From where the sun now stands

 

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On Sunday I went to a pow wow. 

I got to listen to some wonderful native drumming and singing and see some beautiful dancers.

The man in the top picture was a really good dancer and the two old gentlemen in the bottom pictures 

were brothers. They were dressed in beautiful regalia.

I noticed that they paid special attention to the children that were dancing. 

The most important thing is to pass on their culture and traditions so that they will not be lost. 

I am not Native American but have always been drawn to their culture. 

Tell General Howard I know his heart. What he told me before, I have it in my heart. I am tired of fighting. Our Chiefs are killed; Looking Glass is dead, Ta Hool Hool Shute is dead. The old men are all dead. It is the young men who say yes or no. He who led on the young men is dead. It is cold, and we have no blankets; the little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them, have run away to the hills, and have no blankets, no food. No one knows where they are - perhaps freezing to death. I want to have time to look for my children, and see how many of them I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead. Hear me, my Chiefs! I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever.

Chief Joseph - Thunder Traveling to the Loftier Mountain Heights - 1877

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Tuesday night the school I work for celebrated their 50th birthday! 

They were started by one woman in 1973!

They had a photo booth with lots of props and some of my co-workers and I

took a bunch of pictures. It was fun!

~

Then end of the school year is Friday!

I will continue working through the summer. We have a summer program because

most parents work and need child care...and I still need to pay my bills. 

My class size will diminish because most of my class will leave the infant-toddler house

and go to the children's house!

I've had some of them in my class for 2 years! Not only have they done a lot of growing

and learning but their parents have as well! It's a pretty big deal to be leaving the warm and cozy

world of toddlers and moving into the "grown-up" world of children's house.

We celebrate with a very, very small graduation ceremony and a party.

It always brings joy to my heart when I think of my families and the grand adventures 

that they will have in their lives.

~

In my class room full of 9 toddlers we sit together to have a group snack every day.

Each day a different child brings in a snack for the class.

After we have all washed hands and gotten a plate and a cup we sit together at a round table,

we take a big breath, and we sing a little song.

"Thank you earth for this food, sun that made it ripe and good.

Dearest earth, dearest sun, we won't forget what you have done.

Thank you earth for this food, sun that made it ripe and good."

The children all thank the person who brought snack in and often that child will say,

"You're welcome everybody!" with a beaming smile!

At the beginning of the year the toddlers just look at us like we are from Mars

but by this time of year they are mostly all singing with us!

Even if they can't say all of the words they are saying some of them. 

Some of them are singing quietly and others are belting it out like they are on stage!

It's one of my very favourite parts of my day!

~

On Saturday I completed the Montessori course I've been taking!

I took my finals! 

I'm so glad to have it done with!

Friday fave fives

friendship Friday