Archive for September 22nd, 2009
Celebrating Autumn
September 22nd, 2009 | Author: Shannon
To celebrate the equinox, my daycare went on an afternoon nature walk looking for green oak leaves and comparing them to white pine needles. It was so fun to watch as the children ran along the path looking for oak trees and the excitement in their eyes as they recognized the leaf shape. After we master remembering the shape of the oak leaf, we also looked at maple leaves. Then we looked up at the grey sky through the tall pine trees and skipped rocks on our little pond. Across the pond we could see red, orange, yellow and green leaves. I look forward to this transformation of the leaves. I dread the grey winter that follows. We’re kind of lucky to live in a pine forest- the needles stay green all winter!
We made pictures of the bark of the oak and the pine trees by rubbing beeswax block crayons on paper held up to the trunk. It was exciting to notice how each tree made a different pattern on the paper.
May the leaves fall to fertilize the earth and restore the balance in the soil for a new year. May the harmony and balance and the equanimity of the equinox radiate within us and through us for eternity.
What did you do to share the change of season with your children, family, or just mark this time for yourself?
Butterfly Birth- "Chris"
September 22nd, 2009 | Author: Shannon
Last Friday, we returned home from a busy day of Waldorf Playgroup, Sweet Cakes, a trip to the consignment store for wedding clothes, a quick “in the car” nap and visit to my bachelor Dad and his bachelorette bride, to find our chrysalis had turned black!
The chrysalis itself is actually transparent but the colors of the almost-ready-to-emerge-butterfly are black and orange and can be seen. So, we added another fun activity to our busy day- butterfly waiting!
In the picture below, notice the difference in the colors of the crysalis’- top left is dark and hidden in the leaf is a vibrant green chrysalis. (Such transformation!)
Up close we can see the orange colors of the butterfly wings!
We waited and waited and forgot what we were waiting for and then remembered and low and behold- a butterfly!
I brought the butterfly outside so that when it was ready it could fly away to the flowers to get nectar and loved the color contrast between the green and orange and the blue and orange.
As we left to attend my father’s wedding on Saturday, I walked outside to show Charlie the butterflies and just as we went out the door they took to flight- their first flight. This will be how I always remember my Dad’s wedding day: a butterfly toast to Dad and Megan- hurray!
