Letter to Christian at 5 Years

Imaginative play in a favorite fallen oak tree. Best play equipment ever.

Imaginative play in a favorite fallen oak tree. Best play equipment ever.

Dear Christian,

You are FIVE now. You have had a very busy year. Three days of Earthroots a week has made you strong and healthy. I have to work pretty hard to keep up with you.

Building small structures during Forest Kindergarten.

Building small structures during Forest Kindergarten.

You appreciate Kyla’s friendship and the two of you often hang out during class. The two of you together make doing anything fun – and the other kids want to join in.

Here you are planting at the Laguna Botanical Preserve.

Here you are planting at the Laguna Botanical Preserve.

Those red shoes you are wearing were your signature piece of clothing this year. We got them new and you named them Iron Man Shoes. They are now filled with holes and scuffed and stinky beyond repair.

You love exploring and physical challenges.

You love exploring and physical challenges.

You love your Ganma. Especially when she comes camping with us!

You love your Ganma. Especially when she comes camping with us!

We fit two Joshua Tree camping trips in this year. Camping remains one of your favorite things to do. That yellow sweatshirt is another signature piece of clothing. You got it from Nu two years ago. Thanks, Nu!

Ganpy is one of your favorite people! He's always willing to play a game or show you something new.

Ganpy is one of your favorite people! He’s always willing to play a game or show you something new.

Many stories were told under the story tree.

Many stories were told under the story tree.

Leaping into tide pools at Crystal Cove.

Leaping into tide pools at Crystal Cove.

Metal-working while camping in Joshua Tree. Hammering with a real hammer is something you enjoy.

Metal-working while camping in Joshua Tree. Hammering with a real hammer is something you enjoy.

You were barefoot most of the time. Sometimes we would get home after class and I would realize that you had never put on your shoes once. I say that Evan was your inspiration for going barefoot but you say it’s because you can grip the earth better. Makes sense.

You worked a lot on your personal relationships this year.

You worked a lot on your personal relationships this year.

If you look closely, Christian is up at the front of the line in his yellow hoodie.

If you look closely, Christian is up at the front of the line in his yellow hoodie.

Caught being naughty. Zen isn't doing anything to deserve that, Buddy!

Caught being naughty. Zen isn’t doing anything to deserve that, Buddy!

I know you think that Forest Kindergarten would be better if you could bring your toys with you, but I have to say IT LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE HAVING A PRETTY GOOD TIME.

I love you.

I look forward to even more adventures this coming year.

Love,

Mama

Relaxing like a baby cougar in a tree.

Relaxing like a baby cougar in a tree.

Made cobb house at Pine Manor with clay, straw, sand, and water.

Made cobb house at Pine Manor with clay, straw, sand, and water.

This entry was posted in Christian Holden, forest kindergarten. Bookmark the permalink.