What a day!

Amelie woke at almost 8 and came in beside me for a cuddle. Isaac and Daddy were already up so she soon went to join them downstairs. We spent the morning waiting on our Tesco delivery which never showed up but that is another matter which I will not allow to distract from the day!

The morning dragged, really dragged. Amelie was desperate to get dressed, her new shoes being the most exciting part of going to school for her. Eventually after a quick lunch (tuna sandwiches, her favourite) I let her get dressed. We then spent a good while taking some photos and calming her nerves.

Soon it was time to go. She had a little huff about me not carrying her book bag (I had her p.e bag and cardigan!) but it didn't last long. She held on tighter the closer we got and I was anticipating some tears at least come drop off. We waited at the gate for five minutes then we were let in...

We found her peg (with an anchor on it) and then found her name ready for her to copy and post in the box. She managed that and then the teacher showed us over to the carpet area where Amelie chose a book to look at while everybody else was getting settled. She chose Fireman Sam and with a bit of encouragement let go of my hand and sat down next to one of the teaching assistants (the one who did the home visit with the teacher)

And that was it! We left!

Home to sort some quick pictures for grandparents etc eagerly awaiting news and photos then in the blink of an eye it was time to collect her. I practically ran all the way there (thinking, "why is Chris walking so slowly?!") and the teacher released them one by one....

Amelie looked out, saw me and have the biggest grin! She immediately launched into a story about a card and a drawing (I still have no clue) and told me she had milk (I already saw from the milk moustache and milk stain on her pinafore!) I asked if school was good and she said "really good! I didn't know it would be so fun!" I think that was the closest I came to crying! Absolutely thrilled (and relieved!) she had such a great time and so so proud! She told me later she had answered a question (unheard of for Amelie, especially on a first day!!) about oranges. She showed me her home link book and there was a message to say she had settled well.

High as a kite she skipped all the way home, higher than I've ever seen her skip before! Like a big weight had been lifted off her.

As a special treat we were going to pizza express for tea and she got to wear her party shoes (and school hair band, of course!) Both children behaved so well the whole time, they stuck stickers, coloured and the waitress brought some books across which they loved. Isaac chose his meal (dough balls and pasta) by pointing at the pictures on his menu and Amelie just chose her old favourites (creature of habit like her mother!) They ate well and made us laugh. A lovely celebration.

Amelie played with B for an hour or so when we got back. Now really she should have been in getting her bath and settling down but I am just so pleased she has a friend who is just next door and they are having such fun together. The dark nights will be back soon anyway and she will need to be in bed earlier when school is all day so she might as well enjoy it while she still can. We read her book plus a few others as she was still a bit hyper and she was asleep at 9.

And relax....