School Days

With the flip of the calendar to September, it was back to school time in London.  After a fun filled 8 weeks of summer holiday, it was time to bring it to an end.  

September 3, 2015

First day of school

For Olivia, that meant returning to school but to a new class.  She is now in Reception, which I think is the equivalent of US Kindergarten.  (I'm still trying to work out all the differences between the UK and US school systems.)  Even though the other students in her class are predominately new to her - only two kids are in her class from her class last year - she has had no trouble adapting to her new teacher, Miss Healy, and new classmates.  Everyone morning she walks right into her class without a glance backwards.  

For Ashton, this whole school thing is brand new to her!  She is in nursery/preschool and goes full days everyday from 9-3:00 just like her sister.  Originally I was a bit apprehensive about putting her in that much.  When Olivia was in nursery two years ago, she only went part time for three hours everyday.  With Ashton being my baby and having no previous experience with being away from home daily or a structured environment lasting more than hour or two, she seemed so little to be able to handle such a drastic change.  However, if we decided to put her in part-time, that would mean I would be making three school runs (morning drop off, noon pick up and afternoon pick up) five days a week and that sounded so much worse.  Then when we found out Baby 3 was coming this fall, the full days definitely made the most sense and confirmed our decision.

I'm happy to report that Ashton adjustment to school and the full days has blown away my low expectations.  She hasn't shed a tear yet when I've dropped her off.  She is eager to get to school each morning and is so far handling the long days amazingly.  It definitely helps that they have a rest time every afternoon where she gets about a 45 minute nap.  This means she's in a really good mood when I pick her up and generally does not have major meltdowns from exhaustion later in the day.  She's new to the potty training scene as of July, but she's just about mastered the bathroom at school with the exception of the occasional accident.  Her teachers tell me all the time how laid back and what a happy girl she is.  I feel like in the past 4 weeks her vocabulary has significantly increased (I now can have small conversations with her) and even sounds more British.  Plus, I look at her and all I see is a big girl.  Not my little baby.  :( 

Second day of school when they wanted me to take their picture again.  

Fortunately, this has not turned into a daily routine.

Our prayers are that both girls will have great school years filled with learning, friendships, personal growth and most of all fun.