In Maui!

 School's out for summer... and we're in Paradise!

We flew the day after the girls got out of school to Maui, for our first trip to this Hawaiian island. This summer, Cora is taking a college Spanish class that will take up eight of her nine-week break, so this was our one week to jet away. 

Walking the beach in Kihei, south Maui. This wasn't far from our condo, a lovely, big-two bedroom place with ocean views from every room. 

Those Hawaiian sunsets!

This was the view from our lanai (balcony/patio). The sun actually set over that ridge, so it didn't fall into the sea from the view from our room. But we could see the traditional beach sunset view from a mile or so further down the road.

Violet enjoyed checking out the tidepools on our first full day, as we explored our surroundings with a drive down the coast. Cora was sick, actually, and stayed at the condo to rest and recover so she could enjoy the rest of the trip.

Little red crab friend... 

Stace and Violet went to get malasadas (a filled doughnut) one morning from a popular place near our home away from home.

Our unit was the three windows on the upper left. Yes, the road separated us from the beach, so we had a LOT of road noise inside. But the views and size of the place made it worth it.

Here's the girls' room, which opened onto the lanai. Violet could see the waves from her bed! The rest of the rooms had views of the sea, if not actual waves.

Morning coffee... yes, I could get used to this!

Gorgeous coastline

Near the above photo, a lava field! Reminders of Hawaii's volcanic activity are frequent.

End of Era

Here's Cora, twinning with her favorite teacher the last week of school, on a "Match Your Favorite Teacher" ASB Spirit Day.

This teacher has been really influential on Cora, pushing her and believing in her acting abilities. 

Jarod has decided to take on the theater program at a different high school in town, and, for a variety of reasons, Cora has made the momentous decision to transfer there, as well.

She made hand-crafted cards for each of her theatre classmates, and it was an emotional time when she told them all of her decision. Poignantly, it was on the final normal day of class, when her classmates voted her top officer for the upcoming school year. She had to turn down the officer role, and then explain why. 
 

Her final day at this school on Thursday, her home for only two years. Very strange feeling that she won't graduate with her elementary classmates, especially those she was in kindergarten with. And, sadly, she likely will NOT get to go to the same high school for her senior year with her sister as a freshman. 

It has been a big decision to make, with meetings with the principals of both schools and a lot of discussion and prayer. We know and trust that God will be with her every step of her life, no matter which school or job she is in.

She was a little *too* eager to be done with all remnants of her sophomore year, conducting a ritual burning of much of her schoolwork. 

Sidenote, so weird that it's now June and we've had a whole month, minus a few days, of cool weather! May Grey, I guess, heading into June Gloom. Since we are guaranteed a hot summer at some point, I don't mind a prolonged spring.

Week in Review

We helped out Melanie with a huge wedding on Sunday, driving first to Long Beach to pick up flowers...

...and then to Downtown L.A. to this gorgeous old bank building that is now an event venue. Look at those carved ceilings and chandeliers!

After helping set up, we walked across the street for coffee.

Melanie outdid herself with this one - SO MANY flower arrangements, so many tables, so much work. 
 

In the week, I took a walk with Colleen in this pretty part of Castaic that is still full of wildflowers.

Stace and Violet harvested these potatoes and carrots!

Our first blueberries, ready for harvest. They were sweet and juicy!

With finals, the girls both had some half-days this week, and I ended up taking them both, separately, to Chick-Fil-A for lunch. 

Who's that??

Theatre Banquet

After several months of planning, we booster club moms, with Jarod, of course, put on a lovely banquet for the theatre students Monday night.

It really made me happy to see all the families together, enjoying the evening. Theatre hadn't had a banquet since who know when. We organized food, while Jarod created a video highlighting the year and then gave out awards. My sister did the flowers, which I picked up in Glendale earlier in the day. She also arranged a free "rental" of the tablecloths to improve the ambience of the venue.

Cora is in the black suit in the front corner - she sat with her actor friends, while we sat in the back with other parent friends of ours.

Jarod is a great teacher who truly cares about the kids. I love his attitude about the theatre kids supporting each other.

Here are the Boosters mamas, with gifts from Jarod and his wife Jill.
 

Cora and some of her ATTWN friends...

The whole theatre group, being silly!

Jarod handed out awards, and Cora was honored to receive the Performer of the Year trophy. His description of her and her talent before he named her was amazing - wish I'd been filming it. (But how presumptuous would it have looked if I'd started filming before he handed out that final award?!)

I do remember him stating that he has continually handed her more difficult roles, and she continues to nail each one. 

Family shot - Violet didn't want to go (few siblings were present) - but Grandpa earned himself a seat at the table by serving as official photographer for the past two years. Many, many hours spent shooting dress rehearsals and editing hundreds of photos! (Thousands maybe!)

Again, so, so happy with how this night turned out!

Return to Ren Faire

Cora and I returned to the Renaissance Pleasure Faire on Sunday, which happened to be the fair's closing day after a two-month run. 

This year, Violet didn't feel like going, and Stace was fine with doing something with her, so we made it a mom/daughter fair date.

We shared a giant turkey leg for a tasty and protein-packed lunch.

Eating near us was this man in an amazing homemade outfit. He said he was dressed as an Aztec god. 

Basically, everyone is dressed in some sort of costume, though his was definitely unusual!

We watched a bawdy show put on by the Poxy Boggards, a longstanding Ren Faire favorite. An old Canyon Theatre Guild castmate of my sister's is in the band, so we said hello after the performance.

We also enjoyed some Shakespeare shows, and a routine by a comedian/entertainer who worked with fire. 

Cora wore a new corset we'd bought, because I'd left the corset I'd planned to wear on the couch at home. She was in her element!
 

We stopped for a coffee on our way home and the lighting was gorgeous - so was my girl.

When we first arrived at the fair, a photographer asked to take pics of Cora. We agreed, and he later sent these to me. Wow!!

Tidbits

We went to a fundraiser for Finally Family Homes over the weekend, where we played bingo and bid on silent auction items. 

Here I am with Christina, our friend and FFH's leader, with my winnings. Our bid was highest for this wine basket, which includes a gift card to a nice restaurant. I can see that being a nice dinner out for us for our 20th anniversary later this year.

Bingo! Poker was also on the cards - ha ha - but not for us. We stuck to what can be easily learned and played!

Coming home from my daily walk, I saw this group of vultures on the ground near our tot lot. I think they were finishing off a skunk, based on the fur I could see.

On another walk, just after our fishing weekend, I came across this VERY unusual sight on the paseo. The fish was huge! And it smelled! By the next day, it was gone. I'm sure some wild animal enjoyed it. Or vultures!

As part of a Mother's Day treat, Violet coated these strawberries in chocolate. She still has a sweet tooth, and is so good about making things to satisfy it. She also regularly makes mug cakes for dessert - single-serving microwaveable desserts.

Liana celebrated her 13th birthday with a backyard camping-themed party. Here, Violet is playing the "chubby bunny" game, where you win by stuffing the most marshmallows into your mouth.