May Day

Yesterday we celebrated May Day with flower garlands to wear and a May procession around the school. Grownups helped to make each child a May crown while the little ones celebrated 2 birthdays and then played in the sand and the water.

Some children carried branches of snowy May flowers while some carried colorful silks. Hush's granparents were visiting so they held a blossom arch for the children to parade through and Camille and Sarah tossed flower petals when the children passed through the fairy arch.

"Here's a branch of snowy May
A branch the fairies gave me.
Who would like to dance today?
With a branch the fairies gave me?
Dance away, dance away,
Holding high the branch of May.
Dance away, dance away,
Holding high....
The branch of May."

At the end of the singing procession, we shared our lunches picnic style.

It felt like a beautiful joyful gateway into this next season of light and warmth. Happy May Day, everyone.

Comments

[Kim]

What a lovely celebration. I really wanted to celebrate with my wee ones, but it snowed all day, so I just couldn't get into it.
I wish we lived closer so you could teach my children. I really enjoy your blog so much.

[Jo]

Every child should be so lucky to have a teacher like you.

[kenya]

Hello! We have "talked" before (the last time was when I wrote of the bear project and you and your little ones embraced it!) I have a question for you now but dont want to take up too much of your blog space - please feel free to email me if necessary with a response if you have time -

I am a relatively new mother (I have a 3 year old little girl)and I am all over the place with figuring out what to celebrate and what traditions to hold dear. I am african american and very into wholistic health and earthy spirituality, my husband is half saudi and half grenadian but was born here to parents who wanted to "americanize" him. Neither of us have a "tie" to any traditions at all, really. That said, having a little one - I want her to embrace spirituality, not necessarily religion. I want her to celebrate moon cycles and earth blossoms, and the rain. I named her to honor the ocean. I was blessed by a buddhist monk while pregnant. We eat organic food, and I have taught her the beauty of gemstones and what they mean. I am a doula, I was married in a park with flip flops on, I plan to plant my placenta in the yard of the first home we buy. I am usually excited to hear of pagan celebrations, and native american drum circles, and goddess gatherings. All that to say- I love reading the blogs of you and your daughter, brooke, and reading of events and holidays and lifestyles and blessings and such that I have never heard of. Many of the things you do with the little ones and your family intrigue me. (i.e. the easter grass, may day...)

So my question is this. Can you give me a guide, a suggestion, a list, etc. of any of these wonderful things? Because I want to start traditions in my little family. And lead my daughter to pass these things on to her children and thier children...

Thank you!