Class Picture

Earlier this week we attended a celebration at cabin to bid farewell to the Brodie Family. There were some 14 families in attendance. We spent the afternoon sharing good food, playing games, making music, dancing and enjoying each other's company. At one point we had the children all gather together so we could take a photo to send to the Brodies in Norway. It struck me as Judith and Jennifer were trying to corral all the kids into one place for a few moments so they could snap a picture, that this was probably as close to a "class photo" as we were going to get as homeschoolers. So, here's a picture to enjoy of Emily's "classmates":


A memorable afternoon and a great end to a fantastic "school year"!

CABIN LOVE

Just a brief update today, folks. Emily, Maddie-Lu and I had a magical day at our Dream & Discover cabin earlier this week. So many fabulous moments. The weather was probably the biggest contributor to the low stress, easy going, creative atmosphere of the day. With temps in the low 80's, crystal clear blue skies and low humidity, we were able to be outside for the vast majority of the day. The children began a very elaborate pirate fantasy game involving treasure (of course), hidden caves, daring battles at sea, heart thumping action, narrow escapes and ultimate victory for the "good guys". Em put herself in charge of fashioning pirate hats for all. A new skill that she had mastered quite proficiently in the previous 48 hours (as the 70+ paper hats decorating every room of our house can attest).



One of the things I love most about the cabin is how the children move in and out of play groups so seamlessly. One moment, girls and boys separate themselves into different groups based on gender, the next moment, some of the children have paired off for one on one play or quiet reading. A half hour later, the "bigs" (ages 5-7) have started a game of baseball (for boys and girls). Turn around again and all the children have come together across all ages and genders for sandbox construction projects or a ride on the see saw. Most times the "bigs" are incredibly tolerant and inclusive of the "littles" (4 and under). Even the intricate fantasy play games almost always have room for the littles in supporting roles.


The cabin has brought so much joy into our lives. We celebrated Dream & Discover's second birthday last month. In reflecting upon all that the cabin is to our family, I thought I'd share the D&D "song". Created by the Winslow-Trevathan family, the song made its debut at a D&D multi-family camping trip to Hanging Rock State Park in April 2007. Many of the children know the words by heart. The cabin is so much to so many (we now have 11 families participating) that I don't think any single song could capture it all, but these words can give some idea of the gift that the cabin is for our children:

For Music and Laughter come follow us down
For Painting and Chasing come follow us down
To a Magic Cabin on the outskirts of town
Follow the Dancing Stream down… To

Dream, Dream and Discover
A playground for Learners and Lovers
Come Discover your Dreams
For Life is as Grand as it seems!

Where children decide what they’re going to do
And Nursing and Mudplay are part of it too
Where there’s no such thing as “Too Much Glue”
Follow the Dancing Stream down… To

Dream, Dream and Discover
A playground for Learners and Lovers
Come Discover your Dreams
For Life is as Grand as it seems!

We Trust in our Young Ones and Nurture their Souls
We Honor their Feelings and see them as Whole
Knowing is a Journey and not just a goal
Follow the Dancing Stream down… To

Dream, Dream and Discover
A playground for Learners and Lovers
Come Discover your Dreams
For Life is as Grand as it seems!