Stillness

There is a stillness around me.
We have separate adventures in the daytime now.
His day is filled with paint and flour, I know as he comes home covered in it.
Of stick legs in PE shorts and waiting in line to attempt a roly poly down a rubber mat.
Crusts left and swapping crisps.
Finally sitting down at a little table even though his body wants him to move so much more. 
Fidgets allowed to break up his learning, small steps. Immense pride. 

Learning about the Romans bringing a beaming smile to history mad mummy's face.
Digging in sand for artefacts. That's two of us that want to be archaeologists. 
Home starving and home tired, bed so much earlier and without so much fuss.
A picture of him laughing in the play area with a new friend.
He was ready. Was I? 

And so the stillness surrounds me like the mist that hung on the road until lunchtime.
I didn't enjoy my walk so much today without a little hand holding on.
Allowing myself to focus on the light through the trees, it seemed a little sad.
Small steps for me too, into a new life.
Paint splatters on his sweatshirt later will remind me that we all have to find our happiness.
Breaking free to move forwards. 

On finding a school place

This year I  have decided to put my son into school as I had been home educating him since his brief spell in preschool. Now was the time for the once anxious boy, now out of his shell to venture into the big wide world and burn off some of his energy. My nerves and my house can no longer take it but he needs to added input for his speech and language among other things. Little Bird is ready to play with paints and glue, to be in a stricter routine of playtime and lunchtimes with learning activities structured around him and this has become impossible at home as well....I'm mum and he can mess me around quite a bit. We need a break from each other, different adult in his life to have influence and provide encouragement. He needed the extra time at home but now he is simply too bored and needs more than I can provide Monday to Friday. I felt like I was giving up for a while but then I realised it was simply a case of things changing and our natural development as mother and son. I feel better now that I'm being a good mum and recognising that now my little boy needs more. 

At the moment I am in waiting situation with the LEA, despite him having a full statement it seems there are lots of meetings to be had, hoops to jump through and lots of red tape. It's strange how getting him into school seems so much harder that not sending him in the first place when the LEA were keen to talk. Now, it's delay after delay and meeting after meeting, panel after panel....time wasting. The issue is really that there are no school places left, unless somebody moves at the last minute or changes their mind. Where will he go? I perhaps will know later this week but it is frustrating and a bit of a worry. I'm staying positive and then I can start to buy everything he needs which will be really exciting as he's never had all those school type things before.

5 things we need for school:

1. A school bag for all LB's books, spare clothes, drink, pencil case and the passing to and fro of notes between the teacher and I. Probably a rucksack with a nice pattern on it like cute dinosaurs or animals that is easy to wipe clean and comfortable straps for his shoulders. 

2. One of the most important items for any school child are name labels for EVERYTHING! From his coat to his bag and lunch box, they will all have some colourful labels with a little picture beside them. They will help LB know which things are his, 

3. We will also need some stationery items for school, a jolly pencil case filled with pencils, coloured pens, crayons and a ruler. For home a new calendar to keep track of school events and a notebook/diary for my bag - after all with parent's evenings and future Nativity plays to watch I will need to make sure I can quickly make a note. 

4. I can remember my school lunch box as a child, it was turquoise and had little cherubic-like characters on it, plus stickers on the back - such was the craze in the 1980's. For LB I'd like to find a cheap and cheerful lunch bag that will last a couple of terms since they get quite grotty there is not point spending a lot as I will replace it every few terms. I would quite like to find a space themed set for him complete with drinks bottle. Then I will have to look to Pinterest and try and be one of those super Bento making parents!

5. 
5. Finally a PE bag for those shorts, t-shirt and pumps. I was not a sporty child and shied away from PE lessons but perhaps my son will enjoy sports day and the egg and spoon race - I bet he won't though he's too much like me. However, we shall see and he'll certainly have a smart bag to take his things in. 

Then of course there will be the new uniform, although until I find out which school he will be going to I have no idea what it will look like. Hopefully next week I will have some news......

*Collaborative post

Bunting, bargains and a brass band

We chanced upon a couple of local school summer fêtes this weekend which is the type of thing that really cheers me up with visions of  bunting strung up and homemade cakes on offer. The weather was cheery yellow sunbeams and we spent a while mooching around tombola and white elephant stalls, laughing at several dads attempt the coconut shy and 'splat-the-rat'. All very English with the local vicar walking around nodding hellos and eating a slice of fruit cake.

Ambling around we were treated to the oom-pah-pah of a brass band at one school, followed by cream teas whilst watching chaotic children dancing around the May Pole at the other. The great thing about school fairs is that they always sell loads of books and toys, especially cheap. I came out with armfuls for literally a couple of pounds. Great for our book nook.

 Doggies for learning about animals and imaginary play.

 A jigsaw

Pink spangly skipping rope - yes I know I have a boy but so what! I thought it would be good for garden games like throwing bean bags over the line etc.. He actually loves the glitteriness of it!

From the white elephant, more glasses for my collection. I adore the birdy ones, of course.

Vintage bowls with cute pictures for Little Bird's dinners.

It was also an opportunity to view some of our possible future primary school options for Little Bird. Colourful displays, fun gardens, poems, singing and dancing, climbing frame and swings, future teachers and the other parents! Seems like a long time away but it's good information to have in our minds.

 I'm joining in with Magpie Monday over at Me and My Shadow where you can see lots of other lovely thrifted treasures.