Money changes everything

With the start of a new year came the start of an addition to Henry and Milly's routine.  Housework.  Yes, housework.  We thought it was about time they started helping out around the house.  They are certainly old enough to do some basic chores and there is no better incentive than the promise of pocket money.

They both have five jobs to complete each day and once completed they can give themselves a star.  They decide whether or not they want to do the job and understand they don't get a star if they don't do the work.  They must get a minimum of 20 stars to get any pocket money but get an increased amount if they get 30 or more stars.

We've had the system in play for just over a month and it seems to be working out well.  Milly barely scrapes in with enough stars to get pocket money, but Henry is trying his best and is enjoying getting some coins to add to his money box.  It seems to be setting a great example for Buster too, as he sometimes wants to be in on the jobs as well.  As for Michael and me, we are very grateful for the extra help we are now getting with some of the menial jobs around the house.

Back to school

 

The kids are well and truly back in a school routine.  Miss Milly has taken to school life like she takes to everthing - determined and focused.  I've had to laugh each afternoon when I wait under the school's infants shade shelter for her teacher to bring the class out at home time.  Everyday she is first in line.  Everyday.  When I visited her classroom to see where she sits.  She is at the very front table.  She loves doing her homework and wants to be the best at everything.  I love her ambition but would also love if she could be a little more gracious about it.  She is already telling Henry that she can read better than him, that she has more best friends than him, whatever she can to be better than him.  If only she realised Henry couldn't care less.

 

But it was during last week that we also had a proud parent moment.  We had finished dinner where we each take turns talking about our days.  Henry had said nothing much had happened at school for him that day, except he had enjoyed playing handball.  It was when he was getting out of the bath that night that he asked me "what's a role model?".  We talked about people we looked up to and people who set good examples for others.  I then asked him why he asked the question.  Turns out his teacher and told him he was a good role model but didn't know what it meant.  We were so pleased for Henry and hope somewhere inside him it boosted his confidence. 

So by the end of last week Henry he was awarded a Merit Card for good manners and good behaviours, and Milly received her first ever Merit Card for good work.

As for Buster Boo, he is having a ball at preschool and now proudly displays his artworks on his bedroom wall.

And then it was Saturday.  After a full week of not seeing much of each other, the three little Hobsons played happily together creating Lego worlds all around the house.  We didn't hear a peep out of them for four hours.  No tantrums from Milly, no "can I play wii now" from Henry, and Boo Boy wasn't excluded. 

It was wonderful.  It was peaceful.  If only it could stay this way forever.

What's for lunch Buster?

I'll have a gun sandwich thanks Mum!

 

Milly's first day

The night before Milly's first day at school I was tucking her in bed and she said "Mummy, I'm a little bit scared."  I told her it was ok and natural to be scared about starting school for the first time.  She looked up at me and smiled, then sweetly said "What outfit do you think I should wear?".  Um, that would be your school uniform Milly!

She woke up the next morning ready and accepting.  She had a bigger breakfast than usual, got dressed without fuss, let me brush her hair, she even wanted a ponytail.  She packed her bag and was ready to go.  It all seemed so normal and routine, like it was her 100th day getting ready for school and not her first.

When it came time to take her to her classroom she seemed a little excited.  I think she just wanted to get on with it.  She hung her bag on a hook outside the classroom, then it was a quick handover to her teacher and we walked out.  No tears from her and certainly no tears from us.  She has a good number of friends from her preschool who have started at school with her, and is lucky to have her best friend in her class. 

 

 

So how did her first day at school go?  We think it went ok.  She won't really tell us much and seemed to reveal more to family who called to speak to her at the end of the day.  We are pleased to report she is keen to go back to school tomorrow and extra excited because she gets to go to the library and borrow some books.

The start of something big

Milly starts school on Monday.  It feels like we have been waiting for this moment forever.  Henry started back at school on Wednesday and Buster started preschool on Thursday.  This meant me and Milly had two days of just the two of us.  So we decided we would make one of the days "our special day".  A special day of going shopping and looking for things for her room (I'll be repainting and doing her room up in the coming months) and going out for lunch.

 

We had a nice little morning.  We had morning tea at a cupcake shop where she could peer through a window and watch them make and decorate the cupcakes.  We strolled holding hands through the shops where she started compiling a list of all the things she wants for her birthday, we had lunch and chatted away about all our favourite things and the year to come.  I think she felt pretty special and important, and it was really nice to have just the two of us. 

 

 

It was nice up until the point where we were looking at light fittings for her room.  I haven't completely formulated the design of her new room but I did have the idea of doing away with a table lamp and instead having some little paper lanterns strung up.  We were in a shop that sells lots of designs and she liked two different ones.  I said we could buy one but she would need to choose which of the two she preferred.  But no, she wanted both.  So she stood there with arms folded, bottom lip out and a scowl on her face.  I mean, I was happy to buy one.  I liked both of the designs she picked out but we couldn't have both.  She was still going to get one, she just needed to pick.  But still no.  So she declared that if she couldn't have both she didn't want any.  And so we left empty handed.

Her defiant behaviour continues to baffle and torture us.  This is what her teachers said in her end of year preschool report:

Milly has had a very busy year in the Green Room.  She has extended her friendships and moves between all social groups with ease.  Milly's caring nature and sense of fairness during play makes her a popular companion with her peers.  She is a natural leader who negotiates with friends during cooperative games.  This enables her to move the game in many different directions.

Milly explores all aspects of the program, enjoying science and challenging activities.  She will often be seen in deep conversation at the table as she lends a hand to solve some of the trickier puzzles.

Milly thrives on teacher directed activities.  She follows instructions and completes tasks with little fuss.  Milly extends activities where needed independently by adding her own individual flair.

She is beginning to use phonics, recognise letters and copy words.  Milly has an interest in numeracy and has an understanding of basic maths concepts.

We wish Milly success in her future educational experiences.

Michael and I can only hope that school settles her down and we wish her well for her first year at school.  We also wish her Kindergarten teacher all the luck in the world and that her behaviours at preschool repeat through to school, and not the continuation of what we experience at home.