IN THE GARDEN

Little E is her happiest when in the garden. She loves to dig around in the pot plants, make dirt soup with her spoon and saucepan, carry around papers and egg cartons from the recycling box, and chase Billy around the yard.

It once was the place we escaped to when we were both frustrated and needed some air, but it's quickly become a regular morning and afternoon activity. The Waldorf/Steiner way of living makes so much sense to me now -- the in-breath and the out-breath, a gentle rhythm to the day. In and out, in and out. Our days go much more smoothly when I incorporate two chunks of free play outside. When it's raining, and we're cooped up in the house, we both clearly suffer from it. Next winter I will be buying myself and Everly a spray jacket and some gumboots - so we can both drink in the wild air every day, rain or shine.

These photos were taken last week in the early evening light when she woke from her big afternoon sleep, still dressed in her nice clothes from a morning playdate with a friend. She was having so much fun, I didn't want to disturb her. (Enjoy this moment, clothes can always be washed...) My gorgeous girl with her intense, frowning, 'I'm concentrating' face (just like her Mama), her long sweeping fringe, and those curls! (Excuse the yucky runny nose, she was teething.)