Friday, February 8, 2013

Back to School...



Here we go! The Boys started Kindergarten yesterday. Big School! After spending every single day at home with me last year they will now be going to School 5 days a fortnight - 2 days one week followed by 3 days the next. You can imagine what this arrangement will do to my already muddled brain.

They have the same gorgeous Teacher that Eleanor had in Kindergarten 4 years ago. They took to it like a duck to water and had the loveliest day. Today is a non-Kinder day and they were quite upset when they woke up this morning and I told them it wasn't a school day. They are so ready for this.

Even so, I did shed a little tear after I dropped them off for their first day yesterday. Partly proud of them and partly happy that I made it to this point - the point where I could happily send them off to School as confident and happy little souls. It's such a milestone. There was a period when I had 4 little children at home with me at once and then there were 3 and then 2 and now just 1. "Losing" 2 children at once is hard when you think of it like that, so I didn't. They are simply at school for 6 hours and oh my goodness those 6 hours fly by!

So how did I spend my day? After dealing with the morning rigmarole that is making 4 lunches, getting the Kids and myself ready and then taking the obligatory First Day photos, I turned to look at the diabolical state of the house and decided such a monumental day was not going to be spent at home remedying 7 weeks worth of school holiday household neglect. I'll start that next week. Instead, I got my eyes tested and spent a whole 5 minutes uninterrupted choosing frames. I spent an awful amount of time cuddling Flynn without being interrupted or him being poked and prodded and I made a start on my scarf. I then had a nice quiet lunch with the Pianoman before it was time to pick them up again. Did I mention how fast 6 hours flies by?







After school pickup it was time for some after-school banter followed by swimming lessons for the tribe. Back on the activity treadmill for the year but I wouldn't have it any other way!



30 comments :

  1. Just gorgeous Mel. I've always shed a tear, and I think it's not because they're away from you, but just because it's the end of another phase of your life (and theirs). With one now second year away at boarding school, another to go next year and one the year after, the vision that always comes to me (and haunts me), is the pages of a book flying away in the breeze. That's my babies leaving me. By the time it actually happens though, I'm sure we'll all be more ready.
    And without doubt the diabolical state of your house will wait for another day.

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    1. I actually had "End of an era" as my post title but thought that sounded a bit doom and gloom. But "pages of a book flying away in the breeze" - what a perfect analogy. That's exactly what it feels like and just about brings me to tears thinking about it like that. As for the housework, it's waited this long so a few more days is nothing :-)

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  2. They all look so happy to be back at school. It is vey nice to have time for yourself enjoy!!! Why do the kids have different schedules at school every week. I would be too confused and mine would end up at school on the wrong days.

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    1. Hi Lisa, it's only in Kindergarten and ir's a new thing this year at our school as there are 2 Kindergarten classes sharing that room so the easiest way to do 5 days a fortnight is splitting the weeks like this. It's better than having 2 and a half days each week which would mean 2 different pick-up times on that half day. Although this new arrangement is tricky for working parents and I hope I can remember what week we're on. Yes it is very nice to have some time to myself :-)
      Mel x

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  3. Beautiful post Mel, as always, love your pics, such gorgeous kidlets. I cried buckets with just one child starting school this week, can't imagine the tears over two little ones going to school. I am intrigued by the 3 days, 2 days school weeks. Is that because they are not 5 at this stage? Sounds like a great transition to the full week anyway. And oh my, how those 6 hours fly, good on you for choosing not to spend the time running around like a mad woman xoxo

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  4. Sorry Mel, just read your response to Lisa, answers my question :) xo

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  5. Love these photos. They all look so happy. I see why you need the owls now - they all have the same backpacks! Good for you for spending that day focusing on yourself. You can tackle the chores another day. :-)

    Gillian x

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  6. Lovely pics Mel, those backpacks look almost as big as the boys!

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  7. this is an absolutley charming post mel, you and your babies are so gorgeous, LOVE the photos. seeing these brought back memories so vivid it's hard to believe it was so many years ago my own 5 were this age. tears come to my eyes easily when i think through the years of first days and then one by one them moving out and on...my last baby chick has been out of the nest now 3 years and honestly i am still dealing with it. our house is so quiet. oh! so sorry, now i am sounding doom and gloom! it is true the time i have now all to myself, i don't know what to do with! that is really something, to be able to sit and read and knit, watch a sunset, wait for the perfect light for a photo, not have to be anywhere on my days off...
    i thought i was prepared, when mine were about your kids age i even made a time chart, what year each would graduate from each grade, through high school and even college (that didn't pan out exactly, taking years off and such)and then thinking of when they would leave. i know for everyone it's different, but if i could i would do it all over again, it just goes by too fast. these days if i send out 5 sms's to my babies and recieve 5 back within the hour, HAPPINESS! and if in one day i recieve 5 phone calls, i may faint from joy!

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  8. They just look so lovely all together, yes it's amazing how quick 6 hours can go! :) x

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  9. What fantastic photos Mel. Not many kids have a sheep photo bombing their first day photos! So funny. I must show my brood. Those first days after the holidays the house seems so peaceful doesn't it? Love to you xxx

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  10. Your kiddies are just so cute and look so happy Mel. Totally adorable before school photos! I love the one where the twins are laughing at the other two and the owls on their school bags are just so sweet!
    Jo x

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  11. Beautiful photos love their happy smiles and the animals in the photos along with them. The photo of the little boys together arm in arm is gorgeous. Enjoy your time with your little one. and yes it does go so quick. PS Best decision ever to let the housework go another day!

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  12. It is such mixed feelings when kid's start kindy isn't it? Though the silent house takes some time to get used to, it is nice to have time to yourself and more one on one time with the baby of the family. Those school hours do tend to go incredibly fast though! A five day fortnight will make the transition a little easier I am thinking.

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  13. Look at them grow! One of the unexpected pleasures of making blog friends is seeing their children change with the passing year ... I remember the back to school pics from last year!

    Gorgeous photos Mel :)

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  14. wonderful family you have there Mel! Gee your children are just adorable and they look so grown up in a school uniform! I have one more year before both my kids will hit school...so I'm lapping up with time at home with my daughter in between her kinder hours. I love the little owls on their bag, so clever of you. Enjoy your 6hrs a week with flynn and perhaps some craft time ;-) xx

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  15. Lovely photos. You have beautiful children.
    Love all the pets getting in on the photos too.
    x

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  16. Gorgeous kids! I particularly like the third photo - lovely! I had a little chuckle at the sheep in the photos as well!

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  17. Gorgeous photos and owls! Happy to have come across your blog through pinterest. Enjoy getting into the rhythm of week 2! I am already looking forward to it! xo m.

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  18. Aw, Mel! These photos are gorgeous!! Love them xx

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  19. Oh Mel look at them all lined up in a row. So sweet. If only the sheep and the ducks and the chooks could continue that long line up as well. And the owls look fantastic. I so want to have a go at these. mel x

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  20. You could not have staged a more perfectly charming country setting for this photo. What a winner of a back to school shot!

    rachel ox

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  21. These shots are terrific - you've really captured the excitement!

    I'm in the same boat - suddenly a 'new kind' of mother. All my children are school age. I definitely feel like I am in mourning a little bit, but excited to have them 'slotted' into the next phase of their life. Best wishes. x

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  22. Mel that top shot is brilliant. I love all the animals casually in the background.
    And glad to hear I wasn't the only one who neglected all household duties over the holidays...just didn't feel right to any sort of 'cleaning'!

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  24. I love these school photos Mel and all the animals in the background, just gorgeous. xx

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  25. Lovely shots of the kids. And that sheep's a winner. I have all of my kids back at school now. Great to have everyone where they should be. Looking forward to more school tales from the Coal Valley.

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  26. I love them all lined up with their white socks Mel! Enjoy the time with Flynn and make sure you squeeze in some time just for you!

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  27. Love it all, Mel. You rock! J x

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