Memorial Day!

Today being Memorial Day we took the opportunity to go and visit the World War II Veterans Cemetery in Honolulu.  Yesterday some Scouts from our church went to place flags and lei's on the grave sites, and we were able to see the fruits of their labors today.  What a site!  It also gave us the opportunity to teach our son about the sacrifices that others have made for our freedoms.  He didn't completely get it, but I am still glad we went.  I was on the verge of tears the entire time.  What a blessing it is to live in these United States and have the freedoms we have; freedom of religion, freedom of education, which includes the freedom to home school....just to name a few.  Here are the pictures we took at the cemetery today:

After the cemetery we went up the road to Pali Lookout, and hiked the old highway (now it's just an overgrown trail).  If you hike far enough down there is a water fall, but we didn't make it.  Was still a nice hike though.  We had lots of opportunity for learning along the way as well, we learned about roots, bees and seeds.  We also saw some chickens, roosters and baby chicks (they are all wild here in HI), and got to feel the power of wind!!  We also learned about how we should not litter, and picked up trash we saw along the way.  

These Hawaii trees are amazing!  They grow roots from their limbs and can grow pretty much anywhere...this one has grown over the cement wall!  They are Banyan Trees.

This poem came to mind when I took the pictures that follow it:

THE ROAD NOT TAKEN

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference ...Robert Frost

The day ended with Q and the boys bringing home a baby bird they found in the parking lot by the playground...last baby bird we had (back when Q and I were first married, died....I'm hoping this one has a better fate).  

Couldn't get this song out of my head as we hiked today.  It truly is a beautiful world that Heavenly Father has blessed us with.

Our favorite books for exploring Hawaii

Daddy is their teacher, the world is their classroom

Here is some fun stuff they have done this month

So Q took the two older boys hiking on Saturday, I had planned to go with them, but he wanted to get an really early start, so I decided to stay home with the babe and have some much needed peace and quiet!
Here is a few of their hiking finds...

These were determined to be spineless sea urchins with the help of my MIL, we weren't exactly sure and looked at all sorts of pictures of starfish thinking it might be something of that sort.

This was one of many hiking trips, Q loves to get out and about and has been great with taking the kids out with him. I haven't gone on as many outings as I would like b/c of the baby and the rain. Here are some picks from the hike that they did earlier this month.

I have also not mentioned the garden they have going on. Cole got to pick some of what he wanted to grow, and he picked radishes. We have gotten several radishes so far, the rest of the things are still growing. Here is one of the beautiful radishes. Funny enough, he won't eat them...Q slices them up and puts them in salads. But he and Z both enjoy picking them.

and another fun daddy project: POPCORN BALLS!