'I love my new school!!'

These photos were taken on the first day Elena went to preschool (naíonra). She had gone in the previous day for a half an hour just to get used to the surroundings. When I told her it was time to leave she was not a bit impressed and began to cry bitterly and would talk to no-one. She had thought I would be leaving her there and then would come back for her later. Darrelle was not impressed and muttered 'You are supposed to cry going in to school not when you are leaving'!!! Since then her first words every morning on waking are 'Am I going to my new school today Mom?' followed by Yeah! She goes four days a week from 9 until 12 and then spends two days a week in the creche and the other three days Nancy and John pick her up and look after her until Declan calls for her. She has a varied routine and loves it and I am sure it will be good for her while we are away and she will be quite happy.
Note her lunch bag! She will never forget to bring it with her to the car in the morning and will dictate every day exactly what has to go in to it for the naíonra!!