School's Out...

and A-9 went out with a bang!

We had a last day feast that was the best!

Somen salad (my favorite), teri chicken/rice

hot dogs, chips, spam musubi, deconstructed musubi (another favorite) and

lumpia that was so good.

We were celebrating 2 birthdays with dessert 

and some very yummy cake pops.

we watched "Charlotte's Web" (the live action one) and I was 

laughing that they even remembered the dialogue.

this was a great group of kids that will be terrific 3rd graders!

Last Day of School...

today is the last day of school for another year.

This class has been so great.  There were more girls

than boys, but they were good boys.

for the last few weeks I've been reading Charlotte's Web during the 

last 20 minutes of school.

I was surprised how into "it" all of the kids got.

So today I finally finished this beloved story...

there were a few tears at Charlotte's passing.

so during our "last day party" we're going to have the movie playing.

Some of the kids that had seen the movie said that they liked the book better

because there were more details!  Success!

Been helping wrap things up,

went to my stash of scrapbook paper and will make a 

new behavior chart...

found some cute awards and printed them off.

everyone will get an award for something

played three really fun games today with the kids...

*starting with a cookie on the forehead and only using muscles on the face get it into the mouth

*building a tower using spaghetti, marshmallows, tape and string

*trying to get three pieces of dried pasta on a piece of spaghetti using not using hands.

they were all hard, but the kids actually did it.

It was nice to take a break from cleaning desk.

Plenty Papaya...

my hubby has a very, very green thumb.

This is the second time that he's grown papayas

and each time they've grown to be HUGE.

He only has 1 tree.  If you get the right kind (I think it's luck)

you only need one and not the male/female deal.

these actually taste really, really good.
He doesn't use anything on them, just love.

He loves his yard and the satisfaction from it's beauty.  He's especially 

proud when people come and pick his flowers to be used at the church 

or in leis.

Tala's Graduation...

our friend, Tala, graduated Saturday night from Waialua High School 

Class of 2014.

We've gotten to know Tala because he helps with our yard when Terry is

out of town.  He's a great guy.  He also works at WES after school, so I 

see him then.

Saturday's weather was crazy (not as crazy as Sunday's) so they

held the actual ceremony inside the gym.  There were 97 graduates in this 

class.

Then after the ceremony and the lei greetings outside the kids went to 

"Project Grad"  an all night party held off campus.  It's like Grad Night.

Today was his party.  I was really excited to go because the family always 

makes such great food.

There were trays and trays of Samoan food.

our Samoan Elder had two plates full!

crab!

our movie star...

there was dancing by Tala's cousins

 and a $$$ dance

getting ready to cut into a yummy chantilly cake

Tala and his proud mom, Tumua

Tala we love you

and congratulations on your graduation!

Remembrance...

Memorial Day...

we usually show our remembrance of those who fought for our freedom.

Since 1922 the red poppy has been another symbol.

I remember as a little girl always getting the red ribbon poppy and wearing it

on Memorial Day and the days leading up to it.

Today it's not as common to see the the VFW vets giving out the "Buddy Poppy".

On Saturday I came across a group of them at Foodland in Pearl City.

Today I'm wearing my little red poppy as not only a remembrance, but 

also as a reminder...

Never Forget.

(this is the poem about fallen soldiers and the reason that the red poppy is a symbol of Memorial Day)

IN FLANDER'S FIELD

by John McCrae  

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow, 

Between the crosses, row on row, 

That mark our place; and in the sky, 

The larks, still bravely singing, fly, 

Scarce heard amid the guns below. 

We are the dead. 

Short days ago, 

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, 

Loved and were loved and now we lie, 

In Flanders Fields. 

Take up our quarrel with the foe 

To you, from failing hands, we throw, 

The torch, be yours to hold it high. 

If ye break faith with us, who die, 

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow, 

In Flanders Fields.

Only In Hawai"i...

you can tell it's election time when you start seeing this...

candidates and their friends standing on busy corners at busy 

times of the day waving at potential votes as they drive by.

always bedecked with lei

and always with signs.

It's just not candidates, but also supporters of issues that are going to be voted on.

I'd never seen this before, but it does make sense.

I also love the honking and waving back~

only in Hawai'i

WES Class of 2014...

Yesterday was WES 6th Grade graduation.  

I love how all of the kids get dressed up and actually walk in to the tune of 

"Pomp and Circumstance".

It's held in the Waialua Community gym and it's so crowded with the 

WES student body, family, friends but just residents of our small, close-knit

community.

tons of lei and smiles all around

(mahalo Whitney Moody and Heidi Luarca for photos)

After graduation there's a luncheon for the graduates and their families...

this is probably some of the best food I've ever had!  It's all

been so lovingly prepared for such a happy time.

Congratulations Class of 2014!

Winding Down...

Another school year is coming to a close and things 

are winding down.

Today is the 6th grade graduation ceremony (yes WES goes to 6th grade not 5th).

testing is done and grades are being recorded,

final awards are being given out...

another 5 days and it will be summer vacation.

The weather has been hot, muggy, and no trade winds...

kids are ready for a break...

and so am I.

Frustration...

I've been having some small issues with my macbook.  I've been trying to 

get all of my photos (started with 25,000+!) off and onto an external hard drive.

It takes FOREVER!

my issues are just small ones, but one day last week I couldn't

post and with the time difference...unless I get up even earlier...I can't get to AppleCare.

Sometimes at the end of the day, I guar don't want to talk to anyone about computer

stuff...I've had enough.

also seems my iPhone camera is having a bit of a problem with the flash, seems to

be a common problem.

Just frustrated...

Aloha Hokule'a...

Saturday Hokule'a and her escort canoe, Hikianalia, set sail for a three year 

voyage that will take them around the world.

Malama Honua~

the hopes and prayers of all the people of Hawai'i go with you...

aloha 

a hui hou

Appreciation...

it's been teacher, staff, volunteer appreciation time 

at Waialua Elementary.

One day one of the little girls brought us in this really

cute rice crispy treat that was shaped like an apple.

One of the local cookie stores was doing these...so cute!

One morning Arlette came in with a big box and had me close my eyes...

a beautiful new purse.  So nice and I just love it and the beautiful card she wrote.

The Waialua Ohana group (the PTA group) put on an appreciation luncheon on the short day.

A group of students put on a little hula performance for us. 

lots of home-made yumminess and grilled hamburgers and hot dogs.

layered jello is such a Hawaii thing and one of my favorites.

there are lots of times when I really think I'm so appreciative of Waialua Elementary and not

only what they give to the kids, community but to me.

A Cool Escape...

we love fish tacos,

but haven't really found a good one close to home.  

For Mexican food in general, we always go to El Palenque, but they really don't do fish tacos.

our neighbor Billy, told us about the fish tacos at LuiBuenos in Haleiwa.  Since he's 

from San Diego, he knows fish tacos.  

LuiBuenos has been open for a couple of years in the same spot that the old "Rosies" was.

I'd been there once a long time ago, but hubby hadn't ever been.

A few weeks ago we decided to give them a try...

Billy was right.  These fish tacos a very good!  It's really about the sauce and theirs

is good.

One of the best things is that if you eat early, like we do, as part of a "Happy Hour", they

are only $3/each.  

Another plus is that they have good air conditioning...so when it's hot, no trades, so wind, yucky,

Lui Buenos is a very cool retreat with good chips and ok salsa.

Best Day Ever, Brighton and Stuart...

Saturday was the long awaited wedding of Bright Rowley and Stuart Johnson.

They were married earlier in the day in the Laie Temple.  

The reception was held at Brighton's parent's house in Mokuleia.

Have to say, it was probably one of the best receptions I'd ever been to.

Their attention to detail was amazing!

Especially without loosing the bride's personality.

Sara, the mother-of-the-bride

trying to get last minute details taken care of

they had so many friends that were put to work

two of Brighton's cousins, Judge and Billy

Billy took care of all the food

 Brighton's aunty owns Waialua Bakery

best idea ever...instead of cake...chocolate chip cookies from the bakery with ice-cold milk!

beautiful Bride's cake made by the talented Brisha

Harper even made an appearance

the food....

A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.!!!

they had different stations set-up with different food at each one.

This is from the pulled pork, coleslaw, mac & cheese with fruit salad station.

They had hot dogs, burgers, fries, green salad, onion rings, sweet-potato fries (so good)

and I'm not sure what else.

There was never a line, guest could sample a bit of it all

this beauty had such a good time

as did lots of other guest

the beautiful ring

and the happy, happy couple

 all eyes were on the first dance...

 and the father-daughter dance

that turned into...

a daddy/daughter dance including Brighton's grandpa

all the single ladies

and single men

loved the idea of using social media to spread the joy

 there were even two "photo booth" areas

this one with the cute bridesmaids

and one where everyone could hang ten

Stuart and Brighton...

what a great way to start

this new adventure...