Waiting for Ruby

Waiting and Waiting

Ron and I received bad news last night that only one week's worth,instead of the usual month's worth,of log-in-dates received their referrals this month. If this continues,it will be 24 more months instead of 6 more months. We have been so very patient, but this latest news is hard to take.

We will have to wait even longer to have tea parties with this clever handmade tea set, from Mahar Drygoods, a Christmas present for Ruby. http://www.mahardrygoods.com/index.php . I can just see the children of the forest peeking out from underneath the sugar bowl. Every year I must buy her a Christmas gift to help my heart. Unfortunately, the only attachment I have to her right now is to buy her something.

We are going into NYC tomorrow so that will definitely lift our spirits a bit! There is nothing like NYC at Christmas time! We will see the Radio City Christmas spectacular with the Rockettes,and we'll take in the sights of the season there.

The White House Kitchen

As much as I love them, I never thought we would buy Ruby a play-kitchen. I already had a small wooden portable stove top that I thought we'd simply place on one of the playstands(that we will make her when the time comes). I was also going to make a sink out of some wood with a bowl dropped into it. But last week, while searching on craig's list I found a wooden kitchen and refrigerator set for a steal. Yes, I know, she isn't even here yet, but I don't know when or if I would see a deal like that again,and I feel good that it's second-hand. The couple we bought it from was very nice, and we appreciate the great deal we got. When we were ready to put the kitchen into our car, the woman was searching through the play-kitchen for a "White House egg",which she said,was not part of the deal. I didn't know what she meant, but I said we would send it to her if it went home with us by accident. When we arrived home, I was cleaning the play-kitchen and found a signed by the president and his wife wooden White House Easter egg. I guess it's about time Republicans gave the middle class a break!

Waldorf Weekend

Philadelphia public elementary schools, simply put, suck, as do most other cities' public schools. We have been researching private schools for a while now.I always loved the Waldorf philosophy, and after going to a Waldorf School's holiday craft fair today(the lovely button-jointed-all-organic-locally-made Waldorf doll on Ruby's bed was purchased there),I think we have made our decision.A Waldorf School is for our family.The poster below was hanging on one of the walls of the school:

The Waldorf philosophy is educating the whole child. Most schools put value only on one side of the brain, so they are educating,as Sir Ken Robinson said,"from the waist up and then to one side of the brain". I found the speech via Amanda Soule's Soulemama blog(the most inspiring blog EVER). If you haven't listened to Robinson's speech, find it here:

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/66

Why, when we have whole bodies? The Waldorf school values not only the typical school subjects,but also values Art,music,drama and handwork.

I am excited about my upcoming violin lessons! As a parent, I always want to lead by example. How can I expect Ruby to dabble in different things if I never try anything new? I have always wanted to learn to play the violin and I can't wait for the challenge!

We visited the Schuykill Center for environmental education this afternoon -wow- we saw tons of beautiful birds; the tufted titmouse and Carolina chickadee amongst them. It is only one mile away from us and is a huge forest in the city,left unmanicured, so it feels as though you're far away from any downtown area.

While sipping gingerbread chai lattes at a neighborhood coffee shop, we reflected on our day with much enthusiasm for the future and the family we will (hopefully) soon have.