I haven't written in awhile. Mostly, it is because life gets busy and I like to include photographs and doing so takes time!
Today we had a really good day and I find that, while I used to need to write and share most often when things were hard, now I have a great impulse to share when something is going well.
For the last 5 weekdays, large chunks of Lala Bug's time has been spent in front of a computer, putting her attention into the annual standardized testing. To say she was a bit "fried" would be more than fair for this child who has limits in her sensory filtering. She did wonderfully, though, and we did wonderfully supporting her. (The odd schedule, lack of rhythm, and shuttling to and fro affected everyone.)
As a result, today, my only goal was to get us back into our rhythm, without any academic pressure. We had the loveliest day, beyond my expectations. I anticipated some fall out from the intensity of the last week (and that may still come), but today was untainted.
It began with my version of these little magical treasure jars waiting on the table for the kids. They were so well received, with the kids excitedly saying "the fairies left us presents!" After this discovery, the kids eagerly showed Dada their latest 'grasshopper math' game. Together, they made and taped down the 3 times table. I call out problems and they take turns jumping to the solution.
We had family breakfast, sent M off to work, had some wrestle, snuggle, giggle, connection time, and got ready for the day. The kids pulled out Kinetic Sand and mini trucks to play with during morning read-aloud. I wish I had a photo!
We had lunch and then packed up our backpacks (and magical sea glass!) and went to our favorite nearby park for some nature time. We were only there an hour, barely got far, but explored the whole walk to the "quiet spot" Little Brown Mouse picked. I am amazed and pleased with how many plants the kids know.
We plopped ourselves down, did some drawing for a bit, listened to the birds, and then Little Brown Mouse declared he was ready to go home. I think he was eager to return to the Sparkle Stories Nature School story we had paused half way through. Okay! I was happy we had all engaged enthusiastically and found some peace in the time in nature.
Home again, we cleaned up a bit, had some more connected play time and snacks, the kids wrote about their adventure for their sea glass jar, and I let the kids watch a Magic School Bus. After that, Little Brown Mouse practiced ukulele and had a bubble bath while Lala Bug and I got some one on one time making herbal remedies. She chose to make some tea and ice pops for sore throats. I felt loved...I think it was because I have been feeling rough due to allergies.
Before I knew it, both kids were in their bathing suits in the bubble bath together. That hasn't happened in months. (There have been so many changes and so much growth in the past year that there has been a little grieving from both kids. Brown Mouse was missing baths with his sister and what I think started as "okay, I'll hop in because he keeps asking" turned into mutually rolicking fun with bubbles and laughter galore.)
Homemade minestrone and homemade corn muffins (from ground corn from the harvest festival, yum!) for dinner and snuggles and books on the couch with Dada home again rounded out a very sweet day.
That does sound like a lovely day.
ReplyDelete