Pomp or Circumstance

Today Ella graduated from Kindergarten! We were so worried she'd drop out awhile back. I mean learning those vowel sounds can be really discouraging. And counting by fives takes real dedication. Actually more than anything getting to school by 8 o'clock was the insurmountable chore of her entire school career. We pray she'll continue on to first grade.

Now you can look at Kindergarten graduation a few ways. If you're like Ephraim, you think it's a silly scheme for Jostens to make mega bucks on mini caps and gowns. If you're like Bob Parr (a.k.a. Mr. Incredible) you think it's a psychotic way to celebrate mediocrity. But if you're like me, you just think it's cute, so why be humbug about it.

It was a fun day. Let me tell you, Samoans love graduations. If you've ever been to a Samoan graduation, or ever seen a Samoan graduate, from anything, you know what I mean. Leis, balloons, flowers, certificates, photos, candy, kisses...happy day.

Ella had a part in the program. She read a poem about the letter "A". Awesome.

I had a surprise when the principal presented me with a plaque for reading stories in their classes weekly for the past few months. Then she had me stay up there to help fa'aula the kids, give them leis. That was sweet for me since I had gotten to know them and felt proud of them.

Isaac followed me up on stage, and I had to tell him to go back down. You can see him crying pitifully, in the brown shirt. Poor dude.

Here he's saying , "Look, the Spiderman balloon's flying away."Ladies and gentlemen, I present our Grad of 2010.
Ella with her friend Georgina.
Ella with her great teacher, Ms. Toni
I love that she's all dressed up, walking to the car on the dirt road.
We came home and started the candy frenzy. I figured either I'd try to keep them controlled and have them pester me for more candy all day, or I'd let them devour one lei and face a candy crash. The candy crash wasn't so bad.
Here's to many more graduations!

Murphy's Beach

Saturday Excursion
Destination: Larsons Cove (a.k.a. Murphys Beach)
Directions: Park at the Murphy's house (where's that? Well those directions involve a banyan tree, a fire hydrant, and if you're lucky a neighbor weed-wacking his lawn in a versatile orange prison jumpsuit).
Next hunt down a trailhead in the yard, follow path through jungle, at the two large ulu trees you'll hit the 4-wheeler tracks, take a right down the volcano slope, take a left at the banana trees, if you pass a falesamoa (shack) you're too far, tromp through jungle, hear the ocean, scale a cliff and you're there. Easy as that!

And it was so worth it!

Ephraim and the kids built a four way bridge.




There was a cool tunnel to a creepy cave.






Next time you come too, k?

Keeping Us In Stitches

This post is old but post worthy. Our boys keep testing physics--gravity with heads, friction with knives, etc. Usually we can keep clear of the hospital, but in early April Isaac was cutting a cucumber with a sharp knive and no adult supervision and sliced into his hand at the the thumb crease.

It was our second trip to the ER with Isaac (the first time he split his chin open). Hopefully we'll never have to go again. Being at the hospital here puts me in a really sour mood. Fortunately Ephraim is patient and not-easily-grossed-out, so he stayed with Isaac and kept calm while I took a walk and bought some jewelry and tried to think happy thoughts.

Four hours later we came out with two stitches and a whoppin' huge dressing that lasted until dinner.


Ephraim took out the stitches when the time was right, and now Isaac can't even tell which hand was cut.
I thought these children came with an intrinsic sense of self-preservation...but I guess they have to be in danger to exercise it. I have an ominous feeling that we're just getting started...

Farewell Bousloughs

We were so sad to say farewell to our friends Maria, David, and Gabriel. This photo was our last playgroup together. (Maria's the lovely one with the cute short hair second from right.) Not only were the Bouslough's very sweet people, they were heroes on the island. Honestly. Dr. B worked miracles in the organization and efficiency of the ER, and Maria dedicated countless hours to health education as a nurse and volunteer. And Gabriel was Owen's first friend ever. They will forever be Samoan brothers, no matter how white they look!

We are happy for them because Maria will finally get to use ALL the ingredients in her Everyday Food mags, and Gabriel may learn more animal sounds besides dogs and chickens.
I will always remember Maria when I sit in her bright red Poang chair. (I've always wanted a Poang.)


This parting may just be the excuse I need to finally join the Facebook craze. And that's saying a LOT! Thanks for being my heroes. We miss you!

Best Mates

Fun Day

Last weekend we celebrated Jason C's 40th bday at the pool. It was great! After a tasty barbecue we burned the calories with a rigorous pool-volleyball tournament. Girls vs. boys (girls won, but we were also the ones keeping score...) then Oldies vs. Young 'uns. I forget who won, I must really be old.

The kids perfected their cannonball.

Impressive form but weak splash. Thanks for the fun!

This has nothing to do with that, I just thought Ephraim and Owen look cute with the uke.
Ephraim's starting 'em young.

Kids Will Be Kids

Nothing important to say. Just recent snapshots of life.

I don't know why they think Owen's a sticker chart. Apparently he doesn't mind.

In every job that must be done there is an element of fun. Right? Vacuum=fun.