Lessons From Parents' Evening

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This week has seen parents' evening in my school, which has meant me working until 8pm two nights. I'm not going to lie, it's exhausting, especially when one of those days fell on a work day and I'd been in school since 8am. However it's part of the job so I deal with it. As a parent now I realise how important these sessions are, and am far more compassionate than I was pre-child.

However, as The Boy is also in my school now, it meant that we weren't able to have our own parents' evening on the same day, and therefore saw his teacher on Tuesday after school. Yes, he had a good report and yes I am proud of him, but yesterday when I sat down to talk with him about his targets, I had an epiphany.

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The End Of Reception

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When I started this blog, the idea of writing a post reviewing my son's first year of primary school would have not crossed my mind. I was too busy enjoying playing with a toddler, exploring toys which didn't go in his mouth straight away, and helping him to develop his growing vocabulary of 50 words, to contemplate his reading age or attendance figures. Don't get me started on the attendance figures!*

However, today was The Boy's last day of Reception, and I find myself in an appropriately reflective mood.

Last day in Reception 2014 [Read more…]

Easter Bento Lunchbox

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It never fails to astound me how much The Boy responds to his lunch being presented in a fun way; using a few food picks with cute characters on the top of a bunch of grapes, or a sandwich cutter to transform even the most basic ham sandwich, makes lunch more exciting to a four year old child!

Easter Bento Lunch Box

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Days 286 – 292 of Project 365

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286-292 of 365

286. Bubble Catcher (Blowing and catching bubbles in Leigh Woods with Capture by Lucy and her family. The graininess of the background might give a little hint as to just how torrential the rain was. )

287. Angels (Boy Cousin and Girl Cousin came over for tea tonight, and The Boy played for around an hour outside with them. The two boys play so nicely together and really adore each other.)

288. Proud Moment #1 (Tonight was parents' evening and while we were waiting, we read through the book of work bound together from when they went to the church for a Harvest festival the week before. Of the 18 children who each coloured in a sheet and 'wrote' something underneath, The Boy's was the only one which wasn't translated by the teacher; that's a 'd' not a 'b' by the way. Can you read what it says? Apparently he didn't copy the words out, he sounded them out with the teacher and wrote each letter independently. Words failed me.)

289. Proud Moment #2 (This is at the Harvest Assembly where each year group took a 'turn' on stage. Reception sang 'Big Red Combine Harvester' and it's fair to say that the teacher and I were both concerned that he'd refuse to get on stage due to fear. He did and, while he didn't sing, he did all the actions whilst fighting off the urge to cry. I was so proud of him for being so brave.)

290. Proud Moment #3 (The Boy came home with a certificate of achievement having featured in the Golden Book during the school's praise assembly. He was picked out for always being a kind friend at playtime.)

291. I Am A Shape (I bought The Boy a Melissa & Doug pattern board set which has pictures made up from different coloured shapes, and he has to match the picture from spare blocks. He loves it and it's just the ideal activity for after school.)

292. Determination (We went to Roath Park late this afternoon and fed the geese and ducks. The Boy was determined to climb this wall, and after working out how to reposition himself, he managed to find a foothold and pulled himself all the way up. Children are amazing!)

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TheBoyandMe's 365 Linky

The First Day

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I have been avoiding this day for weeks now.

I knew it was coming and practically we had everything prepared. The uniforms were stamped, washed, ironed, and hung on tiny wooden hangers ready for selection. The lunchbox had been practised. Various water bottles shaken upside down vigorously to see if they were suitable. Proper shoes bought from Clarks. Canvas shoes bought for the first few weeks when it's still hot and he's wearing shorts. Heels broken down so as not to cut little ankles. Lunchtime discussed. Dinner ladies talked about. Independent toileting has happened. Nose blowing practised. His name written over and over again, trying to correct the misformation of a certain letter which has come from nowhere. Snack time explained.

Tears wiped away in private.

Many tears.

Yet the 2nd of September still happened, just as I knew it always would.

And he is ready for school, and he's excited by it. He needs the social interaction and the challenge. Quite frankly he also needs squashing (and as a teacher, saying that doesn't come easily!).

Good luck my clever, funny, bright and sweet little boy. Enjoy your time at school, make friends but stay true to who you are, share and be friendly but don't be walked over, be polite and kind, be yourself because that it who everyone loves. I love you with all my heart, thank you for letting me guide you these past four years, and here's to the next chapter.

First day at school

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Sticky Fingers Photo Gallery

The Washing Line (Flashback Friday)

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This morning I decided to take a chance on the weather and hang out some washing on the line.

It's not a terribly astounding washing line, especially at the moment as it's lopsided due to The Boy sliding down it like a fireman.

It's a quite unassuming Brabantia whirlygig.

But as I hung up the clothes, I had a moment when I remembered hanging out The Boy's brightly coloured pants. His first pants.

Sunday 21st August 2011

Almost exactly two years ago, I posted that photo as a Silent Sunday to show the coloured gems that The Boy was getting to grips with. Potty training was a success and he was dry during the day within a fortnight.

And it feels like only yesterday that I was pegging his little, dinosaur pants on the line.

So how come I was doing the same thing earlier, but with these?

Flashback Friday 16th August 2013

How have the past two years gone by so quickly?

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flashback friday badge

Back To School: Asda School Uniform (Review)

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I can't quite believe that in two and half weeks, my little baby will be starting school.

It seems like only yesterday that I was blogging about his vocabulary; all twenty words! And now? Now he's telling me about how, "Luckily mummy, I had put the code in correctly on the iPad!"

However, I've entered into a world that is second nature to me; the education system, albeit as a parent this time, not as a teacher. As one of those teachers who barks at children to wear the correct school uniform, it is important to me that The Boy is kitted out according to the rules of the school. And as a busy working mum, I also don't want to be washing uniform throughout the week, so want a fresh polo-shirt (at least) and (probably) trousers and sweatshirt for each day. I'm fortunate that he doesn't have to wear emblemmed polo-shirts and sweatshirts, therefore saving quite a few pounds as the only supplier in the town charges £8.00 for a polo shirt alone!

I had been looking at the uniform in Asda, especially as they sell red polo-shirts and sweatshirts, the colour that The Boy needs, when I received an e-mail asking me if I'd like to review some of the range. I was consequently sent vouchers and called into Asda in Cwmbran to pick up The Boy's new uniform.

Asda school uniform

As you can see, I bought a fair amount for the money!

  • shoes = £12.50
  • daps/plimsolls = £2.50
  • teflon-coated trousers = £3.00 (x2)
  • teflon-coated shorts = £2.50 (x3)
  • sports shorts (two pack) = £3.00
  • sports (swim) shorts = £3.00
  • tracksuit bottoms = £4.00
  • polo shirts (two pack) = £2.50 (x2)
  • sweatshirts = £2.00 (x3)
  • shower-resistant fleece-lined coat = £5.00
  • shower-resistant pac-a-mac = £4.00
  • socks (7 pairs) = £4.00 (x2)
    • Total = £66.50

I'm wowed. Actually wowed that I have bought an entire week's worth of school uniform for less than a month's worth of child benefit. I have been dreading buying his uniform for various reasons, not least of all because of the financial impact. However, these clothes appear to be hard wearing, especially as the trousers and shorts are teflon-coated.

The Boy tried his uniform on earlier, he is a fussy clothes-wearer as he likes soft clothes, and he actually commented that the shorts and trousers were very soft on his legs. He also had a big smile on his face when he pulled the sweatshirt on, due to the soft lining. And you can't ask for more than a child who is comfortable in his uniform, it means he'll be ready to learn.

Asda school uniform

When did my little baby become such a big boy?

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I received vouchers to purchase this uniform for the purpose of this review. My opinion is honest and unbiased.

I am sure that some people reading this will query how a uniform can be produced so cheaply and ethically, especially when the label indicates that the clothing has been made in a developing country. Here is the link to Asda/George's Corporate Ethical Responsibility Policy, and here is the ASDA Wal-Mart Policy on Ethical Trading.

Days 174-180 of Project 365

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174-180 of 365

174. Spiderman (We were fortunate enough to have a day sightseeing in London following the Britmums conference, and managed a trip on the London Eye for The Boy to locate the places he'd seen with Mr. TBaM the day before. Afterwards we were able to finally visit the Jubilee Gardens at its base, which we'd seen being built last year.)

175. Digging for Treasure (A simple day playing in the house and garden after an exhausting weekend. Nothing is better at the moment than digging for treasure. Especially with Toy Story sunglasses and a genuine pirate hat.)

176. Speedy (An absolutely beautiful evening meant that we were able to nip down to the local nature reserve, feed the swans and practice bike-riding amongst the bullrushes and bamboo.)

177. Playmobil World (More pirates, I know. What can I say? He's loving the hat at the moment. However, I returned home from work today to discover nearly every single piece of Playmobil he owns all spread out in the dining room, and 'pirate caves' created in the Ikea shelving. I love that his imagination is starting to kick in.)

178. Pavement artist (A simple activity which I often forget about; chalk drawing and writing on the patio, focusing on over-writing letters.)

179. On Target (We created a reward chart for The Boy this week, focusing not on behavioural issues, but on time and personal management. Having been for his Reception induction last week I'm very aware that he needs to speed up the rate at which he eats his meals – apart from anything else, the hour is driving us mad – as he won't have time in his lunch break to be chivied along. We've set him the target of eating within thirty minutes, and he's managed it at every mealtime! Other targets are getting dressed by himself – preparing for PE lessons – and tidying up. As a reward he was able to go to soft play with daddy while I was at the Summer Fayre this morning.)

180. Me and My Shadow (After the Summer Fayre, where I painted eleventy billion pink butterflies, we went for a long walk across Cardiff Bay Barrage to the pirate park, and scooted back. The sun was amazing and I love this shadow.)

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TheBoyandMe's 365 Linky
akiltandacamera.com

A Change Is Coming

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When did my little boy become old enough to start school?

Because it appears that in September, he will be doing just that.

And I'm not ready.

I'd like to pretend that he's not ready but that would be a lie. He is ready. He's ready to have the further stimulation which a trained Reception teacher can offer (I'm juniors trained). He's ready to mix with other children more regularly and make friends. He's ready to learn more formally (not that much more though, thank you Foundation Phase). He's ready to learn the discipline which can only be gained in a classroom.

He's ready.

Don't get me wrong though, he's still very emotionally young and I do think he will struggle with the full days and being away from us for so many hours. However, as the school only has one opportunity in the year for entry, we have little choice but for him to start in September or wait a year.

This is why we accompanied him into his new school a week ago for his induction into Reception. It's the only time that he's been there, and will be the only opportunity before he starts full-time education for the next fourteen years (just writing that is making me cry, he's so little still!). I do have a problem with the lack of link-building, but again can do nothing about it.

We walked down the road, around the corner and into the school. We were greeted, given name stickers (mine said 'Mum', I felt like scribbling 'my' on the end of it), and shown to the Reception class. This is where I discovered that it is a lot larger than the one block that I knew of from when I had a nursery-nursing placement there; in fact they had another building at the back of this with a covered courtyard in between. They had a gardening area, bikes and trikes to ride along the painted road layout on the ground, a small timber trail, climbing frames and a fenced off area. There was so much to explore.

Reception induction

The Boy was completely enthralled with it all, "Mummy! They have glitter and glue! Shall we do some craft? Oh look mummy there's Shopping List! Mummy shall we play some music?" I have no doubt that he will enjoy playing with the other thirty six children, cared for by the two teachers and two LSAs; all seemed caring and 'on the ball'.

We walked home afterwards holding hands with The Boy, him chatting about the activities and his uniform, declaring that he no longer wishes to go to nursery. I exchanged a look with my husband over our son's head, a look that said 'where has our baby gone?'. A look that shared nostalgia for the precious last four years of discovery where we have governed his routine, his learning, his play. A look that realised the days of freedom and nonconformity to a timetable were coming to an end.

A look that demanded one course of action…

Barry Island - Country Kids

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coombe mill

 

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