Walking the line

I have been struggling lately with what I should do with Phoebe for next year. She is right on the line of kindy and first grade. If I went by strictly age (with a waldorf grading system in mind) she would remain in kindy for the whole next year. A waldorf school likes children to have experienced 7 springs before the introduction of academics. Special consideration is typically given to children with June and July birthdays, but an August child would always be held until the next year. Now, if I went by other signs of readiness like loss of teeth, midline coordination, development of memory, a desire to learn and write, ability to sit and concentrate on a task, she is right there and ready. I know I do not need to decide now, but I am starting to put thought into the fall and each day I think a different thought. Yes, she is definitely ready.. No, I want to give her more time, more time in her body, out of her head. I think it is such a hard line to walk, not to push forward too much, yet not hold her back from something that will inspire her. I guess I will just continue walking it with her until we know together. I am ever grateful she will walk this line with me.

This night is a special night

This night is a special night
As fairies dance upon the roof
All the fairies must alight
For Phoebe has lost a tooth

The fairy queen gives her commands
Twelve bright fairies must join hands
Then together in a circle stand
To guard Phoebe while she sleeps

The tooth fairy into the circle leaps
The hidden tooth she takes
Ah, she has very far to go
Before Phoebe awakes

Three times around the world she flies
Over valleys deep and mountains high
Skirts the storm clouds thick with thunder
Wings over waves all wild with wonder

Deep within their earthly home
Finally she finds the gnomes
Who upon the tooth must work
Never once their duty shirk

Some are hammering, hammering
Some the bellows blow
Others sweat at the sweltering forge
And cry out “heave-ho!”

The tooth has been turned to a shining stone
A glimmering, glowing gem
The tooth fairy takes the gnomes good gift
And curtsied to all of them

Before the sun’s first rays are shown
She returns to Phoebe’s bed
Puts the gift beneath her head
And then– away she’s flown!

Eugene Schwartz

Some thoughts for 2010

I am really looking forward to what this year will hold for our family. I know there will be changes, possibly a move, and of course more great times together. I am not really one to make resolutions per say but I thought I could write down a few ideas on where I would like to focus my energy in the coming year.
First, I am going to start doing some of the enki kindy stories with Phoebe– the younger ones– and some fingerplays– she loves those. I think I have a good established rhythm with Drew and that it is time to add in stories for Phoebe. I am planning on starting up again on Monday. And as always I’ll just give it a go and then readjust if need be
Second, I want to learn to knit a sweater. I hope to be able to go out to innish knits in the next few weeks to choose some yarn. Oh– and I would really like to knit some legwarmers for Phoebe. She has been asking and asking.
Third, I am hoping to find more creative ways to get protein in our meals– especially for Phoebe. She is getting very picky in what she will eat. It is a constant challenge for me to find nutritious things she enjoys.
Fourth, I need to change my reactions to Drew. He is in a new stage and I need to welcome it. Many of the Enki lists talk about a trickster energy that comes forth in or around the seventh year — I think Drew is hitting it early. He has been hiding behind walls and jumping out to startle me (oh boy!) He has been telling half- truths for shock value. And, a few days ago he was strangly excited to put the vacuum away — and today I found out why. He had turned it on — so when I plugged it in today it zoomed across the floor all by itself — you should of heard the laughing from his room! (and many more things like this– the list goes on and on) And well– while I have not been resisting it– I can not say I have really wrapped my arms around this stage and welcomed it. Now it is time to! And I need to start plotting some good tricks of my own! I can imagine things are going to get pretty funny around here
Well that is a good start to my thoughts in 2010. And of course I will vow to follow my sweet husband to the ends of the earth — even if it means southern California. I am always up for an adventure.

New Years Eve

We had a rough start today. Andy was supposed to have a big treekeeper delivery today so he was up at the warehouse. Drew had a sledding and swimming party with his swim team from 11-3. Both he and Phoebe were very excited about going to it. I knew it was going to be difficult– getting everyone ready for cold weather play– packing a lunch— and then getting everyone ready to swim– and then getting them home. You should have seen the load of STUFF I had to pack into the car. Sleds, winter gear, lunch, towels, goggles (swim and ski mind you) and I just knew Haddie was going to have her weekly huge poo blowout while we were there — so diapers and a change of clothes for her was necessary. It was absurd. And even though I dressed Haddie in about ten layers the wind was still too cold for babies so she was very upset — and since I could not see the kids from the car I did not feel too comfortable leaving them there to sled while I tried to warm up Haddie (plus the families we were hoping to see were not there) so Drew and Phoebe were pretty bummed to have to leave the sledding hill early.
Once it was time to swim it was better– Hadley was happy to be inside and warm and both Drew and Phoebe had a lot of fun in the pool.

Then when it was time to go I somehow wrangled everything into the back of my car (including all three kids) and we came home. Phew. And all the while Andy was waiting for this big shipment that never came! Seems something happened to the truck and hopefully it will now come on Saturday.
I was planning on cooking a real dinner but instead I was happy to be able to open a few cans of soup and say ‘voilà!’.
But we did do chocolate fondue. Our new, new years eve tradition. It was yummy.

Plate licking yummy

Haddie really wanted to dip her pretzle in too

Next year baby. Now I am sitting by the fire with my sleeping babe. I really should go unload the car but I am not going to. I think I will save it for next year.

My girls

Today was a Phoebe day. I just have to say she is quite the sweet little girl. Drew spent most of the day listening to his new Jack and Annie stories. He even opted out of painting this afternoon– a first! We have a mellow week planned and it is so nice. It gives the kids some down time with their new toys and it gives me one more week to plan our winter stories and activities.

And here is a pretty amazing picture of my crazy one

She is doing handstands all the time. She is even able to walk on her hands a few steps. Unbelievable.
And here is something else quite unbelievable — our Haddie in a high chair!

Time to start dropping all the toys .