Reception

After almost 7 long weeks of 'Is it a school day today?' this week, Dexter started reception.

What can often be a tearful, emotional milestone in a lot of mums (and dads) eyes was actually a super happy occasion for all of us!

For me, I did the all the tears when Dexter was 14 months old and I had to leave him at nursery for the very first time.

I had the 'my little boy is growing up' feels last year when he started nursery and saw him in his uniform for the first time. This year he looks equally as awesome in it, but just that little bit more grown up (same smile!).

For Dexter, he'd attended the school's nursery the year before and had already made friends that he is now moving up with.

He got to spend time in his new classroom in the weeks leading up to the summer holidays.

And he just has far too much energy to not be at school. Seriously, he is THRILLED that he now gets to go 5 days a week instead of just 2 and 1/2.

Tuesdays and Thursdays when Rayna is at nursery, Dexter is in breakfast & after school club. The prospect of getting to spend even more time with friends from school made him even more excited.

I dropped him off on Thursday morning. He walked in (I didn't even get a kiss or cuddle first), he turned around with a big beaming smile on his face and waved me off. And just like that, my first born was in full time school.

Primary School Placements

I had submitted our primary school choices for Dexter the day that the applications had opened. In my head, selecting a 2nd and 3rd choice was simply 'following protocol' - we'd never need them. It never even crossed my mind that he wouldn't get in at our first choice. I mean we're literally on the doorstep (catchment area, check) and as he's been attending their nursery, we knew he'd be devastated if he didn't get to move up to school with at least some of his friends....

...that was until the day that placements were confirmed.

I opened my emails that morning and saw the correspondence sat there in my inbox, unread.

All of a sudden I didn't feel so confident. What happened if he didn't get in. Not only is that our most local school, not only does he already know the grounds and a lot of the people there, it is one of the BEST schools around here!!!!!

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Thank god he got his place :D He's so happy he get's to move to the 'big class' in September!

Christmas 2016

Shortly before Dexter finished school for the Christmas break, we got to go and watch our little star sing in the nativity.

He got to see Santa TWICE!!

Then finally Christmas eve came. Dexter put on his Christmas jammies, we read his Christmas story, left out snacks for Santa & Rudolph and then it was bedtime.

We imagined how hectic Christmas morning might be this year with two children in the mix. Both of them opening presents at once. But Rayna had a super lie in so Dexter got to open all his presents in peace.

  

When she finally stirred, he helped her open her presents too and they played together.

We all got dressed up smartly to go enjoy a yummy Christmas dinner.

 Dexter seemed to win every cracker he pulled....

And he loved his pudding!!

Photo Shoot

 

 

I am 4!!!

Dexter has been spinning the line "I'm nearly 4" for the last few months - well here it is kiddo, you are finally 4!!

How did we create someone so smart, handsome and kind??

How did we get so lucky that our son is polite, well mannered and considerate??

And how the hell did four years go by, just like that??

Despite the finer details of his birth story being so hazy due to a combination of pethidine & exhaustion, the one thing I still recall clearly is when he was finally delivered. The moment he was passed to me. The first words that left my mouth. The first time I laid eyes on him. I remember it vividly.

Fast forward four years and he is still the most amazing little guy I could ever have asked for. Only now, he is full of cheeky character & sarcastic wit as well. He is bright & intelligent. Caring & loving. A freaking awesome big brother to Rayna. And so damn grown up!!!!

So it was an early start in our household today. A certain someone was too keen to get up and see what presents he had got for his birthday. Luckily, he managed to get all the way through them all before Rayna woke up & came down trying to take over :D

Today was a school day too. And although having to leave all his brand spanking new toys behind, Dexter was actually quite happy to get there. He loves school anyway, but when it's your special day the birthday fairy pays you a visit. He got a cake to share with his school friends, a present and everyone sang happy birthday..... he'd seen the other boys and girls have their birthdays celebrated at school so he was excited to get his turn too.

After school, the four of us went to the bowling alley for a totally amicable game ten-pin (none of us are sore winners or losers! honest) and a quick ride in the arcades.

Then afterwards, we went for tea at Dexter's favourite eating place.... Ox & Bone (he loves the onion rings. oh and the music too).

By the time we got home, it was already bedtime..... but there is always time to blow out your candles and eat some birthday cake..... and stay up late to play with your presents some more ;)

An hour later than usual, I tucked my big grown up boy into bed & kissed him good night. I know he always tell us he is not a baby anymore, but he will always and forever be our baby xxx

Writing his name...

Dexter is getting better & better every day with his mark-making. He can draw people and animals with a reasonable amount of detail. He can write quite a few numbers with little or no help. But today, he wrote his name and he did a bloody good job of it too....

I showed him on a separate piece of paper what he needed to do and talked him through what lines he needed to make, but this was all his own handywork!!

Well done babes xx

Pre-school

Dexter had been attending the pre-school attached to the primary school we hope he will go to since April this year. We figured it would be good for him to make friends with children he will potentially be spending his school days with.

The pre-school is separate from the main school and has a very relaxed approach, with the kids just operating on a free movement basis. He went four afternoons a week - just a few hours each day to reduce the boredom of being stuck at home with his mum & baby sister....

But the school year after their 3rd birthday, the children graduate to the school nursery. This is attached to the main school. They have a much more structured routine to prepare them for reception. He will be going for longer days. And they get to wear a UNIFORM....

He looked so grown up when I got him ready this morning. And he was so keen to get back after such a long break over the summer. Almost every day he has asked me "Is it a school day today?" He's really missed it. He was so ready for it.

Shane asked if I'd shed any tears waving him off this morning.... but the truth is that it was more of a happy time than an emotional one (I did all my crying the first day I left him at Waters Edge). If he'd been nervous or scared then maybe I would have felt different....

....but while all the other children were taking their parents in with them to help them find their peg and hang their coats, Dexter had already given me my kiss & cuddle and had gone marching in all by himself like the confident and independent young man he is! I could not have been prouder.