Back to School And the Last Year

I really meant to do a post about the end of the school year for both boys, but the summer holidays started and balancing those, having fun, making memories and well work… it all got away from me. So here we have the back to school post already. With Tyler going into Primary 4, good grief how did that happen. And Lucas going into Primary 6. Wow!!

And can you believe it, the sun was shinning. Typical. Honestly, the entire summer holidays of seven weeks, we’ve had 4 days like today, if that. But, it was a nice start to go in the sunshine. The boys are all kitted out, no jumpers or jackets as it’s as tropical as it gets in Scotland today, and you can see they are growing up with their choices of school wear, haircuts and bags. Very different from their first day of school for Lucas and Tyler.

Tyler had a great learning year last year, he came on leaps and bound with both reading and maths. He is certainly ready to move out of the infant section and into the bigger school. He is reading confidently on his own and it showed in the summer reading challenge. He read 9 books in total over the summer on his own. The library is a great resource for kids and the reading challenge is a great one for reluctant readers. I am one proud mama. I’m a huge book worm and couldn’t ever imagine life without books. They are my relaxation tool and escapism. I am a fiction and fantasy reader. This is what I love, but read a variety. I have loved nothing more than reading Harry Potter with the boys over the last year, this has been a huge parenting highlight for me. I will blog about this separately. Both boys with their summer reading challenge medals. I love to encourage them to read and hope they keep it with them always.

Lucas had a few ups and downs this year. He joined the school football team and got picked, which he was delighted in, but it hasn’t went as smoothly as we hoped. He’s started to play the trumpet and loved it. He’s actually pretty good, I sound surprised. And to be honest, I am. The trumpet isn’t the easiest or nicest sounding when learning, but he’s stuck to it and really enjoyed it. I am so proud of this. I didn’t grow up with a huge interest in music. I learned to play the clarsach harp as an adult and ever since I’ve loved it.

Lucas is a maths whizz, it comes naturally to him, which had huge advantages, but when it comes to showing your working, can prove to be a little difficult when you just KNOW the answer. His reading it coming along well too and he’s enjoying reading a variety of books. He’s loving Harry Potter the best, but mainly when I read with them so far. The biggest achievement and most memorable was that Lucas received a Headteacher award at prize giving, he won the Excellence in Achievement award for all his after school and during school clubs. His headteacher commended him on his commitment to the clubs, his technical skills for musical theatre sound and lighting and that he is an all round team player. He loves giving any sport or club a go, he’s not a thrill seeker in fact his hates them, but when it comes to sports, theatre, drawing, anything like that, he will be there 100%. What more can I ask? I am incredibly proud. And what a great medal it was.

Both boys have lovely and great friends, two being their twin cousins, and Tyler has a very close knit group. They play with each other’s friends which is great, both in and out of school. They are very close and that helps. Sometimes you have to take Tyler down a little and remind him he is not the same age as Lucas and his friends however. He is my street wise and full of common sense, but shy when he’s not comfortable. Don’t let his cheeky chappy image full you. Lucas on the other hand is quiet, but would play a game of football with anyone. He has very little inhibitions and doesn’t lack confidence. But, not quite as clued on as his little brother. I hope they will enhance each other’s strength’s and weaknesses and be as close as they are now for a long time to come.

Yes the sun was shinning and we are used to not seeing the bright yellow ball in the sky, but I love this picture. I think it sums up their personalities even if it’s not a great picture. It makes me smile. Both boys had a great day, they were looking forward to going back to see their friends. They like their teachers and got no homework, so that was a win for them.

When do your kids go back to school? How are you feeling about it?