Fabulous and Five

Five years ago God deemed it good in His kind will to allow us to meet our darling girl. It is an overwhelming blessing to have children and to be given the responsibility to care for, raise, love, bless, provide and teach our little ones is unspeakable joy. Being a mother is without a doubt one of the absolute greatest things to ever happen to me. I seem to be in a constant state of changing emotions and whether it be joy, fear, frustration or exhaustion I am aware that having children is a great responsibility. I am so thankful that God is faithful to His word and their salvation and wellbeing is in His safe and perfect hands.

It amazes me that despite my feelings of absolute ineptitude my daughter is one of the most amazing little girls who ever lived. Yes, that is a total exaggeration, but this is my blog, so bear with me. [confession: I had to google if that was BEAR or BARE . . .it's bear]

She is compassionate, a faithful friend, funny, beautiful, clever, athletic, musical and most delightfully to us she is growing in her understanding of God.

Clearly I could continue, but I shan't.

I was allowed to stay for the morning in her class, which delighted me no end. It was comforting to watch the teacher interacting with her class and I was happy to see she has them in ship-shape order.

The classroom has a birthday chair. I haven't seen her cross her legs before - Lyle and I laughed at this photo.

I was desperate NOT to have a party and she of course was desperate to have one. Despite the wretched heat wave we have been experiencing the compromise resulted in bought cupcakes [read: extensive mother-guilt] and play in a nearby park after school.

Our dear friend Maddie is at a different school but thankfully still in the vicinity so she was able to join us.

All the little friendies who were able to celebrate with us.

[These photos (possibly due to heat stress on my part) are blurry but some the only ones I have from Emma's 5th birthday - I'm seriously considering changing her birth date to March.]

A big cheer for the birthday girl.

I'm loving this age. Five years is so very short and I am overwhelmed (but so very thankful) at the influence I have on her life. In those moments I can't only trust in God's word that He has all things planned for His glory - even my being a mum to this sweetheart.

Ladies and Gentlemen . . . .

We have a school student in our house!!

The little miss is now in grade "Prep"!

Today marks the end of her first full week. By Wednesday she was exhausted, not wanting to go because she was too tired. Thankfully her teacher is more than happy for them to sleep in on the days they do and arrive a little bit late. It's such a huge transition. She did Kindy 5 days/fortnight and now it's 5 days/week with only a very short rest time.

Apparently all the kids were sad that rest time was so short and they all looked forward to it very much.

 We have an abundance of green and yellow ribbons care of Granny and Grandpa's fabric shop.

 This is her locker. Cap, water bottle and 'munch and crunch' on top, rest time pillow and sheet next, her MASSIVE school bag and then shoes in the bottom. It's lovely to see the practical organisation that goes into it. It really is like Kindy for big kids. 

Already she's told me about which letters in the alphabet they're concentrating on at the moment, her music class, library time and of course her new friend. Her name is Hannah and I was glad to meet her mum the other day.

I'm feeling pretty distressed about the whole thing. I hate that other people can influence her for 6 hours each day. I don't think that feeling will ever go away. I'm glad that she is in an excellent school and adjusting very well to being there. I'm sure the Easter holidays will be a well needed break for us. I'm emotionally exhausted, Emma's physically exhausted and William is oh so lonely. When we walk away from her class each day he states "I miss Emma". They really are best friends and I'm sad for them that they have so much time apart now. sigh. I can be thankful that God is in control of her life and will direct her steps all her days.