A Splendid Sunday

Today we met up with some dear friends who we don't see nearly often enough. The last time we were all together was three years ago. Thankfully, this blog, email and letters between us mamas and our sweet girls has kept us in touch in between then and now. Today, we got to meet Patricia's husband and her oldest daughter too. We walked around, the girls (attempted to) skip stones, and of course, the water pump is always a huge attraction! While the girls went on the boat ride, Patricia, Russ and I had the chance to sit and chat, and it was as if the three of us had known each other for decades. There truly is something so very magical about connecting with kindred spirits, though I must admit it made me wish even more than I already do that our two families lived closer. It would be such a gift to be able to get together much more regularly and to have our girls be part of the daily or weekly rhythm of our days. It is my sincere wish that these three remain friends for the rest of their lives (and that our two families do as well). Thank you, sweet friends, for spending the day with us. We are looking forward to our next visit already! xo 

Wordless Wednesday::Kindred Spirits

Of Kindred Spirits And Candles

Yesterday the girls and I met up with Patricia and Alice at Yankee Candle Village for some long overdue hugs and to dip some candles! The candle dipping fit in perfectly with our grade three early New England/farming block, and it also gave us the perfect excuse to plan an adventure with our kindred spirits who live in Albany. Yankee Candle Village is just about the halfway point between our two homes, so it really did work out beautifully all around! We had tried a couple of other times to meet up but fate would step in and make it so that we couldn't. This time, however, the stars aligned and we were finally able to make this long looked forward to visit happen!

The time passed far too quickly for the five of us. We had a lovely time dipping candles, exploring the store, playing in the snow, visiting the candle making museum, having lunch (those girls of ours sure don't mess around when it comes to dessert!) and taking pictures. We sure managed to fit a lot in to just a handful of hours! Thankfully we'll be meeting up at homeschool day at Old Sturbridge Village next month so we can do it all again soon!

Thank you, dear friends, for meeting up with us yesterday and for such a fun filled afternoon! We are so blessed and so grateful that our paths crossed and brought two such kindred spirits into our world! xo 

Farm School Day

Their smiles say it all! What could be better than an afternoon at farm school with dear friends?! xo

Fun Mail

 Yesterday as the girls and I were heading to the Post Office to mail some mail (and buy some of the fabulous farmers market stamps) we got to talking about how it had been awhile since we last sent mail to our friends in Canada. We chatted about what to send them next, mailed what we needed to mail and headed back home. With this discussion still fresh in our minds we were very surprised to see Grace come running down from our mailbox with a package in her hands and bursting with excitement. "Mama! Mama! Look! A package from our friends!" We quickly found a spot to sit and opened the mail. Inside we found a note for each girl (and one for me!) and two little parcels wrapped up. We read the girls' notes, then each one selected something to open. Grace opened the package that contained the sweet felted acorns ("she makes the best things, mama!") and Emma opened the healing salve ("It smells so good, mama! Can I use some on my boo-boo right now?"). It should be noted that as of this posting her boo-boo (which was very prominent) is now healed! Thanks, Kim! So, now we have two girls who want to learn all about how to use plants to make healing items, and we surely have our work cut out for us when it comes to what to send to our very talented and generous friends! xo

On The Last Day Of Summer

Glorious weather. A trip to the playground. A visit with friends we hadn't seen in far too long (that sadly I didn't take any pictures of while we were together), and a quick stop for some frozen yogurt on the way home. A perfect last day of summer, indeed. xo

At The Farm With Friends

Yesterday we met up with our friends from Simple Whimsy. We hadn't been together in about a year but you'd never have known it by watching our girls! They picked up as if no time had passed at all since they last played together (and the same was true for us mamas)! It was a true joy to watch these four sweet girls play and laugh and giggle and talk and explore each nook and cranny of Drumlin Farm together. Before we knew it three hours had quickly passed and it was time to say our "see you soons". Here's to hoping that their move to New England happens sooner than soon and that it finds them moving to our neck of the woods of this lovely region of ours. Thank you, dear friends, for coming to visit us during your visit. We had a blast and are looking forward to next time already! xo

Morning, Noon And Night

Today we began our week with a lovely new tradition- a Waldorf inspired Rose Ceremony. I had read about this ceremony on various blogs that I frequent and couldn't shake the feeling that this was a tradition that we needed to add to our world too. With this notion on my mind and heart it worked its way into my soul even more when I saw this video of one school's Rose Ceremony. Maybe it was the song, or the sweet grade one students walking over to their grade eight buddy to receive their rose, whatever it was it just about did me in (and if I was that emotional over it I can only imagine what the mamas and papas of the kids were like).  So, roses were located, a sweet message to each girl was written and we welcomed a new year (and a new tradition) together today. 

After our sweet start to the day, the afternoon found us at Hopkinton State Park with other area homeschoolers for the Not Back to School gathering. It was a stellar afternoon spent with some kindred spirits and their sweet children. Kerry over at City Kids Homeschooling is one of my most favorite mama bloggers. To have the chance to finally meet in person was such a blessing! We have long known that we were kindred spirits and to spend and afternoon visiting only offered further confirmation of that fact. Through Kerry (and this gathering in general) today I am honored to have had the chance to meet Tracy from OFFKLTR. How she and I had not met in person before is beyond me but I am so very glad to have met her and her sweet girls today. Another kindred spirit indeed! Here's to the beginnings of a new circle of friends! Let our gatherings be frequent and plentiful! 

This evening brought the first day of the new dance year and with it Emma's first lost tooth! We had been waiting for this tooth to fall out for some time now, but especially for the last week where it was beyond loose. Leave it to Em to lose her first tooth at dance while practicing kicks! So tonight, the tooth fairy will be visiting her for the very first time. No doubt she will wake covered in glitter tomorrow morning and feeling just a smidgen older than she felt when she went to sleep tonight. What an amazing start to the week. I don't think this day could have been any more wonderful if it wanted to be! xo 

Slip Slidin' Away!

 Something about seeing my girls signing cards and addressing envelopes (even if I did have to spell things for them) got me all choked up. Such a grown up girl thing to do. 

 Let the fun begin!

 Got her! Now, if only you could see the stream of water in this picture. 

 A brief pause in play to sing "Happy Birthday" and eat ice cream!

 Right back to the Slip-N-Slide they go!

 She's flying!

 One going up, one coming down. 

We all had such a great time at the party today! The only thing that could have made this day any better would have been if it had been slightly warmer (not that this stopped the kids, mind you)! Thanks for another fun filled celebration, dear friends! We are honored to be a part of such a special day! xo