A New School Year !

The new children have settled into school and it was wonderful to welcome back Liadan,Trudy and Oisin as my chief helpers. Kingston and Lorenzo join us on Thursdays and Fridays and as  they have both celebrated their 5th birthdays ,they are held in high regard by the little ones!Once again,the weather has been kind which has enabled the settling in period by allowing us to spend much time outdoors. On the first day of school,I took the children to the stables to show them the swallows nests. We then went for a walk  and I pointed out the swallows flying above telling them how to recognize their flight . I told them how the swallow flies with his mouth open catching insects and how in a few weeks time he would be leaving for Africa as Winter would be coming to our country.  Each day after we went on a “swallow walk”observing them fly until    we saw them gather on the wires around September 23 rd and we waved goodbye!!Seb, in particular loved the swallows and each morning would pick up the swallow picture and bring it with him on our walk!

We have picked tomatoes,lettuces,beans ,peas and chard and today we planted bulbs. The children helped dig the little holes and tucked the bulbs in to keep them cosy during their winter sleep.We look forward to seeing the flowers in Spring.We have had some lovely walks down the field and brought apples to the horses,gathered leaves and watched them turning colour. . Observing the Seasonal change is a great way of allowing the child see the passage of time as at this age they really have no comprehension of time. Thus I draw their attention each day on our walk to the way the leaves are changing . One day, I pointed out some ferns and explained that these are very old plants,dating back to when the dinosaurs ruled the earth. Ever since, Harry gets very excited every time he sees a fern saying”here is dinosaurs dinner”!!! Every day is an adventure  for these little ones and I am so lucky in that  once again  I can share their excitement and joy at life’s simple miracles.