We spent a great summer to remember in Sardinia.

Our summer holidays were pure sunshine this year. We spent a week in Sardinia with the whole family, Nonna Patrizia and Nonna Anna, Nonno Giannetto, Zio Michele, and Zia Sara, all together under the same roof.

The resort was wonderful: pools that sparkled in the morning light, a beach only a few steps away, and long, lazy afternoons spent between the sea and the shade of the umbrellas.

Lavinia couldn’t have been happier: she swam every day, made up stories while building sandcastles, and collected tiny seashells that she proudly carried around.

The kitchen staff completely fell in love with her! They always waved when she passed by, saved her little treats, and even invited her to peek into the kitchen. They told her she had the makings of a real chef, and she believed them completely. Every mealtime turned into an adventure of flavours, and Lavinia made sure to taste everything, especially the desserts.

Back home — and a special visit

When we returned home to Reading, Nonna Anna came to stay with us for the last stretch of the holidays. She and Lavinia made the most of their time together: doing arts and craft, reading on the sofa, and playing. It was a calm, cosy way to close the summer. Nonna left just one day before school started again, right after giving Lavinia all her hugs and good luck wishes for the new school year.

Stepping into Year One

The first days of Year One felt exciting and new. Everything seemed a little bigger, and a little more serious: proper homework, spelling and maths tests every week or two, and less recess time than in Reception. But there’s still room for fun and plenty of time to play and learn.

One of the biggest changes was lunchtime. In Reception, the little ones eat separately, but now Lavinia joins the “big kids” in the bustling lunch hall. She learned the new routine quickly: how to queue, where to sit, how to tidy up, and she loves the sense of independence it gives her.

Academically, she’s thriving. Homework is done with care, tests don’t scare her, and she’s consistently bringing home excellent marks. Her teachers often comment on her enthusiasm for learning. Lavinia says she prefers writing to reading: she loves inventing stories and writing them down, but she’s still an eager reader and opens a book almost every day.

Cooking, reading, and little milestones

This term, Lavinia also joined the school’s weekly cooking class. It’s become one of her favourite moments of the week. Every Tuesday she comes home proudly carrying her creations: cupcakes, sausage rolls, biscuits, small savoury dishes – always eager for everyone to taste them. She’s learning how to measure, mix, and follow recipes, which makes her even more certain that “chef” might be her true calling (just like the cooks in Sardinia said!).

She also welcomed a pair of new glasses with joy: while I was afraid she would not accept them nicely, she was beyond happy to see everything much clearer from far away. She picked her frame, which suits her very well.

Another highlight of the term: she finally lost her second tooth! It had been wobbly since July, and after months of waiting, she decided one morning to take it out herself. She was incredibly proud, and the Tooth Fairy rewarded her bravery with a shiny new squishy toy, which instantly became her favourite.

Gymnastics — growing stronger every week

If there’s one place where Lavinia’s determination shines, it’s gymnastics. After just seven months of training, she moved from the Beginner level to the Intermediate level, training alongside girls who are older and more experienced.

She’s learned so much: from handstands and bridges to the start of beautiful floor routines. Her confidence has grown with every class. This half-term, she’s been invited to take part in a special workshop, with more planned over the next few weeks to prepare for her first-ever competition close to Christmas. She’s counting down the days and practicing her moves every chance she gets (even in the living room!). Videos are below, so you can also see her progress over time.

A Season of Growth

From Sardinia’s golden beaches to the buzz of Year One and the excitement of gymnastics training, this has been a season full of change and adventure. Lavinia is growing – not just taller, but braver, more curious, and more confident in everything she does.

We can’t wait to see what the rest of this school year will bring, and to capture every new smile, cartwheel, and story along the way.

But now, some more pictures and videos!