs.

It was so precious to see Elijah holding Lotus' hand, while walking her to her classroom. For Lotus, first grade is a bridge between the kindergarten and the grades. She has completed the formation of her physical body and is ready to begin her work with her mind. And this is part of the significance of 'crossing the rainbow bridge' as you will see in the video. It is such a wonderful scene set by the first grade teacher and her lengthy story relevant to them and their environment. Then a 7th or 8th grader greets the child with a long stem rose and guides them across the rainbow bridge, whereupon they walk with them to their classroom. What a tearful moment. Lotus was with Anna, who is the daughter of Elijah's teacher. SO SWEET and SO SPECIAL!

POTTY TIME ?

Recently, Aila has been telling us when she needs to or goes to the bathroom in her diaper. So, I decided it was time to get that potty chair ready. Saturday, Joe asked her if she wanted to use the potty and she was willing. She did a little poop!!! I don't think this will be a regular occurrence but a start.

You are the BEST Melissa!!!

Auntie Melissa sent a wonderful surprise to Elijah and Lotus, an IPod Touch.....the video says it all.

July

Just a few pics I failed to post and wanted to share......

Aila giving her baby a ride. I will definitely be sending Arrott one of these when his little sis/bro arrives.

Elijah getting ready to shower as part of his water safety course.

Using his pants as a flotation device.

Aila enjoying some backyard sprinkler time.

I set up a balance beam webbing...FUN!

Kids have been helping Joe build a tree house this summer. Don't you like Lotus' attire...heels and all!

Still making tree house plans...consulting with kitty, Mona?

LIFE IS GOOD!!!!!!

Our Aspiring Chef

Aila LOVES to play in her kitchen. This particular day she was taking her 'Veggie Booty' and baking it in her oven. You can tell by her cheeks, she was busy sampling.

SAFETY FIRST!