Winter in our Steiner Playgroup

We attend two Steiner playgroups and this week at one, the children with their Parents and Playgroup Leader, made 'apple candles' (I'm sure there's a better word for it).


Quinn was so rapt with his. Then instead of story time, some of the older primary children came inside quietly and hid behind the screens and as each child came in to sit in the circle, the older children played their lyres. In the centre of the circle, the playgroup Leader had one candle burning, with the apple candles all around. The story of winter was told, and about having our candles to light the way through the dark and cold winter. Then each of the children's candles were lit from the main candle. It was lovely... a simple celebration of the season, really.

and of course Quinn wanted to carry his 'beshul candle from Liz' all the way to the car, through the rain (which got so heavy that we were down to 60km/hr on the freeway!) and in the car, and at Kindy pickup and and to the Kindergarten picnic... and home after school... and then when we got home I noticed this...

... hmm... apples are apples and when you're hungry... I guess... (and it did initially have two leaves, but somewhere along the way one must have fallen) and then his little hands just had to play with the candle and soon enough he came to me and asked for a bandaid for his candle... because it was broken. So after I explained that bandaids won't work on candles (he's only ever had one bandaid in his life for a little finger that wouldn't stop 'leeding') we made a new candle


and we have it lit now, so he has to leave it alone and watch it as it sits on the bench, and we will have the candle lit at dinner time. Our NOR playgroup, we had little winter gnomes to make but we were away so ours still sits as a little kit with instructions, waiting... I will hope to get there this school holidays... Every season has something to offer, Winter included. I hope Winter is kind to you and your family.