Reflections of a day

 

Today Nolan ventured to camp with his big brother (at Hudson's kindergarten school). It was a BIG day for me as I watched my youngest child find his comfort in a world that was unknown to him. He has been home with me since birth and we plan on him staying with me for at least another year if not two. As we walked out the door Hudson said to him "don't worry Nolly, I will take care of you."

And off we went. We arrived at the school and said our good-byes. A big hold and a hug and a greeting from one of his favorite big kids, Peter, and he was doing just fine. There were no tears, no big drama and when he returned home, here are his words on how his day went.

"I had so much fun today" "it was a very long day" "you should have stayed closer because I wanted to hug you at times" "I'm excited to go back tomorrow" "I really have to go poop now because I waited" "I couldn't reach the soap to wash my hands" "Peter is my best friend"

After we said our good byes and I drove down the long gravel road, my chest was tight and I thought of all the things that could go wrong. For the first couple of hours I anticipated the phone call telling me that Nolan was inconsolable and that I needed to return to school immediately (that is how things went when Hudson was first trying this stuff out). After the first hour I really started to relax and by hour four I was feeling pretty relaxed.

So what did I do during these four hours? I sat! Yes! I sat! I first grabbed my coffee in my new coolest mug with an amazing sippy cup attachment from CUPPOW. I feel so much better about getting coffee knowing that I am not using their disposable cups and this has the same feeling as using one of those (do you know that feeling? That disposable cup feeling? I love those cups! These are just as great!)

 

After my coffee was in hand I headed to Lithia Park ( and did you know that Lithia Park was just voted 20th best park in the US?) and I found myself at the duck pond. I found a bench in the shade and I began relaxing. I see people there all the time spending hours just reading and staring at the water and trees. I have always wanted to be one of those people and here I was.

The focus of my time alone was to do more self education. I am in the middle of the book Under the Stars; The Foundations of Steiner Waldorf Early Childhood Education. This book brings such a deeper understanding of Waldorf in the early years and it's perfect for my children's ages. I love finding deeper meaning into Steiner and his form of education. When I read his work and works about him, I find that I have a deeper connection to my children and a better understanding of them. I am also taking the time to work on my handwriting. I have recently taken to writing letters. The one thing I have noticed is that my arm will hurt very badly after writing one page. Falling victim of not really using my hands for handwriting, I am trying to restrengthen these muscles. I find such beauty in penmanship and getting thoughts of importance down on paper. I then can share these thoughts more clearly with Adrian and it finds a deeper rooting and placement in my brain.

 

While sitting I was in awe of the beauty that came in and out of that space. I sat there from 9:30-11:30. I watched an array of dragonflies made there way to and from the same bush. I watch the red ones and blue and white ones do a very intricate dance around each other. I captured their beauty and saw their faces in a way I have never even imagined. They are quite magical.  A turtle came to visit. I felt like we had a special bond this turtle and me because when I come here with Nolan, the turtle always peaks it's head up at Nolan. Nolan calls the turtle his "pet turtle." I like the think Nolan's turtle was there to keep me company. And he did. He would come out and sunbathe and as soon as someone would walk by he would pop back into the water, then make his way back out to his sunbathing spot.

A morning wouldn't be complete without some summer knitting.  Summer knitting is my favorite. There is no winter in sight and no holidays to prepare for. It's just pure knitting for pleasure.

Towards the end of my day I happened upon the plaza where the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra was putting on a free show. Nothing like ending a glorious morning with some amazing music.

Tomorrow they venture off together again. I have no plans to clean or run errands, but I do have many plans of self relaxation and reflection.