The Book of Qistina

On her last day at nursery, her principal early years practioner gave her a journal of her days there, albeit a short 4 weeks.

These are images captured and observation written on Qistina, that I will treasure (oh that emotional crap again hehehe..), since I was not around to see some of the things she did in the nursery with her friends. I truly think she had a great time there. In fact, 2 weeks into Big School, she still sometimes talk about going back to the 'Green Room'.

Thank you Jo Flowers for making her stay truly enjoyable! Qistina still misses you!

Enjoy!

Can u spot Qistina in this picture?

Jo Flowers and Qistina

boots part 2

remember boots? mama strikes back with a vengeance..

Passe-Temps

The english autumn days are gorgeous when the sun is shining and the sky is blue, and especially great if it is during the weekends. It can be cold when it is windy but must not waste such beautiful day nonetheless.

Picnic is a favourite passe-temps. Anywhere. At the park, by the fountain, at the playground, at the rest area and even at our backyard.

For the past 7 weekends since we are here, we have been going on picnics almost every weekend. Except for week 1 when we went to pick up our car :)

Fun! Fun! Fun! Yeayyyy!!

A medley of all sorts

It's been crazy the last few weeks, running around here and there so i thought i'd just strung a few stories together :-

1. Chicken pox

Both of the kids were having chicken pox last week. Even after vaccination you would still get it apparently. But the effect has been very minimal. Syukur alhamdulillah.

They did not have any alarming fever (only Rayyan having a slight raise in temperature 2 weeks prior to the spots coming up but i thought that was because of the flu he had), normal appetites, playing and being active as usual if not more. Qistina had very little spots, none of them visible with her clothes on while Rayyan had more including on top of his head. Itchy and red. But after some calamine lotion and piriton prescribed by the pharmacist and a visit to a local walk-in medical centre, they are both certified fine. Alhamdulillah....

2. Current favourite pastime

Picnic. Every weekend (when weather and health permits that is) without fail so far. More stories and photos in another entry ya?

3. The book of Qistina

Last week was her last day at the nursery as she has been accepted into the nearby school. Big School (as she says it). It was sad leaving the nursery where she had loads of fun, but i am sure she will have fun in Big School as well!

4. Big School

In the UK, children starts school at the term when they will turn 5. In this case, Qistina who will be 5 in February should have started school in September for Primary 1 or Reception*. Anyway, i have been shopping around for schools and alhamdulillah Qistina has been accepted into the nearby school which is 5 minutes walk away. 15-11-10 is her first day. Will have photos up later ok?

*Reception or Primary 1 or FS2 (foundation second year) is the first year of primary school in the United Kingdom and is preceded by nursery, and then followed by Year One - wikipedia

5. The boy who's left at home

Rayyan is lonely when his sister is at school. He now looks forward to the 3 weekly sessions of going to the nursery - or "papa chopis skul" (papa's office school). His vocabulary has increased tremendously though still gibberishly sounding. He's an adventurous eater, very unlike his sister and would try any food that's put on the table. If he likes it he will ask for more :)

He is becoming more independent, wanting to do most things by himself. He sings when he's happy and is very cheeky nowadays.

6. Love thy neighbour

I posted in FB a few weeks back about forgetting my darling neighbour's name. I got it now. I will put that discovery up in another post :wink: :wink:

That's it for now i guess.

Daaaaaaa.........

boots..

those are her boots and his boots..

those are her boots, his boots and HIS boots..

err... where's HER boots?

mama needs to go shopping soon, i guess.

The day the angel got her wings..

Today marks a first for a few things for me. In fact, the past few weeks many things were a first.

For the first time today, my princess flew away from the nest with strangers. Well, not totally strangers strangers, but strangers nevertheless. She went for a school trip with her friends and 'teachers'. Without me. Even just before she boarded the bus she kindly reminded me, "Mama, you are not going to the castle with me ok? I am going with teachers and friends. See you later. Bye!"

Qistina used to be 'cling-wrapper'y and would not go anywhere without me (or her papa). Even when i initially asked her whether she wanted to join the trip, she flatly refused. A different story altogether this morning. A fairy princess she was today, with pink glittery wings and pretty little star wand in hand.

Talking about being sentimental about it..

I am glad that she has found her sense of independence. I am also glad to be able to see her go without tears streaming down her eyes. Or my eyes for that matter.

A first also for Rayyan, to be left alone with me. He gladly waved goodbye to Qistina and said, "See you later Kakak!". Such a good sport Adik. These two are inseparable (without tears that is), but today it is all smiles.

She came back exhausted but entirely happy, and could not stop chatting about it!

On another note, it has been two months since that fateful day and i am loving every second of it. Simply precious and would not do it any other way. Na'aa. Nope. Naheeen.

Hence i should have more time to update this long abandoned blog. Haha..