Wednesday 24 July 2013

Shine Esther Shine

Dear Esther,

Tomorrow is your last day of Reception. A whole school year has passed since I wrote the blog hoping your teacher would see your shining light and nurture it. And I'm pleased to say the staff at Whittle have helped you shine that light and let it blaze. You have done so well. You loved school from the first day, and I don't think we've ever had a battle to get you there in a morning. Your teachers and support staff have been fabulous, and a meeting with an RE inspector recently where lots of parents talked about why they love the school really affirmed that we had made the right choice for you.

Your recent school report speaks highly of you. You're still very adult centered and would sit talking with the staff all day if you could, but you play happily with the other children and have even recently told me that Zack is your boyfriend! Your reading and writing have come on in leaps and bounds, and looking at your school work just shows that progress.

Today was 'Reception Graduation'. All of your classmates had decided what they were good at and told the parents, including demonstrations. You decided you had made massive progress in singing. For which you and another little girl stood in the middle of the stage and sang 'Shine Jesus Shine'. The adults and school choir sang the verses and then two little voices filled the hall with the sound of the chorus. Amazing. You then all shared your favourite memory of the year accompanied by photos. Yours was, "Mummy coming in to talk about teddy bears" which is lovely!

They ended the assembly by trying to make all the parents cry by playing the song 'Let Them Be Little' by Billy Dean. The lyrics are lovely, and as my last few blog posts have all contained poems or lyrics, I thought I'd continue. This one reminds me that, despite all the progress you continue to make and the teenage attitude we often see(!), you're still just little. My little girl.


Let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little



What a fabulous year. We are very proud parents. And your love for your beautiful wee sister still shines through. In fact, one comment on the report said something about you often being found writing cards to Phoebe.

So, as I said to you when we read your report, all you need to do is keep trying just as hard. And I know you will.
Your very very proud,
Mummy x

Friday 15 March 2013

Don't grow up too soon

Dear girls,

It's been a long time since I blogged. I'm sorry. I kept thinking I should, but life is so busy. I thought about it after your Christmas performances when you were a fabulous Angel and a cheerleader(!); at Christmas when you were so delighted and grateful for your many many gifts; the many days when you have made me smile. I thought about it, but never did it.

Recently Phoebe has been loving Pooh's Heffalump Movie and in it Kanga puts Roo to bed and sings him a song. It makes me cry. The lyrics say :
Little Mister Roo
Reaching for the moon
So many things you've got to do
And no time for dreaming

Little Mister Roo
Let the stars shine over you
Don't grow up too fast too soon
Save some time for dreaming
Settle in, settle down
Let me see that sleepy yawn on your face
Close your eyes
I will love you completely
And always

Little Mister Roo
The moon shines silver over you
No one knows you like I do
And little Mister Roo
Reaching for the moon
Don't grow up too fast
Too soon


It just makes me think. E is 5 1/2 and growing up so fast. You're beautiful, tall, blonde and leggy. A mum's nightmare! You're doing really well at school, loving reading and maths, with lots of friends (especially your Year 5 buddy!) and such a  happy disposition. P is almost 3. Almost 3?! How is that possible?! It doesn't seem very long since you were a tiny tiny baby. You're loving nursery, learning all the time. A chatterbox like your sister and so very grateful for everything. When you get dressed in a morning, you ask who bought your clothes and then want to go and thank them for buying them!

Time flies when you have children, and I want to grab every moment and remember it. I wish I didn't have to work and could spend more moments with you, but I'm on a mission to make the most of the times we have. The cuddles, the love, the smiles. You're amazing!

So little Miss Tessie and Miss Phoebe, reaching for the moon.
Don't grow up too fast,
Too soon.

xxx