March Drum March

Drum March at ChildRoots (Learning Circle board in background)

Saturday, March 1, 2014 was ChildRoots annual March Drum March.  This event is a celebration welcoming Spring and draws inspiration from the children's story: The Root Children by Sibylle Von Offers.  In this story, little children sleep underground all winter under Mother Earth's care and when spring nears, they wake up, clean themselves up and make colorful clothes. They also work hard painting and washing the ladybugs, beetles and other insects of summertime. These children are the spring and summer flowers that emerge from the ground once spring has arrived and they play all summer long.  When autumn comes and the cold wind blows, they return to the ground, where Mother Earth awaits to welcome them home for the long winter's sleep.

The children at ChildRoots make headbands or sashes out of flowers and learn new songs in preparation for the Drum March.  On the day of the Drum March, the children gather with their families and teachers to sing the songs and show off their headbands.  Then the whole school processes outside, picks up a drum and walks to Buckman school (just down the street) where there is a sheltered area with drummers (and a playground to enjoy!) 

Maddy was pretty shy during the song portion of the morning (she informed us later that there were too many mommies and daddies - adults - and that's why she was shy) but we had a good time listening to the drumming and playing at the playground.

After the Drum March, we decided to head to East Burn restaurant for Brunch, and happily, Maddy's classmates Karina (and mom Deepti) and Greta (and dad Isaac) joined us.  It was a very fun morning for all.

Singing songs with Krystal and Ashley

Daniel and Madeline

The drummers at Buckman

Buckman's playground

Our little Root-Child!