Back to School

I think sometimes that I'm more excited about the kids going back to school than they are. I like the structure that a new school term brings, the start up of after-school activities like swimming and Anchor Boys; I'm ludicrously excited about them getting new year planners and homework books, and letters from school informing us of what they'll be doing this term.

I loved the first morning of school term when, after six weeks of wearing shorts and crocs, they donned their uniforms and new school shoes - they look so smart! And then in the time it took us to walk to school, Sam's new shoes were scuffed and dirty and he'd got grass stains on one knee of his trousers :)

This time, Jacob has a new school - we have the relatively unusual situation where the Infant and Junior schools are separate; two different head teachers and different buildings (separated by a fairly large playing field) although, thankfully, the same uniform. We're not quite into the swing of things yet - our drop off/pick up routine has changed somewhat, and the Infants playground is full of mothers in the same boat muttering how they can't get their heads round having to commute between Juniors and Infants. Jacob hasn't really been forthcoming about how he's finding it, and as yet he hasn't brought home any readers or spellings books, so I'm not sure yet what is expected of him (us!) this year.

Sam is delighted to be in Year 1 - he hasn't bemoaned the lack of playing time that accompanies the shift from Reception, and seems most happy to be back at school. I'm waiting to see what readers they send him home with - he had just started on Level 5 (Green) before the summer holidays, so unsure whether his new teacher will just carry on with those or do her own assessment of reading abilities before handing out any new readers.

And the boys have their swimming lessons tonight - a new swim school and a new venue, so a bit nervous how this is going to work out. After two and a bit years of going local with very little to show for it, I'm making a bit more of an effort and taking them to lessons at Waterworld at Monks Cross - hopefully, they'll make some progress and make the slog round the ring-road in rush hour worthwhile :)