Brrrr!

After a very warm autumn which peaked on Halloween with 20 degrees, winter is now upon us with temperatures just over zero. Our olive tree "Oliver" has had to move indoors into the dining room!

Vera is doing very well, is very sociable and chats non stop. As she is now a pre-schooler, they work a lot on letter recognition at nursery and the children have to sign themselves in at nursery in the morning. Vera manages the "V" and "e" and then a scribble and something resembling an "a". But she's only 3,5! I don't agree with the early school start here in the UK, but I understand why in a way (the sky high child care fees), and it's surreal in a way that she will start school next year. But needs must and all that, so like any parent you try and do your best for your child so that they are prepared.

We're hoping that Vera will go to our local school, Dobcroft Infant School
http://www.dobcroft-inf.sheffield.sch.uk/, which is a very good school and we live in the catchment area. However, when we apply in a few weeks, we also have to put down our 2nd and 3rd choice of two more local schools.

We've had a busy few weeks, with a lovely family visit from Ireland. Vera's Nana Olivia, auntie Pat and cousins Sarah and Ciara came over and we spent a lovely weekend catching up, shopping, eating and laughing! Vera was in great form and "read" stories and entertained everyone and was pampered by her cousins!

A weekend goes so quickly, so it's great to know that we'll see them all at Christmas for some more quality time!

The next highlight was Halloween. Vera wore her spiderwitch dress all day at nursery and all evening. We had a few decorations and we had stocked up on sweets. Vera and I went over to our neighbors Ann and Godfrey and gave them some sweets and then Vera was in charge of opening the door to all the trick or treaters!
On the Saturday, it was a Halloween theme at ballet so the dress made another appearance!