Tender Tracks Wed. Day 29

April 25, 2018
Waxing Gibbous Moon
Roy’s Redwoods

Ellie Erikson Absent today.

Ellie Acorn/Muenzens Grandmother came back to visit and I heard that she said she wanted to come back again next year when she visits here again!!  We enjoyed her as well!!!

We thought the day was going to be much cooler than it was yet, that was not the case.  And, we all enjoyed the warmth of the day and the freedom to take off some layers a couple hours into our day.

The day had such a graceful ease to it.  Ellie was delighted with being with and next to Grandma in the bus. She cuddled up to her most of the day and during one brief moment when she wasn’t with Grandma, I got to snuggle up with her in my lap.  She was so very happy all day with big smiles!!

Luna was back from her holiday and some wonderful Hawaii tales to share.  On the way to Roy’s Redwoods, they all played a version of 20 questions brought on by Luna.
When we got there they were happy to get out of the bus and go right to a loved spot. Luna wound up having a bit of wetness in and on her clothes so she and I went back to the bus.  I heard that the rest of them played on the bouncy tree and other wonderful games with Ruby and Grandma.

We all then came back and went to circle where I read them a great story about Mother Earth and all the beings who come out from under the Earth during spring in the beautiful and brightly colored clothes. Uma knew the story and shared much about it.  They were happy to sing our new songs and Ashley requested we sing the “Worm song.”  The children wiggle in this song and it seems that she really likes that!  After circle the children played a bit more and then, it was time to go on a grand adventure to the sun and to find some of the Spring children, like the BUTTERFLIES!!

So down the sunny path we went and what did Holden find? Big ditches in the middle of the trail. He popped right in, then Luna, Uma, Ashley, Eamon, and Violet. They reminded me of the rabbits from some of our March songs so, I began to sing them and they became the rabbits acting out the songs all the way down the path.  Uma found the first butterfly and by the end of the day most of them had spied some.

Uma had crossed a bridge earlier and had fallen and gotten wet. This is something she does not like and was quite upset. Yet we facilitated some “postponement gratification” with the intention of supporting her growth in resilence and, it happened!  She was able to receive love, support and finally open up to what was happening around her and have fun along the way.  And, as promised, when we got to, “where we put our backpacks down”  she changed her clothes with delight!   Luna and Ashley were inspired with her no shoes and followed suit. Ashley came in today SOOO proud and happy about her toenails that her Daddy painted in their “Salon Party” last night. When she got on the bus she whipped off her shoes and socks to show us all.

Eamon and Holden went to play in the Big Redwood Tree and made an Octogon station. Eamon was very thankful for this at the end of the day in his Thank You’s.  The girls played on the bouncy tree and Ruby and Uma were playing in another area.  Then we all gathered in another place where they were building in their old shelter. Then back again and on to lunch.  What a fine lunch circle we had, then, back to some play. But, Violet and Ashley had to go poop. It was close enough to time to go so they went ahead of us to use the Porta Pottie near the bus.  I heard that they came upon a butterfly and, with great care and slowness of movement, Ruby got it on her hand. The girls were in delight and awe!!!

The rest of us were playing Tickle Monster.  “But, where did Holden and Eamon go????????”  We could not find them. I heard small sounds and thought they were nearby but, where were they????? And then, Uma said, “I found them!”  They had THE BEST EVER hiding place. They were tucked inside a special spot in the Big Redwood Tree and they stayed there ever so quietly for a long time.  A Nature Schools dream come true!  We all laughed and laughed when we found them and celebrated this incredible find they made.  Then Luna went in and didn’t want to come out. 🙂
But alas, time to go home so we made our way back, sang our goodbye songs, and gave our thank you’s.

This was simply a very peaceful, pleasant, happy, easy day.