Dexter is 6!!

Six years have passed and Dexter continues to amaze me every day. He is mature, caring, articulate, confident, intelligent... everything you would hope for your child.

He continues to thrive at school.

He continues to be a loving big brother and an amazing role model for Rayna to learn from.

He has been on the sidelines of the upheaval of his mummy going through cancer treatment and yet he remained his usual happy, loving, patient self.

What more could I ask for!

Conveniently, Dexter's birthday landed on a Saturday this year so we had a nice slow morning opening presents and playing before party time. 

Dexter's venue of choice this year was a trampoline park. It seemed a hit with all his friends and Rayna enjoyed it too :)

Funnily enough, I didn't take that many pictures for Dexter's birthday this year. I wasn't able to enjoy his birthday quite as much last year as I was distracted with horrible side effects from treatment. This year, I didn't want to be behind the camera documenting everything. This year, I just wanted to watch. And enjoy. And join in.

This past year has been a bumpy one but I am lucky enough to be here to enjoy what is still to come and I can't wait to see how much more of an amazing young man Dexter grows in to this next year.

Just Keep Swimming

Of all the extra curricular activities kids can do these days, swimming was one that was non-negotiable for me. It's not just a hobby, it;s an important life skill - one that could save your life one day.

Thankfully, Dexter took to his lessons like a duck to water and looks forward to going every week. Tonight he was awarded with his first certificate & badge for his achievements.

There is still a way to go but my little fish is eager to learn and hopefully he'll be a confident swimmer by the time we go on our water park holiday next summer!

Year 1

After 6 weeks out of the classroom asking 'is it a school day today?' pretty much every day, Dexter was itching to get back in the classroom and not just to see his friends. He was looking forward to being in Year 1 because, in his own words, he "can learn even more" than Reception.

                                                      Reception                                   Year One

Look how he's grown <3 xx

So proud!

To say we are proud of Dexter would be a huge understatement!! We have had nothing but positive feedback and praise from his teacher since he started in reception but to be presented with a school report as glowing this well, there are no words.

Say hello to our new little friend

Chewie (aka Chewbacca) - 8 weeks old

Dexter Turns 5!

Dexter has done an awful lot of growing up this past year. He is taller. His face continues to get slimmer and lose more of those chubby babyish features. He has matured dramatically. His personality and sense of humour/sarcasm has blossomed. He is just amazing!

Dexter started full time school in September (loving it!) and has already settled in well, seemingly a popular member of his class, always happy to play the joker because he likes to make people laugh.

He continues to be such a bloody awesome big brother too. Having being an only child for the first 3 years of his life, Dexter already took to having a sibling around with the greatest of ease from day one. But as she has grown and developed her own personality, Dexter's little sister isn't always the easiest sibling to get along with haha.

And now my grown up boy is turning 5. Rayna treated herself to a lie in that morning so Dexter got to open his presents without having to share them straight away :)

After having some time to play with his new toys, Dexter got ready for school and got to share sweets with his friends, have some cake and get a present from the birthday fairy. After school we went to his place of choice for tea... Pizza Hut.

And given what a large group of friends he has made over the previous year at nursery plus the extra he made in such a short space of time after he started reception, Dexter had a proper birthday party this year and got to invite some of his friends along.

  

Dexter is so grown up and mature and funny, I can't even tell you how proud I am of him! He got an absolutely glowing report at parent's evening. He is excelling academically which just makes him seem even more amazing to me. I just can't wait to spend many more years nurturing him and watching him grow <3

Parents Evening - Reception

Today we attended parents evening at Dexter's school to find out how he's been settling in since starting in Reception in September. We always say what a bright boy he is but at the end of the day, we're not teachers and we have no other scale to compare him to. We know he has a pleasant personality at home, but what is he like at school with his friends egging him on? Is he a nightmare? Does he pay attention?

We could not have asked for better feedback!!!!!

Under his personal & social development, the comments from his teachers to 'work on' for the rest of the school year was to "continue being perfect!" Those exact words. My boy; perfect. Mrs T couldn't say enough good things about how polite, well mannered and mature he is.

Academically, he is thriving. Already meeting expectations, his teacher said she expects he will be exceeding in several areas by the end of the school year. Commenting about how much of a sponge he is, we were told that he listens attentively & takes it all in, that he's keen to learn and is totally in to everything they do.

There has never been a point (ever) where I haven't been proud of my boy, but to have someone unbiased sit and say so many good things about your child, well you have no idea how beaming with pride I was sat in that classroom. Well done, Dexter! x