Camp Caz

Late each Spring, all Montessori Family School students from 1st-6th grade, head to Camp Caz, deep in the rural forests of Sonoma County. There, in a sleep away camp, the MFS kids spend 2 1/2 days, being, kids at camp.

The first two years, I opted out and Don opted in. The first year, Amara and Don both came back with stories of memorable talent shows, who won capture the flag and how Don got his eye almost knocked out at baseball. I heard about the amazing hikes and s'mores at the campfire.  Amara gave me a play by play of all the people and things that she experienced. It all sounded idyllic. Her stories were reminiscent of my own childhood at both sleepaway and day camps. Yet, I still opted not to go the second year. To be honest,  it seemed like a lot of work and I felt it would be better if I were the one to stay back with Havana.

This year, I had no choice. Havana was a first year and she was so looking forward to her first Camp Caz. Like all MFS kids, this is the highlight of the year and while she didn't know exactly what to expect, she knew her BFF's would be there and it would be fun. Myself, I wasn't so sure. And once again, I was pleasantly surprised to be proven wrong.

Because MFS has been doing camp for decades, they had it down pat. I am sure they still spent countless hours working out details such as car pools, bunk mates, and parent responsibilities, but the schedule and activities were as expert as any camp I have been to. The kids got to choose from swimming, to field games or other sports to arts and crafts. There was a hike, two nights of talent shows and singing by the campfire. In true Montessori style, the kids helped out with different responsibilities (although some needed gentle reminders!) It was so sweet to see all the children having so much fun with each other, in such a peaceful natural setting. And the parents. we got a chance to connect with the kids and each other while we took on our assigned roles or just hung out. (Don and I got to take a hike by ourselves the first afternoon; what treat!) It was a perfect way to start wrapping up the school year. Until next year; here is a glimpse of some of the Camp Caz fun. 

 

  

Four Legged Loves

Bodhi and Amara first bonded when she was a few days old.

As a child, I grew up around animals. My beloved Aunt Maxine breed and showed lhasa apsos so not only did I get to see our own dog (Toi Ling) being born, I was witness to many puppies entering the world. I cherished their new smell and playful sense of being. I didn't mind the chores; there was cleaning out the kennels or feeding those sweet little dogs. There was something about the four legged ones that resonated with me on a deep level and I cherished my time around them.  

It was also during my childhood that I realized that cats were pretty special too. In the fourth grade, I drew a large picture of a Siamese (which I still have packed in the garage) because I just knew that one day I would have a Siamese companion. Ten years later, while a freshman at Prescott College, I adopted a rescue Siamese, who a friend named Tosh. Tosh quickly became the most important part of my life. For nineteen years he was at my side, literally, with the exception of when I had to leave the house. Tosh flew with me twice cross country and together we drove across the country three times; while I would spend hours at the well, Tosh would be spread out across the dashboard, soaking up the sun. When I lived in rural Humboldt County, we shared a room, then a tiny trailer and for a time, a tent deep in the woods. During the middle of the night, wild pig would occasionally circle round the tent, rooting. They were scary little creatures but together Tosh and I survived that and so much more. Tosh and I lived in Arizona, New York, California and all those places again before finally settling in the Bay Area.

It was heartbreaking when Tosh passed. I always knew I would have children and foolishly assumed Tosh would be around for at least part of their lives.  It was not meant to be however. When Don and I were were traveling in East Africa, Tosh transitioned. Thankfully, a dear friend was with him to comfort him at the end and to send him off with love. I have no regrets about not being there. I would have been unable to say goodbye.  Having that time and space of continents and oceans was just want I needed to let go. 

Tosh was loved by everyone who met him. He was a wise old soul in a cat body. He was my living animal guide.

When we returned to the States  our home felt empty without Tosh's presence. I knew it was too soon but within a couple of months, Don and I adopted two Siamese brothers. Bodhi and Kai. At just 8 weeks, they took over our lives and while I fell in love, it was never the same as Tosh (how could it?)  My entire adult life from age 18-37 was with Tosh. There could never be another Tosh but Bodhi and Kai were pretty darn amazing in their own right.

Once Amara was born, Bodhi (who was just 11 months), bonded with her immediately. Kai, well, he was more of a free spirit who sadly got out when he was a few years old and never made it back. We have since had two other cats, Coco, whom we found  (or who found us) when we were searching for Kai. Coco didn't live long either; he died just a couple of years after. It was rough on the girls but death is a part of human life. Amara was present when Coco passed and both girls helped their father bury him in the yard.  Several months later, Havana asked for a kitten. It took a minute to connect with the right match but Havana and Samson fell in love at first sight, not that different from Tosh and I.

I don't know many things for sure but I do know that our fellow living beings are sacred. To share a bond with a domesticated animal is wonderful gift. Bodhi and now Samson have deep bonds with both Amara and Havana and it makes my heart filled with happiness that they are experiencing some of what I did with my four legged love.  It always brings a smile to face and my heart when I see them gently (well, dressing Samson is not always gentle on Havana's part), kindly and lovingly interact with their feline brothers.  I pray that all of them have many long years together. Animals teach, animals protect and animals love and that is most precious gift.

     

Bodhi loves his human sisters. He is very protective of them.

 

Bodhi with Samson. Samson LOVES Bodhi.

Mama Fox

Mama Fox loves her babies. These photos say it all. How fortunate I was to have caught a few glimpses of these most intimate moments of her and her young.

Playful Pups

Pups, kits, cubs; call them whatever you want. But there is no changing one thing about 'our' foxes. That is the fact that the four tiny foxes that were born in our yard are adorable. Each day, our family eagerly awaits the moment we can catch a glimpse of these four darling pups and their beautiful, attentive mother. The pack are slowly feeling more comfortable, exploring more and more, which means we are seeing more playtime as they quickly grow. Today, we saw them go to the end of the yard. They had a blast chasing and nipping each other along the way to and from their safe spot under the porch. The kits also love to roll in a plastic pot, inside a plant and they managed to confiscate Havana's ball to under the porch. When I caught one of them with his/her paw pulling the ball, I gave silent thanks to be privileged to such a rare sight.

Humans tend to think they run the world.  Don and I know, and we teaching our girls to know, that the Earth and all her living beings (from plant to four legged and everything in between) are our equal and that we must respect and honor all life on this sacred planet. The Creator of all life is the only one that runs things and we are ALL part of that. It is in that regard that our family feels we are the safe keepers of these charming and delightful cups; we want to help them to grow up safe so they can go out and be free and wild, unharmed. Our backyard, which is now also their backyard, is a safe sanctuary for them to grow. Our time with them is short, they will soon venture on but for now, we are cherishing our time with these delightful and precious pups.

 

Look closely on the top left of the ball; there is a tiny fox paw slowly pulling the ball under the porch. It eventually disappeared & we have not seen it again!

Foxy & Cubs

Foxy is a girl & she has at least 3 pups! (there may be a fourth; not sure yet.) Our family is in love with her family. Every evening, after we get home from school, we walk on tiptoe in the house, as not to scare them in case they are in the yard. It's been hit or miss but several times this week we saw Foxy without her babies and a couple of times, these little adorable kits have made their way from under the cottage to rumble in the yard. We are delighted and totally in love with them.

This evening, Foxy and I made eye contact for about twenty seconds. I let her know in my own way that we would not hurt her pups and that they were all safe in the yard. We hope they stay for a very long time.

Staycation (The Claremont~Spring 2016)

I love Groupon! Thanks to their local travels deals, I scored another affordable night at the classy and elegant Claremont resort & spa. How fun it was to surprise the family for a little R & R that was not physically too far from home but mentally, it was a continent away. 

The Claremont was recently bought out by the Fairmont hotel group which meant all the rooms had been renovated. They were nice before the update, now they were quite posh. And while we were mostly there to enjoy the pool and kids club, it was hard to leave the luxurious rooms. The girls would have been just fine watching K.C. Undercover from the comfort of their Heavenly mattresses!

It didn't take long to shift the girls attention from K.C. on a flat screen t.v. to the outdoors. The pool at the Claremont has always been the main draw and with 75 degree weather (a lovely, rare treat for Berkeley which tends to be windy and cool), it was no surprise that we spent nearly four hours poolside.

 

Sunday morning breakfast meant a short walk to Fournée, the French bakery for scrumptious croissants and vegetarian quiche. Although, to be honest, the short walk was quite a challenge for Havana who did not want to walk. Getting her to leave the hotel was quite the feat for one cranky girl.

Chocolate croissants and Sunday comics shifted stinky moods and got the girls psyched for some time in the kids corner followed by several more hours splashing, swimming and jumping in the pool. I even had the opportunity to take a late morning nap on one of those Heavenly mattresses. By the time we left, we were all well rested and relaxed. It was a perfect weekend staycation .

 

The Jewels in My Crown

Amara's face is full of chocolate croissant!

 

Havana, whose reading has taken off, is enjoying the Sunday comics!

Many years ago, before I had even left my teen years, I met an incredible woman, Holly Moore, who at the time had three children (and would go on to have a handful more). I never forgot what she told me one morning when we were making breakfast together; "My children are the jewels in my crown."   For years I remembered not only what she said but how what she said felt. Real love, truth, joy.

Fast forward a couple of decades and those words still remain with me. For that is exactly how I feel about my Amara Pearl and Havana Ruby. My life is rich in many ways but what I treasure most are these two precious gems. I sometimes get grumpy, lose my temper, feel selfish; But I never, ever forget that they are the most valuable things in my life. They are the jewels in my crown.

Foxy

A couple of nights ago,  I spotted a fox in our backyard.  It had been quite some time since we had seen our fox friends and we have missed them. You can imagine my delight, when I looked out the window there was Foxy (I don't know what else to call him/her; it's late, I'm tired!), scampering down down the path. By the time I got the family, sadly Foxy was gone. This evening, Amara looked in the yard and there Foxy was again, just chillin on our bench! I am so happy Foxy feels right at home!  

Of course, I ran for my camera (and silently gave thanks for a great zoom lens) and from the upstairs balcony door, we got to watch Foxy relaxing as if s/he didn't have a care in the world! When I made my way downstairs to get some photos from a different angle, Foxy got up and started to leave. To my surprise, Foxy circled around and came rather close to the downstairs sliding doors. Foxy really does seem to feel comfortable around us. I suspect that this may be the fox pup that was born in the yard several years ago. That would explain Foxy's familiarity around the yard and his/her lack of concern or fear of us. (see link below of the mama and pup.)

We hope that Foxy hangs around for awhile. We love his/her visits and feel very blessed that for whatever reasons, our yard is a place Foxy takes refuge in.

http://rubiesandpearls.typepad.com/my-blog/2012/07/fox-medicine.html