Autumn... slow down... hygge with family♥

Autumn and back to school has been a busy season.  

Many new experiences in new grades with new teachers...  Many familiar beloved traditions to renew our spirits and fill our days.  Each Autumn I'm filled with nostalgia and the desire to slow the pace of life.  Curl up with the kids with a hygge fire, warm cocoa and good books♥  

 

Autumn Wind

When autumn wind goes running
It does some magic things.
It gives the shadows dancing shoes,
It gives the bright leaves wings -
When autumn wind goes running.

It curls the bonfire's tail of smoke
And shares a little whispered joke
With cornstalks who delight to prattle,
It turns a seed pod into a rattle -
When autumn wind goes running.

 Boo! is a favourite with our clan for Halloween :D

 

 

An Autumn Greeting

"Come," said the Wind to the Leaves one day.
"Come over the meadow and we will play.
Put on your dresses of red and gold.
For summer is gone and the days grow cold."

 

 I like pumpkins is a fun, whimsical read for your little's... a good book to curl up with count some pumpkins :D

 

 

We had much to be thankful for this thanksgiving and much to look forward to with all the holiday fun ahead.  Wishing you all a splendid holiday season with relaxing, peaceful moments with your loved ones♥

The Wooded Path...

I Must Walk Again The Wooded Path;
I must stroll the country lane
Where sunsets fall like summer plums
and stardust falls like rain.

I must chase again the firefly
on the honeysuckle vine.
And watch an eagle spread its wings
above the tallest pine.
I must see once more a hummingbird
where hollyhocks grow wild.
And run barefoot through the Autumn leaves
like I did as a child.
I must stand atop a mountain
when the valley's white with snow.
And linger there till purple haze
spreads twilight far below.
I must do these things lest I forget
how precious life can be.
I must walk again the wooded path
of quaint simplicity.
~Clay Harrison

I Opened A Book... one of my favourite poems... by Julia Donaldson

 

National Library of Scotland

Instead, I held you♥

 

Today my patience has run thin and all I could think about was having a few minutes to myself, but as you fell fast asleep on my chest, it was an easy choice despite a list of things needing to be done.  Because instead... I held you.

I was going to get the dishwasher unloaded and the overflowing pile in sink washed.

But instead... I held you.

 

I was going to get the clothes folded that have been sitting in the dryer, refluffed one too many times. And I was going to rewash the laundry that sat wet over night.

But instead I held you.

 I was going to grab my two minute shower and if I was lucky, I was going to blow-dry my hair and maybe throw on a little makeup.

But instead I held you.

I was going to answer some work emails and respond to a few missed calls that have needed returned over the past 72 hours.

But instead I held you.

I was going to vacuum up the crunched mini-wheats that you accidentally spread through the living room and stairwell, and likewise clean up some of the toys that are strewn in every room but the playroom.

But instead I held you.

I was going to get dinner in the crock pot and go through the pile of mail that has been sitting on the countertop since Monday.

But instead I held you.

I was going to carry you upstairs and lay you down as I was pretty certain you wouldn’t awake if I did. Maybe you would have been more comfortable in your bed?

But instead I held you. 

You see, your little legs are already bunched up on the chair as it seems like it was just yesterday that your tiny toes were still resting upon my stomach. Your tiny breaths and sweet hands fell so perfectly around me, yet soon you will prefer to stretch out in your own toddler bed. It turns out that my plans for this time weren’t going to accomplish what I have right here in my arms. I found my calm and the peace and the satisfaction right here, right now, because of one simple choice...

Instead, I held you.

~Regan Long, 2016~

♥Breathe♥

You don’t have to know how it’s all going to work out.

You don’t have to know where it begins and ends.

Just know there is goodness in the middle of this mess.

 And breathe.

You don’t have to be a superhero today.

You don’t have save the world.

Just hold someone you love tightly in your arms.

And breathe.

You don’t have to predict the future.

You don’t even have to see a silver lining in the latest catastrophe.

Just notice the sky above your head.

And breathe.

You don’t have to know all the words.

You don’t have to speak with conviction.

Just say, “I am here,”

And breathe.

I often forget there is something I can do

when I don’t know what to do:

Just Breathe.

 R Stafford 2017

See beyond the surface

Our children look to us as the example to emulate.

I want to make sure I've shown them something good to follow.

I vow to stop measuring my worth

By my appearance...

By the cleanliness of my home...

By my children’s attire in public...

  I don’t want them to measure their worth that way.

I vow to stop measuring my significance

By how much I accomplish...

By the sum of my bank accounts...

By the amount of likes on my posts...

 I don’t want them to measure their significance that way.

I vow to stop measuring my value

By bulges, wrinkles, imperfections, and scars...

By how much I can accomplish in a day...

By the opinions of others...

 I don’t want them to measure their value that way.

Today I choose to stop looking at the things I am not.

I will start looking at all the things I am.

I want them to see beyond the surface of themselves,

To see all that they are too.

Poem by Sherry Johnson

Adapted from the poetry writings and style of Rachel Stafford.

She wrote the first version of this poetry with so many people now making versions of their own.  I encourage you to make your own based on your life and what you'd want for your children.

It's very therapeutic and helps guide your own thoughts and actions to set the best example you can for your children♥

"Life isn't about finding yourself; It's about creating yourself."

"Life isn't about finding yourself;

It's about creating yourself." 

 My passion and love of learning stems from a belief that learning is a life-long process.  We strive to be open and adaptable to the many changes and challenges of everyday life. I try to model continued learning as the children see me reading, studying and implementing new, creative adaptations and theory to our home environment and lives.  By giving them these roots, my hope is they will also follow a path of inquiry and know as students of life, they will always be learning and growing♥

Sherry Giasson-Johnson, 2018 

Here are some web based learning opportunities on engaging children in the outdoor environment on You tube.  I will add more as they become available:)

Engaging Young Children in the Outdoor Environment (Video #166)

Outdoor environments are more than swing sets and slides! This Apples Video Magazine will address the Illinois Early Learning Standards in revealing the mysterious process of creating an outdoor classroom. Young children can be equally engaged in learning through play outdoors as they are indoors. Viewers will understand the value of play in outdoor settings that promote social interactions, independence, creativity, and most importantly, friendships. Join the fun as we view outdoor play. Recorded: September 2009

 

Outdoor Environments for Learning in Early Years - Part 1 

 
An online workshop to explore and learn how to use the outdoor environment to facilitate and enable learning in early years. This workshop is hosted by Collaboroo, an online community for primary teachers and early years teachers and delivered by Laura England, Early years teacher and blogger at Little Miss Early Years. Part 1 – The benefits of outdoor play Creating outdoor play spaces Making the most of the seasons

 

Outdoor Environments for Learning in Early Years Part 2 

 

 An online workshop to explore and learn how to use the outdoor environment to facilitate and enable learning in early years. This workshop is hosted by Collaboroo, an online community for primary teachers and early years teachers and delivered by Laura England, Early years teacher and blogger at Little Miss Early Years. Part 2 – Outdoor maths Loose parts play with nature Outdoor art

 

Fairy Princesses Tea Party♥

 Part 3♥

As the seasons come and go,

there is something you should know.

You'll find fairies everywhere,

under bushes, in the air.

Playing games just like you play,

singing through their busy day.

Listen, touch, and look around,

in the air and on the ground.

If you watch all nature's things,

you might just see a fairy's wing.

 

 

 

Morning before the big event...

Part 2...

Morning before the big event...

The tea sandwiches are made and in the fridge...

Fruit and cheese is cut and ready...

Dress up center is stocked...

A little girl is quietly sitting in her tent,

counting the minutes until her besties arrive♥

Fairy Princesses are gathering... a magical celebration is almost here...

A sneak peak...

Once upon a time, in a kingdom not so far away♥ 

 A royal invitation...

Fairy Princess accessories...

  

 

 

In a magical dress-up area...

A scrumptious cake by Mariposa Market...

An enchanting tea party with tiny tea sandwiches...

... and yes, they get to use fine bone china:)

 

... more to come♥

Do one thing today that makes you smile♥

There are 5 things in life you cannot recover:

A stone... after it's thrown.

A word... after it is said.

An occasion... after it's missed.

The time... after it's gone.

A person... after they die.

Memories are precious... be present in the moment.

Do one thing today that makes you smile♥