Ebenezer Farm

Simplicity... the way to go, in my opinion...

2011-11-12T18:49:00.000-05:00

September's Marvelous Journey

2011-10-02T22:14:00.001-04:00

September 30, 2011

Warm Greetings to all of our Ebenezer Farm Families,

September’s marvelous journey took us to …..

* hiking in the rain, and in more rain, and in sunshine with humidity, and fall mosquitoes.

*playing in the stream and in our “mud” kitchen, creating dams and roads and ditches.

* studying the names of many trees that tower above us.

* hunting for the rare (rare in our woods) Black Birch to taste the minty inner bark, and to the Oak to make oak whistles, to the Maple to fly helicopter seeds, to the Beech to eat the sweet nuts, and to the Birch to get ‘treasure map’ paper.

* the kitchen table, preparing and eating freshly baked wheat rolls, warm soft pretzels, apple cake, pumpkin bread, p/b oatmeal cookies, just picked carrots, peppers, radishes and kohlrabi and hummus.

*the craft table, where we traced leaves on construction paper and practiced lines and circles. Cutting out circles to make bear shapes. Recognizing or writing our own names, and gluing beans into place.

* making new friends.

* singing Circle songs of bears and trees and frisky squirrels and apples way up high in the apple tree.

* listening to stories of bears with Goldilocks, and bears with blueberries, and big bears with little mice, and apple trees and Johnny Appleseed.

* important work using heavy clippers to clean up trails; carrying buckets of water; digging deep holes in sand, feeding rabbits; dragging branches, moving rocks, polishing apples, helping each other with dressing and undressing, finding boots, carrying lunch boxes, cleaning up toys and building forts.

* exploring Lightning Rock, the Flood Control Reservoir, Checkerberry Woods, Autumn Woods and Laurel Woods, the Cliffs and lots of trails… usually with a half a dozen goats tagging along.

* learning fire safety and practicing fire drills.

Disclaimer of sorts: On one hand, it is unfortunate that we do not have all children all day every day. On the other hand, we’re happy that they have other lovely things in their lives. Therefore, due to the various schedules, some children do not have the benefit of every experience that we offer. While we try to include as many children as possible, the reality is that we cannot duplicate many of our experiences.

All of the children are continuing to learn about listening to what the other children and teachers are saying to them and respecting what others want. They are learning to dress for the weather and how to smoothly transition into new activities even when they don’t want to. They are practicing their best manners during play times and meal times. They are growing stronger and more coordinated, and their experiences play a vitally important role in the permanent wiring of their young brains.

Everything your child is doing at Ebenezer Farm is a learning experience! And of course, everything they do at home is a learning experience! Your children are like little absorbing, growing, developing sponges! There is no going back. The things we say, the way we say it, the values we have; whatever we expose them to, they are SOAKING IT ALL IN! Consider that thought. Are their schedules crazy? That’s JUNK! Are their bodies being filled with lots of sugar, high fructose corn syrup, fat, preservatives, MSG? JUNK! Are their innocent little minds being exposed to JUNK TV or JUNK music? Your precious children are eager, excited, wondering little beings and the world is a marvelous place, full of good things. You are their protectors and their guardians, it’s up to you to provide goodness that will nurture them and strengthen them for the days to come. Don’t allow them to be filled up on JUNK. That reminds me of the preschool song that we sing, (which was concocted from a couple of sources, as you may recognize).

“The world is so full of a number of things, I’m sure we should all be as happy as Kings. How marvelous, how wonderful! And my song shall ever be, how marvelous, how wonderful! I’m just as happy as a King!”

A very important part of children’s development includes unstructured play time. Not unsafe or unsupervised, but ungoverned by adults; Time when they are able to work out their concerns in life, because they certainly have many. They need time and space to express and organize and negotiate – whether they play alone or with others. In this time, they will work out solutions, process, express and consider. If their lives are too busy and their brains are too overwhelmed, it can be very difficult to get to the place of depth in heart and thought where they can truly work on their concerns. See our blog posting of a couple of videos speaking on these issues. These are crucial needs for today’s children.

When the elementary and middle school lets out, the older school children return to us. They bust out of the school bus with terrific enthusiasm! The first thing we insist on is that they wash their hands, rinsing those school germs away! Then they enjoy a prepared snack, dress for the outdoors and head into the fields and forest where they are able to burn off pent up energy and be favorably blessed by the tranquility that the outdoors offers. Though they may be required to be part of a group, we do try to allow them their own space, which is especially needed after long hours of focusing on school work with their peers. The school children are genuinely kind in helping the younger children in various ways while they are together. They assist the little ones with clothing and footwear, activities, minor injuries and countless other needs. The younger children look forward to the arrival of their older friends each day.

Closings:

1. Mascenic School is closed on October 7^th for teacher training. Ebenezer Farm is open. If your child will need extra hours with us, you must reserve this time, so that we can have the appropriate number of staff available and also so that we can plan accordingly. Payment is due for reserved hours, even if you change the plan at the last minute.

2. Mascenic is also closed on Columbus Day October 10^th.

Ebenezer Farm is also closed on that day. Regular weekly payment is still due.

A few reminders:

As the weather turns cooler, be sure that your children have warm layers including gloves/mittens and hats. Families who have been with us awhile know one of our favorite mottos is,

“There is no bad weather, only bad clothing.”

We will continue to have the children wear their waterproof play pants right up until we switch to snow pants. The time has come though, for you to take out or find high quality winter gear in your consignment shops or reputable stores. It is worth every penny to provide the best items that keep your children warm and dry through the fall and winter months.

All children must be signed in and out each day. Please take time to check for pertinent notices that may be posted on a separate clipboard in on that same table.

Please do not allow your children to bring toys from home. The short of it is, that it’s better that way.

Thank you all for your cooperation with our new “no cubby” plan. It is working out beautifully for us, so hopefully you’ve all adjusted well.

We also greatly appreciate your patience or willingness to come find us, when pickup time arrives and your children are off on an adventure. We try to time it right, but as we all know, things do not always go as planned, especially with so many children and the many spontaneous discoveries we come upon.

Communication is extremely important to us, and we are always happy to discuss how things are going with your child. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns at all. You may leave a message on the phone or send an email to GraceCaleb@comcast.net. There’s also Facebook for those who like. Then there is the blog. Grace will dare to announce that once again she will attempt to keep the blog up to date. Perhaps if she eliminates her perfectionist tendencies, she can just straightforwardly give the info and all will be clear and sufficient. It would be an encouragement if parents check it and become “followers” of the blog to hold her accountable! www.Ebenezer-Farm.blogspot.com

Thank you for entrusting your children to our care, we are extremely grateful and blessed!

Savor this beautiful Season,

Caleb, Grace and the Fabulous Staff of Ebenezer Farm

Summer Tales from the Trails of Ebenezer Farm

2011-10-02T21:04:00.000-04:00

In the creative writing process......

A super-mini series on the serious importance of playtime for children.

2011-10-02T08:31:00.003-04:00

I can hardly believe that a lack of play time for children has become such a crucial issue. It is terribly disturbing and a serious detriment to our children. The following three videos cover various aspects.

Prescription for Play

2011-10-02T08:19:00.000-04:00

Joseph Chilton Pearce -- Play IS Learning

2011-10-02T08:16:00.000-04:00

Summer 2011 Newsletter

2011-06-02T19:31:00.006-04:00

Summer 2011 Newsletter

"Then followed that beautiful season...Summer....

Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape

Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood."

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Dear Parents,

The last day of school for the Mascenic School District is June 6th - then on to SUMMER! We eagerly anticipate the season of freedom, adventure and delight! Here is information on what we need from you.

Supplies:

Their very own labeled sunscreen and bug spray. Children arriving after 8:30 need to have these applied by parents, as we are usually busy getting our plans underway. It can be done at home or with the products kept here. We will apply more as needed throughout the day.
Shoes for water, muck and hiking - must protect toes - crocs with back straps are fine - NO flip flops.
Bathing suits (skip the lighter, easily stained colors) and towel.
Freshly filled water bottles each day. We will refill during the day, and send home at night.
Sun hat (optional - but often helpful).
Healthy, easily transportable lunch. Snacks provided by Ebenezer Farm. No Friday lunch Café for Summer.
Blanket and small pillow for quiet time for every child. No one is required to sleep, just take a break.
Rain gear.
Back up supply of clothing, checked and restocked daily. Include a light jacket or sweatshirt.

Schedules: The following scheduling info sounds rather stuffy and formal - please understand that we just want to do the very best for your families! It is frustrating for us and the children to have enthusiastically worked out a plan and then have it discombobulated by changes and interruptions. We carefully and intentionally plan our activities based on the number of children in attendance at any given time. Of course we understand that there are times when flexibility is required. If you need to make changes to your previously arranged schedule, we ask that you respectfully inform us as soon as possible and at least a day ahead.
Therefore,….please have all children at Ebenezer Farm by 8:59 am.
Departure times are in the process of being organized so that we can avoid disruptions throughout the afternoon. Once all schedules have been submitted, we will group as many as possible together and announce the schedule.

Please submit your child’s planned vacation days as soon as possible to assist in our activity planning.
A $25 holding fee and return date is due for children away for will not attend for the Summer.

For part-time attendees: Your scheduled days are reserved, and all reserved days must be paid for a week prior to attendance. If your child cannot attend for any reason, unfortunately there are no refunds.

We are closed on July 4th, and on Labor day September 5th Mascenic schools begins on Aug 31st.

Warmly,
Caleb and Grace and the fabulous Ebenezer Farm staff!

Winter has returned - Hooray!!!!

2011-01-31T11:52:00.004-05:00

Joyful Fall Days

2011-01-31T10:57:00.003-05:00

End of Summer

2011-01-31T10:51:00.001-05:00

Rainy days, searching for crawly things.

Harvest time.

End of Summer Bouquet.

Join the Natural Teachers Network - Children & Nature Network (C&NN)

2010-10-19T20:16:00.000-04:00

Join the Natural Teachers Network - Children & Nature Network (C&NN)

Cool Shady Woods in Summer

2010-10-19T09:50:00.003-04:00

While Facebook has been extremely convenient to work with, adding pictures and comments without much fuss, it has also unfortunately, taken up the time I reserve for promoting our efforts. I realize that because Facebook offers such limited viewing, it doesn't truly serve my purpose well. It is a great way for our own Ebenezer Farm families to see what their children are up to week after week, but I need to balance that with sharing with the larger community. I hope to share more on the blog.

This has been the most wonderful summer and fall. Delightful! I may possibly over use that word, but it's such an accurate description of our life at Ebenezer Farm. I'll have to take out my thesaurus and be a bit more creative. The truth is that we had beautiful weather day after day after day. If the lack of rain has caused you problems, I'm sorry for you. It did limit our swimming in the pond, both at the Farm and the Flood Control Reservoir. The water just got too stagnant and way too unappealing.

It was fine for catching frogs and catfish, but to wash off the muck, we often took to the kiddie pools filled with icy cold well water and the showers of sprinklers. It's remarkably refreshing to sit "poolside" with your feet soaking amongst continuous sprinkles and splashes. Who would have thought?

By far though, we sought our relief in the woods which offered a shady and peaceful haven even more welcome than the cool water. The dry Spring and early Summer seasons had eliminated the mosquito population which could have been a real bother. Because our blueberries bushes grow near the pond, they were able to suck up an abundant supply of water, thus providing us with

vast quantities of berries for nearly two full months.

Lounging about in the breezy sheltered forest, munching on handfuls and handfuls of sweet juicy blueberries....ah...summertime.

Caring For Our Children, Doing the Very Best We Can!

2010-07-27T07:47:00.001-04:00

We warmly invite all those involved with teaching and caring for children to join a 7 week Book Discussion from 7 to 8:30 pm on Thursday nights from August 12 - September 23. Light refreshments will be served.

We will be discussing "Confident Parents, Remarkable Kids; 8 Principals for Raising Kids You'll Love to Live With" by Bonnie Harris M.S. ED

At Ebenezer Farm, New Ipswich NH. Call 878-3715

Summer Camp Fun

2010-06-27T14:57:00.011-04:00

Ebenezer's Explorers are on the go from the moment we gather to sing and cheer at our morning Camp Circle. After a rousing round of motivational song, we split into groups and head out to get the morning chores done.

Some head into the garden with Mr. Shaw to gather whatever is ripe. Even weeds have been making into the kitchen for meals. Lamb's Quarters which is similar to spinach (and even better) is one of our favorites!

A particularly creative and enthusiastic group concocted a wild weed soup and it was very well received by most : ) In addition to the Lamb's Quarters there was red clover, lemon sorrel and yellow dock.

On another day a trip to the pond brought back tasty cat tail flowers and bright red wild strawberries.

Mr. Charlie's group has been taking care of the rabbits, providing them with gifts of fresh flowers to munch on every day, along with lots of welcomed affection. They also visit and tend to the ducks and the task of rescuing the forlorn and wayfaring Beatrix, our Muscovy Duck who was being picked on by our other ducks. We don't know what was going on, but they kept chasing her out of the pond and she was looking very bedraggled and dirty. Now she has her own little pool and fresh water every day, so thing are turning around for her and she's beginning to perk up. Once she's back to her old self, we'll see if we can get her back where she belongs.
This group has also been making a nice new tree swing area for all to enjoy.

Our new healthy cooking group, led by Mrs. Hook has been providing us with very good "good for you" snacks everyday. We love to hear that old school bell clanging, announcing it's time to come and eat. We all come running, wash up and find a seat around the big farm table and then wait to be served by our hosts. The Butternut Squash Birthday cake was delicious! Various dips and vegetables, fruit platters, cheeses, freshly made pretzels and biscuits have all been well received!

We had a fruit smoothie taste test, yesterday, and we voted for our favorite out of 3 mixtures, each sweetened with a different natural sweetener of honey, maple syrup or agave nectar. It was a tough vote - they all were just perfect on a very hot day.
We're also learning how avocados, carrots and blueberries as well as other simple foods actually nourish our bodies. It seems like a good idea to eat those red peppers when we know they help our wounds heal better!

After the chores, we get a chance to blow off a some steam with water games, pond exploration and boat building. We are on a mission to discover the best type of boat to float. We're experimenting with all sorts of materials and constructions - we're going to find out what works and what doesn't!

One of Mr. Charlie's group projects was to construct a life size raft to sail out onto the pond. The kids were very enthusiastic and committed to the effort. Everyone gathered to witness the launch of the Great Raft.

We watched as the logs floated away from each other when the ropes loosened in the water. The building team scrambled to hold it together and finally abandoned ship, grabbing individual logs to hang on and float around the pond with. They learned a few things by their first attempt and used the next few days to work and a new and improved raft.

Again we gathered and watched apprehensively. It started out well. Out into the pond it went. It held. Success!!!! We could have sold tickets to all who waited their turn impatiently for their excursion on the Great Raft of Ebenezer Farm!

All of the experiences we are having together are connecting us in new ways, building relationships between children and leaders, children and other children, and each of us with the wonder-filled world of nature. The older children are having the opportunity to help with the younger ones, whether it's playing games, or crafting or putting on shoes. They are such a help to us, but even more than that, it's heartwarming to see them grow together in this way.

As a matter of fact, the whole Ebenezer Farm environment is heartwarming for us, day after day after day. Tiring...(make that exhausting!), for sure, but so worth every bit of energy.

Warmly,

Grace and Caleb

June 2010 Information

2010-06-26T20:00:00.000-04:00

June 1, 2010

Welcome to Summer Vacation! We are looking forward to spending many wonder-filled days with your children in the upcoming season. Below you will find a few new changes that you need to be aware of.

The first change we have to share with you is regarding a meeting that our staff had with Karrie Kalich, Associate Professor of Health Science, from Keene State College to discuss the present state of nutrition and physical activity levels of the nation’s children. It is fairly common knowledge that the people in our country are in poor health. As you know, we at Ebenezer Farm believe in the value of nutritious, health sustaining, real food, so Karrie invited us to participate in a “Wellness Initative” Program, with a few other Child Care Centers. They were particularly interested in Ebenezer Farm because of our commitment to active outdoor programs, gardening and healthful nutrition. While gardens and farming are not unusual, they happen to be quite unusual for Child Care facilities. Believe it or not, it is also unusual for children to spend much time outdoors in such large spaces! We were happy to take on the challenge proposed to us in working with the College to make a more dedicated effort to promote healthier lifestyles. We hope you will be willing to join with us in this endeavor, even for a trial period, and that you will find that your entire family will benefit from our experiences.

When Ebenezer Farm was first established, it was our desire to provide all of the food for the children who are with us, and we are slowly working toward that. Being inspired by our meeting with Karrie, we decided a good first step would be to take on the morning snacks. We plan to include the children in the enjoyment of preparing healthful foods, and we are expecting this to encourage their enthusiasm. We will choose recipes and snacks that contain no refined sugar, or highly processed ingredients. For sweeteners, we will use natural alternatives such as honey, maple syrup or molasses. The use of sugar can be saved for special occasions with family, at home. In order to make this most successful, we are kindly requesting 100% participation from all of our families, in this new menu style - both with what we provide and what you send in for lunch and afternoon snacks. Therefore, if healthier eating appeals to you, please keep your foods simple. Refrain from the use of prepackaged foods, or read labels and refuse all items with sugar, corn syrup, long lists of preservatives etc. See the attached list for many ideas of good foods to provide. We certainly don’t want to cause any difficulties for you. If your children balk at this idea, perhaps a matter of fact explanation that this is our new policy and a bit of patience will be enough. There may be an adjustment period, depending on their present diet. They will be fine, and they will find there are plenty of good choices that are good for the mind and body!

On June 19th some of our staff will join with Keene State College to discuss our experiences and perspectives at a seminar for other Child Care facilities. If you care to share any personal insights with us, please do.

Birthday Celebrations are also part of our new policy for healthier eating. We will now include preparing a nutritional (and delicious) cake with the children as a special activity. This will free you from at least one item on your to-do list.

Daily drop-off - Our programs will begin promptly at 9:00 am. Please be sure that your child has settled in by that time so that we can proceed with our activities. Late arrivals also mean that you may need to bring your child to us, if we have left the area. *Note that children brought after 8:00 am must have bug spray and sunscreen applied by parent.

Pick up times - are now pre-scheduled to enable us to provide the best, most complete experience for your children. I have looked at the schedule and tried to accommodate the most people possible. You will not be charged extra if we ask you to pick your child up later for our convenience. Of course, you certainly may pick your child up earlier on any day, but if we are not in sight, you will need to call the posted cell phone number, and we will tell you where to find us, so as not to disrupt the activity that we have organized.

Pick up times are: 12:30 pm 3:00 pm 4:00 pm After 5:00 pm - we’ll be near the building.

Your child’s cubby or backpack must be stocked with a freshly filled water bottle, lunch, (with extra healthy snack for children who are here all day), dual light hiking/water shoes (crocs are fine – no flip flops), appropriate back up clothing, bathing suit, towel, rain gear, bugspray and sunscreen. We will refill water bottles as needed. Cubbies need to be cleaned out weekly.

In all these things, if you have concerns, we remind you to ask for time to talk. We want to do our very best for your families!

And, as always, we thank you, for it is our greatest pleasure and privelege to share our days with your children.

Savor this glorious season!

~ * Grace and Caleb
Watch out for High Fructose Corn Syrup

The following article is found at http://www.stoneyfield.com/

Vicki Koenig, MS, RD, CDN

While health professionals and researchers debate whether high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is comparable to sugar, many are also debating whether or not HFCS is natural. Is it the same as sugar? Is it natural? Let me shed some light on this.

HFCS is not found in nature

HFCS is an inexpensive sweetener made from genetically modified corn. It’s enzymatically processed from cornstarch into a liquid sweetener. One or two of the enzymes are also genetically engineered. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides no definition of what the word "natural" means and does not regulate its use on labels.

Still, it’s hard to think of HFCS as natural after its complex processing. There is also no organic HFCS available, because organic standards prohibit genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

HFCS: similar to sugar?

HFCS and sugar both contain the simple sugars fructose and glucose in similar amounts. They are both found in nutritionally depleted products like soda, candy, juice drinks, jams, ketchup, and packaged baked goods.

Earlier research suggested HFCS was responsible for the U.S. obesity epidemic. Research conducted in 2008 doesn’t support this. Is it the sweetener, the foods, or the amount of sweetener in the diet? The source of sweetener doesn’t seem to matter. The truth is that we eat too much. HFCS in the U.S. diet mirrors the rise in obesity, but likely did not cause it.

Even if HFCS is metabolized like sugar, it doesn’t mean I recommend it

Stonyfield Farm uses only natural and organic ingredients in its products. Naturally milled organic sugar is its natural sweetener. This is a much less-processed form of cane sugar. The processing uses less energy and produces less waste than refined white sugar or HFCS, so there are environmental benefits, too.

Less sugar in Stonyfield yogurt than you might think

The amount of sugar listed on Stonyfield nutrition labels is not all added sugar. It includes the milk sugar lactose, natural fruit sugar, and added sugar. That’s why 6 ounces of plain yogurt has 12 grams of sugar, yet no added sugar. It’s the lactose!

Sugar isn’t all bad.

Sugar can be used to make healthy foods more appealing. For many, a small amount of added sugar in a healthy food like yogurt makes the taste enjoyable. Otherwise, they might not eat it and get the benefits of calcium, protein, and probiotics. If you’re going have a sweetened food, it’s best to choose a naturally sweetened, healthy one. That’s why I recommend you avoid foods that contain HFCS.

Ebenezer's Explorers

2010-05-29T14:34:00.002-04:00

There are still a few openings in our full day or morning only summer programs.
Ebenezer's Explorers can choose full days from 8:45 a.m - 4:00/5:00 p.m. for $40.00 per day or 2 or more 1/2 days from 8:45 a.m. -12:30 p.m for $25.00 per day.
All programs include a healthy snack prepared with the children. Lunch is to be brought from home, and eaten together before the half-day program children leave.
Morning activities include a daily rotating schedule of animal chores, garden and farm projects and food preparation. Following the enjoyment of the group snack, there will be time for fort building, hiking, fishing, games, campfires and crafts.
It's really a great time for all, leaders and children alike!
We hope you'll join us!

~* Grace and Caleb

Violet Syrup

2010-05-05T07:41:00.002-04:00

I found a recipe for violet syrup on the web, and thought it would be a fun project to do with the children. While it ended up that their role was to watch as I carried out all of the steps, it was a captivating process and they did get to participate completely in the consumption of the final product -which they

enthusiastically approved of.

I had planned on having them pick the violets, but when the landscaping truck came through the neighborhood to mow the lawn (or so I thought), Ms Lianne and I rushed out to pick as fast we could before they were chopped up.
After the flowers steeped in the boiled water for 2 hours the water was a gorgeous teal green. This was then simmered with sugar until it became syrupy. A couple tablespoons of lemon juice added in, immediately turned the syrup into a fabulous pink - (well my practice batch at home turned fabulous pink - but with the kids I must have put too much lemon, so it turned a pleasant peachy pink color...so much for practicing ahead). Taste tests of hot syrupy sweetness all around - yum! A few scoops of vanilla ice cream added to the delight, but the finishing touch was supplied by Mother Nature as a surprise downpour and thunder storm rolled overhead and made the screen porch more snug and cozy than ever.

~ Savoring the season,
Grace

great outdoor challenge button

2010-04-09T20:16:00.001-04:00

great outdoor challenge button

Posted using ShareThis

Nature Rocks. Happier, Healthier, Smarter Children and Families.

2010-04-09T07:11:00.001-04:00

Nature Rocks. Happier, Healthier, Smarter Children and Families.

Young People to Celebrate Nature on Get Outside Day!

2010-04-09T07:00:00.002-04:00

Young People to Celebrate Nature on Get Outside Day!

Let's go fly a kite...

2010-04-06T14:12:00.003-04:00

Up to the dam, to fly a new kite.

Just look at that.

Beautiful day, beautiful sky, beautiful kite. Absolutely beautiful!

Early Spring, time to tap the maple trees.

2010-04-06T13:38:00.012-04:00

Drilling into the Maple, to collect sap.

The children are learning how sap runs up the tree.

Everyone has to taste it to know it's true!

Delicious already.

Some even like it by the cupful!

Watching through billows of smoke for sap to boil - this will be too long to wait.

Waiting....waiting.....waiting.... there's even time to build a snowcastle.

It's remarkable how much the children and adults love congregating around a fire. There's something so alluring about the flames and the atmosphere. The kids will run off to play, return and sit for awhile, then go again. If all we did was have a fire everyday, I think they'd still be happy. So would Mr Shaw. Sitting around the fire, talking and telling stories...

Good bye Winter

2010-04-06T13:08:00.002-04:00

As I was thinking about how to catch up on my delinquent blogging, I looked through our collection of photos for some inspiration. We still have many winter pictures that were never posted. Though each one represents warm memories of fun and beauty, I had the feeling that I was done with winter. It's over. It's time to move on. But, then I found that I was particularly drawn to this one. I like the perspective it gives. A little bit of distance from the action.
Sometimes that's just what I need - to step back out of the commotion and excitement and noise - so I can see.

~Grace

The melting of the igloo : (

2010-02-07T19:44:00.003-05:00

Warm weather and igloos don't go together so well.

A few more peep holes than when we began.

Now we have a back door view.

Ice in the woods

2010-02-07T19:21:00.002-05:00

Testing out an ice puddle in the woods.

Just hanging out on the ice.

Just laying around on the ice.

We always need a fire to warm up with, and someone has to keep it burning.

The pond is frozen!

2010-02-07T19:07:00.005-05:00

Something is not right here.

Someone's having fun. Someone is not so sure.

Is he hiding behind that stick?

Ready for the puck!

Strong boys get to pull sleds on the ice.

New skates!

Time to warm up.

The guys keeping the fire going.

Train rides on the ice.

Sledding

2010-02-07T19:00:00.004-05:00

The first runs need some pulling to get it packed down

And then they've got it - train rides are the best!

Back up again.

Icy trails require expert steering.

Sledding is the best!

The Igloo

2010-02-07T18:39:00.002-05:00

This started as a warm, friendly hug....

Then, became the attack of the crawling monster - or is that Mr. Shaw?

Snacktime in the igloo - rather cozy.

It's great to get out of the wind.

Nice place for quiet reflection too.

Mother's Together

2010-02-07T15:40:00.003-05:00

Last night all of the Mom's were invited to come and get to know each other a little better, over a couple of pots of fondue, and delectable appetizers. Of course not everyone could make it, and some even had to drop out at the last minute due to illness and life, but those of us who were there, had a very enjoyable evening. We shared great discussions about ourselves and our families. There was encouragement and hearty laughter - the things we all need. As we ended at Midnight (there was just so much to talk about!), we were eagerly considering our next get-together. And surely next time, some will be there and some won't - an evolving circle of friends.
This is so much a part of what Caleb and I want for Ebenezer Farm. We envision something much deeper than your typical "daycare". We're not even sure where we're being led, to tell you the truth. But one of the things we do know is that we don't ever want there to be any sort of disconnect between us, our employees, the children and their families. Life is hard, often very hard, but God is Good and our most worthy purpose is to be instruments of His Goodness; pouring His Goodness into the lives around us - and most intentionally in our work at Ebenezer Farm.

We are so grateful for the wonderful families/friends that we have the privilege of sharing our lives with. We are abundantly blessed!

~Grace

Snow

2010-01-16T16:09:00.004-05:00

Serious water work on a warm fall day

2010-01-16T15:37:00.006-05:00

Autumn in the Woods

2009-12-15T13:52:00.005-05:00

Autumn Celebration

2009-11-02T16:51:00.007-05:00

Our Autumn Celebration was a lovely success, due to no effort on the part of the Ebenezer Farm staff. All we really had to do was invite our families to come and enjoy the day and we could call it good - very very good. The weather was gorgeous, the background scenery was magnificent and the children, as usual were delightful. The following pictures don't do the event justice, but they are serve as pleasant reminders.

A group returning from the tour of the trails.

Showing Dad one of the chickens, behind the fence.

Wagon ride.

Old friends on a new day.

Checking out the fishing gear - never tired of that!

All sorts of stories to tell.

Mr. Shaw returning, sure that all's well in the woods.

More folks returning from the trails.

Time for delicious desserts and fresh cider.

Gathered for the Preschooler's performance.

"It's Circle Time, It's Circle Time, Come and gather 'round...."

"It's time to come together, time to sing some songs..."

"Five Little Pumpkins sitting on a Gate...."

"There Was A Cabin In The Woods"

"I Had A Little Turtle"

"Two Little Blackbirds"

"Wait, Mrs. Shaw...Mrs. Shaw...Mrs. Shaw, I'm going to sing "Open, Shut Them", upside down!"

"Ebenezer Farm is EXCELLENT - YEAH!!!!"

It was a great day!!!! Thanks for coming!

~* Grace and Caleb

September Newsletter

2009-10-09T06:27:00.006-04:00

September 2009

Dear Parents,

Our school year has gotten off to a fabulous beginning with the continual benevolence of the shining sun and beautiful blue sky. We have not had a single rainy day since we started. Not that we’re opposed to rain, mind you. When it comes, you can be sure we’ll be right out in it ~ and singing too! But we do appreciate the ease and simplicity of the past lovely month.
It is quite a wonderful experience to witness the growth of the children as they learn to follow new rules and make various social adjustments in effort to harmonize with the ins and outs of Preschool Time at Ebenezer Farm. They grasp it all so quickly! Even when they decide to test a particular boundary - it’s clear that they are just testing; checking to see if the boundary is firm or flimsy. Once the determination is made, the boundaries are generally accepted and respected.

School Age Program

All of the children love to roam the fields and forests, from first thing in the morning to last thing in the late afternoon. Mr. Shaw is happy to accommodate them since it is a perfect way to start the day before heading off to school. After school, children need to burn off a lot of steam that has built up from a day of keeping it all under control. We also require a certain degree of self control, but fortunately we are able to allow them to run and shout and have some freedom to choose highly energetic activities. Being in the woods and working on creating villages of forts, working with Mr.Shaw in taking care of animals, gardens or firewood draws the children outward with no pushing or prodding from adults. We know they are clearing their heads, while getting dirty! Mrs. Hook and Ms. Lianne are getting their exercise too, running back and forth checking on older children who are able to go out of sight, and with keeping younger ones engaged in healthy activities!
Monitoring disputes and “counseling” is a continuous effort that we’re never quite finished with. If your child has a problem that you are concerned about, be sure to talk with us. Be assured that we do not brush any issues aside. Conflict amongst this wide group of children is inevitable, and just when we think that two of them will be lifelong enemies, they’re off working on a new project together. Many children become the best of friends after coming head to head on major topics. Of course, some don’t, but they learn to tolerate each other, politely...?!

Preschool Program

"Just A Glimpse of Our Farm School"…. The first in a series.
At the beginning of our day, Mrs. Shaw and Mrs. Bergeron divide the children into groups. Mrs.Bergeron will oversee free play, with options for running, jumping or ball games. Mrs. Shaw takes along a few helpers to do some chores, bringing the chickens some treats of the previous day’s dry food scraps, saying good morning to the goats, scooping up duck and rabbit food for their breakfasts. When we return to the playground, all the children know that it’s time for our morning hike when they hear the singing begin.
“Follow me, follow me, come with me my children to see what we can see.
Peek under rocks, gaze into the sky, oh what wonders are there to meet our eyes.
Follow me, follow me, come with me my children to see what we can see.”
As we travel over the “Grumpy Old Troll’s” Bridge, we begin to sing to our ducks, alerting them that we are on our way. To the tune of “Do Re Mi” (Do, a deer, a female deer…) we sing a simple “la, la, la,la,la, la, la…” This is the song that the ducks were trained to follow, when , as little ducklings they were led out to the pond in the mornings and back into their cages every evening. Upon hearing the familiar melody, the ducks do not fail to thrill us with their cheerful response of “quack, quack quack quack”. After a full round of La la la, we break into the original verses of “Do Re Mi“, so that we know the true song as well as “The Duck Song“. This brings us right up to the edge of the pond, where everyone finds a comfy spot on the ground to welcome the ducks up onto the banking. Children delightedly dig their little hands into the grain bucket to offer morning breakfast to our eager feathered friends. Then handfuls of grain are tossed out into the pond, as it is even more fun to see the ducks tipping bottoms up and heads deep to scavenge on the pond floor. Once the ducks have had their fill, they paddle away leaving a clearing for the catfish to swim in closely to nibble up the remains. We crawl close to the edge to get a better view of their wiggling bodies.
Taking advantage of the fact that we are all in the same place at the same time we’ll take time to sing a few more songs. We work on our alphabet song, learning the sign language for the letters. So far we’ve done
“A” - Apples are absolutely appealing.
“B” Big blueberries by the bridge.
“C” Cool crisp carrots are fun to crunch.
Because children learn much more deeply when they have real experiences, rather than just hearing about subjects, we make every effort to connect our alphabet songs to things they know. Big blueberries do really grow by the “Grumpy Old Troll” bridge, and though the berries are out of season now, the bushes are still there to see. We eat slices of apples and each give our opinions of whether or not they truly are appealing. And the cool crisp carrots, freshly pulled from Mr. Shaw’s garden actually do CRRRUNCH!
After the round of singing, some choose to linger and watch the ducks, fish and rippling water and others are off to swing in the hammock or climb on the leaning tree. When they hear the “Follow me” song again, they run to gather on the trail so that we can be on our way through the forest to Lightning Rock, which is currently our favorite snack location. You’ll have to wait for November’s newsletter where we will pick up on the trail to Lightning Rock in our next
“Just a Glimpse of Our Farm School”, series.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you so much for the exceptional consideration that many of you shared by keeping ill children home over this past month - it was an early start to these illnesses - and hopefully, thanks to your efforts, an early ending.

Inspiring Books for Adults
Last Child in the Woods -Saving our children from nature deficit disorder - Richard Louv
The Power of Play - How spontaneous, imaginative activities lead to happier,healthier children - David Elkind, Ph.D

Reminders:• Send your child prepared for sudden drops in temperature. Already, mittens, hats and extra layers supplied in their backpacks are needed.
• It’s not too early to be looking for winter clothing needs. Don’t waste your money on cheap thinly insulated snow gear - they will not keep your child warm or dry enough to be comfortable throughout our outdoor mornings, and we certainly don’t want any children to be miserable.
• Second-hand stores often have quality items that still have a lot good use left in them. Right here in New Ipswich is Consign of the Times, then there is Downtown Revival in Peterborough, which also has a terrific and convenient wish list program; you let them know the details of your needs and they will let you know when items fitting your requests come in. Also, Mother and Child on Rte 101 in Merrimack and Hannah’s Closet on Rte 12 in Swanzey to name another couple of nice ones. Ebay, Craig’s list and Freecycle are options to investigate. We are happy to host a winter clothing swap if people are interested.
• All children must have a full back-up supply of warm clothing in their backpacks or cubbies, as well as some type of weather appropriate farm boots.
• The school-age children are "STARVING" when they get off the bus. A week's supply may be left with us to pass out, or it can be brought daily by your child. Be aware that they usually cannot manage to save it until the get to the Farm.
• Anytime you would like to discuss your child and/or our program please let us know, so that we can set a time for it. You can see how drop-off and pick-up times are not conducive to complete conversations.

September Preschool Stories

Goldilocks and The Three Bears, The Tale of Tom Kitten
The Three Little Pigs, The Tale of Peter Rabbit
The Frog Prince, The Tale of Jemima Puddleduck
The Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Tale of Mrs. Tiggywinkle
And, several chapters of The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Many times you will see or hear that the children will be told the same stories over again. The reason for this, as you surely have noticed in your homes, is that they love to hear them over and over! The characters in the stories become beloved old friends. Children love repetition. They eagerly anticipate the arrival of the Big Bad Wolf coming to knock upon each of the Pig’s doors; their faces just light up with excitement as they wait to hear and then join in with me as I demand “Little pig, little pig, let me in!” It’s the same way for the songs and circle games we play. Even when we are not actually involved in our organized circle time, various children will create mini circles on their own to sing the songs together with no adult influence. There is a comforting security in the routine and orderliness whether in school, at home or in play.
I regularly tell stories without the use of books - the children use their imaginations to picture what I‘m reciting. When books are read, they are classic versions, no Disney revisions. Children enjoy quality books, expressive and full of rich language - this is the most wonderful way to encourage the development of their own language skills, which in turn, provides a vital tool to be used for the rest of their lives.

And here’s the winner for this month’s charming anecdote.
The children were out in the woods sitting on fallen tree trunk, waiting for the story to begin. One child confidently announced to no one in particular, “God made me!” Mrs. Bergeron and I smiled and acknowledged his announcement and then he earnestly looked at the boy next to him and asked, “Who made you?”

Celebration of Autumn!
Join us on Sunday, October 18th from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm for an Autumn Celebration.
Tour trails led by your own personal trail guide, see the Duck Pond, have a snack on Lightning Rock & enjoy the Ebenezer Farm Children Folk Singers. Bring your family and friends! Let us know if you are able to bring a fall dessert or cider to share. Please note, all children attending must remain with an adult throughout the Celebration.

Food for thought...
All over America, and many other places in the world, children today are pushed and pressured to mature, intellectually, emotionally and physically. They are being robbed of the precious and necessary nurturing time that can only be found in childhood.
The following is an excerpt from The Power of Play, by David Elkind Ph.D, copyright 2007:
“Children’s play--their inborn disposition for curiosity, imagination, and fantasy--is being silenced in the high-tech, commercialized world we have created. Toys, about which children once spun elaborate personal fables, now engender little more than habits of passive consumerism….
“Parents, anxious for their children to succeed in an increasingly competitive global economy, regard play as a luxury that the contemporary child cannot afford.
The health consequences for children resulting from the disappearance of play are already apparent…
“The surgeon general suggests that two-thirds of the children in this country suffer at least one health problem. Thirteen percent of our children are obese. We have more than 2 million children on Ritalin and other ADHD medications…
“The psychological consequences of the failure to engage in spontaneous, self-initiated play are equally serious and equally worrisome. Because children are spending so much time in front of television, as well as other screens, there is little time for exercising their predispositions for fantasy, imagination, and creativity--the mental tools required for success in higher-level math and science.
The failure to develop these tools is, in part at least, one of the reasons America is falling behind other countries in attracting young people into these fields…
“Our schools are now contributing to the suppression of curiosity, imagination, and fantasy.
Growing numbers of elementary schools are eliminating recess in favor of more time for academics.
--And
“Children are now regarded as consumers, a niche population to be targeted directly without concern for parental approval of the advertised product. High-fat, high-sodium foods, sugary soft drinks, disposable fad toys and much more, are marketed directly to children.
“The programming at family hours is increasingly foul-mouthed, overtly sexual, and/or violent.
Many computer games for children are equally inappropriate. Clearly some adults are putting the profit motive ahead of children’s needs.
“All too often children’s need for play is exploited and redirected to serve commercial ends. All too often children’s spontaneous active play has been transformed into passive audience participation.
“…silencing children’s play is as harmful to healthy development (if not more so) as hurrying them to grow up too fast too soon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We encourage you to learn more about these dangerous threats to the well-being of our children.
As their parents and caregivers, we have a responsibility to protect them from harmful influences.
Recall your own childhood - did you sit indoors and look at a screen for hours? Did you have piles of throw away toys that flashed and beeped and were as cold as ice. Or, were you out with friends, under the lilac bush, out in the field or up in the trees, creating a world of fantasy, where all sense of time was lost, until you were called for dinner. Did you curl up comfortably and read books that took you away to faraway places? These simple activities are not lost, but they will require effort to be held on to.
On behalf of the staff of Ebenezer Farm, we would like to thank you sincerely, for allowing us to share time with your children each week. Every single child brings incredible gifts of joy and warmth to our lives.

Savor this wonder-filled season!
Grace and Caleb Shaw

2009-10-07T06:24:00.001-04:00

I have so much to catch up on, but for the time being, I'm hoping that it is true that a picture is worth a thousand words! The last several posts are lots of pictures.

~*Grace

2009-10-07T06:04:00.004-04:00

2009-10-06T20:40:00.003-04:00

2009-10-03T21:38:00.003-04:00

2009-10-03T21:27:00.001-04:00

2009-10-03T21:17:00.005-04:00

2009-10-03T21:01:00.007-04:00

2009-10-03T20:51:00.004-04:00

2009-10-03T20:43:00.003-04:00

2009-10-03T20:11:00.006-04:00

Summertime!

2009-07-26T14:00:00.011-04:00

Every morning, lately, one of the first things we hear from the children is, "Can we go to the dam?" They love to go to wade, swim, fish and explore.
The few hot days we've had were perfect excuses to abandon our usual schedule and just hang out at the rock on the water's edge for hours. We bring along our food, water and towels and have a blast!

Israel is our resident lifeguard. He's enjoying teaching some of the children how to swim.

This is the view from the top of the dam looking down at our crew.

Just one of our lovely mermaids.

Time for lunch.

Taking a break from the water and making tall grass forts and playing hide and seek.

Mr Shaw, the sneaky tall grass monster, has been found and properly restrained.

Three cheers for sunshine,
~*Grace

Jumping for joy!

2009-07-26T13:43:00.005-04:00

Yeah - weather for swimming! Some of the children really enjoyed doing come cannonballs off of Charlie's shoulders. There's nothing like a big splash in the hot summer sun - especially when the sun has not made too many appearances. We're taking advantage of every ray.

Spring into Summer

2009-07-05T13:08:00.016-04:00

Of course we've been so busy with ending the school year and beginning the Summer, that writing blogs has been put on the back burner. Our plan is to have regular weekly updates. We're still adjusting to the new routine and new children. There's so much to appreciate about Summer, but one of our favorite parts is that most of the children stay all day. It provides a smoother more relaxed schedule for all of us. We have hours to explore and work and play.
One of the boys found a dragonfly on a tree. It had just emerged from the water and shed his nymph skin. It was very cool to see!

The ducks have matured enough to go out to the pond. We don't want them to be eaten by anything, so at this point we are leading them out to the pond in the morning and back to their pen at night. This is the first time we've tried it, so all the children are prepared to herd them back if they decide to wander. It was great, because they faithfully followed their "Mama" all the way in to their new swimming hole.

The summertime woodland work has begun. There are villages, forts, trails and hideouts being organized and equipped throughout the Laurel Woods.

Shelter overhead. Ferns,

stumps and rocks below for resting upon after all the work.

How can you help but be happy out here?????

A group of our Kindergarteners and Pre-schoolers gathered before the Summer break.

Another group of Pre-schoolers posing for the camera.
Some children will stay all Summer, others are off. We'll miss them so much!

This has been the rainiest season ever! We've had wet clothes hanging from the rafters. The children come in and pour the water out of their boots - hopefully outside, but not always ;0)

Every day we get to sing our song "We love rain, we love to sing and dance in the rain, jump in the puddles and splash again, we love rain!"

Now, finally the sun is shining this weekend. It is glorious! Maybe this week we'll shed the rainsuits and be back to wearing sunscreen and bugspray. Whatever we put on, it will be fine, because it's a "Wonder-Filled" world, rain or shine.

Until next time,

~*Grace

Still More May ~*

2009-05-28T10:14:00.016-04:00

May is such a wonderful month. Peepers and baby birds and ducklings and bright new green shoots breaking through the old brown earth at every turn. There's excitement and newness all around. Of course there's plenty of needed rain too. After one particularly gray and gloomy school day, one of our afterschool girls was feeling particularly gray and gloomy, so we went out for a misty walk into the newly greening woods. I happen to love gray, misty days in the woods; the scents are pungent and the sounds are especially clear, so I was more than happy to have good reason to go off alone with one who needed alone time. How can you stay down in such beauty? You can't! And she couldn't either -hurray! It didn't take long before we discovered our first ladyslippers and then 16 more and more trillium than I can remember.

The next morning I eagerly took the morning group out to recount those lovely wildflowers. They too, appreciate the wonderful month of May.

~*Grace

Busy Spring

2009-05-27T20:50:00.012-04:00

Spring on the Farm is busy indeed. Caleb took the past two weeks to focus on getting the garden planted. He made a lot of progress - and still has lots more to do. But now I have the privilege of having two weeks to try to rest my back which has not responded well to chiropractry or physical therapy. Summer is just around the corner and I really want, and need to be in full form. We have trails to clear, gardens to weed and pens to build among many other things that require strong backs. Now my daughter-in-law is trying cranial sacral therapy on me - it should cause the fluid around the spinal column to function at it's best, which should really help my entire body. I hope!

So, although I've been doing some work from home, I have two weeks away from the usual busy routine and it amazes me how much I miss those kids! I thought I'd love this break, and actually I do, but it's all I can do, to keep myself from visiting them, maybe have lunch or go for a hike after school! I won't do it though, because I know myself, and 1/2 hour will turn into 1 hour and then 2 and 3 and aw heck, I might as well stay all day, and then I'll be sorry because I really do need to take advantage of the opportunity to get better.

One thing I've been doing is working on our Summer and Fall Schedules. Our roster has filled right up. We are working on a waiting list now, except for a few part time openings. It's so encouraging to know that parents value the outdoor farm environment. Children are healthier, happier and smarter the more they are exposed to the natural world. Check the blog and website we follow, The Children and Nature Network. It is full of information that supports the benefits of the outdoor world. Anyone who is concerned about all the troubles that children are having with ADD and ADHD and overuse of video games and other screen activities should check it out. Oftentimes the simpler way is the better way ; )

~* In Simplicity,

Grace

Important Work To Do

2009-05-11T08:50:00.007-04:00

As most of us are all too well aware of, the December Ice Storm left us with quite a lot of clean up to do. It's difficult for us to walk leisurely through the woods these days. We're learning a lot about bushwacking! Fortunately, at Ebenezer Farm, we've got plenty of strong and capable hands. We load up with our bug deterrent and head out to tackle the branches that block our trails. It's a very satisfying feeling to untangle the mess covering our "playground" and make it beautiful and spacious again.

Our hardworkers come in all shapes and sizes. This is a great job with the marvelous benefit of the most fragrant scent of pine and the background choir of peepers, chickadees, robins and cardinals.

We are more than ready for a hearty snack break on one of the best seats in the place!

New Ducks

2009-05-11T08:47:00.009-04:00

Baby Ducklings have come to Ebenezer Farm! They are just the cutest and most fun little creatures. We decided to start with 4 Khaki Campbell Ducks. They are supposed to be excellent egg layers and we're curious to try eating duck eggs, but mostly we need ducks to complete our pond atmosphere. We so enjoyed visiting the Mallards who stopped by in the early spring, that it seemed like a good idea to bring in some who would stay. At this point they are living in a nice pen with a plastic pool during the day, and put to bed in the barn at night. I keep singing "La la la la lei" as the duck master in the story of Ping, but so far they're not running toward me like I'm their Mama. ??? I should probably make sure the neighbors know the story and why I'm singing my way over to my ducklings, or they'll think I'm a little quacked!

The first day I put them into their little plastic swimming pool, I got really nervous because they kept diving under the water - they obviously had no Mother to teach them, and I was worried that they were gulping too much and would drown themselves! They were absolutely ecstatic to be in this new environment- it was so much fun to watch. They zoomed like little torpedoes criss-crossing each other through the water. They barely came up to breath!

Their beady little eyes were bulging open as their little webbed feet paddled speedily and their tiny little wings flapped as hard as they could. It was the most delightful experience to witness. Ah, my little baby ducklings...

~* Mama Duck,
AKA Grace

Rising Star Award

2009-05-11T08:44:00.009-04:00

Caleb and I have worked very hard for the past couple of years to get Ebenezer Farm up and running and just a little bit after our first year of operation, we were invited to attend the 2009 Eleventh Annual Celebration for Early Childhood Professionals sponsored by the State of NH Child Development Bureau.

The event was held on April 21st in Concord NH. At the ceremony we received the "Rising Star Award", because we are "professionals who excel in creating a quality environment for children and families." and we "offer a unique program that gives children the opportunity to experience the world through nature."

We are very pleased of course, but especially in light of the fact that we are well aware that our program is really testing the limits of the acceptable regulations ordered by the state, and here they are enthusiastically supporting our work!

The speaker, who shared her knowledge of us and our Farm, as well as other members of the administration that we spoke with, were abounding in praise and agreement of our philosophy, structure and activities. Wow! We can't ask for more than that! Here we are feeling that we're being a bit revolutionary - only because of the astounding reports of typical Child Care environments throughout the country and the world actually, and they award us. As Caleb told the audience, what we would like to see, is many more Child Care facilities like ours.

There was a write up about us in the Celebration program. In it they quoted both Caleb and myself from some things that we had written for them about our Child Care. I'll share what they printed, just to give a feel for what they appreciated.

From me, "Caleb and I have a passion to expose our children to the 'wonder-filled' world that exists within this nature and farm centered environment. We want them to discover the peace and contentment and goodness that is within their grasp. So, we spend all of our time with them, encouraging them by our example to explore life away from television and pressure, and find joy in simple things." "It all boils down to us just sharing what we treasure. And treasuring those we share it with."

And from Caleb, "It is when a child arrives upset that the effect of the environment we offer is most striking. I cannot claim any credit for the beauty of the sky and trees, or the antics of farm animals. I can only say that, when a child has been exposed to something upsetting, often the antidote is to expose them to something beautiful. It allows them a time in a sort of sanctuary, and allows a healing which I don't fully understand to occur. Just as we ourselves usually feel a lot better after a day at the beach, I've seen chldren healed by an afternoon among sunny pines."

In closing I remind you, as Caleb said and has said many times - we're really not doing anything special - it's the woods and the wind and the sun shining down on us - it's so simple and so perfect. I hope you make time to experience that too.

~*Grace

May Day

2009-05-03T18:58:00.015-04:00

Today we talked about the custom of collecting wildflowers to place on a neighbor's door on the first of May. It wasn't practical for us to do this, but we were able to set out on a hike through the woods to search for flowers to bring home. We had seen buds two days prior, so we hoped to find blossoms. It was a gray and misty day, so flowers were shut tightly. Still we did find dandilions, wild mustard flowers, strawberry and cherry blossoms. Plenty to fill the baskets we had made before heading out.

There's such a mysterious aura in the forest. We found clues throughout of someone else having been there before us. It's fun to try to guess who it might be. Upon nearly every tree stump, we found the remains of pine cones that have been torn apart in search of the little seeds that taste so good to someone. We call it the squirrel's dinner table. Every new stump we come upon, is as thrilling as the one before - it never seems to get old. We also search the upper part of the trees for holes made by pileated woodpeckers or others and we hope to get glimpses of someone peeking out at us. Today we discovered a very interesting home, low in the tree. There was all sorts of shredded wood and droppings on the ground.

We took our turns guessing just who it might be. When we returned to the Farm, Mr. Shaw suggested it might be a flying squirrel.
It sure would be wonderful to catch him soaring through midair. Unfortunately they only come out at night - and we're all tucked in by then!

~* Grace

VACATION?

2009-04-27T21:33:00.004-04:00

Back before I became a "Child Care Professional" I was a "Child Care Amateur." What is a "Child Care Amateur?" It is another word for "A Parent."

As a parent I, of course, received no pay for caring for my children. Nor did I earn any sort of vacation from caring.

To be honest, what many call "a vacation" involved a doubling of the time I spent caring. No longer could I count on school teachers to help me, because teacher's were taking a well-earned rest. What a "vacation" meant was I cared for my children every hour they were awake.

Even a parent who earns two weeks vacation a year knows that children are "on vacation" far more than two weeks a year. However I was self-employed, and tended to work 52 weeks a year. I was faced with a conflict between time-for-the-kids and time-for-the-job.

It was exhausting, and at one point I was tempted to take a job in Kuwait. The temptation was that I might make $100,000.00 in six months. As I toyed with the idea, the temptation whispered to me that the money would make up for the fact I was basically abandoning my wife and children. It stated abandonment was not really abandonment, because I'd have pots of money and could make up for the abandonment "later."

However back in the the 1980's I lived with Navajo and Zuni who used to leave their homes and communities to make huge wages walking I-beams 80 stories above city streets, far from their home villages, (home villages where not a single house was even two stories tall.) When, after six months, these men returned home with fabulous paychecks they were treated with the respect a wealthy philanthropist gets. They stated it didn't feel all that good, because they would rather have been treated like a Dad.

Remembering these men, I decided against making $100,000 in six months. To be honest, I didn't even make $100,000 in six years, because decided I really ought care for the lives that my wife and I created, and, as things worked out, this involved Home-schooling.

Often, rather than going to work, I found myself teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. I had to be done by noon, (because I still had to hustle up some work and "bring home the bacon,") however, (judging from test scores,) my children received a good education.

I had to work locally, but I could drive a battered pick-up truck that cost $500.00, while my friends drove far finer vehicles that cost $25,000.00. My wardrobe was jeans and t-shirts, while their wardrobe cost thousands. They had far more status than I did. However they spent most of every weekday away from their children, as I enjoyed something money can't buy: Being a parent.

But vacations were not part of my life. Even before I had any farm animals, I was in some ways like a farmer who must milk and feed animals 365 days a year.

This is not to say I didn't need breaks. I did. However the breaks tended to be things that fit into my week. Things like watching a sunrise, going to listen to a local concert, spending an afternoon blueberry-picking or fishing or skating or swimming, or even an entire day skiing or at a beach. And also little breaks, time spent simply contemplating this thing we call life, (contemplation which some call yoga, and others call philosophy, and others call art and poetry and music, and others call prayer.)

My breaks took hours, rather than two-weeks, but they were enough.

When I look back across time, I doubt our forefathers had the ideas we have, concerning vacations, (or even Saturdays.) They worked, as farmers, in a manner that burned an average of 4000 calories per day, yet managed to be more serene than us. With less "time-to-relax," they were more relaxed.

This concept was driven home to me last week when I watch how deranged things became, locally, when school let out for spring break. Some parents whisked their children off to places like Disney world, while others had to work and had to ask others, (such as my wife and I,) to keep their children all day, (rather than merely before school and after school.)

I then noticed something I've noticed before: Often children seem to expect that, because it is vacation, they should have some sort of sensational experience. In a sense they demand a Disney world.

I disappoint them, in that respect. Instead I attempt to teach them about the simple breaks. Watching a sunrise. Listening to birds. Going for a hike. Or, (and this was Grace's idea,) simply making and flying a kite.

It may not be Disney world, but its surprising how swiftly they forget all about Disney world.

Caleb

The Fence Post Rock

2009-04-23T08:00:00.001-04:00

This is a flash-back to March 26, when we were seizing a window-of-opportunity, and enlarging our playground in a frantic rush.

The very first post hole involved three large rocks, but the second involved a boulder. There was no way to relocate the hole, (which is often an option, and is a reason that fences in New Hampshire are not always the straightest.)

Therefore I had to smash the rock, using a heavy sledge hammer and my heaviest crow bar.

As I worked, the after-school crowd came spilling from the school bus, and of course they all had to see what I was up to. Immediately they wanted to try to swing the sledge hammer and pound at the boulder, although in some cases they could barely hoist the weight. I did not need to use any Tom Sawyer tactics; youth simply likes the prospect of breaking things, and not being scolded for it.

I had to take various safety precautions, such as making the youth that swung the hammer wear goggles, while all other youths stood far back. Everyone, boys and girls, got to swing at least once. A few little chips flaked off the boulder, but the stone seem largely unimpressed, until a rather slender youth basically dropped the sledge onto surface of the stone.

It seemed to be a final straw. I noted a hairline crack, and by hammering the crow-bar into the crack it enlarged, and the boulder became two stones. Other cracks followed, and soon the boulder was out of the hole, as the rubble which appears in the picture.

So much sweat is involved in digging post-holes in New England, that it is helpful to have a daughter who has a strong boyfriend to give you a hand. (Second picture.)

I was in a hurry to finish the job, because as long as you have holes in the ground you run the risk a small child will find them irresistible, and jump into them. The third picture shows we were digging the final holes even before the snow was entirely gone. This meant the holes filled with water even as we dug them. It was a struggle, because the holes had to be two feet deep. We were basically digging a row of small wells.

Even though a new fence is erected for safety's sake, having a row of wells at a child-care center in not safe. The danger is as follows:

A small child estimates the depth of a puddle by the circumference of it's circle. Even as you talk to a three-year-old's parent, the two-and-half foot tall child is liable to walk to the circle of water and, assuming the water is two inches deep, jump into a post hole that is two feet deep.

To avoid this sort of situation, which can be embarrassing, I highly recommend that all fences be completed, at all child-care centers in New England, before small children arrive on Monday morning.

Snow Peas

2009-04-22T08:17:00.000-04:00

We don't have any true permafrost in Southern New Hampshire, but the earth can start to freeze as early as mid-October, and remain frozen as late as early-May, on the north slopes of hills. Therefore we should get credit for having semi-permafrost, at the very least.

As long as the semi-permafrost lasts, water cannot drain downwards into the subsoil, and instead pools and ponds at the surface, turning the soil into ooze and mire. This is known as "mud season," and few speak the words "mud season" with any sort of affection.

The semi-permafrost can last some time, because on the worst years the earth can freeze down to a depth of four feet. Usually this occurs on winters when the ground is bare. Even the softest sod on the most deeply turfed pasture feels like iron underfoot.

This past winter was an exception to the rule. After our terrible ice-storm in December we had a brief respite, in the form of a thaw, with temperatures up in the sixties. This was followed by a blast of arctic air filled with powder snow, which blanketed the earth in a way which kept the soil from freezing. The average temperatures were more than six degrees below normal in January, and the powder snow swirled in the wind, but the the soil never froze more than four inches deep, due to the insulating properties of the fluffy snow.

After the winter we went through, we needed a break, and the break was that we hardly had any "mud season" at all. The semi-permafrost melted away swiftly, and we were work the earth earlier than usual.

(I'm not sure this is a blessing, due to the word "work," in the phrase "work the earth.")

One of the first tasks I faced was digging post-holes, so we could expand our playground. This is one of my least favorite jobs, though fences go hand in hand with farming. In fact the very first task I was given, when I first came to this farm in 1968, was to dig a post-hole. About a foot down I met my very first rock. As I recall, I vowed to avoid post-holes for the rest of my life.

Now it is something like 12,757 rocks later, and the new playground fence is up, and I can get on to the side of farming I enjoy, which is planting seeds. The first seeds planted around here are snow peas, which are usually planted on Patriots Day.

Often it snows as you plant peas, but this year the day dawned a warming sun, and temperatures soared to fifty. I was feeling optimistic, until the wind shifted to the east. By afternoon the temperatures back down towards forty, and the blue sky had turned a steely grey. Right at dusk, as I was finishing up, I heard the patter of sleet.

It seems a tradition that it must snow on snow peas. Perhaps we need to rename them. Rather than calling them "snow peas" we ought dub them "thaw peas."

I am often working at dusk, because having children as observers tend to slow down the work during the day. (Answering questions, and involving youth, is a lot of fun, and I am reaching an age where I don't much mind working slowly.)

Caleb

BACK TO SCHOOL

2009-04-19T22:18:00.001-04:00

One thing I have learned, overseeing children, is that it is important to "respect your elders." Especially the elder who is me.

Not that I did it very much when I myself was young, but now that I'm older it seems wise, and statements which seemed wise when I was eighteen, such as, "Don't trust anyone over thirty," seem unwise.

For the most part most youth have learned to (at least pretend to) respect me, now that I'm in the role of a gruff old farmer. On a farm, if you don't listen to the farmer, you tend to get butted by his goats or attacked by his rooster, and therefore, even if some youths were disobedient at first, they soon learned to listen, and perhaps even respect.

I can't explain why this happens. The very same same youth who refuse to learn from a teacher who has a Master's Degree in education will learn from a goat or rooster, though that goat or rooster has never been to college.

Most youth do learn, if given the chance. However some youths qualify as exceptions.

Some of the exceptions are law-makers up in Concord. Because many are two-thirds my age, or even half my age, they qualify as "youth," in my book. However they seem to be slightly power-crazed, and lately have started issuing decrees which seem downright disrespectful to me.

One new law proclaims that teachers can no longer tape or thumbtack crayon drawings, and samples of especially neat handwriting, and "A+" math papers, onto the walls of classrooms. Why? Because these whippersnapper lawmakers have decided that such papers represent a "fire hazard."

Curious, I inquired whether there ever has been a case where such papers caught on fire and resulted in a conflagration at a school. As far as I could learn, such a blaze had never, ever happened. However, because it might happen, the law was passed.

There ought to be a law against passing such laws, because other things might happen. A little child might have their feelings hurt, if their work isn't praised and displayed. Their artistic talent might be crushed. Society might be deprived of hundreds of great artworks, all because some whippersnapper law-maker in Concord was in the mood to bully first-grade classrooms.

Of course, the whippersnapper law-makers up in Concord have never made any effort to come to me and listen to a grumpy elder. Instead they issued a decree that I needed six hours of "additional education," in order to keep being "a-grouchy-old-farmer-who-shows-kids-a-thing-or-two-about-farming-after-school."

This made me more grouchy than ever. I never took kindly to being forced to sit in classrooms, even forty years ago, and that never included Saturdays. However whippersnappers in Concord were now forcing me to give up a Saturday. A Saturday in the spring! When the soil has thawed earlier than usual, and the pea and spinach seeds are just itching to be planted!

Last Friday a young girl was rejoicing that school was out for the weekend, and I muttered it was out for her, but I had to go to school on a Saturday. The girl became deeply concerned, and asked me why I was suffering such an awful fate. I said that law-makers up in Concord didn't feel I was smart enough, and that I needed to learn more. The sweet lass was indignant, and actually patted my back, telling me that of course I was smart enough. I was the best grouchy old farmer she'd ever met.

However, after going to the NHAEYC Spring Conference, and attending four ninety-minute- lectures, I have discovered that perhaps an old dog can learn new tricks.

For one thing, I have learned I'm not actually a grouchy old farmer. I'm actually something called a "Male Child Care Professional. "

I also learned that 97% of all Child Care Professionals are women. (I might have enjoyed school a lot more, forty years ago, if 97% of my classmates had been women.) I had a very interesting Saturday; much more interesting than I expected.

I didn't always get my first or second choices, when it came to fitting into crowded lecture halls. In one case I got my third choice, which was a lecture entitled, "Where are the men?" That hall was nearly empty. It held two male teachers, and four students; (two gals and a young guy and me.)

One of the teachers was a male Child Care Professional with a masters degree, and after thirty years his salary had only risen to $30,000/year. (This is one reason few men want to enter the field.)

The other teacher also had a master's degree, but soon after starting work at a child care center he had been "kicked upstairs," and became an administrator. This a second reason few men are in the field; for one reason or another they are kicked up, or out.

A third reason is that some parents fear men may be perverts, if men chose to care for children. Apparently some parents feel there is something "queer" about such men, especially because the press has made headlines of all sorts of priests, psychiatrists, boyscout troop-leaders, middle-school guidance-counselors, social workers, and teachers who have broken the trust with children. This has made things very hard for decent people, even though decent people vastly outnumber the perverted people. (Both Grace and I had to go through an intense background check, before we opened our center. I had to go through the check even though I'd already gone through a extensive check, to be a substitute teacher at the high school.)

After discussing males-in-childcare at great length, I learned once again I definitely am not a grouchy-farmer-who-shows-kids-a-few-things-about-farming-after-school. Rather I am something called a "male role model," and also something called a "rarity."

All I can say is that I had no idea that grouchy old farmers had become so rare. In my grandfather's youth over half of all American households were run by grouchy farmers, and their grouchy wives. Rather than a "rarity," I think I'm actually an "anachronism." (If not, then at least I'm trying very hard to be one.)

It turned out I was, as a man involved in child-care, something of a campus sensation. As a rarity I was noticed by 97% of my classmates, which I did not at all mind. However I had to chuckle, for there is nothing new about what I'm doing. To care for kids on a farm is not radical. It likely is as old as Adam and Eve, (for, after they were thrown from the Garden of Eden, they likely were grouchy, and likely farmed.) (After all, what else would they know how to do, if they had lived their whole lives in a garden?)

Because I was already in a mood to chuckle, I felt especially privileged to meet Jeff Johnson, who is a Male Child Care Provider, and therefore is a "rarity" like me. However he is also, in my opinion, an excellent humorist and writer.

For some time, before I attended the various lectures last Saturday, I was trying to find Jeff's childcare website (at http://explorationsearlylearning.com/index.htm ) but didn't have a link, and therefore, after googling here and googling there, the first thing I found was a short story he wrote called "The Dinosaur In The Basement," ( http://www.explorationsearlylearning.com/articles/The%20Dinosaur%20in%20the%20Basement.pdf )

I'm glad I first met him as a writer and humorist, because he seemed on my level. If I had known he was actually something called a Male Child Care Professional, I would have been utterly in awe, and too shy to email him, and wouldn't have received his encouraging response.

However now my schooling is complete, and I confess I'm glad I've met my obligations to whippersnappers up in Concord, and can go back to being a grouchy, old farmer. I can only take being a Male Child Care Professional for so long. For one thing, I have peas and spinach to plant, and Male Child Care Professionals, as far as I know, don't descend to the dirt. Only to the diapers.

Caleb

NHAEYC Spring Conference

2009-04-18T18:44:00.001-04:00

We spent the day at the Spring Conference in Nashua NH. The keynote speaker was Jeff Johnson of Explorations Early Learning in Iowa. Jeff was right on target with his perspective that children are being robbed of their childhood by pressure to advance academically by bureaucrats who don't understand what children truly need. Combine this with the overuse of electronics at their fingertips, AND the push of the media for children to develop provocative, sassy attitudes, and you have a very unhealthy foundation for life. Children need to play and use their imaginations and run outside in the woods and fields for so many vital reasons. Another sad thing was to realize how many children do not have the opportunities to be in natural environments. They just don't have woods around them, or fields or ponds. We know how blessed we are, and this was a great reminder!
The good news is that many people are talking about ways to improve these situations. They are learning how to protect each child's need to have a healthy, creative childhood connected to nature. Making these changes will cause extremely positive results in their lives. We're so glad to be a part of the return to sanity and we have plenty to say about it, but it'll have to wait for another day.

~* Grace

A new beginning ~

2009-04-17T22:01:00.001-04:00

It is a new beginning for us at Ebenezer Farm. We have lots of things to write about. Ebenezer Farm truly is a wonder-filled world! Just today we took the preschoolers out for a hike to the flood control reservoir, to see what we could see. It was a lovely warm Spring day - yay! We spent the whole day outside - except for the much needed rest hour. Here's the list of today's major finds: 3 huge blue herons which soared overhead and curved around landing onto stumps in the water; 2 handsome male mallards following one tired female; 1 kingfisher swooping down into the water to grab something out - a fish probably; a hawk (not sure what kind); 1 pileated woodpecker, frightened away by the crunching leaves under 5 preschooler's feet; one muskrat chiseled stick; one garter snake; a couple of redwinged blackbirds; many chickadees, crows and tufted titmice. Oh, it was a wonder-filled adventurous morning for us. Check back soon, there's something new everyday!

~* Grace