Palo Alto Tender Tracks Wed. Oct. 9, 2013 Waxing Moon

Day 6
Eleanor Pardee park + The Bay Lands Duck Pond

What a very sweet and alive day.   Hailey was FILLED with a story about Curious George called No Nogen( don’t know  how to spell it but Nogen being your head) and how he lost his nogen and this is why you have to wear your hat on Halloween. I know I have missed the finer details but she told this story with the finest of storytelling skills!!!!  I was ENTRANCED and so were the other children because they were heard throughout the day telling this story as well.
Before we actually left we all went over to the Laying down tree to harvest the extreme abundance of acorns this year.  Oak trees are known for having abundant crops every two to five years.  This year is very abundant!!!  Before the day started Bosch and I found, right in front of the bus, acorns from the Black Walnut tree lining the street.  I was in 7th heaven over this!!!
We all gathered acorns, played, climbed, tried daring climbs on the tree and then it was time to go.  Anissa started the day telling her Mom she was scared and wanted her to stay.  She was peaceful yet “scared.”  I stayed with her and held her hand and then all of a sudden she smiled and said, “I’m not scared any more” and off she ran.  Wow, that was impressive!
When we got to the duck pond there was wonderful observing of the ducks, the stinky smell of the duck pond and wonderful running, running, running down the side of the pond.   Then, “where’s snack?” so, circle made, children slowly coming in and a celebration of Jasper’s fourth birthday with snacks that he brought and the children receiving this with great delight!!   Then sharing the story song from last week about Grandpa who planted a seed that grew so big.  The children really participated in this and were heard singing the refrains throughout the day.
Right where we were sitting there was a great Bush house. This has changed alot since last I was there and has become more open and easier to climb, and that is what they did.  Natalie was rescuing everyone throughout the day, well because she LOVES to do so.  Jasper some how became the Bad King and the kingdom/all the children, were different characters running from the King. I think this came about because of the HUGE stick he was wielding about.  He was quite happy with this it seemed until Natalie had  a bigger stick that came towards him and he got frightened. He went into the loving lap of Bosch with tears and Natalie wasn’t quite sure what the trouble it seemed. She was in full play mode and joining in the fun. But alas, only fun on one side. And so it goes, and so it went. Tears dried up, sticks played with in a way more compatable for all and onto other adventures one being,climbing the Mt.s of adventure, otherwise seen as stumps of different sizes.  And off they all went.  Playing, chasing, becoming different things.  Dahlia and Nareya were children having birthdays.  They made a lot of cakes and then I became their Mom and they sang to me Happy Birthday and then Nareya gave me a very big birthday hug!!
After a time I invited us all to go on a wild adventure into the Fennel Forest and off we went. Oh what wonders we found there, but before that we found Pickle weed to eat, then in the forest, eating Fennel and Dock, smelling Mugwort and gathering it for fire starter.  They had to walk through uncomfortable spots and follow little trails that were made from something that flattened the ground out.  Bosch found a great skull from one of the many, many ground squirrels there and finally Anissa got to take it home. She loved it!  We found a dead bird and checked it out for awhile as well.  Then there were incredible little rocks to look at and sort the colors, then there was a Eucalyptus grove and trees to climb and then…. “Is it time to go home?” some asked.  ” Oh no, because there is something special still waiting for you” I said.  And around the corner we went to find a beautiful laying down tree that would accomodate all of them.
Natalie became thirsty and found a water fountain. Bosch helped her get a drink and then others wanted this as well.  A spout was found that could be turned on and what should happen.?  Water over many children, quite unexpectedly, and then tears from such a surprise!  Drying up, going back to the warm bus, back to the park early to change wet clothes and then, PARRENTS  to pick up these wonderful treasures!!
Eric: alive, happy, explorative
Emme: Delightful yet not liking water all over herself so very much
Aurora: her happy, playful, running, curious self
Jasper: a happy birthday boy filled with large stick joy and excitement accept when water got all over him.
Dalhia: “I”m a ballerina!” with great joy all day
Nareya: very happy and playful
Hailey: all ready said but LOVED this Curious George story. Animated,alive and connecting
Natalie: The rescure with great aliveness and delight over all adventures