Frontier Dreams: Waldorf Rose Ceremony/First Day of First Grade!

Monday, September 10, 2012

Waldorf Rose Ceremony/First Day of First Grade!

Moments from K's first day of school. I'll let the photos do most of the talking since there are so many of them!

her desk

1st day of 1st grade (she wouldn't let me take her picture)

That little bugger wouldn't let me take her picture!

PWS song

School song

necklaces for the parents

Necklaces for the 1st grade parents to wear to the rose ceremony.

rose ceremony

rose ceremony

rose ceremony

Above is the rose ceremony. I wasn't at the best angle to get pictures and the sunlight shining in made it even harder, but at least we have the memory, right?

The rose ceremony is a school tradition where the seniors gift each first grader with a rose. It's incredible to see these young adults in their last year of school kneeling down to the children just beginning their first year. What a contrast! K also got her eighth grade buddy (who ending up being the one she really wanted - our friend's daughter, so we were very excited over that!). The eighth graders help their buddies with handwork amongst other things throughout the year. It is such a special blessing.

On a side note - you'll notice something odd about the way she is dressed in those photos. She isn't in a dress! She is actually wearing her extra set of clothes kept at school for muddy days, water spills, etc. I never expected her to wear them so I just threw in any old thing. I guess I will choose more wisely this week when I restock her locker (with clothing that acually fits and matches!)

classroom

all their roses

All their roses

1st day chalkboard drawing

classroom supplies

nature table

nature table

Nature table

Steiner

my pic (of C) on the poster :)

Hallway finds - beautiful Steiner quote and a poster with one of my pictures on it.

gift from her teacher

Each first grader came home with a spider plant as a gift

so grown up!

She looks so grown up!

I can't believe my first born baby girl is now in the grades. My how time flies.
Tomorrow C and I will be beginning her homeschooling. Please wish us luck.

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ziezodesigns 12p · 655 weeks ago

That looks like a lovely ceremony and great school. We just had ours last week as well. A time for mama's to let go a little. . .

1 reply · active 654 weeks ago

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Anja · 655 weeks ago

Just wonderful! I am certain you're going to enjoy this big step in your daughter's life withe all your heart! The school seems just marvellous...

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emilyj67 26p · 655 weeks ago

So many beautiful photos of a beautiful moment in Kaulini's life -- and your family's! btw, I thought her outfit looked completely cute (as always!) -- does she wear dresses bc she prefers them, or is it a philosophy of yours, or...? I'm just curious because you suggested it wasn't a wise choice.

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Julie · 655 weeks ago

The school looks clean and fresh and full of potential adventures. I love your photos! I was also curious about your/her preference for dresses. I wore a jumper or skirt for 12 years of school requiring a uniform and didn't think anything of it. But that habit did not stay with me as an adult. Also, the school's poster is beautiful, with your photo on the front. Happy home schooling to you!

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AttheButterflyBall · 655 weeks ago

Congratulations to you Mama and sweet little K! I know she'll have a great year full of wonderful experiences! And I am sure you will have marvelous adventures homeschooling C! Just remember... don't sweat the small stuff. From experience, I can tell you, even if you miss something "vitally important" they will learn it when the really need to know it even if it is two years later, and then it will be totally effortless! Enjoy it because it is gone in a flash, like your poster in the school halls says "only one childhood, live it well"

P.S. K not wearing a dress was one of the very first things I noticed in the photos... I have gotten so used to seeing your girls always dressed in sweet mama made dresses that I was surprised to see her dressed otherwise!

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MackenzieH · 655 weeks ago

Oh that's so lovely!! I wondered about her not being in a dress, because I was thinking from one of the earlier pictures she was in her strawberry dress? ;) We do dresses and skirts here too...Jenny wears them over leggings so she is free to run and play without worry at this age. I've been wearing skirts and dresses for ages...of course some days are yoga pants days, but I'm okay with that. ;) K's school looks so beautiful, I can see why you love it so much! xoxo

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Rachel · 655 weeks ago

I have a Waldorf first grader, too! She is my first child and she has attended her lovely school for two years, this being her third. I am enamored with the Waldorf method and I am inspired by your blog. I clearly have a lot of work to do, but I am so excited to grow and learn with my first born in a magical and intentional education process. I was choked up during our rose ceremony...you are right they are getting so big so fast.

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San · 655 weeks ago

Lovely pictures and K looked just fine in her cheerful clothes! We're home schooling Waldorf Grade 3 which so far is my favourite curriculum! Good luck and encouraging thoughts as you begin your home school journey.

San

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Laura · 655 weeks ago

wow she really does looks o grown up. I remember finding your blog about 3 years ago (in what seems like another life now) and that wee chubby toddler is here, a first grader and she looks so brim full of love and life and happiness :-)

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katieshy 1p · 655 weeks ago

Hi Nicole! So sorry we didn't connect last week on the first day but now I think I know what you look like (I may have sat behind you during the rose ceremony!) And I'm sure we'll officially meet soon. What a lovely blog! I was linked to it by our former Waldorf School's Facebook page--Sierra Waldorf School. :-)

Katie Schiavo
-
Molly's Mom

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Jeffrey · 655 weeks ago

How sweet - as a parent of a graduate and a current teacher, the rose ceremony always fills me with hope and inspiration. Thank you for these lovely pictures.

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Alice · 655 weeks ago

Nicole, this is such a beautiful ceremony... all your photos capture the feel of new beginnings and the wonderful journey ahead for your daughter. Thank you for sharing this special day with us! And thank you for taking the picture of the wooden sign with the Steiner quote on it - I know that philosophy weaves throughout all of Waldorf, but that quote puts it just perfectly. I've copied it down. And best wishes to you and C with your homeschooling joys ahead!

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lori · 655 weeks ago

how absolutly precious. your photos glow dear. how i wish i could go back and do this all over again...best of luck with all your little ones and these learning days. xxx

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Melissa N · 655 weeks ago

So much lovliness!! I love that chalk drawing of the ocean! I am such an ocean lover from way back in my own childhood. I think everyone has something that speaks to them deeply, and for me, it's the ocean ;o)

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boatbaby2 85p · 655 weeks ago

I love all of the unicycles hanging on that back wall. Looks like a fun school. Best of everything in the new school year!

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dreams · 654 weeks ago

There are two things I really love. to use my camera and cook. I see you have the skills to cook and also take cool pictures remain forever as a souvenir

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Thank you for joining me here. My name is Nicole Spring AKA wife, Waldorf homeschooling Mama to four sweet little ones, homemaker of the radical kind, knitter, cook, seamstress, student of life as well as my children, crafter, girl of all trades... and always with a camera in hand to document our days so we may look back at these glorious yet exhausting times.

I enjoy hearing from you and would love it so much if you wouldn't mind taking the time to leave a comment. They mean so much to me (honestly, they make my day!). I appreciate not only seeing all that you have to say but also being blessed to get to know you better. If you ask a question please check back here for my response. I try my hardest to respond quickly. Thank you so much!!