Christmas in Polynesia

Matix and Hawken getting their face paint for their Maori Haka. Each family has specific symbols that mean different things. 

The girls got black lips and a traditional chin tattoo. It was so cool.

Sully was part of the Tahitian group and loved his ti leaf haku. He wore it until it was brown weeks later.

It was so much fun learning how each of these Polynesian cultures traditionally wore the various clothes, and plants. Our staging area was full of leaves!

Cute boys, practicing their pukana faces. They were taught all about the historical significance of making that fierce face, and why it shows respect to the culture to do it, even if they aren't a part of it.

Sully getting ready with his Tahitian friends.

The actual performance included several more dances and songs and chants than the three that our kids were in, and all were beautiful. We all clapped and cheered and had the best time. This was by FAR the best church party (or any kind of party) that I've ever been to. It was so great.

I didn't get any pictures of the Haka that Matix and Hawken were in, but they both did great. From my vantage point, I couldn't see Hawken for the most part, because he was directly behind the kid in front of him. But I'd see glances and he was doing really well and loving it. All the kids loved it.

Of course, here are the video clips from the night. At the very end, everyone sang a song, and Solace was the loudest. Then we ate dinner and stayed up way too late and had the best time. It was really well organized and I was especially touched by how welcomed our kids were (not being Polynesian in the slightest).  They were told constantly how wonderfully they caught on, and how great their rhythm was, and how committed they were to learning, and how great it was to have them participate.