So May!
Every year when May comes around, we know our calendar is going to be FULL, FULL, FULL!
And do we ever love it?!
May started with Quinn's Birthday on May 2nd.
We continued in our Quinny tradition that I talked more about back HERE
Koa and Emery rode bikes to school together.
Makoa was such a cute older brother helping Emery. It was so fun, yet a little sad, watching them ride off together.
It was sad because it means that they are growing up too fast riding their bikes off on their own.
Emery had activity days night at the church.
It was a "Pamper your mom" or "Spa Night" for mom. Cheri is her leader and she is just so awesome. these girls have so much fun!
My feet got a bath salt soak and massage. Then I got cucumbers on my eyes and a homemade facial cream. I was served a yummy chocolate dessert and a pineapple drink. MMM. Nothing like being pampered by your daughter.
Emery, also had a Parent Watch Day at Ballet.
Next to her in these photos is her good friend, Hope. She's on the swim team, too.
Sister Missionaries at Eddie Tam.
We went down to Eddie Tam to ride bikes and hang out when we came upon two of our favorite sister missionaries. They were there leaving an uplifting chalk message about The Plan Of Happiness for whomever walked by. The things they come up with are so clever!
We made a little video of "sending" the hill on our bikes.
We adopted Snoopy.
This was a hard one for me. Actually, Emery and Greg found Snoopy at the Humane Society and adopted him.
He had had some dramatic experiences and was very skidish.
I feel like I am a good dog owner. I take them on walks. I bath them, feed them, give them love. I kennel them when we are not home so that I don't have any surprises that would make me upset with them.
And I tried.
I really tired to make it work with Snoppy. But he had SO much anxiety that I could not leave him at home alone at all and I had to go to work. His kennel would be a mess when I got home, poop, pee, food spilled. It was a large kennel, as well. My neighbor told me that he yelped everyday, all day.
So after several days, I knew it wasn't going to be the right fit for our family and I returned him back to the shelter. I felt horrible about it and I remember calling my sister, Andrea who at the time was working at a shelter in Florida. I called her and cried to her about what a horrible person I felt like and she made me feel better until I went in and gave him back. The people at the shelter didn't mean to make me feel bad, but boy oh boy did I feel like I was doing the worst thing in the world.
But, I did do it and it was the right choice at the time, I believe.
Teacher Appreciation at Makawao Elementary School
I'm in the PTA. I'm the vice president, actually. Wahoo! I love to take charge of the week of Teacher appreciation. I know that their jobs are not easy and I am SOSOSO grateful for good teachers!
I usually put together a little flier of activities for the kids to do for their teachers each day of the week. One year, we did If you Give a Teacher (Mouse) a Cookie. I can't remember what we did this year.
But, every year we host a breakfast for the Teachers....
Here are some pictures of that morning.
Here is one of my partners in crime, Carrie..muaahaha.
We started an Appreciation Station for the kids at lunch recess to come and draw thank you notes on flags that we hung around the school for the week. Then, at the end of the week, we give them to the teachers.
I took photos of all the teachers and staff and made this display for them.
Did I say how much I look this Elementary school?!! I really do!!
May brought Mother's Day.
Here are all my minions and I talked more about this day back HERE.
May brought Makoa's 11th Birthday.
Which I talked more about back HERE
May brought one of my favorite days of the year, May Day.
Makoa was in the Court as the Conch Shell Blower. Go HERE to see great photos and videos of that Big Day.
May brought a last minute Field Trip for Makoa.
Go HERE to learn all about the History in Lahaina from Makoa's field trip.
Afton's Jazz Band Concert
Afton played the bass Guitar in the Jazz band this year with the positive peer pressure from her friend, Camden who was instrumental in forming the band. They really needed a bass player and talked Afton into it. Sometimes Peer pressure can be a good thing!
At the beginning of the year she turned the bass volume down so low you could barely hear it because she was afraid of when she messed up. But, she got better and the volume was up for us to here this time. Ha!
A pretty blurry picture, but the girl on the far left is her best friend and the rest of them are part of her school and swim posse. She has such a good group of friends.
Here is a little video clip of Afton playing the bass at her friends house.
Afton's Ukulele Concert
Here is Afton with Mr. U. She had him for all three years at Kalama and she's a pretty good uk player now! He's the best!
Nice tongue Afton!
Afton's ukulele class also performed at Makawao 3rd Friday. Her is little video clip of that performance and then another one of Mr. U just jamming out!
I love to watch Mr. U
Here is one more video of Afton at home teaching Greg to play the uk. and a little family jam session.
Brinlee's Renissance Banquet
At Kalama, they had a Renissance program for kids with good grades. You have to maintain a 3.5 or higher and do I believe 4-6 hours of community service throughout the year. Then at the end of the year they put together this banquet to honor the kids. There is usually a musical number, the principal talks and then each of the kids get to come up on stage and be presented with their award. They have yummy desserts and it's just a fun night to celebrate good kids!
And Brinlee is a GOOD KID!
Here is a picture of Brin with Principal Shim.
So, at Kalama all the students have a school t-shirt that they have to wear. They get to choose from a few color choices, but they don't get to choose the style. All the shirts are a heavier material crew neck "Boy" t-shirt.
Well, Brinlee's puberty hit and her shirts all felt like they were choking her, so she cut little slits in the back of the necks, to give her breathing room. So, Brinlee decided to email the principal about the t-shirt uniforms. She tried to come up with ways to not have uniforms. She came up with ideas like free dress Fridays or if you had a certain GPA you could have certain days you could get free dress.
Bottom line is she hates the shirts and does not want to wear them.
So, she and Mr. Shim have been emailing back and forth trying to come up with something. I told Brin, I'm so proud of her for trying to make her voice be heard and that she should run for office, but she doesn't want to. I'm sure she'll figure out some way to get out of wearing those shirts, though. This girl has got determination.
Brin wih her favorite English teacher Duo, Ms. Morioka and Mrs. Spicola.
Brin with the Vice principal.
Finally, The Last Day of School traditional Water Balloon War.
A few years ago we started a new tradition. The kids come home from school on the last day only to get pelted with water balloons. I was nice however and set up bins around the yard for them to get back at me with. We got the neighbors into it and eventually pretty much the whole street. But, this year was Afton's 8th grade promotion, so this year I left a note, some cookies, and filled up water balloons....
And they were ready for us when we got home....
Koa even got the neighbors spray can and was going to town on people.
Here is Camden trying to escape the kids.
May brought Afton's 8th grade promotion...
Afton and B...
Afton and Alina...
Afton wiht both Willow's...
Afton with Meli...
Afton with Kainalu and Cam...
Afton with a bunch of kids from Church... Kainalu, Ellie, Jared, and Cam...
Back home Afton's covered in leis... and that's how they do it around here.
All the kids brought their floaties to the pool for swim team. They did some relays at the end of practice with them. Such a fun day of celebration!
Show me some of your dance moves, buddy...
It's the floss...
At the end of the night when I went to pick Koa up, I got some picture of him with Principal Honda and Ms. Perdy-Kai, the vice principal. Koa spent a little bit of time in both their offices and got to know them and they got to know him. Even though he got in trouble a few times, they both told me what a good boy they think he is.
Once Principal Honda told Makoa that she didn't really like reading when she was in school, but she still became a principal. She encouraged him to do and be whatever he wants to be!
and Makoa's getting a hug from Ms. Bandi! She is our favorite! She's in charge of 5th grade danctyme and May Day.
we went to Old Navy to pick out a new dress and she loved her new shoes.
May brought the Sakamoto Invitational swim meet the I talked more about back Here.
May brought Memorial Day
Emery went out with Greg and the scouts to put flags up at the Veteran's cemetary.
( At our church, different geographical areas go to church at different times, so we are split up into what we call wards. )
It's always a good time withe the Makawao Ward!
So More Random photos from May...
I just LOVE our little Hawaii home! I feel so blessed to live here and have this beautiful life!
I made a cute little video of all of their laughter...
It's the sweetest sound you'll ever hear.
Isn't that just the BEST sound ever?!!
And this is Emery giving a family home evening lesson. Another super cute memory!
Saying goodbye to Sister Missionaries
We had some very sweet sister missionaries that were leaving our ward, so they came over to say goodbye.
Greg got into Bonzai Trees this month. He gave me one for Mother's Day and he gave Koa one for his birthday and he bought a few more just for himself.
Makoa is teaching Po and Emery how to mow the lawn...
I just LOVE Emery in her swimsuit and boots.
I recorded this cute video of them mowing the lawn.
Rainbows...
Doggie Baths
Every year the PTA serves ice cream sundaes to the kids at lunch recess. It is so fun and the kids get so excited for this fun treat!
At the end of May, we had Ballet Dress rehearsals and Ballet Recitals going into the first weekend of June.
The girls Ballet studio puts on these amazing productions at the end of the school year every year. This year it was The Little Mermaid.
Emery was a Dolphin.
Brinlee was a sailor....
and a Spanish dancer.. After the wedding.
PHEW!! and THAT was a BUSY month!!!
Now Bring on Summer!
