Today was a momentous day in the Doll-House; today was Lucy Doll's first day of nursery.

Whilst Lucy is only attending a few mornings a week, and shall still be at home with Mama and Izzy for the rest of the time, it was still quite a big event, especially for Mama...

I had spent several months preparing for this; talking to Lucy all about what she would be doing, and how Mama and Izzy would not be there with her (to which Lucy clapped her hands with delight and enquired whether there would be monster trucks and slides there: this child is seriously indepedent and needed no convincing).

Lucy's nursery requires that the children wear a uniform, therefore I had spent hours sewing name-tapes into teeny pinfores and gingham dresses, which had all been delivered to the Doll-House in the preceding months in little parcels, as if by magic. (What? You mean Grandma bought all of those things and had them delivered to us to save Mama the trouble? You mean...the nursery- uniform fairy doesn't actually exist..???! *sob!*)

I had planned our routine carefully, and worked out what time we would need to leave to arrive extra early to make time for lots of good-bye cuddles (in which Lucy displayed not a jot of interest, it must be said!)

But I don't think anything prepared me for how upset I would get; we haven't really spent any time apart in 3 whole years, and whilst Lucy clearly loved her first morning at nursery, Mama found it a bit more difficult.

However, I think that Izzy very much enjoyed the extra cuddles, and Lucy was certainly pleased to see us both when we collected her at lunchtime! She can't wait for her next session, and did look gorgeous in her little red uniform :)