Children are sacred and deserves to be loved

I went to Stockholm this past weekend, specifically to Bromma to continue my Waldorf preschool teacher education. I have been studying for over two years time now and I am halfway to becoming a certified Waldorf preschool teacher (the pictures below are from creations we made this weekend).

Easter treats. A Scandinavian tradition. All items made of wool.

I have worked within the Waldorf preschool for a couple of years, and have had children that attended for a short while. I have learned that although the schools may not run so smoothly as a picky parent would want, the heart of Rudolf Steiner's Waldorf preschool concept is beautiful and so loving. So, I decided I must become a Waldorf teacher. Having 5 boys of my own in all ages ranging from 17 to 4, I understand more and more that it truly is a sacred and amazing blessing to be a mother AND caretaker. Nothing gives me more joy.

At the very heart of a true Waldorf school teacher, is the understanding how sublime and sacred the trust and privilege families and parents bestowed upon [us] when we are asked to care for their children, and I pray that these families and parents in turn have the ability and peace to know that their children is a most beloved treasure. A treasure not all can have, and that some have lost.

Within Waldorf, one must provide a true, practical and loving place for a child to be nurtured. Create a place in this world where the world makes sense. A place where the child can recognize itself each and every day. A place where the child can feel that the world is 'good'. To accomplish this very difficult task one needs to be loving, patient, willing to listen more than speaking, work on self-improvement and enjoy the work with children.

A spring fairy.

Rudolf Steiner explains in his book 'the child's upbringing', that any person around our children must be of moral thoughts and actions; that is a steadfast and true person; that practice clear actions of goodness and ability, to help a child grow up feeling safe, getting to know itself and it's surroundings in a healthy way, and let them be in a world that is good.

The way to accomplish this is to really enjoy working with ALL aspects of children. Easy and/or tough, while following the guidelines above. The power of children is their immediate strength and joy they display while copying those around them. Manners, actions, speech and behaviors, instantly copied into play. Think then, how important isn't it that they are all surrounded by loving and practical people.

Watercolor. A seed in the ground.

Watercolor. A winter landscape.

I love the practical and deep understanding Waldorf philosophy has of children. How one can clearly see that our bodies were meant to do work, and how one can stimulate ones intellect with activities that does not include 'hitting the books'.  How learning takes place in all moments throughout the day when children mimic people in their surroundings and by song, rhyme, rhythm, chores, play and activities that ask for use of both sides of the body at the same time. To also be taught to use ones innate senses as a method of learning. Waldorf makes room and lends itself to further allow ALL unique children and grown-ups to learn. Here one has many tools to set the stage for understandable, tangible, and wise learning. One carries an awareness of how mature each child really is and understand that these small people have very capable hands and strong resolves.

I painted this in my 'watercolor diary'. A course project with the topic '4 seasons'

Vikings on visit

Anïas and Illïus are helping me documenting their wall of inspiration at their school Fokus skolan.
This weeks chalkboard artists are Gabriel and Felix.  It is history week at school. Through the cloudiness and ruins, a story of vikings so bold unfold.

Slip, slide and pancakes

Anïas, Illïus and Xavier arm themselves with helmets, rain/winter clothing and NO sleds as they head off sledding. They had the best time ever going down the hill on their 'bare' bodies. Upside down, sideways, sitting up, laying down, kneeling and spinning. To finish all off, they spend some time at the swing set.

We made a super-fast, extremely easy snack for these hungry little monsters.

Oven baked pancake:

Takes 10 minutes to whip together and about 20 minutes in the oven.

4 portions

· 3 dl regular flour or any combination really as long as it is not rye (tends to get too sticky from general baking experience)

· 1/2 tsp salt

· 6 dl mjölk

· 3 st ägg

· butter for the pan or use a cookie sheet

· A baking dish or deep cookie sheet. The batter should be about 1 cm (1/3 of an inch) high when poured.

Turn the oven to 225°C.

Crack the eggs, poor in milk and salt. Just whisk it very lightly. Pour in the flour and whisk some more. Pour it into the dish and pop it into the oven. It will look golden brown on top when finished and resemble a thin pizza crust in height. You can test it by picking up a corner and checking that it is not runny. And then test it on your children.

Yup, it was eatable!

I am Xavier -- according to Xavier

On my son Xaviers school has a family project a foot. I had to laugh as I saw how they were working on the family theme.

Family mapping on the circle time board

Self portraits. Xavier's is to the far left, hugging up a storm.

This is Xavier's family according to Xavier. Too cute.

---

And here he is, playing with the iPhone.

 Illïus, Xavier and mom Camilla

The old crow

So, as we embark on this year's winter vacation (as it is called here in Sweden), the rain beat us to it. All the towering masses of snow drain away or turn into flat nothingness. Oh! so much! water and ice!

My husband Jeffrey brought Anïas and Illïus to skate next to our apartment at a small rink side. Almost two hours passed before they came back inside. I was surprised to see the poor state of their skate's blades as I dried them off. Apparently, they had been dodging exposed pavement at every turn.

"It was a pain." stated Anïas "I didn't mind though."

"I'm hungry and tired now!" was all Illïus said with a smile.

"It was fine. If one would skate where one was told!" added Jeffrey with a stern voice.

These two great hours would have been lost if my husband would have listened to me whining about the weather and how late it was. Instead he chose to go skating with the children in this un-wintery weather, because to him, it was perfect timing.

Judging current weather forecasting, that event will most likely be the last spontaneous outdoor skating session for this season.

Anïas, Illïus and Xavier walking to Dad's job.

How I love my husband for being a person of character that takes his feet where his thoughts and desires are. His comment made me think of personal council. How much we can show love and care for people around us if we share a loving council.

President Boyd K. Packer gave some wonderful advice to our 'Youth of today' during a speech in October 2011. If you ask me, it stands for all ages. Young and Old.

"I am now 87 years old. You may wonder, at my age what I can contribute to your lives. I have been where you are and know where you are going. But you have not yet been where I am. I quote a few lines of classic poetry:

The old crow is getting slow.

The young crow is not.

Of what the young crow does not know

The old crow knows a lot.

At knowing things, the old crow is still the young crow’s master.
What does the slow old crow not know? —How to go faster.

The young crow flies above, below, and rings around the slow old crow.

What does the fast young crow not know? —Where to go.

Not Wordsworth but classic poetry nonetheless!"

Meow! low calorie cinnamon bun

When my grandfather died at this home a few years ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to inherit this lovely cat. He is incredible kind. Anïas, Illïus and Xavier have all taken turns in dressing him up;  carry him around like a Raggedy Anne doll; stuff him in small places; cuddle him to death; drag him into several different beds at night;  squeeze him and poke him; deathgrip him with showers of love; rough play and fast moves. This cat has been put through all possible scenarios of family hood.  He really deserves trophies.

My husband Jeffrey was not at all a cat person before Tusse pawed his way into our lives, winning us over with each wag of his whisker:

• When one is in the bathroom, he is in his litterbox.
• When one open the fridge, he sits below asking for stuff.
• When one open a cabinet, he wants dry food.
• When one read, he sits on the ‘read’.
• When one pulls out the laptop, he sits on it.
• When one turns the computer on, he lays on the keyboard.
• When one goes to bed, he is already there.

Enough said I think. The only thing he does not control is the lock on the outer door.

Illïus and Tusse sleeping.  Illïus wasn't tired and just wanted to sit.  Well that worked out well don't you think.

So, today... the wall said it all.

I am now going to document the school wall.  I have been following 'the wall' for a while.  This school opened up in December 2011.  It is a recycled school from a big city and came in module pieces.  It took about 20 trucks and a big crane to build this school up in 2 days.  It looked like a major lego construction site.  The electricity, water, carpentry and all that took much much longer.

The artist is pointing with her foot at the hot drink.

This wall has become more and more an outlet of childrens creativity and imagination.  Today the kids were in a hot discussion over igloos, where they are, who lives in them.  The children are looking at the 2 people sitting in fur clothing, drinking something hot and steamy at the enterance of the igloo.

Chalkpaint + one wall + chalk = unlimited possibilities of stories to tell

Many times, the journey before the final destination is more important.

It was -14 ºC = 6.8 ºF this morning.  People around us were hustling as fast as humanly possible to warm up their cars, hasting from one indoor place to another, dragging pets along as fast as their legs would carry while ordering them to pee faster.  How wonderful it is to have children that have learned to dress according to weather and that likes being outside.  It's thanks to them, I am also fully vested in warm and fluffy stuff.

I forgot my iPhone this morning. This is the morning picture we took yesterday. It is glourious to be alive and have another day with people I love and cherish.

So here we were, biking along, happy, smiling... laughing over silly jokes.  And as we stopped to step off our bikes to cross a street ... 

-Wow mama, exclaimed Anïas and Illïus almost at the same time. 
-Look at that sky! said Illïus
-It is so beautiful, added Anïas and asked if all the lines across the heavens were clouds.

I looked up and saw these loooooong white frozen cotton trails crossing eachother high above our heads.  It looked like some divinty had played tick-tack-toe on the amazingly light blue sky.  Colors of peach and pink could still be seen over the tree tops, and the contrast against the blue was breathtaking.  It was so incredibly beautiful.  I explained that the 'cotton trails' were from bypassing planes and jets (we have an airport close by) and Anïas replied with a nod and smile.  Illïus let out a happy 'cool'.

I am so thankful that I have been blessed with children.  They help me keep a proper pace in life and help me become more present in my thoughts and actions.  The miracles they ponder and notice is really worth thinking about.  I have noticed, that time management really is a keystone for a happy and harmoneous life.  The allowance for thoughtful stops, ponderings and family bonding is so underestimated.  It is priceless!  An impromptu experience such as this one cannot be bought or planned, It just happens.  We recall snails, baby frogs and other creatures we have met on our journey through family life.  Rarely if ever does one bring up that last planned vacation trip.  The feeling of joyful surprise seem to catapult memories deep into ones heart and soul.  Makes one think, doesn't it!

The love of a mother

I stumblet across this miniature painting my child  Illïus painted when he was 4 years old.  It was about that time I began to paint with oil and water colors.

This small picture was painted on the backside of my business card.  I fell absolutely in love with it!  It has brought tears into my eyes and joy into my heart.  People have been amazed over how beautiful it truly is.

This painting used to sit in a plastic clear frame but the frame broke so the picture was placed in a safe place.... I must confess, it was totally missplaced and to my tearful joy I found it again today.  I have now documented it and pressed it into my physical journal that my husband Jeffrey so lovingly purchased and gave me.

Without further a-do!

"The love of a mother"

It is such a wonderful picture of a mother's perfect love.  Here she sits, on a hill, with her babe wrapped within her arms.  If one looks right beneath the mountain top, one can distinguish the face of a wolf... wathing over them.

Love this picture.  I hope you find it as inspiring as I do.

Valentine's day, let us remember

Happy Valentines

This is the student wall at Anïas' and Illïus' school.  It is so beautiful to step into this school and know that love, acceptance and friendship is the focus here.  This school struggles with the dilemmas of today for sure.  Things may go wrong, but there is a firm active belief that all people are valuable and that we all belong to the same family.  Life is interesting.  It seems to me, if one does not receive love and learn to love oneself and others at an early age, one might suffer very dark and rough sideffects later on in life.  Love like a child, live like a child (playfulness and humor), and be quick about forgiving people like children are masters in doing.  Starting over with speedy forgiveness is less costly than to allow slow poisoning of ones thoughs and memories. Pride has ruined many nations.  We can learn alot from children around us.

Kindness and patience is an active walking and talking presence at this place among students and faculty.  These living witnesses humble me and make me strive to become a better person.

Below are som pictures from this day:

Xavier is getting ready to go and pick up his older brothers across the street.  Here he is showing off his heart that took so long to glue.  A beautiful heart with lots of shiny beads and papers.  His good friend Jenny is telling him he made a 'very lovely heart'.

Xavier stopped me outside the school gate and quickly rolled up a present he was supposed to give at home.  He got too excited I guess, and popped it on the snow for display.  He had painted this day with his very good friend Alex from school and used snazzy glitterpaint. 

Illïus fell in love with the wrapping paper Jeffrey had wrapped a gift in.  He salvaged it, cut a heart out and glued this prised artwork together.  A real labor of love.  He was soooo proud and deligted over this gift and I can honestly say that both my husband and felt so much joy that we had the opportunity of sharing this moment together as a family.  We are a blessed as a family.  And you are welcome to be part of it.  My thoughts and love go out to all mankind this Valentine's day.

Happy Valentine's day! 

Music, a positive influence in life, a moral responsibilty

We decided short after we moved to Sweden to cut out all radio playing.

The radiostations here play all manners of music.  The problem is that the english speaking music play as rater 'R'.  Imagine the shock and dismay one experience while shopping with ones children at a supermarket or clothing store and one can clearly hear all manners of explisit sexual/cursing/violence agendas blaring from the store speakers.

Lack of respect, awareness and care is clearly displayed across many radiostations.  We absolutely despise shopping and thus we NEVER shop in those stores that display such ignorance.  The good thing is, we save money, we rarely if ever shop stuff we don't need, and it gives us an opportunity with example to teach our children good moral lessons.  When one does not like a product or behavior... don't buy it, don't do it and avoid it altogheter.

Filter what you take in, and take control over what is allowed to affect you!  On the flipside of things, what do we allow ourselves to listen to or watch.  Is it uplifting and meaningful and helpful to our lives, or do we allow it rob us of time, positiv thoughs and moral values?  Are we making choices that desensitize us over time?  dull our senses and compassion towards those around us?  hope not. 

I refuse to not filter my surroundings.  It is a conscious decision and active living awareness, much like a diet.

I wrote earlier a bit about the TV here, but I decided that the radio is enough said.  Very similar things happens in TV land in Sweden.  There really is no such thing as 'Prime Time' and 'most-kids-are-sleeping' time (so we don't have a TV either).

Since I got an iPhone that I inherited from my loving husband Jeffrey, a new world has opened up to me.  I would like to share some uplifting, loving and modern music radio stations that can be found online.

Air1 is a music station with Evanesence, Linkin' Park style stuff.

K-LOVE is relaxing, inspiring and uplifting christian music for all ages and sexes.  It has occasional brief listener messages and such.

   

Oh sledding we will goooooooooho ho hooooo

Within 5 minute walking distance from our apartment one can stop by St:Mauritz.  It is an old leftover ski hill.  Each winter it proudly displays a HUGE graveyard of broken sleds and other winter equipment.  Our landlord has actually been there with the tractor to remove all debri, and we are not even into our 3rd week of sledding.

Each winter St:Mauritz can cross off another limb broken against its' hillside.  Statistics show that dads flexing for their children, followed by young male adults trying to impress female folk tops the break chart.

Children, women and girls just normally shake their heads and hope no one gets hurt.

This time we are paying homage to our Liam.  His old swedish friends Lasso and Lavko wanted to give him some snow cheer and made a small film for him.  Wish you were here Liam for this.  It was great fun. 

Lasso, Lavko, Anïas, Illïus and Xavier

*notice the theme song Illïus is busting out, and Xaviers verbal finish.

 Anïas, Illïus and Xavier

 Anïas, Illïus and Xavier

Illïus is going down!

Well, sort of.  First, here he is getting pumped up for the hill run.

Next, is a small movie of Illïus cruising the hill.  Like all of our children, they always for some reason create theme music while playing games, sports or just having fun. Ask any one of them, they will all tell you it is the truth.  I think it is genetic.

  Illïus going down St:Mauritz

Time is short... Patience makes it last longer...

Sometimes we have to sacrifice good activities for better ones.  As I have lived here in Sweden for almost 7 years now, I finally take time to look back and can see all my senseless idleness of getting caught up in a weekly rhythm of work, responsibilities and chores.

Sometimes we have to sacrifice good activities for better ones.  Unfortunately, on our list of most important tasks, all too often does family come too far down.  Friends and relatives may not even be on the map.

A small and meager dinner made together is far more pleasing then a balanced perfect meal made by one.

A trip to the market is more pleasing when the family works on going together.  The shopping can become the secondary objective, leaving way for interesting discussions amongst family members about family choices, needs and preferences.

It is many times one does things by ones own ambition, because it is faster and will go smoother then having to involve a family member or friend.  But how many hours does one waste being away from each other.  And how many times, does one feel worn down because one choose to do it alone.  Some even choose to do all alone.  Why rob oneself from helpful company, and why steal the joy from another when they are not allowed to feel capable and helpful.

Patience is times best friend.  Patience lets us do more things with other people.  Patience gives us more time spent in company of people we care about.  Patience takes stress out of our lives and sooths our emotions.  We seem to have more time, be able to fit more good things into our daily schedules and create closer relations with people around us if we have patience in our lives.

Sometimes we have to sacrifice good activities for betters ones.  Bring the ones you love on board to share your 'burdens' and chores.  It will bless and strengthen all involved.

This will take work and getting used to, but the rewards in the return of time and togetherness will be worth it.  I promise to you!

Jeffrey, Duncan, Anïas, Illïus och Xavier.  Nyköping Carnival, Sweden -August 2011.

Hockey x 2 players

Anïas 2010

Anïas 2011

Illïus 2011

And maaaaan!  is he a tall one or what!?  Just check it out, holy cow!

Xavier didn't want to start hockey this year.  So he just colored you this bird on iPhone.

Oh! Joy!

I had to stop the bike!  back it up with the trailer in tow so Xavier could jump out to hug this tree.

I had missed it completely, but he didn't miss a thing.

It's crrraaaaaazy! again...

So as we were biking to school, our buddy showed up again.  Of course we had to stop to say 'hi'. 

Illïus points out the way Crazy is chillin' and with a laughter states that "CrazyFrog is glad to see us again."

The test

As I sit outside my professors classroom, nervously flipping between scribbled notes in preparation for my test, I fish up a pencil and an tiny... well used... eraser. 

All my racing thoughts just stopped as I sat there staring at this miniscule thing.  I was literally halted in my tracks of frantic memorizing.  My second oldest son Liam who lived here in Sweden for almost 2 years had left this earser behind.   What  joy it was to find it in that very tuff academic moment.  On it was a small but noticable smiley face...

A loss of words.

A smiling heart.

A grateful and proud mother.

I went and took that 40 question science test and did just fine.  I'd like to think it was due to this oh-so-timely-sign of family.

Thanks Liam for helping me ace my test.

What mouse bit the cake?

Xavier, did you touch the cake?

-No

-Are you sure?      A long pause

-Yes

-So you didn't steal any chocolate cake?

-No

-Xavier, go look at your face in the bathroom please.

Xavier runs into the bathroom and comes back after moment.

-I didn't do it.

-Now you sound like someone we read about. Who is it that talks like that?

Xavier gets the book 'No David'.

-Sorry mom.

I laugh.  -It's okay honey.  Just don't do it again, ask first.

It's crrraaaaaazy!

Winter finally dropped in on Nyköping, Sweden about a month ago.  Studded bicycle tires, lights, helmets and reflector vests for all is a given.  That is the easy part.  Having Anïas, Illïus and Xavier and myself getting dressed and ready in our tiiiiny hallway - that is the hard part.

As we huff and puff to get ready, one tends to overheat and step on eachother.  Tired and stuffed like winter padded sausages, the kids were sent outside one by one.  In the end I am the only one left, feeling like i just went for a jog.

As I mutter to myself over the cramped dilemma of the hallway, my attention turns to the kids outside as I hear their large group cheer and a chorus of laughter and excited voices.

To them the hussle of the morning has already been forgotten as they are greeted by their favorite apartement maintenance man that ALWAYS takes time for them.  I hear them all laugh, sharing a heartfelt moment.  All too often one meet people, young and old, without taking time or interest in creating a genuine meeting.  This man is very special, because he is one of the very few I have met in Sweden that takes time to actively meet people around him with great interest.  If one would ask Anïas, Illïus and Xavier what they think about this man Per it would be:  He is sooooo nice, always stops to say hi, is very cool, has the biggest coolest trucks which makes him awesome.

The cause of  the cheerful commotion is this new snowplow, with a big, ooooold, stinky and worn CrazyFrog on the roof.  This mans coolness factor just shot to the stars.  The kids talked about this beat-up old frog on the truck, all the way to school, and I am sure their classmates now know all about it. 

It's the small things that makes life beautiful.  I am grateful to witness how simple it can be to share a joyous moment.

The Cake does not lie

When we got home from school, Illïus was the first one to pick up our mail.  He skimmed through it the way us parents do, and pulled out a Valentines day flyer.  As he scurried off into the kitchen I could hear him say "This is good, we have to make one.  Let me check what we have in the cabinet."

Now Illïus can't read yet, but he clearly read the flyer. His index finger was tracing the text as he announced:

Chocolate love cake (recepie at the bottom)

• One needs eggs, flour, sugar, salt and lots of butter.

Diving into the cabinet and fridge he pulled out all that he needed to make his interpretation of the recepie, and proclaims to the household  'TIME TO MAKE CAKE'.

Who can refuse baking time after that kind of displayed vigor and statement. So here it is good folk. Illïus and his Chocolate love cake, with the assistance of Xavier. Enjoy!

-This is the one! You don't need to tell me what to do.  I already read it.

-Yeah, he already read it mama.  We are going to make it.

-I will get the butter now.  You can get the cookie cutter now for the cake.

-Which one do we use?  I'll put all of them on the table... wow, too much stuff on the table!

-This is sticky mama.  It doesn't feel like butter.

-The cake will be happy now mama when it doesn't get stuck...

-Wow, look at that egg... it hopped in super fast...

Illïus laughs out loud at Xavier and the egg.

-Ok Xavier, I hold this like this  -pause-  and then you poor not too fast.

-Ok

This was the hard part to just be an innocent bystander and not actually participating in this project.  Great fun.

-Scoop more, scoooooop Xavier scoop...

-Ok

-Hey mama, I am doing it... 

-Yes you are honey, you are doing it!

-I want to do like plants vs. zombies and make the dough go splat.... hahahhaaa!

-No honey, you keep that spatula in check!

-Ok mama, I won't be 'clazy'

-That's my cookie!

-Wow! They made this cake themselves. It looks amazing.

-We make the best cake!

-yeah!

So in the end, the cake was served with happy love to their older brother Anïas and dad Jeffrey.  We always have an extra piece for our older brothers Duncan and Liam who live in the States. 

Chocolate love cake
150g butter
1 dl cacao powder
100g dark chocolate (we just used 0.5dl more cacao)
3 eggs
2 dl sugar
2 1/2 dl flour
1/2 tsp bakingpowder

150 degrees celsius
Blend sugar, eggs, melted butter and cakao together.
Blend in flour and bakingpowder. 
Shake baby, whip baby and stir.  Finished

Keep it in the oven in the middle until it is not jiggly or soft.  it took about 50 minutes for this cake that is about 2 inches tall.

Good luck and happy munching.