School days

Well there is no time like the present to play around I guess! Michael is putting Isabella to sleep although I suspect he has actually fallen asleep in there himself!

So on Tuesday 27/1/2009 Isabella had her first day of Prep. Prep has replaced Preschool and is the non-compulsory full-time year of 'schooling' before Grade 1.

As many of you have heard me bitch and moan about - Isabella missed out going to Prep last year by 8 days. 8 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Needless to say she (and I) was more than ready to go this year.

In fact, on Monday (which was the Australia Day public holiday and the day before her first day) she told Michael that we could drop her off for her first day.

As if!!

No way, we proud parents had been waiting for this day for ever, well 5 years at least! We were going to make the most of it. So up nice and early we all were. Isabella dressed herself and I did her two plaits resplendent with green bow hairties. Unfortunately the photos we took were pretty crappy and do not do her any justice.

She looked totally cute and grown up!

There were no tears from Bella or us, although I do confess to having a bit of a lump in my throat.

Michael and I both picked her up from her first day and I was totally amazed when I caught sight of her that afternoon. I just could not believe how grown up she looked.

That night we pried out of her as much as we could about her day. I swear she seemed about 5 years older to me!

Second day of school was a totally dfferent story - she didn't even want me to walk her in to her classroom. Seriously! I had to drop her at the gate (which I might add - before you call child services - is right next to her classroom).

Thursday and Friday, however, I insisted on walking her in!

It's been a steep learning curve:

• I learned how to hard boil an egg (for egg and lettuce sandwich). It takes 10 mins by the way!
• I learned how to iron skorts (not much fun!)
• I learned that the sticker dot next to Isabella's note thingy at school does not mean she is super special and fabulous - but that she is the oldest child of our family at the school
• I have learned that Isabella will not eat a full orange or a tub of yoghurt - but has no problems with her 3 Anzac biscuits each day!
• I have learned that most every day Isabella will come home with note that will require me to remember something new!
• I haven't learned how to get myself (in my car) in the pickup lane of an afternoon (that is on my 'to do' list)

I am so excited for Isabella starting her schooling. I have such fond memories of my school years and I thoroughly enjoyed going to school and learning new things. I hope Isabella feels the same way too!

Bye for now!