Mercy At Bedtime

She snuggles her little afro into my neck and squeezes those chubby legs around my hips. Tucking her arms under her belly as she leans into me, signifies that this small bundle of energy has finally run out of whatever it is that fuels her to move without ceasing for most of the day. The warmth of her in fleece sleepers and the scent of baby oil on her skin calm me like nothing else does. I lay her limp figure in the tiny, white, toddler bed and with eyes still closed, she gropes for my hand and whispers, "Pray". The prayer spills easily from me and tears even come. It's been a long day full of  disciplining the limbs-flailing tantrums and cleaning up potty messes. I ask for mercy and patience for me and an obedient heart for her. She opens her eyes for a moment and whispers again, "I love you, Mommy" and pulls on my neck for a hug.

 

 

You know those snippets in time? The ones where all the difficult is swallowed up with sweetness that only comes from the mercy of God? I'd experienced many with my own children and now, I was grateful once again that all my efforts, productive or not, are redeemed by His grace.

Six months have passed since we've shared Ashanti with her momma. There is still no word from Immigration in order for Valerie to rest easy that she will remain in Canada. And so, we continue to be a loving, extended family to both.   

 

above three photos taken by my sister: www.truecoloursphotography.ca 

following photos from my phone...

she thought it was hysterical that Barbie can sit on the edge of the bathtub :)

snuggle with Mrs. Vos, who is teaching me afro hair techniques

Crying after I told her no more cookies. I played music to distract her and she fell asleep with tears streaming down. However, she danced as she faded off. Nothing can stop the groove of this girl :)

Ashanti, you are our entertainment. You keep us on our toes. You show us what love is all about. xo

Day Eighteen: Foster Imagination

We set up our chairs in the yard, draped blankets across them and placed our "babies" carefully underneath. My two sisters shared adventures with me as long as I was being nice. As the oldest, I tended to be bossy and as soon as I began ordering everyone around, the two of them would abandon the fort and easily find something else to do together. However, this day, we played for hours, even pulling in the four hens we kept in our play house, Trixie, Miss Prissy, Betty and Grace. We'd swing down from the grand willow tree by Tarzan rope, screaming all the way. The sun warmed our skin, the hours drifted slowly and the grasshoppers sprang about at our feet. We were happy out there in the wide world of play.

In the yard with my sisters--hen house behind.

Dressing up in Great-Mama's day-dresses (yep, that's her wig on me!)

Most dressing up occurred at Great-Mama's house. She had all the interesting stuff to use :)

Her lacy drapes made a beautiful wedding gown.

 

When gifted with an abundance of time, my children play like it's their real life. Imaginations soar like the little birds who perch and watch them from the treetops. Mud becomes cake, seedpods are money and tree branches are brooms with which to sweep imaginary backyard homes. Time is essential because you must first erase the initial boredom factor. My children know that announcing boredom means a chore will be promptly assigned to them. Sometimes, it takes awhile for all of them to agree on what the play is for the day but when they do, and it begins to take good shape, anything is possible. This kind of play lasts for days and they're itching to get back outside and continue "real life" outside. Nothing is more disappointing than being called back in the house before they're satisfied that all is well in their extraordinarily created world.

 

 

 

Joining friends in their imaginary zones opens their world to even greater heights of invention. Cohesiveness must first be established to ensure effective communication and productivity. Usually a leader naturally falls into command, or is elected, and the workers of the land help build the fort or town. Mossy Hill is one such place. Annie and I meandered through the woods behind her home to check on our kids and found them designing and building the town of Mossy Hill. This wild and lovely place was complete with pebble-lined pathways which divided homes and roads, flower petals for décor, log chairs, a time-out area (lol), and designated trees for break time. The children spoke in a new dialect with code words us moms didn't understand. What happened on Mossy Hill took time, energy, ingenuity, cooperation and it resulted in satisfaction and joy. 

Using seedpods as currency--can't get ice without it!

 

The first requirement to fostering imagination and the body movement that usually accompanies it, is to confiscate all electronics. Kids who are too cool for imaginative play may not have been reminded lately how fun it actually is. Their memories have been erased by the powers of the electronic devices. We, as mommas, must bring them back! I sent my children outside yesterday with large bowls and spatulas and told them to figure out what to do with them. Because this is a regular thing around here, creativity (plus the recently watched movie, Frozen) was quick to evolve into a land of ice peddling and snow soup. Even big sister, who wanted some fresh air humoured her siblings and joined in the play.

 

A couple of years ago, I came across the picture book, Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran, and I welled up with tears as it whisked me back to the same kind of play I experienced with my sisters. I ordered it immediately through Book Depository, which always has free shipping worldwide. This is the sweet experience children naturally fall into when given time and a little encouragement. Homeschooling has allowed my kiddos to enjoy this type of intelligence-building play. 

 

the owner, operator

 

Meg's store

 

ice store

 

snow soup

store equipment 

 

maneuvering the ice blocks is hard work

 

heave-ho!

 

Emily sitting on it isn't helping things.

  

 Push!


Very happy kids filled with purpose!
 

Six Stories: Number Six

The Story of My Dreams

 

When I was a little girl, I used to play teacher. I'd gather my sisters and everything I could find that resembled desk papers, books and classroom materials. I'd make your aunties sit and listen to me explain the lesson in a kind and sweet voice, then I'd hit them heavy with the mean teacher voice. It was fun (I'm sure more for me than for them). I dreamed of being a teacher and even though I didn't know how one would go about becoming one, I just felt that might be something that would suit me.

There were other dreams that came but quickly faded, like when I'd climb onto the city bus and watch the driver turn the very large steering wheel with that black knob. I'd imagine myself driving through the whole city picking people up and pushing the button to empty their coins into the machine. Or when I'd watch the garbage man toss the contents of our big cans into his magic truck and pull the lever and make all the stinky, dirty trash disappear. Or when we'd go to Swiss Chalet for dinner and the waitresses would hold that circular tray above their heads filled with plates of food. They were talented indeed and I longed to be one of them. Sometimes, I'd even wish I could pump gas all day and just breathe in the delicious aroma of the gasoline (yes, really). But usually, at the end of the day, I just wanted to be a teacher.

My dream came true mostly because it was time to go to university and I had to pick something to study. As I perused the syllabus, nothing else truly appealed to me. I hadn't thought much about teaching my sisters in those days but I figured it might work and I could always change my mind. Well, I finished with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Christian Education, which meant I was a teacher. I got a job teaching grade three and then kindergarten after that. I taught for four years before I became pregnant with Meghan. As you were all being born, I continued teaching Women's Groups, photography classes, quilting, scrapbooking, Bible studies, etc. I decided I wanted to be home when you were young because I could go back to the classroom when you were all older. As time went on, Daddy and I were led by God to homeschool you. And so, I continued teaching to the greatest little people on earth.

 

My children, I'm living the dream.

 

 

Geocachers

We dig, we hunt, we search up and down, inside and out, in forests and in parking lots. We're looking for treasure and it's the thrill of the hunt that leads us back again and again for more. Have you ever gone geocaching? (www.geocaching.com) Looking for something to do to get the wiggles out? You've never seen your kiddos (or yourself) become such a sleuth until you've broken into this world of hidden containers. When we find one, oh, the joy! Sometimes we can trade an item, sometimes, we simply sign our names to say we've found it! Join the fun!