A Peek Into Our Day

When I was in college, I used to love to walk along Summit Ave. in St. Paul at dusk with a dear friend of mine. We would meander along the sidewalk, looking at the houses with their shades not yet drawn for the night; lamps clicking on with the setting of the sun. It was at that time of day when the houses weren't quite ready for bed, but were beginning to slow down, while still open to the world outside.

We would dreamily gaze from afar through the lighted windows as we strolled past each home. Slowly, one by one, houses shades were drawn as the sky grew darker. They slowly began to shut in the beauty of what each family held behind it's four walls.

That was years ago; but today, you get a firsthand peek through the window of my own family's day. And I won't even pull the shades on you!

Let's begin...

After reading books in his room, listening to a book on CD, getting dressed and taking care of his hygiene responsibilities, Odin headed downstairs to work on a Summer Bridges Activity workbook. He did so diligently and with focus (which isn't always the case, so I'm grateful when I get it).

We ate breakfast together, discussed the Math Gnome Lesson from the Waldorf Essentials Math book, reviewed 5 minute intervals of telling time, and then got ready to head outside for what I like to call "Nature School" (a.k.a. spending as much time outside as possible).

It has been unseasonably warm for Minnesota in the past week. Today it was nearly 60 degrees and sunny. This is NOT normal for mid-February weather which, in Minnesota terms, is still in the dead of winter.

But, we soaked it up without a hint of guilt because in the next day or two, the weather is about to take a drastic turn. We're expected to get 8-12 inches of snow. That's right. We go from 60 degrees and sunny to 12 inches of snow in a few days. Welcome to Minnesota.

The boys played in the sandbox for hours. At one point I ran into the house to get some food for them. I peeked out the window and saw the below image. It's fun to see their relationship blossom. Although it doesn't come without some occasional harsh words to one another, they get along fairly well for the most part. When they hit their stride in their play rhythm - where they are in the zone together - it doesn't get much better than that.

After lots of play in the sandbox and the yard, they hopped on their bikes and we headed around the corner to the City Hall park.

Upon arrival, they mostly proceeded to hit trees and find sticks in the wooded area behind the old City Hall building. They could do this all day long if I let them.

They also took advantage of playing on all the vintage schoolhouse playground equipment.

This merry-go-round got some love today. But there's only so much you can take. It makes a squeaking noise that rings through the neighborhood. It has a few years under it's belt, that's for sure. But today it stood in all it's glory under the blue sky and bright sun.

Before you go on thinking these pictures depict nothing but fun and games, let me show it to you real. There are times when I get so frustrated with the kids I can hardly handle it and then there are times when they get frustrated with me too. I'll let you guess who was frustrated with who in this picture...

If you guessed that Odin was frustrated with me, you'd be right (as if that wasn't obvious by the scowl on his face!) Apparently singing, "If at first you don't succeed, try and try again!" over and over again when he's frustrated about not getting something right is NOT how he receives encouragement. Lesson learned.

Overall, it was a beautiful, sunshiny day filled with lots of playing, nature time and adventure. Now, in true Minnesota fashion, bring on the snow!

#Gnomes #Family #Math #Webster #Nature #Outdoors