Rachel

 
This week has been full of wonderful moments, doing things we love with people we truly enjoy, connecting with old friends and making new ones. That's the beauty of being at an unschooling conference. But the highlight for us for the entire conference might have been the Acoustic Music Jam. Here they were, just as the jam was getting going, as Carolyn checked in with Max to see what he was playing. Soon, there was a room full of 10-15 musicians, and Max experiences his first real "jam session." He was definitely standing in his light for this night.

Shannon

 5 days, 1 hotel room, lots of people,  old and new connections made, passions revived, life is so very good.

Tabitha 

 All things money this week: earning, counting, rolling, naming,
comparing, stacking, researching, trading, saving, and of course:
spending!

Kelly

The four of us spent a lot of time in long lineups at Disneyland. Cooper's love of rock, paper, scissors and his idea for us to play four ways kept us entertained. We created a complex scoring system to make this simple game more challenging and surprisingly no one ever tired of it. We were definitely the only people in the queue enjoying the wait.
 

Helen

Three mornings a week, I get to hang out with this lovely.

She doesn't talk.  But she can sure communicate.

I have learnt so much from this experience.

About waiting, listening and caring,

Of things I have assimilated on this mother-life-journey.

And how part of my training got in the way of my practice previously.

At the same time, 

I know I make a difference to one person.

That's a pretty big gift.

Helen

The best thing this week? 

Spending Friday night with these peeps.

Rachel 

 Reunited and it feels so good. We have spent the last two days in the company of four of our favorite people, and it's truly wonderful that even though more than three years have passed between our visits, the bond between us is still so strong.

Shannon

 This week we reconnected with good friends, who have grown to share our love of gaming. And in an instant there was a house of shared passion, laughter and cooperation. It was initiated by the group and filled them each in the way they needed. This journey we are on is made richer by the people we share it with.

Tabitha

  Cameron has always had a passion and talent for modelling.  This week
he took to recreating a military battle.  These moments of creation
and passion so often come in the evening.  I wonder what a school
schedule based almost entirely in the sleepy early morning hours would
be like for him...

Kelly

Disneyland! Need I say more.

Kelly

 So, Cooper and I are getting ready to watch a movie together this week. Our movie dates always include popcorn, ginger ale and lots of snuggling. This week he needed 2 bowls of popcorn, to himself. He also insisted I pay him a dollar if he ate it all. He got through bowl number one and then writhed around with a tummy ache. I gave him a hot water bottle and $2 for his pain and suffering.

 

 

Helen

 

This Marie Luise Anna (Loening) Vorwerk, known to me as "Ma" or "Mammi"

(And yes, you may tell me which of my children look like her:)) 

 I share her with Christoph, Walter, Paul and Eva.

She died four years ago this May, one month and one week before Ella was born.

She wasn't one for celebrating Mother's Day - too commercial for her liking:)

But today, as with every day in the last 4 years, she's so much in my thoughts.

Her resolute caring for her family keeps paying forward,

 Her legacy of resilience, humour and acts of kindness tangible in my life,

 Her engagement and interest in the world at large translated in those young eyes I see daily.

Her love of words and numbers, the narratives of now.

I hear her 

in the voices of my children.

 

Rachel

 

 I can't believe that we had to wear winter coats and hats for a May picnic at the beach. But that is how this week has been: one day blazing hot and the next like winter. And my mood followed along with it, feeling elation and excitement over all the fun we were having and then suddenly feeling overwhelmed and cranky about all we are trying to do. What helped me to come out of it was how gently and sweetly my boys treated me in the midst of my crankiness. I am so grateful for this truly lucky lovely life we live, and I am so happy to have these sweet souls by my side

 

Shannon 

 

 

 

Being Mother's Day, I can't help but think about the magic of this journey. The title mother, is one I cherish, beyond describing words. A chance to hold hands with your heart on the outside of your body and watch it slowly walk away. To catch tears, mend owies and celebrate joy. I am enterally grateful for these boys, who have opened me to more growth, laughter and love than I ever dared to image existed. 

 

 

Tabitha

We have found a better way to take care of the furry members of our
family.  Together, in the sun.  There, our friend, lay in total bliss
while being loved by all three of his boys.  Much better than the
somewhat scary visit to the groomers.  Something to be said for that,
being surrounded by the people you love while doing the things that
scare you.

Tabitha

And baby makes five.  I've been watching our family shift and hearts
expand this week to make room for our newest little.  It's sometimes
bittersweet. To see how Daddy is now bedtime partner for middle, who
used to be youngest.  When he was youngest only Mom would do.  But,
I've seen this transfer before, and it's all good, as we evolve and
change... and bittersweet also is how FAST it goes, when a week see
such change in a life, but a reminder to be aware of that, and to
notice the moments, whether they be bitter, sweet or a bit of both.

Kelly

Frankie and Cooper harnessed up and braved Wildplay, a ropes and zip line course. They had stuff to work through at various points, which was inspiring to watch. Even better, were the many friends, of many ages, offering support, encouragement and kindness. Very,very cool.

Helen

(photo by Margaretha)

This our boy stretching...

His physical limits,

His social limits.

He rocked it.

And the community quietly supporting him, his sister ... all of us... just amazing.

Rachel

 

Max and Otto have always seen the world as their canvas: they have decorated the walls in the house, they've painted the basement in polka dots, they've covered our car windows in stickers, they have chalked the entire neighborhood. This week marked the first day warm enough to wear t-shirts, which also meant it was time to bring out the sidewalk chalk and get to work. And when they realized our standard poodle Lilli was a beautiful blank canvas, they decided to decorate her too.

Shannon

He asked again and again "when can I get my eyes checked," which is how we knew it was important to him. So we went and it required a new sort of bravery for him. He had to take to strangers, which he usually avoids at all costs and do brand new tasks under someone else's direction. He did it all with a growing sort of courage. And when the moment came that would forever change him he looked to us and said "I was hoping I needed glasses, that's why I brought along my lucky button. It worked!"