grow

It is a season of growing here at Mango Place.

You wouldn't know our garden is just two 4'x4' garden boxes from the photo of Naomi above. It is very small, but like most other things in our lives, growing.


Naomi has grown up so much in the last four weeks since kindergarten began. It makes my heart happy and sad all at the same time! She loves her teacher, Miss "T", and loves school.

After her first full day of kindergarten:

ME: "Naomi, how was school today?"
NAOMI: "It was... PINKALICIOUS GOOD!"

The best word she knew to describe her awesome day. Another day it was "Pinktastic!" and yesterday it was "Great!" She loves gymnastics and has a new love for her Tahitian and Hula classes. She is learning to read as quickly as she caught on to gymnastics and is reading more every day. She is growing just as much socially and is so much less shy and awkward (which means a little less falling down and being silly in awkward social situations. Yay). My favorite part of the day is the huge hugs she gives as she runs out of her classroom to greet us after school when Kalea and I walk to get her.


Kalea loves being my "big girl" and helping me while Naomi is away at school. She loves time with momma. And loves going to "preschool" with her friend Tommy while I work a few mornings a week. Our co-op preschool and outings will begin next week. I enjoy the outings, which tie into our class for the week and get us out of the house and all over the island with fun friends. Kalea loves gymnastics even more than I thought she would and I love watching this tiny little 23lb girl march across the balance beam and attempt summersaults!


Today I'm planting. While the lavender and rosemary have done very well, the other herbs and what few vegetables I'm able to grow all perished during a summer of neglect while we were away.

The girls helped me plant new basil, parsley, eggplant, tomato, green bean and cucumber after adding rich new soil into the depleted garden boxes. The smell of the dirt was heavenly to me - it reminded me of Oregon and our beautiful gardens there. Naomi and Kalea were covered from head to toe (and every crack in between) in dirt, but enjoyed "helping".


The banana trees Mark and the girls gave me for Mother's Day last year have grown and multiplied. From 3 we now have 14... and look at the fruit they are bearing!


I didn't realize the uncle who spoke in church a while back was serious when he said you only need one banana plant to start an entire banana farm!


The orange tree looks pretty straggly, but continues to produce fruit nearly all-year-long. Amazing.


And the last mango is getting ready to drop. Summer is at it's end. I've thoroughly enjoyed this one.

Our tree produces soft, sweet fruit rather than the firm tangy kind I love to eat right off the tree, but I've found it makes great smoothies and jam. I made 10 jars of freezer jam last week. By myself. (After 3 trips to the store because I kept forgetting things). I felt pretty proud of myself.

Mark has been very active in the scouting program and just attended the first of two 3-day Woodbadge trainings. He is learning much. The boys are lucky to have him for a leader. He is a good man. A hard worker, good husband and father and a good example.

As for me, work has been keeping me very busy. I'm constantly trying to re-balance so we can thrive and not just survive. I was just asked to teach the Sunday School class for the adults at church on Sundays. I feel extremely intimidated by the task, but it's time to stretch and grow... for me too.

It seems to be a season of growing for all of us.

Grow little garden, grow.