She wanted a wooden hut at the base of tree... a space that was all her own that she could dream in. She hoped one day to tame a fox and they would live happily there until the snow came. She knew her mama and big brother wouldn't be too far away with a wood stove when they got cold. She wondered if their cat would let her fox inside? Probably not.
Diligently she gathered sticks and stakes. By herself or with the help of friends. Throughout the summer I quietly listened to the many conversations of 7 yr. old girls discussing building materials and wild architectural plans. The dreams were big, but in the end a little grown up help was necessary and the blue prints in her mind morphed to encompass the supplies on hand and a timeless design. With the help of her very enthusiastic grandma, my daughter built her first tipi.
Instead of at the base of a tree, she located it right in the center of the yard. Something this beautiful should be seen! And seen it is. I asked if she wanted to plant scarlet runner beans or morning glories around it next year, but she said she like the walls to be made of air and the ceiling to be the sky.
What a wonderful tipi and a memory that will last a lifetime! As a child we built tipi's at my grandparents cabin every summer. My grandpa would hand strip pine tree poles for us that we used year to year. Using every spare blanket and sheet available we set up "camp" and spent hours pretending, letting our imaginations run. What treasured times!
ReplyDeletelove hearing stories about the magic grandparents provide!
DeleteI love this .... with your little girl in your lap in the beautiful tipi and the sky ceiling
ReplyDeletethank you! it's a special picture for me, too!
Deletethis is SO beautiful! and a beautiful story to go along with it.
ReplyDeletelovely!
xo
thank you Jessica!
DeleteDefinition of a free spirit - someone who lives within air walls and a sky ceiling
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I just love that!!!!
DeleteOh this is so incredibly sweet- such a beautiful, perfect tipi!
ReplyDeletethank you!
DeleteI am constantly amazed that you don't homeschool. The synergy in your family is amazing and I think that homeschooling would make it even more so. Homeschooling isn't for everyone and I don't mean that you need to homeschool to be a close knit family. I am having a hard time explaining what I mean. I read so many homeschool blogs, and so much of what you post about is so homeschool-ish that I have to keep reminding myself that you are not homeschoolers.
ReplyDeleteYou enrich the lives of your children in ways that not every parent does. I always go away from your blog posts with a happier heart. Thanks for sharing you with us.
I will always parent as a homeschooler! Love that you recognize it in us. I did homeschool my oldest until he was seven. We were very involved in our local homeschooling community, hosted science summer camps, and helped create a homeschool cooperative. When I recognized that his needs were shifting, I expanded my heart and opened myself to a small and wonderful little school that fit him perfectly. He stayed there until this year! His middle school graduating class could be counted on two hands. My daughter is there now and it has become a huge part of our community that I wouldn't trade, but I do miss homeschooling and know that I always will. Our home library is stocked and stacked as yours probably is. Our environment is set up for optimal exploration. Early childhood educations is thick in my blood.
DeleteThank you Melissa for your sweet insight on my mothering. Homeschooling can also be a state of mind and a way of loving our children's process.
Oh! I just love this, especially the shot of you snuggling your little girl. She's done a wonderful job and had the best help (yay for mothers and grandmothers!), and I love her story too. (I secretly want a fox friend myself.) I did not have this kind of childhood. My parents were too busy working and my grandparents preferred to see us only occasionally and plugged us into the tv when we were there. I don't want that for my children and you've been one of my inspirations. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYes to foxy pets! Within the realm of all that's possible, we do get to choose for our own children. That is one of the best parts of being a grown up! Also one of the hardest! Don't you think?
DeleteWhat a cool kid who dreams of walls made of air and ceilings made of sky!
ReplyDeletewalls of air and a ceiling of sky...love your little girl's heart.
ReplyDeleteHow utterly gorgeous!
ReplyDelete