Wow, what a day!

 

Mike and I got the girls up early and Ellie was really excited.  She couldn't wait t oget her uniform on and pack her bag.  She has to wear trousers and a tshirt and jumper just now as it's still Winter but the school breaks in 2 weeks for the Spring hols and when they return, it's sunhats and dresses til June.  The schoosl here are very strict on their uniform policy and during terms 4 & 1 hats are compulsory and if a child has no hat on, they are not allowed outside at all. 

 

Anyway, we got to the school bright and early and were led to Ellie's class where her teacher (Miss Cowie) was waiting.  She took us inside and showed Ellie where to put her bag.  By this time, the other kids were all coming in and eyeing her up so we left her with Miss Cowie.  She was pretty happy, no tears, not even the slightest hesitation from her.  Mike and I on the otherhand were fighting back the tears.  I can't believe that after 5.5 years with her she's out in the big world with a bunch of people I don't even know!!!

 

Anyway, she was in for a fun day as the year 8 buddies were joining the class today and they also had the first of their daily swimming lessons today so it was a good day to start.  We were a bit unsure how she's cope on the bus to the pool and getting herself ready etc but she apparently was fantastic.

 

When we collected her, we had a peek in the class and she was playing happily, and a little girl came running out past us and said "I think Ellie had lots of fun today" !!!.  Miss Cowie said to us that she asked Ellie to stand up at the start of the class and tell the class her name.  She did this and then sat down only to immediately put her hand up and ask to speak again !!! Apparently she went on to tell the class all about Scotland, and all about the swimming lessons she'd done there and then showed them all the 5m swimming badge she had which was sewn onto her costume!!  What happenend to the shy Ellie we used to know???

 

She says she had a great day and had lots of fun.  She also said she loved swimming and that she'd let us come and watch her if we wanted.  They swim from 11 til 11.45 each day so we're going to go and watch on Wednesday.

 

We both realised today just how much Ellie has matured over the past few months.  Of all of us, she's taken the move here completely in her stride and seems to be really enjoying every step of the journey.  She seems to be genuinely happy and although she tells us she misses her "Scotland friends" she never dwells on it and it doesn't appear to upset her, it;s just like she is stating it as a fact.  What we're really looking forward to now is her making some friends and if today is anything to go by, that won't be long.