Starlight

star bright, first star I see tonight.

I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish

I wish tonight.

We noticed the perfect wishing star while getting ready for bed this evening and inspired by The Princess and the Frog made some fervent wishes by the window. I loved how Tiana (who also happens to be the first African American Disney princess) was not opposed to wishing, but unlike the spoiled Charlotte knew that wishes alone can not make dreams come true. A lot of hard work and determination is also necessary. But wishes are a wonderful place to start...

The Markets

For about six months I have been going to the weekly farmers markets in our area. And I am loving it. I don't know why I never went before, but bless you Martha for getting me hooked. You can find all kinds of fabulous, fresh, produce usually at much better prices than you get in the stores and generally without such harmful sprays and pesticides. Not only that there are generally heaps of stalls where people are selling secondhand goods everything from books (be still my heart) to clothes, toys, furniture and every item in between. You never know what you will find and that is half the fun.

I have found some fabulous books for the kids as well as for me. I have even found clothes, brand new, with tags still in tact and all for only a couple of dollars. Here are a few of my favourite finds. A marble maze (Bayan adores this), a water play area and a very special vase (no photos yet) that I have special Ayyam-i-ha plans for.

Perks

One of the nicest things about doing movie reviews is that it gives the children a chance to see that there are many ways to look at a subject or film and that you can really find a lot of things to talk about, some rather unsavory. It trains them to look at a film and not only watch it, but see the parts that are not nice or are inappropriate and to comment or think about them as opposed to just letting it sink in and settle into their subconscious disguised as something acceptable, even though it's not. Another perk is that from time to time, and I must admit fairly frequently recently, I get free passes to preview screenings. The last two weeks in a row I have been able to take the children with me (as I have scored two 4 person passes) something that we rarely do, not only because of the expense but largely due to the lack of quality films out there today. These were both G rated films and Bayan also got to come to see his first films in the cinema. I was a little worried about how he would go sitting still for a little over an hour and a half, but he did great and it was nice to have the kids with me as opposed to dropping them at the grandparents while I did this on my own. The girls loved it as they have been able to come a few times now and are getting to be very good about picking out parts that they think should go into the movie review. Thank heavens for my little helpers.

Stealing the Show

We have the advantage or disadvantage (depending on the situation, the circumstances and your point of view) of living in a relatively large, highly Persian, Baha'i community. Our Feasts are generally much the same and there has been an on-going issue about how we don't hear from many (most) members of the community during consultation. Many people don't feel at ease to voice their opinions in front of so many people and some are worried about what others may think. But not Bayan. Oh, most definitely, not Bayan. When I stood up to help make an announcement he came too. When I sat down he grudgingly followed, but only to whisper insistently that he needed to "have a talk" too. I nodded encouragingly, as you do, but insisted that he wait as someone else was speaking. He did not interrupt the announcement that was underway but neither did he sit down, despite my efforts and the efforts of his little friend who went up to the front of the room and tried to take his hand and help him have a seat. Bayan frowned deeply, wagged his finger and venemately shook his head while standing humbly and resolutely beside the person who was speaking.

As that person finished, the chairman stood up, faced the assemblage and opened his mouth to speak. Que Bayan, who still stood patiently waiting behind him. "Listen," he began "you should use your manners." As the chairman quickly regained his composure, Bayan proceeded to tell everyone how important it was to be nice to each other; I glanced back to see how people were taking this and was impressed to find that the entire congregation, who-only moments before had been on the verge of collective narcolepsy (like in those commericals where everyone's batteries suddenly die) -had suddenly come alive. People were leaning out of their seats and straining forward to catch every word that he said. Not understanding much at all, they watched wide-eyed and grinning as Bayan continued to talk, informing them that if they have an accident or catch on fire they should go to the hospital and there the doctors will give them a needle in their finger. For emphasis he pointed to his finger and held it aloft. He thanked them for listening and with a satisfied smirk came and sat down. He did not receive a standing ovation, but the thunderous applause was enough to ensure that two minutes later he had another "announcement."

Oh, how I love this age.

End of Year

The school year is officially finished and while I am so thrilled to have some time that I can devote to the children, our home and family in general I am surprised to feel a sadness as well. There will be quite a few changes occurring at my school and some wonderful staff will be leaving to fill new roles, try new schools or simply retire. Ruhi summed it up really well when she said sadly "Oh, Mum. I'll never get to see the year sevens again." Well, never say never, but I know what she means. I will definitely miss our deputy principal as he has been wonderfully helpful and super supportive. Also this is the first year that I have actually enjoyed teaching the year 6/7 age group (12-14 year-olds). There were a few issues (there always is) but for the most part they were a really great group of kids. And I will miss them. Plus the children (my own this time) are growing up so fast. I can hardly believe that Ruhi is essentially a year 4. How is that possible? If only there were a way to stop time. Just for a little while...

Happy Birthday E.!

A beautiful little boy has just celebrated his first birthday and to help him commemorate this special occasion we were invited to join his family and friends in a most magical spot.
We thought we were late, but we turned out to be early. Very early. No matter - the children were barely out of the car before this place began, once again, to weave it's magic spell. While we waited the children quietly amused themselves with fallen branches and bits of nature. Bayan locked me in a eucalypt fortress (for my own protection from his "shark (sharp) teeth"), and constructed a restaurant, while the girls whipped up a menu and they all created a store filled with delectable treats.Ruhi even found King Triton's trident. It is wonderful what you can find if you only take the time to look. Before long friends began to arrive

and the party was on. We had a beautiful, gourmet, lunch that featured, among other delicious things, some amazing sundried tomato, basil and chicken wraps (I think I may need a recipe here, or at least a full list of ingredients...seriously. So good.) and then while the birthday boy enjoyed lots of cuddles the older kids got busy exploring the rose garden and surrounding areas.

Bayan and his "best friend" J. amused themselves with an empty concrete well of sorts (mercifully there was no water and neither needed to be fished out.) They then dashed over to a metallic structure (art form) and happily posed for the camera.Before being joined by the rest of the gang... almost. A. was conspicuously absent, but I did catch up with her on the lawn where she was only too willing to show me her latest treasure.Speaking of treasures, there were more to be found...in the trees. Heaps of acorns that Anisa and A. enthusiastically gathered and stealthily deposited in Haleh's purse. Ruhi found some fabulous leaves and the boys found a branch swing that the kids all enjoyed until some kill-joy parents made them come down for - you know - safety concerns.

To soften the blow J. and A.'s dad provided a distraction by allowing the kids to chase him across the immense grounds. Which was most delightful as it gave other parents a temporary rest and enabled them to sit for a moment and enjoy the company...and snacks.

D. and A.'s dad brought a guitar, so we had music and many Baha'i songs,before taking the kids back to the storybook trail that they so very much wanted to see again.They played briefly in Mowgli's tree house, but mostly enjoyed being together and using their imaginations to create cook stoves, campfires and restaurants where they prepared such fabulous foods as chicken and rice, pizza, chicken and rice, soup and chicken and rice. Did I mention chicken and rice?

Bayan remembered Ruhi's skills at catapulting pebbles from the plants and devised his own method to show J.

Anisa paused from her culinary preparations long enough for me to snap this quick shot that shows her toothless grin something that I have been wanting to capture before her adult teeth appear. I love her smile and find the gaping hole so very endearing. On the long walk back some little legs got tired. It was a good thing that Dad was close by. Fathers can be so very handy.

On the way

to school this morning we were forced to take a detour. There had been an accident and the road going up to the school was blocked in both directions. While we took a back route that wound it's way through a thick eucalypt forest the girls decided to say some extra prayers (for those involved in an accident) as the prayers finished and as we neared the crest of the hill we were forced (delighted) to stop the car so that a koala could cross the road. I desperately wished that I had brought my camera, but alas I did not. He ambled along so slowly there were plenty of potentially fabulous shots. There were no cars behind us so we had the chance to sit and admire him as he shuffled into the bush. The girls were completely smitten, Bayan was entirely thrilled, and I was grateful for the timely reminder about what it is that makes country living so special. There may be twisty streets and steep hills (and the possibility of accidents- though they may happen anywhere) but there is an untamed beauty and peaceful tranquility that is sorely lacking in other parts. There are very few places on earth where you can pause on your way to work or school to watch a koala cross the street and I love that my kids are getting a chance really see some of what makes Australia so special.

End of Year Concert

The end of year concert was combined with the year seven graduation this year. The evening was long, but very worthwhile. The graduation ceremony was one of the nicest I've seen, very personal and individualized and a lovely recognition of the effort and achievements of some very special students. In the end of year concert part of the evening Anisa played a shepherd with her friend S. as part of a Christmas production that their class prepared. We are looking a little tired at this stage, but never fear- she perks right up and more than gets in to her role. Meanwhile Ruhi joined her classmates for some bush dancing. The girls had a great time and Bayan was extraordinarily patient throughout. Here is one last photo of Anisa and her friends hamming it up on the stage. Somehow I cannot imagine the original shepherds clutching each other while watching the sheep with these expressions on their faces. But maybe it's just me.

Teacher's Appreciation Day

"Among the greatest of all services that can possibly be rendered by man to Almighty God is the education and training of children." ~ 'Abdu'l-Baha (Baha'i Writings)

Every year our Baha'i community tries to organize some sort of teacher appreciation event to demonstrate our gratitude for all the individuals who spend the year teaching our children. This year, for a change of pace, we opted to organize gift bags which would be individually presented to teachers. Because the girls school is rather small and staff share the responsibility of teaching different classes or learning areas we wanted each teacher to have something.

Each bag contained: a tea cup and saucer (perfect for staff room morning teas), a small box of chocolates, a teacher appreciation magnet, a pen with a quote about the station of teachers, a thank you card with a handwritten note from the student (see first photo), and a certificate of appreciation with a beautiful Baha'i quote on the importance of Education.

After dropping Bayan at Martha's house on the way to school this morning (thanks again Martha) I spent a couple hours making lavender bath fizzies with the year 6/7 class. They were great. They worked so well together and we got through a fair few batches. These are being added to the end of year Christmas boxes which will be sold as a fundraiser for the school. After rushing back to pick up Bayan and getting a quick tour of Martha's new house (Congratulations!) we dashed home to have lunch and start baking because, as I was planning to crash the school's staff meeting with the kids, I thought it would be nice to offer everyone a little afternoon tea as well.

Bayan and I baked a sumptuous batch of chocolate chip cookies and prepared a couple of fruit platters with watermelon, strawberries and grapes. We set up the staff room table and had the gift boxes standing by when the teachers came into the room. They were so touched and surprised. I only wish that I had taken a picture in the staff room, but in between keeping a rudely awoken Bayan satiated by succulent chocolate cookies, helping the girls give the right bag to the right teacher and eloquently explaining to the staff what we were doing and why all thoughts of photography were gone.

It didn't matter. The teachers were so delighted as they looked through their bags, admiring their certificates and cups and exclaiming over every extra thing they found in the bags. One teacher looked as though she had tears in her eyes when she thanked Ruhi for her beautiful card. One of the staff members who is not officially a teacher, though she works just as hard as anyone else at the school and is often called upon to do supporting roles told me quietly the next day that what we had done could not have come at a better time. The school was under a special audit that each school, at some stage, will have to go through. It had been a highly stressful previous couple of weeks and there had been some sort of unsavory incident where a parent was commenting on teachers and teaching in a very negative way and it had really unnerved and upset some of the staff. This staff member was indignant because she sees what the teachers do and knows first hand how hard they work and she said that what our community offered was just what they needed ( a feeling that was echoed by every staff member at the meeting) for someone to acknowledge their efforts and to simply say thank you for the very important, and very difficult job that they do.

'One hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, what type of house I lived in or what type of car I drove, but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.' ~ Source unknown