My little girl is growing up. How has this happened?! She turns 4 and a half this month, and is learning so much all of the time. My little sponge girl.
She’s been helping in the garden, planting seeds, asking questions, and she’s retaining so much information. She names lots of common flowers, like daisies, dandelions, daffodils, tulips, roses and buttercups and likes to point them out to me. Then yesterday, she gestured to the camelia we’ve just replanted, commenting on how nice it looks there, and she checked that I was watering the hydrangea – I was so shocked she knew what they were and had remembered, and not easy words to recall!
She loves her Reading Eggs and Mathseeds programmes and enjoys completing workbooks. She recognises all letters and can now write them, too. She counts well, loves to rhyme and tell me what letters words begin with. She’s started to read a few words, too, to our delight, and we enjoy these little sessions together, while Little Man naps.
She continues to adore her art. She draws, paints or crafts most days. Her colouring in is extremely neat and her drawings will soon surpass mine (that’s no great talent, though, truth be told!)
We’ve recently moved on to me reading chapter books to her. She is building a little collection up, and loves popping her bookmark in to the book as we finish a chapter together! We’ve read a couple of Roald Dahl’s, and are currently reading The Worst Witch. I’ve dusted off my old Enid Blyton’s ready to hand down, too.
Her imaginary play is adorable to listen to. As her vocabulary and experiences grow, her little worlds become more complex. She can get totally lost for ages playing and talking away and I love to eavesdrop!
She continues to be a fabulous big sister, truly the very best. She is always looking out for her brother, playing with him, sharing with him, often giving in to him! She rushes in to see him every morning, and it’s always him she wants to see and play with when she comes home from preschool. She was invited to a party recently, and was crestfallen to discover that Little Man was not invited. Of course, she has now got over that upset, and has decided she will still go 😉
And it was this week. The big deal. This week has been the week when we found out where Boo will be going to school in September. Fortunately, we got our first choice, and it’s the school that she’d assumed she was going to anyway. A relief! But it still makes it real. Means that it’s happening. My girl is growing up, and she’ll soon not be with me, keeping me company day in, day out. It makes me want to cry, thinking about it. I’m not ready to let her go. But she is ready. It’s a new adventure for her, so we will be excited. I know she’ll do fabulously well at school and make lots of new friends, and I want that for her.
We’ve had a few trying times recently, with Boo asserting her independence more than I’d like! But when I stop and think (and remain calm!), I know I’ll miss these moments. I’ll be making the most of these next few months watching my two having fun together, playing, whispering, giggling and learning. Always learning.
My girl, my daughter. Boo is bright and beautiful, inside and out, and I’m so very proud of her.
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Aww this is lovely. I have a workbook lover too! amazing how they learn so much everyday. I feel exactly the same about him starting ‘big school’ in september…end of an era 🙁
Yes, that sums it up so well. Nice to have little sponges, though x
She sounds so lovely and bright and like she just wants to absorb everything around her. Obviously has an amazing mummy and that’s set her up for her next adventure of school 🙂 x
Ah, thank you. She is a natural sponge and loves to know anything & everything!
I bet it’s flown, I certainly can’t believe she’s about to start school!
What a lovely post. Boo sounds delightful and – as you say – like a little sponge. So glad she got her first choice of school- I have a feeling she will love going! X
I think you’re right. She was a child made for school! Thank you x
She sounds like an amazing, talented, clever girl who will really thrive at school. You may find it’s a backwards step for her initially as children aren’t expected to be reading or writing when they start and they most likely won’t do chapter books in class until year 1 or even year 2!
Thank you. Yes, she may find that, and I know she’ll be one of the oldest there so would expect that really. She’ll have fun in any case, I’m sure!
It sounds like Boo is very ready for school and hungry to learn, my experience is that girls take to education so much more readily than boys, Boo will love school in September, my boys loved play times!
Yes, I’ve heard that, so will see how it goes when it’s Little Man’s turn!
What a lovely post! Boo sounds a lot like my almost 4 and a half yo. I’m always amazed at the things she knows. We’re also hooked on the Worst Witch at the moment! 🙂
Ah, it is a lovely age. She amazes me daily, and it’s tribute to her, not me, that she knows so much!
A beautiful post from a (rightly) proud mummy. I’m so glad you got your first choice of school too, that is definitely a bonus. Enjoy those moments 🙂
Yes, a huge bonus and nice to now know, too. She’ll love it, I know x
What a great post and im so pleased you got your first school choice. My daughter is starting this year too, it’s gone so quickly x
Thank you very much. It really flies by, doesn’t it?
What a lovely post!
Ah, thanks, Louise x
What a little sweetheart! She sounds so clever Jocelyn – she’ll be more than ready for school in September! I think Boo and Annie would be great friends you know 🙂 xx
She is bright, truly a sponge! I know she’ll be ready, I’m just not sure I will be…!
Awww clever little girly… my youngest son is a sponge for learning too! hes 2 years ahead at school… Proud Moments 🙂 #MagicMoments
Ah, bright boy! It’s nice to see, as I know it’ll make school that little bit easier for her x
What a wonderful post Jocelyn, such a lovely read. It’s great to hear how well Boo is doing – she’s just brilliant. It must be so hard to think of her going to school but she’ll no doubt thrive. Fabulous post, thank you so much for sharing with #whatsthestory. Hope you’ve been having a lovely Easter 🙂
Thanks, Charly. I know she’ll thrive, and she is ready. I just need to be ready! Thanks for hosting x
She really is in love with books! I really would want my son to be one too. He is slowly starting to love writing and reading now too. Nice post =) #MagicMoments
She is! I suspect she’s very different to how my son will be, but time will tell! Thanks x
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of being a proud mummy. Your daughter sounds like a lovely intelligent little girl, you’re a lucky mama x
I am very proud and I know I’m lucky, especially when I see how well she and her brother get on and adore each other – I know this isn’t always the case! Thank you x
Aw Jocelyn, I have been having very similar thoughts lately (see my MM post!), and whilst JJ is not as advanced as Boo in some respects I’m not too worried because I think all that will come to him quickly once he starts school (I hope!). Its lovely to watch the sibling bond isn’t it? JJ and EJ are becoming right little co-conspirators giggling and chortling away to themselves! Its adorable really. I feel the same about these last few months before big school starts though – its like the end of an era and we really must make the most of it – particularly before the summer hols kick in because its our last bit of quiet time before the madness of everyday school runs! X #magicmoments
Yes, it will all come, I’ve no doubt. I’m just making the most of her spongey ways, while she’s asking to learn! Yes exactly the same here. I want to savour every day x
awww honey this is such a beautiful age, still so in need of your time but yet fiercely independent. what a beautiful round up honey x
thanks for linking up with #MagicMoments
Yes, that’s just it. She needs me, but wants to do it all herself! She’s fabulous. Thanks for hosting x
Wow, I’m really impressed! Do you know Little T doesn’t have a single workbook? I feel like such a bad mother now. Must buy some 😉 #WhatsTheStory.
Ha ha! Not at all! She wants them, she needs them, I think. They are not forced on her, I promise!
Oh my, Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl! The memories! What’s the Enid Blyton one about a tree that a girl climbs and she meets different creatures along the way?! Love that one!
Wonderful memories! The Magic Faraway Tree? All lots of fun to read x
She sounds delightful and school will be happy to have her.
I think they will. I hope they will..! Thank you x
It sounds like Boo is so ready for school….She sounds and absolute delight x
She is, I’m not! Thanks x
This was a really lovely update. Boo seems to have such a thirst for knowledge and a willingness to learn – It’s lovely to see! I love the move across to chapter books too, it made me think of all the reading possibilities, the books I read as a child that I’d be able to read when LP and LM get to that point! x
She really does. It’s a challenge to keep up with her! But yes, I’m loving the chapter books now 🙂 Thank you x
Aw Jocelyn, what a beautiful post about your little girl. They do grow so fast don’t they? It’s just crazy really! She sounds such a lovely little girl and you’re right she will love school, though I’m sure it will feel so strange for you at first! Very glad you got into your first choice school!! xx #whatsthestory #magicmoments
Thank you. They grow way too fast! She will love it, and I’m sure Little Man and I will adjust x
Ahhh Jocelyn what a lovely post. So sweet. She is amazing and so clever. I used to love workbooks when I was growing up. They are so great for you. Glad you have a little workbook lover too. I often wonder what my two will be like in school and learning. Great post. #magicmoments
Thank you. She adores workbooks so we’ll see if she’s so keen on actual school work! X
Thank you x
She sounds a lot like my 5yo, he cannot wait to start school in August! And, he spends hours doing workbooks and art projects. Lovely post Jocelyn x #WhatstheStory
Oh yes, very similar then. She is ready, I know. Thank you x
Aw, lovely post. I know what you mean about the school, my girls are ready for school, but I’m not sure I am. It’s strange, as I didn’t think that with my son, he was in desperate need of starting school, I didn’t question it.
It’s wonderful to watch them learn and blossom though isn’t it x
It is wonderful to see, and I know I’ll be so proud of her when she goes to school and makes new friends and learns new things. Just sad thinking about the end of an era, I guess x
We love workbooks too! And she is just a wee pet! Loving her Hell kitty pen too! I LOVED those as a child and still do as an adult, lol! #magicmoments
Ah, thank you. Those pens are fab 🙂
What a heartfelt post, I know how you feel, my middlie is off to school in September too and it’s a real change. I’m pleased you got the school you wanted, I’m sure Boo will do really well there with all the preparation you’ve given her. Good luck with it and enjoy your remaining pre-school time – still a good few months! ;)x
Ah, thank you. I know she’ll be great there and I’m so pleased about the school we’ve chosen as it’s lovely. It’s just going to take some getting used to, I suppose.
What a clever little lady! It is such a good idea to record her milestones, even at 4 and a half. She is a lucky little girl to have such a loving, caring mum. Well done for getting your first choice for September, very lucky! x Mel
Thank you very much. It’s nice to stop and reflect upon how well she’s doing, and where she’s at right now, s they grow and develop so quickly!
You have every right to be so proud of such a lovely young lady. (Glad you got your school choice too!)
Ah, thank you very much x
Oh bless her, there is only two months between Boo and Monkey but you can really see the boy/girl difference. No interest in Reading Eggs or MathSeeds, and only just starting to show an interest in his letters. But the vocabulary and imaginative play amazes me. We got our first choice school too. See you on Saturday 🙂
Oh yes, I’m not going to be surprised if Little Man is completely different – he certainly has been up until now! She is a little sponge. So pleased you got your first choice school, too. Yes, see you there! x
Lovely post, I eavesdrop on my daughter playing and reading her books too, it’s so adorable and fascinating watching their minds develop. Congrats on getting your choice of school 🙂 x Char
#MMWBH
Thank you very much 🙂
lovely post, they grow so fast but wonderful to see her thriving, I bet you are one proud mummy!! #mmwbh
Very proud, just struggling to believe how quickly she’s grown!
Awww they grow up so fast don’t they? What a bright little button. #MMWBH
They really do! Thanks x
Oh bless her.. it looks like you have her well prepared for school, doing so well with her reading and writing. Lewis only turns four in May and starts school in September, I hope he doesn’t get left behind! I think some serious practice may be required in the summer!
She is a fair bit older, though, and I think it’s hard to imagine some children with her will only just be turning 4. They’ll all catch up and it’ll even out soon enough, I’m sure x
Beautiful post! Full of love and admiration. Boo sounds like a lovely, amazing little girl, well done you x
Thank you very much x
She’s really coming on isn’t she? Bet she’ll love school.
She is! Yes, she will, I’m sure, thank you