It has been 33 weeks since I managed to squeeze a second School run into my working week. For a long time I have been the one to escort our boy through the School gates on a Friday morning, hand in hand making our way into something, the last School and work day of the week. And so when I managed to add a Thursday afternoon to our mummy and son time it felt very special. I treasure this time with my boy, where I get to be the one to pick him up – not Nanny, not Grandad nor Daddy but I. To see his face as he peers around the door looking for me, the smile, the excitement for how we’ll spend the next few hours before Daddy is home and sometimes sadness because the day has been long.
I love being the one he runs to, the one he throws his book bag and water bottle to even if it is for just one day. The one he looks up at asking if we will be visiting the swings whilst he dips his fingers into my coat pocket in hope for his treat. Come rain or shine there is no place I’d rather be, I will never taken this time for granted because out of 10 School runs a week, 39 weeks of the year I get to be the one who takes those few steps with him only 78 times, only 2 times a week. One day he will take himself off to school, and in 171 days and 16 weeks time I will have to leave him at the School gates. At Junior School he will be a big boy where I have to wave him goodbye from a far. That will be hard.
This time together means so much to me and even more so since the afternoons have become filled with daylight and sunshine, just like this one. Where we can spend our time together outdoors. And on this day, a sun filled day in February when it may have been blooming freezing but the sun was shining and with the promise of hot chocolate we wrapped up warm and head over to Trentham Gardens for a wander.
On this day I remember thinking how much I had noticed a few changes in him lately. How much he had grown up, how his legs were longer, his face looking older – my boy was growing up at a rapid pace. I don’t feel ready for him to graduate from Infants School, I’m not ready for him to leave me at the School gates – for him to wear a crisp white shirt and a school tie with a real knot that I will have to teach him to tie each morning.
And so, I decided to hang back a little, to watch from afar or a few steps behind and take all of him in, to soak up the February sunshine and all of him. To watch as he explored, as he ran into the sunshine, as he sat and ate his treats whilst the ducks waited for scraps. I very quickly pulled out my phone and grabbed a few photos as I knew that in a few days or weeks I would look back on this day and feel happy, emotional, sad and in love. That on this day I want to remember how it felt to be so proud, to be the one he calls out to when the ducks are trying to steal his food. This boy, he continues to amaze me every day.
I have added this post to Darren’s #MySundayPhoto over on his blog Photalife and Donna’s #OrdinaryMoments over on her blog What The Redhead Said.
I’m Kerri-Ann or KA as my friends call me, always found with a cup of coffee in one hand and my camera in the other. I have a huge passion for photography, fitness, fashion and family travel. I started this blog in 2014. It began as my creative outlet after becoming a mummy to our little boy George Archie. I started out blogging about parenting and over the years it has evolved into a blog that covers lifestyle, fashion, family and travel. Today TheKAEdit is ultimately a life and style blog. Thank you for reading x x
Such lovely photos. Moments like these are definitely worth treasuring x
Thanks so much Cathy, I am so glad that I took a few x
Great lighting in those photos! #MySundayPhoto
The sunlight was perfect
Great captures of the moment
Thank you Carol
Beautiful photos, one thing I often miss is the morning school runs. One day I’ll be able to enjoy a few of them.
Thank you for linking up to #MySundayPhoto
Thank you Darren, they are to be treasured. I only take him and collect him once a week but I am so glad that I do x
Beautiful photos, the light is amazing. I am lucky that I get to pick Freya up most days. She’s normally quite hyper when she comes out of school but sadly we haven’t got any swings nearby. I’m looking forward to the lighter evenings when we can get to the park before it’s dark.
Thank you Tara it was such a gorgeous weather day x
Lovely photos, it looks like a beautiful spot on a beautiful day
Definitely a spot to take all the scenery in
Beautiful photos as always! They grow up so quickly and yet so imperceptibly, that it always seems to catch you unawares, doesn’t it? I love taking a moment to just soak them up at the stage they’re at and marvel at how amazing they are. #theordinarymoments
Thank you Katy. I think it’s so important to stand still every now and again and just take it all in x
Oh this is so lovely to read. I know how much that Friday school run meant to you so having another one is just wonderful. I am so glad you get that time together and it’s so clear to see how much you value that time – I’m sure he does to! x
Thank you Donna, it does mean a lot to us both. I love that he knows my day too x
Hi Kerri-Ann, it sounds like you’ve found the secret to enjoying the school runs! The way you’ve done the maths makes me smile too. Love the photos. Your son is so obviously taking in his surroundings when all you want to do is take him in.
xx
It works for sure, I would love to be more present but have to be grateful for the time I have with him as it could be worse x
That bought a little tear to my eye, making me think about when mine starts school. As they get older it gets harder to take that little step back so they can get a little independence, its as much a learning curve for us as them too. Those moments are so precious.
Aww did it Jemma, it really does mean so much to me. Maybe more so because I only get to do it twice a week x
I’ve yet to put my girls through school but already I can sense that their will be moments where my heart aches like yours. #TheOrdinaryMoments
This made me a little emotional as my boy went off to high school this year. He has changed enormously since he started in September (not least in height!) and I’ve lost the little boy I loved so much. That’s right and natural of course, and I am very much excited about the gorgeous young man he’s turning into but reading this reminded of how extra special the age between 5-10 years is. You’ll be so glad to have this record to look back on. Be sure to soak in every last moment of these next few years x