Wednesday, 31 January 2018

Eliza's Preschool Time Has Come

Today, Tuesday 30th January, 2018, has been Eliza’s first day of preschool. 
As many people have said, ‘It was finally her turn.’ and she was so excited about it. How is my baby girl now going to preschool? I don’t know how but she is so ready for it and as James has said, she is ready to take on the world, or maybe take over the world. This is yet to be determined.

This morning when Eliza woke up I asked her where she was going today. She told me that she was going to go back into her room because she was still a bit tired, then get up, get dressed and have breakfast. Not quite what I expected. Ha. I asked her again where she was going to go today and she then told me that she needed to do these things because it was her first day of preschool. She had a big grin on her face. She was so excited.

Eliza hasn’t really shown nerves about preschool. Any time anyone has asked her about starting preschool or even when people have asked Daniel how he felt about starting school, she has chimed in saying ‘Well I’m excited about starting preschool.’ However, yesterday when we were talking about starting preschool she did ask me if I’d be waiting in the playground while she was at preschool. I told her that I’d go home but pick her up in the afternoon which she replied ‘I know that!’ So I’m not too sure what she was talking about. But anyway.

As we sat down to have breakfast I put on Rock and Roll Preschool by the Wiggles just for a bit of fun. She was quite excited that they were singing about preschool.

We then packed her bag with her lunch and put on sunscreen. Poppy came around to look after the boys so James and I could just focus on Eliza which was lovely. We did the obligatory first day of preschool photos and Eliza was great with wearing her backpack. She was right into it. 




We then headed into preschool nice and early.



As we arrived, there were a lot of the teachers at the gate setting up for the day. We said hi to Sue, Sandra, Jill and Loraine as we entered. There was a sign saying ‘first day of preschool’ so we had to grab a photo standing beside the sign too. 

We then went in and Eliza washed her hands and then helped unpack her bag. This was a new experience for her after just walking into the room the last 2 years and sitting down to do an activity. Once her bag was unpacked she gave Alison her photo frame and Alison showed her where to put it.


She then sat down in the book corner with James and they read a book, ‘Alien’s love underpants’. She quite enjoyed it. 
I had a little teary when Loraine asked me how I was going. Last night it kinda hit me that Eliza was starting preschool. With Daniel starting school and all that we need to organise and plan and get for that, Eliza starting preschool sort of took me by surprise I think. So I was a bit emotional this time around. After wiping away the tears and seeing her settled we watched her get up and go over to Nellie, a friend who she knew through Daniel’s class last year. They sat at the playdough table for a short time 
and then Eliza decided she wanted to do a painting. She loved mixing the colours together. She even did some painting by rolling the paintbrush. It made some nice colour blends.




Once her painting was complete Eliza told me that she wanted to go outside and dress up now. I explained to her that she would go outside with everyone else later in the day but now it was inside play time. She was ok with that. She moved onto the dolls and baby corner. It was set up with baby dolls, beds, cot, high chairs, bottles, feeding plates, heaps of things. Eliza liked giving the baby a bottle and rocking the baby in the cot. 


Then Nellie came over and asked if Eliza wanted to play with the Elsa toys. They had a great time looking at the princess toys and the dinosaurs (some how they made them both work together). 
We then gave her a kiss and a cuddle bye and headed out. It was nice to leave her so content and busy at preschool.

In the afternoon Daniel, Alexander and I went to pick her up. She was one of the last kids there and said to me ‘I did't think you were going to come’. Oh sweetheart. I will always come or if I can’t Daddy will or Nana or Poppy or Auntie Jenny. Someone will always come and get you. She told me ‘but I didn’t know that’. Bless. She was too tired to tell me about her day until we were in the car heading home. Then she opened up about all the things she did.


I asked her what she did inside the classroom. She told me they played with playdough, she did some craft, ate all her lunch. Then she said 'I didn't listen when we were sitting on the ground in front of the teacher.' I clarified, 'You did listen when you were sitting on the ground?' She clearly told me 'No. I didn't. But then I did after a little bit.' I couldn't help but chuckle. I think the teachers must have told her that she wasn't listening or something for her to say that. I then asked her what she did outside. She told me that she and Nellie played dress up. She dressed up as a princess and then changed to a bee and had a lot of fun. She also said she played with trucks on the hill and stepped on buckets that were upside down.

So all in all, she sounded like the had a wonderful day!

I asked her if she was excited to go back on Monday and she said 'Yes!'

When we got home she spoke to Grayma 
and Auntie Sue on the phone 

and FaceTimed Nana and Poppy,
Nana J and Boompa 
and also Auntie Jenny, Uncle Howie and Oscar. 
She liked telling them all about the things that she did. The start of her next 2 years adventure.
 

Monday, 29 January 2018

Christmas Part 1

Before heading to Hervey Bay we had Christmas with my family. When we arrived at Mum and Dad's place the kids were pretty excited to get into the spirit with wearing Santa hats and reindeer ears. 


I was excited that Eliza is able to wear her Christmas dress that we bought back when she was a baby. It's supporting women from an African community who made it. She looked like an angel.
Jens, Eliza and I got the memo that girls were to wear white.
Mum set the table and it looked lovely.
Alexander highly enjoyed the snacks before - mainly the cheese and biscuits. He got upset when I told him no more.
When everyone was there we were ready to get some photos of family infront of the Christmas tree.
Oscar is so good at smiling for the camera
Alexander was not keen for a photo!
Oscar's still smiling.
I love Eliza's face - are we really doing this?
 Then it was present time. Daniel, Eliza and Oscar enjoyed playing 'Santa', although Eliza didn't really understand that she needed to read the names and give the present to that person and Daniel misread some of the names and gave the present to the wrong people. The kids were excited to get their gifts and open the presents.


Uncle Howie was also excited to get a Bunnings Umbrella.
The kids then had fun jumping on the bed and playing with their toys and presents while the waited for lunch to be ready.
Alexander had to join in with jumping and playing on the bed

Looking at her new Dora alphabet cards with Auntie Sue
Hmmmm... what is that letter?
Our delicious lunch was then ready! The kids had fun pulling their Christmas crackers


and the Christmas crowns were worn with pride.


Silly photo time

I love celebrating Christmas with my family.
And Christmas lunch is never complete without Mum's delicious Christmas pudding. Yum yum!
Alexander helped Mum remember to wear her crown and showing Grayma the present she gave him.
And we all enjoyed eating and demolishing the gingerbread house.