on the First Day
Today is the first day of school. Aria and I are both a bit nervous. She wonders what first grade will be like. I wonder what it'll be like to homeschool "for real" while keeping all the other plates spinning. Fortunately, we're easing into things a bit, since Aria and her younger brother are attending Music & Arts camp this week. While they were away this morning, I did the laundry and strove to process some blog drama with patience, perspective and grace. And then, I chose to move on. Because there are school tables to clean. Chalkboards to erase. Memories to be made.
![::First Day of School::](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6149/6002314286_f13113c6dd.jpg)
I set up each child's desk with a large, blank piece of paper and a first day surprise - new crayons in a mama-made crayon roll!
![Stockmar Beeswax Crayons](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6124/6001765997_5f57509b56.jpg)
Nothing says school like new school supplies! Crayons are a big deal around here because we don't do markers. Long ago, I read Amanda Soule's The Creative Family and caught the beeswax crayon bug. Do you know about beeswax crayons? How I love them. Let me count the ways... Smell like honey. Apply about 400 times more color than Crayola. Petroleum-free. Oh, and the block crayons never, ever, ever break. Even when your 1-year-old throws them across the room. Even when your 3-year-old colors so hard he makes holes in the paper. Even when your 5-year-old uses them like blocks. They do look like bricks when they're brand-new, but after some use the edges round nicely and they're really so much more versatile than stick crayons. I prefer to use the blocks. We sell both beeswax blocks and sticks at my non-toxic baby store. You know, just in case you have a little one who needs a new set of crayons (and/or a mother who needs an excuse to make a crayon roll).
![old vs. new Block Crayons](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6007/6002312726_d6645c44c0.jpg)
Here's a shot of an old block crayon from a set over 2 years old. This, our first set, will be mine now. See that felt crayon-holder in the corner? I think that was my very, very first sewing project. Hey, it's still in one piece! Though, it's felt which is so, so forgiving.
![crayon rolls](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6144/6001764069_920dd40bd7.jpg)
Our new crayon rolls hold 16 stick crayons and 12 block crayons. The roll design was inspired by some instructions in my homeschooling curriculum, but I modified it to fit our needs. For one, I had to add those color-coded pockets. As if I could resist!
![mama made a surprise](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6006/6002313776_51607da279.jpg)
It's layered with batting to protect the sticks if it's dropped. For kid-friendly closure, an elastic loop extends from one end. Just roll them up, elastic and go.
![kid-friendly elastic closure](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6009/6002314664_b02b5dd2f8.jpg)
Definitely not the most attractive finish, but I know from experience that "easy" is a must if I want closure to happen at all.
So, as I type they're in their rooms enjoying new crayons during rest time. And after rest, it really begins. Today we start "form drawing," a practice unique to Waldorf education, and one I'm particularly excited about. Wish me luck!
![::First Day of School::](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6149/6002314286_f13113c6dd.jpg)
I set up each child's desk with a large, blank piece of paper and a first day surprise - new crayons in a mama-made crayon roll!
![Stockmar Beeswax Crayons](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6124/6001765997_5f57509b56.jpg)
Nothing says school like new school supplies! Crayons are a big deal around here because we don't do markers. Long ago, I read Amanda Soule's The Creative Family and caught the beeswax crayon bug. Do you know about beeswax crayons? How I love them. Let me count the ways... Smell like honey. Apply about 400 times more color than Crayola. Petroleum-free. Oh, and the block crayons never, ever, ever break. Even when your 1-year-old throws them across the room. Even when your 3-year-old colors so hard he makes holes in the paper. Even when your 5-year-old uses them like blocks. They do look like bricks when they're brand-new, but after some use the edges round nicely and they're really so much more versatile than stick crayons. I prefer to use the blocks. We sell both beeswax blocks and sticks at my non-toxic baby store. You know, just in case you have a little one who needs a new set of crayons (and/or a mother who needs an excuse to make a crayon roll).
![old vs. new Block Crayons](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6007/6002312726_d6645c44c0.jpg)
Here's a shot of an old block crayon from a set over 2 years old. This, our first set, will be mine now. See that felt crayon-holder in the corner? I think that was my very, very first sewing project. Hey, it's still in one piece! Though, it's felt which is so, so forgiving.
![crayon rolls](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6144/6001764069_920dd40bd7.jpg)
Our new crayon rolls hold 16 stick crayons and 12 block crayons. The roll design was inspired by some instructions in my homeschooling curriculum, but I modified it to fit our needs. For one, I had to add those color-coded pockets. As if I could resist!
![mama made a surprise](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6006/6002313776_51607da279.jpg)
It's layered with batting to protect the sticks if it's dropped. For kid-friendly closure, an elastic loop extends from one end. Just roll them up, elastic and go.
![kid-friendly elastic closure](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6009/6002314664_b02b5dd2f8.jpg)
Definitely not the most attractive finish, but I know from experience that "easy" is a must if I want closure to happen at all.
So, as I type they're in their rooms enjoying new crayons during rest time. And after rest, it really begins. Today we start "form drawing," a practice unique to Waldorf education, and one I'm particularly excited about. Wish me luck!