I started blogging just after Toby turned one, so it seems hardly possible, but my little chap is off to big school for the first time this week. He is joining his sisters at the little school in the village.
We are as ready as we will ever be in terms of the stuff we need for school, and having a boy after two girls, there is a lot of stuff. We bought school shoes at the end of December, well before the back to school rush, and I have his little shorts, shirts, and jackets all ready. He made a library bag with Nan when we visited the mountains, and he has a bag which looks way too big for him, though of course it’s just that he is still small. I spent an hour on Monday labeling everything. With two weeks of swimming lessons to start the year, even his undies needed labeling.
So far as school goes, Toby is not that interested. To him the farm is far more important and exciting, and who is going to run the farm properly once he goes to school? What will Dad and Pa do without him? It is a legitimate concern. Having said that, I know that he is ready for some more formal education. He writes his name on his books and papers (though some times he writes Ybot – he doesn’t believe that the letters have to be in particular order), and loves stories and art, and tries to count to 100 (though the 70s-90s get a little hazy). Yep, he is ready. On Sunday he wrote his name with a permanent marker on his toy guitar after seeing a clip of Colin Buchanan signing a guitar.
It’s going to be quite a shift for our whole family having all the kids at school. Country Boy will have a little more time on his hands, but as the farm takes all hours as you want, his “spare” time will certainly be taken up. 2016 is our only year with all three kids at one school. Hannah is in Year 6, Meg in Year 3. Suddenly the years are flying past. I no longer have little ones, and though we are in the golden times (no toddlers, no teens), I want it all to slow down.
Toby might be ready for school, but I’m not sure I am ready for him to go.
Do you have a little one starting school this year? Any advice for us as we transition to having no little ones at home?
Can’t believe it either! I’ve been reading you for most of that time, where has it gone?!
Wishing Toby a wonderful day and year!! Enjoy having them all in the one spot this year 🙂
Thanks Erin – doesn’t time fly!
My middle son starts school next week also. Book collection is Thursday along with uniforms. Shoes are bought, socks are bought….Im excited for him as he is excited but he is still so young in himself I worry! he has speech delays and I suspect learning issues. My dear sweet boy! Such a delightful little fellow, I hope his gentle nature is not overlooked by his issues in big school, and that he is not left behind!
Good luck with the new school year!
xx
Thanks Emma – it’s always a little nerve wracking sending them off!
My daughter starts kindy next week and I am very excited as she is ready for it!! Will be weird to be just home with one child. Hope the first day of school goes well for you.
Thanks 🙂
Your big boy is just starting. My biggest boy, grandson, starts Year 12 today. He hopes to have enough driving hours in his logbook to go for licence next week.
I can tell you that Toby will too soon be just like Andrew and you will wonder where the time went.
Miss M has just the best news to start year 6 with. Remission,formally , from acute leukaemia. Monthly checks but no more chemo. Checks will go on well into adulthood, but we rejoice in this news and are so grateful.
The other grandchildren fit in around these two.
Sounds like you have good news all round 🙂 Congratulations!