My First School Shoes

When did buying shoes become such an emotional event?

Yesterday we went to buy Jo San's first pair of School Shoes! At first the store looked packed with children (mainly girls) all waiting, surprisingly patiently, to have their feet measured. We joined the queue expecting a long wait but suddenly a group of 'trained fitters' arrived and took charge of the mums and their children, and soon Jo San was having her feet measured and choosing her shoes.

Her first choice was not available as her feet were too small for that range, but the fitter (Matthew) did a great job offering alternatives and made this the easiest shoe buying experience for Jo San. Oh the battles we had in her earlier years!

Looking at Jo San's face when she put on the shoes she looked so proud and grown up, I had to fight the tears welling up. Not a good look... blubbering mum in a shoe shop!

Wearing her 'Super Star' sticker proudly Jo San showed off her shoes to her friend outside the store...... Even at this age, boys just don't understand the love we girls have for shoes, particularly when its your first school shoes!

"No Pencil Case Required"

20 Days to Jo San's first day at school, and I'm very disappointed to learn that she takes an empty book bag to school.

I was looking forward to letting her choose a new pencil case and all its contents. I remember dearly those days when we would get a new pencil case and proudly show it off in class on the first day back at school. Maybe that's a ritual to be started when she is a little older.

Anyone remember those pencil boxes from Hong Kong with the hidden compartment, in-built sharpeners and an eraser holder that presented itself at a push of a button?

Snooze you lose!

This morning I woke up with the mission to load up the recycling bin with all the cardboard boxes festering around the house before Jo San rises. I should add these boxes are part of my daughter's growing collection of very important things!!

Piled up high by the front door, I thought 'd enjoy a quick cup of tea before I made the trip out to the bins.

Hmmm well this is the result! A marble run I'm reliably told by my four year old!

The moral of the story, make a dash to the bins when you can. Do not procrastinate!

Countdown to school

Last Friday Jo San said goodbye to her pre-school for the last time. Marking the start of her journey to 'big school'.

But there's actually 57 days to go before she starts for real. So who's counting?

Jo San thought bye bye to pre-school meant starting in reception class on Monday but alas there's over 8 weeks of summer holiday fun to be had.

We are only on day 2 and already I'm feeling the pressure of planning meaningful things to do with our time....

But maybe I should just let Jo San take the lead, her gang of toys look like they are enjoying themselves at the theatre today.   

Life is a PIN

Our lives are dictated by numbers. Even my daughter has put a door code on her bedroom door!!

I need a wee

Why do men hate asking for directions? Just saw a man dragging his son around a department store. The little boy obviously needed a wee but the dad continued to drag him around looking desperately for a loo. Why didn't he just ask the staff? There were plenty of them standing around.

Poor boy. Hope he held on!

Talking about asking and toilets, last week at the school meeting we were reminded that all children should be able to go to the toilet by themselves. Whilst Jo San is fine going to the loo by herself I just hope she will be confident to ask when she needs to go and remembers to actually go when engrossed in her activities.


Another reason why her PE Kit lives at school... back up clothes for days when accidents happen.

Happy Meals

Hong Kong's obsession with Hello Kitty has reached new heights it seems. Now there is even a Hello Kitty Dim Sum restaurant.

Like many young girls my daughter is fascinated with places that are branded with Princesses, cartoon characters etc. Will this place encourage her to try more foods? 

On a recent trip to a local dim sum restaurant she ate three Lotus Paste buns and little else. (She calls these buns 公公飽飽(grandad buns) because the first time she ate them she was at grandad's house.)

I wouldn't call my daughter a fussy eater but she is definitely a grazer. She snacks all day long, mainly on fruit I should add, and then just picks at her main meals. I wonder what will happen come September when she begins school lunches. 

At four years old she is expected to use a knife and fork, sit still and eat a roast dinner. I have witnessed this only a couple of times at home, although the nursery she once attended assured me she was quite capable of doing all that. I have my doubts but peer pressure may prevail.

So, shall I go for the packed lunch or the free school dinners? I do not envy the school having to serve 300 meals in one hour. I would prefer the school dinners as she would get something 'hot' but how do I know if she has eaten anything? So do I go for the packed lunch? What do I put in it? Sandwiches are a miss most days .... So many things to think about.

As September approaches the more emotional I get thinking about my little girl walking through those school gates in her new uniform and starting a whole new life. Watch this space to see who cries first.