A bittersweet journey into Autumn

Autumn is upon us and we are entering into it slowly and with a bittersweet sensation as we are missing the bliss that our summer contained this year. Fall has so much...but to an 8 year old and a 1 year old, Summer is exhilarating! They are missing the beach and frolicking in the water constantly; they are missing our frequent camping trips; missing being naked on the front lawn and splashing around in the wee kiddie pool T brought home one hot, humid night in July. And I'm missing a naked baby learning to use the potty...and of course seeing their ear to ear grins when I watched them play and explore together. And the call of autumn brings us inward...and that is a lot to grasp for L...she isn't ready to leave the carefree, impulsivity of summer.

BUT we are discovering autumn with all of our senses.

Each morning we begin our day on walk in our forest. We are blessed to live on a sweet acre and a half that backs onto thousands more acres of forest and trails. So right out our back door is a trail system that we can connect to walk for hours or just a minutes. Each walk the children bring something from fall into our home. Something that reminds them that summer has now come to an end and that Father Winter might be settling into his place soon.

For the past few years I have been very non-challant about the nature table. We have been doing more of a centre piece on our table rather than dedicating a whole table. Alas, this autumn I felt the need to create a space for them as they have struggled with this transition from summer to fall and I thought it might help...

Voila! Enter the joy...

The table has been a work in progress over the past two weeks and today it came together and is a sweet little space. I love what we have created and I love that it has brought them such bliss in a season they were otherwise disappointed to greet.

Yellow the bracken, Golden the sheaves
Rosey the apples, Crimson the leaves
Mist on the hillsides, Clouds grey and white
Autumn good morning, Summer goodnight!