As you may be aware, this time last year we set out with 2 kids, 1 caravan, 1 very pregnant lady (me!) and a man with a dodgy back and headed to Darwin for 4 weeks. And it was FANTASTIC.
We resolved to have a big trip each year, but with Tom starting school and just so many things on during first term, it really was impossible to take 4 weeks away. We had originally thought to take 1 week either side of the school holidays, but it hasn't worked out that way.
We decided that we would have a shorter trip this year and see if we can work a longer trip (hopefully to WA) next year. Initially we thought we would just go as far as Merimbula as we have had some friends stay there with their kids and they said it was great. However, seeing as we were nearly there, we made the decision to continue up to Broulee (near Bateman's Bay) so we could visit to Mogo Zoo. I checked out their website the other day and discovered that at the exact time we will be there, they have a ZooKidz programme on and Tom was old enough to attend. He is going to be participating in the "Slither & Hop" workshop. You guessed it, snakes, lizards and frogs.......right up a small boy's alley!
The fact that Tom wants to do this workshop is a direct reflection of him going to school. Prior to starting prep, he would never have gone to a holiday programme by himself with people he didn't know, even for just a few hours. I know that this is surprising to many considering how full on he can be, but Tom is a bit of a shy kid. It comes to the fore when he is placed outside his comfort zone and he makes a beeline for what he knows best (usually me). So for him to understand and agree to participate in this, just warms my heart. He really is growing up!
School is going wonderfully for him and he is coming home reading all sorts of things, doing sign language (in the good way!), talking about new friends and recounting all the new experiences. After the 2nd week of school, he also started going to and from school on the bus. This was a HUGE thing for me to let him do (and yes, I followed the bus to and from school that first day unbeknown to Tom), but to see him now, it is like he has never known any different. AND he has to change buses. Whilst he has a bus buddy to help him, he can do it all by himself now and occasionally the buddy is not on the bus and Tom is fine. I think there are a few mother hens on the bus!
Tom getting off the bus on his first day
