Our baby's going to big school ! ! !

Today was Lily's first day at big school - The first of 6 Kindergarten Transition days. What an exciting and emotional time (for the Mums). Lily was up at dawn in anticipation.

How cute are the shirts that the school has had printed for next year's Kindys!!!

Our baby's going to big school !

The morning of the big day

Mummy and Lily on the step, ready to go to big school

A last cuddle on the step with my babe, before we head off to our first Transition at big school.

Lily, being an industrious, little beaver!

Lil was keen to sit down and get started on her Teddy Bear hat. A studious, little character, just like her mother!

Lily, finished her work and waiting patiently

We were so proud to watch Lily make her Teddy Bear hat all by herself. Our baby had coloured it in, written her own name on it 'Lily P' (always with a love heart beside), cut it out by herself on the dotted lines and even stapled the head band on. She sat quietly whilst the other little poppets around her finished.

When the teacher read a story to the children, Lily sat cross legged up the front and listened, showing beautiful manners. I am so pleased now that we took the hard road of following through on consequences, insisting on politeness, good manners and kindness.

It's too easy to give in as parents. We witnessed some rude behaviour from some of the other kids today. Many kids spoke over the top of the teacher, pushed in and displayed a lack of manners. We were disappointed that their parents didn't intervene, as clearly the teacher kept saying the same names over and over again. Unfortunately in life, the squeaky wheel gets the most oil.

I am so pleased that I have said "no" a trillion times to Lily, to reiterate right from wrong. Today, it all paid off. On her first day at big school, Lily called upon everything we have ever taught her.

We are so proud of you baby !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Teddy Bears Picnic at Big School

At the end of the day all the kids went on a treasure hunt and relaxed with their picnic.

Writing beside the scent of sweet peas...

I really rate the concept of 'giving a service'. Obviously I also enjoy being the recipient of a service too!

My sister Trudy has looked after Lily for me, when Lily has been sick, with a roaring temp, when I had an extremely important event on at work that I could not get out of. She has taken a sick day, made the drive from Sydney and administered panadol every 4-6 hours, recording each dosage in 24-hour time with the precision of the intensive care nurse that she is.

When I come home from work, I get an official, medical 'hand over' that falls just short of her asking me to sign, indicating that I have understood the state of the patient, before I take over my shift.

My friend Lynelle rang me today and told me to 'save the date' for the 25th of September, as her husband is cooking a 3 course meal for her and 4 of her closest friends for her birthday. Lynelle asked her husband for this service, as a gift.

My artist friend, Caroline, provides a service to her community. She teaches art at her son's pre-school each week. I am told that every youngster in the centre knows who Andy Warhol is as a result of this and the little, characters have created Pop Art inspired portraits of themselves to prove that they are familiar with this genre.

As I watch Paul wash every pair of dirty clothing in our household each week, I love the man more and more and more...

I love that before I went to bed last night I said to Paul (the early bird), "after your surf in the morning can you pick up a tub of wax (as in hair removal wax) from the supermarket when you pick up the morning papers?" Bless this man, he buys the bread, the ingredients for our nightly meal etc... all before I have even got out of bed.

My point is this - this morning I awoke to my breakfast, the papers and a tub of wax. Give me the luxury of a service over an expensive, dust collecting gift any day.

We all procure far too much 'stuff'. In a time poor society, giving time to others is precious.

Incidentally:

"Australians, per capita, are the biggest producers of waste in the world, averaging 2.25 kilograms a person every day". planetark.org

Play this clip and spare some love for missing little girl, Kiesha

I feel so saddened by the disappearance of Kiesha, the 6 year old who was admitted to hospital with an infected, adult bite mark on her face, prior to her now lengthy disappearance. To hear through the media that she had spent her time playing idly in the neighbourhood, with stray cats, was evidence of her sorrow.

Who was protecting and loving this innocent, little girl? Hearing of this dear, little angel who had no voice and became invisible makes me want to right the wrongs of this world. Should I become a foster parent? Or do I just continue to love my own daughter and be kind, loving and aware of injustice and neglect amongst the children that I teach, being vigilant about reporting abuse? Is this enough? What can we do? What can I do to make a difference?

I hear the politicians arguing over nonsense as they prepare for election - I see no reform or genuine improvement dedicated to the lives of Kiesha and the other, lost little girls and boys suffering in silence.

Justice can never be served for the loss of this young life.

Kasey Chamber's song 'Am I Not Pretty Enough?', reminded me of Kiesha, when I heard of her disappearance on the radio. This clip I found on YouTube.

God bless her beautiful soul.