Big school and big boy pants

Well, here it is....

the eve of my eldests first day at school. He is bathed and clean with his uniform all labelled up and pressed ready for him to adorn tomorrow. His shiny new pencil case has pride of place in his nice new school bag and his shoes are pristine and scuff free.

I am already beginning to get emotional at the thought. I'm by no means apprehensive. I think this is due to the fact that he attends a very small rural school, and therefore for him it won't be such a huge culture shock as it might be for his friends up in the big smoke. I'm simply realising that my original baby is growing up faster than I'd like to acknowledge, and now even more so I'm willing his newest baby brother to not grow up at all! Although he's re-buffing this by now sitting on his own for short spells at a mere 20 weeks. (4 weeks ahead of his biggest brother) Simply not allowed! If I had my way I'd leave him lying on his back for the next few months, but he gets so frustrated that you simply have to sit him up or he wails his little heart out!

So back to BB. As I said - not apprehensive. He is more than ready for school. He has an avid interest in grammar and words and now he is extending his curiosity to simple mathematics. He can't wait to 'read his little brothers bedtime stories' although I think he may be disappointed once he finds out it will take more than a few days to be able to do this. I think he thinks that as soon as you start P1 you will wake up with the amazing ability to read.

I think that we may find doing homework a challenge at times, as he gets very frustrated when things don't 'click' and the I'm tired argument creeps in when he can't be bothered trying any more. I hope as a mother I can find the right tools to encourage him in the correct manner that leaves him eager for more rather than willing to give up. Personally I LOVED primary school, and just couldn't get enough to satiate my appetite for learning. I really hope he takes after his mum in this respect.

He is a different child to me though, in that I was very forthcoming. He lacks a bit of confidence in himself and can be somewhat shy at times. I hope he manages to retain his individuality though and not try too hard to conform to his peers.

We have decided to bite the bullet and potty train LL also (as though there isn't enough going on as there is!) Today was day one, and it didn't start too good, but there was a definite shift by the end of the day (once I actually removed the pants completely as he kept weeing through them just to get a nice new pair on!) He actually started going to his potty of his own accord, and there was even a triumphant wee on the loo before bath time.

One downside however is that I will have to stay at home with LL to keep a watchful eye over his potty visits whilst BB trots off to school with his Dad. In fact should the weather be agreeable they will in fact be riding off to school on their bikes. I think this was in fact a ploy by his dad so he didn't have to stand next to a blubbering mum at the school gate!

Kleenex at the ready.......