We went to Hawaii in early April for Alan's dad's one year memorial. There wasn't anything elaborate planned; Mom simply wanted the entire family to visit the grave together. So that is what we did. Dad is buried at the famous Punchbowl Cemetery. It is a beautiful and ethereal site, a perfect place of remembrance.
We did have lighter moments in Hawaii. The kids swam in the lagoon at Magic Island, my fave childhood spot.
They also devoured shave ice. It's the one time a year when we ignore Feingold and consume lots of Red #40.
Back on the Mainland...
Our homeschool ministry organized weekly co-op classes with 30+ families. We looked forward to going every Friday.
Jonathan took a Bible study class and learned how to implement the inductive study method. I was so excited because it is my preferred way of studying the Bible. The teacher, a friend of mine, was engaging and encouraging, and Jonathan decided he wanted to continue with the inductive method.
He was also enamored with his Mythbusters science class, taught by our cool and clever youth pastor. One of the challenges was to design a container for an egg drop experiment. His contraption, created from a tennis ball can and packing foam, won First Place! It now has an honored spot on his bookshelf. He refuses to throw it away. I guess it's a trophy of some sort. :-)
In the meantime, Elizabeth and Daniel painted Indian portraits in their Atelier Art class.
Also at the co-op, Elizabeth enjoyed participating in a Civil War history class while Daniel learned how to play the recorder.
At the end of the session, we held our semi-annual Presentation Night. The kids recited the poem Trees, by Joyce Kilmer.
Trees, by Joyce Kilmer.
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed,
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
Also at Presentation Night, Elizabeth recited a portion of the Gettysburg Address along with her history group. Daniel played the role of a king in the William Tell Overture. He also played the song You are Holy on the recorder along with his class.
Add to this list our homeschool days, Taekwondo lessons, nursing home visits, a Civil War re-enactment, field trips, our church's annual women's retreat, Awana, Royal Rangers, a camping trip to the Sequoias, Bible studies, baby showers and birthday parties, doctor and dentist visits, laundry, laundry and more laundry and you have a taste of how things have been here recently.
Life, and that more abundantly.
"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10
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