Monday, August 24, 2009

Time for firsts

So we waved the Little Dude off on his first school camp this week.

He was awake, dressed and ready to go bright and early, after a weekend spent packing, unpacking, and packing again. There were clothes to name, and lollies (for sharing, after dark) to buy.

I had to smile when H. gave C. a cuddle and said: "I'll miss you my brother", and he gruffly replied: Yes, I know, I'll miss you too."

(This was amazing, because only minutes earlier they'd been fighting with each other about something.)

Surprisingly, there were no tears, though I have felt as if my right arm is missing since C. left.

And so far, I've resisted the urge to phone up and see how he's going!

It's been a time of firsts for C. lately. Last week, he did his first proper speech at school, complete with queue cards. And later in the week, he got the highest mark in his class for an art project.

The kids were asked to create something iconically Kiwi. While other children depicted jandals or tikis, my thoughtful little man created an image of Rangitoto Island, an extinct volcano which dominates much of Auckland's fabulous scenery. And in the foreground, he's made a Pohutakawa flower - known as the Kiwi Christmas tree becomes it always blossoms in December.

He's come a long way since his early struggle with school back in Australia, and I'm pleased to see him enjoying school so much.

I was proud of him I had to give him a big cuddle, which embarrassed him no end.

Oh well - isn't that what Mums are for?





All set - trying to look casual



















What?









Hugging goodbye!










Rangitoto Island, by C.

7 comments:

LINDA the SCRAP_ADDICT said...

woo hoo go C......!! Hope you enjoyed your camp. And I love your art you have created, that looks beautiful

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

Aww how darling are they! And I love the little interaction between them after their fight. So sweet! And yes I think Mum's hugs are meant to embarrass them but I think they secretly love them.

Jo Lene said...

That's such a great picture from C! Did you mean Rangitoto island, however? I think Raratonga is an island in the Pacific. =)

MrsDesperate said...

Thanks for the lovely comments. And yes Jolene, I did mean Rangitoto! Can you tell I really want to visit Raratonga while we are living so close? Obviously a Freudian slip.

Cynthia said...

Awwww...first time at camp is a big deal! Such a cute pic of the hug goodbye:)

CarlaDelevx said...

ah my Miss 8 is going on her first camp next week too!

Unknown said...

Wow - what a lot of firsts for C indeed! Love his cool new haircut! And can't wait to hear more about camp...wish I'd gone to something similar when I was a child then maybe I wouldn't have turned out such a 'city wimp'!! :-)

Hsin-Yi
ps. I noticed the Raratonga/Rangitoto slip too and was laughing my head off! :-)

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