Lillie at Kindergarten

Lillie started kindergarten this week and it was a total success.  Her first day I took her into her classroom and she cried and clung to me like a monkey but they said she eventually settled down but didn't really get involved with her other classmates.  However on her second day she ran inside when I dropped them off in the morning and blew me a kiss with a big wave and happily went to her classroom with her teachers.  Her third and fourth days were the same, she loves getting dressed for school and having her hair done and especially loves putting on her new school sneakers that have a picture of Barbie on them.  On her fifth day, Friday, I left her there for the whole day and she happily had her swim lesson, ate her lunch of carrot soup (which if I ever tried to serve it for dinner it would be met with a screaming match) and she even laid down with all the other kids and had her daytime nap.  I still cant believe that her first week went so well.  It is such a comfort to know that she is happy and well cared for and is also starting to learn.  Already she is learning her ABC song and as the Queens Birthday is next week she is learning to do the traditional Thai Wai and say Sawatdee Ka (basically hello and goodbye) as the parents are invited to attend a special Mothers Day ceremony which is also celebrated on the Queens Birthday. 

As well as being her first week at Kidner it was also her 2nd birthday on Tuesday and I supplied a special ice cream cake with candles for her class to celebrate with her.  Then in the evening we had a second cake and opened her presents with just the family at home.  We decided not to have a big party for her this year, but next year when she is old enough to understand and enjoy it more we will give her a big one.
Judd is enjoying having his sister at school as well, they don't see each other during the day as they are in separate classes but when he sees her in the afternoon at pick up time he runs down the stairs and gives her a huge hug and kiss hello.  Such a sweet boy.
I spent my time going to the gym and trying to start a new routine and bust out of some old habits.  I also got to spend 3 hours in a salon on Friday and have my hair styled and thank the Lord I finally found a hairdresser who listened to exactly what I said and gave me the exact hairstyle I wanted.  I am so grateful and it is amazing the boost it gives my self esteem just to have a decent haircut and colour.  I enjoyed my alone time this week, I enjoyed being able to do the grocery shopping without arguments and tantrums and I enjoyed sitting quietly and eating my lunch in peace without constantly getting up to put a naughty toddler back to bed for her nap.  Lillie's behaviour has changed also this week.  She is more than happy to go to bed each night as she is tired from her day at school and she isn't throwing as many tantrums as before.  I think having her in kinder a few days per week to give us all a break from each other is a very good idea.  I didn't even have the 'guilty mum' feeling after I left her, I felt light and free.  I did feel a small pang of guilt for feeling that way but I believe in the old adage " happy wife, happy life" as well as "happy mum, happy life"  it doesn't rhyme but its true.