Walk Around the Sun (Birthday Circle)

At the girls school, in what is a Montessori tradition, when it is the children's birthday they do something called the Birthday Circle. A bright and beautiful model of the earth is placed on the floor and the children walk around the sun for each year of their life.

This sweet ritual is thoughtful and meaningful for the children. The child whose birthday it is is told by her teachers and peers what she means to others. Pictures of each year of life are provided by the parentsare are shared with the class.  The child can look back on the changes a year can make in their young life. It is a sweet, intimate ritual. 

Havana (who's circle was early since she is born June 30th and school will be out), was timid at times during the ceremony but she was able to take in the attention and kind, genuine words from her peers.

Amara was invited to join us and so the three closest to Havana got to be present. Together we learned how Havanna is viewed by her classmates. I was quite moved by the entire process and was grateful to be able to witness.

Havana with her beloved teacher Trina showing pictures of her life. Here is Havana as a newborn!

Girls on the Run

Amara, her Aunt Liz and her father recently did a 5K with Girls on the Run (GOTR) down in the South Bay. Amara caught the running bug after joining the running club at her school and after completing her first 5K just a few months ago. She is fast little road runner who gets a thrill from competing. Having an athletic build (she is solid muscle!) is an added bonus.

On an early Saturday morning, Amara, her father and her Aunt headed out for a fun race with hundreds of other girls. I was supportive of Amara running and knew this would be a great experience for her. However, I was mostly excited that she would get to do a race with her Aunt. Sadly, because of this busy California life, we don't get to see family enough so I loved the idea of the two of them doing something like a race together and sharing in making memories with each other. 

Aunt Liz is quite the athlete herself; she is a power walker who completes marathons, is up close and personal with the mountains surrounding Santa Cruz and has a great attitude about life and adventure. The more time Amara gets to spend with her the better. So on this early morning, off they went and had made some of those cherished memories.

(And a big thank you to Liz for taking these photos.)   

I guess hair dye was part of the fun! 

Amara did the race in the same time as last time minus 2 seconds, 31 minutes. She's fast!!! Don did it in 35!!

Smitten

Smitten ice cream parlor is a novelty shop in Berkeley that makes their ice cream to order. That's right, it's made fresh, from scratch, in front of you. And it's darn good too. Their mint is made with real mint. It's heavenly. We haven't been there but few times but when our friend Janet came to visit we took her there to try some of what makes the Bay Area so special (these niche food shops). Joining us were our friends Hana and Angie, who were there for the first time as well. You can tell by the photos that watching the ice cream be made is almost as fun as the actual eating of it!  

Gypsy Janet Visits California

                                            

Redwood in an urban setting. 

Fun at the Ashby Flea Market, which was right up Janet's alley.

Made to order ice cream at Smittens.

Blueberry heaven at Monterey Market.

At the top of University in Berkeley. In the background is the UC campus.

At the Albany Waterfront Trail. It was cold and we could barely see the GG Bridge and SF skyline but we still had enjoyed the fresh air, wildflowers and the presence of each other.

Janet is not a fan of photos of herself. Still, I managed to capture enough of her visit to remember the memories.  We will miss her and hope she returns again soon!

Janet's visit came at the perfect time. Feeling quite a bit of stress recently due to being sick for an extended period of time, along with tensions and conflict from growth and development changes with the girls, I needed some support and relaxation time. We did these outings in slow paces increments, which allowed us to take things in and be more present with ourselves, each other and our surroundings. It was a good medicine to have a friend visiting, a friend who has my back here. I am thankful to the Creator for the divine timing of this visit. One of the reasons I keep this blog is not just for photos and memories but for the girls to read my stories and lessons with hope and intention that my stories will guide them as needed when they are grown. Slowing down, pacing oneself and having support of family/friends/one's tribe are things that will be part of my life now and I pray that become part of who the girls are and how they move through life.

Needle & Thread

 My old friend Janet has been visiting. I have know Janet since I was sixteen years old and we have both gone through many a life changes together (you can read more about her here http://twosmallgems.blogspot.com/2013/07/gypsy-janet.html). However, she has not spent much time with the girls due to living on the East Coast. This visit allowed for them to connect and bond and what better way than through sewing.

Janet is a master seamstress who has been sewing since she was a child (we met in a fabric store when I was in high school). On this visit, we were able to borrow an old sewing machine from my good friend Christa and then Janet went to work, giving Amara lessons in how to use the machine. I stayed in the background, taking in the sweetness of their creative time together. (Janet managed the machine but she patiently and perfectly explained all the steps to what she was doing. Amara took it all in!)

 Janet surprised the girls with some fabric to make pillow cases. Giraffes and Fairies....she really knows my kids!!! They turned out beautifully and the girls slept soundly on them later that night! 

This whole experience inspired me. I used to have a machine. It may be time to purchase a new one for the girls and I to create our own projects together. Maybe not as good as Janet's but that's okay!

Forgiveness Flowers

A tough day;

A rough day;

Cranky, Fussy, Hungry, Tired Day.

Whining, Crying, Demanding, Challenging Day

Sensitive Thoughtful;

Wants to say 'I'm sorry'; 

With a bouquet of flowers picked on the side of trail.

Walk by the Bay

 My heart brother Sheldon was in town this past week. It was along over due visit. Sheldon and I only get to see each other when he is on tour in the States (when I lived in JA or visited frequently the island, I would travel to Town-Kingston-to see him). Life with children is busy, so I was thankful that we got to take a a before school pickup hike that allowed uninterrupted conversation and moments of silence in the warm sun. Sometimes words are good and other times just being in the presence of those you love is just as sweet. Especially when there are trees and flowers and the songs of birds.

My New Grin!

Yesterday, with Cousin Ben and all of her teeth still intact.

Today!

Havana lost her first tooth on the way home from school with her friends. Unfortunately, she swallowed it while eating snacks (I had a feeling that would happen) but we  have the Tooth Fairy will still come tonight.

May Moon