Another school year

Summer is almost over and another school year has just begun. We had a pretty good summer break. We were able to get down to the coast for a few days around the new year, followed by my solo trip to Sydney for a weekend and later a quick family trip to Melbourne. We survived 6 weeks of children being at home with support from grandparents and Phil taking a few work days off during the school break. Days were filled with play dates, family lunches, lazing at home and a date night.

First week of school was eventful. So much excitement on Catherine’s first day in kindergarten. New students started on Monday and everyone else started on Tuesday. I took the day off to see Catherine off on her first day and to spend the day with Nicholas. I’m still getting used to seeing Catherine in her school uniform. She seems too small to be dressed in big school clothes. I was bracing myself for the tears to come but they didn’t. I think it helped having Nicholas around and the distraction of a play date that morning.

Second day of the school week was equally exciting as it was Catherine’s and Nicholas’ first day to go together. They also had their first afternoon at afterschool care together. Catherine cried when Daddy showed up and it was time to go home. The next day, Catherine came home with the sniffles. She still managed to go to swimming after school quite happily. But later that night after going to bed, it was a different story. She developed a cough as well and a bit of asthma. We kept her home on Thursday for a rest. She was fine and I was missing out on my own quiet time. I was looking forward to Friday.

Friday morning came and we had another hiccup. It was Nicholas’ turn to be unwell. I had quite an emotional morning. Dropped off Catherine at school first. Came back home to comfort and convince Nicholas that he was ok to go to school. After getting some food into him, he was feeling better. I dropped him off just before the first break. I had some time to myself before having lunch with Phil at Patissez and indulging in a freak shake to help cheer me up.

Our second week was better. Slowly adjusting to our new routine. First two days of the week are long for the kids with afterschool care. Catherine struggles by the end of the day. It’s been taking a while for both of them to settle into bed at night. Wednesday was ok with my last (and short) work day of the week. Picked them up and then later took Catherine to swimming (which she enjoys). She’s mostly coping and doing well with her schedule. I love watching her pack up her backpack at the end of the day. She looks so responsible and grown-up. The only thing she’s forgotten a few times is her lunch bag. I’ve also had the surprise of finding a few rocks in her backpack every other day. They weren’t small rocks either – rocks the size of my fist!

I think Nicholas likes having his little sister around at school. It’s been a rough start losing all of his friends to the new school in the new suburb near us. Hopefully things will settle down nicely for him soon and that he’ll enjoy year 4.