Painting Boards

The girls got to try out the new painting boards they received on Christmas from "Santa's" workshop...

Mommy also got new Stockmar watercolor paints so we broke out the goods.

"Santa" also made a bunch for my daycare children to use... I can't wait. I think he can make more if anyone in blogland is interested. We are going to put together a kit of a painting board, paint holder with jars (3 or 6) and a set of brushes.

Happy Painting!

Little Acorn Winter Party

During the last day of nursery school, we celebrated the Winter Solstice with a party! All of the children wore red and white and we sang songs together, did a few crafts, ate pizza and shared presents.

The party was fun but busy for sure! I think everyone went home and took a nice nap afterwards.

I just love these kids so much. They are so sweet and bring my home so much joy.

Welcome, Winter :)

p.s. thanx Amber for the photo managing :)

Christmas Nativity and Concert

This week Keira & Maia had their school's annual Christmas Nativity and Concert. Maia got the part of an angel... this was her first speaking part ever and we were really worried that she would be afraid or too shy to speak but she did GREAT! She lost two teeth this month too... her line was "Tonight, in Bethlehem, Jesus Christ Our Lord has been born.". A big mouthful for a toothless five year old.
This is Maia, my angel, with her good friend Julianna.

Maia with her friends from her Kindergarten class (above)

My Maia Apple Pie-a

Maia's class - the nativity crew... this is an annual tradition the school has to have the Kindergarten class act out the scene of Jesus' birth.

The older children sang Christmas songs afterwards... here is Keira with her best friend, Jessica.

The nativity :)

The third grade class singing "Joy to the World"...

Merry Christmas!!!!

King Winter

KING WINTER
~ Wildie Thayer

The Autumn wailed, " I felt his breath." The birds departed, frightened.

The heavens frowned, and all the earth
In chilling terror whitened.

The flowers clasped his frozen hands,
And bended low to greet him ;

The leaves, all clad In colors gay,
Then sallied forth to meet him.

King Winter came, but gave the earth

A coldly warm protection ; Till Spring commanded, " Rise, depart;

I am the resurrection."

8th Annual Ornament Decorating Party

I cant believe we have been doing this eight years already! Its become such a fun tradition and I love looking back on my blog to see the parties and how the children have grown up and changed over the years.

This year we made really fun ornaments - my favorite were these snowglobe type ornaments made with plastic cups and miniature winter items inside.

The kids have so much fun together.

The best part is decorating our tree each year and looking at the dates and cool ornaments we have made in the past. It will be so nice for the girls to have these to use on their own family tree when they are adults.

Daycare Snippets

Snow Day Snowflakes

Today was a snow day so we made beautiful snowflakes together...

Keira came up with a really good idea to use different colored scraps of paper to put behind some of the holes to make a stained glass effect...

Let it Snow!

Advent, Week Two

"The second light of Advent is the light of plants - Plants that reach up to the sun and in the breezes dance."
This week we added some living and non-living plant material to our table... we also lightened up on our stones, bones and minerals but left some out so we have a bit of each kingdom on our table by the fourth week.

December Daycare Days....

Needle Felted Mitten Ornaments...
Block Building...

Advent Wreaths...

Little Bundles of Joy ;)

New Waldorf Online Magazine

I'm so honored that Heather from Shivaya Naturals published one of my articles on warmth in her new online waldorf magazine Rhythm of the Home... it comes out seasonally... be sure to go check it out - there is so much to see over there!

'Tis the Season