Heather's first day at pre school

Heather has been so excited all summer about starting pre school and eventually that day arrived. We had chosen the morning program from 08.30 - 11 am. In the light that my kids are generally early risers and that Heather does tend to get tired in the afternoon, however does not nap. Another reason was that it would leave the remainder of the afternoon free to do activities in the winter when it has eventually warmed up. The afternoon program starts at 12.15 so I would really be having to give her lunch around 11.
So mornings it was.
But ohhh how stressful that has been to get them up and ready and to school for 8.30am . The first week I was having to wake Heather at 7.15 to get ready...this is the girl that spent the summer waking at 6.30am. The first week we were always running to the school doors, with friends and parents walking out the doors smiling with a knowing smile!! However we were feeling good about walking to school despite the fact it was always a rush and we live too close to the school to qualify for the big yellow school bus and it would take longer to drive by the time I bundle everybody in and then bundle everybody out!!!

Heather had stated that she wanted to take the school bus and I had always had my reservations about letting her go and also knew that we lived too close. However I thought it would be a great idea on a Wed for her to get the bus from school to the daycare just once a week. On inquiring we found out that there is a minimum weight restiction and the child has to weigh 40 lbs. We weighed heather knowingly and you guessed it she is only 30 lbs. Not even a few rocks would weigh her down!!!!

Rocks in that backpack

The second week the sticker chart was started with simple tasks that the kids had to complete before leaving for school, get dressed, eat, teeth, hair. This worked a treat for the first few days and then I succumbed to waking them up at 6.45 am with porridge already prepared, snacks done and Mum showered because I had dragged myself out of bed at 6 am. We are still managing to walk/run to school which the kids love and we have even been known to be standing at the classroom door waiting for the teacher, again along with comments of congratulations from other parents!!!! Finlay and I collect Heather at 11 for a 30 min play in the school park for unwinding and then she loves to cycle back home for lunch.
So as you can guess, WE ALL LOVE FRIDAYS!!!! and get to sleep in. Nothing is scheduled for Fridays, we have our own agenda and just enjoy not having to rush quite as much.
Heather is also enjoying ballet on Monday afternoons and gymnastics on Saturday mornings. Finlay and I enjoy music and movement on Monday mornings and we try to take them swimming once a week.
Fall has been a busy time, James is back to work full time after injuring his back and doing roofing again. I have just completed my Neonatal resuscitation course and am trying to study for my trauma nursing course. Which I must say is just not happening these days!!! To try and have time to study along with two kids is quite the challenge. I also have enjoyed a short evening course on photography, which was pleasant and finished in a local bar with a glass of wine!!! Sad thing the course was only two nights!!!