September 27, 2018

A Happy Birthday to Dagny!

This morning we celebrated Dagny's school birthday! Mom and Dad, Gillian and Paul joined us for a special sharing session complete with photos of Dagny from when she was one and her favorite book, "The Little Red Hen." 

The children reminisced about the birthday cake Dagny shared at her party the other day, "It was a frosting cake we saw at Thomas Sweet!" remarked Maisie and Hugh. 

The rest of the morning was spent preparing for Dagny's special birthday table snack celebration.  

Birthday Committees Hard at Work

​This year in the Tucker Room we proposed to the children an idea for how to celebrate everyone’s birthdays in school. We suggested that as a gift, the children could prepare a beautiful snack time table setting, special for the birthday child, complete with centerpieces and decorations that remind us all of our birthday friend. 
​

To Interview or Not: The Democracy of Voices

Dagny wondered whether we would conduct the same interview process that we had in Rainey Room to gather information about the birthday child’s interests, likes, dislikes, and and special requests. Cate remarked that a surprise would be better “because it would be cooler” and Dagny replied, “I just like it (the interview) because it’s special to sit in the special chair, in the special room…”

We took Dagny’s question to the children and asked them whether they want the table setting to be a complete surprise or whether they want to interview their friends first. The star, on the chart to the right, represents the surprise option, and the square, Caleb suggested, could represent the interview option. 

The Interview 

With 8 votes for interviewing, we began our first school birthday celebration by interviewing our birthday friend, Dagny!

​“What do you think Dagny will like?” asked Cate

“Sit over there so everyone can see you” suggested Tegan as we gathered around the snack table for the interview. “What would you like for your birthday table?” 

“Princesses, mermaids, gems….” said Dagny

“like jewels?” asked Tegan

“like pearls?” asked Tommy

“Yes and I like pretty rocks and sparkly beads…” replied Dagny

“maybe I could draw it! Do you like flowers?” suggested Tommy

“Of course. Everyone likes flowers. I also like shells” said Dagny 

“What kind of table cloth would you like?” asked Allison ​

“A pretty sparkly one!” replied Dagny and Tegan immediately thought of the perfect one! “This table cloth is perfect!” announced Dagny when Tegan presented her with a beautiful pink sparkly, fancy fabric. 

Gathering Materials...

​Overhearing the conversation, Lily asked, “can I help on the committee?” We all agreed, of course!
​
And with our lists in tow we headed over to the Tucker Closet to find special items to decorate Dagny’s table. 

​​“I think jewels might be a good idea because Dagny’s mom and dad said she loves jewels. I heard them say that!” offered Cate to the group as we sorted through materials.

Arranging the tables...

​We thought we might need extra seating so we went to the Church's kitchen to bring up a folding table.

The children thought of different configurations for the tables. 

Decorating the Birthday Table

The children worked collaboratively to arrange the special items and materials on the table.
“That’s beautiful lets put it here!” suggested James 
“This can be good, does this look pretty?” asked Elena ​
“That’s the best birthday table I’ve ever seen in my whole life!” announced James proudly as the setting was complete. 

snapshots of the table...

It’s Time to Celebrate!

“I love all these beautiful things on my table. It’s prefect. It’s just as I hoped!”
​said Dagny proudly as we all gathered around the table to enjoy the celebration together 

And a Very Happy
5th Birthday
to our Friend
​Dagny!