grateful for fog and things

San Francisco for Thanksgiving.  We woke up, all huddled together, studying the fog outside.   At home we rarely experience fog.  I absolutely love the humidity after living in the desert for 9 years.  My skin starts loving the extra moisture around Sacramento and by the time we hit the Bay Bridge, I feel like I'm getting a facial!

Lately I've been reading in The Heart of Learning about expansion and contraction.  Here's a little excerpt:

"Expansion and contraction are primal forces that influence every aspect of life.  They are visible in the cycle of the year, the rhythm of the day and night, and the phases of the moon.  They can be seen in the growth of the plants and the instinctive activity of wild animals.  We can observe their operation several times within the span of a minute, or watch them move gradually over the course of a lifetime."

"Learning how to work with these powerful opposing forces is important for every parent.  If we are to work effectively with our children, we must be able to understand and encompass both these polarities."

So, you see these ideas of contracting and expanding are powerful and necessary parts to rhythm that we should understand with regard to our children.  I've been spending most of my time thinking about this idea and it's been pretty eye opening.  I've been able to solve conflicts with my children just by feeling where they are and where I can direct them to.  Simply put, we either are too expanded or too much in our head and need to work toward the opposite polarity.  Pretty cool parenting tool!

Change has always been hard for me since I'm a very sensitive person.  I have to remember this during this transitional time between summer and winter (which I believe is contracting but let me know if I'm wrong!).

Back to Thanksgiving though.  We had a great time.  We spent time with family.  We ate some delicious food.  That's all that matters right?  Oh yeah, and we also took Zephyr for his first walk on the beach.  We played games like dominoes with tape cases and this fun game.

I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend!  I'm grateful for so many things.  It's humbling.  xo

sneaking in some sunshine

We snuck a bit of sunshine this weekend.  It's always hard getting out the door, making sure we have a snack, water, jackets and shoes for everyone.  We don't wear shoes in the house and it's the one question I always ask when we're driving away down the street, "You all have shoes right?"

This place we go to is all the way across town but the Aspens are gorgeous.  We didn't quite make it while the trees were in full autumn glory but there were a few orange and yellow leaves on the ground that Solomon collected and gently stuffed in his pockets.

We like to go here at different times of year to witness the changes.  The first thing the kids noticed was the ice that has accumulated in the creek.  It was actually a nice day and we had to peal of the layers as we hiked up the mountain.

I'd have to say that the best thing about having older kids is that when we go hiking we don't have to worry about sticking together in a tight bunch.  We go in all directions, exploring where we want.  I can stay behind and take pictures while Jonathan moves up ahead with someone.  We can even trust Eli to go ahead or fall behind.  It's so nice to be able to do that.

The kids always can find a patch of rose hips to nibble on.  These were especially sweet.

It was so nice to get outside together this weekend and steal a bit of sunshine before the cold really sets in.  I hope you all had a nice weekend!

following my heart

Our homeschooling days are always a work in progress.  We're human and we're always changing and learning something new about ourselves.   We recently made a change and I instantly felt the relief.  It's funny how I can get so hell bent on one idea.  Then my heart/head shifts and I can see how sticking it out until the end, just to finish something, isn't always the best thing.  I have this idea in my head sometimes that if I quit something then I'm a quitter.  Well, maybe I am but sometimes quitting is a good thing. 

This new change has made it possible for us to enjoy our days, find our creativity again and relax a bit into a happy learning environment.

Solomon can sit on the couch and listen to books on CD.  Amelia and I can make apple butter on a weekday. And then there are Legos all day long sometimes.

Happy Friday!

first snow haiku

Wake up to first snow.

Unearth mittens, long underwear and snow pants.

Already melted, wait for tomorrow.

apple hunting

Hello....I haven't been around lately.  It felt good and necessary.  Sometimes you have to let something be for a while when other things take over....namely homeschooling.  It's taken over my life.  I need to find some balance and I was hoping to have a rhythm going by now but I don't.  Things may need to give.  Like last week when my husband had been away for two weeks for work and I needed him home so bad.  The kids needed him.  It's just no fun around here without him.  He came home a day early and saved us all.  Sweet guy.

We had our first hard frost last week.  All these lovely cosmos are now black and wilted.  I'm glad I took a picture of them in their glory.  It makes me smile to see them.  We're harvesting lots of lettuce from our garden as well as the kale, parsley, leeks and carrots.  I've been throwing bunches of each in a big pot and making broth.  I thought it would taste too green but it's been so good.  With a few pho noodles, greens and mushrooms, it's the perfect healthy meal for fall.


Okay, so when my husband got back, we headed to California for some apple picking.  I didn't think we would make it to Apple Hill this year but we did.  It was the perfect day.  I wore shorts because I try and hold out as long as I can.  I don't like to bundle up until it's totally necessary you know?

We threw the kids in the car and made it a few miles before I realized I forgot my camera and map.  Back home quickly and then back on the road for the 3 hour trip to Apple Hill. 

The kids really dig apple picking.  I mean you can't really go to Apple Hill and buy the apples in boxes can you?  Well, I guess you can and I won't judge you if that's your thing but my kids love the apple hunting.  This year I had it all planned out on the map and then when we got there we found out there was only one place that still had u-pick.  The kids listened intently on how to twist and not yank the apples from the trees and we got to work.  In all, we got 60 pounds of apples.  There were lots there to get thankfully.  Some years we literally have to hunt for them.

I also picked a couple fuyu persimmons for which I got scolded by the owners' nephew.  "Don't you see how it's marked off?"  Um, yes but persimmons are my fave.  Sorry man. Gotta watch that next time, I just couldn't help myself.

We gave the kids the canvas bags and they filled them to the brim with granny smith apples (and um two persimmons)  I wouldn't normally get these kind of apples because I'm not fond of the green tartness of them.  We didn't have a choice this time and I was quite surprised that they were so sweet.  So there you go!  I shouldn't judge an apple until I eat one straight from a tree.

 

Zephyr met his first cow.  The cows met Zephyr.  Not a big deal for either of them.   We always have to stop here and do the straw bale maze, eat lunch and go for a little walk before heading home.

And while I was away on a blog break, this girl turned 13.  Yep, I'm a parent of a teen.  Sweet girl makes it pretty easy on me.

Throwing peace and love out to you all!  I hope I can make it back here real soon!