A Wave of Light

  
So tonight it is with a very heavy heart and a few tears that I write this blog post. I know we are by no means alone, and that throughout the country lots of lights will be shining brightly tonight for beautiful babies and children who grew their wings too early and now live amongst the glittery stars! 
  

Our baby niece Leia was born on the 8th January 2015 with a congenital heart problem called Pulmonary Stenosis. Leia’s condition went undiagnosed until 24hours after she was born. Leia was transferred from The Trevor Mann unit in Brighton to The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St Thomas in London on Friday 9th January 2015.
  

Leia had surgery to correct her tiny heart when she was just 4 days old, she was amazing and her medical team were so very proud of her. As were her mummy and daddy (Vickie and Simon) and our wider family. But sadly one week later, despite every indication that she was making a full and speedy recovery, our beautiful baby girl fell asleep and never woke up. The medical team at St Thomas’ tried so hard to bring her back to us, but sadly we had to let her go. Vickie held her whilst she slipped away, and is so glad she could be there with her for every step of her short journey through life. She was so brave and so beautiful!

  
Nothing ever prepares you for the shocking and heart wrenching grief you feel when you lose a child. It broke my heart to see such close members of our family reeling with the shock of loosing someone who is so so precious.

  
The days and weeks following Leia’s death were the darkest for many members of our family, yet even through this heart ache people were compelled to remember Leia in their own special way. Leia’s daddy Simon, began to draw pencil sketches of his precious girl- he let the pencil do the work! This was his way of finding some comfort. Little did he know he was so talented with in this field!

  
My husband Scott, who is the least soppiest person I know, wrote the most amazing poem for Leia which he read at her farewell service. 
You are probably reading this thinking what the heck has it got to do with early years education, and why I have decided to allow you the access to such a heart breaking time in our lives. 

Ever since that devastating day, I have been thinking of ways in which I can help Vickie and Simon, whilst raising awareness and thanking the medical team at St Thomas’s London and The Trevor Mann baby unit in Brighton,  who did ALL they could to save our beautiful girl.

I have decided to host a Christmas shopping evening where friends can get together to enjoy a little festive cheer (mulled or fizz) whilst perusing some lovely gifts for loved ones.. Two of my fav things… Prosecco and shopping!!! LIFE DOESN’T GET BETTER! 

So where can you help? We are looking for some top notch raffle prizes to get peeps to part with some Pennies for the fabulous Rocking horse charity! 

If you think you would like to be part of this spectacular event, either by coming along, donating a raffle prize or by buying some raffle tickets I would LOVE to hear from you. 

Shopping Eve on Fri 13th Nov please message me for venue details 

May I ask that you share this post far and wide, as tonight we celebrate the blessing we had of having such a poppet in our lives if only for a sprinkling of time! 

This candle is for you baby girl xx l.  

  
Thank you for your help
Pennie Parry
https://www.facebook.com/eyfs.matters
https://twitter.com/eyfsmatters
https://instagram.com/eyfsmatters 
In Memory of Leia Victoria Parry
“Our perfect little Angel” 

Den Building Day

Save the Children’s Den Day is about children being sponsored to transform their sofa, school desk or even a boring cardboard box into a magical super den. And the money they raise will help to save lives around the world

 

Save the Children’s Den Day is a brilliant way for children of all ages and abilities to get creative and learn independently. And the sponsorship they raise will help build a better world for children who don’t have anywhere safe to shelter tonight.

How will you build yours?

* Let your class head off on a Den Day safari without leaving the classroom. Use bed-sheets, bunting and pegs to create an awesome indoor tepee, make some binoculars out of carboard, and maybe some cut-out animals to spy on.

* Why not fix up a den in the great outdoors? Decorate a solid structure like a climbing frame with sticks and leaves – and remember to bring plenty of blankets and rugs to keep warm!

* Do your kids want their secret midnight feast to be a private party? Then let them pile up the cushions, create a bed-sheet teepee, and make a no-entry sign to go outside their living room den.

VLUU L310 W / Samsung L310 W

* Or why not help them build a brilliant bazaar in their bedroom, filled with flying carpets, magic lamps and other treasures? Raid the dressing up box for some crazy costumes to match.

* Once everyone’s finished creating their shelter, it’s time to get cosy. Plan some activities for your children – set up a crafty activity or let them watch a film they love. If they’re staying in their dens overnight, bedtime stories and midnight feasts are sure to go down a treat.

* Whether you’re planning a camp-out style sleepover or simply a school day with a difference, sign up now http://denday.savethechildren.org.uk/sign-up/ to receive A special Teacher’s kit. It’s full of loads of tips and hints to help you weave some Den Day magic – and loads of extra learning – into your lesson plans.

Have fun… enjoy being creative

(Photographs used in this blog are not owned by eyfsmatters)

#Draw me!

I am not really sure where to start here, or where this will go! I can imagine by the end of the post, I am likely to have gone through a few tissues , and possibly may cause you to do the same but here goes…

Our baby niece Leia was born on the 8th January 2015 with a congenital heart problem called Pulmonary Stenosis. Leia’s condition went undiagnosed until 24hours after she was born. Leia was transferred from The Trevor Mann unit in Brighton to The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St Thomas in London on Friday 9th January 2015.