Summer camps-Part 1

In addition to her ongoing lessons in gymnastics and kungfu, Iris took lessons in swimming (two weeks) and pony riding (one week).  After four days of riding, Iris, along with friend Katie, demonstrated the commands they learned while on some gentle ponies.  "Taffy" is the horse that Iris rode on.  It was interesting that Iris could learn vocabulary in French and English, especially about grooming.  She was especially happy to trot with the pony. 

Take a look at their Friday demo:

What a serious look on your face, Iris!

Let's go, Katie!

Aloha-Part 2

Aloha is Hawaiian for hello and goodbye.  Iris said farewell to kindergarten and her English teacher, Ms. Claire Storm, who moved to Washington State in June.  I made a connection with a new friend from church, Debra, who shared some printed info about Hawaiian culture, and taught some hula as part of our Vacation Bible School (VBS).

 

Ahoy! was the word for VBS Son Treasure Island.  I participated as registrar and part of the missions team, including one day's presentation focusing on China.  It was really hard narrowing down (in 15 minutes time) to a point that related God's love and education at a grammar school level.  I'm not even sure it was clear because Iris couldn't remember what I presented.  I was grateful for so many people's input, prayers, and working technology.   

Iris had to say, "goodbye" to one of her classmates, Liam, but then "hello again" because the moms (Cindy and Stacey) signed them up for swim lessons.  They enjoyed making "purses" out of large ivy leaves.  What imaginations!

 We also said "hello" (temporarily) to Aunt Ruth's dog, Ichiban.  He's a puggle that might have enjoyed our company more, if he were better housetrained.  Iris got good at walking a dog his size, and was very fine cleaning up after him outside. This was good training for our future dog, "Daisy" or "Cupcake."






 Then in late June, we had to bid farewell and "au revoir" to our dear friends, Paul, Judy and Monique Hadley.  They have packed up their belongings; goats and all, and they moved to rural Massachusetts.  God only knows what awaits them in the future.  Their quiet and friendly ways, as well as their love for low carbon footprint have touched and blessed many lives, including ours.  Since they left, Brian and Iris have bantered about joining them, requiring ME to get a teaching job at my alma mater in Brattleboro, VT.  Dream on!

Finally, we have greeted new faces (for Iris) or familiar ones that we haven't seen in a long time.

• high school classmates of Cindy's: Jenny by phone and Denise in person (through Facebook!)
• Uncle Yang (A-ma's older brother) and his children my cousins, as well as Aunt Ling (A-ma's younger sister)  and Uncle Warren from Virginia.  We only managed to share two delicious dinner meals with them.
• welcome back to Aunt Ruth and cousin Noah, who spent 8 days in Spain on tour with Noah's choir.  He also graduated from High School  Whoo hoo!

 Life is full of comings and goings.  Where are we going next?  To the wedding of my niece, Shelby, and camping with our friends, the Osmers.  Isn't God great?!!

Aloha-Part 1

May activities accelerated until the end of Kindergarten.  Iris finished the AWANA year with some badges.  I finished BSF with great fellowship.  Her classroom had a pet rabbit, which they named "Fluffy". 

Mother's day meant crafts from school and a song.

Just before Memorial Day holiday, Iris celebrated well with a school-wide fair called Kermesse, plus a picnic potluck on the school campus.  She missed the official last day of school, but her teacher, Zeina, presented pupils with diplomas for completing Kindergarten, so we have proof that Iris completed Kindergarten..  Iris did fine (3's and 4's).  Here's our in-home ceremony:

 
The day after Kermesse, Daddy whisked Iris and me to Kauai for one week.  It was a long day of traveling (Note: plane was 5 1/2 hours delayed due to waiting for a repair part), but we arrived in Princeville all in once piece and no meltdown from Iris.   She was a real trooper as we walked around the airports and read chapters from American Girl "Felicity" and "Ella Enchanted".

 Our mornings started with the roosters outside calling, even during the afternoon.  I had not seen nor heard so many roosters before in one week's time in my entire life!  They were lovely, but were plentiful.  On one tour of a botanical garden near Poipu, the guide joked about us (the tourists) taking home 1-2 roosters back home with us.  I marveled each day at the protection God gave us, as we explored the beauty of the island.  The vistas were breath-taking from Napili Coast.  Iris discovered boogie-boarding.  Brian and I finished reading books; a near miracle for me!

During the week, we settled in island life well enough.  We enjoyed eating at restaurants in nearby Hanalei, bought and ate pineapple and other tropical fruit, spent hours on the beach and in the water, and even kayaked for two hours.  I also attended a Sunday worship service where I (Cindy) recognized a song leader whose mom attends my home church.  We considered paying a lot of money on a luau, but watched a free hula show at the Coconut Martketplace near the now closed Coco Palms Hotel, where Brian and I stayed on our honeymoon years ago.  Due to hurricane Iniki, it has not been reopened.  It was very sad to see a high fence blocking the whole property.  It may be revived in a couple of years.  If and when that happens, I would love to stay there again for an anniversary trip.

In the condo rental, we spent leisure times playing cards, sipping wine and beer (not Iris, of course), and watching videos on Netflix.  The real difference was the PC tablet that we brought with us to help keep Iris occupied with games and short YouTube videos.  It's amazing how a young kid gloms onto technology for entertainment value.  I have to admit, I checked on my email a few times as well.  Brian claims that the "YELP" website helps us find places and information while on vacation.  I guess that's true, but have we lost the art of conversation?

Below are some photos from our trip to Kauai. Can you tell that Iris had a good time?

Brian relaxing with a book

Mahalo!

We're wearing some souvenirs from Hawaii.

Do you see my flower?

See the Cacao fruit?