“You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth” This week has pretty much been all about Florence starting school as well as the others of course!
Florence started her first year at school and joined reception class at our local primary school. It’s such a big milestone in every child and parent’s journey and with it being my last baby to leave the nest it felt an even bigger milestone.
Florence had to wait until Thursday to start school. She happily waved her big brothers and sister off over two days prior and was happy after 6 weeks of siblings to wait for her big day and spend some quality time with me and Grandma.
We had our last pre-school outing on Wednesday to our local National Trust. This has been one of our most favourite places to visit on our Mummy and Me (plus Grandma) days. It was pretty hot with our late summer heatwave and as Flo struggles in the heat we kept it short. We enjoyed a lunch in the cafe and a little walk with an ice cream.
After what felt like a long build up, Thursday arrived. Flo was nervously excited for her first half day at big school. When we arrived in the playground she saw her two friends from preschool and stood attentively listening to her teacher introduce herself to them. It was yet another reminder on just how resilient kids are. They haven’t been able to have any settling in days due to the dreaded ‘C’ word and have only seen their teachers’ faces and their classrooms on a computer screen.
She lined up and, paying close attention to what was happening, just walked in and didn’t look back. They all did so well to say goodbye to their parents and go with teaching staff they don’t yet know. I managed to hold it together until I got in the car and then cried to my friend who was waiting for me. Well should I say we cried together as she loves Flo an awful lot too!
On Friday after her two half days she declared that she quite liked it in reception class but she would like to come home after lunchtime every day. I had to break it to her that from Monday she will be full time. I held back on explaining she had 14 years of full time education ahead of her!
It’s been quite an emotional week for me and I’m glad that the first week is behind us and we can all get back into a routine. I know that it will be good for me to have some time to find myself again, gain back some sanity, enjoy some peace and get some work done on here and over on my play dough business for a change! Having had 15 years of little ones at home for all / part of the week, it will take some adjusting too.
If you too have school aged children I hope that the past week or so has gone smoothly and you’re getting used to having some routine back again.
Love Charlotte x
Oh my gosh, Florence suddenly looks so grown up, I hope she’s had a wonderful start to school! x
Oh bless you. Well done Flo. I really struggled with Harry starting because he was the last so I can only imagine after four how bittersweet it must have been for you. I hope she continues to love it xx
Aww, bless her! And you, it must be very strange having them all at school after so long. I’ve just started work as a TA in the reception class at my boys’ school and the little ones are all found so well – especially without any settling in sessions or anything. I hope Flo enjoyed her first week of full days and wasn’t too exhausted at the end of it!
Oh bless you what an emotional week. I’m so glad she’s enjoying school though
Katrina x