Well, I'm now the mum of a school leaver! Amy had her last A level exam yesterday and has officially left school.
When she was younger I used to love putting together a little summer holiday kit which I'd give to her when she got home on the last day of school term (here's some from earlier years: 2011, 2010, 2009). They were full of treats and fun things for the summer ahead and included a little collection of vouchers for activities that she could cash in with me. I've not done one for the most of the years that she's been at senior school as I felt that she thought it too babyish, but as this is the last summer before she goes off to uni I thought I'd re-instate the tradition, but with a teenage twist.
I'm using the same 'vouchers' that I made when she was 9 and am updating them with more suitable activities :
Pub lunch; Pimms picnic; walk in the woods followed by lunch at a local hand-made burger place; shopping trip… and it wouldn't be summer without strawberry picking, so there will definitely be a voucher for that too.
If you want to make some vouchers for your own children (no matter what their ages) there's a downloadable print-out that I made here: Download vouchers
It does feel odd to think that she'll not be living here from September. I'm not yet sure how I feel about that – it's an unfamiliar mix of excitement for her, mingled with concern, worry and hope. Like I say, an odd mix of feelings that I've not felt before. I'm certain that it's right for her to be going off to Uni and where she's going is the perfect Uni for her – it has such a friendly atmosphere and is not too big but it's got a vibrant student life and is only just outside London so she has many options for her free time. Anyway, life is speeding ahead so it will be here in an eye blink.
My other little family is doing well. The second nest-ful of robin chicks has fledged, though not as successfully this time. Two didn't make it, one dying during fledging probably due to an awkward landing and one was left dead in the nest. Of the three that have fledged two are still living in the garage and show no sign of wanting to leave, even though they fledged from the nest over a week ago. Meanwhile Mrs Robin has built a third nest – this time between two cans of paint on a shelf and Mr Robin is doing a good job of keeping his new offspring well fed, with a little help from me. I am so enjoying being a part of their little family and still find it a great privilege to be so trusted.
In knitting news I am still working on a new pattern, but progress is slow. I'll keep you posted here when it's ready and I also have a big batch of spring summer animals here that need my attention too – I'm not doing very well with time management at the moment and I think that I've had a harder time with Amy's a levels than she has! Hopefully I'll be feeling a little less anxious and a little more focused now they're all done.
little cotton rabbits 
Oh that last photo is fabulous. I’m thinking country file 2019 calendar!! Congratulations to Any for finishing school and best of luck for Uni come September.
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What a lovely idea – I’m sure Amy will love her gifts.
Your photos are brilliant too – sending good wishes to both of your families as they embark on new beginnings.
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I am sure Amy will cherish this years vouchers.
Maybe not knowing it now, she will cherish the thought you have put into this, as time goes by.
I can definitely relate to the mixed feelings you are experiencing with Amy going to Uni, as my 19 year old son has just passed entry into the Army, and whilst very proud of the results he achieved, his determination and passion for his chosen path, as parents we both feel slightly anxious in relation to what being in the armed forces can mean.
We cannot make the choices for our children, as it is all part of growing up, but we can show them love and be there when needed.
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Never mind the ‘teenage twist’ with the vouchers Julie….I would love them myself!!!! 🙂 I have always loved your voucher idea. So glad all Amy’s exams are over, I know exactly what you mean about the stress, I remember it well, as well as all the worry/excitement of university days. I’m sure all will be fine though!
I know its nature but what a shame about the two little baby robins, you always want the best for them, brilliant though about the third nest, Mr and Mrs Robin have been very busy and obviously feel very safe with you. 🙂
V x
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Best of luck in the future to Ann!! Exciting days ahead! Oh, my!!! That last photo!!! Love it!!!!
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You’re a fun mum! What wonderfully thoughtful gifts. Best of all is the gift of yourself. As a mother of 4 “fledged” daughters ( I couldn’t help connecting) both parts of your post) you have given Amy wings and now she’s using them. I have no doubt you e prepared her well and your live is evident to your readers in all you do and say. She’ll do well. And so will you…eventually 😊. So happy she’s not too far away in distance. Can’t wait for your new pattern. See you in August bvQe are so excited for that too.
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Julie, we have made independent, confidant girls who can’t wait to move on to the next phase of their lives. The hardest part is letting them go and the changes that will result. Amy will come back to you, a little different, but always to the Mum who loves her most! Very best wishes to you all xx
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Congrats to Amy and best wishes as she ventures off to the University. I’ve loved hearing about your very special children for years and hope to get more Amy news in the future even though she’s entering a new phase in life. Your idea of gifting “experiences” is the very best kind of present. I wish more people focused on this kind of gift-giving than all the material things that don’t matter nearly as much. There’s nothing as precious as giving your time to someone else. These are the things that you’ll both remember forever.
Your birdies did much better than my last bunch who were lost to some cat. I tried so hard to fend it off, but once the nest was discovered the cat was relentless. And I was told that you can never move a nest. Is that true?
Looking forward to seeing your next pattern. They are all so cute. Big hugs from Kimmy ♥
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Hi Julie
I always enjoy reading your post. What a great idea the vouchers are. What fun. I love following you baby birds and seeing the adorable pics of them. I find it amazing that the mom is building another nest. I didn’t know they had so many babies in one year. I also think it’s great you provide food for them. Our robins are a bit different in the states. I used to feed them dried cranberries. They love them.
I hope your life slows in you and you can relax and do what you enjoy doing. Looking forward to the new pattern. People enjoy the little toys I make from your wonderful patters. You bring a lot of joy to this world and I for 1 enjoy seeing your posts and all the lovely things that you make.
Sandy
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I love your little birds and it is lovely that you have your own fledgling. Just love her Julie, that is the best you can do for her.
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Love your blog Julie! It is very uplifting! So nice to hear what life is like in my favorite country. All the best to you and your families!
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Amy will sure cherish what you have done ♥ Oh my the little birds are lovely Julie.
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What a fun gift for Julie — I just can’t believe she’s ready for Uni already — that sure went by quickly! Mama and Papa Robin must LOVE your garden — their third nest! How fun to be able to watch each little family grow and leave the nest. And what Bonnie said — I can’t wait!!!
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Oops — I meant Amy LOL!
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What a lovely idea Julie, I am sure Amy will treasure her vouchers and her time with you this summer holiday. You will certainly have lots to talk about and plan for, exciting times!
Sue
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How lovely that your own daughter is fledging! I know the pain of bringing children up to be independent then missing them like mad when they leave, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Enjoy a wonderful summer together!
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Everything you do speaks volumes about your tender, nurturing mothering. The muddled mixture of pride, joy, fear and grief is a part of mothering that we always seem to carry with us. May the pride and joy win out over the fear and grief as Amy goes out to become the wonderful person you have prepared her to be.
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This is so lovely, it almost made me cry. You’re such a sweet mum. And teenagers are teenagers 🙂 She’ll have a brilliant time, she’ll have her ups and downs as we all do, but she’ll have the confidence that comes with knowing that she’s loved unconditionally and can always come home. There are many gifts you’ll’ve given her, but that’s the key. I’m sure she realises it now, but it’s a gift that seems to grow and get better with age. Enjoy your time together this summer.
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Here’s to a soft landing for your own little fledgling!
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It is a new chapter in all your lives Julie and it will feel strange, but you’ve have done a good job in sending Amy on her way to adulthood.
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Thank you for the lovely bird photos…they are beautiful
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Your holiday kit is so thoughtful and novel, I am willing to bet that Amy was thrilled every time she got one even though she might have said “oh Mum” in that way that teenagers do. I think it’s lovely of you. Your photos of the fledglings are terrific, I wish I’d taken photos of ours. We just have a back yard but blackbirds have nested for three consecutive years in our ivy and this year had two lots of fledglings. A pair of pigeons were also trying out the ivy but didn’t appear successful ; they seemed to just crash into it a lot. Hope you all have a wonderful summertime and don’t worry about your fledging, she’ll be fine, she’s had excellent grounding which will allow her to soar!
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I love robins. Your robins are adorable. I love the robins in America too.Quite a bit bigger but still impressive and sweet. I recently had the pleasure of seeing a robin in England a few weeks ago. We were over for a family wedding and stayed 10 days. I was beyond happy when I was able to see one on our 2nd day.
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Mucha suerte para su hija,se hacen mayores y nos coge por sorpresa.tengo todo preparado para hacer la conejita,usted a pensado en traducir al español?jjjjjj,los pajaritos deben estar grandes,un saludo-
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Hello! Thank you sharing all of this with us! Makes my heart sing! And a question: your shoes are so wonderful, who makes them? Thank you!
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