Where to begin...

This weekend has been filled with so many memorable moments I don't quite know where to begin. Saturday morning Mason discovered some pain in his mouth which marked the beginning of his first loose tooth. As he was talking to Uncle Chris on the phone, sharing his big news, his face went blank and the conversation stopped. His mind was whirring and then he said, "I have to go, talk to Mommy." He was off to make his plan for his tooth fairy pillow. He grabbed some paper and a marker and drew a wand that needed to be sewn onto the pillow. I took out some fabric that we had and he told me, "It will have to be pink, her dress is pink, so she must love pink. Everything will have to be pink so she will come." We found some pink flower fabric remnants from a sundress we made for our friend Gretchen years ago and set to work. Mason cut some pieces and we set up our machine. Ellie helped us sew it all and Mason stuffed it. "Now I will have to keep this until my tooth falls out."

That afternoon we headed out for pizza and stopped to get Ellie a costume I saw last weekend. She had a gift card from her birthday that needed to be spent and now the costumes were on sale, so I couldn't resist and bought her two. That evening I showed her one and she fell in love with it instantly and became Ladybug Girl. We went exploring outside just in time to see the neighbors ride their horses down the street.

Today we decided we needed a family adventure day. A mini-get away to forget about how the house is not clean and there is yard work to be done. It would and could all wait while we escaped. We packed a picnic and our swim gear and we were off. We weren't completely sure where we would end up and I think that was part of the fun. We ended up near Coloma and found a lovely spot for our picnic lunch. Mason made his "happy" little lunch.

Ellie and I were quite entertained by it. As the meal went on the facial expressions changed with the various peppers he found.

After lunch we hiked down to the river and found a rocky spot where we'd be sheltered from the strong current on the other side of the granite rocky island we found. Ellie took me by the hand and we were off into the chilly water.

We climbed and climbed and slid down the smooth stone.

And then we climbed some more.

Josh explored the wonders of the river, panned for gold, and Mason experienced it all.

I love watching the world as they explore. They look so deeply at what they find.

Josh made "paint" with some stones they found.

We hiked back and a tired Ellie took a short snooze before heading back to town. We decided to go hunting for Mason's costume.

What could end this magical day better than Peter Pan and Tinkerbell scootin' around the yard?

"Ellie, your wand is AWESOME!" exclaimed Mason.

"Good boy, good boy," says a loving Ellie. We'll stay home and play with you tomorrow, Onyx.

Hoorah for 3 day weekends!

I hope yours is grand!

Hit the Ground Running

The other day I was at an after school training for an Arts Grant that I am participating in. Josh and the kids came to pick me up at the end of a REALLY long day. They were all as exhausted as I was and the ride was a bit of a roller coaster, but instead of the manic screaming that sometimes ensues at that time of a long, napless day, the kids were "rockin' out".

Mason: "Mommy, we've been rockin' out. You want to see it."

Me: "Of course I do."

Mason: "Daddy, put that song on."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDjfyYahxy4

What came next was one of those moments where I wished I had a hidden camera to capture it all. I will have to rely on my memory to bring about a smile as I picture Ellie's groovy, little car seat dance which literally made me laugh out loud. Mason was laughing with his whole self. We all proceeded to laugh and hit repeat the whole way home.

A few days later, I was at an all day training for the same grant. Although The Arts are my passion, this day was challenging. I couldn't help, but feel overwhelmed by the task of teaching all these lessons to my group of students. I left that day with a heavy heart. I got into the car and hurried to meet up with the kids for the short time I had before leaving them again to go to the preschool orientation for the whole evening.

I needed a laugh, so I put this song on and pictured that groovy girl of mine. Thumbs up, shoulders rolling, smile beaming. I realized I had no idea what the lyrics of the song were. A few lines caught my attention and I began to listen more intently. I was struck by the metaphors. I was needing a parachute, a way to stay hopeful and "hit the ground running."

That night we visited with friends, new and old at the preschool orientation. As we walked through the door we were wowed by the giant picture of Ellie gracing the presentation screen. It was from the last day of school party last spring when she was covered in paint in the art area. A true beauty, in the zone of creativity. I couldn't help but get misty-eyed. As the evening progressed I was gathering, collecting, refueling my soul.

In the teaching profession I have found that I can never learn enough. I will constantly be seeking ways to better my practice. Each year there are the constants and then just when you think you have things figured out, you are faced with new challenges that force to to question yourself and what you do.

This week has been a test of strength and endurance. On Thursday night, I gave my Back to School Night presentation. I took inspiration from all my mentors and models over time and spoke from the heart about what I have come to realize are my true constants. It is my hope to share the wisdom I have gained about childhood. It is this that will continue to drive my teaching.

Today was the first day of the rest of my school year. I felt alive again. I felt the true passion I have for teaching. I got goosebumps as we sang and the eye contact reached my soul. I moved through my room of artists and they shared their insights and creations. I am no longer falling...I am hitting the ground running.

A Weekend Getaway

Since I returned to work I have been wanting to write and somehow the time escapes me. I have had many ideas for stories and yet they have stayed just that, ideas. In class we are talking about writing and how writers write about things that are meaningful. I recently stumbled upon a link to a blog on a friend's blog. I was drawn in by the photos and then was lost in the writing. Some of the posts hit so close to home that I found myself wishing for time to write, to share, to capture the love from the day. I suppose it would be another way that I could lose myself in the joys of life.

The first few days of school have been rough. The opposite of what I imagined and looked forward to. This was the first summer since my kids were born that I was somewhat excited to return to school. I still felt a sadness of shortening my weekday family time to the times when we are all exhausted, or rushing to be somewhere on time, but it was paired with inspiration to experience the joys of learning and sharing my teaching. I knew I could enjoy my work day, dive in head first and give all I could to build my classroom community, and come home to embrace the love Mason and Ellie share with me. Instead of a beautiful, graceful dive, I feel as though I have struck the water with such force that I come up gasping for air.

Last weekend, my loving husband planned a most rejuvinating getaway. He told me at dinner that night, "I am glad you are crazy enough to drive 3 hours to buy 5 plants."

I laughed at his humor and knew that the weekend was much more than a drive to get 5 plants. I know he knows it too.

It was about capturing the beauty of life. It didn't matter that the traffic was crazy, we were together. I love my family, my support. Last night Ellie looked up at me and said, "I love you so much Mommy." It is this love that moves me forward and pushes me back out to the edge of that board...I am not giving up. I will dive, I will find that beauty, that grace.

Some snippets I love about THIS summer...

Within the last couple of weeks Ellie has discovered how to say Mason. He is no longer Mase, (I don't even know how to spell it), but full on Mason. She says it so beautifully.

Mason and Ellie have become the best of friends, (and the worst of enemies at times, but I guess that's how we grow, right Chris?)

Josh has made yet another amazing device...his solar food dehydrator! It is beautiful and I will let him tell you all about it.

Josh has begun canning tomatoes, and my new favorite pickled green beans, SO Tasty!

Mason is a little gardener. And a LEGO designer...notice the LEGO carpet in the background. I find it ironic that the toy vacuum is laying there. HA!

Mason wanted to sleep upstairs in his "own room" two nights in a row.

Ellie has worn her new underwear everyday since our trip and at night. Funny side story: I asked her if we should give her diapers away to a baby that needs them and she was too attached and cried in horror, "NO I NEED MY DIAPERS!" I can handle storing them a while more if it means I don't have to wash them anymore! Woohoo big girl! HUGE accomplishment.

I am in the midst of decluttering our house...I am thinking it will be an ongoing work in progress, but PROGRESS has been made indeed.

Mason and Ellie now have a costume drawer under their bed, which they think is fantastic!

Ellie and Mason are making amazing cards for their friend's birthday party that we need to head to soon so I am off. Last HOORAH of summer. Lookout Fairytale Town we are comin'!

Not sure what my title is...

So I have been feeling pulled in two ways by the coming week. I actually have a plan of attack in mind for organizing my classroom and surprisingly, the desire to work on this plan, yet I must wait until Monday to kick into gear. On one hand, I am eager to get there and put things in order, yet if Monday actually arrives it will mean the end of summer.

Bitter sweet symphony.

Wow, typing that line created a whirlwind of musical montage in my overtired brain. A mismash of end of summer tunes, but that's another story.

Back on track...so in my last post I was a fly on the wall of my wee ones and today that journey continued and at times was in slow motion. Having children can really help you stop and take in that which can usually go unnoticed. The other day we were out walking home from visiting new friends around the corner and I was amazed at how much I noticed growing on our block. There are so many wonders that you pass each day in your car, but are going too fast to notice.

Today we headed out to the Harvest Day over in Fair Oaks. What an amazing event. Mason and Ellie visited the vendors and made several connections with the volunteers.

At one booth there were several garden crafts they could make. One was to make a painted rock with the choice of ladybug or frog. When asked which one he wanted to make Mason stood deep in thought. The rocks were already painted red or green and the samples were there. He finally spoke, "But I want to make my own because I need to make a praying mantis, so when my egg hatches they will know they have friend." I tell you that boy is always thinking. Rewind: A couple of days ago he bought a praying mantis egg at the nursery and it is hanging in his garden. So he created his own version complete with the wiggly eyes.

On the other side of the booth you could make a "Grass Buddy". These are hysterical. You pile in a scoop of grass seed into a nylon and stuff it with soil, tie a knot, stick on two wiggly eyes and take him home to water. In a few day you have a grass hair buddy. Ellie and Mason LOVE theirs. They played with those guys when they got home. Gave them a bath and set them outside to let the fun begin. It's like a homemade Chia-head.

Around the other side of the table you could make a mask. A cheesy paper mask, but we were up for it. Ellie and Mason both chose the praying mantis one and I helped Ellie cut hers out and Mason was again waiting and thinking. Mason finally spoke up and said, "But I want to make my own." I suggested he turn his over and draw his own. It was awesome. Ellie was done and wanted to be a praying mantis and go climb the nearby tree so we were off. Later Mason joined us and Josh told me how Mason finished his and said, "Now mine looks like a REAL praying mantis." The icing on that cake is that he doesn't plan to wear it either, he made if for his praying mantis egg. I love that boy!

After crafting away Mason and I visited another booth and they had a brochure of a wheelbarrow garden. He picked it up and said, "Mommy what does this say? I want to make one of these." The man at the booth was giving away packets of seeds and Mason told me he needed carrot seeds. I didn't think the man heard him in all the hustle and bustle, but he did and quickly handed him a pack. Mason struck up a conversation with him about how he was going to make that wheelbarrow garden. The man said he had something special for him. Mason said, "I wonder what it is." He pulled from a bag a seed starter container and Mason was in heaven. Instantly his mind set to work planning how he would build this garden. He thanked the man and went to show Daddy and Ellie and then he brought Ellie over to see if the man might have one for her. Later just before we left for the day Mason stopped back by to chat with the man again explaining his grand plans for making his garden. I hadn't seen the man smile much, but I think Mason made his day.

Better get going and check on that egg, looks like some may have hatched!

A Fly on the Wall

I don't know why, but there seems to be an enormous amount of flies in the evenings this week and while I was laying down with Ellie I was thinking of that phrase, "Being a fly on the wall..." It so relates to how I was feeling today when I would take in the world of Mason and Ellie.

It all began this morning as I woke up near both of them. It wasn't the usual, "Mommy, sun up, get up." that Ellie likes to tell me with great determination. Today is was gradual, she woke and snuggled into me and wanted to embrace the morning slowly, easing into it. I was in heaven taking in every moment thinking how soon the mornings will not be so leisurely. Summer is ending and I want to pretend that it isn't. Mason was near us too, and he opened his eyes, looked at Ellie and reached out to her, wrapped an arm around her and pulled her in whispering, "I love you Ellie." I drank this in too, for I knew it would only be a matter of time before she would be bothering him in some way, not playing "the game" the right way, the way little sisters do.

This afternoon we ventured out into the patio. I was dying to transplant some plants, feel some soil, and bring some bursts of life to new spots in the yard. Mason wanted me to play LEGOs, but ended up settling for Ellie as his playmate. "Mommy look at what Ellie made with her LEGOs. Isn't her food table so cute? Don't you just love it?" (I guess she isn't so bad at "playing the game" all the time.) I can't help, but smile as Ellie plays with her LEGO guys. Often times they shout, "I have to go potty." I looked up from planting when I heard this and Mason caught my eye, he said, "That's just her LEGO guy, Mommy."

As the sun fell lower in the sky and dinner was just about off the grill, Daddy brought out some bubbles and I fell in love. I was a fly on the wall again watching the magic of these two. They blew bubbles and Ellie giggled whole heartedly, those deep giggles that are infectious. Mason couldn't help, but continue to bring about more. I wished I could capture it all on film, but if I had moved the moment would have been lost. So this fly will savor these moments in my memory and here in my words.

Just before mosquito hour hit, Mason invited us to ride on the Pirate Ship (our hammock) with him. Our imaginations took us on a fantastic journey before arriving at the dock of bedtime. Daddy brought in the new lightbulbs for the playroom upstairs in the loft and as Mason and I climbed up to see what he and Ellie had created Mason announced, "I never knew cleaning up could bring so much fun and so cute." Our little room was lit up beautifully with our new little lamps. So beautiful that Mason wanted to sleep upstairs. I can hardly wait to see what the new day will bring.

I Love These Two!

So this afternoon has been filled with fun at home...stocking up before the big back to school, end of summer break time is upon us. It is coming quickly, so there is no time to waste. We played in our little pool and then Mason went inside for a bit and came out wearing pirate jammies and had his plan. He started setting up camp and Ellie followed in his footsteps.

We had to gather all her "stuff", doggies, shopping carts, etc. (Yes that is her new Space Needle doggie in her new baby car seat.)

I knew we built that recycled wall for many purposes.

Stepping Back and Taking It All In

So after a week at Responsive Classroom where we were challenged to think deeply about how we use our language in the classroom to be clear and concise, I can't help but use what I have been thinking about for my teaching here at home. It is amazing how when you step back and let things play out a bit you really don't need to say so much. Learning happens and grows and develops and it is this that is pure magic and joy to experience.

This personal growth for me has been a journey in the making. A collection of the Responsive Classroom Approach, the insights gained at Parent Meetings for Mason's Preschool, observing the preschool in action, and the Education Through Music courses I have participated in. The strength I have gained from these have truly allowed me to experience this magic.

Today at lunch Mason was last to the table. He was busy finishing his home that he made for the bees. It started about a half hour before when he came in searching for honey to pour on top of the tiny house he was going to make for them. His plan was to entice them to live in this little home. After consulting with Dad about how the bees might take to this plan, he revised his plan. He got to work, coming to me for help in finding string, pipe cleaners, and so on. As he discovered the tape he was using was too weak to hold, he searched for his "flames" duct tape. All the while I just kept a near distance...near enough to be there if he needed me, near enough to enjoy his work, but not so near that I would intrude and inhibit the process.

Just as the lunch table was set he was hanging his house in the tree, beaming with pride, "Now the bees will love this new home."

I bet they will, and if they don't, I do.

PS. I had a lot more in my head I planned on writing, but I am trying to be brief and let you construct your own learning. Enjoy the journey.

Cucumber School

So, back from the Pacific Northwest. Almost two weeks have elapsed since our departure. It was a great trip (and more on that shortly, I gaurentee), but I am happy to be back on the farm. And what better time to be here than at the front end of harvest season!

I thought I would break the usual blog routine of family and kid tales to bring you some harvest news. Well, you could say that we picked a lot of stuff today. Or you could say that we toted a substantial amount of produce into our house. But the best way to describe our bounty would be the Old English term: butt-load or so much that you cannot carry it all with just your hands.

Ok, now to school.

We have 6 varieties of cucumbers growing in our gardens this year. Here are four we harvested today:

Burpee Pickling - A nice, productive cuke with a mild taste. Not my favorite, but they are crisp and not at all bitter.

Early Russian - A productive cuke with a mild taste. Great for pickles or fresh eating!

Snow - This one won our taste test. Great all-purpose cucumber melon... and sweet!

Suyo - A japanese cucumber with a thin, burpless (not bitter) skin. Tastes nice fresh, but it would make great pickles since the skin has a cool ribbed look. These two are about a foot long!

Not pictured are the mystery cucumbers from Mason's garden (they came in a package that simply named them "Cucumbers") and the Armenian cukes. I will torture you with pictures of them later.

So, there you have it: more than you ever wanted to know about the cucumbers in our garden this year. If you are still reading, I am beginning to question how you spend your quality time, or perhaps I have found a partner in my obsession. Whatever the reason, thanks for tuning in.

Oh, we also picked a couple tomatoes.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

July 1st...Daddy's Birthday. The other night we headed out west to the Davis Farmer's Market. Mason and Daddy took the lead as we walked over to meet up with friends, have dinner, listen to the band, and play.

Mason spotted the balloon animal lady despite my attempts to cruise on by. I have to admit I was impressed with what he ended up with. He was dying to have a sawfish like we saw at the aquarium last weekend. This request really put her to the test. She didn't really understand what he wanted at first, but gave it a whirl. He ended up with this fierce mask.

He got many looks and compliments throughout the park. Later in the evening he and another boy met up face to face, shark to shark. It was hilarious. Mason made friends with him and his family and played a bit before heading to the ice cream booth.

Ellie was content ordering up, of course, a doggie even though the balloon lady tried to convince her to choose something more challenging commenting on how "Dogs are the first thing you learn at clown college." Ellie will not be swayed by ridiculous statements such as these and demanded a purple doggie which she could wear as a bracelet. She snuggled him and loved him throughout the evening even as he popped in parts and transformed into some sort of triangular character.

While eating our tasty treat Mason decided that his saw-shark was missing the saw and had to revisit the artist for its completion.

He went from this...

to this...AAAAHHHHHHH! A Sawfish, stab you in the eye reenactment.

Notice the similarities?

Before leaving town we made a pit stop at Borders where Mason spotted a Cars LEGO set on our way to the restroom. We talked about how Daddy's birthday was coming up and maybe we could go to the LEGO Store for his birthday.

Mason: "Mommy we are going to have to make a lot of cake then because if we have his birthday at the LEGO Store everyone there is going to want to eat the cake."

That's my little Saw Shark...always thinking.

When I Was A Boy

I absolutely love the magic of music. The way it can take you to places you have been in the past, places you hope to reach in the future, or even help you embrace the pure beauty of the moment you are living.

Last Sunday the kids and I were on our journey home from a fabulous mini-vacation to visit my mom and brother aka Grandma and Uncle Chris. Our first major trip just the three of us, hmmm... now that I think of it, it was just a Mom and her kids kind of weekend in more ways than one. As we drove through the Grapevine, the excitement of the morning caught up with both of them and they dozed off in the back seat. As we drove, I had Josh's iPod on shuffle and fell in love again with old favorites as they sang out. It is always funny to me how I can hear a song so many times and still uncover something new. My true favorites tend to be those that keep having deeper meaning and connections.

On this particular day Dar Williams came on singing her live version of When I Was a Boy. I have listened and loved this song before, but somehow the lyrics became clearer and yet still uncertain. As the song ended I chose to listen again, finding more meaning, and then again. As I slowed down to listen, to understand, the traffic slowed us down as well. Construction on the road brought us to a crawl and I peered at my two sleeping in the back. It seemed as though she was singing about them, about me. It is hard to recreate this moment in words in such a way that can capture the feelings I had, for that is one thing about music and it's charm. The connections you have with it are yours, and the magic you feel is different than what it may be for someone else. For me, I love how this song takes me to my past, my present, and my future. As I watch Mason and Ellie I see them finding themselves. I love when Ellie is a boy and when Mason is a girl. I love that they feel and experience both. I know that one day the world will have them define themselves a bit more, but for now they are utterly free. I love that I Was A Boy too.

Have a listen for yourself...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE5YzRr9yPo&feature=related

Story Arcs

Ellie is now two. 2. TWO! In some ways, the years seem to speed by, while at times, the world stands still. There was a radio show I listen to that tackled this subject of how we experience time. It came down to "arcs." Story arcs, that is. See, as youngsters, our story arcs are shorter. A trip to the store. A visit from a relative. A birthday party. The day the "chicks" visited.

As we get older, our story arcs get longer. The school year. The growing season. The work calendar. The countdown until 12-21-2012. The fashion fads of the year.

So, how do we slow things down on this speeding train. Well, we could get rid of the arcs in our adult lives and live from moment to moment, but that would be absurd not to mention a bit meaningless. Our "arcs" give our lives purpose. It sets goals for us to achieve. Milestones. No, we shouldn't give up our arcs anymore than a superhero giving up the quest to defeat his arch rival. Instead, I like to add to my arc snapshots. Moments in time where we can relish in static bliss. Like photographs of the mind. Not actual photos, but stopping for a moment to really focus on the moment. Setting aside the arcs of my life and putting all my energy into the moment in time.

We might not be able to stop time, but we can slow it down, if only for a moment.

Spoon Man

Call it a fascination with all things shiny. Call it performance art. Call it what you like, but Mason has always enjoyed amusing his dinner mates with his utensil talents.

About a year and a half ago, we were out to eat with Jen's family in LA. As we all carried on our conversations, Mason was quietly busy with his own agenda. After several minutes of silence (we should have known something was up), he said, "Look."

It amused the entire dinner group who proceeded to attempt the stunt as well. Most were moderately successful, though some had trouble due to the extent of their proboscis.

Now Mason passes the torch.

"Ellie, you try it."

Of course, she was a natural!