Tao Of Craft

Lei Day Haleakala Waldorf School 2012

MAY DAY is LEI DAY in Hawaii!

This festival draws from the traditional European May Day but is centered around the Hawaiian custom of making and wearing lei. Grades 1-8 each perform a hula and are dressed in colors and leis that represent each of the Hawaiian Islands. It was a beautiful and reverent event. Milo was chosen as the Lei Day Prince for the 2nd grade because he represented the spirit of hula so well. 

The Royal Court 2012

All of the grades dressed in different colors 

The 2nd Grade Prince and Princess. Dressed in white to represent the

Hawaiian island of Ni' ihau

 

Happy Spring!

Aloha!

Spring Break...Island Style!

We are having an amazing spring break on MAUI!

Good friends, kayaking out to the whales, and swimming with the turtles!

Playing, playing, playing on the beach, ending with a perfect sunset!

I so grateful that this is where we actually LIVE.

 

41st Birthday

Last night I dreamed that I had a surprise Spa Day with friends in Wailea....That we had massages and facials and cocktails...I dreamed that we watched a beautiful Maui sunset while the whales played in the ocean just for us!...

I woke up to realize that it was NOT a dream, but instead, an actual birthday gift!... Mahalo!

A Boy and His Christmas Gift....

Merry Christmas!

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/1907098/tao-of-craft?claim=gpmmx9qhjnk">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Happy Winter Solstice....

For our Winter Solstice celebration my sister surprised us with

Asian Wishing Lanterns!

We each received one to light and send off over the ocean. We sent off our Lanterns with blessings for the new year, gratefulness for the last one, and quiet prayers and wishes for the future....

 

Happy Winter Solstice! 

Hiking The Haleakalā Crater

Hiking the Crater at The summit of the Haleakalā ("house of the sun").

Haleakalā National Park is home to Maui's highest peak. Rising 10,023 feet above sea level, Haleakala's graceful slopes can be seen from just about any point on the island. Haleakalā means "house of the sun" in Hawaiian, and legend has it that the demigod Maui lassoed the sun from its journey across the sky as he stood on the volcano’s summit, slowing its descent to make the day last even longer.

The National Parks Service describes Haleakalā as a special place that vibrates with stories of ancient and modern Hawaiian culture and protects the bond between the land and its people.... Truly Amazing!

Chasing Rainbows!

We have not seen many rainbows since we moved to Maui...

But this week Maui made up for it!

Here are some images from our week in a RAINBOW...

Pumpkins on Maui

I had heard that Maui knows how to celebrate Fall ~ which is my favorite season... But I was a bit skeptical... Really? How could the land of endless summer understand my favorite Autumnal rituals?

Well, Once again the Island has outshined my expectations....

Maui has PUMPKINS! Not just imported pumpkins tossed into a field that has been made to look like a pumpkin patch...But real LOCAL pumpkins!

We took a trip to Kula Country Farms yesterday. Here is what we found!

 

Amala found the patch of "tiny" pumpkins... Which made her feel very strong because she could carry her own pumpkin just like the other kids...

It was a cloudy day Upcountry which made us feel even fore Autumnal...

Did I mentions the abundance of my favorite pumpkin of all... The CINDERELLA pumpkin.

Maui did NOT dissapoint!

 

*Yes, we do have outfit changes in this series as we were so happy that we had to back again today!

Camping On Lana'i

I have never been a big fan of camping but, camping on the BEACH is an entirely different story!

My daughters 5th grade class trip went camping on the island of Lanai.... It is a must do trip if you are on Maui! We took the ferry over from Lahaina ~ Beautiful..Great surfing, snorkeling, AND sometimes the dolphins come in to rest in the bay! The camp spots were right by the beach, nice showers, and the 4 seasons hotel is nearby in case you need a break from camping and want to check out their buffet:)

But most of all it was a real gift to have this trip in the begining of the year. Nadira was able to connect with her new class and they all had a blast!

Here are some images from our trip...

 

 

The rock on the right is called Sweetheart Rock. The kids hiked over, jumped off of the edge, and swam to Swetheart Rock. 

Here they are on the other side! so proud... But they still have to get back!

We went to Lanai City and took in a great Hula Show

And just chilled by the ocean~ This is my kind of class trip!

Swimming with Sea Turtles

Just when I am feeling like Maui and I can not work it out...

I am given a day like today...

I am reminded of why we are here. Why we sold everything that we owned, left our dear friends, and took a chance on something that has been calling us.

We took the kids to Makena Landing for some kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling, and or course to swim with the turtles!

It is just magic to me!

How is it possible that on a random Saurday I am able to experience such simplicity and wonder?

Here are some images from our day.... Aloha!