The morning is chaotic by the time we’re ready to leave, there are shoes, toys, nappies, bowls and cups everywhere, a little treat for me when I get home. Now though is not the time to think about that, now is the time to walk to pre-school and it is one of my favourite times of the day.
BP is strapped in, TP has his helmet on and his scooter. On your marks, get set…. he’s off.
We have a big hill climb to get out of the road, TP treats this as a peak to be conquered and attacks it with speed, me and BP trailing behind, me sprinting BP wobbling. TP comes to an abrupt stop at the summit, the lamp post is on fire. No problem he has his hose and efficiently puts it out.
Next we have the big road crossing. We are well practiced at this one, TP dismounts and we stand like meerkats waiting for our gap. It comes and we’re off doing our quickest sensible walking to the other side where we travel at a more leisurely speed looking at the flowers until the sharp left to the playpark.
Here again TP picks up speed and I am running, only slowing to watch the new park being built (we have been watching the progress of the new park for a few weeks and are sure it’s going to be ‘amazing’). At the end of the park is another fire, TP puts it out quickly before lifting his head and staring at the long straight. This is a long road with trees either side forming a sort of tunnel, he is allowed all the way to the end on his own. This is made even more fun as there is mud down one side which now forms dust as he travels. I can see a gorgeous dusty blob zooming away from me, when did he get so fast!?
We turn left and we’re on another main road, taking a slow speed to smell the lavender in the gardens and look out for Pete’s van (a friend we met once on the way to preschool). Then comes the crossing but this is no problem as ‘Lollipop’ is there. We both say thank you to Lollypop and now we’re on the last road to preschool. We start to see friends arriving then, suddenly, there is the gate. One last zoom inside the gate and then a hasty dismount, no scooters on school grounds.
We’re here, TP is scooped up by friends and runs in ready to start his days adventure. I discuss the fun of the morning run with mums, all slightly amazed that we are here just about on time again.
This is one of our favourite things and today was the last one. The last walk to preschool. TP is going to a new school in September so we will be saying bye to friends, our routine and our walk. I also cannot help feeling I am saying goodbye to my baby boy. We have a wonderful summer ahead but it will be a summer of excitement, adventure and transition from baby boy to school boy. Today feels like a full stop, an end, tomorrow will be a beginning and we will find a new walk. For now, I need to find some tissues.
Rewilding my family 