Enjoying Fall

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”

-L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Wow, we were blessed with yet another week of perfect October weather. The temperature, the lighting, and the changing colors feel so restorative.

Monday found us with a couple of sick Blackberries, so it was three of us in total. What an absolute chill and peaceful day we had. But I am sure that the two attending Blackberries would agree that demolishing the rotting mud kitchen was their absolute favorite part. It was definitely mine! Give me a tool and I am focused and happy. I have had this task on my list for a long time now, and this small grouping provided the perfect opportunity for us to practice using real tools. We used an electric drill to take out screws and a pair of pliers for especially noncompliant ones. We enjoyed ripping away the rotting pieces and we hauled them all to the fire pit. Our mud kitchen is just a skeleton now, which I did on purpose because, you know, it’s spooky season.

The kids had no problem improvising in the “kitchen” this week without the main structure, which fully supports the idea that it is the loose parts and kids who project upon them, that are the most important features. However, a totally cool mud kitchen doesn’t hurt, and the plan is for this one to rise from the ashes as soon as possible.

The week found us getting our hands moving and dirty with the natural bounty of fall. Some of the kids cut, tweezed, picked, and crushed various decaying plant matter like tomatoes, sunflowers, milkweed, and corn cobs, to name a few. We carved a few pumpkins as a group. A few kids were reluctant to stick their hands in the pumpkins and grab the guts. So naturally, we’ll be carving more next week.

I have been able to harvest one of our pumpkins so far. There are more coming, but my patch is looking a little sad. It was hit with powdery mildew, and I likely did not attend to it quickly enough. But we will hopefully harvest five or six more if we’re lucky.

Meanwhile my husband Andy has been very busy in the garden. He has been pulling weeds and planting new flowers that survive the changing temperatures better. This means we will have an even longer season of being surrounded by nature’s beauty thanks to his keen eye and hard work. I am in awe of his eye for beauty, tenacity (gardening is not for the faint of heart), and energy!

Our first art installation is up in the indoor classroom, and we had a great time making more art this week. Some Blackberries painted with watercolors. They taped a border first, and then everyone did different techniques to suit their fancy. Some simply painted, one did a crayon and watercolor resist, while yet another used her brush in a specific way to create unique brush strokes on her painting. It was ultra satisfying for the children to rip the tape off the edges and observe the crisp contrast of a pure white border against the bold colors.

The Tuesday/Thursday group tried their hands (and arms) at marble painting. We gave each child a shallow box with a paper placed inside. They dipped a marble in paint, dropped it into the box, and rolled the marble all around. It was a really fun art project because it allowed them to basically use their bodies as part of the process. I know I will continue to look for projects that encourage movement as part of the process, especially with the younger kids.

We had a new Blackberry join us on Wednesday, and we are so glad she did! She is such a delightful addition to our group. The kids loved having an extra friend to run around with, talk to, and play with.

Finally, we enjoyed visiting and snuggling our new feathered friends. We welcomed eight new chicks to Blackberry Blossom, four Blue Laced Wyandottes and four Barred Rocks. The children loved holding them, petting them, and observing them. Though I think Pam liked them best of all. She had the chick sleeping like a baby in a matter of minutes and was the last person to put hers back in the pen. I know the children will be surprised to see how much bigger they will be when they return.

Just like you, Blackberries! You are growing before our very eyes. See you on Monday.