Alexander's Week Before School

Eliza and Daniel headed back to school on the 1st February. They were excited to go and see their friends and a bit nervous about which class they would be in and who their teacher would be. We did our regular back to school pictures

Alexander and I walked the big kids up to school and Alexander and I went so he could do his best start interview. It was nice to be on the school grounds again, after not being able to last year due to Covid. We met Mrs Kocx who is Alexander's teacher for this year - it's nice that we had her in Year 1 - Miss Hellyer. He happily went into the classroom with her to do his Best Start interview and I filled in a questionnaire so she could get to know Alexander a bit more. I made a specific note that he has had speech in Preschool and still can get his th and d sounds muddled up. She said he did very well, was very confident and excited about starting school. 

We then headed off to Putt-Putt. Alexander wanted to go and do putt-putt golf with me for a while and the timing just hadn't happened so we made the most of it today. It was a very hot day to go and play though! But that didn't dampen our fun. Playing with a 5 year old is so different to older kids. Most shots were just hit and hope, which is a bit funny. The rest of the time his goal was to just get it into the water so he could scoop it out. And repeat. Pretty sure he won't grow up to be a golfer.

Hit and hope works eventually

He enjoyed the log and the bridge challenge and even got it along the bridge once  - of course we couldn't re-do it for the camera.

And I loved this one where it got stuck under the rock so he had to use a pool style tap to get it out.

But again, the water was the highlight. I was often asked 'can I please hit it into the water?' That was much more popular than trying to get it into the hole.

Although he did get a hole in 1 at one point which was great!

The last shot took a bit of goes.

It was a successful time together - lots of fun, very hot! And we rewarded our efforts with an iceblock to help us cool down.

When we got home we had our blue tongue lizard friend back in the sun. Very fun to see him again.

Wednesday morning we had Nana and Poppy come around for their last Wednesday morning with one of the kids home. Alexander taught Nana and Poppy how to play Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza - much to their confusion. It was pretty funny to watch.

We then invited Nana and Poppy to come and have morning tea at Monday Morning Cafe. They were more than happy to come too.

It has been so special having these mornings with Nana and Poppy coming around. Partly for me because they have been legends in helping clean the house and do the gardening, but more so because of the time they have spent with each of the kids, especially with Alexander these past couple of years (when not interrupted by Covid). The kids love hanging out with them, they enjoy telling them about what has happened during their week, they teach them new games or show them artworks they have made. They have been patient while the kids have 'helped' clean or garden. I am so grateful for all they have done. Thanks Nana and Poppy.

Most nights since we got back from Hervey Bay we have been reading Mary Poppins together. The kids started to do puzzles while listening to the story. It is nice to see them working together and enjoy the book as well.

To mark the end of Mother's Group and our fun together Anne and I took Flynnie and Alexander to treetops. What a great place (when it is quiet). We were the only ones there for the first hour and then only 4 or 5 others came after that. I was so proud of Alexander. I really didn't know how confident he would be. I was hoping that Flynnie would show Alexander how to do it and give him the confidence. Instead it was Alexander who was confident and Flynnie was nervous. Alexander had a go at all the different courses. He loved that his koala helps keep him safe. He especially loved the zip lines that he could go down. He was pleased with himself that he did the highest level, but he also wasn't keen to go on it again. Instead he was more comfortable on levels 2 and 3.

Happily going on the 1st level to get used to it all

Learning how to do the 1st level and how the koala and harness works.

The boys then moved onto Level 2 which was much higher than the first.

Ziplines are the most fun! He was hesitant first with stepping off the ledge but really enjoyed it.

The smile says it all!

I was really proud of Alexander on level 3 because one of the log bridges was a big lunge to reach, too big for him to step. He started to get worried, but then he worked out that he could sit down so that his legs could reach the next log, and then he could pull himself up using his line so he could then keep walking across.

He did come back and enjoy the 1st level with Flynnie who was happy trying to zipline as much as he could.

But then with some encouragement went onto level 5 to give it a go. So proud of him having a go and not giving up! Especially when it came to the wobbly logs when he was walking along. His body was moving so much but he did so well to balance and keep going.

He even managed a wave for mum.

A brilliant way to finish off Mother's Group and to spend his last day before school with his little best friend. So very proud of him and the courage that he has grown to have. He is going to do amazing things at school, showing this confidence and growing in his skills. Can't believe my baby boy is starting school!