Splash Party Potluck July 30th

Calling ALL Homeschoolers!

This coming Tuesday July 30th will be a Kickball Splash Party/Pool Party at Keaau Shipman Park. We will start at 10am, followed by a potluck. Please bring a dish or pupu to share, plus swimsuits!  Meet at the Pavilion! Aloha and see you there!

Photos taken by Kellie Wykel of Paradise Delights Hawaii Photography

Don't miss Beauty and the Beast!

Beginning July 12 thru July 28th, the Kilauea Drama and Entertainment Network will be performing their annual summer musical of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast!" 

For more information, please call 982-7344, email kden73@aol.com or check out KDEN’s Facebook page. Reservations can be made by calling 982-734.

Bubblesnakes Tuesdays

This coming Tuesday, July 16th we will be doing something different at Kickball! Yay for fun novelty!

Emily, (mama to Ocean and Forrest) has volunteered to help the kids make Bubblesnakes! Much like these ones here.

She asks that everyone please bring a plastic water bottle with the end cut off and and old sock to slip on the bottle. Thick socks work better than thin socks, she says.

I'm personally really excited, as we've never done this before! Thanks Emily for volunteering your time, energy, and care for our keiki! See you all Tuesday at 10am at Keaau Shipman Park.

Volcano Rain Forest Run

Saturday, August 17, 2013 will be the 4th Annual Volcano Rain Forest Run half marathon, 10k, 5k, and Free keiki yard dash in Volcano Village. All runs will start and finish at the Cooper Center on Wright Road. All distances are open to runners of all ages and abilities. Runners will be traversing through the lush rain forest of quaint Volcano Village on the slopes of Kilauea Volcano, at 4,000 feet elevation! This is said to be one of the most beautiful and tranquil rain forest runs on the planet, right here on our island!

Registration for this event has already begun, so if you want to get the best deal on entry fees, register now! The keiki can sign up on the day of registration for the 100 or 200 yard dash for free. The keiki races start at 1oam, and all participants are winners!

 After the running events are pau, runners, their families, and the community can enjoy a fun-filled day at the Cooper Center! The Hiccup Circus will be entertaining everyone with juggling, face painting, unicycles, and balloon animals plus there will also be craft booths, food booths, a silent auction, live entertainment and much more. Sounds like a fun family day!

For more information and to register, click here
Click here for a fun video from last year's Volcano Rain Forest Run!

Tuesday "Splashball" July 9th!!

This Tuesday let's try and beat the summer heat and get a little wet!  Instead of regular kickball, we're going to try kickball with a splash! 
Wear your swimsuits and be ready to splash, jump, and slide on the kickball field. Players won't go home with a dry spot on them so parents remember to bring towels and extra clothes if you want. Aloha and see you there!

*Tuesday July 9th at Keaau Shipman Park, 10am
**This is a rain or shine activity so If it's raining, even better!

Fall Etiquette Training Classes-Registration Time!

Great Manners are the Key to Your Child’s Future Success!

Summer Classes are Coming to an End. Register for Fall Classes Now!

8 Week Etiquette Training

Children’s (ages 5-12) and Teens (ages 13-17)

Our youth will learn manners and communication skills with a strong focus on respect and value for others, integrity and putting people at ease.

Fun, warm, kind instruction

Quick pace to keep students engaged

Conversational style involves students in discussion

Classes filled with games and activities geared toward topics

Content is geared toward life today.

Sign up before July 15, 2013 and receive a 10% discount on first child. Other discounts apply for multiple siblings. For details on courses, fees, and registration go to: http://www.MannersInMomentum.com

Classes in Puna

Hawaiian Paradise Park Owners Association Library

15-1570 Maku’u Drive, Keaau

Children’s - Thursdays August 1 – September 19, 2013 from 2:45pm-3:45pm

Teen’s – Fridays August 2 – September 20, 2013 from 2:45pm-3:45pm

Classes in Hilo

The Hawaii Innovation Center

117 Keawe St. (Conference Rm.), Hilo

Mondays August 5 (excluding Labor Day Sept 2) – September 30, 2013

Children’s - 2:45pm-3:45pm

Teen’s – 4:00pm-5:00pm

Astania Caputo, Certified Etiquette Coach                                 

Have Questions? Call Today: 345-3191

Kickball Tuesday Revival

Aloha friends!

It's been awhile since I've posted about kickball meetups! This is probably because I put up the summer schedule , which seemed  good enough, but now I'm thinking we need a reminder revival! I was also thinking we might even need a Tuesday-game revival! 

• (revival--an instance of something becoming popular, active, or important again. ------Websters online Dictionary)

We've been playing kickball every week since January 22, 2013, which makes an amazing 6 months of  super-Tuesday kickball! Yaya!
 Is anyone sick of it yet?
 Anyone? 
The keiki don't seem to be! Plus more and more kids keep on coming! However, I feel we could use something novel to keep our motivation going...or at least mine..... haha.
Let me know if you would like to take over any one of these Tuesday dates below. You could volunteer to run any sports, games or activities of your choice. We will be there to support you in your efforts as you share your talents with our homeschool community. 
The kickball games have been about 45 mins to an hour, with the rest of the time for free play, eating lunch, and hanging out, just to give you an idea of what we've been doing.
July   23, 30
Aug 6, 20, 27

Mahalo! Let me know what dates you'd like to take! All others will be...kickball!

One of my favorite pictures from kickball last week. Thank you Tony Valadon for taking shots of the kids! 

Hilo Community Players presents, "As You Like It"

"Put on your tie-dyed t-shirts and your bell-bottom jeans. Get out your long beads, and put flowers in your hair. It's time to get groovy and be cool under the banyan tree in Kalakaua Park." Hilo Community Players proudly announces their 36th Annual Shakespeare in the Park: As You Like It. 

The show is absolutely FREE to attend.  Hilo Community Players' Annual Shakespeare in the Park is the oldest theatrical tradition in the whole state. For more info please visit the HCP website at http://hilocommunityplayers.org/

The dates and times are as follows:

Fri, July 5 at 7:30 p.m.

Sat, July 6 at 7:30 p.m.

Sun, July 7 at 2:00 p.m.

Thurs, July 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Fri, July 12 at 7:30 p.m.

Sat, July 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Sun, July 14 at 2:00 p.m.

Thurs, July 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Fri, July 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Sat, July 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Come and enjoy this fun family event!

Aloha from Kickball

Aloha from Kickball! Wish you were here. Be sure to check the Summer Kickball schedule for all the up and coming kickball days!

 What a fun bunch of people-and this isn't even half of em!

 Warming up before the game with our exercise ABC's. Can you Elevate your arms?

Game is on!

 The post-kickball cool-down. Kids lining up for a drink and shower.

The little ones are kept busy, too! Smart Mamas brought legos!

Homeschool Mamas meet for a chat:

 Beyblades in action. A favorite game for free-play time!

See you soon!

Aloha Bluegrass Meet n' Greet, June 7th

An exciting and wonderful musical opportunity is coming to the East side of the Big island! We would like to share the details plus get an idea for who would be interested in attending!

Rion Schmidt and Katy Rexford of the Aloha Blue-Grass Duo will be putting on a free Meet & Greet activity, which will expose our keiki to a variety of musical instruments such as fiddles, violins, banjos, guitars, bass, and mandolins. Rion and Katy will play a few songs, introduce various instruments, plus talk about the types of programs and lessons they offer.  All families are welcome to attend!

For families looking to get their children into musical lessons, this is great opportunity to get exposed to what's out there. Katy and Rion take on  students of all ages and abilities, from complete beginner to advanced. For those interested in scheduling lessons, their normal rate is $50/hour or $25/half hour.


The Meet & Greet will be happening on Friday June 7th, at 4:00pm at the Hawaiian Acres Community Center. Map here.    If this is something you'd be interested in attending, please email Barbara at b2russell@hotmail.com for any questions or to schedule lessons with Rion and Katy.
(If for any reason you can't make it to the Meet & Greet on the 7th, please feel free to email Barbara to arrange another time to meet up.)

Check out Rion and Katy's video "Sourdough" below: 

Click HERE for the AlohaBluegrass Youtube Channel featuring more videos of the musical duo.

Rion and Katy's Bios:

Katy Rexford and Rion Schmidt - the Aloha Bluegrass Duo - have been playing and teaching music each for over a dozen years, and have been teaching in the Hawaiian islands for three and eight years, respectively.  Each spring, their mainland-based Aloha Bluegrass Band members join them for a tour of the islands of Hawai'i, Oahu, and Maui, where they teach several week-long bluegrass and Hawaiian music workshops to keiki and adults and perform throughout the islands.  

Katy grew up in eastern North Carolina and began playing the violin at age eight. She also played her first fiddle tune that year, beginning a lifelong journey of traditional music exploration, including old time, bluegrass, country blues, Hawaiian, Irish, Cajun, and more.   Based in San Francisco from 2000-2012, Katy has performed and toured with myriad artists including Peter Rowan, Boz Scaggs, Michelle Shocked, Del Williams, Poor Man's Whiskey, and more.  She now directs the Aloha Music Academy and teaches at a number of bluegrass and folk music camps in Alaska, Hawaii, and the lower 48. Katy has been teaching music for ten years, and teaching music in Hawaii for three.

Rion Schmidt was born and raised Alaska, playing and singing bluegrass and folk music with his father and sister since he was a young boy.  Rion's banjo style reflects the mountain music of Alaska and the Northwest.  A multi-instrumentalist and singer, Rion has been teaching music for 13 years, co-directing the Aloha Music Academy for two, and has instructed music camps for kids and adults in Alaska, Inuvik (Northern Territory Canada), and Hawaii.  He has collaborated with Hawaiian musicians on Maui for eight years, and shares the Hawaiian people's interest in preserving traditional music styles and values.

Summer Kickball Schedule

Aloha Friends! Kickball will resume throughout the Summer for any kids and parents that wish to play! The only date I will not be available to lead the game is June 4th. However,  homeschool families will still meet for a fun game organized by Hannah, and free-play afterwards. See you all every Tuesday at 10am at Kea'au Shipman Park. Summer is on!

Kickball Summmer Dates:
May 21, 28
June 4, 11, 18, 25
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Aug 6, 13, 20, 27

Cheers,
Sally Jackson

p.s. Kickball rules still apply. :)

Tuesday Kickball Continues! May 14th

WHAT: Tuesday Kickball

WHEN: 10am
WHERE: Kea'au Shipman Park
WHO: Homeschooling families, their friends, and their friends friends.
WHY: Because it's a whole lot of fun and a great way to connect with our homeschool community.

Hope to see you there!
As usual, we'll be hanging out under the pavilion, near the jungle gym, for socializing and free play. We'll also be meeting for kickball throughout the Summer,  to keep our momentum fun and alive. Invite your friends and neighbors!

See you Tuesday, May 14th.

*Picture credit goes to random google search for a kid kicking a kickball. *Ouch!*

Children's Etiquette Training Classes in HPP and Hilo

Great Manners are the Key to Your Child’s Future Success!

Children’s Etiquette Training

Children learn basic manners and communication skills with a strong focus on respect and value for others, integrity and putting people at ease.

Content is geared toward life today.

$75 Summer Program/Sign up before May 15, 2013 and receive a 10% discount.

Exclusive 6 Week Summer Program

Hawaiian Paradise Park Owners Association Library

15-1570 Maku’u Drive, Keaau

Thursdays Starting June 6, 2013 - July 11, 2013 from 2:30pm-3:45pm

Ages 5-12

Fun, warm, kind instruction

Quick pace to keep children engaged

Conversational style involves children in discussion

Proper manners training

Classes filled with games and activities geared toward topics

Greetings, Please, Thank you, 

Your Welcome, Mistakes, Tact, 

Apologies, Rudeness,

When NO is Appropriate

Sharing, Gift Giving

Attending a Party

Table Manners the Rules

Table Manners the Meal

Hygiene

Bullying, Teasing

Communication, Texting, Phone calls

Astania Caputo, Certified Etiquette Coach                                 Call Today: 345-3191

And in Hilo:

DUE TO DEMAND, A 4 WEEK ETIQUETTE COURSE FOR CHILDREN AGES 5-12 HAS BEEN ADDED AND WILL BE HELD AT THE HAWAII INNOVATION CENTER IN HILO!!!

DATES: JUNE 21, 28, JULY 12, 19

TIME: 2PM-4PM

LOCATION: 117 KEAWE ST, HILO

CONFERENCE ROOM

FEE: $80

REFER ANOTHER FAMILY!  RECEIVE $10 OFF YOUR DUES FOR EVERY CHILD FROM THEIR FAMILY THAT JOINS!

SPACE IS LIMITED, CALL TODAY!

    FUN, WARM, KIND INSTRUCTION

QUICK PACE TO KEEP CHILDREN ENGAGED

CONVERSATIONAL STYLE INVOLVES CHILDREN IN DISCUSSION

CLASSES FILLED WITH GAMES AND ACTIVITIES GEARED TOWARD TOPICS

May the 4th be With you on ASTRO DAY

This Saturday May 4th, will be ASTRO DAY, at the Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo,

from 10am-4pm. This is a FREE event.

Check out the website for more details at www.mkaoc.org/programming/astroday.html
ASTRO DAY is an annual event here in Hilo, and is "an international movement to share the joy of astronomy with the general population." The Prince Kuhio Mall will be filled with booths and exhibits encouraging people to learn more about astronomy. Many keiki from around the community went last year and loved all the activites.

And for those also celebrating International Star Wars Day, May the fourth be with you!........

FREE Workshops in Hilo

329 Kamehameha Avenue, Hilo HI 96720

(808) 935-8850 hiloimprovementprogram@gmail.com

The Hilo Improvement Program (HIP), an AmeriCorps program of The Downtown Improvement association,

is offering FREE workshops and gatherings every Tuesday Downtown Hilo through June 2013.

Tuesday, May 7

9am – 11am            Tsunami Preparedness Information with Bea Larson at Pacific Tsunami Museum, 130 Kamehameha Ave.

10am – 11am            Walking Stick Carving with Uncle Mac Balucan at Mo’oheau Bandstand, 329 Kamehameha Ave.

11am – 1pm            Hilo Hula Days Show at Mo’oheau Bandstand, 329 Kamehameha Ave.

11am – 2pm            Silk and Pastel Painting Demo with Patti Pease Johnson at High Fire Hawaii, 114 Kamehameha Ave.

2:30 – 3:30pm            Soup Making 101 with Tim Vezina at Hilo Bay Soup Co., 160 Kilauea Ave.  
CANCELED          

Tuesday, May 14

10am – 11am            Walking Stick Carving with Uncle Mac Balucan at Mo’oheau Bandstand, 329 Kamehameha Ave.

11am – 1pm            Hilo Hula Days Show at Mo’oheau Bandstand, 329 Kamehameha Ave.

11am – 2pm            Silk and Pastel Painting Demo with Patti Pease Johnson at High Fire Hawaii, 114 Kamehameha Ave.

1pm- 2pm       Beaded Bracelet Stringing with Sharon Turner at Island Edges Beads, 265 Keawe st.

2pm-3pm        Seed Prep. and Propagation with Mikey Perron behind the East Hawai’i Cultural Center, 141 Kalakaua St.

3:45-4:30pm   Everyday Stretching with Lani Thur-Fine at Mo’oheau Bandstand, 329 Kamehameha Ave.

Tuesday, May 21

10am – 11am            Walking Stick Carving with Uncle Mac Balucan at Mo’oheau Bandstand, 329 Kamehameha Ave.

11am – 1pm            Hilo Hula Days Show at Mo’oheau Bandstand, 329 Kamehameha Ave.

11am – 2pm            Silk and Pastel Painting Demo with Patti Pease Johnson at High Fire Hawaii, 114 Kamehameha Ave.

2:30 – 3:30pm            Bread Making 101 with Tim Vezina at Hilo Bay Soup Co., 160 Kilauea Ave.
CANCELED

3:45-4:30pm        Everyday Stretching with Lani Thur-Fine at Mo’oheau Bandstand, 329 Kamehameha Ave.

 Sunday, May 26

2pm-4pm  Downtown Edible Gardens Community Workday with Let’s Grow Hilo

                        meet behind the East Hawai’i Cultural Center, 141 Kalakaua St.

 Tuesday, May 28

10am – 11am            Walking Stick Carving with Uncle Mac Balucan at Mo’oheau Bandstand, 329 Kamehameha Ave.

11am – 1pm            Hilo Hula Days Show at Mo’oheau Bandstand, 329 Kamehameha Ave.

11am – 2pm            Silk and Pastel Painting Demo with Patti Pease Johnson at High Fire Hawaii, 114 Kamehameha Ave.

2:30-3:30pm   Recycled Paper Making with Lani Thur-Fine at Mo’oheau Bandstand, 329 Kamehameha Ave.

3:45-4:15pm   Everyday Stretching with Lani Thur-Fine at Mo’oheau Bandstand, 329 Kamehameha Ave.

Visit www.downtownhilo.com for more info on community events in Hilo.

This material is based upon work supported by the Corporation for National and Community Service under AmeriCorps Grant No.

06AFHHI0010017. Opinions or points of view expressed in this are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of,

or a position that is endorsed by, the Corporation of the AmeriCorps program.

Kickball April 30th and a Healthy Dose of Laughter

Come one and all for homeschool kickball tomorrow at Kea'au Shipman Park! We'll be meeting as usual at 10am for the kickball game, then of course  feel free to hang out afterwards for free play and socialization!

Kickball Rules are here.

One happy homeschool parent mentioned to me several weeks ago how refreshing it is to come to kickball and laugh! It's true- there is a lot of laughter and smiles at kickball. The feeling among the kids and among the parents that participate is joyful, lighthearted, and positive. There isn't any pressure for the kids to perform or compete on the field. The older kids are patient and understanding with the littler ones. The ones who have played 50 times are patient and helpful to the ones who are just starting out. The kids get along. The parents cheer them on and lend a hand where needed. This is a good group of people that I feel blessed to associate with.
 I am looking forward to kickball tomorrow so I  laugh and feel the positive energy from all of you.

See you tomorrow friends!