Arts, Environment and the Child: Walking the Wheel of the Seasons

Today was a day of great exploration. It began with a goal to find a mold for making sugar skulls and the ingredients to make them. Ten or more pounds of sugar were needed and the magic ingredient, meringue powder. I searched HIGH and LOW throughout the towns of Lacey Olympia and Tumwater and many calls up to Tacoma for a simple sugar skull mold. No one had anything, not even the meringue powder. But that was okay. It was a day full of fun and driving and generous encounters.

At one of the Lacey Latino markets I asked for the plastic mold. The man next to the guy at the counter was very interested in my need. Although they didn’t carry the molds, he was super eager to assist me in planning my party. He didn’t speak good English. He explained that his mother was from Mexico and his father was from Portugal, so he gets confused between all three languages. However we were able to communicate enough for him to explain how the whole altar is to be set up. His enthusiasm was much appreciated. He told me all the things that were to go on the altar and in what order. Pictures, pan (bread), food, candles, colorful objects, marigolds, sugar skulls, and coronas (crowns) were all part of the altar. He insisted on creating two coronas for me and told me they would be waiting there at the store on the night before the Day of the Dead party and he insisted on giving them to me at no charge. I was very thankful for his generosity and I had my husband, who was with me for our first encounter, go pick up the coronas. However, they were not there. But that was okay. I was grateful for his offering and appreciative of his cultural generosity.

Since I didn’t have actual sugar skulls, I figured sugar cookies in the shape of skulls would make the point that decorating a symbol of death was part of the celebration of the Day of the Dead. I found my recipe on the web and used a metal cookie cutter that was purchased at the gift shop at Paradise a couple weeks before. It was originally a bear, but with some bending and shaping and a little creativity it soon took the form of a skull. My kitchen was clean and ready for baking in the morning and by the end of the day it was a mess, I was a mess, and my kids and house were a mess. I managed to bake almost seventy cookies and made a nice sticky frosting for the decorations to stick to. By the end of this process I was feeling absolutely exhausted from being on my feet and completely focused on making my project turn out right. I was feeling good about it too. And I could tell that my evening to come would be a success.

It was a success!! Every one in our group made a great effort and it showed. Decorating and preparing went very smoothly. Everyone brought their proper supplies and the room looked colorful and festive. I really am thankful that our efforts paid off.

During the celebration I felt comfortable and at ease because I could see that everything was coming out how we had all planned. Our guests brought great food for the potluck and great stories to tell about their deceased loved ones. The highlight for me was the breaking of the piñata. Children are so fun to watch and I’m glad that Hirsh was the one to break the piñata. It worked out great.

As for my cookies… Only a fraction ended up being decorated. But that was okay. It was better to have far more than needed than to end up short. I definitely purchased more candy than was needed too. So there were many leftovers handed out. I feel my efforts paid off as the final product looked fun and creative and I think those who made their cookies enjoyed themselves, especially the kids.

The only down side of the night were the complaints by people who felt they didn’t have enough time to participate in all the crafts.

What a cutie...

I was playing "drive-thru" with a little girl. I ordered a hamburger, french fries, and a drink. She passed me my order consisting of rocks and twigs. I asked her how much. Her immediate reply was, "too much." I sure got a kick out of this one.

I'm really glad I was able to help out with the festival of diwali. I had fun helping Marja visualize the room. I think it turned out great.

The highlight of the evening for me was to pass by the table where the sweets were being made and to be recognized by Marja's friend. She commented that I had done a great job helping prepare for the celebration. This recognition filled my heart to know that my contributions were appreciated. It made the sweets taste better too :)

My daughter's teacher, Teacher Irene, is very well respected. I have learned so much from her over the past few weeks about children. Most importantly I have learned how to talk to children effectively so that our time together can be fun without having unnecessary conflict.

I am having so much fun with the children and Teacher Irene can see that. She approached me yesterday with the idea of offering me a part time job in her school. I was very flattered by this offer and would take it in a heartbeat. We will discuss it more in the future, I was ever so grateful that she could recognize my appreciation for children.

I am also slowly getting used to "performing" in front of a group of kids. I have spent time with children all my life, but this experience is allowing my to stretch my limits and be challenged by being in front of a whole group. Its not as easy as I once thought.

Today I played

Lava Monster with my

friends

When they laughed I laughed

And when they cried we

played bonker-shakers

And we laughed again.

Little Munchkins play

Sponge soaking up everything

Sleep sleep sleep sleep sleep