Stories from this week's afterschool adventures

Our kids are adjusting well to colder temperatures and darker afternoons as we get closer to the solstice. They continue to thrive with the space to run, bounce, create, discover and serve. This week we seem to be embracing service. We have collected madrone berries that will be used to propagate new madrone trees, sanded graffiti off bricks at Peppi's, and built beautiful shelters and collected food for our faerie friends. On Thursday we saved 3 baby trees and several ferns and sorrel from English ivy and morning glory vines.  Yay kids!  
In my garden a few chamomile flowers are still hanging on next to the hellebores getting ready for their winter blooming. Feeling grateful for cycles of death and rebirth, darkness and light, and getting to witness all of this with our kids!