Fabulous Phia

Sian – 'So kids, as a treat, would you like to go to McDonalds for lunch?'

Both – 'NOOOOOOOOO!!'

T – ''But I don't like Mac and Donalds - waaaaaaa'

S- 'I want a cheese sandwich'

What is wrong with our children??!! What child doesn't like McDonalds?? Still, I suppose the are worse things.

Despite her intent to eat nothing but cheese sandwiches Phia is currently having the time of her life.. She is enjoying her swimming lessons with such gusto. Goggles have been bought and she already got her face in the water as shes moved along. And all with a huge smile. Due the departure of Ana (her best friend) at preschool (who’s gone to Bulgaria for a month) shes taken up a new friendship with Alexia. She's spent so long in the company of Natalie and Hannah I think she believes shes their sister.

Her drawing, which has always been good, is now out of this world. She drew a picture of herself playing on the computer, which was the standard of someone way above her years. She may be missing the links of phonetical reading (which school better sort out this year or I shall become a thorn in their side!) but she can easily read basic books and can even read words like 'rainbow' and 'beautiful' from sight.

I think mum said it best when she commented that out of all of us Sophia has definitely has the most successful year. And to say she was the one I was most worried about. It goes to show all worrying is fruitless. I should learn from this!

So, the next step of course is Kindergarten. As much as I want it to happen I'm now feeling slightly anxious. It will be a huge change for all of us. As she got into the school we picked (hurray!), I should think that the biggest change is going to have to be getting up and being somewhere for 7.50 (school starts at 8!!). And of course, the changes in friends and new and difficult social situations. And of course, on top of this, actually being bloody 'taught something'! I have heard so many negative viewpoints 'It's rubbish, no resources, teachers don't care' to 'its far to easy, my child is bored' to ' its far to hard, this standard of work used to be Grade1' I really don't know what to think. I suppose only time will tell.

But anyway, shes ready to go. With school uniform in her cupboard sent all the way from England (thanks Lizzie) shes going to look the part. A playdate in the park for all the new kindergarteners is already arranged for next Wednesday so here we go.

All that remains is to say bye to preschool. She has a fantastic year there and I can't thank them enough for helping to bring her out of her shell. She's going to miss it a lot. After all the altercations regarding T I've managed to sell his time for the summer so they now have a very long summer break.. This will include the 3 week trip home to England and then visits from Granny, Grandma and Grandpa and Grandad and Andrea so is not going to be quiet!

So farewell Teacher Joyce, Ian (who makes her laugh), Jessica (who's very pretty). Kymn and Maria. And for T's room Teacher Jan (who's English – we love her!), Josette and Fere. Its been a pleasure.