CURLY AND CANDID

Dear Nicki

Well done. You have finally pulled your head out of the dark place it’s been residing in and realised that something has to give. You can’t be everything and do everything and still expect to retain your marbles. I’m glad you’ve realised that you need to have a reshuffle of priorities and actually remember to include yourself in there. Work is going fantastic (go you!) and that’s brilliant, the kids and thriving (pat, pat), and you have reclaimed your weekends (very good move). All is looking good and you’ve become much less twitchy. A definite improvement!

It’s amazing how much better you can feel when you cut loose some of the crap isn’t it!

Keep it up girl,

Love The Much Less Pissy version of yourself.

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Dear Jay

For the above and the arse kicking – thank you.

You rock woman!

Nicki x

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Dear Kieran

I have absolutely loved having you at home this summer, it has been fantastic. I’ll miss you like crazy when you go back but you need to go and you love it so I’ll be brave.

Just make sure you save a huge hug for when I picked you up after school Monday afternoon, I’ll be ready for it!

Love you,

Mummy x

*****

Dear Taylor

FOUR teeth? Bloody hell boy, slow down with the growing up will you?! You are nine months old now and that really has moved a bit too quickly.

Love you loads but seriously, please try and stay a baby a little longer,

Mummy-in-denial x

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Dear Twitter

I’ve duplicated myself, sort of. My @nickicawood account is HUGE and full of lovely people. Being something of a social media tart I have spent quite a lot of time with you over the last few years. That account is staying firmly where it is. Unfortunately, sometimes my worky-stuff on Twitter can get a bit lost so I’ve opened a new account @ncawood purely for freelance writing / blogging and what not. Feel free to send people interested in this side over won’t you.

Thanks!

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Dear New School Shoes.

Don’t let yourself be scuffed beyong recognistion before Christmas. There is no reason why you shouldn’t last at least that long, so sort it – ok?

Her who is Mum to a Boy

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Dear Birthday

Bloody hell, don’t sneak up on me! Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday for the 18th time.

Love ,Her who is clearly crap at maths / in denial / taking the piss somewhat

I always loved the first day of term! The new uniform and shiny shoes, new very sharp pencils, a completely clean new eraser and a new pencil case with everything set out just so. A new exercise book, virgin white, completely untouched and waiting for me to make my first mark. This was half exciting, and half terrifying, what if I made a mistake on that first page? Of course who could forget the smell of a new book?

From early primary throughout my schooling, back to school was a time to look forward to, regardless of how much I enjoyed the long summer holiday and now, as a Mother with one child going back to school, I feel a similar excitement. Don’t get me wrong, I have adored having Kieran at home. It’s been a very full summer (with a few PJ days thrown in for good measure!) and best of all it has been the first summer with Kieran and Taylor together. Now though I am in need of more routine (and less nights working to the wee hours!) but also I’m excited for Kieran.

It’s his new school year, his first day in another year that will see him learn, grow, experience and enjoy. The new pencils, the ever so slightly too big uniform to grow into, the new lunchbag and coat zipped up all the way are all his now. Does he get the same kick out of school year that I did? We are a generation apart and he is a boy. Does he feel the same?

I asked Kieran today how he felt about going back to school. His words included:

“I can’t wait to see Charley and William – they are my best friends when we are on the playground“.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Miss P, but I have to call her Mrs G now because she got married when we were on holiday“.

“I’m looking forward to assembly. I like assembly and I’ll get my certificate from Mrs Y for doing my library reading challenge – cool!”

“I can’t wait to go to gardening club. I wasn’t allowed to go last year because I was only in Reception. I’m in Year 1 now so I’m much more grown up“.

He is certainly excited, perhaps for different reasons to those I had but it’s good all the same. Perhaps he doesn’t “get” the new book smell and the thrill of the empty noticeboard, ready to be filled with pictures and words, but he does love back to school all the same and that’s good enough. I’m very grateful he loves school as he does.

And me? My pinafore has long been outgrown but I’ll always love back to school, be it mine or the children’s. It’s such a magical, new and hopeful time.

What about you? Did you love or loathe the new school year? Has this changed as you’ve got older / had children yourself?

Dear So and So – 2/9/11

The love of back to school