It seems strange writing you letters here that you won't read until you're much older or may never read at all.
You're doing well in school - you're still not a huge fan of reading, though it has improved massively - you're fine if it's on a subject you like, and you devour latin names and facts from your Shark Encyclopaedia and book on Egypt. You love your National Geographic Encyclopaedia on animals and you're writing your own book. You attend Story club on a Thursday which you were cross with me for signing you up to. Now you look forward to it every week.
Currently, you're very into Slugterra and Pokemon - everything is scattered over your bedroom and you never know where anything is, but it makes you even happier when you find something! The current craze is Smiggle - colour-changing pencils and smelly pens, along with fluffy books, special pencil cases etc. It's the new craze. You asked for it for Christmas and of course, that's what you got.
Your hair is cut again - long at the front and short at the back. It had been layered and almost down to your shoulders again. You had decided you wanted it different colours in the summer term. We went from streaks of blue, green, white, orange, pink and purple, to having it all blue, to having it all pink. Both of us learnt to ignore the negative comments and stares. Everything was fine until the pink, which wouldn't come out no matter what we tried (bleaching, bleach washes, lemon juice and finally hair stripper), Your school photos shows your long hair as bleached white with a tinge of pink ;)
You're doing well in swimming and are at Stage 3. You don't like the deep end because your feet don't touch the bottom (and no, Daddy's don't either!), but you go and you learn - you're always far more relaxed in the shallow end obviously.
We lost Switch in July, and we both grieved for a very long time. You have been aware of death and lost people you love, but I think when you're young the first pet is always the hardest. You two were inseparable and spent more time together than I can recall. Losing him really hit you. You still can't bring yourself to scatter his ashes, and that's OK, there's plenty of time. you have his picture up next to your bed and sometimes you talk about him, more in questions and thoughts than anything resembling understanding.
You saw Granny and Grandad at Christmas and went to visit Great-Grannie in the hospital after her fall. Daddy and I were so proud of you - you remained composed and always had a smile on your face when she looked over. You were so gentle with her and to watch you with her was beautiful. we have had many talks about death and you know she won't be around for much longer. You were very aware that you might not see her again the last time we visited the hospital. Granny has told me even after you left she still talks about you. She loves you ever so much, and I know seeing you meant a great deal to her. She's now out of Hospital, but I haven't told you because I don't want to get your hopes up. Her prognosis is still the same and she still has heart failure. It would be cruel to raise your hopes when we all know the inevitable isn't so far away.
You have Harper now - you adore her and she adores you. She's a black and tan crossbreed border collie and GSD, and is currently 8months old. You're still not keen to do the looking after but you're 7, so it doesn't surprise me. You are good with training her though, and your face breaks into a smile when she responds to you. You're most happy running up and down Oakwell with her and face-planting mud. You're often muddier than the dog and your laugh when this happens is infectious to all. Maybe we should put you in the boot with her on the way home! ;) We do have problems with your little brother hurting her at times, but you're there in seconds to stop him and always reassure her. She absolutely adores you.
Most evening you stay up with us and you have also started eating with us, depending on what time Dad is home from work. Sometimes you're so overtired that you eat with your brother and go to bed early, sometimes you even accept you're tired. Another milestone gained ;)
You attend Beavers when you can, but this isn't always possible because Dad works in Sheffield and he's not often back in time for me to take you - made harder especially because your brother cannot cope if he's slightly late to bed, and he goes before Beavers starts. I need to find a way to sort this out really.
Your therapy is coming to an end. You love it and it seems to help you. I'm a little nervous as to what will happen when it's finished, because you'll need a break of a few months in between, so I'm told. I don't know how you will react when you lose that bond you've made, but I'm ready to pick up the pieces and hold you tight. You have this, and we have you xxx
9 January 2017
Update on Ds2
School are lovely but ultimately can't help. Our GP tells us it's all down to School. Statements have become a nightmare to apply for and we've been told DS2 has to be at least 3yrs behind his peers academically in order to explore a statement, let alone one being granted. He's currently 4 - soon to be 5. It's seems crazy that SEN children have to actually fail first in order to be helped...
I'm frustrated, DH is frustrated, and I imagine the School is too. They admit he's SEN - it's fairly obvious, but they've nowhere to go with it.
Our SW, who has been an absolute rock has finally got a LEA social worker for us - we meet her next week and I'm nervous yet excited, yet also trying not to hope for too much. With the recent shake-up with social care departments, we're about to get a regional office as opposed to a local one, so there's no guarantee the SW we meet next week will actually stay with us. Everything is so up in the air for everyone involved.
DS2 continues on his quest to deny us sleep and is constantly up at night, whether he's caught his finger, says he has a nightmare, is trying to catch the cat or actually does have a nightmare, it's constant. He also wakes DS1 up early but appears to be leaving that for the weekends so far, AFAIK.
It's a long cry from the hope I had last March, but that seems to be the way it goes when you hve a kid with SEN needs.
I'm frustrated, DH is frustrated, and I imagine the School is too. They admit he's SEN - it's fairly obvious, but they've nowhere to go with it.
Our SW, who has been an absolute rock has finally got a LEA social worker for us - we meet her next week and I'm nervous yet excited, yet also trying not to hope for too much. With the recent shake-up with social care departments, we're about to get a regional office as opposed to a local one, so there's no guarantee the SW we meet next week will actually stay with us. Everything is so up in the air for everyone involved.
DS2 continues on his quest to deny us sleep and is constantly up at night, whether he's caught his finger, says he has a nightmare, is trying to catch the cat or actually does have a nightmare, it's constant. He also wakes DS1 up early but appears to be leaving that for the weekends so far, AFAIK.
It's a long cry from the hope I had last March, but that seems to be the way it goes when you hve a kid with SEN needs.
6 January 2017
Attachment Disorder
I've been meaning to write about this for a long time - not just for my benefit but maybe to explain to others what Attachment Disorder is, how it may or may not present, the impact it has and what it means.
31 March 2016
DS2: Behaviour, medical notes and searching for truths and support
For the last few years we've been trying to get some sort of needs assessment for DS2. HE came to us with severe health implications, and behavioural issues and the age of 13 months old. I wondered if it was FAS (Foetal Alcohol Syndrome), but no. I couldn't work out what was going on at all, and his head is too small and his consultant says is not growing at the rate is should. He went through 2 terrifying febrile seizures lasting 30 mins and then an hour but always seemed more lucid after he came out of it.
He has development issues, seems to fall over a lot, is highly intelligent, sociable and gives direct eye contact, yet has violent rages, will throw himself to the floor when he doesn't want to talk, bite, kick scream, destroy rooms, throw computers, rip out wiring and bite and attack people and objects like some rabid puppy.
He is also the most loving and gorgeous boy ever, and until just recently I hadn't realised just how very tiny he is compared to the rest of his class. We're talking head and shoulders below..
Recently we've been speaking to people about support for him and a fried of mine has suggested he may have High Functioning Autism, which now we've read it, fits him like a glove, it's insane. I've taught SEN children before but never high functioning autism, so his social skills confused me, even though everything else was screaming autism.
We've told school who are going to look into it and if things don't move along will go private to help him get a diagnoses. It's like a light at the end of a tunnel, and I'm going to hold his hand all the way there :)
He has development issues, seems to fall over a lot, is highly intelligent, sociable and gives direct eye contact, yet has violent rages, will throw himself to the floor when he doesn't want to talk, bite, kick scream, destroy rooms, throw computers, rip out wiring and bite and attack people and objects like some rabid puppy.
He is also the most loving and gorgeous boy ever, and until just recently I hadn't realised just how very tiny he is compared to the rest of his class. We're talking head and shoulders below..
Recently we've been speaking to people about support for him and a fried of mine has suggested he may have High Functioning Autism, which now we've read it, fits him like a glove, it's insane. I've taught SEN children before but never high functioning autism, so his social skills confused me, even though everything else was screaming autism.
We've told school who are going to look into it and if things don't move along will go private to help him get a diagnoses. It's like a light at the end of a tunnel, and I'm going to hold his hand all the way there :)
29 February 2016
Is this normal?
Is this normal to be this terrified, this scared, this anxious and this worried as an adoptive parent?
Not in a day-to-day setting, (though I admit, I have had my moments), but when you see DS1's birth parent at the bus stop of the village in which you live, about 100yds from your house?
Not in a day-to-day setting, (though I admit, I have had my moments), but when you see DS1's birth parent at the bus stop of the village in which you live, about 100yds from your house?
Been a while
So, hey, how's it going? How's life?
I'm now a proud mum to a lively nearly 7 and nearly 4 year old now. It's weird looking back on this diary how much has changed and how far we've come.
I'm now a proud mum to a lively nearly 7 and nearly 4 year old now. It's weird looking back on this diary how much has changed and how far we've come.
22 October 2013
This year
This year has been scary as all hell. A corrupt institution, false allegations, delaying DS2, missing info from medical reports, FAS, cancer scare for both of us (he's now cleared, as is one of mine, still awaiting the rest), as well as having to deal with hissy fits and people bitching.
I am exhausted. We are exhausted. Need to see the back of 2013 badly!
I am exhausted. We are exhausted. Need to see the back of 2013 badly!
20 September 2013
First week of school
Wow. You've just completed your first week in school. Reception class. I am so so proud of you! The difference in you has been marked. You're still incredibly patient and happy, but you've some of your carefreeness back, which has been missing of late.
Tonight, to celebrate a full week, I took you to get a milkshake after school. I had banana and you had strawberry. DS2 didn't have anything, due to his really bad cold.
Tonight, to celebrate a full week, I took you to get a milkshake after school. I had banana and you had strawberry. DS2 didn't have anything, due to his really bad cold.
2 September 2013
So many changes
I watch your confusion and your struggle, to not only to understand the sharing of Daddy & I, but of why your little brother is hurting you. He hits, and bites. Not small bites, but hard welting bites. You never shout, you never hit back. You look upset and sometimes, when they're really painful, you cry.
You don't understand why he does it - why would you. He does it because he's jealous of you. When you first met, he couldn't take his eyes off you - he was so excited, and clearly in awe. The feeling was mutual. You're now both settled. You're happy being a big brother but want your own special time, and when you have to share, you shy away from him. He's clearly jealous at times and hurts you. I hate seeing it. You've just turned 4. He's 13mnths. You're completely different personalities
I hate seeing you like this. I hate seeing you with so many questions that you can't verbalise, and answers you don't fully understand. I hate not being able to ease your frustrations fully. I hate, no matter how many times I tell you how much I love you, that it doesn't feel you believe me 100%.
You're starting school this week, and I can't begin to verbalise how much I am going to miss you.
I ironed name labels into your clothes, wrote your name in your shoes and 'daps', and wrote your name on your TMNT water bottle. Hopefully your TNMT backpack will arrive tomorrow so you can put your school stuff in it.
I love you. I love you so very very much. Please. Please don't ever forget that...
You don't understand why he does it - why would you. He does it because he's jealous of you. When you first met, he couldn't take his eyes off you - he was so excited, and clearly in awe. The feeling was mutual. You're now both settled. You're happy being a big brother but want your own special time, and when you have to share, you shy away from him. He's clearly jealous at times and hurts you. I hate seeing it. You've just turned 4. He's 13mnths. You're completely different personalities
I hate seeing you like this. I hate seeing you with so many questions that you can't verbalise, and answers you don't fully understand. I hate not being able to ease your frustrations fully. I hate, no matter how many times I tell you how much I love you, that it doesn't feel you believe me 100%.
You're starting school this week, and I can't begin to verbalise how much I am going to miss you.
I ironed name labels into your clothes, wrote your name in your shoes and 'daps', and wrote your name on your TMNT water bottle. Hopefully your TNMT backpack will arrive tomorrow so you can put your school stuff in it.
I love you. I love you so very very much. Please. Please don't ever forget that...
8 May 2013
Songs I sing to my boy
For a long time now, DS has had 'Oh my baby', and 'You are my Sunshine', sung to him. These are 2 staples in our house, and they're 'mummy songs'. Something I have been singing for a few years now is 'the Crocodile. This is a song I learnt whilst I was in my local high school choir, and we sung it in St David's Hall. I had mistakenly thought our conductor had written words and tune, but have recently found I was wrong (and also 2 verses I had forgotten).
So, here, for my DS (and my memory), are the words and author:
The Crocodile
If you were to stand on the banks of the Nile
In the sweltering sun and with sand in the air
You'd have to beware of the bold crocodile
For he and his friends would surely be there.
With a lashing and thrashing of terrible tail
And a snapping and clapping of horrible jaws
He searches for food and should he find your trail
He wouldn't say no to a body like yours.
They say he can live for a great many years
With his crocodile skin like an armoured car
Because of his teeth there is nothing he fears
When he's seen in a zoo, you are safer by far.
And now that my story is nearly complete
Of the crocodile's habits I'm sure you might dream
But remember, the only one you'll chance to meet
Is the lizard who lives on the banks of a stream.
So, here, for my DS (and my memory), are the words and author:
The Crocodile
If you were to stand on the banks of the Nile
In the sweltering sun and with sand in the air
You'd have to beware of the bold crocodile
For he and his friends would surely be there.
With a lashing and thrashing of terrible tail
And a snapping and clapping of horrible jaws
He searches for food and should he find your trail
He wouldn't say no to a body like yours.
They say he can live for a great many years
With his crocodile skin like an armoured car
Because of his teeth there is nothing he fears
When he's seen in a zoo, you are safer by far.
And now that my story is nearly complete
Of the crocodile's habits I'm sure you might dream
But remember, the only one you'll chance to meet
Is the lizard who lives on the banks of a stream.
Peter Jenkyns (1921-96)
27 March 2013
Explaining goodbye..
Josh is coming around tonight.
You're really excited to see him, and you talk about him a lot. Tonight, Josh has to tell you he's going away to sea. I am nervous about how this will go, and how much you will understand. I think you will take it all in, as normal, and take it away to think about. Only later will the questions come.
Josh is such an integral part of our family that I'm not sure how I'm going to cope without him, let alone how you will. I had so hoped he would be around for introductions of your little brother, and to see you take on the big brother role you are so desperate to fill.
Hopefully Skype, pictures and emails will help fill the gap, and give you some understanding. Hopefully Josh will be back for your & your little brother's birthday. I have got so used to having Josh around that I had forgotten he was ever going to go away. Again, situations make you realise how much you love some people and how important they are to you.
I hope you take this OK, little one..
You're really excited to see him, and you talk about him a lot. Tonight, Josh has to tell you he's going away to sea. I am nervous about how this will go, and how much you will understand. I think you will take it all in, as normal, and take it away to think about. Only later will the questions come.
Josh is such an integral part of our family that I'm not sure how I'm going to cope without him, let alone how you will. I had so hoped he would be around for introductions of your little brother, and to see you take on the big brother role you are so desperate to fill.
Hopefully Skype, pictures and emails will help fill the gap, and give you some understanding. Hopefully Josh will be back for your & your little brother's birthday. I have got so used to having Josh around that I had forgotten he was ever going to go away. Again, situations make you realise how much you love some people and how important they are to you.
I hope you take this OK, little one..
Updates
And yet somehow the times slips away from you.
What's happened since my very sparse last entry?
March 8th: Panel
Approved as 2nd time adopters. whilst there we were told of a match they'd made. we left feeling full of hope and just waiting for the ratification from the agency decision maker.
March 22nd: Ratification
2weeks after panel, at 6pm, we received a phone call from our family worker, with confirmation of ratification (talk about leaving it til the 11th hour!).
She also gave us more details on our match. I watched open mouthed as a profile appeared on my screen and looked at the little boy we hope so very much, will be joining our family. He is beautiful!
April 9th: Meeting & reports
Our worker is now on holiday and we're due to meet her to discuss our match on April 9th. It feels like forever away! All the while DS1 is asking where his little brother is, and the excitement builds! He is very excited to become a big brother. I have spoken to S. Services, so they're aware we are keen for the match to progress :)
On Friday (29th), we're going to see DS1's foster mum.
March 8th: Panel
Approved as 2nd time adopters. whilst there we were told of a match they'd made. we left feeling full of hope and just waiting for the ratification from the agency decision maker.
March 22nd: Ratification
2weeks after panel, at 6pm, we received a phone call from our family worker, with confirmation of ratification (talk about leaving it til the 11th hour!).
She also gave us more details on our match. I watched open mouthed as a profile appeared on my screen and looked at the little boy we hope so very much, will be joining our family. He is beautiful!
April 9th: Meeting & reports
Our worker is now on holiday and we're due to meet her to discuss our match on April 9th. It feels like forever away! All the while DS1 is asking where his little brother is, and the excitement builds! He is very excited to become a big brother. I have spoken to S. Services, so they're aware we are keen for the match to progress :)
On Friday (29th), we're going to see DS1's foster mum.
16 August 2012
First visit
Tonight we met our Social Worker. She is thankfully, very, very nice, and I warmed to her straight away. She has 2 older sons, recognises DS is bright and challenging, and ate 2 of the cookies I made (Hey! First impressions, right?!).
Unfortunately she can only do fortnightly meetings, but she's incredibly flexible about timings, and has even offered weekends if needed (though we don't want to have to do that, and want to make this an equal compromise).
She reckons we'll need 7-8 sessions before panel, says we'll need to do homework, and has already booked in the next 2 sessions.
I think I'm going to really enjoy this, especially cos the challenging circumstances from my past are now out of the equation. I hope so, anyway! Fingers crossed :D
28 July 2012
Day out
Today we went to Yorkshire Wildlife Park, with Rory, Martin & Tanya (and obviously Lani and Fredde). You guys seemed to have the best time, and loved seeing the animals. You spent a lot of time looking for farm animals, before realising there were actually Lions and Tigers there (even though they were asleep and didn't want to move!).
You spent a lot of time on the climbing frame, and Daddy and I were very grateful that it was a lovely warm sunny day!
There was a squirrel monkey enclosure, and you stood right next to them and fed them a leaf. They also tried to steal Daddy's sunglasses off his face!
We saw tigers and lions, a leopard, monkeys, goats, guinea fowl, zebra's, capybara, squirrel monkeys, meerkats, bison, zebu & wallabies. You got absolutely filthy with the others, and fell asleep on the way home.
Daddy & I had stayed up to see the Olympic ceremony the night before, so we were very tired. I got around by drinking a lot of coffee and Daddy got around on willpower alone! ;)
We got home in time to watch the GP qualifying in Hungary. Hamilton has pole :D
You spent a lot of time on the climbing frame, and Daddy and I were very grateful that it was a lovely warm sunny day!
There was a squirrel monkey enclosure, and you stood right next to them and fed them a leaf. They also tried to steal Daddy's sunglasses off his face!
We saw tigers and lions, a leopard, monkeys, goats, guinea fowl, zebra's, capybara, squirrel monkeys, meerkats, bison, zebu & wallabies. You got absolutely filthy with the others, and fell asleep on the way home.
Daddy & I had stayed up to see the Olympic ceremony the night before, so we were very tired. I got around by drinking a lot of coffee and Daddy got around on willpower alone! ;)
We got home in time to watch the GP qualifying in Hungary. Hamilton has pole :D
21 July 2012
Music
Today the weather finally broke, and was lovely. Daddy came home at lunchtime (as he'd been away in Sheffield on a work's night out). We sat in the garden on the trampoline, with our drinks.
You decided we should go on a picnic soon. You want a sandwich, an apple and a banana. You then wanted to talk about music, and told us you like blues.
You currently love the Maroon 5 album 'Overexposed', with One More Night, Payphone and Lucky Strike, being your favourite tracks, that you sing every time you hear them. My mobile ringtone is 'Move like Jagger' as it's the first Maroon 5 song you fell in love with. 'Stereo Hearts' by Gym Class Heroes (feat. Adam Levine), always reminds us of Josh, as we heard it in HMV the day you rode a car in there and pulled CDs off the shelf.
You love singing the chorus to 'Ill Manors' by Plan B, and today you were wandering around the house singing 'Shake it Out' by Florence and the Machine.
Daddy has given you his blue ukelele, and you like to pick it up and sing, dance and pretend to play 'Oh Sugar' (aka 'Love is Blind') by Annie Lennox. You sing along so beautifully.
You have an opinion on everything, you like to share with your friends, you're a whizz on your scooter, and you love talking. You're also incredibly good at it.
You decided we should go on a picnic soon. You want a sandwich, an apple and a banana. You then wanted to talk about music, and told us you like blues.
You currently love the Maroon 5 album 'Overexposed', with One More Night, Payphone and Lucky Strike, being your favourite tracks, that you sing every time you hear them. My mobile ringtone is 'Move like Jagger' as it's the first Maroon 5 song you fell in love with. 'Stereo Hearts' by Gym Class Heroes (feat. Adam Levine), always reminds us of Josh, as we heard it in HMV the day you rode a car in there and pulled CDs off the shelf.
You love singing the chorus to 'Ill Manors' by Plan B, and today you were wandering around the house singing 'Shake it Out' by Florence and the Machine.
Daddy has given you his blue ukelele, and you like to pick it up and sing, dance and pretend to play 'Oh Sugar' (aka 'Love is Blind') by Annie Lennox. You sing along so beautifully.
You have an opinion on everything, you like to share with your friends, you're a whizz on your scooter, and you love talking. You're also incredibly good at it.
20 July 2012
This week
DS1, you've turned 3 - I can't believe how the time has flown. I also can't believe I'm still not updating this more regularly, but time keeps getting away from me.
Your birthday was brilliant. You wanted Spiderman everything, and that's what you got! I made you a Spiderman cake, which you loved, and you got many many Hexbugs from your Uncles and Aunties (Uncle Dave, Uncle Mark & Aunty Shona, and Aunty Helen). You wanted a skateboard from us, and we also got you a bigger scooter (you call it your posh scooter - it's a No Fear orange trick one). Uncle Toby bought you Alex the Aardvark, who you adore, and created a blog for you, which you followed avidly until Alex arrived! Uncle Toby loves you very much :)
Your birthday was brilliant. You wanted Spiderman everything, and that's what you got! I made you a Spiderman cake, which you loved, and you got many many Hexbugs from your Uncles and Aunties (Uncle Dave, Uncle Mark & Aunty Shona, and Aunty Helen). You wanted a skateboard from us, and we also got you a bigger scooter (you call it your posh scooter - it's a No Fear orange trick one). Uncle Toby bought you Alex the Aardvark, who you adore, and created a blog for you, which you followed avidly until Alex arrived! Uncle Toby loves you very much :)
7 June 2012
Here we go again...
After a fairly horrific experience (which I'm sure I'll write up once everything is done), we had a home visit with an agency. What a lovely experience.
It's fair to say that Justina was lovely from start to finish. She listened, laughed, fit right in, and DS adored her. How nice to have a worker actually involve our son in what could be a life changing experience for us all. Unfortunately she doesn't do assessments, but still. It was lovely to meet her.
We have to wait for her Manager to sign off on it, but I'm hopeful we will proceed to the next stage and our application will be approved.
I am excited. I'm trying not to be, and I'm sad it's not shared, of course, but different people react and work in different ways, and it's still a process after all.
Only time will tell.
It's fair to say that Justina was lovely from start to finish. She listened, laughed, fit right in, and DS adored her. How nice to have a worker actually involve our son in what could be a life changing experience for us all. Unfortunately she doesn't do assessments, but still. It was lovely to meet her.
We have to wait for her Manager to sign off on it, but I'm hopeful we will proceed to the next stage and our application will be approved.
I am excited. I'm trying not to be, and I'm sad it's not shared, of course, but different people react and work in different ways, and it's still a process after all.
Only time will tell.
12 May 2012
Cinema
So far the films we've seen in the Cinema are:
- Beauty & the Beast 3D
- Pirates in an Adventure with Scientists
- Mirror Mirror
- A Monster in Paris
- Happy Feet 2
- Alvin & the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
- Puss in Boots
- Cars2
Little boy 'school'
I guess the day had to arrive sometime. Yesterday we went to look at nurseries/school, as I'm going back to work. Mummy works in a school so you want your own school.
You loved the first one, and whilst it was nice, it was small and cramped and not what I had envisioned, though I didn't know why. I didn't have many options. I have to leave the house at 7am, and there are no options locally for me to drop you off at that time. We decided you'd have to be near my work. options seemed limited.
As I was driving home I suddenly had a thought. I stopped the car, checked my email, and turned the car around.
We just turned up on the fly at another nursery I had contacted. The second I drove in I knew. There was space, there was greenery and it was clean. There was a good security system and we had to wait to be buzzed into the building.
The rooms were large, the staff were friendly and the children looked happy. You settled i straight away and were immediately welcomed and invited by staff.
We stayed an hour or so whilst I talked to staff and you familiarised yourself with the amenities and children. OfSTED are always helpful in the way they're constantly changing the goalposts, but I know what I want for you, and that's not necessarily what OfSTED dictate.
I also found out you have one year before you start school. I can't quite get my head around that, but apparently it's because there's only one intake a year now. You will be the youngest in your class, just like I always was.
I have signed you up to a 'school' that believes in routine and reading and play and making. You need challenging and structure and you need a vast amount of open space.
I hope I have made the right decision for you, but I truly believe this is the best place for you and will give you the best start for school in a year.
My baby boy, where on earth has the time gone?! You are 2years and 10months today xx
You loved the first one, and whilst it was nice, it was small and cramped and not what I had envisioned, though I didn't know why. I didn't have many options. I have to leave the house at 7am, and there are no options locally for me to drop you off at that time. We decided you'd have to be near my work. options seemed limited.
As I was driving home I suddenly had a thought. I stopped the car, checked my email, and turned the car around.
We just turned up on the fly at another nursery I had contacted. The second I drove in I knew. There was space, there was greenery and it was clean. There was a good security system and we had to wait to be buzzed into the building.
The rooms were large, the staff were friendly and the children looked happy. You settled i straight away and were immediately welcomed and invited by staff.
We stayed an hour or so whilst I talked to staff and you familiarised yourself with the amenities and children. OfSTED are always helpful in the way they're constantly changing the goalposts, but I know what I want for you, and that's not necessarily what OfSTED dictate.
I also found out you have one year before you start school. I can't quite get my head around that, but apparently it's because there's only one intake a year now. You will be the youngest in your class, just like I always was.
I have signed you up to a 'school' that believes in routine and reading and play and making. You need challenging and structure and you need a vast amount of open space.
I hope I have made the right decision for you, but I truly believe this is the best place for you and will give you the best start for school in a year.
My baby boy, where on earth has the time gone?! You are 2years and 10months today xx
28 April 2012
I meant to say - no more pottys!
We have a portable fold-up seat for the toilet at home, that I used to take with us when we went out, but you don't use it anywhere but home. You're incredibly independent and insist at times, at going to the toilet on your own.
You have shot up, and seem to have grown 2inches in the last week, so you can now just about stand up to wee without a seat.
Every now and then you just seem to shoot up, and apparently you're quite tall for your age.
Verbally you're streets ahead of your peers, and love learning about everything. We're currently learning about the Solar System. You're not a fan of Mars.
You love OK GO!, and the '3 Primary Colours' song. You can access YouTube. Not only that, you can use the iPad to access the server to put on any films you want to watch. You're a sponge when it comes to absorbing information.
Cows don't drink milk from their bums. TheY do drink water. They do drink puddles. The magic frog can probably get home when it rains.. :)
We have a portable fold-up seat for the toilet at home, that I used to take with us when we went out, but you don't use it anywhere but home. You're incredibly independent and insist at times, at going to the toilet on your own.
You have shot up, and seem to have grown 2inches in the last week, so you can now just about stand up to wee without a seat.
Every now and then you just seem to shoot up, and apparently you're quite tall for your age.
Verbally you're streets ahead of your peers, and love learning about everything. We're currently learning about the Solar System. You're not a fan of Mars.
You love OK GO!, and the '3 Primary Colours' song. You can access YouTube. Not only that, you can use the iPad to access the server to put on any films you want to watch. You're a sponge when it comes to absorbing information.
Cows don't drink milk from their bums. TheY do drink water. They do drink puddles. The magic frog can probably get home when it rains.. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)