St. Nicholas Day

I have a lot on my plate right now . . . moving houses, unpacking, teaching lessons, preparing for our first recital tomorrow, participating in a Christmas show, going to chiropractor and midwife appointments (oh yeah, I'm 30 weeks pregnant!) . . . but I was determined to celebrate St. Nicholas Day with Hannah this year. I especially wanted her to feel the joy of giving gifts to others before the endless receiving she'll be doing for Christmas. So we made it happen. With all I've got going on, people might think me a glutton for punishment, but the truth is, I enjoyed preparing for St. Nicholas Day just as much as Hannah and Hans had celebrating it. That's right. So busy was I with my many commitments, that I didn't even get to see how it all played out.

I spent the morning and Hannah's nap time wrapping oranges, nuts and chocolate in tissue paper for Hannah's cousins and a couple friends. I made homemade macaroni and cheese for Hans to throw in the oven for dinner. I printed a St. Nicholas poem card for each family receiving gifts. And Hannah and Hans had a lovely time delivering it all and eating a warm dinner, just the two of them. Hans said it actually put him in a better spirit for Christmas. And that made it all worth it for me. That, and seeing these few snapshots he took of our sweet little girl.

What a little sunshine she is to all who meet her. People tell me that all the time. What a gift I have in her. How warm, friendly and spritely she is. And you know what? Tomorrow morning I get to see that warm, spritely face when she sees how her own acts of kindness have come round circle. Believe me, they are big shoes to fill.

Michaelmas in September

September was a month of exuberant festivals! We attended Buffalo Bill Days, complete with line dancing, face painting, donkey riding, and outhouse racing. We also took part in a wonderful barn dedication at Lambourn Farm. I think my favorite of the September festivities, however, was Michaelmas. This was our first time observing the feast of St. Michael, me being the fledgling wannabe Waldorf mama that I am, and I'm really happy with how it turned out. I wish I had taken more than a week preparing for this festival, and will remember to do so next year. For those interested, you can read a little more about Michaelmas over at Parenting Passageway. I drew ideas from many of the links on this page, and also from the book All Year Round.

 We invited my sister and her boys to take part in the festival, and we told the story of St. George and the dragon with little peg people I clothed as the characters in the story. My nephew Ethan especially liked the knight with his tiny little sword. Hans was a rather flamboyant puppeteer, and my narrating just couldn't compete with his theatrics. :)

Hannah and I also sculpted a dragon out of beeswax to go on our Michaelmas candle, which is meant to be lit every night until Halloween. It is a symbol of keeping darkness (the dragon) at bay as the days grow shorter, and we begin to turn inward to find the light and strength that will carry us through winter. 
                                        
 After telling the story and lighting our candle we ventured outside and reenacted the St. George story, with nephews as knights, Hannah as the princess (of course) and Hans as the dragon. I think this was the boys' favorite part. What little boy doesn't like being given permission to beat on his uncle with a sword?

                          
Doesn't this chivalry make you swoon? :) After role playing, we came inside for a warm supper of chicken noodle soup and dragon bread, of course. I got the recipe for this yummy bread from the book All Year Round, and have since used it at least three more times! My bread sculpting skills could use improvement . . .

We then took the children outside for a Grandpa-built bonfire that ended up being a little more than we'd bargained for. Hannah spent the entire time nursing the "dragon" back to health. She was quite distraught that our knights had to hurt him. I'm thinking next year the story needs to go " . . . and then St. George told the dragon to 'be good!' and the dragon obeyed, and took up baking bread with his fiery breath for the village baker. The end." 

 

Almost caught up! Thank you for bearing with me and reading through these memories with me. This has been a wonderful exercise in record keeping. I'm excited to finish up though, and talk about all the fun things that are happening now!