Mid Morning Porridge

One of my most loved and challenging tasks throughout morning garden and playschool days is meal preparation.
For morning garden, the young children are served an organic snack; they bring their own beverage and cup.

During playschool, I serve 2 snacks and a hot lunch. All meals and snacks are included in 'tuition', so I work very hard to keep food costs within my budget. This doesn't mean I buy cheap, processed and empty calorie foods. 98% of the food I serve to the children is organic (always produce) and I never purchase anything containing food dyes. (which, by the way, *really* creep me out. I know I am not alone in this.)
Most of the food is also, consequently, meat free, since I am a near life long vegetarian. I do prepare organic meats for my family, but it doesn't fit into my playschool/garden meal budgets.
My "go-to" staple for snacks and meals is whole grains.

W grinding grain at The Waldorf School of Philadelphia

Grains are filling, nutritious, and very much within any budget.

Rudolf Steiner emphasized once, 'if everybody will eat one kind of grain per day, good health will be the result of it...'
In fact, and many of you may already know this, there is a "Whole Grain for each day of the week" that is followed in many Waldorf schools, and I am interested in beginning this rhythm in the coming season...

    Monday: Rice

    Tuesday: Barley

     Wednesday: Millet

     Thursday: Rye

      Friday: Oats

     Saturday: Corn

     Sunday: Wheat

To help me along, I might purchase these food plans from Little Acorn Learning...

Making grains ahead of time for the following days really helps me with cutting preparation time before the meal when the children are becoming hungry. I create dishes using grains by making them either sweet (by using maple syrup) or savory (a teaspoon of organic vegetable base). It's easy!

Lately, my favorite creation is Mango and Quinoa Porridge.

It is as good as is sounds, friends!

Quinoa is my favorite grain, as it is delicious and packs a serious protein punch for those growing bodies:)

But, wait! Why isn't it included in the weekly grain calendar?

Who knows?

But, it's surely included in mine:)

Recipe for Quinoa and Mango Porridge

1 c. of rinsed and prepared quinoa

4 tbsp of coconut milk (or other milk)

3 tsp of pure maple syrup

handful of diced mango and shredded coconut

a bit of vanilla

Simple. Mix all ingredients together and enjoy.

...more information about whole grains and the days of the week can be found in the Waldorf Kindergarten Snack Book

'Tis the gift to be simple..

Like so many of you, simplifying and minimizing is always on my mind, especially when it comes to our home and our children.

As of late, I've been downsizing even more and attempting to keep only one focal point on each of our toy shelves.

I was very excited to find this awesome arch of tree bark to create a woodland scene on one of our shelves.

If we can use something as commonplace as a piece of bark...or rocks...or seashells... to create a tiny world for children, I think we have taught them a valuable lesson.

We have inspired them to search for beauty and wonder out in the big, big world around them...

It is so attainable and it can be anything we see....

Playstands are a simple plaything; however expensive to purchase and to ship...

I mentioned a few times in the past how well chairs and pieces of cloth can work just as well!

We were lucky enough to receive a set of handmade playstands from my younger brother for W's birthday,

and they are now all the rage during playschool...

Do you know someone who is a talented woodworker?

All they need is the dimensions of the playstands to create a set for you...

I sent my brother the details from Little Colorado, and he created them in less than a week.

There are a few websites who sell detailed plans, but many a woodworker could figure it out on their own...

And they really are worth it.

You surely don't need expensive large silks to accompany a playstand, either.

A beautiful piece of gauze, cotton, or muslin works well, too.

Sure, a bed comforter will work, as well:)

If you're on the simplifying journey, I wish you many blessings and best of luck:)

And, if you haven't already, please, for goodness sake, check out the book

Simplicity Parenting

by the marvelous Kim John Payne.

To say it is a worthy read would be a real understatement!!

Dyeing cotton and silk for our playstands...

don't worry, no heat was used:)

Happy Birthday, W! (updated)

The morning birthday table...

I had orignally decided to purchase another birthday ring ornament from Nova Naturals (love it!), but shipping is just so expensive. (Don't you just love it when shipping costs way more than your purchased item?)

Instead, I made an ornament out of W's most cherished playthings....rocks! It is a true testament to what he seems to enjoy so much right now:)
Daddy and I cut and painted the #2 from scrap wood...
I needlefelted the tiny blue "baby" last year...complete with a little red nose:)

...The birthday story we will read tonight:)
Looking back on the past two years is so powerful. So much has changed; we have changed so much.
 I watch this little boy run about; learning more and more words and sentences every day...and still, I see him so new and tiny, his little nose wiggling like a bunny as we both learn to breastfeed.

It will be a lovely day, despite the rain in the forecast. I'll update this post with photos throughout the day as I get a chance to:)

..Here's the birthday table after W gets his little hands on it!!

he was excited!

Chalk drawing in our kitchen

I've got a lot of preparing to do, so W is staying busy with beans...

Add "clean up the kitchen" to the list:)

Well, our day drew to a close so quickly--I can't believe everything is all over!

What a beautiful day.

I was in bed by 9:)

..Music by my awesome cousin from California:)

No rain all day...and a gorgeous evening sky

..A growing amount of curls..

The cupcake tier Jay and I have been working on...

Toadstool cupcakes created by W's "Granny Smith"

I even got to sing a few of my favorite songs by CSNY and Jewel:)

There will be many more photos to share after we get edited copies back from our photographer.

W received many thoughtful gifts and we shared the day with so many of our dearest friends.

In the end, this will be our last big birthday celebration.

I've decided that as W grows, I'd like the gatherings to be more intimate and contemplative...

There were so many people who I didn't get a good chance to talk with yesterday, and I feel so badly about it.

The outporuing of gifts is so generous, but I don't want W to come to expect so many presents on his birthday.

Many of the gifts will go to "rest" in the attic for a later and more age appropriate time.

Some will be donated to a nurse-family partnership our church assists with.

The "shrapnel" left after a big birthday party can be stressful, and I'm mostly talking of the influx of gifts and "stuff".

Of course, this doesn't mean that I am unappreciative of the thought put into gifts!

Yet, I unapologetically remain steadfast in the amount and types of playthings we keep in the house.

How do you deal with birthdays?

A tough question!

Mamas Make It Happen!!

    This past weekend, I was lucky enough to be a presenter at a Mom's Mini "Retreat" called Mamas Make It Happen. This day of inspiration was so lovingly put together by two friends of mine, and the outcome was fantastic. Over 50 mamas gathered together to connect, find balance, and become inspired. Throughout the day, we held hour long workshops on topics such as knitting, publishing a book, becoming a 'Mamapreneur', healing herbs, decluttering the home, and yoga, just to name a few. The energy was very real and contagious.

Goodie Bags!

Happenin' Mama milling around..

   Throughout the day, I chatted with old and new friends, all the while realizing how lucky I am to be a part of such a fantastic natural parenting community. I participated in a meditation session where we embarked on a guided visualization process to help manifest our dreams into a reality. It was pretty awesome. Me? I visualized myself completing the week long Waldorf early childhood introductory course I am planning on taking this July. There are still details to consider....like how in the world I am going to drive back and forth from New York every day for a week, in rush hour traffic, and remain sane for my 8am-5pm class. (Staying overnight is not an option. I'm not taking W out of his home environment and leaving him with a family caretaker. It's just too disrespectful of his needs as a 21 month old. And quite honestly, I couldn't handle it, either.)

Presentation Materials

  I presented a workshop on Crafting Natural Toys to a small group of women....how fun to be able to talk for an hour about what I'm so passionate about to people who actually want to listen! We wet felted, created simple wool roving fairies, and had very inspiring conversation about parenting choices and crafting on a budget. Here are some brief notes from the presentation:

"Play is defined by noted psychologist Bruno Bettelheim as any activity characterized by freedom from all but personally imposed rules (which are changed at will), by freewheeling fantasy involvement, and by the absence of any goals outside of the activity itself.1 Such imaginative play, which is an expression of the child's inner nature, has long been recognized as being important for healthy development. In fact, it can result in a wellspring of creativity that continues into adulthood and is found in artists, inventors, musicians, and adults who still know how to play. Creative free play is an expression of the magical world of early childhood; it is not the same as the experience provided by "educational toys" designed to teach concepts like "triangle" or "heavier and lighter."
(source: Waldorf in the Home)

*Open ended toys are multi-purpose and versatile.
 Many open ended toys will grow with the child. Consider blocks as an example. Babies play with the blocks by banging them together and exploring them with their senses. Young toddlers delight in stacking the blocks in a tower and knocking them over. Older preschoolers use their imagination to create buildings or design patterns from the shapes. These toys offer a longevity of use and duality of play.

*The importance of a "home" (or permanent spot) for each and every toy.
-Personally, I feel this is very important. A child feels a sense of security when they know that playthings will always "live" in a certain spot. It also makes clean up a much easier task! Baskets and knitted bowls work well.

The dollies are always tucked in bed after playtime..

*An overabundance creates disregard. Carefully select your playthings, and store everything else. Rotate your toys seasonally.

*Crafting on a budget
-inexpensive peg dolls
-knitting animals/dolls
-create your own tree blocks
-dye your own playsilks, muslin, or cotton cloth (I've used birdseye cloth diapers in the past!)
-use natural materials (pinecones, twigs, acorns, willow tree branches, smooth river rocks...)

I hope this was useful for some of you! It really was a fantastic day...
Don't forget to enter my giveaway...entries close this Friday.
Happy May!!

Spring Breeze at Kimberton Waldorf School

Playschool Reflections

Yesterday was the first official day of my playschool child care group...

I began mapping out details for this in-home program last November, started searching for interested families in mid December, and now, mid March, I am happy and thankful to welcome a brother and sister into our home on Wednesdays and Fridays.

It was a beautiful day, full of creativity, songs, tenderness, and a few tears when mommy left for the day.

Some of my reflections:

Singing and a soft tone works

I had too good of a time (softly) bursting into seasonal songs throughout our day. Anytime I wanted the children to pay close attention to something I was doing, I'd sing a song. It caught on, and I saw them actively listening to the lyrics. A soft tone of voice is an invitation to listen closely.

Imaginative play rules the day

I was thrilled to sit back and watch these tiny imaginations unfold throughout the day. Listening to a child sing a made up song, put on a puppet show, or talk to themselves while engaging in independent play is like a small glimpse into their soul. Already I feel like I have learned so much about these children and their emotions, likes and dislikes, and comfort levels just by quietly observing.

I don't care for an abundance of toys (even open ended toys), but a puppet theatre, some handmade dolls, and playsilks of different sizes were the foundation of many, many vignettes yesterday.

This large blue silk was an ocean full of seashells and sand...

Rhythm.

Of course.

We hear this term all the time in Waldorf circles...it really is the driving force of life. It is how children feel safe and confident. Adding small and thoughtful details to your daily rhythm helps a child know what is coming next.

The children set our table with placemats (pictured above were a fantastic thrift store find...), napkins, bowls, and utensils....Not only is this a meaningful task, but it also helps us in transitioning to snack or lunch time.

Snuffing out our mealtime candle, clearing the table, and helping each other wash dishes in a large plastic bin is closure to snack or lunch time.

Our rhythm is brand new at this time....

soon it will be the guide to our day!

Storytelling

This was the highlight of my day. This is where I feel like I can really spread my wings and fly.

I am following the advice of a wonderful Waldorf Early Childhood teacher I am observing this Spring; I will unfold one story per week, build on it somewhat, and repeat it. Beautiful and imaginative stories lose their magic when they are told to very young children just once. It makes sense to revisit the tale again....do you recall a time when you read the same book over and over again? I still do sometimes; with good reason!

Silks set the stage, provide a great backdrop, and enable characters in a story to emerge and hide...

I won't feature many photos of our playschool days in this space, due to respecting the privacy of this lovely family. However, stay tuned for some of our crafts and story outlines:)

Thanks for reading, loves. I wish you all joy and peace always!

Puppet Theatre!

We are so happy to welcome to newest "addition" to our family...

A handmade puppet theatre!

We had a medium sized wooden coffee table that was not being used in our playroom...

I sat and stared at it one day; hoping to discover what it was "meant to be"...

a few days later I was begging Jay to help me cut wood for it!

Very simple....3 pieces of wood, 45 inches tall, 4 inches wide.

Securely screw 2 of the pieces into the sides of the table..

the remaining piece is screwed across the top, if you wish..

Purchase (or repurpose) a bedsheet or large pieces of fabric from a second hand store to drape..

I was lucky enough to find a nice peach colored fabric scrap...I have observed that this is a color so often found in Waldorf Kindergartens...and I find it so soothing and lovely.

I am excited to start looking for stories to bring to life...

I have a few in mind, but I am looking forward to your suggestions!

Dye a rainbow silk on a budget!

I sure love a beautiful, breezy rainbow silk...

photo: RV Waldorf school

they look stunning over a playstand canopy...

leaving the hands of excited children, they magically float through the air, tossing their colors around and around..

A rainbow is a celebration of every color!

It's hard to select a favorite color, don't you think?

I officially declare that my favorite color is....rainbow!

Dyeing silk is a favorite hobby of mine...I love the endless possibilities of a blank piece of fabric...I also kind of enjoy the stains on my hands for the next day or two!

Plant dyeing is something I am very interested in. I am hoping to learn more about attaining true jewel toned colors during my early childhood waldorf teacher training this summer.

For now, I dye my silks (and wool!!) with Kool Aid (and black tea). It is budget friendly, non toxic, and easy! I'll bet a lot of you have dyed with kool aid before and have found that it yields fantastic results!

I would also love to learn the art of silk painting using Jacquard dyes, and I am sure that I will one day soon! Budget wise, it's just not possible at this time. But that's more than ok!

Here's how I created a Rainbow Silk using Kool Aid and the stovetop method:

Prepare your first color: Red (or purple!). I used one packet of cherry kool aid and a little bit more than 6 inches of boiling water in my dyeing pot.

"Scrunch" up your silk and immerse a small section of the end of your silk into the pot. Secure the silk into place with the help of 2 clothespins.

*Be careful doing this step! The rest of your silk will hang down outside of the pot. I sometimes use another clothespin to secure the tail end to something stationary on my counter...we have an electric stove, so I don't have to worry about an open flame...this may be the only thing an electric stove is good for!! Do not leave unattended!!*

Keep the fabric immersed for about 3 minutes. Rinse well with warm, then gradually cool water.

Follow the same step for your next colors, "scrunching" into dyeable sections and using clothespins to secure safely. (length of the sections depend on the total length of your silk.)

Rinse well.

Congratulations! You just created a beautiful silk while working on a budget! Rainbow silks retail for more than $20.00...what was your project cost? Mine was $4.55 for the silk, and 20 cents a piece for each color...! The above photo was my very first attempt at dyeing a rainbow. I think, with practice, my results will get better and better:)

I created this rainbow silk using an 8" x 72" silk scarf, rather than a 30" x 30" piece. This would be a great beginner project, as the silk is smaller in width; thus making the sectioning a whole lot easier!

Most importantly, your child will see that you have created something beautiful and meaningful for them with your own hands. That's....priceless!