Charlotte’s ‘Happy Holidays’ gift at the end of the school year.

Last Friday, home from school with a nasty cough and feeling under the weather, Charlotte sat for ages making these beautiful little gifts for all her class mates…

She couldn’t wait to share them out.  Her school breaks up for the long summer holidays on Friday; but today she walked up to school with a basket of these gorgeous treats.

She’s done so well this school year.  It’s been a tough year, with three different teachers.  She has worked so hard, as the youngest in her class, on her maths, writing and reading. It was really lovely to read that she’d always put in a tremendous amount of effort in every task she did and performed above level in 15 out of 28 of her learning areas, doing particularly well in maths and reading, visual arts and drama, and also expressing her thoughts and ideas well in writing. She was outstanding in physical education for participating and playing fair, and at level in all other areas.

Way to go Charlotte!

We’re so proud of you and, mostly importantly, happy that you seem to be positive about next year and the class you’ll be in.  There have been some tough times this year, with peer issues and bullying, as well as the changes in teachers. But the tough times are all part and parcel of life’s rich tapestry and a learning experience of equal importance to academics. We’ve considered home schooling once or twice, but now that the year has come to a close and the year ahead looks promising, we all feel a lot happier. Plus it will be nice to have Sophie join you at the same school in the New Year.

We’re also so proud of how far you’ve come in dancing and swimming this year and how you’ve really taken to drama.  As your teacher said, ‘It’s a pity the Milky Bars weren’t on you.  Better luck for next year.’

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And thank you Charlotte, from your ever loving Mummy, for this beautiful letter than I found in your school bag, amongst all your text books that are making their way home after a year of great effort and learning…

‘Dear Mummy,

How are you?

You are so amazing because you look after 3 children at once.

I love you so much because you take us on fun walks with lots of yummy food.

When I’m older I’d like to be just like you.

You’re so awesome because you let us stay up late on special occasions and have so much fun.

I think you’re the best Mummy ever.

Love from Charlotte. xxxx’

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You are such a caring, lovely natured daughter. Your quiet confidence and naturally inquisitive nature will take you far in life. We are so thankful to be blessed with you in our lives. As we keep telling you – we have no book to tell us how to parent and you are our first born, so we often make mistakes, but thankfully you are very forgiving 🙂

Remember the other night when Alice was banging her head against the wall with curiosity, looking at us in amazement at the sound she was making and the sensation she was feeling? We laughed and said, ‘That’s an odd thing to do!’. Do you remember how I said that you used to do the same thing? But I didn’t just laugh at the time – I also spent hours reading books and ‘Googling’ for answers on the Internet in fear that something was seriously wrong with you!

Well, I’m sorry for over-worrying and being over-anxious at times. Mummy’s are allowed to do that – even though it can be very annoying for you at times – I know, I was the first born too 😉 x

Daddy and I will tell you this over and over again in the years to come, ‘It’s only because… we love you x’

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School Photo 2010, with your two, new, pearly white, adult teeth!