...My children attend a wonderful elementary school where there is a great sense of community; part of the reason being programs like the lunchtime activity program, whereby parents are encouraged to engage the children in an activity of their choice during those Vancouver days when it rains too hard for the children to go out to play. The activities tend to be very diverse, anything from teaching the kids how to hoola-hoop, play the violin, speak Spanish, work with papier maché, etc...
A few years ago, I started to partake in the program by doing very simple crafts with Kindergarten and Grade 1 children. Last year though, it dawned on me that I could teach older kids how to crochet... so I did, and by coming once a week, I formed the beginnings of my little crochet club with a small group of enthusiastic fourth-graders. This year, I've continued nurturing my little crochet club and, because of increased demand for my crochet lessons, I now come twice a week at lunchtime to crochet with a very avid group of fourth- and fifth -graders (yes, all girls!)...
This year, I'm teaching them how to make relatively simply daisy-like flowers, which they will eventually sew onto little shoulder bags some already have started crocheting. It warms my soul when I meet up with them, and they show me all the flowers they've made since the last time I saw them; they tell me that they crochet them sometimes during free time at school, when on the school bus, or at home when they have a moment...Wow! how cool is that!
I love hanging out with them and teaching them because they are so keen and they can't wait to advance in their abilities; they want to be able to make these and these (which I show them to inspire them) and all the pretty things they see in the crochet books I bring along.... they truly have the crochet bug! So,on the last day of school before the Christmas holiday, I decided to surprise each one of them with the little candy cane yarn balls shown in the photos, as a way of thanking them for giving me such a wonderful experience... I can't wait to see them in January to see what they will have made over the holidays!...
Dec. 25th: I thought I would have had time to post again before Christmas, but who was I fooling?!... So, since it is the 25th today, I would like to wish all of you and your families a very merry and cozy Christmas day!
