Top picks for Starting School

Somehow the time has come to start getting everything ready for school.  There are only a few weeks left until we have to get out the navy sweatshirt and smart black shoes and send Dylan off to school and I am not feeling ready in the slightest emotionally.  I am trying to make sure that I am physically prepared though, so that all I have to worry about as it gets even closer is the supply of tissues I will need as I leave him in his classroom.

Lunchtime

Whilst Dylan will be enjoying school dinners, many children will be taking packed lunches, and Archie will be carrying his lunchbox into nursery.   Here are some of our top picks for lunchtime buys

We know Little Life for their toddler backpacks, but they also make brilliant lunchboxes and bottles. Their animal characters work across the ranges and the lunchbags are easy to carry and insulated.  Archie will be taking his new crocodile lunchbag (£9.99) to nursery packed with all his favourite snacks, and his crocodile bottle (£6.99) will be on hand all day to keep him hydrated.  The straw flips out and it is easy for a toddler to open and close the lid independantly.

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Summer Shoes

Picture the scene : It is twenty four degrees, the sun is shining and there isn't a cloud in the sky.  We have a pleasant morning planned with a walk down to the beach.  Our buckets and spades are hanging from a bag on the handlebar, and there are towels in the underneath basket of the pushchair.  I dress Archie in a light romper, and pop on his sandals.

Dylan walks down from his room, his fashion choices in hand - a long sleeved T-shirt, thick lined jeans and socks, and as he reaches the bottom step he reaches for his rocket covered wellies.  'This is what I am going to wear today Mummy'.

The boy knows what he wants, and whilst 90% of the time he still lets me choose his clothes, there are days that he is determined to make his own choices and show his individuality to the world.  Strangely, this usually involves winter coats and wellington boots, I have even been known to remove a thick bobble hat from his head, much to his dismay - this boy is ready for winter!

Realistically, these fashion choices are not appropriate.  The wellies and jeans combo means his legs get sweaty, and we end up bringing half the beach home with us.  As he made it clear that he wasn't impressed with sandals, we took Dylan shoe shopping, and for the first time let him have complete control over our purchase.

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First Steps

Archie took those first wobbly steps on his own at only 10 months old and we watched on in shock as this tiny little boy giggled and tottered.  He had cruised before he crawled and where Archie was, trouble was not far behind.  

After Dylan's lazy approach to movement, this child who was so desperate to explore was a shock to the system and his mischievous personality meant we were kept on our toes.  It seems that those wobbles were enough for my little man though, as he soon changed his mind and went back to crawling.

He turned 11 months, 12 months and 13 months still able to take about 5 steps before falling to his knees and crawling off at speed, but as Archie turned 14 months last week, he decided to up the game and push his little legs to the limit.  He took a few more chances, let go more often and by the second day he was walking across the room on his own.  His smiles show how proud he is of his new skill and I know this summer is going to be eventful and energetic with two little boys who will most likely be running in opposite directions!

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