Solstice Weekend

This last weekend was full of busy celebration.  The weather here has been un-summerlike for late June; fairly cool, rain almost daily, and lots of fog.  Despite this, every moment this weekend that truly mattered was enveloped in a ray of sunshine to remind us that it is really summer.  On the solstice we dodged rain drops all day.  When it came time for our Solstice Celebration at the Eco-Justice Center, the sun came through just in time for a spectacular sunset on the longest day.  Perfect to enjoy the Native American drumming and stories around the medicine wheel.

Sunday a high school classmate of B's arrived for a short visit (thank you facebook for rekindling old friendships).  He and his wife rode all the way here from Tulsa on their motorcycle and headed out this morning toward the U.P.  We welcomed them in true farm style with a garden supper complete with a large beer tasting and a welcoming party of Wisconsin friends to celebrate.

The adults enjoyed the garden, while the kids picnicked on the grass and played the evening away.

Yesterday after work and running to appointments and 4h activities we enjoyed another lovely garden dinner with our friends and off they went this morning...in what else, more fog.  Great to finally meet you Tim & Jeanice, until next time!  I'd say quite the perfect weekend to celebrate midsummer.

Jambo!

Jambo is Swahili for Hello

This week has been full of kid activities the crescendo last night with the second grade African feast and drumming.  The second grade class does a unit each year that focus' on Africa.  They dig deep into the culture, language, and all components of the continent.  They eat, sleep, breath and more importantly learn amazing amounts of information in a way that is so exciting both for them and for me as a parent. 

 When Sidney went through a couple of years ago, we made a very ornate entree for the feast.  This year Charles insisted on Tanzanian Baked Bananas, simple, delicious, and he was completely thrilled!  We toured the four classrooms (each one decorated in the theme that class had focused on), we ate, we played mancala, and then we danced, sang and enjoyed.

Lucky Diop and his troop of talented drummers and dancers performed for the kids, taught the kids, and got the parents on their feet.  A memorable learning and cultural moment for the whole family.  As an aside, Naima on this years American Idol is a former student of Lucky's!

Happy Weekend!