Lottie's Last Day of Reception (Foundation Stage)

PROUD is the understated word of the year that I would use for my little Lottie!  She has truly amazed me with her ability to not only start school for the very first time, but her ability to adapt to a new country and all the things that come along with it. 

It seems like it was just yesterday I was knocking on the school's door to see if they could get her in.  As soon as our feet hit the ground in England, I knew I had exactly one month to try to get her in.  Of course with registering any child for school, there is a process and after following protocol and dealing with the counsel and waiting at their mercy to let me know whether she could get into the school of our choice, I just wasn't getting any response.  They basically said that I would have to wait until the teachers came back from their summer break (3 days before the kids would start) to let me know something.  I was freaking out to say the least!!!!  I think I did what any parent would do at that point.  I went knocking on the school's door the day I knew they would be back from their holiday.  Thankfully, everyone was so lovely and understanding.  After hearing our story, they said they would love to have her.  What a relief!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After I found out she was in, my MIL's sweet neighbor Carol drove me to collect all of Lottie's school uniform items.  I'm so grateful for her and her kindness.  My kids love her!

With just a couple of days to gather everything, we did it and off went Lottie to a new school in a new country.  After walking her to school and dropping her off that first day, I cried big, fat crocodile tears all the back to my in law's house.  I was so overcome with emotion not only because my baby was growing up, but that this was our new life.  Our new life was here in England and there was no turning back.  While exciting, it was also very frightening!  I had no idea what was in store for us! 

But here we are...................................1 year later and I couldn't be happier about our decision to move here.  We made the right decision for our family and are living a life full of wonderful adventures that we would have never experienced otherwise.

The kids are happy, the hubby is happy and I am happy! 

Here's a look back at Lottie's first day of school and her last! 

THEN......................................................

NOW..................................................................

 

 



Lottie's First Rocket!

I can NOT believe that school is almost out for summer!  After saying that, I can't believe my first born has almost wrapped up her first year of school.  She truly hit the ground running in school since we moved here between her reading, writing and math skills and making so many new friends.  I'm in awe of her most days.  I honestly couldn't be more proud of the little person she is.  I often tear up thinking how proud I am of her and how I want to protect her from everything in this world and shield her little heart and soul from any future disappointments she may face in life.  She's just such a kind spirited little girl and I love her fiercely! 

With the school year getting ready to wrap up, Lottie received her first rocket.  While I'm still a little unsure about what this whole rocket thing is about, I'm so proud of Lottie.  She was so thrilled to have received it.  Basically, I think receiving a rocket is like receiving an award.  They get acknowledged for good behavior and going the extra mile while in class.  Lottie is on team Saturn and by receiving her rocket, she helped Saturn gain 30 team points. 

Fortunately, I was able to attend the assembly and watch Lottie receive her rocket.  They started off the assembly singing How Great Thou Art which is a favorite of mine.  She smiled from ear to ear the entire time and I loved watching her with her classmates.  This kid is truly the apple of my eye.

Here are a couple of pictures I was able to snap.......................

 

 

With this kid's enthusiasm and love for school, I can't wait to continue to watch her grow and learn!  

Lottie's School Lunch Menu!

Since moving to England, I am certain Lottie has grown at least a foot (well maybe not that much), but all of her clothes she brought over are too small now!!!  I seriously think it is from all the good food she's been eating.  The reason for this post is just to show you how well these kids eat at school over here.  I've never seen anything like it!  It puts our old cafeteria menu to shame!  All I ever remember eating in elementary school was pizza, tater tots, mac & cheese, etc. 

The best part about this menu is that it is FREE!!!!  Children over here get free school lunches until they are seven.  Isn't that amazing?  It is especially amazing for all of those children out there who may not get a good quality meal at night due to whatever circumstance prevents them from doing so. 

Here's a look at Lottie's school lunch menu...............................  I want to go to her school and have lunch every day!!  When is parent's day?

The menu rotates every 4th week.  So, the menu above will be served on Week 1 and on Week 4.  The kids are given a meat option and a vegetarian option.  Lottie's picks are usually:

 

Monday - Margherita Pizza

Tuesday - Roast Pork

Wednesday - Crispy Jacket Potato

Thursday - Roasted Chicken

Friday - Pork Sausages



 Lottie's Picks:

Monday: Vegetarian Bolognaise
Tuesday: Roast Gammon (Ham)
Wednesday: Pork & Apple Burger
Thursday: Brunch Lunch
Friday: Fish Fingers

 

Lottie's Picks:

 

Monday: Pork Meatballs

Tuesday: Roast Beef

Wednesday: Not sure what she gets on those days.....

Thursday: Pizza

Friday: Fish & Chips

Lottie's First Day Of School!

I can't even fathom this day is here, much less this day is in England!  Eeeeekkkk!!!!  It's hard to believe at just four years old these kids start school out here.  Having said that, I also have full confidence that she is ready.  She has spent the better half of the last four and a half years in day care (school atmosphere).  She has been out of the school type atmosphere since July and has been itching to get back to playing with kids her own age versus her crazy, annoying, little sister. 

Here is my big girl on her first day at Whitwick St. John the Baptist School in England......................

I can't even handle all the adorableness in these photos.  The school uniform, the school bag, etc. just tugs at my heart strings.  

Granddad and Lottie

Grandma and Lottie

 

 

Standing outside Grandma and Granddad's house ready to walk to school.  Yep, you read that right.  I walk Lottie to school every morning.  Grandma and Granddad live right around the corner from school.  There is something so sweet and awesome about being able to just step out the door and walk your child to school.  I guess we aren't in Waxhaw anymore!

 

A double rainbow on the first day of school. 

 

Standing outside the door of her class ready to take on her first day.

 

 

Lottie after a great first week of school.

 

Unfortunately, the first weekend following her first week of school, Lottie became ill.  We went to a friend's house for a BBQ and to do our fantasy football draft when Lottie began complaining of tummy aches, fever, etc.  She was pitiful.  I thought at one point she was going to get physically ill.  She literally laid on their couch the entire time we were there.  The next day (Monday), I sent Lottie to school.  She begged and pleaded not to go, but since she didn't have a fever, I sent her anyways.  Over the next 4 days, it was pure misery trying to get Lottie up and out the door every morning to school.  She cried, didn't want to get out of bed, etc.  I couldn't tell if it was because she was really sick or if something was going on at school that made her not want to go.  It is so tough getting a straight answer out of kids this age.  In any event, I got a phone call from Lottie's teacher around noon on Thursday stating she had been sick over her dinner.  That was the final straw.  We finally got her into the doctor on Saturday.  Turns out, she had a urine infection and had one for over a week.  She was given an antibiotic and told that she should start feeling better over the next 48 hours.  She received a certificate of bravery above.  Unfortunately, the first antibiotic they prescribed didn't work.  After another rough day at school the following Monday, I took her back to the doctor to be checked out.  She received a different kind of antibiotic and thankfully it worked.  After all that, she started to get back to her old self.  Thank goodness.  I was really kicking myself for having not gotten her to the doctor sooner and also for making her go to school when clearly she wasn't feeling good.  I am also thankful that there wasn't anything going on at school.

 

Overall, since Lottie has gotten back to her old self again, she is practically kicking me out of the door each day to get to school.  She couldn't love it anymore if she tried which makes my heart smile.  Just watching her go into school on her own, chatting with new mates, eating new foods and experiencing a different culture with such grace makes this mama very proud!