Scenes From Nature School

The first week of nature school is done, and all in all, it was a great week! There has been a slight shift in the days here on the homestead brought on by an increase in the children I have joining me, and the range in ages. It became clear to me late last spring that it would be difficult to have a formal main lesson not only because of the variety of ages, but mostly because all of the children are only here one or two days per week and homeschooling in such varied ways at home. So, I shifted and decided to move to a nature school format, and it's amazing. As we always have, we start our day in the woods, but now we spend a bit more time there. We wander, climb trees, build forts and stop to get a closer look at anything that captures our attention. Then back to the homestead for a snack and journaling before lunch. After lunch free play, read aloud and craft time, with a little more free play before heading home. It feels good, flows well, and so far the children are loving it.

I have loose themes for each week....last week and this coming week are all about mapping. Mapping the homestead and the forest we walk, using old maps for our crafts, learning the directions and more. We will then move on to four weeks of gardening where it will be a little more hands on....meaning the kiddos will be in the garden with me harvesting, cleaning, prepping, planting garlic and bulbs, and learning the ins and outs of seed to plate. And the weeks move on in that way, with a theme and activities and crafts based on that theme.

Of course I'm sure you are wondering when my little man does his lessons. We are bookending our days with more formal lessons. So before the children arrive we do some math, and language arts, and after they are gone we do a little more. We are both enjoying that rhythm so far, and will see how it goes. I think what we both love about it is that this is the first time since we started homeschooling that it is just him and I for lessons. He loves the attention, who wouldn't, and I love really focusing on him during this time. Right now we are doing lots of review and read aloud, and will continue for another week before moving into some new things.

So, here I am, first week done, about to move into the second week. It feels right, for this time and place. I have lots of ideas and dreams about the path forward with nature school, but for now I am taking it one day at a time, focusing on the present and keeping those ideas and dreams alive in the back of mind.

Has school or homeschooling shifted for you this year? How is it going?

Postcards From the Beach

Sunrises, walks on the beach, afternoons by the pool, tourist fun, sunshine, blue skies, knitting, reading and more....we have definitely found our bliss by the ocean this week. This has been a slow holiday, nothing extraordinary, just simple, ordinary days. Each morning we wake with no plans and let the day before us unfold as it would like. It's been a lovely rhythm, and one that I have welcomed with an open heart.

There were no big plans for this holiday, and I didn't intend to actually take a week away from work. I packed my computer, and my notes for website updates, homeschooling plans and more, but the Universe had other plans for me. My laptop, a brand new one, died on Monday. Literally died. I took it in to have it looked at and the estimated work time was two to three weeks. I'll be home by then, so I collected it from the shop, and it sits in my bag, with my work. That, right there, was my sign, a big one if you ask me, to sit back and relax this week. To let whatever I thought I would get done go, and to just soak up the chance to relax. And that is exactly what I have done.

Refreshed describes how I am feeling right now, and full...both heart and soul are full. We still have a few more days at the beach, and I fully intend to sink into them and soak up the ocean breeze, the sunshine and the fresh air before packing up for our drive home.

Wishing you a beautiful weekend, my friends.

Postcards From the Beach

Blue skies and sunshine were waiting for us when we arrived, and we are soaking it up in the best ways possible with walks on the beach, shell hunting, and hanging out poolside. It's been a good first day at the beach and we are looking forward to much more of the same as the week continues.

Have a beautiful week, my friends. I hope wherever you are the sun shines her magical rays of light on you.

Celebrating Candlemas

Happy Candlemas, my friends. Today marks the halfway point between winter solstice and spring equinox....we are almost there! It's an exciting day in our home, and was a little more exciting than normal as we had some extra kiddos here to celebrate with us.

This is a day in which we celebrate the first stirrings of Mother Earth as she awakens from under the deep cover of snow. It is a day to notice the birds returning and singing happily in the morning, and a time to start thinking about planting seeds in preparation for the coming growing season. It is recognizing the lengthening of the days and feeling the anticipation in the air of what is to come. It is coming out of hibernation with the knowledge that soon spring will be here and the rain will come and wash the earth clean.

Today, in celebration of Candlemas, and the returning light, we took a morning walk in the woods, we rolled beeswax candles, and we planted calendula seeds. Dinner was enjoyed by candlelight, as it is every night throughout the winter, but tonight was different, because we know the need for this light is fading.

Spring is coming, friends, with its fresh face, to shower us in light and warmth, and I am looking forward to it with great anticipation.

On Winter Solstice

The day began as any other, me and my mat in front of the fire, finding peace and calm with yoga and meditation. It was a quiet and comforting way to bring in winter solstice, and welcome the returning light.

Once centered for my day, an excited little man was up and celebrating in his own way, the shortest day and longest night of the year, by gearing up and heading outside. It was a beautiful morning, and we enjoyed some time outside in the yard together before coming in for breakfast.

The rest of the day was slow and easy. Time in the woods.....hiking, building ice fairy homes, following tracks and soaking up Mother Nature. Back at home we dug out the fire pit, lit a fire and let the light of the fire guide us into the darkest night of the year.

I took a few quiet moments to reflect on the last year as I sat by the fire, and then I slowly opened my journals from the last two years and added them page by page to the fire. It was therapeutic to watch as each page burned in the flames, pages of my story, my fears, my hurts, my loves, my life. I used a lot of those pages to work through the most difficult time of my life and that time is over now, and so the pages have served their purpose, and were no longer needed. Following the burning of those pages, I placed in the fire my intention bundle for the coming year. Written in the bundle are my hopes and dreams for the coming year, the things I want to accomplish, and the intentions I want to carry with me into 2017. It's a tradition I started quite a few years ago, and one I hold dear to my heart.

As the fire died on our solstice evening, what remained was our own light. It is that light that we will carry forward with us into the new year, a year that I have a feeling is going to be ridiculously amazing!

Happy Winter Solstice, my friends. May the returning light shine bright on you and your family. 

The Advent Season

The first light of Advent is the light of stones
The light that shines in crystals in seashells and in bones
 

The second light of Advent is the light of plants
Green plants that reach up to the light and in the breezes dance
 

The third light of Advent is the light of beasts
That shines in all creatures in greatest and in least
 

The fourth light of Advent is the human light
The light of hope and of thought, to know and do what’s right

~ Rudolf Steiner ~

The Advent season began yesterday, and with it the journey of light and preparation. Our Advent spiral was placed on our dining room table yesterday, and last night at dinner the first candle was lit and Joseph and Mary began their journey.

This has become a family tradition, something that marks the season for us, and is a huge part of our yearly rhythm. As many of you know, rhythm and ritual are big parts of my life with my little man. These rituals guide us, bringing us closer to the earth, her seasons, and the festivals and celebrations that flow through the year. What made this year really special was the small reminders I received last week from my little man that this weekend was the beginning of Advent, and that I shouldn't forget to get the spiral out, and the Advent gnome. These rituals are part of who he is, he remembers them, they are in him, and my heart is warmed knowing that these rituals mean so much to him.

Of course with the beginning of Advent the Advent gnome made his appearance. Each week of Advent has a different focus, this first week is on stones, and so our Advent activities, delivered each morning by the Advent gnome, will focus on that. Yesterday we hiked and collected rocks, and today we will wet felt those rocks. Tomorrow we will make window stars, and Wednesday snowflakes. As we move through Advent opportunities for kindness activities come up. During animal week we will make bird feeders to feed our feathered friends, and leave salt licks in the woods for the deer. Human week provides us opportunities to buy food for the food bank, pack Christmas hampers, bake cookies for friends, and offer a gift through World Vision. Advent is a time of sharing our light, and letting it shine on others, and that is what we intend to do.

Yesterday also saw us create our rock spiral. This spiral, made with rocks during this first week of Advent, is just a little something extra to bring to life this season for my little man. Each day the Advent gnome also leaves a wooden star, and my little man replaces a stone with the star, letting the starlight lead us to Christmas day. It's an activity that allows him to witness the journey in a tangible way, and he loves it!

I honestly love this time of year, and this year with all the light I have been so blessed to receive, it feels extra special.

How are you celebrating Advent this year?

Letting Our Light Shine

"The sunlight slow is dwindling

My little lamp needs kindling

It shines so bright in darkness night

Dear lantern guard me with your light."
 

Yesterday we celebrated Martinmas with a lantern walk in the woods with our friends. We took time during our homeschool days this week to make our lanterns, I shared the story of St. Martin, and we talked about our own inner light, and how we can shine it out into the world. To say I would love this festival would be an understatement, it is one of my favourite festivals and I look forward to it every year.

If you are not familiar with Martinmas, it is the story of St. Martin. St. Martin was a soldier in Rome in the 4th century. Legend says that one wintry night he met a poor beggar, half-naked and freezing. Martin removed the heavy military cloak from his shoulders and, drawing his sword, cut it in two, and gave half to the beggar. That night, Christ appeared to Martin in a dream, wrapped in the same piece of cloak Martin had given the beggar, and said: “Martin has covered me with this garment.” Martin became the patron saint of beggars, drunks and outcasts, dedicating his life to assisting the unfortunate and downcast. Martinmas celebrates his kindness, compassion and selflessness. Lanterns are a traditional part of the celebration as a reminder of the light that shines in each and every one of us, and that we must share and spread this light.

I love sharing this festival with children, reminding them they have an inner light, and that by shining and sharing their inner light, and being kind to others they can change the world, one kind act at a time. In honour of St. Martin my little man and I went shopping for hats and mitts to share with children in need. A small gift that we hope helps to keep them warm this winter.

Martinmas falls on November 11, also Remembrance Day here in Canada. Over the years it has become our family tradition to be present at our local cenotaph for the Remembrance Day ceremony honouring those who have fought, and those who continue to fight, for this life we are so blessed to lead. It was a chilly day, but the sun was shining, and standing there with my little man, celebrating the bravery of so many Canadians, warmed my heart. 

This week, for many, has been tough. There is a lot of uncertainty, and fear, but I know one thing for sure...we can never go wrong by sharing our inner light with others, offering love and kindness to all people, and remaining hopeful that goodness and love will prevail. Hang in there, my friends, and let your inner light shine, it will, without a doubt, light up the darkness and lead us forward to a better place. 

A Day in the City

A certain little man turns eight this week, yes, eight!!! Can you believe that? I am still trying to wrap my head around it. Time really keeps on moving, and it seems to move a little faster with each passing day. There really is no way around it, and I have learned that the best thing to do is just jump in and soak up each and every day as best as you can. It's what I have done, and exactly what I intend to keep doing.

Celebrating birthday's around here has always been pretty low key, and this year things are the same. Last week my little man and I worked together to redecorate his bedroom, making it a little more grown up. We had a lot of fun putting together new furniture and organizing his space. He loves it, which makes me one happy mama. This was the first of his gifts from me.

The second happened yesterday, a trip into the city of Toronto for a ride to the top of the CN Tower, and a visit to the Aquarium. A few weeks ago I asked Reece to choose a friend to join us for a special day I had planned. He of course wanted to know more about this special day, but I managed to sidetrack his questions and keep it a surprise. He picked a friend, I chatted with his friend's mom, and before I knew it both mama and child were joining us for the day.

We met at the train station, and headed into the city for the day. And what a day it was! So much fun for my little man and his friend. I so enjoyed watching the two of them interact and enjoy the tourist attractions the city of Toronto has to offer. It was nice to have another mom with me too, to chat with, hang with, and just enjoy the day with.

I love giving experience gifts. We have everything we need, and Reece really doesn't need anything, so giving him an experience, a memory he can hold in his heart for the years to come, feels like a good choice. I will remember the excitement in the elevator as we rode to the top of the CN Tower. I will remember him reaching out for my hand as we stood on the glass floor looking down. I will remember the joy in his eyes when he touched a stingray. I will remember a day with friends, celebrating the most amazing little man I know.

As we snuggled in bed last night, I asked Reece what he will remember about our day. He thought for a minute, and answered...everything.