School Blues

Esther is having a bit of a hard time at the moment. She's been crying, more like sobbing actually, every night and every morning about going to school. She cries at school because she wants her mummy. When I pick her up she's fine but I don't really know what to do about it. I think it's really just the free time like lunch and play time that she starts to feel sad. I know exactly how she must be feeling because I can remember feeling exactly like that at infants school myself, don't that say that parents attributes are exacerbated in the kids? I can't remember how I got over it so I'm not really sure how to help her. She thinks it's not fair that Eliza gets to stay at home so I remind her that when she was 2 she stayed at home too. (Eliza started preschool a couple of weeks ago just for one morning a week and loves it, don't think I blogged about that one... second child syndrome)

After about 2 hours of crying about it this evening I said we had to make a plan. It's not that she doesn't like school, she just misses me and feels that when she gets home there is hardly any time to spend together. So this was our deal: Esther tries to stop crying and feeling sad and I or Ben will come and have lunch with her once every other week at school (the school encourages parents and even siblings to come for lunch sometimes with the children) and after school (this requires a bit more organisation on my part...) we'll have dinner asap so there is more time to relax and spend time together before bed.

Any one got any ideas?

Best Buddy

At the end of the last school year the older children at the school started popping into the preschool every now and again to mix with and help the kids that were going to start school. The school has a buddy system where each child in reception class has a buddy from year 6. I can't remember if I've mentioned this whole set up previously so sorry if I'm repeating myself. Esther's buddie is called Cassie and she is just brilliant. Apart from the things that all buddies do she has completely gone the extra mile to befriend Esther and help her settle in. She waited by the gates for Esther to arrive just about every day, plays with her at lunch time, sent her an ecard for her birthday along with bringing a gift for her to school. She came to tell me she was worried because Esther would cry for me at lunch time and she was concerned because she didn't know what to do. Esther tells me about some of the fun things they do together and she laughs about them! I'm so thankful that Cassie takes such good care of Esther and couldn't ask for a better buddy for her!

Thank you so much Cassie - you have made a big difference to Esther's school experience!

Esther's big day!

So after much anticipation the day finally arrived for Esther to start school. I can't believe it has come round but hey it's good thing to see your children grow and develop and become even bigger and even better. Luckily I wasn't feeling emotional which is super suprising since I cry over the silliest things. She had a good time, she knew nearly all the kids anyway from pre-school and the first day was only 2 hours anyway, she's not full time for another week and a half. After we dropped her off the 3 of us came home and took a nap! Luckily I set my alarm or who knows what time we would have woken up to pick her up! Here are some photos of my grown-up school girl: Going a bit crazy waiting to leave:

She was very particular about how she wanted her hair!

Can we leave now?

We're going to miss her at home during the day but here's hoping she'll love school!

Sports Day

It was sports day today at Esther's preschool so Alice, Eliza and I went to cheer her on. She missed sports day last year so I wasn't sure how Esther would fare. I was amazed - she won all her races - granted there were only 5 kids in the race and she was probably the oldest one in her race but still she did a great job - I was impressed! I wonder if she has my competitive streak... Here is her winning the bean bag/hula hoop race: The beginning of the race:

Eliza (quite bored by now but still willing to flash me a smile):

There was a mum's race too but fortunately I was holding a sleeping Alice - it was pretty competitive!

Here is Esther in her just running race coming from behind to clinch the win! Go Esther!

School so soon!

Esther starts school in September and it's coming fast! I suddenly feel like I've wasted so much time these past 4 years and have the need to make the most of the next few months before she'll be gone to school. Thursdays are our day when we have no plans so I asked the kids what they would like to do. They wanted to go to the park with a picnic and to storytime at the library so that's what we did and instead of sticking to a time schedule or just leaving because I was starting to get bored we kicked back a bit and only left when one of the girls needed the toilet! I was a bit hesitant about storytime at the library since Eliza usually just runs around or makes a collection of all the pink and purple books she can find which I then have to put back or guiltily leave it for the librarians! Today though she actually sat and listened to the stories. It's a small library so there was only 1 other child there today but the girls enjoyed it and I got to browse and find a book I wanted instead of chasing the kids around, win-win!

Esther is really excited for school - infact she was playing 'schools' with the neighbour who is 6 today in the front garden. We bought her a school dress the other day too from our fab charity shop for £1, she's already had it on.... Last week was the New Parent's meeting at her school. We got to try the school dinners (not impressed), meet the teacher and the 3 teaching assistants (for a class of about 24), the head teacher and the school council. Then we got a little look at the reception classroom. It was sooooooooooooooo lovely, I loved school but I wish my classroom had been like this! There are 2 computers, a smart board, and outdoor playarea just for the classroom and best of all there is a little room up in the corner of the classroom, a mezzanine type thing but partly enclose with windows - a bit like an indoor tree house - that is currently pretending to be a Chinese restaurant! It is child size too - I went up to investigate and had to duck to get in. Underneath it is a cosy corner with cushions and books and dressing up. It made ME excited for her, she is going to have a lovely time. Eliza is starting pre-school one morning a week (it's on the school site too) because I think she'll just miss Esther so this will give her something fun just for her.
I've just got to focus on the fact that actually it's quite exciting and not feel sad! Any tips for fun things to do before she starts school I'd love to hear them!