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Season of Darkness
I’m really beginning to feel the power of a lack of light. I’m drawn to our wood stove the way I’m drawn to the morning sun on the back deck in the summer time. It seems my motivation left with summer’s sun. The warmth and light of the fire feed whatever strength I have left during this season of darkness, and I feel hungry for change
I’m ready for new information, for books and for studies. I feel excited about digging into my birth educator course and for the stack of reading that accompanies it. I’m looking forward to changing our rhythm here at home. There will be new activities in the winter for our kids outside of home. They’ll be choosing new jobs to help out with around our home and I’m looking at a novel to enjoy together during the weeks of January. Plenty awaits us…
But for now, the holiday season is approaching, and I can’t imagine this break coming at a better time. I anxiously await the restoration and inspiration I hope it brings. I couldn’t be more ready.
xo
HayMama
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The BEST DAY EVER!
The first good day after being sick is the BEST DAY EVER! The sickness that made its way through our home was minor in the grand scheme of things, but it served a much larger purpose in seeing how wonderful my life is everyday. It’s busier than I suspect I’ll ever be, there is more laundry than any sane person should tackle in a week, and I don’t always enjoy cooking meals and tidying the kitchen, but these things are the trade off for the opportunity to play with our children on a daily basis, for walks in the woods and for tea shared while listening to stories aloud. Sometimes a few days spent horizontally on the couch is all it takes to remember the beauty of the little things.
So what are we up to on the BEST DAY EVER you ask? Cleaning?
Nope.
Decorating…
After all, we’re a whole week behind now! So we are…
Preparing…
Enjoying…
Creating…
And finally,
Celebrating
well wishes,
HayMama
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Anticipation
Wintery mornings, when many in our home are unwell, look a lot like anticipation….
Anticipation for when we’ll feel well enough to become a team again, to join in together in our usual daily tasks.
Anticipation for workshops and get togethers postponed.
Anticipation for the return of our holiday spirit…Stay tuned,
Hay Mama
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Countdown Traditions
We’ve jumped right into our own version of chocolate advent calendars these past few days. In the past, we’ve dabbled in many variations of holiday countdown fads…we’ve added a new book each day, we’ve eaten a small treat, and we’ve opened a small gift. We’ve even used a downloadable story series with one story for each day leading up to the big HoHo’s arrival. All were great, but many of them were not repeatable (how many holiday books does one family need?), some were expensive (a small gift costing 2$ on average for 4 kids times 24 days…yikes!), and some were wonderful but limited in availability, like the downloadable stories.
Though, I think we’ve found our staple.
Each morning, the kids awake, knowing that there is an envelope hidden in our home. There are mornings where it’s discovered right away, and sometimes, Mama uses her intricate hiding places to ensure it isn’t found right away 😉 .Inside awaits a small note, explaining a Yuletide activity for us to complete together.
Sometimes we’ve made cards, cookies, or enjoyed warm mugs of cocoa, and other times we watch our favourite holiday films, meet Santa at the mall, or build our list of holiday plans together.
Some days are fancier than others, and that’s ok.
Thus far, after 2 years, we’ve had incredible success. It’s been a lovely way to create moments of togetherness each day, while making sure we tackle all of the holiday milestones that we’ve all deemed traditional.
How do you countdown to the holiday season?
xoHayMama
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