Tender Tracks Thurs. Day 4

September 21, 2017
Waxing Crescent Moon
Lake Lagunitas

It is hard to believe that two weeks have already gone by!!!  The weather tells us it is most assuredly fall as the day had a consistent cool touch to it yet refreshing and invigorating.

Circle time is finding its rhythm with ease and joy.  They heard the same story as Tuesday as is the rhythm and pattern primarily of Tender Tracks.  This is to allow the story to truly seep into the being of the children and hopefully, it will take root and grow as nourishing food.

Shortly after circle Devin got stung on the side of his ear with a Yellow Jacket.  That changed plans a bit as he lovingly spent time in Ruby’s lap with an ice pack on his ear and a warm kind heart aiding him all the way.  The rest of us played at the water as well as found an old burnt log.  I showed the children how to pound it in order to make body paint and pencils.  I brought out some paper a bit before lunch. They then all came in to draw on the paper with these fine tools.

It was a delight to see Devin, like a flower, slowly unfurl, just in his own beautiful timing, and  join the others with his own curiosity and exploration with this black coal.
After that found some completion we all packed up and made our way towards the Sun and the Bon Tempe water.

I so enjoyed as we were walking Uma said, “There is nothing here.”  I then stopped, got low and we all began to see the wonders beneath our feet begin to awake, as if by magick, right where we were. We found bugs, and seeds, plants, and scat/poop.  Who discovered that  EVERYWHERE you go wonders abound.

At that moment everything seemed to shift, for all the children, and more joy and a light step came into them all.  They woke up, it seemed, to the wonders all around.

When we got to the water’s edge they immediately went to throwing rocks and looking all about.  We set up lunch and ate.  It had gotten a bit cold however so one by one they moved into the Sunshine nearby. Our lunchtime circle moved to the sun for warmth and ease. 🙂
Eating happened, packing up lunch took place and then the play began again.
About this time, however, Puma needed to poop.  It was easier just to walk to the porta potties instead of taking out the “poop kit” so I took him and Ruby spent lots of time showing the children how to throw rocks safely near each other. Puma and I had a grand time skipping to and from the porta potties and having a little time just the two of us.

When we got back we happily explored the area. Avaline went right into doing things that we have done from last year, gathering the plant matter/fish and creating a place to “cook” them.   The rest were Fishing.  They found some fishing line.  I just learned how to make a better fishing line from a stick and fishing line. I did that and then I tied a rock to the bottom of the string for an anchor. This is what they really wanted on Tuesday.  We found a good “fishing rock” and they all went over there for a bit. But, alas, it was time to go home. We made our way to the bus.
All were sad though as we did not have time to draw our picture!