This Tuesday started sunny and warm. Mt was the first to arrive and went straight to the hose to begin watering the grass. On the table we had a painting project - friends could decorate small paint sticks with wooden butterflies and flowers on the ends, which would become plant markers for our garden. This last Tuesday of Spring Nests was all about celebrating our hard work in the garden and tasting the vegetables of our labor! Caregivers and littles joined in with the painting as we all discussed color mixing techniques.
Paint is one of our favorite mediums in Nests. We’ve noticed that friends have discovered they can paint with more than just a paintbrush, sponges, sticks, and many other surfaces have called to them, including their own hands. It seemed as though paint is less a tool than an invitation: something that opens up rather than closes down, spreading and blending across whatever canvas presents itself, welcoming free expression at every turn.
Friends who were done with painting made their way to the water table. When N saw a friend put a clover in the water table tried it too. Mv and Hn noticed the organza swaying in the breeze. They both wanted to be ghosts and hide under a large pieces of organza together. They traveled around the circle explaining that they were a friendly ghost and said “boo” merrily to anyone one in their path. They had to coordinate to make sure that they were both under the organza at the same time. When one of them slipped out they always made their way back to each other. Collaboration and teamwork can show up in the most unlikely places. In this case it was a garden haunt!
Over at the blanket, R played with instruments and puppets. He remembered the grey squirrel song, and we hoped to see at least one squirrel on our adventure. Everyone came to the blanket to read Bird Builds a Nest by Martin Jenkins, and we thought together about the robin nest in the lilac bush. The bright blue eggs that might hatch very soon!
Look at the Roots!
When we got to the garden we found peas in their pods, ready to pick. When K tried a bite of the peas she planted she approved “yum!” Then friends got to work tending. Mv grabbed a shovel and pulled up some weeds. She held them up to the light and said “Look at the roots!”
Ly and Hn decided to go on a "flower hunt" together, not to pick the flowers, but to find beauty in the garden. They noticed daisies and lupines, columbines and roses. Some of the flowers were taller than they were. Following their lead and looking from their perspective led to some beautiful discoveries. We noticed that they seemed to understand something about looking. That finding beauty is its own kind of purpose, separate from gathering or doing.
Back in the garden, N was in charge of the hose. Friends walked up with empty watering cans, and once N filled them, they walked away thankful. It seemed as though an unspoken understanding of responsibility had settled among the group. Friends took on roles as waterer and hose operator, wagon puller and wagon pusher, choosing independence and cooperation with obvious delight. Friends are not always expected to share their roles, and in that space, something like collective ownership of the work seemed to take hold.
We spent the rest of our morning climbing trees and splashing in the fountain, grateful for the warm sun and for one another. We watched a little squirrel bury a nut under a pine tree. R was pleased. When we made it back to the circle, K suggested that we sing "Love Is a Circle" with the parachute, and everyone agreed.
It was the perfect way to end spring Nests together. We can’t wait to see friends again for the summer!
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