Fire Station 8
17 Apr
We went on our first field trip of the year to Fire Station 8. The children had so much fun!!
Blessed!
30 Dec
Blessings on this room of ours,
Blessings on the garden flowers
Blessings on the birds and trees,
On the butterflies and bees
Blessings on the dolls and toys
On our queitness
And NOISE!
Blessings on the children dear,
And the grown ups who come here,
Blessings on our work and play
God be with us all each day.
On the day you were born….
30 Dec
On the day that we met and I put you to bed, I noticed a crown on the top of your head.
It was made up of sparkling, glimmering things like moonlight and firelies, and dragonfly wings.
As the days came and went, it was faithful and true…..and it grew right along with the rest of you.
~Nancy Tillman
Blessings on the angel who led you to Earth, blessings on your Mother who gave you birth ~
Celebrate October
7 Nov
October is my favorite month. I love all that it has to offer. The children are happy and really enjoy the brisk days and glorious sunshine. Outside so much is happening around us. The leaves, oh the beautiful leaves! What a show they put on for us. And the squirrels, busy with their scampering feet. I love to watch them collect nuts to store away for the winter. Harvest is abundant. So many wonderful garden vegetables. Pumpkins! Halloween! Just look at these beautiful beaming children!
A Tale of Two Turnips
22 Oct
Story is everything at playschool. Each child steps into the schoolyard with a story hovering above their head. Bouncing atoms of story, waiting to bonk into other atoms, perhaps to combine. Superhero and coyote packs thrillingly duel, babies are born, royalty crowned. Rocket ships set off for the moon, but return in time for circle. Where story and song entice a pack of wild ponies to slow their gallop into a canter and eventually a tiptoe to the table. We share stories and manners at snack. We listen one at a time, until excused. And the ponies gallop once more in the fresh air. Galloping, galloping, off they go. Until it is home to mother, nice and slow. Rest time, followed by the official story. I must admit, by this point in the day, my imagination ponies are exhausted. Fortunately, Miss Kristin always has just one left, hidden up her sleeve. And for a few weeks, the children learn a story by heart. Singing the chorus in unison. Even though sitting still is a challenge for some at the beginning, all are rapt and present by the end. Ready to share lunch and perhaps just one more story.
This last week, Kristin lead the children through the tale of the turnip one more time, this time outside and as a play. It was amazing to see the children turn into farmers and grandmothers, turnips and kittens. Parts memorized and rapt and present from the start. Adding a bow and curtsey at the end.
Curiously Hungry
17 Oct
We are always hungry. The world around us is beautifully edible.
Satisfyingly sweet.Wildly imaginable.
We are always hungry. The world we cultivate is a beautiful cocoon.
Incredible and rainbow hued. Warm and butter strewn.
Eating together, we find our community, beautifully. And we are always, always hungry.
Breathing In and Breathing Out
2 Oct
On Tuesday we made tea, danced in the rain. Shared a triangular snack of onigiri and watermelon. Gathered apples at circle and grew into tall, tall trees. On Wednesday, hands painted green, apples painted red. Waffles and warm weather. On Thursday we made our hands into nests, and dough into buns. Buns with cinnamon on top. We skipped in the sunshine and scuffed our knees, sometimes. On Friday, we listened to live music and sang in the chorus. Sat in the backyard with books and friends, snacked on egg pie and apples, slid smiling toward the weekend.
Crafting Our Mornings
24 Sep
On Thursday, I rose before dawn to wash dishes, make dough, and send a portion of my family off on a backpacking trip. My eight-year-old son’s first. I’ve never spent a couple of days backpacking around a mountain, but from what I understand, it is of some importance to men and their progeny. Standing in my driveway, watching the four adventurers embark on a journey into the unknown, their excitement was palpable. I felt it in the pit of my belly, along with a few stones of trepidation. That’s part of the initiation process, I imagine, knowing that dangerous moments are ever present, going for it anyway, and having a few people stay behind to tend the fire. As the 21st century catapults us into new realms of hyperconnectivity, I’m grateful for the moments like this. Even though it feels like a few pieces of my heart have been tethered to a couple strong arrows and sent aloft. Soaring and silent, until they land and I rope them back in. Until then, the fire needs tending, the bread needs baking, and there are children to feed.
It’s been an amazing experience watching the parents and children of our playschool participate in their own rituals of goodbye each day. Tearful and nonchalant, private and loud, a little of each varying on the weather. Always a bushel and a peck. More and more, we smile and wave, send our arrows off and get to work. Making new claims on the sky’s limitless possibilities, as we go along.
Edited to add: Oscar had a great trip!