A week of firsts

The kids had their first week back at school and I had my first taste of what "retirement" will be like during the school term.  I have to say that I loved it although I'm in danger of becoming a recluse.  I spent my time either tidying, washing, baking or playing the piano - bliss.  The kids are coming home to baked goodies each afternoon because surely that's what a "real" mother does (although I've had a few words of complaint from some of the other mothers I know!).  


The first week of the first term of the year is always an emotional one for the kids as they find out who their new teachers are and which friends are in their class.  Tess and Tom were both hysterical on Wednesday after finding out their classes - I'm not sure why Tom was upset (possibly influenced by Tess) but Tess was beside herself because she had a male teacher and none of her friends were in her class.  Tess has always been a bit funny about men that she doesn't know which isn't necessarily a bad thing but she took some persuading that she will end up liking her new teacher.  In fact she behaved in exactly the same manner at the start of the previous year and ended up loving her teacher as she always does.  Once she'd calmed down a little I also discovered that she has at least 3 good girlfriends in her class so she can't complain there either.  


As well as school starting so do the after-school activities.  I try to keep them to a minimum but it is hard when your child expresses a desire to try something new and I do believe in exposing them to as many different things as possible.  Tess decided that she wanted to do some form of dance (she tried ballet when she was younger but hated it) so we've gone with Jazz which a couple of her friends do.  She has a very fetching purple leotard with black shorts and loved her first lesson.  She's also doing clarinet, piano and netball so I think that's more than enough for her.  Tom is doing skateboarding, guitar, soccer and rugby which sounds like quite a lot and we may ended up giving up either soccer or rugby but we felt it best to hedge our bets.  

The kids received a special parcel from Granny this week containing lovely warm fluffy dressing gowns.  They both squealed with delight when they realised what they were and have worn them pretty constantly.  

Tess and Tom's latest trick is catching lizards - gross!  We've also had a pair of bush turkeys take up residence in our back yard which is very unusual and I suspect quite bad news.  They cause lots of mess and havoc by raking up the ground looking for food.  So far we've only seen them in the branches of the tree outside our dining room which in itself is surprising as we didn't think they could fly.