back to school / a giveaway!

It's that time again.. back to school!

Officially, we are still on holidays. We have some meet the teachers appointments and a little kindy orientation on the calendar later this week, but we are DEFINITELY still in holiday mode around here. And I am soaking it all up! Until Monday..

Aside from contacting a pile of school books--the joys, really-- we are all set to go with new shoes, lunch boxes, drink bottles. And then the lovely folk at stuck on you sent over a personalised backpack for Eliot to trot around with. He thinks he's the ants' pants!

He and I are being kindergarten snobs this year. The first of our three. While he is old enough to go to three year old class, you just don't get much bang for your buck these days. A very different story from when Missy had her turn. With our biggest boy at four year old kindy this year, a very large 15 HOUR window has opened up for the just the two of us. JUST THE TWO OF US. I have no idea what it is like to have only one child follow you around. I have forgotten..!

Our routine is about to get a huge shuffle. This is new territory--but I think I am going to like it. We'll be doing a weekly music and craft class to have the contact and mingling with other smalls that he would get from kindy, plus the extra time (and money saved) also allows us the freedom for outings on the other two days we will be together. He's done so much growing over the summer, I can't quite believe how far he has come.

He is sufficiently chuffed with his new backpack and stuck on you want to share the love. If you've been a little slack on the labelling front, or you think you can get away with stuffing last year's lunch boxes into this year's school bags.. then this one's for you. They have truckloads of great stuff to choose from so head over to their website to check it all out. All you have to do is watch this little video to be in the running. Too easy!



Music / Peter Combe / Jellybean Road

the first day

I remember reading Jodi's account of the first day, when she said, 'To be honest it was easier than I expected. I only cried a few tears and they were, most definitely, happy ones.' And I couldn't agree more. A few tears escaped me once she had marched proudly into the prep building, without turning back. I let most of my emotion out the night before (which were really, mostly sad tears, that my baby girl was leaving my side and heading into the big wide world), after my parents had arrived and mum so eloquently stated 'you'll miss her so much!'. Thanks mum.

She has been waiting to go to school for a year. The entirety of last year was spent counting down the months until she would, really truly, be at school. ALL DAY. This notion of spending all day away from home was wonderful to her. The reality would seem not quite so shiny now that she has experienced how long all day actually is. And as a parent, a full day at school seems like such a steep learning curve. To go from kindy - playing, painting, drawing, demanding minimal focus and attention - to school - where it's ALL about listening and learning, and very little about playing. I know it is only time - time to get used to this new routine.

My parents flew down for the big event, and I am so, so glad they did. Ruby was so proud that she had her nanna and pa there with her on her first day as well. I wish I could show you the photos I took of her lining up and waving us goodbye before heading into class (lots of children, privacy, etc). The excitement so clear on her face, beaming smile, holding hands with her bestie. A sea of tiny children in their oversized uniforms and backpacks, waving energetically at their loved ones and blowing kisses, before taking their first steps on this lengthy journey of education. There was definitely a lump in my throat. I held it together until she was gone from sight.

I made her a little pocket heart to keep close, so that she knew if she was feeling overwhelmed by her big day, she could give it a squeeze and feel all our love and support for her. Later that afternoon she came to me and whispered in my ear, 'mum, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed at school today, so I went and got my heart out of my bag and when I held it, I felt much better'. Cue hot tears welling in eyes. Mum and I collected her, with bright orange roses in hand which she had been asking for every time we went to the shops, the whole week beforehand. She decorated cupcakes after school with nanna - something she had requested a week prior. Her day could not have been better.

She too, is doing wonderfully. Her teacher is lovely - young and vibrant with so much energy to share with her students. Every day she comes out of class smiling and happy, ready to share what happened throughout the day. Her school is very kind on the little ones, breaking them in slowly with just three short days in the first week, followed by four full time days for the remainder of February. We go full time early March. She has surprised me with her energy levels. There have been minimal meltdowns, and only one little nap, so all in all she's had a wonderful start. We've had a wonderful start.

If you've experienced the 'first day' for your small, were there happy tears? Milkshakes? Cupcakes?!

big

We've had a big week so far. First day of kindy for one, followed by first day of school for another. My parents flew down for the big event. Living so far apart, they miss a lot. This was a milestone they were not prepared to miss. I am so glad they felt that way. I'm soaking up as much parent time as I can, and resting in the evenings to make up for the late nights of mama worry and last minute organisation that goes into preparing - both them and me - for those big first days. I'll be back later in the week to share more about their first days.

They've both done brilliantly.

school mama

There is change in the air in many households across the country this week. Many children returned to school, and many began their school journey that will affect their everyday for the next thirteen years. THIRTEEN. I just wondered what I will be like when I'm FORTY FIVE. Holy shit.*

Our new school routine has not officially begun yet. Cole will be going to three year old kindy this year, just two morning sessions per week, beginning on Monday. Just long enough to drop him off, return home to wash the dishes, change a nappy and return to pick him up. I am looking forward to him spending some time with children the same age who may, or may not, be as bossy as is big sister.

Ruby will begin her school journey next Tuesday. Books have been covered, stationary blazoned with name labels, uniforms washed, shoes broken in, trial morning routine accomplished (and without raising my voice!). We met both of their teachers this week and I feel calmer knowing they will be in the hands of two lovely, capable teachers, in the hours they will spend away from home.

The blogging community has been a lovely big pond of knowledge the past few weeks with bloggers sharing their experiences about their small/s starting the big, scary, school journey. I have read some really informative posts, gained useful tips, some of which have already been put into practice. Some have made me smile, or laugh. Some have just been, plainly beautiful. Emotional and raw, sharing words that every mama is feeling right now when our worlds are changing for the first time in five years.

You may have read these already, but I just wanted to share some of the posts I have read in the past few weeks, that were either useful, funny, emotional or everything rolled in one.

Getting Ready for School :: 11 Tips by Lexi of Pottymouthmama
The School Series by Jodi of Che & Fidel
in particular The Mamas Talk...
Day One by Greer of Typically Red
Time Goes So Fast by Rachel of Sleep Yummy
I didn't cry until.. by Tessa of Down that Little Lane
10 things to ask your child about their day by Maxabella of Kidspot Village Voices

If you found some favourites that I haven't mentioned, leave a link in the comments, I'd love to read them. And if your small took their first steps into The School Years this week, congratulations to you both! Wishing you all smooth weeks ahead as we transition, together, into new routines, new challenges and new learning (and new hankies..)!

*No disrespect to the 45 year olds out there! Add 13 years to your age, whatever that is, and I expect you too, will say holy shit.