On my honor . . .

This year, Skye was a Girl Scout Daisy and her mama was a co-leader.  It was a big commitment and a whole lot of fun for both of us.  After some trepidation from this non-conformist mama, I found Girl Scouts to be focused on empowerment, inclusion, helping the community, the environment, and diversity (all things I feel passionate about).  So it was a great fit for all of us. 

 

 

She earned all of the Daisy petals and several other patches.  At the end of this year, Skye walked the rainbow bridge to become a Brownie.  She'll be a terrific Brownie, a magical little helper.  

Mother's Day with the Serras

With this being the first year without my dear grandmother Mo, it was my mother's turn to be the center of attention on Mother's Day. We are so lucky to have her and celebrated her love with a breakfast in Nashville with the whole Serra family. Thanks for all your are and have done for us, Mom. You're the best!

Shean Family Hike

We all went on a gorgeous early spring walk on one of the many unseasonably hot days of April. 
What a feast for the eyes - both giggling family and smiling nature. 

 I especially had fun spotting wildflowers with my niece.

Nothing Like the Taste of a Spring Rain

A Boy, a Yard, and a Turtle

At the Farm

Quinn's Waldorf class visited a classmate's farm recently and what a magnificent day it was.  It truly was one of those days I'll remember when I'm old, and when I'm working full-time again.  Children picking up warm eggs from under chickens, feeding chickens, and going in and out the chicken door, sitting on horses, laughing at the curly tails of pigs, getting wet, playing sword fights, followed by eating lemon cake and strawberries on a quilt.  It was heaven, and I'm so thankful to be able to experience it.  It's days like this that I feel so badly for Gary slaving away in his office.  He's taking one for the team these young years and we're so thankful to him for it.  Daycare does not make days like this.  Thanks, Papa. 

Easter

Easter this year was simple and delightful. A morning gift from Mama and Dadda - beautiful lunchboxes with mama-knitted birds, followed by the egg hunt, and a trip to Gordy's for a family dinner. Simple and delightful indeed.

Spring Crafting

I have had a fun spring making little hair doodads for Miss S.  Inspired by my wonderful buddy Gretchen over at Peace Mama, I've had just enough time on our weekly trips to and from Frankfort to whip up one or more of these little headbands and barrettes for her and her cousins. 

Ballerina

A Christmas gift from Gordy let our little dancer get her ballet and tap on this winter.  It was amazing to watch how she's grown in her focus and skill since last year.  She had a ball. Thank you Gordy! 

Spring Equinox: Eostre

We celebrated spring equinox with some friends by making flower crowns, having a bonfire, hunting for eggs, hearing the Ostara story told, sharing a potluck, and romping through the woods.   Yes, spring is here!

May Song

(our favorite Waldorf spring song)

Spring is coming, Spring is coming, 

flowers are coming soon, 

pansies, lillies, daffadillies 

all are poking through.  

Spring is coming, Spring is coming, 

birdies build their nests,

weave together straw and feather

Each one doing it's best.

Spring is coming, Spring is coming, 

all around is fair

shimmer, glimmer on the meadow

Joy is everywhere

 - Old English Country Rhyme

St. Patrick's Day Potato Hunt

This year a little bird told Mama that on St. Patrick's Day the leprechaun's like to change rocks into potatoes in the forest.  They only stay potatoes for a few hours unless they are found by children.  Hmmm, how interesting.  On the holiday morning, a visiting Grammy and Grandpa noticed a deer outside our window out by the woods.  As the kids looked closer at the deer through the window, they noticed something bright green outside.  When they investigated, they found two hats that leprechauns must have left. 

Then they noticed a potato on the trail, and then another, and another.  By the end of their walk, we had enough or potato soup.  How glad we are to know that we should have been looking for these potatoes all these years.  Never again will they turn back into stones without us finding them.  

Fishin'

At the Salato Wildlife Center's fishing ponds, the attention span for this is quite short.

Swangin'

Quinn and his little buddy have two favorite ways to swing these days: the belly swing and the twisted belly swing.

Maple Syrup Festival

The Maple Syrup Festival at the Sugarbush in Indiana is always a welcome mark that spring will come.  The trees know it, even if we don't.    This year, Gordy came with us, which made it all the more fun, even if we were cold.

Last Snow of the Winter

I'm doing a little catch up here, but better late than never. This was the last and only REAL snow of the winter, back in March. I knew it would be melted by the time Skye got home from school, so she was very tardy that day. Snow is serious business and a girl just has to be late for school if she's going to get her sledding in.