Activities of comfort

This past year, along with homeschooling, the kids were enrolled in a Waldorf program Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  It was a wonderful program for which I was very grateful.  And the kids loved their teachers!  I signed Savvy and Thomas up for a handwork class also with Julene where they learned to knit and crochet (Rhea was too young).  They have resorted to doing these activities quite a bit since we've been here.  I think that over this last year, they have become activities of comfort.  And in the years to come as we continue to move our home around the world, I anticipate that they will resort to these activities to help them feel grounded and stable in a simple way.  The kids calm their bodies down, and focus on the work of their hands.  I loved Waldorf for many reasons, but I especially loved it for the emphasis on being engaged in activities that use our hands.  My kids are busy bodies, constantly making, doing, creating, which I love.  So I was not surprised to find that Thomas had snuck out of his room to knit with Savvy after we had tucked them in bed one night.  I heard them whispering ever so softly so as not to get caught.  But how do I get upset at finding this?:

 All the while, Rhea was doing this: (she had put on my eye patch, which slipped off her eyes)   :) It's fun to take pics of this girl while she's sleeping because she sleeps in the most interesting positions and her face is usually covered in hair, stuck to her with her drool.  If only I could sleep that soundly!

Another night, after bedtime of course, Thomas came out from his room and presented me with a necklace he crocheted for me!  I'm never (but always) surprised at what this kid creates on his own!  It's adorable and is something that I will actually wear. He even made a matching bracelet a few days later.  A sweet boy for sure.