Putting on the plaid

Aurora started school this past week. I would like to say that it has been a smooth transition but it has been a tough week of emotions. Starting school isn't easy - especially in the middle of the school year. Aurora looked all Australian perfect on the outside with her new crisp uniform, shiny black shoes and nicely plaited hair but inside she was a ball of nervous insecurity and repressed waterworks. We shamelessly bribed her not to cry as we figured it doesn't make it easier to make friends when you are sobbing. Plus, it can't hurt to have chocolate cake on Friday evening. Thankfully, Aurora was given a buddy at school who turns out to be the sweetest child ever. She seems to genuinely enjoy both her role and Aurora and the two girls are really into each other's friendship. She meets Aurora in the mornings and grabs hold of her hand, she regales Aurora with tales of how long she cried when starting Kindergarten, she smiles brightly when Aurora gets teary eyed. I hope the two stay friends because this is a gem of a child. By the end of the week it seemed easier for Aurora to leave me in the mornings and she was no longer running out of the building at the end of the day in tears. Friday was even a 'fun' day. I know it will just get easier and easier but transitions are exhausting. 

 

I have tried to stay cheery and positive but really I have missed Aurora's company. The week left an unspoken reverberating question of "Are we doing the right thing?" We really liked our homeschooling set-up. I always thought I would go stir crazy homeschooling but it was really the opposite where the lack of schedule and the endless quest for learning and knowledge were great fun. I will have to refocus my homeschooling energies on Sophia. She is not as keen on science experiments but really likes math on the computer.  

 

I wish my clothes were this nice

A happy bunch

Even flopsy looks sad here

Trying to stay angry