The last few weeks have seen a lot of first and lasts for my children. Culminating in Oliver leaving Pre-school and Isla finishing her first year at Primary school on Friday.  Everything is happening so fast, and emotionally I am struggling to keep up.

Milestones: Oliver Finishing Pre-School and Isla Finishing Foundation Stage

I am so unbelievable proud of my two children my heart could literally burst.  Over the last month it feels like a lot of milestones have been reached.  The kids have taken everything in their stride and coped brilliantly, mummy however has not.  Over the last 4 weeks my little girl has lost her first tooth, then the second shortly after; had her first school disco; first school trip to London to see Aladdin (which was brilliant by the way); first sports day; first school report and obviously finishing foundation stage. Oliver has also had lots of firsts, he had his first morning at big school and took it all in his stride (not like his sister last year!) and officially graduated from pre-school.  I can’t quite believe that in September both of my children will be at primary school!  The problem with having two children so close together is that it doesn’t give me enough time in between to adjust.  Isla’s first day at school feels like yesterday, and now I’ve got to go through it all again with Oliver.

Milestones: Oliver Finishing Pre-School

So Friday was Oliver’s last day at Pre-school.  He loved pre-school so much, and although he is excited about going to big school he will miss it a lot.  He has grown so much in the last 6 months, and I believe pre-school has been a big part of that. Before Christmas last year I was really concerned about his behaviour.  I was genuinely questioning whether it was just his age, a phase he was going through, or if there was a genuine problem.  He didn’t seem to want to interact with the other children at pre-school, often taking himself away to play on his own and was just really naughty.  I think Isla starting school hit him hard and it took a while for him to adjust.

After Christmas however he was like a different child.  Even the Pre-school staff commented on it.  He started developing friendships and real connections with the other children, asking other kids if they wanted to join in with activities and started to show a really caring side of his character.  He told me recently that he helped a little girl up after she had fallen over.

After turning 4 in April he really has grown up a lot.  He has lots of little friends now at pre-school, mainly the girls mind you! But he asks if they can come round, and talks about them all the time.   His behaviour is much better. He actually tidies his room and puts toys away after playing with them,  (Not always, but sometimes!) and doesn’t run off anymore.  He has also developed a real caring and considerate side to his personality which I love.  His speech is coming on leaps and bounds, and with that his confidence is growing.

I am so proud of my handsome little boy.  He maintains his cheeky free spirited character, but is showing glimpses of emerging characteristics which I adore, and I think he will continue to blossom at big school next year.

Milestones: Isla Finishing Foundation Stage

I really can’t believe where the year has gone!  Isla had a bit of a shaky start to school. There were tears in the playground for the first two weeks, but she soon made new friends and grew so much in confidence.  Even some of the other mums commented that the change in her was amazing.  She had an outstanding school report, exceeding in lots of areas which I knew she would.

So Friday at school drop offs I was already feeling emotional.  I went to the school’s leavers service at the local church after dropping Oliver off.  I nearly didn’t go, I had so much to squeeze into the day and I thought it would just be about year 6.  I am so glad I went.  It was lovely.  Towards the end of the service the Headmistress talked about the outstanding effort award, given to one student each year as decided by the teachers.  She said lots of lovely things about this student, which if I’m honest I can’t really remember, and then announced Isla’s name.  I was genuinely shocked, proud and happy all at the same time.  I think I made a little squeak in the silent church, which prompted all the school kids to stare at me whilst I sat and blubbed.

She was so happy to go and get her award, although I’m not sure she realised the significance of it.  When she showed her Daddy later, he asked what she had done to win it, and she said “Nothing, I was just myself daddy.”  That to me is all she ever has to be, just her amazing self.

She also received a certificate for 100% attendance and not being late at all!  Personally I think I need a certificate for that one too!

She is such an amazing confident little girl now, school has been so good for her. I can’t wait to see what the next year holds for her.

Both my children have made me extremely proud these last few week, and I love seeing them develop into these amazing little people.  I just wish things would slow down a little so emotionally I can catch up.  Hopefully things will slow down in the holiday, ready for September when Oliver starts school. Pass the tissues!

Kerry x