May Day 2013

May Song Here’s a branch of snowy May, A branch the fairies gave us. Who would like to dance today With a branch the fairies gave us? Dance away, dance away, Holding high the branch of May. – Author Unknown

Meredith_Family

We are Waldorf Homeschoolers, and one of the great things about learning in the Waldorf Style in the every present celebration of festivals! One of my favorite seasonal festivals is May Day. It is such a joy-filled and wonderful day! It really is a selfless day of joy and dancing and happiness and celebration of the season! I know that it has a long history… but for us it is just about the joy of spring and friends and singing and dancing!

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We start the day, every year, bright and early by picking flowers from the yard and filling cones made the night before out of watercolor paintings and cut paper. This year we made the paintings and the cones the day (night!!) before. We painted wet on wet watercolor in pretty colors and rainbows and then sprinkled on salt for some special effects. I think they came out very pretty!

We then head out to deliver them to friends and neighbors….shhhhhhh it’s supposed to be a surprise! No one should know who dropped them off! It’s just a selfless little gift to brighten someone special’s May Day!

Meredith_Family

This year we were very lucky to have had such a wonderful day planned by our home school coop. We started the afternoon by putting fresh flowers into Willow Garland Crowns. So pretty!! (Thank you Trader Joe’s for the donation!!)

Meredith_Family

Meredith_Family

Then some of the older children played their violins and wooden recorders for the other children who walked around the cake walk waiting for their number to be called. Everyone got a beautiful cupcake, even the musicians had turns walking around the cake walk!

Meredith_Family

Meredith_Family

We were really lucky to have a wonderful dance caller join us in the celebration. First we did line dances for spring!

Meredith_Family

Meredith_Family Meredith_Family Meredith_Family

And finally the highlight of the day…. We danced around the MAY POLE! So fun! The ribbons lace together to make a beautiful pattern and it all looks so pretty!

Meredith_Family

I am so glad that we have been able to celebrate May Day with our children for many years. The song above is one of our favorites, it will always bring a smile to my face and warm my heart, even in winter… But especially on May Day! If you ask my children they will sing it to you!

Meredith_Family

Enjoy May! It really is the lovely month!

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