Michaelmas 2012

 

Michaelmas is here, and after an inspiring talk at the Christian Community Church about the importance of this time of year, I feel I am moving inwards with the season.  I wrote a brief summary last year about some of the symbolism of Michaelmas.  This year we are keeping it very simple.  We are allowing for it to be a more seasonal celebration rather than a day of recognition.  This Michaelmas represents the newness of all the intentions Dan and I have put forth for our family.  School, house, community.  We spent a day helping with the gardening at school. Cleaning up, making things fresh before the quiet months of the year.  At home we made our first dragon candle. We aren't telling stories or getting too deep. We are just allowing the quiet to decend and the truth and love to permeate our hearts.  I love this time of year. It is so fertile for me.  Crafts are completed. Dreams are vivid. I hope you all have a special day. Did you know that Michaelmas is a great time to start something new?

Week three of Kindergarten

We are getting there. The adjustment period seems to be coming to a close and we are all starting to see the newness permeate our household. Our meal blessing has had a few new words added in.  I have been told to shut off the water when brushing my teeth so I don't waste it.  And the songs that are sung in the classroom are sun to dolls and teddy bears in mama made forts around the living room.  But the best thing?  Crafting has begun.  The other day Narina came home with a lavender pouch.  When talking about it she mentioned she used a needle and thread to sew on the sparkles.  I was so consumed with happiness. My girl, sewing.

Open Community Parent Afternoons: Michaelmas

Do you remember a while ago I went to a series of workshops where I was able to have a bit of time to myself and make some wonderful Waldorf toys?  Well once I moved here I decided to follow some advice that one of Dan's colleagues suggested.  If you want to learn something new, create a forum to make it happen.  A dear friend of mine had been working on the organization of these workshops by herself. Anyone who has done that before knows how difficult it can be.  Its a lot to take on, and something I love to do. Well I love the organizational aspect of it anyhow. She created the forum and I jumped on it!

After we moved here I asked if I could help out.  I am not sure how much of a help I have been, but I sure do love being part of it.  We have organized a talk or an activity surrounding anthroposophy , Steiner's teachings, early years parenting, and family life for every month of the year.

 Forest Row is this hub of information.  Many of the authors of the books I have read, homeschooling curriculum authors I have researched, and handwork teachers I aspire to, live here.  Between the priests at the church and my own (and my friend's) desire to learn experientially, we have such an amazing line up this year.  Tomorrow it starts.  Here is our poster.  I wish you were all closer so you could join in with us.

We made it

Today was our first day at kindergarten.  With a bright and early start of 8:15am we were all up much earlier than what we are used to.  A good breakfast with daddy and we walked the journey we will be taking countless times in the future.  It was a big day for us all.  When I went to pick her up I could see her through the glass.  She was looking for me and I was waving wildly. Her face lit up and she came running out to give me a huge hug.  It was a very good day, we were told.  She did fantastic.  And almost as soon as that was said an ongoing feud about where she sits in the double buggy resulted in a screaming crying release for part of the way home. I wanted to do the same.  There is so much there. For her, this new world, and for me.

It is near 9:30pm. I promised myself I would be in bed by 9:00.  I must go.  Wish us luck for tomorrow.

6 weeks later...

We have moved in.  We have moved on? On from the drama that this move impregnated our family with.  We are settling into our rhythm again. It has been a primary focus to get the kids grounded in their worlds and myself surrounded by community.  Both have been a success.  Actually, my heart is full of community love.  I have a friend who has shared her heart to welcome us dearly.  I have started a yoga class.  I am co-facilitating anthroposophy related courses and am completly inspired by the people I have met. 

This week has felt very vulnerable to me.  It has been the accumulation of my dreams for our family with Nairna starting school. As we packed up her wooly clothes, hats, slippers etc in her little back pack and walked our first walk to kindergarten, I felt so much joy for her.  I also felt sadness that our time alone at home has come to an end.  Although with the same breath I am so looking forward to some space to connect alone with my son and maybe even get a nap here and there.

 

In other news I managed to get a doll done this week.  She was so much fun to make.  It was for a friend of mine whose daughter is getting used to having a little brother.  As I was making this doll I enjoyed thinking of her playing with her hair and dressing her in a dress of her favorite colours.  Besides with my own children, I rarely get to see a child play with a doll I have made.  It was great to see this beautiful little girl with this doll. She didn't let go of it. She loved it the second she opened it.  My heart opened in joy.  

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Esben is just on the brink of crawling.  He is so frustrated with not being able to move that he is near tears every time he tries.  But he keeps trying.  I am loving watching him grow.  He is such a content baby that these moments of frustration take me off guard.  It is also taking me off guard how I don't hear him cry like I did with Narina.  With Narina any whimper I was there.  Today Narina came into the kitchen and said that she thought Esben needed some milk (he signs it now) because he was crying.  Hmm.

 

Finally, and perhaps a true moment of exuberance, I found the fuse that allows us to have light in the sunroom.  Yay!