I borrowed this ritual from Rowan’s Waldorf School, and began Valentine’s day with a gem hunt. Scattered paper hearts and glass beads made for a morning adventure for my little guy. His basket of gems has been his most coveted possession today. He has been playing games, and making up stories that revolve around these beads, so simple and so much fun. The beads have been currency, magical jewels, sparkly fairy gifts and on and on. He would not even consider sleep without his “special jewels” next to him in bed this evening.

Waldorf keeps reminding me to keep things simple, and that Rowan’s imagination will fill in the rest. Every time I put this theory into real practice, I am always a little surprised when it is true.