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║today my way║

helping-children-to-start-school, my-girl, girl-ready-for-school


smiling-blonde-cherub, first-day-of-school, five-year-old
Wasn't it a great summer? How was it for you, friends? I still haven't posted a ton of photos from our holiday yet there are new ideas awaiting, deadlines approaching and school starts up for us here in over a week. As we've been counting objects and learning the alphabet, I'll leave you with a list of school essentials. Our one and only version. x    

Artist. Every artist is most pleased when given generous amounts of supplies they can work on with the skills they posses and the excitement it will produce. Not to mention a great piece of art as a result. Using scissors independently, gluing, holding a pencil... those are the skills we’ve worked on since the last diaper change.
Ballerina. We’re not giving up on those pink tutus anytime soon! In fact I have been checking lots of ballet schools in our area to compare their achievements, confirm availability and as long as there is a picture of happiness on Nadia’s face before heading to class, we sure gonna stick to swishing and pirouetting. And I’ll look forward to sharing it.
Curious plate. Between getting to know each other and trying to focus on what teachers say there will be time of a great consternation what the plates represent. Trying to find a comfortable way of encouraging this little girl to taste new things at snack times I’ll stick to what our kitchen offers with variations according to seasons and Nadia's suggestions.
Dress me pink. Not a chance at this time but we may smuggle a little hair pin or an ear stud undetectably some mornings. Technically Nadia is able to dress and undress herself but making sure it doesn’t give her unnecessary headache while doing it on her own, Velcro straps and easy to open and close snaps are a heaven sent helping children with their first steps into independence.
Energetic. It is understatement. I’ve been noticing all the special things about Nadia and the amount of energy that gets distributed (not that all evenly) throughout the day. There are new and old fascinations taking over, she insists on constant motion. More wheels, louder squealing, yes we'll continue moving forward. 

making-faces-doll, list, school-ready
First day. Before and after the big day I am sure to steal as many kisses from this girl as I can. She’ll know where to find her favourite toy and a drink, who her teachers are. We’ll even try to look out for her kindergarten friend, Edward to go through the school gate together with lunch boxes in their fists.   
Games. It’s still all fun and games at this stage and believe me I’m dealing with an expert in this matter. Such a great surprise, these days we like to frisk on the sofa, tickle each other and giggle with delight. I thought those days of carefree frolicking are far beyond us and only associated with a milk and powder smelling baby. But I will always be up for our playtimes and look forward to them daily!
Holiday. As it came and went, it will come back and go again. Half terms, holidays, weekends and evenings promise plenty to be excited about.  
Ideas. They're more like our playtimes except even more awesome. And I'm content to watch whatever Nadia likes to come up with. 
Just your name. Writing, recognizing it has Nadia pretty excited. I bet finding it all over her school uniform will get her more than happy. What wonderful moments those little nametags will share with her. 
Kindergarten friends. They know you better than any review that gets sent to a big school. They may have strong opinions and nicer toys but they are your first friends and you want to have them (or some of them) in your life. I understand.
Lessons. Those in English and in patience. In sitting still and running erratically. Lessons of self-sufficiency and when to ask for help. Mastering basic skills of blowing own nose and drying hands using less than half a paper towel dispenser.
Mornings. Not a good idea to interrupt a child savouring the last moments of her sleep. Gently rubbing her back or planting a soft kiss on her forehead does the trick and here she is running straight into the kitchen. Practicing our morning routine is more like accomplishing a little with a great amount of fun. It is crucial though to know what needs to be done and who does what in certain time. We opt for a lot of joy out of a tad stressful situation.

are-we-school-ready, mama-in-me, starting-school
Night owls. Our days are mostly full of whatever we want to do that time and sometimes, you know those days tend to be very long as we're quite laid back about going to bed times. This muffin definitely belongs to an owl family. Wish us luck as we attempt to create an evening routine. Key word: attempt.  
Old toys. We try to rotate Nadia’s toys pretty regularly, some of them have been hidden from sight for nearly a lifetime, sure this time more space will be dedicated to exercise books and sharp ended pencils. Fancy dresses will give way to school uniform but there will always be bunch of favourite plush limbs allowed. And that’s just how it should be, you know.
Pretty please. And a thank you and good bye. Being able to talk to adults and ask questions on events happens slowly for this lady. She is an observant child, a one that will wait her turn and get what she’s given. It makes me worry and it makes me appreciate my child with her unique personality. The years that have gone by were preparation for this moment, any moment that she will dig from the chest of skills and experiences without me noticing. I am hopeful and I am proud.    
Roast chicken. Or any other healthy and nutritious meal will make me feel useful again. It’s not a  secret that Damian’s cooking is our everything. Yet with more time on my hands I’m eager to show off my cooking skills, not to say that I have it all figured out but if ingredients cooperate we’re on the right path.
Stories. I have a feeling princesses are very essential in a little girl's life. So are superheros. It's rather cool living with them under one roof. 
Television. There is a lot that goes on between eating and playing and scrapping elbows. We watch cartoons and children’s movies, we laugh at those surreal concepts. Though with all those box office hits, there has been a lot of cuddling. That is good.
U and me. Joining in with activities, taking turns and sharing with peers, those are very good combinations. 
Wild numbers. No educational journey is complete without knowing your age, your best friend's age or the amount of jelly beans you can eat before breakfast. The same goes with recognizing your name, writing it in as many variations as possible and telling everyone about it in more detail they’re ready for.
Years. Of hair brushed neatly, walking hand in hand to the school gate, greeting her again and burying my face in sweet unkempt hair. 
Zzz.

girl-at-play, school-ready, list, today-my-way.com
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"YOU WILL NEVER REMEMBER THE NIGHTS THAT YOU HAD FULL NIGHT OF SLEEP"

"YOU WILL NEVER REMEMBER THE NIGHTS THAT YOU HAD FULL NIGHT OF SLEEP"


















































This face every morning and more than once before finally falling asleep, recognized from each angle and by every smile or frown is enough I could live with for eternity. Starved for a hug? There she is running frantically towards me. Does she love being around messy crazy playground? You bet! Is she in love with her cousins? Like always. So will she enjoy the transition from a smooth slide onto a steeper surface? Reception class in a primary school welcoming her curious heart, mind and pockets full of Kinder Surprise toys this September? Not that it won't happen again in the future, not that new beginnings won't occur quicker than I remember to jot them down but this thing called life seems to be in a terrible hurry making me more alert with each moment. To protect her from everything is impossible and I'll learn along the way how to let her stay confident and happy while facing the challenges that she is sure to come across in her life. The sense of stability and familiarity will mean something new yet talked about and it seems like it's me again kind of scared, kind of thrilled because I can't make up my mind. For new friendships and discoveries, hysterical moments of achieving things that were completely outside her zone for a long time like learning to write names of everyone in our family. I'm so full of soft worry because of variety of things she'll need to find solutions to on her very own. Or with a helping hand or advice from others. That puts me at ease... for now.   

Nadia wasn't offered the school we preferred as apparently it was outside our catchment area and a little too far from where we live so the search for a placement continues. Equipped with a list of recommendations and Ofsted reports I am pleased to tell you we have visited (and put Nadia's name down) a school that I don't think it's ever possible a child wouldn't like. Only a year old and schooling about 70 pupils in total (but quickly expanding) got our hearts racing with excitement for what could lie ahead within walls that tell a story just about everything. Nadia loved the vibe, colourful rooms of so many things going on at the same time however this was not a school her cousin Chase has been attending. This is why she hasn't talked much but told me later she would look forward to visiting it next time. I couldn't feel happier. Will it be the time of collecting her navy blue uniform? I refuse to think otherwise.

I haven't exhausted the topic, will I ever? Coming from here, saying a little bit there makes this journey through familiar and unknown a neverending battle of soul. I'm going to allow Nadia to grow in strength with my support, encouragement and anticipation. But there's a point to this story: you'll never remember days spent in a blissful haze nor you will remember the nights that you had full night of sleep. Instead your heart will take notes of life less organized and predictable but complete with all sizes and variations of fun, creativity, kisses upon kisses the minute you want them. x    
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ABOUT A GIRL
ABOUT A GIRL
ABOUT A GIRL



























































































































In the depths of winter everything that makes children children is playing hide and seek and my pleasure is to bring it out. Tiny flat is turning micro and even imagination won't make it the largest space on earth (although we're trying). We've stretched the walls, let a few big sighs escape and back to wake the rooms we went. It's not even trying to snow which we would love but if the weather is against us for any longer (even unintentionally) we'll have no choice but fast forward to May without further notice. Of that I'm absurdly certain. And there is kindergarten we're making our way to skipping passionately between puddles or jumping right in (always successfully!). After a long Christmas break of trying wholeheartedly not to escape the squishiest of blankets between coughing episodes but at the same time pushing days gently so that the colourful heavy on the noise atmosphere wraps us up again convinced me into trusting this place to lift up our moods no matter the weather (not really finished with it acting all bizarrely but let's move on). However on the first day Nadia found that being serious about formatting friendships, returning to favourite games and activities again and again could fail a friendly heart. Contented to see her friends, came home a little sad, a little not herself tripling the questions in my head and how to address the topic somewhere along the lines. We sat in her bedroom having an enormous mirror in front of us, her tucked in my arms not trying to make faces or anything this time. I asked how it went, who she played with and if there was a little something in her teeny tiny world she would like me to hear about. I was surprised how quickly stream of words flew out. It was just, only just a little fun because her friend thought the games were boring and they're not friends anymore and Wednesdays gained a bad name should I need to go that far. So now I needed a Barbie doll or Playmobil pool with water slide to happen, so full of possibilities, so temporarily inspiring. Instead we rocked back and forth dissolved in each other's arms as I started to whisper that it takes more than an afternoon to find what we liked in somebody and the closeness of her cousins and of course me and daddy's will find her until next delivery of a big dose of energy at school. It surprised her I could be her friend too, like it was an unbelievably crazy idea because I am a mum, I don't shout and run in the park (it happened in the past, I promise). It cheered her enormously, I wonder what images her brain created to fill her with joy at a simple thought of me doing the kid's stuff. I think I was asked about fifty times already if I was her friend and my heart hasn't been elsewhere ever since.  

And then I showed her new lemon raincoat that was delivered while she wasn't home and she wore it for the rest of the evening, just like everything she does the day it arrives. Her thing obviously. x
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A KINGDOM FOR A KISS
A KINGDOM FOR A KISS
A KINGDOM FOR A KISS



































































As a mum who stays home with Nadia for most of the week, I have to admit I’m pretty excited about school time. Next September she will start attending primary school so today is all about making small adjustments to our routine for when stopped in my tracks I'll hardly know what to do with all mornings to myself. I mean creating chemistry with time can be relatively easy but the hard part will unarguably be doing it all alone, differently, certain things will definitely not stay the same at all. I do fear walking in straight lines, picking things from store shelves and being done instead of weaving and wandering, being distracted to stare, look up or down, to stop. Or maybe I will continue the way we do it now, after all we've done it for so long. But yes, it feels nice to know it's her turn to make her space as positive and fabulous as she can no matter how many times I'll think of picking up the phone and ask how she's doing. Overwhelming to say the least.  

I have applied for a school place for Nadia this week and hope for the one her cousin Chase attends. Two peas in a pod. Eight months age gap but never seen anyone so happy doing nothing really productive while holding hands, singing songs or demanding more sugar. Taking their friendship to another level I'd love to watch from afar, encouraging, dissolved in laughs and first secrets. They learn their future roles with excitement, mastering the body language not knowing the overload of incentives has already taken over. Hope they won't grow out of needing each other and I'm happy to spy it as they go by. x
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I'm Eli, an optimist in training collecting an awful lot of ballet pumps and spending too much time admiring the sea. You'll find me writing about the joys of parenting, fashion, simple pleasures that all together create a beautiful life. xx

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