Return To School

Well, it's official. My little cherubs are back at school.

James looked great in his little uniform although I swear he's grown an inch or two as his trousers aren't so long as they were.

 My poser James!

 Under the tree at school.

My 3 boys on the way to school yesterday complete with book bags, pe bags and lunch.

The following photo shows that at times, James still has such a baby face!

Still so little and innocent looking.

The first day was a major success. He just went in as directed by his teachers and went off. He came out of school happy but tired and seemed to really enjoy his day.

This morning was a different story altogether.

He got ready great, walked to school brilliantly, even waited patiently as we were early. As the doors opened we were about halfway back and 2 kids in front began to cry. So James joined in. He was dragged in sobbing.

The routine in nursery was that parents take the children in, help them put away coats and bags and encourage them to find their name stickers for the attendance wall but this new routine is much more grown up. You say goodbye to mum or dad at the door and go straight into the classroom. Starting as the mean to go on.

It did not help this morning that I had to go in the door right next door (the one he used to use) with Liam as it was his first day today. Most kids in the reception class were quite happy settling in with each other sorting out book bags and the like with James and the other 3 crying kids didn't look at all happy.

James was shooting me evils for being in with Liam and putting on the most sorrowful, emotionally blackmailing face as he saw me across the room. I just waved my boys off and left. Horrid mother that I am. Ha!

I know it's all for show, I've seen it with other kids regularly and as soon as mum has gone, then the need for sympathy disperses by the time mum is out of sight.

I did catch sight of him later when I went to collect Liam. Needless to say, he was happy running about shouting and laughing with his best friend Ryan. The teacher let me pass him a hat over the school gate as it was blooming scorching hot today and he was happy to run back in ready for lunch when they were called in.

Liam LOVED his first day at the "BIG nursery" He is very fond of his teachers and came home with a painting and a paper plate covered in sticky stars. Liam is going to be the creative one. One of his teachers said he did cry at one point when they were getting ready to go home. He saw James playing outside and was upset that he had to sit down and wait to go rather than go back outside to play. He seemed very happy to be there, happy to get home and after a quick lunch promptly fell asleep on the sofa for a well earned nap!

Matthew is a typical "Big Boy" of school. When asked how his new teacher is, she's "alright". Does he think he'll be ok in that year? "Yeah". What did you do today Matthew? "Not much" What are you learning this term? "I don't know. Maths, English, books, bit of history - the normal!" Agh - When do males learn the art of conversation?!

So then, two days in and it's a bit of a settling in jobby for the next couple of weeks. Let's see if we have more tears tomorrow.......