Bright Beltane Blessings

Beltane post from 2015, HERE

Once again our family celebrated with dinner outside, dancing the Maypole, and making May Day baskets (cups decorated with stickers and filled with popcorn and candies).  The kids love the excuse to ding, dong, ditch and leave little treats for the neighbors and the neighbor kids love getting in on the activities.  It is always fun to entertain our neighbors who love to watch the kids from their back deck and munch on the goodies.  We were not able to do a fire this year as it was a school night and the festivities ran late.  Blessings to you all!

Easter 2017

The Most Sincere Pumpkin Patch

Once upon a time the kids did not have school and the weather was perfection so we spent the day on a farm.  A wagon took us to the patch where we picked pumpkins still attached to their vines.  We bounced in the bounce houses. There was funnel cake and pumpkin ice cream, and an apple cider slushi, and a 3D alien haunted warehouse, and a corn and hay bale maze.  I am certain the Great Pumpkin would agree that we found the most sincere patch of them all.

Easter 2016

Joyous May Day 2015

The winter was long and hard and we are limping to the finish line of this school year. 

For thousands of years when Spring was in full bloom the people would pause to celebrate the coming of the warm time and changing of the seasons.  May Day or Beltane as it is also known begins at sunset and continues through the next day.  This is a celebration of fertility and life.  It is a holiday of hope, beauty, and new beginnings. 

As a child in the USA I have memories of making May Day baskets filled with treats.  We would deliver them to neighbors by ringing their doorbell and then running away so that they would not know who left the goodies.  I have thought of this every May 1st since becoming a mother and decided this year I would introduce my children to this tradition.

The screech of the school bus’ brakes preceded little girl giggles that filled the air like music.  We celebrated the return of dirty bare feet on soft green grass.  White paper cups, a roll of twine, a hole puncher, crayons, and stickers would be used to create our May Day baskets.  M&Ms, Sweet Tarts, Life Saver gummies, and popcorn were the filling.  Alexander popped in for a moment or two for treats before going off to do his own thing. 

Traditionally the people would dance around a pole with ribbons woven in merriment signifying fertility.  Flowers, incense, feasting, and bonfires marked their celebration and ours.  Inspired from a scene in Alice in Wonderland, our Mad Hatter hat topped the pole which we secured in our umbrella stand wrapped in red, scrap fabric.  It turned out beautifully.

Neighbors shared long forgotten stories of their childhood May Day celebrations and I was dubbed the May Queen of Garrett Hill, which I quite like.  Our dinner was grilled and we feasted outdoors by candle light.  The last hours of the day were spent mesmerized by the dancing flame of our back yard mini bonfire and the sweet smell of vanilla incense smoldering on the log.  The girls fell asleep in the night air.  Only when the last of the embers had died out did their daddy carry them one by one to their beds, perhaps dreaming of magic and fairies.

A larger version of the video can be found HERE.

Independence Day

We decided to take this year off from hosting our annual Garrett Hill parade watching party.  We just weren’t up to the work involved in party prep.  Rolling out of bed late, I grabbed a quick shower and had my coffee on the front porch just as the parade began.  Some friends joined us and we filled the neighborhood with bubbles from our Gazillion bubbles Hurricane machine (Sophie approved).  Gazillion bubbles are truly the best, hands down.

Our neighborhood celebrated our 65th annual 4th of July parade and festivities.  We have an honest to goodness parade that happens to pass directly in front of our house.  Afterwards, the neighborhood park is abuzz with face painting, a dunk tank, a live show (magic in years past, a master juggler this year), bounce houses, a mini-train, spin art, hot dogs, pretzels, and drinks – all FREE!

I scooted Alexander over to our friend’s house as they were having their annual party that we are never able to attend due to hosting our own.  Their back yard bumps up against the park and gives them front row access (or back row as it were) to the live show.  Helena went off to the park with other neighborhood friends.  Mark and I strolled down with Soph at our leisure.

Typically we still have guests at this time and miss out on the activities in the park.  Typically it’s heat stroke hot, but due to some gentle rain before and after the parade and Hurricane Arthur it was perfect.  We were able to hang out with friends at their party and help ourselves to their food, which was a fantastic treat!  Although we missed our usual guests, this was great.

At most houses in our neighborhood, the sounds of parties and smell of BBQs filled the air.  After a lazy afternoon sipping wine, napping, and watching the Walking Dead marathon, we headed out for our township’s fireworks.  Again, we haven’t caught them in our 4 years of living here as we are all typically worn out by the party and heat and head to bed early.  It’s only a 10 minute drive, the entry fee goes towards our high school scholarship fund, and we met up with our friends who had terrific seats on the soccer field.  Grand!

None of the kids got scared and traffic home was a breeze.  I love this community.  This is home.  I’d like to thank our military for continuing to protect our freedom which allows us to celebrate in this way.  It is in their honor that I created this slideshow which I think captures a nice slice of what they work to protect.  Happy Independence Day!

Watch larger: 4th of July 2014

Township 4th Annual Eggstravaganza

Reason #437 why we belong here:

Making a Difference Award

The following is the text of the Delaware County Right to Education Task Force nomination for a Making a Difference Award that I submitted for Sophie’s friend Eliza.  The Making a Difference Award recognizes staff members and students who have gone out of their way through their work, support, or friendship to be accepting, understanding and make sure to include children of all abilities. 

“My daughter Sophie, who is in kindergarten at XXXX Elementary, happens to have a developmental disability. Her placement is in the regular kindergarten classroom with supports and services pushed into the class. As excited as we were about our daughter going to school, we were also nervous. Would she be happy? Would she make friends? On the first day we instructed her brother Alexander, who is in the 2^nd grade, to sit next to her on the bus so that she wouldn’t be alone. He held her hand and the two of them got on the bus together.

From day one Sophie and Eliza became friends. Eliza is a fellow kindergarten student who does not have a disability. I have watched how naturally this friendship developed into something really special and ordinary at the same time. Parents of children with a disability can relate that the most basic experiences of life don’t always come easily for our children. Having a true friendship is something we dream of for our kids, but often fear that it might not happen. 

Our first clue that kindergarten was going to be ok was during the first week of school. As Alexander and Sophie boarded the bus together, we noticed a group of her peers sitting in the front seat next to Sophie’s safety seat. They were excited to see her and clamored over which one of them would get to sit next to her. The same thing happened shortly afterwards when Sophie arrived at Back to School Night. We watched as Sophie ran off with her peers, leaving us behind. It became routine and was apparent that these friends were in it for the long haul.  Every day they are excited to sit with her on the bus.

Eliza, in particular, has a special friendship with Sophie that I’ve been blessed to quietly witness. On the many days that Sophie has stayed home sick this school year, as we said good-bye to Alexander on the bus Eliza was visibly disappointed and asked about her friend. In class, Eliza and Sophie are frequently together. They often sit close during story time and next to each other at the tables during projects. When it is time to put materials away, Eliza gently guides Sophie to their cubbies as they scamper off to the next lesson. During one lesson, the children were to draw a picture and write a story. Sophie worked with her aid while Eliza sat next to her. Eliza drew a picture and wrote about the two of them playing together. This friendship extends outside of school as well. When the girls are at a birthday party, for example, they play together beautifully.

Eliza is a beautiful child. She accepts Sophie and understands her in a way that I as her mother or the professionals that work with Sophie can only strive to see her. Eliza does not see through a lens of ‘disability.’ She does not care that Sophie has a very limited vocabulary and learns differently. She knows nothing of IEPs, social goals, or modified curriculums and yet she can teach us all about inclusion because it has come naturally for her. She has no idea that her love of my daughter has been a dream realized. She’s a little girl who loves her friend. How amazing and how ordinary.”

I’m thrilled to share that Eliza won!  The banquet took place this week and it was a beautiful event.  Our family joined with Eliza, her parents, two bothers, 3 grandparents (who travelled to get here), and Eliza’s former pre-K teacher.  The girls were glued together and when it came time for them to go on stage, for Eliza to accept her award, and for them to pose for a photo, they both did great!

This is a special and unexpected friendship that we will treasure always.  Although I had begun to imagine watching the girls grow up together, her father has finished his residency and accepted a position in another state.  They will move away this summer but will never be forgotten.  Many tears were shed that night and not all of them were mine.  Eliza is a beautiful girl who comes from an amazing family and we are blessed to know them.

Sanctuary

I grew up in the Presbyterian church that my mother attended as a child and where she later married my father.  My sisters and I were baptized and confirmed there.  Mark and I were married there as I had always dreamed.  When we visit my hometown, the sight of the tall, stone, gray building lets me know I’m home. 

I married a lapse Catholic (his words) and I wanted to find a church home that would be comfortable for both of us.  We joined a Lutheran Church and it worked for our growing family.  Alexander and Sophie were baptized there.  We moved and joined another Lutheran church that was just as welcoming and we remain friends with our pastor to this day. 

Our family relocated here 2.5 years ago.  This time when we moved, we knew that this new place would be our home for many years.  We could finally settle in, yet somehow finding a new church community wasn’t a priority.  It began weighing on my mind and last Sunday I started church shopping.  Despite the fact that we had been going to a Lutheran church, I felt drawn to my roots.  A sprawling Presbyterian church not far from our home had caught my eye.  I was taken by the stone buildings which are typical of old churches in the area.  Leaving my family at home I attended the late service.

The magnificence of the architecture inside stunned me.  As the services began I couldn’t help but look around in awe as the morning light shone through the stained glass.  We sang Gloria Patri and I realized how much I missed the traditions of my denomination.   I can’t tell you what the sermon was about, but what did stand out for me was the sound of the choir who sang in the balcony behind the congregation adding a depth and beauty to the hymns.  After the service, I was collecting information for visitors when I met the membership staff member.  She spent a better part of an hour telling me about the history of the church as we toured its grounds and I knew I had found our new church home.

*kids building

 

  

This morning my family arrived early at our new church, and I was beside myself with excitement to show them around.  Our first stop was the children’s building for infants through 5th graders.  Not only is Helena’s classroom for Sunday school, but they also have a preschool there during the week as well.  We have applied and are hoping to send her there next year as we have not been impressed with her current school.

*3 year olds classroom & weekday preschool

 

*2nd grade

*hallways

 

*kindergarten

Today was an important day for the congregation as we welcomed our new head pastor for her first service with us.  After the service my family toured the rest of the grounds.  The original church, now reconfigured and called the Chapel, still has its original Tiffany stained glass windows.  The Chapel is much smaller than the new sanctuary but is similar to the size of a regular church.  They hold the early services there as well as smaller weddings and funerals. 

*Inside the smaller Chapel

  

*original Tiffany stained glass

 

In the Congregational Hall we gather after services for coffee and treats and on the first Tuesday of each month a massive labyrinth mat is laid on the floor for prayerful walking. The church hosts many adult classes, support groups, and activities here.  The youth begin their Sunday classes in the gym which is attached to the hall.  Week day exercise classes like dance fit, Tai Chi, and yoga are offered there as well as a basketball program for kids with special needs. 

My family has never been a part of such a large congregation (membership is 2,600), but somehow they make it feel welcoming and warm.  I recognized people from last week and a few remembered me and stopped to meet my family.  Alexander says he likes it more than regular school and the girls are excited to belong there.  I see my family here for many years learning, growing, making new friends and I am thankful to have been lead there.

*new church sanctuary

    

*from the left balcony

 

 

*back of sanctuary, choir and organ balcony

 

Although this is a video, I shot it only for the sound of the choir sending us on our way after services.  What a beautiful way to fill us up for the week to come.