A week of goodbyes

Doots has had a busy week. Finishing preschool and saying goodbye to her classmates and teachers. Saying goodbye to the twice-weekly routine (not that she loved it!).

 We said goodbye to some lovely neighbours, which for Doots, meant farewelling a good friend. I don't think she really understands that she won't be around anymore.

We made these birds for her classmates and teachers. I traced a template on some cardstock and Doots coloured them with her oil pastels (I think she used all 48 colours!). We cut them out, punched holes and made a loop with red and white twine so they can be hung on a tree. We had ambitions of Doots writing on the back of each one but we were up against the clock so I did the writing.

 I love this spotty one the best, it went to her teacher, but really I think they were all so lovely and each one was completely unique.

I found saying goodbye to the teachers so difficult. I get ridiculously emotional at the drop of a hat, so I suppose it's no surprise that I was literally choking back tears as I wished one of her teachers good luck for the impending birth of her child, and as we walked away the tears were streaming down my face. I don't admire that trait in myself. I'd much rather be cool and collected and in control - because sometimes it's like trying to hold back a wave - impossible and utterly exhausting.

 Yesterday, completely out of the blue, Doots told me that she'd like to write to Santa. She must have picked this up at preschool because it's not something I've suggested. Anyway, she first drew her objects of desire, and wrote her name. She then asked me how to write 'Dear Santa'. I wrote it out on a scrap of paper and she did a pretty good job of transcribing...

...well after a couple of false starts, but I think Santa will understand. She wrote 'cat' all by herself and asked me to spell 'owl', which I did verbally and she wrote it (you can see that in green).

 She folded the paper, stuffed it in the envelope, ADDRESSED it (I know!), and put the stamp on. I realised that she's come a long way this year. Not too long ago simply folding the paper might have been enough of a challenge to prompt a minor meltdown.

 This reads: SAntA Morth PoLe. I love that random mix of upper and lower case you get at this stage. So cute. The squre grid-like drawing is our house "so Santa will know where I live". I don't really see the resemblence, but I get the logic.

A 'card only' sticker, of course.

And to end our week a platter of home made sushi. That's Oesch's quick little hand - he's a hound for sushi. If we'd bought it ready made this lot would cost around $40. It's nutritionally good and the kids love it so it's worth making from scratch. I thought it would be fiddly and difficult to get the rice seasoning correct, but it was really straightforward and fun. Perfect Friday night fare.

Stephen arrived home having been in Melbourne all day and he didn't realise that it wasn't shop-bought. So we'll take that as a compliment!

happy weekend to you! x