We could hardly believe it when our son, Keola told us they'd be staying with us for a month in July. They were leaving one country and were now assigned to another so they had a month free.
It's been a truly busy year for us with our trip to Japan in April and then Chicago to see our granddaughter graduate from high school in May and then our son's visit in late June to July. Things are finally settling down a bit. I've finished my photobook for Japan and almost done with the photobook for the grandsons.
Mom just loved seeing Jon's new hairstyle. It's not exactly new. He's had it a long while.
She couldn't stop laughing saying he now definitely looked like a samurai with his chonmage.
This is from Wikipedia:
The chonmage (丁髷) is a type of traditional Japanese topknot haircut worn by men. It is most commonly associated with the Edo period (1603–1868) and samurai, and in recent times with sumo wrestlers.
In the one month they were here, they managed to squeeze in every bit of fun they could. Art told them they could crush all the drink cans we were accumulating and take them to the recycling truck. They loved it and also loved the money they got after turning in the bag of cans.
We'd been growing a poha plant for a year and saving the berries in the freezer. Poha berries are physalis peruviana, also known as golden berries, Cape gooseberries, and ground cherries. Art had always loved poha jam having grown up with the treat on the Big Island.
And now he had such fun making the jam with his grandsons. We also gave some small jars of the jam to our friends who gave a group of us the poha plantings. Our grandsons loved the jam like their grandfather.
Keola and family also went to the Dole Plantation. They even went through the Dole maze. Art and I have never done it, but the boys had a great time. I think they liked the Dole Whip even more though.
Several friends and relatives recommended Keiki Kingdom for Keola and Sarah to take the boys. And yes, they had a fabulous time!
But you know what? I was happy to see that one of their most favorite places to explore was our library. They could have stayed there for hours.They also piled an armload of books to bring home and enjoy and could occupy themselves happily just reading.
As a retired teacher, I loved it!
I looks like a month that will be remembered forever!
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat for all of you.
ReplyDeleteI love a library visit.
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We did that Dole plantation maze with our kids and grandkids two years ago. The group divided into two teams. Hubby and I were joined by Oldest Grandson, who was short enough to see through gaps at the bottom of the hedges to direct us to the stations.
ReplyDeleteWhat great memories with your grandsons! And I love that they hung out at the library!
ReplyDeletehow wonderful, what precious time spent!
ReplyDeleteSo grand to have them a whole month. Did your son have to work while he was with you or did he also get a month off?
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for your link to your post about the Acropolis. Funny how Flat Stanley was not welcome there.
DeleteKay of Musings: Oh no… he was working late into the night and so was Sarah. I don’t know how they did it. They survive on very little sleep so that the boys can have fun. We told them to get some rest while we took them out, but then they’d spend it working.
DeleteI hope your grandsons retain their love of reading. It's such a blessing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful time. Getting into the maze would scare me. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteKay of Musings: Actually most of the maze hedges are not that high so it’s not quite as scary. I think.
DeleteOh, I love the photo of your Mom with Jon, looking up at his haircut! So sweet and joyful! Great that your grandsons love reading so much and making jam with their grandfather. So glad you had such a nice long visit with them! x
ReplyDeleteYou've had a very exciting summer. Yes, we want to hook kids on reading. I like to see kids crawling around on the floor in the library.
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet July for you! Something you will embrace with the memories of loved ones enjoying themselves. btw, your son is so good looking!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Auntie. You know I love hearing that.
DeleteKeola does look like a Samurai, and a very handsome one at that. I love the pleasure you found with your grandsons in ordinary things.
ReplyDeleteAwww... Thank you, Linda. I think he looks fine, but I'm his mother.
DeleteI had no idea of the proper name for the haircut 💇
ReplyDeleteYou look to have had a lovely time and it is fine to have a record of it. It seems like yesterday that my little grandgirl was crouched like that with her book and today I was looking at the photos from her graduate school. Yikes. It is also neat to learn about foods like goldenberries. Looks great.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful, a whole month! Delightful photos and loved all of them. All the family ones are very special indeed.
ReplyDeleteWhat an unforgettable month filled with family and adventures! I'm happy it went so well. I also use my blog to remember things--this year it was my nephew's birthday!
ReplyDeleteI think he looks very elegant with his haircut. I love seeing your wonderful family!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed seeing the photo of your little mum and your tall son.
ReplyDeleteyou have been busy, but busy with the best things ever. seeing and being with family is so important, how nice you had a whole month. i went through a corn maze and did not enjoy it like i thought i would. the corn was high and i felt a little closed in. i want to tell you that when you leave me a comment, when i click on it, it does not take me to your blog. i'm sure it is just me, i have you you in my reading list. i am going to remove you and readd you and see if that works. thanks for all your visits!!
ReplyDeleteKay of Musing: Hi Debbie, thank you for trying. Actuallly, I’m sometimes I’m using my iPad to write comments so it doesn’t work. (Like now, oops!) I have to be on my desktop or laptop for the website to provide a correct link, but it’s not always convenient for me. Sorry about that.
DeleteSuch a lovely time for you all.
ReplyDeleteGreat photographs.
All the best Jan
We had a mason turn up with that hair topknot.
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