Dear Harrison,

Today you start your first day of reception. You are so incredibly excited to be going – all we have heard for the past eight weeks is about you going to the Ladybird class with your best friend, Luke, and seeing your new teacher. I just can’t get my head around the fact that you, my tiny little blue 6lb shrimp, are starting ‘big school’.

Will I be crying at the school gate? Probably not (but come back and ask me later!). I know how much you loved nursery, and well you settled in there. In fact, the only time you cried at nursery was when I picked you up on your first day – you didn’t want to come home! Not once did you ever hesitate about running through the doors, often with not even a backward glance at me. I’ll miss you whilst you’re there of course, but I’m really excited for you. I can’t wait to hear about the new friends that you will make, what you have had for your dinner, what new words you have learned. Your best friend from nursery is in the same class as you, but I know you will have no problem in making friends with the other kids. Just let them get a word in edgeways!

You have the most incredible imagination and inquisitive mind. Don’t ever lose that. You drive us crazy with asking a million questions every day, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. If you want to know more about something, ask. If you don’t understand something, ask. You will find everyone else wants to know as well. Apply that amazing imagination to everything you do – it makes things a lot more fun. Make sure you listen to your teachers and give them the respect they deserve. They put their whole heart into teaching you, helping you grow and keeping you safe whilst you are in their care.

Most of all, enjoy it. There are times when you won’t want to go to school, but when you are older you will realise just how much fun it can be sometimes. Daddy and me don’t care if you aren’t top of the class. We just want you to do the best that you can do.

Lots of love,

Mummy xxx