May Day

Today was the big day. The day that we've all been looking forward to for about 2 months. At least those of us who have kids that go to Laie Elementary School. Today was the May Day program. Now those of you that have been along for the Hawaiian culture shock ride from the beginning may remember that Abby participated in last year's May Day Celebration. And it's a BIG deal (like most celebrations in Hawaii). I'm not exactly sure why is May Day or how it all got started, but it is. Basically is a big production put on my the school. Each grade does a number, plus there's the May Day court, which is Princesses and their escorts to represent all 9 of the Hawaiian Islands. And then there is a May Day King and Queen.

Now remember - this is Elementary School that we're talking about here.

I would be interested in finding out how they choose the court and the king and queen, because again (and I can't say this enough) it's a BIG deal.

This year the theme was This is Polynesia - very fitting I think. Each number was a different Polynesian Island(s). Danielle and the preschoolers were Samoa, Isaac and the kindergarteners were actually the intro to everything, but he was in the Tongan group. Abby and the first graders were Tahiti. I have a little bit of video for each of them, but I'm too tired to upload it today. But here is a picture of them all in their costumes:



Did I mention that it's a BIG deal. I mean, this is a full on production that involves the entire school, students and staff, choreographers, musicians, and lots of willing parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles. Pretty much the whole town. And it all seems to get done in 2 months. I helped sew costumes for Isaac's class, sewed a costume for a little 4th grade neighbor friend, and then of course made Abby's waistband for her costume. The whole program just blew me away. I hope to find some better video footage than what I have on youtube over the next week or so. If I find something I will share it with you.

I'm now onto the next project of assembling wedding announcements (not mine of course - my friend Larisa's) so that we can get them out before the postage hike.

Oh and the kid's first baseball games are in the morning.... We'll see how that goes!