Monday, May 12, 2014

A Day with Friends


In the fall, a small group of moms came together to create a little Waldorf playgroup for our kiddos. There was quite an age range, which I think played a role in Reece deciding after Christmas that it just wasn't for him. There were only three five year olds in the group, one of which had already stopped coming, and the rest of the kiddos were two and under. So I completely understood his loss in interest. I have to admit I was sad about it, after all here was a group of mamas, like minded mamas, creating a little magic for our kiddos, and Reece just wasn't into it.

The experience of the group, along with the experience I have gained this year on our homeschooling journey, got me thinking...why not create a little group for the older kids? And so I did. I sent out an invitation to the other two five year olds from our first group and included two other families I had a feeling would be interested and on Saturday we had our first Waldorf inspired day at our home.

We began our day with outdoor play and then moved onto a beautiful circle time and story. We prepared gluten free bagels for baking, and while Justin kept an eye on them in the oven, we ventured into the forest for a walk. Back at home we gathered for a gratitude circle and then enjoyed our bagels, with some added extras for lunch. There was a little more free play after lunch and then some handwork, before a closing circle and our good byes.

For me, it was a beautiful day. To be in the presence of some pretty amazing and inspiring mamas, and to be sharing this day with our children was pretty darn wonderful. Supporting our children through their little disagreements as they played, sharing a meal together, sitting in a circle together, each child intently working on their embroidery...all of it was lovely and made my heart sing.

My mind is already working on plans for another day, much the same, in June. Until then I will ride the high of the magic we shared on Saturday.

22 comments:

  1. It sounds like an absolutely beautiful day

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  2. That sounds like a lovely day. I'm glad you have such strong woman, and like-minded families to surround yourself with. Be well.

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    1. It really was :) I feel very blessed and so grateful for this little community.

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  3. How enjoyable it sounds, to be with likeminded people and share knowledge and experience is always something to cherish!
    I think it is such a good idea, I think it is important to listen to your own needs and not only those of your child!

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    1. Thank you, it was. Oh yes, us mamas need to hang with inspiring friends too :)

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  4. What a lovely sounding day. It is always so nice to get together with like-minded Mamas but throw in some playful learning and fun and you have a wonderful day for everyone. Looking forward to hearing about more of your homeschooling journey.

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    1. It really was lovely Summer, and enjoyed by all.

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  5. sounds wonderful! how lucky to have other mamas that share your values!

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  6. Sounds like a wonderful day, and good for you to have organised it. Sometimes it's so easy to think about these things but not make them happen.

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    1. Yes, so true. And trust me I thought about it a lot before I took the step and set out the invites. But I am so glad I did, it was a fun day and enjoyed by all.

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  7. I love how you changed the ending of a good thing to a beginning of another good thing. I bet your son loved being with his age and older kids and having fun!

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    1. Ha, I didn't even catch that, thanks! He did really enjoy it, and it was a joy to watch them all playing.

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  8. Just one more reason to add to my ever growing list of reasons that I wish we lived closer! Oh, to be able to spend a day like that together would be a dream come true! xo

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    1. Oh Shel, you and your girls would have loved the day, and it would have been lovely to have you here. Don't you worry, one day we will spend a day like this together, most likely a few, when one of us visits the other. It will happen, I promise. xo

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  9. How I wish I was closer! I know my daughter is a bit younger, but she loves older kids. She identifies with them so much more. Being in close proximity to people like you and your homeschooling friends would probably push me the rest of the way to doing it. But here, resources are limited. I think what you are doing is amazing!

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    1. Me too Yanic, how lovely would that be. It is a tough go without the support of community, and I will admit I am very lucky to have found some pretty amazing families to share this journey with. Not all that attended on Saturday are homeschoolers, but we all share a similar vision about how we want our kiddos to grow up.

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    2. Who knows, maybe one long week-end in the near future, I can take a trip down! Join you ladies for a day. :-) I've driven 7 hours for less important than this before!

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    3. That would be amazing Yanic. And you would be more than welcome to stay here for a few nights. The cottage is always open for visitors :)

      We are planning our next day for June 7 and then taking a break over the summer, with a restart in September.

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  10. Wow, it sounds like it was really great. I've been thinking about starting something like that here. I think the girls would really benefit from it. Unfortunately the waldorf school is pretty closed to "nonschoolers" . They seem to like their privacy. That's why I was thinking of starting my own...

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    1. That is too bad about the Waldorf schools in your area, the ones here are very open to having us visit and participate in festivals.

      I say go for it. Gather some like minded moms and do it, you will enjoy it and so will your girls.

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