I think about the child who is still so firmly grounded to the earth, for whom the swing is a bit too unnerving. But yet this child has worked each day to swing higher and higher, allowing the swing to take his feet off the reliable ground, as long as eye contact was maintained with the pusher. The need for connection is strongest when facing our fears. I think about the child who while playing happily with another, accidentally hurts their friend. When the friend begins to cry, the other shrinks back with shame and remorse. But when invited to sit with the hurt friend and to hold their hand, both are able to find their way back again and face their hurt and mistakes. Our regret over mistakes is relieved in relationship to others. Children have so much to offer us as clues to how and why humans mess up, but also how we can move forward with our lights in the world. 

We made a little Thanksgiving treat of Cranberry-Orange Relish this week. The kids used a meat grinder to crush up some cranberries and oranges, and then added sugar and jarred it up. Turning a crank is a wonderful exercise that helps cross the body's midline; an excellent brain-building activity that incorporates both sides of the brain and body. We also have been doing a little poem in the morning that helps children become more aware of their body. I hold the child on my lap and say:
Swish, swash, swoosh, swosh, wash the clothes so fine ("draw" a side-lying figure 8 on their back with my fingers repeatedly)
Wring them, wring them (wrap their arms around themselves and squeeze) 
And hang them on the line (lift their arms above their heads)


I also do "Round and Round the garden" on their hands and "This little piggy" on their toes. These may all seem simple and silly, and they are, but they are a lovely way to help children gather themselves, regain focus, and also connect with a caring person! They also help a child develop body awareness which is handy for all gross and fine motor skills later on. 

It was a week of pirate ship building, catching leaves, hay fort making and pumpkin rolling. We had some cooler brisk days where the hats didn't come off, and some warmer days that still allowed for some water play. The clocks have turned back and our evenings are coming earlier. The children have begun making their lanterns for next week's lantern walk and singing songs about lanterns. 

There was also a whole lot of brotherly love. Our one big brother in the group introduced our big bear hugger to the art of wrestling--a beautiful match. In the above center picture, there are actually three boys, our one child who has TWO big brothers was game for a pile-up.  We also tried some hammering and it was lovely to watch the intense concentration of the children at work.