Today was our last official day of Mountain School at the little red school house.  In honor of this transition I thought I would document some of my favorite preschool phenomena, starting with community paintings.  I love the way the children gather around a shared canvas.  This is such a great way to start out the collaborative path of learning.  My own childhood and education were singular, there was little in the way of group projects.  I don’t want this for Seth.  I want him to enjoy a lifetime of social connection and exponential productivity.  There is so much joy to be found in collaborating with others, it is a fundamental part of being human.

Seth has brought beets that he grew in his own garden all three years we have been at Mountain School.  In those years life was a bit transitory, but we managed to plant beets where ever we were.  Planting beets twice a year helps us hold on to the importance of the growing cycle, and keeps us rooted in what is real.  I guess most of all, it’s  the continuity of one plant.  There is one plant that, come hell or global warming, Seth knows how to grow to sustain himself.

Mountain School above all is about stewardship.  A. rescued this snail from the beet greens.  She must have carried it around for 20 minutes, showing it to friends and faithfully caring for it.  Eventually she let it go in the garden where it could munch on our flowering kale.  It struck me that a child like A. who is usually spearheading the more human-centered activities would take the time to engage with this snail.  It’s not so unusual in the larger context of our school.  The philosophy is so rich in natural experience and observation, that even for the most “social” of children this act of stewardship was undertaken with the least bit of pretense.    She picked up the snail and took care of it because when you go to Mountain School that is what you do – without a second thought.

This year’s auction was an undisputed success.  The decorations team did a great  job.  Everyone contributed loads of fabulous ideas.  The end result was relatively easy to accomplish, and was nothing short of magical!

THANK YOU

Aimee

Julie

Jamie

Melissa

Dorice

THE LIVE AUCTION!

THE PARTY!

Many of the class and individual projects were amazing.  Vilma’s hand made redwood bench was spectacular.  Thanks to the Franks the 4/5s chair was embellished with some wonderful illustrations.  Teacher Marie’s quilts were wildly popular.  I may be biased, but I think Seth’s square rocked!

This costume rack is genius!  I mean what kid doesn’t want access to any costume 24/7, and with a banana slug on the rack to boot!  The birdhouse replica of the school was quite sweet, and made me feel a little sad that this is our last year ~ sigh…

I think this quote by our school founder Betty Peck pretty much sums it up…

So this is it our new house!  As you can tell it’s mostly kitchen.  This open plan is what really “rented” us on the place   There is lots of room for cooking, drawing, painting, working and doing “homework”,  all of it bright and cheerful.

As you can tell from the photo below the house has few even surfaces – just the way I like it.  It’s worn around the edges with the occasional pleasant creek indicative of anything over the age of 100.  The living room has plenty of open space for our various farm scenarios, pillow fights and shenanigans involving match box cars.

The bedroom is mostly bed, and it’s really too cozy for productivity.  It’s all I can do to pry myself from the covers in the morning.  I can’t remember the last time I slept so well.

It’s charming to move somewhere and have all your ideal pets already living there.  Cleo the cat is a fierce hunter and consummate lover.  Onyx the dog is a fabulous pile of warm black fur always lounging in the sun.  It’s reassuring to know she is asleep on the driveway whenever I need my dog fix.  Remi, Ace and Cherokee are all quite charming horses (and I am not a horse person).  Seth goes out to the horses every morning, because the first skill he has to master is learning how to make a connection with a horse.

This house is a gardener’s dream.  The back yard is nicely fenced off from the dear.  There is not a gopher in site (thanks to Cleo).  The manure is piled, aged and ready to be hauled up and turned in.  What more could one ask for?