Graduation (Last Day of 8th & 6th Years)

On June 11th,  2021, our time at Montessori Family School (MFS) came to a close. Both Amara and Havana graduated from their respective classes. Havana completed her 6th year, thus marking the end of elementary while Amara completed her 8th year, making her a high school student. Wow doesn't even begin to express how we feel at how the time flew by. We started MFS when Amara was in 1st grade with Havana following two years later, staring in K. Both girls have benefited greatly from their time in a Montessori  school. 

As I process the close of this chapter I can't help but look back at our history at MFS. From Amara's initial school tour (given by another Amara!) to her last day, she has grown and thrived. She learned, she led and she came into her own. There were challenges along the way. She came to appreciate her small school but realized that a larger pool of students in high school will give more opportunity to develop friendships with like minded peers.  She is excited about doing sports, finding hiking pals and peers who may be interested in design as much as she is. Having been in a very challenging middle school program (bordering on unhealthy), Amara met all the deadlines and goals. But she left knowing that while she still desires to feed her deep curiosity and quest for knowledge, she wants to have fun as well. She does not want to push herself to the degree she had to in middle school but at the same time, she is proud of her accomplishments. Like being the pizza business CEO, which pushed her in many important ways. Good life lessons for one so young. She is both excited and nervous about high school but I know Amara will continue to do her very best. She is an outstanding student, a thoughtful and loyal friend and has a deep desire to learn. We can't wait to see what's next.

Havana also finished the year off in a great place. Both girls returned to school the last six weeks of the school year which, made a world of difference. With Havana, we saw her enthusiasm return. She turned out some impressive papers including a research paper on diseases.  Havana's creativity is not just with painting, drawing and designing. We discovered she has some great writing skills and is a wonderful story teller. Havana continued to devour books throughout the year. We saw improvements in math and spelling. We also realized over the course of stay at home learning that Havana too needed a bigger social pool.  Havana is one who flourishes with her friends and she would do better in a middle school that would not only allow her the opportunity to make new friends but also one that was much less rigid and offered lessons and support. These things led us to make the decision to leave MFS and try something new.

The reality of leaving MFS has sad for the whole family, even if we are excited for what lies ahead. Our family has been one of those 'very involved' families. Every event, fundraiser, need to help out, sitting on the head of school search, being a room parent, driving kids and more, I was there with the other involved parents.  I felt like I was part of the school too. Don felt that way as well. Almost every event for years, you'd see him washing dishes and cleaning up.  With the pandemic causing 1  1/2 year of no active involvement, we were able to start our separation early. I think that made it easier but the idea of never sitting in on another Friday community meeting makes me a little teary. The silver lining was that the MS kids and their families were allowed to be inside the community room for the graduation speeches. This allowed for us to step back in the the school for the first time in a 1 1/2 years and say goodbye, as we supported the 4 graduating 8 years.

We have loved MFS deeply and we leave with deep gratitude for all that it gave our two small gems. They are have a solid foundation of how to navigate school in an organized way (ah, those executive functioning skills!), they know how to find answers, explore their passions and they know what they need. They are now able to identify what they did not get in school and the importance of finding those things for themselves. Their Montessori education taught them to move through their lives with independence, thoughtfulness, care and kindness. But now onto new academic adventures. So goodbye, farewell MFS. We bid you well.

Of course, Luvey & Ellie attended as well.

Some school pals getting Baskin Robins after school. Going there on the first day & the last day of school has been a tradition for 8 years.

12!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Havana is so many things! She is feisty and strong willed. She is funny and observant. She is sensitive and intuitive. She is quiet and shy. Until she feels comfortable with you. She is smart and she is creative. Havana can be helpful but mostly she needs a lot (a lot) of nudging to help out in the house. But when it's just me and Havana hanging out or doing chores, she is organized, practical and keeps me in line. I cherish the times when it is just she and I together. I wish she'd go on more walks with me but anytime with Havana Ruby is time I relish.

Havana keeps me (all of us) in stiches. Be it her quick wit (she has some hilarious one liners), impromptu plays or her dancing, Havana Ruby will leave us if not laughing, with a huge smile on our faces. She can also leave frowns when she slams her door if she does not get her way. Or when she says mean things because, she does not get her way or I make her do something she doesn't want to. If I haven't been clear, Havana likes to do her own thing. In her own time and in her own way! 

In the past year, Havana has continued her love of reading. Often she is devouring a book a day. She produces beautiful art, which graces our walls. Havana is a good and thoughtful friend, most recently making bracelets for a few pals after carefully selecting colors she felt best suited them. Havana also Loves playing games online (which her dad and I have to keep monitoring so that she falls within her daily time limit. She always tries to sneak in more time!)

Havana remains the cat whisperer. She not only Loves kittens and cats but she can sense into them. She has a gift. Even if that means ignoring they want to be left alone (talking about Kai here, who she carries around like a baby, even when he wants to sleep!) I have been talking more with her about her intuition and ways to access it and ground/protect herself as well. She is extremely sensitive so it is a good time to learn how to protect herself and her energy while also being in touch with the things she feels deeply.

In this past year, with the pandemic and distance learning, we saw Havana go more within herself. We took steps to support her (including a trip to Hawaii) (that was such a difficult intervention!), hiking and biking and ways to do art therapeutically. All these  things, along with a return to school last month has made a huge difference for Baby Girl. She is dancing and smiling more and we are laughing more at her classic jokes. We are grateful that this may be the last year in this crazy covid 19 world and that Baby Girl is getting back to her old self and settling into her older self. We see her changing from a little girl into a young lady. This leaves me feeling bittersweet. I know Havana is growing up but she will always be my baby girl.

Havana makes our family complete and she is the happy song that my makes my heart dance. I can't imagine life with my rainbow girl.  Happy twelfth birthday to my Havana Ruby Modesta.

Gaia Passages (Gaia Girls)

Photo by their guide Chiara. They spent the Saturday working in a garden.

With the global pandemic of 2020/202 causing us all to be at home more often that not, I worried about the spiritual and mental/emotional implications that an extended shelter-in-place would mean for my two small gems. Their school was opting to do outdoor learning but we felt more comfortable with them distance learning at home (until May, when they returned in person). Still, I knew that they needed some type of support to nurture heart and mind if they were to remain home most of the time. This is where Gaia Passages (formerly Gaia Girls) came into play.

During the summer, Amara did a 5 day backpacking trip with Gaia Girls, which is a outdoor, nature based program that supports girls with nature based activities. It was a the perfect rite of passage for Amara (versus the bat mitzvah we could have opted for) as it connects young females with the earth through song, hiking, gardening, crafting and more. When I saw that Gaia Girls would be doing their outdoor program for the school year, I knew that it would be the support I was seeking for the girls.

From October to May, the girls met twice a month. They would alternate between a park in Oakland and the backyard of another family in El Cerrito.  Some months, they would meet for an entire Saturday. Nine girls, who over time got to bond with each other while learning to more deeply connect with the earth. Amara was on board from day one. Havana took a bit more time adjusting to the program as the pandemic seemed to impact her psyche more (she did not want to get outside much at all.) But over time, the girls formed relationships with their peers and their older guide Chiara, which proved to be nurturing for heart, body and soul.

One of the main focuses of the program was that the girls learn to make fire, which ended up with them tending to a fire by themselves, for three hours, during a two night camping trip. It was very exciting for the girls to have learned this responsibility. Grandfather Fire is an important element in life and I was most grateful the girls formed a relationship with fire. I was also beyond thrilled that Havana opted to do the camping trip. She has not been one to spend the night out without her parents. That she joined the group for two nights of camping was a big milestone. For Don and I, that alone was the highlight of our decision to make the commitment to invest the time, energy and resources that the program required of us. 

The program ended last month, with the girls making a group fire at their last meeting. They were sad to say goodbye but they were also ready. With things shifting in the world, their return to school and spring in full bloom, it was time to focus on other things. But their time with Gaia Girls was something that was exactly what they needed, at exactly the right time. And what better experience that deepen ones relationship with Mother Earth.

Photo by Chiara

 

14!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Amara Pearl Josephine is 14.

How the heck does this happen? Yes, I know, I say the same thing every year but life really does fly by. And now my girl is 14!

Amara is amazing.  And anyone who knows her would agree. But she is more than just amazing. 

Amara is bright star, who brightens our world. She has endless curiosity. She has a big, caring heart. She is thoughtful. Sometimes not so much but mostly she is! Amara is an extraordinary hard worker. She can push herself too hard (causing painful moments for us all) but that drive and desire has meant that Amara is a young lady that stands out from the rest. She cares about school, the earth, her family and friends. She makes sure she does right and fair by others. She is inclusive. She is annoying. Mostly, she is great fun to be around. She gives things her full attention and energy. Amara has big dreams and I suspect she will met many of those dreams.

In the past pandemic year, Amara did school from home until the past few weeks. Even with distance learning, she remained a leader in her class. She got her work done, all while turning applications for independent high schools, months before their deadline. She arranged community service projects that helped clean up trash in her town and she spent many an hour hiking and enjoying the natural world. Amara loves to find bones of animals and antlers from deer. She will also come home with a bag of trash she picked up along the way. This speaks volumes of how she sees the world and her place and role on the planet.

Amara takes pride in how she looks. Her hair, clothing and accessories given much time and effort. Her room is usually clean, organized and creatively decorated. She follows a few trends but mostly marches to her own beat. I love that about her.

I love alot about Amara and I love all the things we do together. Walks, cooking, shopping and talking about both mundane matters and things more meaningful and profound.  Amara is always ready for an adventure and willing to try new things. Amara makes a great traveling companion. I could do without occasional talking back, the teenage eye rolling and the self-focused behaviors at the moments, especially when I am in the middle of something important. But mostly, I am so deeply, deeply grateful to have Amara as part of my life. She is by far, a very special person, one who is going to go far in life doing good things for this world and I am blessed to call her my daughter.

Happy Birthday Amara Pearl~

Golden Gate Bridging

This blasted Covid-19 pandemic has put the squash on some many aspects of our lives. Everything from grocery shopping, work, school to socializing has come to a halt. Until recently, when things started to shift with the vaccinations. And that meant that our Girl Scout troop would make up for the cancelled Golden Gate Bridging (two years in a row.) So on a recent Sunday morning, our troop met up on the north side of one of the most iconic landmarks in the world and did our own version of bridging.  The typical Northern California weather did not let us down! There was fog and wind as we made our way across the span. But we still had a fun time, enjoying the view and this unique opportunity.

When we crossed the bridge, we made our way to Chrissy Fields, where the two older scouts (who bridged a few years back), met us with cheers. There, we feasted on boxed lunches under skies that were clearing up and with sun actually peaking through! It was a great way to celebrate the milestone of becoming Cadets and also our strong cookie season (even in a pandemic our troop sold over 3000 boxes of cookies!). The day got me thinking about the things I want to do with our troop once we are finally in the clear to go ahead and get back to some sense on normalcy. But even with this crazy year, our troop still has had fun and shared their ideas as we move into our tenth year as Troop 32039.