Tender Tracks Wed. Day 31

May 16, 2018
Waxing Crescent Moon
Sorich Open Space

Cole was absent.

The Sun and Cloud People were playing hide and go seek all day today as we got hot, cold, hot, cold throughout the day.  We had taken many layers off and slathered on sunscreen for circle time with hats donned, and the shirts and coats back on at lunchtime.

When we got to Sorich they happily jumped out and went to play.  The first thing I saw was Uma and Ashley sitting on top of the Big Rock completely content!!  Ellie Acorn wanted to get right up there too.  Holden and Eamon were playing immediately in their favorite “house” and then Uma became a Monster that roared her roar at them. Luna climbed up top as well as Violet and then most of the girls came down to set up circle and wait until we began.  Throughout the day, however, Violet, Ashley, Holden, and Eamon had their many games together.

At circle it was leisurely as there was much shedding of clothes and putting on of sunscreen.  Then we casually passed out snack and THEN the story. It was the same story as last week as repetition is what is the best.   And, they were still so very involved in this tale.  Our intention for the day was to continue to build upon it which is why, we came to Sorich so that we could find the Chicken, a character in the story.

After Story, they played a bit more, in, above, and around the Big Rock.  Luna and Ellie Acorn were “garbage people.”  This was inspired by Luna.  Earlier Luna said, “No one will play with me.”  Standing RIGHT in front of her was Ellie Acorn. I said look who is right in front of you !:))))  And they both laughed. Luna asked if she would like to play the garbage person game and Ellie was gung ho!  I gave them a bag and they gathered. Later I saw them and their bag, it was filled with ROCKS!!!  This was their “garbage.”  They were very happy.  Uma wanted their bag and tried to take it away so there was a bit of help with waiting for her turn or asking if she could play with them.  She wanted to go back to being “the Monster” then, and she did with enthusiasm.   Ashley really, really, really liked putting me in Jail and wouldn’t give me anything to eat. Violet liked the jail thing but she gave me ice cream and pumpkin pie.  Uma made poison for me to Live as well as die with, (it all depended) and Ellie had magick for me to die. Each time I died, however, when they brought me back to the living I turned into a new person!!  After a while, as you can imagine, I was tired of coming back so many times so I went off and they went back to the rock. :)!:)  Please note, the death theme at this age is very common.  My style is to play with where they are at in a neutral way. This gives them time and space to explore this theme and notion of death that they are embracing at this time in their lives.

We finally got our packs on to go on an adventure to find what the fox needed to find in the story.  Where is grass to give to the cow? Where is the water to give to the grass?  Where is a pitcher for the water? Where are the blue beads? Where is a chicken? and Where is a farmer?????

We began our search.  We found some grass, we found a mound of blue glass beads and they each got two, we found the creek but no water in it but then, we found a water bottle, and that would do.
But, where is a chicken??? “At the farm!” some proclaimed. So down the road we went to the farm where, a chicken for sure, but an egg and some chicken seed and a Farmer???

We DID find the chickens, we did NOT find an egg, we DID find some chicken food and we DID find a farmer.  The baby chickens have grown since we last saw them so they were fun to see a little older yet not fully grown. The farmer was very friendly and said we could cut as many of the flowers there to take and he even left us something to wrap bundles in.

We ate lunch, played in the garden, cut down the flowers, wrapped the flowers and made our way back to the bus. And oh yes, we gave the water to the grass and thanked the farm for all that we received.

On the bus I sang a silly song all about them and their day which led us to our goodbye song and our gratitudes.

A lovely, lovely, lovely day.

It is clear that they are older as they are playing so much more with each other. Ellie Acorn is now fully engaged with the other children.  At one point at the garden, Ashley, Violet and Ellie Turtle gave Ellie Acorn the biggest of hugs and she just hugged them all back.  Violet, Ashley, Holden and Eamons fun together keeps growing, Luna and Ellie Acorn playing together was a delight to see. Uma’s strength of being a Monster and engaging in this strong play seems very good and grounding for her. And, Ellie Turtle is so happy and alive playing with the girls, and sometimes the boys, with her kindness and humor.

We will miss your children so and very happy to know that some of them we will be able to carry on with Tender Tracks in the fall. Yeah for it all!!!