searching for the swing of things
Now that the summer holidays are (almost) done and dusted, domestic life is gearing up for the change in routine when school starts. The new school year feels like the 'real' start of a new year for me, compared to the first of January. The French call it 'la rentrée' - the re-entry - and it's quite an apt word to use. New class, new playgroup, new faces, new beginnings.
Yesterday there was a picnic organised by the parent volunteers at school so that new families could meet existing ones before the chaos of the first week began. The Bun was hoping to see some of his buddies but apparently there was some bug in the email system so many people didn't receive the picnic invite. Anyway the weather was very nice so we ate under a tree, played a bit, and met some of the new families that will be joining our year group. Before the picnic we popped by the school to buy The Bun a new PE shirt and school sweatshirt, since he's outgrown the ones he had last year. I guess we could have waited till term began to do stuff like this, but I figured it would be good for him to be back on school grounds again and get mentally prepared for next Monday.
I think Bao will miss her brother a lot when he's in school. For the past two months she has been his constant shadow, going wherever he goes and trying to copy whatever he does. She eats two breakfasts - a big one when she gets up, and a second, smaller one when The Bun eventually rolls out of bed and has breakfast himself (I'm going to miss our leisurely holiday mornings!), because god forbid she is left out of anything he is doing. If I say that we're going out, she runs to the door to put on her shoes and grabs sun hats for both The Bun and herself. It's been quite sweet seeing them get ready together - often The Bun helps her with her shoes, and the moment the front door is opened the both of them run out to the lift and dance around while waiting for it. Bao's not going to be pleased about being left behind once school starts. The whole family will accompany him on the first day, but after that J will mostly be doing the morning school run alone with The Bun.
Trying on their art smocks
At least there'll be playgroup to occupy her. And me. Honestly, playgroup is as much for me as it is for her, and I'm looking forward to reconnecting with some of the other mothers who have also been away all summer. Hopefully getting back into the swing of things will shake the grey cloud that has been hanging over my head ever since we returned from Singapore. For me, our trip back kind of tainted the magic of things here, a little. It became clear to me that we live in a bubble over here, cushioned from the realities of life in Singapore, and now I guess the honeymoon period is over. We're so privileged to be here that I know I should be appreciative instead of whiney. It's the post-holiday blues, and it also explains why I haven't recently been in the mood to write.
Tomorrow the Mission here will be celebrating (a belated) National Day, and that's something to look forward to - food! It won't be the same as what we get back home, of course, but beggars can't be choosers, and I'm always happy for an excuse not to have to cook dinner.
Yesterday there was a picnic organised by the parent volunteers at school so that new families could meet existing ones before the chaos of the first week began. The Bun was hoping to see some of his buddies but apparently there was some bug in the email system so many people didn't receive the picnic invite. Anyway the weather was very nice so we ate under a tree, played a bit, and met some of the new families that will be joining our year group. Before the picnic we popped by the school to buy The Bun a new PE shirt and school sweatshirt, since he's outgrown the ones he had last year. I guess we could have waited till term began to do stuff like this, but I figured it would be good for him to be back on school grounds again and get mentally prepared for next Monday.
I think Bao will miss her brother a lot when he's in school. For the past two months she has been his constant shadow, going wherever he goes and trying to copy whatever he does. She eats two breakfasts - a big one when she gets up, and a second, smaller one when The Bun eventually rolls out of bed and has breakfast himself (I'm going to miss our leisurely holiday mornings!), because god forbid she is left out of anything he is doing. If I say that we're going out, she runs to the door to put on her shoes and grabs sun hats for both The Bun and herself. It's been quite sweet seeing them get ready together - often The Bun helps her with her shoes, and the moment the front door is opened the both of them run out to the lift and dance around while waiting for it. Bao's not going to be pleased about being left behind once school starts. The whole family will accompany him on the first day, but after that J will mostly be doing the morning school run alone with The Bun.
Trying on their art smocks
At least there'll be playgroup to occupy her. And me. Honestly, playgroup is as much for me as it is for her, and I'm looking forward to reconnecting with some of the other mothers who have also been away all summer. Hopefully getting back into the swing of things will shake the grey cloud that has been hanging over my head ever since we returned from Singapore. For me, our trip back kind of tainted the magic of things here, a little. It became clear to me that we live in a bubble over here, cushioned from the realities of life in Singapore, and now I guess the honeymoon period is over. We're so privileged to be here that I know I should be appreciative instead of whiney. It's the post-holiday blues, and it also explains why I haven't recently been in the mood to write.
Tomorrow the Mission here will be celebrating (a belated) National Day, and that's something to look forward to - food! It won't be the same as what we get back home, of course, but beggars can't be choosers, and I'm always happy for an excuse not to have to cook dinner.