The Winter Light Faire at the Eugene Waldorf School is something that we really look forward to every year, but I was afraid we might not make it this year. Last week Bracken and I got a tummy bug and felt awful, cancelling all the week’s plans. I got rather behind in my work and this time of year is busy for us, so it’s never a convenient time to get sick. (But when is a convenient time to get sick?) I prepared Bracken that there was a possibility we might not go to the Winter Light Faire this year, but by the time the day came we were feeling better, and were so ready for a change of scenery and something to lift our spirits!

Each year we go brings something new. This year we saw the puppet show for the first time and loved it. Bracken had a few things on his list this year that he definitely didn’t want to miss and dipping beeswax candles was one of them. This year he wanted to do it all by himself, with no help from me, and was so proud of his finished candles. We watched a sweet story given by his Rainbow Bridge teacher, that he knew by heart. We did the fishing game where you hook a prize, which is always a hit. He was happy to see they had the tunnel maze made out of cardboard boxes again. And you can always count on the crystal cookie cave being there. The cross cut competition was very entertaining. I don’t have many pictures from our fun day because many of the rooms were dimly lit with magical lights, and not easily captured on film. (I have more pictures in last year’s post.)

It was fun to see friends there and the whole day really did lift our spirits. When I looked at the program that day, I saw a wonderful surprise that the Eugene Youth Ballet was going to be performing scenes from the Nutcracker at the end of the day. I can’t tell you how excited I was to see that! Not long ago Bracken and I went to the Hult Center for the Performing Arts for the first time. He loves dancing of every kind and enjoyed that day so much, I thought it would be fun to take him back there and bring him to the Nutcracker someday. So this opportunity was perfect. We got to stay for most of the Nutcracker performance at the Winter Light Faire, sitting right near the stage, and we really enjoyed it. Bracken cracked me up when he asked me if they were going to change their costumes yet, after they had been on stage for awhile. He’s very into the costume changes.

The weekend before we got to swing by the Eugene Waldorf School on Sunday evening on our way home from market for their Advent Circle. It was open to the public from 6-7 and Holiday Market ended at 6, so we packed up as quickly as we could and headed over. The room was so quiet and beautiful. There was a spiral made with greenery and each person took a turn slowly walking the spiral, lighting their candle in the center of it, and then placing their candle somewhere along the spiral as they walked back out. I walked with Bracken as we held our candles placed in apples and set them along the spiral. What a sight to behold with the candles lit around the spiral. It was magical for Bracken and he loved it, so I was glad we stopped by even though we were tired from a long weekend and ready to go home.

I’m so grateful we were able to make it to the Winter Light Faire this year and Bracken already told me some things that he definitely wants to do next year. Making a wreath is at the top of his list!