Day 236

Pace yourselves folks, lots of photos from today...

We spent the morning at the Hartsbrook School Holiday Fair in Hadley.  The Hartsbrook School is a Waldorf school (if you're curious about the Waldorf philosophy, google will tell you) set near the mountains on a huge plot of land.  It looked more like a little village than a school - Matt thought it was as close as we'd come to seeing Hogwarts.  It was pretty amazing - the buildings were amazing, the artisans were amazing, the activities were amazing (making your own jump rope by using a wooden machine with levers invented by and made by one of the teachers and hand-dipping candles amongst many others), even the chalkboards in the classrooms were amazing.  Mama was saying "Wow" almost more than Temu. This was their 30th fair and since we arrived right at the start we were able to be a part of the lighting of the bonfire, quite uniquely built. 

Then we met the "Pocket Lady."  She was familiar to many, but new to us.  Just imagine a grown-up Little Red Riding Hood with a giant cape which had dozens of pockets sewn inside of it.  The deal was, you give her a ticket and then you get to pick a tiny wrapped prize from one of the pockets.  Temu got a tiny wooden pail that he was quite pleased with.

Then we went to the barn to find out where all that moo-ing was coming from. The kids at the school actually help take care of the animals as a part of the curriculum.

There was a cow....and goats and a donkey and chickens and sheep.  They were all quite gentle and let us pet them - Temu was excited to make animal sounds with the real animals.

It only gets better...

So then we met Mr. Winter Solstice - not sure what his official name was but he looked wintry and friendly and was sprinkling glitter all over.  Temu was a little apprehensive at first but then liked him.  Good thing, because he's going to meet Santa soon and the two sort of look alike.

Pony rides?  Really? Man, this place had it ALL.  Temu was psyched about riding a pony - Daddy helped.

Next we went to this cool little structure. probably built by a group of students, filled with autumnal symbols. Temu likes pumpkins, so he, of course, grabbed for one and it fell.  Watch for the expression on Daddy's face.

Uh-oh.

Even the trash signs at this place were pretty.

Our last big activity was a horse-drawn wagon ride around part of their property.  The horses were huge and beautiful. We even went past the school's Apiary (bee yard), because doesn't every school have one?

Then it was time for a little lunch - Mama and Temu shared some Butternut Squash Soup (no doubt homemade from squash grown at the school).

Then just a little more playtime near the sheep fence (artistically covered with wool...from the sheep at the school which they sheer and spin into wool and the children use for knitting and handwork) and a fallen tree trunk.

All in all, a pretty stellar morning for us!