Goodbye, Garden Gate

Well, hello!
It's been a good few weeks since I have posted here. Sometimes I don't have the time or will to post as often as I'd like....but never the less, here we are.

 

 Today marked the end of our parent child group ("Garden Gate") at our local Waldorf School, River Valley, in Upper Black Eddy, Pennsylvania. We began last Spring and were welcomed back this past Fall. Much to my delight, I was asked to be the assistant during our weekday in class, as our teacher had just given birth to a beautiful baby boy and would be needing an extra pair of hands. This was such a fantastic opportunity for me and another way to be involved with our school. Each week I helped clean up, washed dishes, held the sweet baby, and offered other kinds of general assistance. Our tuition was covered in exchange, which was very helpful.

At 3- 3.5, W was the oldest child in the group of 6. I witnessed a lot of his behaviors (sometimes pushing, yelling, even hitting) and sometimes felt embarrassed. It was good practice for me to observe the reactions of the teacher (that is, focusing the attention on the child was was hurt, rather than admonishing the "offender".) Many times, W would then offer a hug to the child after seeing that this is what the adults did when someone was hurt or upset. This is kind of sticky for a lot of people. Nobody wants to see their own child be hit, and its also so difficult for the parent of the "hitter", as well as the children involved...

 

  "I won't let you hit" is my usual response...and I have also witnessed the teacher rubbing W's back firmly after he has hit, without speaking. I'm on a lengthy journey of figuring out how to best handle these situations. With children other than my own, I find it much easier and more natural of a response. With my own child....well, my own emotions get involved, and I know this is part of the problem. I do realize that most of this, if not all, leads back to me. I think its very rare for children to misbehave simply for the sake of "being bad." Children may be bored, anxious, unsettled, overtaxed, insecure, confused, and on and on.I'd love to assist again with the class, but the teacher and I both agreed that another day together at home would be so much more beneficial for W than yet another "social" day. (At this time, he's a part of the playgarden group W, R, and F, church on Sunday, Garden Gate on Tuesdays, and a parent child group I host at church each 3rd Monday of the month.) More time at home is always preferable.

A few recent photos from some corners of our home..

 

Ostheimer bridge and family

 

A very special cape created for W by his Garden Gate teacher..

We'll be back to River Valley, God willing, in Fall 2014 when W enters kindergarten at age 5. I'll be looking for PT work as an assistant or lead teacher at the school at this time. So, my master plan is to remain operating playgarden until Fall 2014. My teacher training will be over and we'll no longer be paying my tuition!

 

In other catching up "news", here are the beautiful dymondwood crowned hair sticks Jay got me for Christmas.

 

In the first 2 photos, I'm wearing them in a brioche bun, which is very simple to do. This link will take you to my most favorite youtube channel for simple long hair style tutorials:) The third bun is called The Elling Woman Bun, which is also relatively easy:)

My Lilla Rose hair clip party is this coming Saturday and I'm very excited. My mom and I are making some delicious food (create-your-own Miso soup, roasted veggie sandwiches, and more!) and I'm just as much looking forward to that! There is still time to enter the giveaway for a free Flexi clip:)

Thanks for reading and stay warm:)