Daniel's First Day of School

This morning (Monday 5th February 2018) Daniel woke and got dressed into his school uniform. He was very excited (as he has been all week) to go to school! He had his breakfast (with both James and I saying to be careful of his uniform), brushed his teeth then was all ready to go.

Mum and Dad came around to take Eliza to preschool and with Alexander sick with a cold, look after him at home. We did the obligatory photos in his uniform out the front.

I asked Daniel some questions about himself and what he wants to be in the future. I loved hearing his answers.

Then we said bye to Eliza and Nana as they went to preschool. Daniel was keen to go to school but we told him that it was a bit too early. After hanging around inside we then waved bye to Poppy and Alexander and were on our way. 

As we walked down the street we saw Sophie and her parents and said hi to them. When we arrived at school we found Lachie and Rohan and their parents. 

Daniel was excited to see them but also very shy and curious. We went down near the hall and waited for the bell to go. Once the bell rang we walked down to his teacher where the other kids were also lining up. We were told that the kids were to line up with their teacher and they were going to head up to the classroom. Daniel gave James a big hug and it was beautiful to watch James whisper in his ear how proud of him he was. I then gave him a big hug and told him how proud I was of him and to have an awesome day and he quietly said to me 'I thought you'd stay with me longer'. So much of me wanted to walk up to the classroom with him, but I felt it was more helpful to his teacher for me to stay and just wave him bye. Anne, Angus, James and I waved bye to our boys and they both smiled and waved bye to us as they followed the class line. 

It was so nice to see him smiling. I could tell that he was very excited but also a bit nervous. Part of me was jealous of all the other parents who walked up to class with their kids to be a part of that special moment with them. But I know that he would have been fine, that he will be his bright and bubbly self, that he will hold his head up high. Today I have kept wondering how he is feeling, what he is doing and if he is taking everything in (I've been thinking the same with Eliza too to be honest). Being home with just Alexander is lovely and quiet but so different. I miss the 2 big kids, but equally I'm sure that I'm going to wish they were back at school and preschool this afternoon when they're home being loud, full of energy and really being kids. 
(Written during nap time)

In the afternoon Alexander and I walked down to school and waited next to the hall to pick up Daniel. After the bell went he walked down as a class leader. Special. He had a big grin on his face. He didn't see me straight away so was a good boy and waited with Mrs Fearnside. I managed to make it up to him and he came over and gave me a hug. I thanked Mrs Fearnside and she said that he had had a lovely day. She also commented that he was a very kind boy who is very good at seeing a task that needs to be done and working out how to do it or solve it. She also said that he was very ready for school. 

What a lovely comment from his teacher. 

I asked Daniel how his day was and he said 'good'. When I asked him what he did, it was met with 'I can't remember.' I asked if he wrote? He said no. I asked if he counted. He said no. I asked if his teacher read them a book. He said no. I asked who he sat next to. He said Lachie for most of the time. He can't remember who he sat next to at the desks. I asked him if he sang any songs. He said no. I asked if he did some drawing. He said yes. They needed to draw a picture of how the felt about starting school and Daniel drew a picture of himself smiling. I said that I was glad he felt happy. He corrected me and said that he felt excited, not happy but you can't draw excited. I agreed with him. He also said that 2 people before him said they felt happy, he said excited and the next person said happy too which was funny. I asked if his teacher used a big computer screen in the classroom called a SMARTboard. He said they did to read a story. 

I asked him where he played and he said they played in the imagination playground. He played with Lachie, Rohan, James, Ben and someone else who he didn't know his name. 

So overall he had a wonderful first day. He liked having familiar friends and faces. He liked his teacher and is looking forward to having her this year. He is looking forward to going back tomorrow and is looking forward to what he is going to learn this year. I'm proud of you Daniel.

We then went and picked up Eliza from preschool. She had had a wonderful day. Her favourite thing to do was again to dress up. Alison said that Eliza is into everything and is very engaged. She's very comfortable there, which is great. On our way out, Daniel said hi to Laudie, Sandra and Sue (his teachers from last year). After asked Daniel how his day was, Sandra commented that she saw Eliza being a lovely friend and sharing in the playground. She had a toy phone and another girl wanted it so Eliza said that they could share it. So lovely to hear! Then on our way out Jill said that she observed Eliza being very assertive in the playground. I responded with an eeek. She quickly said that it was in a good way. She said that Eliza was playing a game and another kid was getting into her play space so she firmly said 'Stop it. I don't like it.' or something along those lines. Very clear, firm and assertive. I said that that's great, as long as she didn't follow it up with a push like with her brothers. Jill said that she didn't see her respond with a push, just the firm response. So nice to hear positive and encouraging comments from other teachers about how Eliza's going too.

Daniel then enjoyed facetiming Uncle Howie, Auntie Jenny and Oscar.

He then chatted with Nana and Poppy.

Showing them the hand that he coloured for Mummy and Daddy

And then he chatted with Nana J.

I love how our families show an interest in the kids and what they are doing, and in their big moments. 

The start of the next 13 years of his life. 

The night before Daniel's first day of school Carol, our Children's Pastor, asked the Kindy kids to come to church dressed in their uniforms. Daniel was so excited to wear it to church! He did so well on stage and spoke well when answering his name and after a pause he remembered the name of his school. I loved this idea, having the church family celebrate such a milestone in these kiddies lives.

He was excited to get a gift too - a Bible Story and some stickers.

He was also excited on the Friday of school when he got to wear his sports uniform for the first time.