Tender Tracks Wed. Day 16

Jan. 17, 2018
Waxing Moon
Lake Alpine

Violet was absent today.  The sky was MISTY almost the entire day but it was not a wet mist like it was the day before.  It was just thick and the atmosphere had a held silence about it.  Ruby had something to tend to in her car first thing in the morning so we elongated our departure time with our circle songs and a mini, mini story. We then left and she met us up there.

This day seemed ripe for just beginning our adventure straight away and bypassing circle so that is what we did or rather that is what happened.  Ellie Turtle needed to get warmer clothes on so we were in the bus tending to that, Ellie Acorn wanted to wait for us despite many invitations to romp down in the little creek in the large lake bed.  When Ellie and I were finished the two Ellie’s and I went down to meet the others.

They greeted us with SO much excitement as they found MANY, MANY newts swimming in the water.  There was mud, water, rocks, and adventure. Ashley, Eamon, and Holden were in extreme delight for sure!  Uma was happy to explore and Luna was in dreamy, sing-song delight.  Ellie Turtle, once down there, got very into the water and discovered that if you walk right into deep water you get wet! Oh dear 🙂

We began the day with the intention to find turtles so I drew them to the trail to where we used to see them when there was water.  On our way walking there we came upon the sticky, clinging, sharp Burdock seeds that LOVE to cling to your clothes!  Throughout the day we had times where we needed to remove them. The good news was that they were wet and, unknown to the children, hurt so much less than when they are dry!

Earlier they had some yummy muffins that I made. After that was when we went to find turtles. On our way, we heard frogs, saw birds in the air that we tried to identify by the shape of their tails yet, no turtles!  We got to the place where they usually are but there was no water. However, they found all manner of wonderful large logs to play on, turn into flying beings and another log that had “Dino bones!” ( they were actually old crab pinchers)

There was a large log, you can see it on the front page of the website, that they all sat on. I was able to rock it back and forth. Luna found another smaller one near by and invited everyone to come on to it.  The children took turns on both. We went to many wonderful places too on these “boats!!!”

Eamon and Holden were at each other more than we have ever seen today yet, they did what children this age do: love, hate, love, hate, love, hate, love, hate…… And in the end, love won out:)

In one of their moments, they were tussling over a rock.  I showed them the sharp edges of stones and how these were the first knives people ever had. I then showed them how to clean sticks with them. They all gathered around and looked for stones to try out.

Throughout the day there was stick finding, rock throwing in the water and exploring.
Ashley was in GREAT spirits today. She was singing songs, exploring and just plain content and happy.  Luna did not have the struggles she had last week and was having fun playing with other children. She still has that parallel play going on and/or just involved in her own games and really wanting everyone to play those 🙂 yet still playing with as well. Ellie Acorn was very happy and playful yet coughing a lot during the day and not moving much until later on when she was running faster than we have ever seen her do so.  Ellie Turtle, once over the dislike of putting on warm clothes, was just grand and full of life until about after lunch where she then got a bit stiller.

When it was time to go home they all had to figure out where Juniper Rose was. They were able to point pretty accurately in what direction the bus was and we found our way!  In the bus, there was a grand changing party as well as passing out the children’s size field guides which they enjoyed reading and sharing.

A beautiful, gray, wintery day.