Celebrating Ten Years

Yesterday we attended the 10th anniversary celebration for Drumlin Farm Community Preschool! You may remember that Emma was a member of the Crickets class during the 2011-2012 school year. It was so lovely to be invited back to celebrate a decade of this amazing program. 

A little folk dancing to start the celebration! 

 The song they are dancing to in this picture is one from Bulgaria. 

 After the dancing it was time for some speeches and the big reveal of the new school logo. 

Waiting for the hayride to arrive. 

 It was lovely to see this sign again. 

On the days that the kids were at the nature center this sign always greeted us when we arrived. 

 Emma (the only Cricket alumna) with some of the current members of the Crickets class. 

 Sporting her new shirt. 

 Rina and Screech Owl Number 4. Rina was one of Emma's teachers when she was a Cricket. It was lovely to see her again! 

It was so wonderful to be back! The only way that yesterday could have been any better would have been if some of the children that Emma was in Crickets with were able to be there too. Other than that it truly was a stellar day! Drumlin Farm Community Preschool was such a blessing to all of us, and it was lovely to see that it had grown so much yet remained the same in the years since we were there. I am so glad that Emma got to experience life as a Cricket. The days spent outside (in all types of weather) and the things she learned then have stayed with her (and with all of us) in the years since. Being there yesterday was just like coming home. It was wonderful to see Emma remember so much about her days there. As we walked along, from place to place, she would reminisce about the many adventures she and the other Crickets had together. Ten years from now and ten after that and ten after that I know she will continue to look back on that year at DFCP with such joy. We hope that this wonderful school continues for many more decades to come, and that they continue to hold gatherings every decade too. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to plan this wonderful event. Much like her year as a Cricket, it is a day we shall never forget. xo

{This Moment} "Yay, Crickets!"

{This Moment} - A SouleMama Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. We wish you a joy-filled weekend!  And to all those Papas out there we wish you a very happy Father's Day!

Beginnings Are Scary, Endings are Sad, But It's The Middle That Counts

Today was the last day of Crickets for Emma.  For those that have been reading along with our many adventures, you may remember that in September Em headed to preschool (or "camp" as it was initially called, later to be referred to simply as "Crickets").  I blogged about her first day here.  Originally we had planned to send her again next year but after much discussion (in the wake of Dave switching jobs) we ultimately decided that this would be her one and only year of Crickets. It was a very hard decision as we all felt a wonderful connection with this amazing community.  No one was phased that we were homeschoolers, in fact, on more than one occasion people said how much they loved that we were homeschooling.  And as luck would have it we were not the only homeschool family who had a child at Crickets!  Everything about this program is what (pre)school should be.  The staff is incredible.  Their days are incredible.  The amount of time spent outside.  The embracing of teachable moments.  The interactions with animals.  The multi-age group.  I could go on forever but I won't. I will leave it simply as this: In the wake of the less than stellar experience that was Grace's preschool experience this program is what we all needed!

In order to thank the amazing teachers we came up with the idea that flower pots should be painted and flowers planted. It seemed only fitting that we give the staff of a nature based preschool flower pots and flowers!  It was truly a family affair as we all had a hand in creating these gifts. 

Once the pots were dry it was time to plant the flowers.  Dave picked some flowers up on his way home from work and then Emma got to choose which plant went to which teacher. 

Which brings us to today.  After lunch we gathered everything we needed to bring with us and headed to Crickets.  As I drove out for the final drop off of the year I found myself getting really sad.  I reflected on all the amazingness that was this experience and found myself wishing that this was not the absolute last day of what was such an incredible journey.  We arrived and Emma handed each of her teachers their plants.  I wish that I had an extra pair of hands so that I could have taken pictures in addition to coordinating the gift giving, but it was not to be.  Just imagine how sweet Em looked carrying each of these plants to her beloved teachers. It is a memory that I will carry with me always.  After the gifts were given Grace and I hung around for a little bit to chat and play.  

Finally we had to pry ourselves away.  Before I hopped into the drivers seat I turned and looked back to see what had become such a familiar scene:

Grace and I then headed out to have a Grace and Mama adventure together. Ice cream was on the menu and a little bit of shopping too.  After all our fun was had we headed back to Crickets to pick Em up.  We arrived a little early and as luck would have it the Crickets closing circle was going to be held outside! I was so happy that we got to be there for their final circle. It was very special and I was way more emotional about it than I expected to be.  This is where wearing my "Jackie Kennedy" size sunglasses truly comes in handy! Mama shed more than her fair share of tears while watching the final moments of the Crickets time together. 

"Wait! Mommy needs to take a picture!"

It was such a truly spectacular day! The perfect ending to the perfect experience!  I am so eternally grateful that Em had the chance to be a Cricket, and David and I have said on more than one occasion how much we wish that Grace could have been there too.  A special thank you to Paula, Mary and Rina for making this experience so much more wonderful than we ever could have imagined!  You three will forever hold a very special place in our hearts. 

Nightime At The Farm

This past Tuesday night was the Drumlin Farm Community Preschool's Fall Social.  It was a perfect October night, a slight chill in the air but not too cold otherwise, and it was crystal clear. 

After a little playing around with camera settings,

and playing with friends,

It was time to head down to the farm yard. 

Do you see the moon?

First stop: The sheep and goat shed. 

Goodnight goats.

Goodnight sheep.

Next stop: The red barn.

Goodnight Midnight the Pony.

Next stop: The pig barn.

Seeing how many littles it will take to reach the weight of a boar.

Next stop:  The chicken coop.

Goodnight little chicks.

Goodnight Chickens.

It was a most magical night!  One that will surely be a favorite memory for years to come.  We were so sad that David could not be with us, but were so happy that my Mom was able to come up for this very special night. It was really lovely to walk by lantern/flashlight on such a peaceful night and visit our animal friends.  And while we all agreed that the animals were most likely wondering what we were doing there at that late hour, it was indeed lovely to get to peek into a part of their world that we don't usually get to see.  Thank you animals for sharing your world with us.  Sweet dreams!