Today Button started school.

She has been bursting at the seams with excitement about this for months…as have I.

She’s so ready for this.  She’s itching to learn and is convinced, in the way only a 4 year old can be, that she is a Very Big Girl.  Which is why I’m ready for it too.  With the best will in the world, I am not enough excitement for her.

I am her port in a storm.

I am her comfort when she is hurt or scared.

I am the boundary to be pushed.

I am the provider of cookies and milk and movies.

And huggles and kisses and stories and songs (although Daddy is much better at those than I).

And a million other good things.

But I am not enough.

And that, dear reader, is exactly how it should be at this point in her life.

And so today, she took the first steps to independence and education.

I although I swore I wouldn’t, I did shed a tear (or two…).

Not because I’m sad to be losing my baby to the world (because I’ll always be here for her).

Or that she isn’t a baby any more (although that really does suck…I’m not at all sure how that happened).

No, today I shed a tear of pride at the little girl, who is physically one of the smaller children in the class (look at those double rolled sleeves!) but who has the biggest heart I’ve ever encountered.  Who, after chiding me to ensure she “didn’t miss her class”, and shucking her coat at high speed, had, within a further 30 seconds, approached a rather worried looking little girl and asked her name.

Having introduced herself, she promptly declared “Lets be friends.  Lets go and play”.

I think she’s going to do just fine in the big wide world. Don’t you?

 

 

 

Last weekend was a Bank Holiday in England.  Generally on Bank Holidays we stay at home because the traffic is notoriously dreadful. But we decided to brave the motorways and head off to Devon.  For those who don’t know the geography, Devon is about 260 miles south of us.

Let’s just say the traffic lived up to all expectations.

Let’s also say it was worth it.

As you know we spent the weekend with Alice-who-isn’t-a-cat and her beau, who have recently moved into a fabulous rented cottage, which is about 15 minutes drive from the beach at Exmouth.

So, we did what any sensible family would do and, along with Alice’s brother, sister-in-law, and niece, we went to the beach.

This being an English Bank Holiday, of course it was raining.

But there is no point having waterproof coats and not using them.

Button felt the coat was an unnecessary encumbrance!

We prevailed!

We were less lucky with the battle of the shoes!

But you need to take your shoes off so you can paddle!  Silly Mummy!

Even if the sea is a bit cold…and a bit scary because its the first time you’ve been this close to it:

Although obviously, when you’re a brave little chap, it doesn’t take you long to get into the swing of it:

And when you’ve had enough of the sea…there are still puddles to splash about in:

And ice cream to eat:

But then, it being England, the weather is a moveable feast, and the following day it was glorious.

So we hit the beach again.  This time without the waterproofs!

We boogie boarded:

Built a sandcastle:

Became a mermaid:

And snuggled together for warmth (convincing Daddy that we really should get a new doggy soon!)

We had The Best Time.

 

 

 

So now you know!

 

 

 

Last week was Ma SIL’s birthday.

We celebrated in high style with lunches and suppers and a rather lovely dinner at a local restaurant on the actual day of her birthday which was Tuesday.

So, although it’s very late, this is to wish Ma SIL much love from all at Chez Stitches for her birthday.

And to share this…my current favourite picture of her and Button.

Aren’t they beautiful?

With the Olympics nearly upon us Button has taken up fencing.

Yes, that is the head of a rocking horse she’s standing on.

No, it’s not wedged against anything.

Yes, I do have grey hair!