Back To School – September 2022!
The summer holidays are really over and here we are back to the grind in what seems like the blink of an eye. I say “back to school” but of course, for Raffie, this is his first year at school ever and his debut into the school scene. I very definitely have more than a little something in my eye for I’m not the Mum who’s pleased to see them go back, I’m not even the Mum who accepts it because it is what it is. I am the Mum who is forever wishing they were at home with me and waiting for the next school holiday and I am the Mum who cries and feels blue when they go. It’s a real milestone to have my baby boy begin school, this time last year it felt hard having a high schooler, one in primary, a pre-schooler and a baby, but two at home felt ok. Just Posie and I feels a little lonesome, we might just have to bust Raffie out now and again, when he’s tired, to replenish ourselves a little after missed time together.
When Florence started school it was the little things that got me, the fact she’d barely wear any of her lovely clothes for she’d be in uniform most of the time. I remember that fact stinging in a very bizarre way. With Jimmy I felt utterly bereft, like I wasn’t even me anymore with no one in the nest at the time to look after all day. Now it’s Raffie’s turn I feel like I’m losing a bit of the sunshine in my every day with him being at school instead of out with me. He’s always been my sunshine boy and that cheeky grin, the way he entertains me (and Posie) so… I just feel it deeply that I’ve once again been robbed. I know it’s silly, I know it’s best for them, I also know they are all very firmly happy with going to school themselves and Raffie is on cloud nine at the thought. This is all on me. But I can’t help it. I am who I am and actually, I’d rather feel like this than be glad they are at school. That seems a far sadder way to feel and I’m glad I’ve loved them being at home so much that I don’t want it to end. But… I don’t half feel blue!
So, for Posie and I, we are now two musketeers instead of three and we have lots of fun planned for the pair of us. She is beyond bright, understands absolutely everything and is the very best company. Someone else said that to me recently, “isn’t she just great company!” they said and I told them this is what I always say because yes, she blooming well is! She will miss her brothers and sisters so much as she has got used to having them all dancing to her attendance, which they all do so well, but we have Gymboree, play groups, classes and days out just her and I to look forward to along with school pick up when I just know her eyes will be brighter for having them all home again (just like mine)!
Raffie, my new starter, reception awaits and he is so excited to be going. He laughs at me and says “Mummy, why are you sad about me going to school, don’t be sad, it will be brilliant!” He is one of the oldest in the year of course and a whole 8 months older than Jimmy was when Jimmy started so it’s no wonder Raffie is super ready for school. Saying that, I think if he’d gone in last year he’d have been ready then too! He’s bold and brave and as sharp as sharp can be. There are absolutely no flies on Raffie and I’m sure he’ll be running rings around the teachers in seconds. My bright boy, about to go out to school full time for the first time and my only worries are for me, and how lonesome I’ll be without him all day. He will smash this and make us even prouder of him than we already are! Happy schooling sunshine boy!
Jimmy, my little big one and he’s in year 6 which is mind blowing because I swear it was just such a little time ago that he was the reception starter. I say it every year, every birthday and milestone but where does the time evaporate to. My little Jimmy in his very last year of primary school feels unfathomable but I’m over the moon he’s doing that with a new head teacher, hopefully his school will improve because of this and he will have a great last year before high school. He’s determined and knows what he wants high school wise but he also knows he’s a lot of work to put into it to get where he wants to be. He’s very definitely an outside the boxer, unlike his big sister, but he’s every bit as bright and wonderful and I know that he is going to put his mind into focus and go out to get what he wants! Good for Jimmy! We will help him every step of the way and he’s going to have Friday nights at Gram’s studying for exams just like Florence did at his age and the best thing about it is that he is excited for this. He has that dangling carrot and now we will help him catch it as best we can. Go Jimmy, you little starlight boy!
Florence heads into U4 (year 7) after a major first year at high school which she enjoyed immensely. She threw herself in all over the shop and where she was struggling at things like physics having never done that before, she’s been hauling those socks up and done us proud so far. I know she will continue in this same inimitable Florence style of hers, she’s a go getter and we are beyond proud. She begins the year picking up an award for progress at awards night and though she herself doesn’t even want us to entertain the thought that this is an achievement to be proud of, we feel it anyway. She says, like always “it’s no big deal, I don’t know why you’re so pleased with me?” but that’s just Florence and perhaps one of her worse traits, she just doesn’t see how brilliant she is herself. I wonder does anyone but I am going to try and make it a bit of a mission to be a bit more pleased with her own achievements as otherwise how will she ever enjoy them? She works hard, plays hard but never to her detriment, is a great friend and has the kindest heart. Upper 4, here she comes this brilliant girl of ours!
Now, is it nearly time for half term yet?! I’m ready to have them home again after all this talk about them being back at school. It’s all a bit much and though my house has been sandy (nearing filthy really) and nothing has ever been on time the whole summer, I’d live that way always if I could.
We took these pictures a day ahead to get them right but of course I had to take some of Raffie on his way to his first big day!
Follow