The First Graders from Waialua Elementary Come to Visit

Yesterday we had a visit from all the first graders at Waialua Elementary. There were over 80 keiki (ages 5 to 8) at Peggy's house led by fabulous teacher Jennie Fixman and crew.

First I talked with group about ALS and answered A LOT of questions about Peggy and her condition (How does she talk? How does she breathe? Can she smell?) Then, Suzanne Maurer's friend Debbie came and read The Watercolor Cat to the group while Marvel and Karen were helping Peggy get up in her wheelchair and ready to make her grand entrance.

After the reading, Peggy's legion of small, adoring fans chanted, "Peggy! Peggy! Peggy! Peggy!" as she wheeled out of the room. They all got to meet her, look at her wheelchair and ventilator, and ask MORE questions.

Then they took a break for lunch. We spread some blankets and sheets out on the front lawn for them. Jack and Cola were very present during the whole encounter. In fact, Jack kept trying to stalk the kids' home lunches.

After lunch, they filed back inside for a nose painting demo by Peggy (with assistants Marvel and Kelly). Peggy invited volunteers to come up and paint her nose! After the painting was complete, we let the kids name it. We asked for suggestions and the entire room was filled with raised arms and eager faces. I called on each of them for their suggestions..."Nice Colors", "Rainbow Colors", "Nose Colors", "Polka Dots", "Cat Foot Prints", "Rainbow Mountain", "The Mountain is Counting", "Any Kine Colors"...it was a hard decision, but we finally decided upon "Rainbow Mountain", mostly because we heard it from at least four kids.

The kids presented Peggy with a construction paper lei they made and a book of their Peggy-inspired artwork. They also brought us some yummy pastries from a North Shore Bakery. We sent them home with "Mooon River" posters for each of them and one copy of The Watercolor Cat for the school that we stamped and Shelly had inscribed "To the Students of Waialua Elementary". Peggy also gave them "Rainbow Mountain" to take back to the school!

And then, as quick as they came, they filed back on the bus and were gone. We all just lounged around eating pastries for a while recovering from it all!

Here are some photos...enjoy!