A walking we will go

What a lovely day for an autumn walk...

Waldorf Holiday Fair

Our school's holiday fair was this past weekend, and it was so enjoyable. This year I was The Pocket Lady, and I had such a wonderful time with it. It was a very special treat for me to watch the young ones' eyes light up when I opened my cape. For one ticket, the child got to choose a silk pocket from which to pull a gift. Little things like worry dolls, polished stones, sea shells, woven bracelets and such. It's really amazing to watch the children play with these tiny treasures, and to see what they imagine them to be in their play.

The Enchantment Shop, which is what the parents of my daughter's class worked on, was filled with beautiful handmade gifts for the children to pick out. The children, a few at a time, walked into a softly lit, magical room, without their parents to influence their choices, and picked out 3 handmade items. Everything from magic wands, to beads and bracelets, knights and queens to walnut babies, and prickly hedgehogs to cashmere bunnies, to name but a few. Such a lovely experience.

The kindergarten teachers performed a puppet show of "Journey Cake, Ho", which was fantastic. One of the kindergartens hosted a Fish Pond, where the children could pull up their prizes with a fishing hook (plastic covered, of course.) And we had the Crystal Cave where the children could go in, again by themselves, a few at a time, and pick out a crystal. Jump rope making, and candle dipping were a few other fun things to do at the fair.

When we got home, my children immediately pulled all of their treasures out and started to create their own show. Even the cotton balls, that cocooned tiny star fish, became rocks or mountains. Quite a day!

Pumpkin Patch

We had a lovely time visiting a pumpkin patch this year. My mother and I took the children to a farm about 45 minutes south of the city. They had such a good time playing in the fun house, experiencing their first hay ride through the farm, watching the animals, examining the growing Christmas trees for the next holiday coming up, and of course, picking out their own pumpkins.

Happy Halloween

One of my favorite things when I was growing up, was Halloween night. I loved the excitement in the air, I loved the mystery, and I LOVED to dress up in costume. I know get to see my own children experiencing the same, and it is wonderful. Normally I make costumes, but this year, I found an adorable witch - good witch as Ella would have it - costume at TJ Maxx and a race car driver suit as well for Noah. This worked out perfectly, as I really didn't have time to make anything with all of the other gifts I've been working on. We decided to go over to a friend's house this year and it turned out to be a blast. They live in a very old neighborhood in Atlanta, filled with beautiful Victorians - perfect for a haunted Halloween house.

Hope yours was perfect too!

I have been busy as a bee sewing goodies for Christmas - MANY pouches, an apron, an art tote, an owl and a doll. And I've been having such fun making our Waldorf Enchantment Shop gifts for the Holiday Fair this year, which is open to the community. Each year the kindergarten class parents make thousands of handmade gifts for the little ones to pick out in their Enchantment Shop expedition. The little ones' parents can purchase 3 tickets for a dollar each and wait in line to experience this fabulous wonderland. It's so magical to watch their little faces as they come through and pick out their treasures. Only a handful of children are let in at at time, and no parents allowed. The children are guided by a couple of kindergarten parent volunteers. Anyway, it's been great fun to make the gifts and participate as one of the guides for the children on the day of the fair.

My own little one is doing some magic of her own here. As I was working, I looked up and saw her watching the birds outside. So dreammyyy....

Rain

It has been raining here for days upon days now, and not just little showers - big rain storms. The yard is a mud puddle at this point. The thunder storms last night were so loud our little house was trembling. We still manage to get out for our daily wanderings though. My little puddle ducks love to splash about.

Wood

Photo by Colleen Duffley

Isn't this a dreamy room? I love the rocks in the fireplace and the rustic wooden mirror and the table, well it is just fabulous. I want to curl up on that daybed and read a book.

Beach

School is in full swing now, but just before it began, we managed one last quick trip to the beach.

Sky, sand and waves renewed my energy and nourished my soul, as always. It's so wonderful to watch the children dig for treasures, build sandcastles, and laugh as the warm waves wash over their tiny toes.

Fall is Near!

I can almost smell the change of season approaching. Almost. It is 94 degrees here in Hotlanta, today, but the big pine tree over our deck is starting it's annual litter of cones and prickles. (Not exactly the scientific term, but it does depict the foot pain felt when walking barefoot outside.) Fall is my favorite time of the year. I love the relief of the heat, the brightly colored leaves, the crispness of the air, and the celebrations that come with the seasonal change. AND NO MOSQUITOS, which is most important. We can play outside again without getting eaten alive!

One of our favorite things to do is take nature walks around the Emory Lake or on a trail near our home that is nature preserve/bird sanctuary. The children love to soak up the sights and sounds and always bring home pockets full of little gifts from Mother Nature.

Happy Birthday Little Man!

My baby just turned 3! Just yesterday he was my fidgety little infant (now he's my spirited little preschooler)! We had a low-key morning. Noah enjoyed his birthday ring, as well as the crown I made him a few months ago. The children helped me ice the birthday cake - chocolate of course. I made a little fondant dalmation to go beside the wooden fire truck I found to place on top of the cake. We found a red metal pedal car for his gift, in the shape of an old-fashion fire engine. He was so excited when he saw that! I also found an unfinished table and chair - mission style - at Michaels for a ridiculous clearance price of $15.00. I stained those for his room. He wasn't quite as excited as I was... And the little wooden boat, I found on Etsy, made by this lovely lady.

I can't believe he will be starting preschool in a few weeks. Since his birthday falls after the Waldorf cut-off date of June, he will be attending Oakhurst Cooperative Preschool. I love their very green, nature-based curriculum that incorporates a lot of Waldorf ideas and traditions. More on this later.

Happy birthday little man! I love you thiiissssssssssssss much!

Some days...

As a mother, some days are perfectly lovely, and others - well, you do what you can to get through it. I had one of those days yesterday. I dragged myself out of bed at 6:30, tired after a night of tucking and re-tucking little ones in their beds. For some reason they each woke up - at different times - twice during the night, and crept up to breathe in Mommy's face, blinking sleepily, blankies in hand. So off to work I went at 7:30, and after a busy day, came home to whining, grouchy, argumentative little ones (due to their own lack of sleep). This, I thought in my own sleepy haze, was the perfect time to work on creative discipline. (More on creative discipline in the must-have book, "Beyond the Rainbow Bridge" by Patterson and Bradley.)

In Waldorf pedagogy, one of the creative ways of dealing with a misbehaving child, is to "reform" their space. Adjust their hair and clothing, adjust their eating utencils, plate and cup, return some order to their play area by picking up some discarded toys around them or straightening a shelf. Without having to say a word - like "no" - you can change the air or the feeling in their play space, which may settle the child down.

Using the word "may" is another good technique in creating discipline. Instead of turning a request into a question, like "Would you like to clean up for me?" or "Are you ready for bed?", try "You may pick up your toys now" or "You may get ready for bed".

Limiting choices is another way to create a more sound structure for your child in the long run. Give them two choices, pick it out for them, or don't give them a choice (such as with chores or bed/bathtime, etc.). Too many choices can confuse children and create the self-centered, "I want" attitude.

All wonderful tools for creative discipline. Pick up "Beyond the Rainbow Bridge" for a very enjoyable and enlightening read that the whole family can benefit from. HOWEVER, there are those days when everyone is just TOO TIRED AND CRANKY, and nothing seems to work. Sometimes the only answer is a very early bedtime!

Song

Last night, while Mr. Daydreams was at work, the kiddies and I had a lovely time with our poetry book and song. I have an old book of poems that belonged to my grandmother, called "Favorite Poems Old and New". She was a fourth grade teacher for 25 years and I remember very clearly, listening to her read poems and magically weave her own tales. Since my almost 3 and 4 year old are now coming into the age of story-loving, I have been incorporating my own weaving of tales in the evenings, hoping to instill in them an appreciation of poetry and story-telling. The current favorite of my son is "Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll. My daughter enjoys "Winkin, Blinkin and Nod" by Eugene Field. We had a little sing-song then, with the all-time favorites, "Twinkle, Twinkle", and The Lantern Walk song (not sure what the correct title is, but the words are lovely).

I go outside with my lantern, my lantern goes with me
Above the stars are shining bright, down here on Earth shine we.
My light shines bright through darkest night, la bimmel, la bammel, la boom.
‘Neath heaven’s dome till we go home, la bimmel, la bammel, la boom.

I go outside with my lantern, my lantern goes with me
Above the stars are shining bright, down here on Earth shine we.
So shine your light through still dark night, la bimmel, la bammel, la boom
‘Neath heaven’s dome till we go home, la bimmel, la bammel, la boom.


After the children were down for the night, I enjoyed a glass of wine and finished one of Noah's birthday presents (a car carrier/holder), and started on a new one (an owl made from thrifted wool sweaters). I love nights like that - a perfect ending to a long day.

Summer birthday

Ahh, summer birthdays! While Mom kept the little ones, Mr. Daydreams got a room at the W for the night, and took me to dinner at a fabulous little spot called Two Urban Licks. Food was yummy and the blues band was very enjoyable. They even had a bocce ball court in the back. When we got back to the hotel, we sat on the roof-top WETBAR and took in the city views. We even got to enjoy a relaxing brunch the next day! Love birthdays!

Playing

Playing hard in the park...

No Go

Well, I just got the call today. I didn't get the job. :(
They said it was a very difficult decision - but they owed it to the other person - an insider who has already put in a lot of volunteer time and work. At least I gave her a run for her money.
Ah well, twasn't meant to be...

Modern Rustic

This lovely dining room is from Living Etc.

I just love modern rustic style.

Such beautiful clean lines, but substantial and with character...

My dining area is quite small, but with it's open

feel, I think it would fit perfectly...
Love it!

This can be purchased at VivaTerra.

I am dreaming of expanding our home, but am just waiting to hear about a job.

This job will let us know if we are staying or moving to another area. Can't

stand the wait any longer!!!

School's End

Haven't had a moment to write lately. Ella's school ended last week with a lovely picnic, on the very same day that I had my second interview for a job at Waldorf. I just completed my third interview today. Hopefully I will hear something by the end of the week. They've narrowed the Office Coordinator position down to two candidates. I would love to be involved in the development of Waldorf, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

On another note, we have two young Irish girls coming to stay with us for a couple of weeks to earn some money by nannying our children. The 16 year old twins are the daughters of my father-in-law's girlfriend, and this will be their first time in the States. Should be a real treat for all of us. Plus, Mr. Daydreams will be able to get some management training completed for the new pub, scheduled to open in December.

On the crafting front, I've actually been able to complete a few little items for the children. I can never seem to remember to take pictures of them, but will try to post some in the next couple of days. I've been trying my hand at needle felting lately. Quite enjoyable. I've also been thinking about painting and redecorating my son's bedroom. It hasn't been touched since he was an infant, and I'm so over the pale sage walls. He also has a hand-me-down dresser from my mother that is an awful 1980s honey oak color. It's still in good shape though, so I think I can do something with it. Pictures to be posted shortly...

Lazy Days

It's been awhile since the last post. Whenever we have guests, it seems to take awhile to get back to "normal". After all, it's a mini-vacation for us too! Out for dinners, sight-seeing, late night conversations over wine. And the children are put off rhythm as well. We have a 3 bedroom cottage, so Elle's room is offered to our guests, and she sleeps with us. Luckily, we all secretly enjoy it, despite the fact that she is a wriggle worm! So, the last week has been spent lazily hanging at home, finding our rhythm once again.

A visit's end

Today is Grandads last day in town. We will miss him terribly when he returns to Ireland!

This weekend we will be going to the May Fair at Waldorf. This will be our first May festival. We will be making garland for the May pole dance, listening to stories, singing songs and eating a picnic lunch. The older children will have obstacle courses to run. Can't wait!

Forest Floor

Forest Floor

Dampened needles

and cooling mists;
Sunlight filters
through turns and twists.

Tiny turtles
and shiny fish;
A mirror pool
to make a wish.

Rocks and trees
to climb so high;
Stretching arms
grasp the sky.

Crowns of thistle
and staffs of stick;
A secret world
leaves a boy transfixed.

K.M. 2009

Pick-up time at Waldorf can be an event in itself. Dad-in-law went with Mr. Daydreams to pick up our daughter, Ella, from school. Dad commented about how lovely it was that everyone stays to chat and play. It's a great opportunity to teach the children social skills, and leaves parents with the warmth of camaraderie to carry home.

Day trip

Mr. Daydreams, is from Dublin, Ireland, and his father is visiting us this week. We have had a really wonderful time with him, and he's such a big help with the kids. While I worked (boo hoo), they decided to take a trip around the city. It was the first time the children have been on public transportation and they loved it. They took the MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) downtown to see where Mr. Daydreams and the partner's new irish pub will be located. Then they rode to the top of the 73-story Westin, to the revolving Sun Dial restaurant to get a bird's eye view of the city. The Centenial Olympic Park's Fountain of Rings was great splashing fun for the kids, and a nice way to cool down on a warm day. Just wish I could've been there! I am looking forward to the day when I can go part-time and will throughly enjoy my extra time with the kids. Shouldn't be too much longer before the pub is up and running. This is going to be a very interesting year!

Greetings

I've decided to plant myself in the land of blogging. Let the digging begin...



I have felt so inspired lately! It may be the budding of spring. Or it might be because my 15-month-apart children are in such lovely stages right now. Or it might have something to do with the Waldorf school my daughter attends. Not only has it been a wonderful, caring place for my daughter (age 4) to grow, it has allowed me to get back to my roots. I feel free to be creative again! A friend and fellow Waldorf mom recently gave me a book entitled "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron. It's about discovering or rediscovering your artistic self, and has been a great reminder for me of what I have been missing in the past few years. Life sometimes get so hectic and busy that we stop taking time for ourselves. Between having babies, moving coast to coast, buying a house, and working a full-time job, I didn't have the time or inclination for much else. Now the dust seems to have settled a bit. We've found our rhythm and life is good!