Enchanted Chameleon

~ with bells on ~

Our first day without TV was easy as pie.  First, C doesn't normally watch TV on a Monday so the only real problem was me and my withdrawal from my as of late nightly visit with Skully and Mulder on Netflix.  It kicked in around mid-afternoon that I would be missing them that night but with a parent meeting at the school to distract I didn't even have to try to keep myself occupied.  The teacher had us busy exploring the development of the 5 1/2 year olds and the orangutans that our children currently resemble, while we finger knitted bracelets with bells on for the children to wear at the May Fest this coming Friday.

I came home quickly, excited to delve into some pattern books to pick a first project for the week and then got sucked into all the DIY's on the internet.  It had me wondering if our TV free week should be more like a Screen Free week, with Mama as the one with the real habit to break.  So much for getting more sleep this week on the very first day.  XO.  S  

~ parent night ~

I was at Whole Foods working yesterday, hoping to get off early enough to be on time for C's kindergarten class Parent Night.  I mentioned it to a few of my customers at the store and one parent said to me that every night was parent night for her when her son was growing up.  He was always in trouble and getting calls from the teacher.  I reassured her that if my son was also in public school I would most likely be experiencing the same.  

Instead, he's at Waldorf.  And I honestly don't know how long we can sustain the budget to send him there, while he is I will soak up every ounce of goodness.  Sure a discussion on why TV is bad for our children makes the parents restless in the tiny kindergarten sized chairs but getting us standing up in a circle to learn the Lady Spring song so that we can sing it at home and then water colour painting with tea afterwards is a real treat and pleasant experience.  I get to hear how my sweet little son once told his teacher Helga that he wanted to sit next to her because he loved her and how touched she was by that.

Who'd of thought I would love Parent Night so much.  I didn't leave the school until 10!  And above is the newest water colour painting of mine in the collection I like to call Parent Night. This one is called Spring.  If you want to see last year's paintings just click here.  C proudly keeps them on his wall.  He also thinks it's a real treat that mama gets to play at school too. XO.  S

~ waldorf school spring craft fair ~

Although I'm sad not to be a part of the Spring Craft Fair festivities this year, I had hoped that I would at least have the Juice Caboose there but I was already booked for the Winter Market when the date of the Spring Fair came out, there are many wonderful reasons to go to the Vancouver Waldorf School this Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm to stock up on all your Easter gifts and Spring celebration needs from the parents and entrepreneurs of the local Waldorf community.  Two of my favourite crafty mama's will be there:  Ella from Little Red Caboose and Gwen from Barn Raising which among the many guarantees lots of delightful goodies to wear and to play with that are handmade with love for your little ones.

I hope that you can make it to both the Spring Craft Fair and the Winter Market.  What better fill of local and wonderful everything in one day!  And of course there will still be time for a green beer or two afterwards!  XO.  S 

~ waldorf birthday doll ~

Have I ever mentioned how much I love the Waldorf school?  I love it.  It is the answer to my struggles raising a child in such a modern and fast paced time.  It is my compass point that I always try to return too when things are 'too'.  Too fast.  Too stimulating.  Too loud.  Too much.  Too many.  I love C's current teacher who has such a wonderful way about her.  She protects and cares for the children and communicates so easily with the parents.  She is a great and knowledgeable example to turn to.  There is no guilt or lecture in not being the shining example of Waldorf parents ourselves.  There is just the humble leader showing us all the way.

And in the midst of all the hands on work that she does in the class with the children, and on top of that caring for her own family at home, she is lovingly sewing the most cherished, cuddly Waldorf dolls for each child to celebrate their birth day.  It is hard to imagine such devotion from teachers elsewhere.  If only all schools gave teachers such a chance to shine.  

Here is Eve Logan.  Eve, because that is what the mumble sounded like when C named him and Logan because, that's what all his toys get called, at least at first.  I love how C cuddles him into the crook of his neck and shows him such love.  I love how C's intensity can be diffused from a little Eve Logan kiss on the cheek.  How everything that was screaming outwards is now quietly whispered inwards.  Just when I think that the only things that he is interested in are plastic, gawdy, crappy toys and that our ultimate goal of simplicity is completely evading this household, there are these precious moments of complete purity with a simple, beautiful handmade toy that assure me, my child is soaking up plenty of goodness here and there. And you can never have too much of that.  Thank you Helga.  Thank you Waldorf.  XO.  S    

~ advent ~

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  I had Saturday and Sunday off.  A rare treat.  My body actually recovered from all the buggy pushing at work.  

We attended the advent circle ceremony at the Waldorf School yesterday morning.  The teachers organize a few ceremonies in a row to accommodate smaller groups of the preschools and kindergartens. We just made it in time, C was squirmier than ever and I got a big finger wag for taking a photo.  I'd make a terrible Waldorf teacher.  

Oh well.  I prefer watching the magic that these teachers make for the children, hence wanting a picture to capture it. I do hope to learn more about the different days and celebrations that are honoured at the school like Martinmas and Michaelmas.  I'm pretty familiar with advent coming from a church going home but I am quite interested in the depth that Waldorf celebrates.  Stones and crystals. Poems.  Not just candles.  

Last year C didn't participate.  It was a little unfamiliar to him.  This year, in spite of the wiggles, he took an apple that had a candle in it and walked through the circle to light it and place it on a star.  It was very cool to watch.  He always seems to grown up in moments like that.  I promise the teachers I will not try to photograph again next year.  I've got my one shot.  Sorry ladies, but it's a moment I just had to keep. XO.  S 

~ waldorf christmas fair love ~

The Vancouver Waldorf School Christmas Fair has got to be on of my absolute favourite things to do.  I love how we are growing into the community there.  Every year I know more people.  Every year I do a little more.  Every year we are more connected.  I love the feeling that comes with it all.  

C and I exhausted ourselves silly.  We came home with rosy cheeks, happy to collapse onto the couch and veg out for the rest of the afternoon.  So glad for the perfect weather.  So glad to have the day off.  

Here's the highlights...

Silk scarf painting

A gluten free cookie from the Cookie House

Gluten and dairy free cupcakes made by yours truly for the bake sale (they sold out quickly!)

Puppet performance in the preschool.  The teachers always create an incredibly magic show.  It's amazing the silence, just watching the silk scarves flow.  You can literally hear everyone's captivation. PURE MAGIC.

Glitter

Caramel Apples

Wood Shop and Sword Carving

Play

And now, rest.  Still recovering and by the sounds of things in the early childhood centre this morning, so are many others.  XO.  S