Daniel's First Cricket Game

For over a year James and I have been saying that we should take Daniel to a cricket game. He loves playing the sport and we were pretty sure that he would love watching it too. Unfortunately last year there weren’t any afternoon games on so we could do it, but last night was the 1^st and only afternoon game for the Sydney Sixers so I got tickets. It was Sydney Sixers vs Perth Scorchers. Howie and Oscar are members of the Sydney Sixers so we got tickets near them in the hope that we could sit next to each other at some point. Our seats were great!

But after a few overs we moved over to the next bay to sit with the Howies. Daniel was very excited to be with Oscar. 

Being at the game made me realise that Daniel didn’t really know much about the game of cricket and how it is played. He knows a lot of the skills, but not the game itself. He was very excited and this lead to many, many, many questions being asked by him. The first batch were technology based – What is that thing driving around on the field? (a camera on wheels). Why isn’t it on the field for a while? (because it would get in the way. It’s only used when batters come on or off the field) Why is the screen black? (so the batter can easily see the ball).

Then it started to be questions about cricket. Where is the bowler? Did they run because they hit the ball? Why didn’t they run? Are they out? Why are they changing ends? (because it’s the end of an over). So now they’re going to change ends? (after one ball of the over. No, because an over is 6 balls). Yay! That’s 6 runs! (No. Just 4. Why? Because it bounced before it went over the rope.) Why aren’t they out? (when the wicket keeper hit the stumps. Because the batter was still in their crease). Soooo many questions! But great that he was interested in the game.

I just loved watching his joy at different stages of the game. The Sixers batted first so there was joy when we hit 4 runs. 

Toward the end of our innings a few 6s were hit and that was very exciting! 

We didn’t do too badly. He cheered and clapped when players got their half century when batting. He loved clapping to the beats like the ‘We Will Rock You’ song. He loved getting up and dancing when the MC told us to. Oscar definitely helped him know when to get up and move, when to sing and things like that. He loved seeing the Sixers get wickets. 

He still needs to learn that even if they still have 20 runs off 10 balls that it is very possible that the other team can still win because for the last few overs Daniel was convinced that we had definitely won and that the Scorchers couldn’t win.

He got a bucket for being a bucket head when we came in. It was a bit big for his head but he had a go at wearing it for a bit. 

At the start he had it on and I was talking to him. A gust of wind came and it almost blew off. Quick reflexes meant that he did catch it in time, but it did result in me having a little scratch on my face. Bucket 1, Mummy 0. All good.

At the break I went down and met Poppy. He had kindly gotten each of the kids a 6ers Santa hat. Very cute to wear! I want one! Maybe next year Poppy ;-) Daniel and Oscar straight away changed their hats to their Santa hats for the Christmas spirit.

Dinner for Daniel and I was hot chips because the eftpos system was down at the SCG. Not so helpful. Fortunately I had some money in my wallet so I got us hot chips and Oscar a pie for dinner. Daniel enjoyed having his chips, but was a bit sad they had run out of sausage rolls.

In the end, the Sixers came home with the win! 

They did great with getting wickets when they needed and bowling dot balls, even in the last over. Winners are grinners. 

What a great first game to go to. I’m so glad that he loved it! We will have to go back again next year if they have any afternoon games and hopefully there will be many more over the years. Thanks for having us Sixers!

He also loved having the shirt from Woolworths cricket for the Sydney Sixers.

Daniel really enjoyed his time playing Woolworths Cricket. It was a lot better than last year. The kids played a lot of games to learn some of the skills and they were constantly active. It was great to see kids enjoying playing so much and Sean the coach was just great!

 

End of Kindy

What a year Daniel has had! My big boy has now finished his first year of Kindy and we are so proud of him! Daniel has finished the year with new friendships, with strengthening old friendships. He is still seen as a kind, caring boy who looks out for others. He is a big help in the classroom - often runs the class, especially if his teacher is away. He know so much about technology - often helping his teacher fix the smartboard in the classroom or work the iPads - amazing considering he hardly uses technology at home. He can read now - something that he couldn't do at the start of the year. He is writing on his own, sounding out words. His maths skills have also continued to increase. Daniel is such an inquisitive kid both a blessing and a challenge when he needs to focus. But his inquisitiveness has helped him thrive this year. He has been keen to learn and keen to grow in his skills and knowledge. 

1st Day of Kindy

Last Day of Kindy

I am so thankful for Daniel's beautiful Kindy teacher, Mrs Fearnside. 

She has nurtured Daniel this year. We have called her a Mother Hen and she sure has been this for all her students. She hasn't had the easiest class this year but that hasn't stopped her teaching, caring for and growing her students. She has encouraged Daniel to be kind to others, she has encouraged him to focus on his work, she has encouraged him to be responsible in giving him different jobs to do different weeks. She has encouraged him to help her with technology. She has embraced his enthusiasm in taking in different activities and work that he has done at home and has taken the time to listen to him and acknowledge the effort he has put in. She has been so patient with us parents, she has always taken to the time to say hi to any of the parents, to have a moment to chat or to share a funny moment from the day (like Daniel eating icing after making Christmas cookies by hiding under the table with a bowl of icing in his hands). She has just been wonderful! And she will be hard to top. 

We were so proud of Daniel for putting in his best effort this year and for the growth he has shown. We were proud of him too for receiving a Presentation Day award for academic achievement. Such a surprise and such a privileged. He was very proud of himself too (as he should be). Well done Daniel!

In the last week of school Daniel and his other Kindy friends had a graduation assembly. He was proud of receive his Graduation certificate.

The Kindy kids also sang their 3 Little Pigs song for us which was pretty cute to watch.

After the assembly we got to get some photos of the class. Well done Kindy Purple!

The kids got a book with their certificate. Daniel was quite excited about his book.

So lovely that Daniel has been in the same class as one of his Mothers' Group friends, Lachie. They are good buddies. I hope their friendship continues to grow over the years at school together.

 

End of Preschool

My baby girl finished her first year of Preschool today. I am so proud of her and how far she has come. This year has been a big one. Prior to starting Preschool James and I knew that we had a confident, outgoing, loving, caring little girl who was ready to take on the world. She was so excited to be at preschool. It was now her turn. But as the year went on she had to overcome some obstacles. I am so grateful for her teachers - Alison, Lorraine and Eva. They have looked out for Eliza when she has needed it. When things became too overwhelming, Alison would guide her in strategies to be able to settle, cope and find a solution. Whenever she fell down or hurt herself she tended to go to Eva for a cuddle, and that seemed to help fix the problem. Lorraine was always there to help distract Eliza when I left and smile and make her happy with a story, craft, or matching her up with a friend. These educators have stretched her in an environment where she felt comfortable and could grow. We are so grateful for them!

Eva

Alison

Lorraine

Eliza, I am so proud of you. I am so proud that your teachers recognise you as a kind, caring, considerate friend to all in your class. I am so proud of you for the way that you treat everyone equally, not matter how they treat you. I am so proud of the way that you have worked through and overcome moments of anxiety at preschool and at home. I am so proud of you using your words when things get too much. I am so proud of you growing in courage and confidence with others - asking to join into games, asking if you can help others. Your little network of friends is just gorgeous!

Eliza with her friend Nellie

Well done my sweet girl on completing your first year of preschool. I love your cheeky smile. I love your giggles. I love your cuddles. Never lose your kind heart for others. Never lose your care and compassion. Never lose your enthusiasm for life. I can't wait to see how you thrive next year in Sue's class. 

Here are some photos and videos from her final day today. Such a wonderful celebration and such kind words from Alison about Eliza. 

Listening to Alison

Singing to us

Cheeky grin

 Here is Eliza singing Twinkle Twinkle again using sign language.

James and I had a giggle that she just can't seem to do the same action at the same time as the rest of the class. She has the rhythm, just on the off beat it seems. But she is having a go and that's what counts.

Here are Alison's words to Eliza after this year.

And at the end of her learning journal, Alison wrote this about Eliza. Such beautiful words for such a gorgeous girl. She deserves to have these words said of her. To be recognised for kindness and gentleness and patience towards others is just beautiful. I hope and pray that as she grows up she will continue to be inclusive of others, that she will continue to show kindness to others no matter how they treat her or how they act and that she will continue to be helpful and inclusive. She sure will help make the world a better place!

This is our gift from Eliza this year. Her picture is so bright, beautiful and creative just like she is. It is of her family which we know she loves and thinks about a lot. Well done sweetheart.

 
We are so proud of you beautiful girl. Continue to do the best that you can in all that you do, continue to believe in yourself and we do and your teachers do. Continue to have a caring and compassionate heart to others around you. Be true to yourself. You are going to encounter scary moments in your life, times when you just want to run away or shy away from them, but you are a strong, determined girl who can do anything you put your mind to. Believe in yourself and be who you are. Because we think you are amazing!