Marin Tender Tracks Thurs. Oct.8, 2015 Day 8

Waning Moon
Soreich Ranch Park

Today felt like everyone was finally settling in well to the world of Tender Tracks, each other and the rhythm of the days.  Rhett has found some peace with coming onto the bus, Aaron is full of vim, vigor and four and a half year old humor and delightful mischievous energy. Ariel is working with and through her desire to be heard and have others do what she wants, Talay is bounding with her physical prowess and deep connection and love for the natural word, Io is filled with fun, observation and a light and joyous heart.  Velia was not with us today and truly missed, Layton, on this day,  was beside herself with smells that she didn’t like and then finally finding acceptance ease and peace with that, Alara today was delighted to finish sewing her felt bag and began gathering tinder for the coming rainy days.  And our newest friend Xander,to me, has balanced Tender Tracks out. Since day one I kept feeling someone was missing in our circle and now that he, Xander in particular, I no longer have that feeling.  And, though he seemed quite tired today his curiosity for life, his well developed physicality along with his communication skills, open heart and welcoming nature to everyone and his INCREDIBLE sewing skills has truly brought Tender Tracks into wholeness.
When we got to Soreich they all ran out, found the bushes to pee in, then went straight to the big rock.  The games that they played together throughout the day were beautiful. Clearly you all connect them to the natural world beautifully as they quickly and easily became Eagles, mice, birds and other manner of grand natural beings along with being Kings and Queens.  Aaron was Rhetts little mouse in their castle and he was delighted to be this!! Io was a grand Bald eagle and loved having her white coat be like the Bald Eagle. When we saw a beautiful Hummingbird fly most magnificently above our heads many became that for a time.
We had circle with great unity and Michelle repeated the Acorn story.  We then gathered our belongings and made our way up, up, up the big hill that was showering us with the hot rays of Grandpa Suns warmth on up to the swings and the grand rock.
Prior to our walk up Rhett and Ariel had touched some poop so they washed it off but the smell was still lingering no matter our efforts. I put some nice essential oils on their hands. Layton however, when coming near it did not like it. Walking up Alara tried to help and she sprayed her Cedar oil under her armpits. Why she did this I do not know but, she did. Well, Layton REALLY did not like that smell. No matter where she turned she kept smelling it and was beside herself!!!  We did our best to clean it off but it stuck soundly to her. She kept asking, “when is it going to come off? When is it going to come off?”  She reminded me so much of my cat when he gets around smells he doesnt’ like or smells that get on him. So that was brought up among other playful ways to help her with this discomfort. And, she finally found some peace around it and was delighted with herself for doing so. As she should!!
Aaron was so happy to be gathering all the garbage up there and putting it in the Earth bag. However, he found some blue broken glass and thought it was fun to pound it into small pieces. Through gentle support he discovered that that makes a  rather great hazard for self and others. I cleaned it up as best as possible and we went to find other more viable and safe things to pound with hearts delight.
Rhett and Io were the only ones who did not finish their felt tinder pouches. Rhett was about to start but there was just too much fun to be had with climbing on the rocks and playing on the swings.
Ariel, Layton and Alara were having some really nice and cooperative play in these swings.  Io was immersed in playing with Rhett and all around the entire area.  Xander, as already mentioned, was involved happily with sewing his pouch great  skill. He is the youngest yet his skills are more advanced then them all!   Talay was just filled with her physical joy over climbing, swinging, gathering plants to eat such as Fennel seeds earlier in the day and Figs with Aaron and I before snack.
The children were clearly getting thirsty so we went down the hill to get more water. There they filled up their bottles. They seemed like they really needed a rest so I opened up our lunch table cloth to be our laying down place. There we all laid down and looked up at the tree tops. Much to our surprise we discovered several Squirrels nests, birds and other wonders.  But then, toppling on Michelle was the best and that was how the day found it’s end, after our good bye circle.
A very beautiful and united day.