Chai And A Chat #193 #ChaiAndAChat

Good morning, everyone! How are you, this fine Monday morning? Oh, and Happy 4th of July to the American Peeps of mine!

Right, so I have my cup of chai. You got yours?

  • If we were having chai, I’d tell you that time is whizzing by. we have 3 weeks and two days left with the children, and I don’t know what to do to stop the time going so fast. Data submission happened, and the world didn’t implode on me, so that is a great thing! The children have been amazing, and I am astounded at their progress every day! We have been learning about minibeasts and they did a dramatised retelling of the story The Bad Tempered Ladybird by Eric Carle, and oh my goodness, they were just amazing! I sat there like a proud mum of 029 additional kids! Talking of being mum, we have new babies in the classroom, as our caterpillars have begun coming through their metamorphosis, and when I left the classroom on Friday, we had 6 butterflies out of 16 cocoons! The children have been fascinated by everything this topic has to offer, and they amaze me daily with the facts they remember!
  • If we were having chai, I’d say that I was extremely annoyed the other day as I drove Lil Man to his cricket training. We have to navigate lots of country lanes, and as I do that daily, now, I am somewhat of an expert. However, that day, we reached an impassé with another driver, and as we tried to negotiate who went forwards and who went backwards, a guy came out to help signal us through. This one driver opposite me just had to back up like a couple of feet, but he refused, leaving this teeny gap. The other man tried to wave me through, but the car ended up scraping something. I heard that horrible crunch and stopped. The other guy, with a huff, reluctantly moved back a little and I got through. But it doesn’t change the fact that because he was so stubborn, and didn’t move initially, I will now have to pay out to get my bodywork repaired!
  • If we were having chai, I’d mention that it was Lil Man’s 17th birthday and he was lucky enough that his dad went out of his way to create a proper cricket net in the garden. He is now also old enough to drive, which scares the living daylights out of me! It was Mum’s birthday, too, and I only wish we were closer together so that we could celebrate with her regularly, too!
  • If we were having chai, I would have to admit that memory is still no better… and remember me telling you of that fall I had? Well, my hand and joints in that hand still ache quite a lot. I think I shall need another appointment to get it checked over, again.
  • If we were having chai, I’d whisper that I cried, this week. not in sadness, but at that talk I mentioned last week. I had a meeting with the parents of my current Reception year parents, to talk them through the changes that we were going to be making, to ease their children into the big changes of starting in Year one in September. I detailed everything that needed saying, fielded the questions, and then ended up emotional as I tried to tell them all how proud of all these children I was. Regardless of whether they met targets or not, each and every one has progressed so far from the day they started at the beginning of this academic year. It is tough every year, to say goodbye to my class, even though I know I will see them in September. But they will be that little bit more grown up… and no longer my babies! Talking of my babies, those of you who have been following me for long enough will remember when I started teaching my own class. And it was at the end of the academic year, so those children were my first class for a mere 7 weeks. Well, those same children graduate from Primary school at the end of this year and start their next step in Secondary School, and that is so hard to believe. Where does the time go? Some of them tower above me, and they are only eleven! Still, emotional is what I am, and tears will flow over the next few weeks, I know. I just never expected to start in front of parents with a month to go until the end of term!
  • If we were having chai, I’d also tell you that we went to the cinema on Sunday evening. Now, I haven’t been for over two years, due to the pandemic, so it was a big thing! Thing is, as a family there is no way that we can match choices for films, so Lil Man and Hubby Dearest went to see the latest Jurassic Park, and Lil Princess and I had a shorter film, so we did a little shopping, then went to watch the new Minions film. Perfect for me, too, since I am a big kid! Though I can’t wait for her to be at the age when she’ll watch things like Maverick with me!
  • If we were having chai, I would end, as always, with Sonu Singh. This week he was my watching partner as I begin the Netflix sensation, Stranger Things. I haven’t watched it before, but after hearing so much about it, I started series one, and Sonu watched a few episodes with me, too!

This week,

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45 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. Rajiv
    Jul 08, 2022 @ 08:19:13

    Too hot for chai. Sigh….

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  2. OIKOS™- Art, Books & more
    Jul 06, 2022 @ 19:15:13

    Great, you are a wonderful manager at school, Sis! Its this true, on the photo? Sonu is watching TV? Lol You should take him as a school pet. Best wishes, Michael

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. OIKOS™- Art, Books & more
    Jul 06, 2022 @ 19:13:24

    Reply

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  5. Rae Longest
    Jul 06, 2022 @ 00:08:38

    I understand your feelings about your first class. Students in my first class of seventh graders here in Alvin, Texas are now retired, grandparents, and some look worse than I do. LOL Several have died, and a few still keep in touch.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. Jennie
    Jul 05, 2022 @ 15:14:14

    I loved this post, especially your big teaching heart (not the stubborn guy who caused you to damage your car.) Thank goodness for tears of joy and being a kid, right?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. Erika
    Jul 04, 2022 @ 19:26:20

    I am sorry to hear about the damage to your car and that you are still struggling with your hand joints. Enjoy the coming weeks with the little ones and simply be proud of yourself for how far they got with your support 💖

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. syl65
    Jul 04, 2022 @ 16:13:20

    I know it’s hard to see the little ones go, they are like those butterflies emerging from a cocoon. Have a good week, Sister 💛🙏🏽

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. willowdot21
    Jul 04, 2022 @ 13:31:29

    I read this really early sis and enjoyed sharing your week, then the day went mad!
    So here I am seven hours later only just getting back to you.
    The fact you cried with pride whilst discussing your babes just shows what a great teacher and person you are. The fact your first babes are moving up to junior school is also amazing….where have those years gone.
    Congratulations to lil man…er big man ! And your lovely mum , she knows you care. Hope this week is good for you too. 💜

    Liked by 1 person

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  10. beth
    Jul 04, 2022 @ 11:32:40

    as a teacher of young children, I so understand the crying about their upcoming transitions –

    Liked by 1 person

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  11. Annette Rochelle Aben
    Jul 04, 2022 @ 11:25:20

    Sonu cracks me up! I don’t think that he doesn’t that he is a human, I believe he thinks that you are ALL cats! ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. Sadje
    Jul 04, 2022 @ 10:53:03

    What a marvelous relationship you have with your students.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life.
    Jul 04, 2022 @ 10:09:01

    Sorry you are still suffering the after effects of your fall Ritu and I do think you should definitely get it looked at.. It must be amazing to see the wonderful progress of your students and I can understand why you would feel such an emotional connection to them. As to the driver you met.. well all I can say is I wish him everything we wishes on ohers.. including some scrapped paintwork.. what a moron.. Enjoy the coming week and I am sure you will celebrate with your mother soon..♥♥

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  14. SC Skillman
    Jul 04, 2022 @ 09:54:15

    Ritu I remember the reception class teachers who would come out clutching my little son’s hand and hand him over to me and spend time telling me what a little star he is… and have met those teachers 20 years later and it feels really weird as he is now big and in a full time job and they still look the same to me!!

    Liked by 1 person

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  15. CJ
    Jul 04, 2022 @ 09:26:10

    How infuriating about the car, there are some truly dreadful drivers out there. Glad that your son had a good birthday and how brilliant that he has his own nets. I always think it must be amazing being a teacher and seeing all the little people all grown up. And yes, time really is flying by at the moment. In less than three months my eldest will be off to uni (all being well), and I honestly can’t imagine what that will feel like. I really must remember to teach him how to cook something… CJ xx

    Liked by 1 person

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  16. TanGental
    Jul 04, 2022 @ 08:35:06

    Get you, you old softie! Though I’m not totally surprised. Enjoy the last couple of weeks! Does the lad start driving lessons with you in the passenger seat? Now that is terrifying!

    Liked by 1 person

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  17. Marje @ Kyrosmagica
    Jul 04, 2022 @ 07:33:31

    Sorry to hear about the car scrape. What an ignorant person. Love your cat watching tv with you! x

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  18. robbiesinspiration
    Jul 04, 2022 @ 06:40:55

    Hi Ritu, what an emotional week for you. A good friend of mine has immigrated to the UK and arrived last week. Her daughters will be going into Secondary School for your new year.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  19. Lauren
    Jul 04, 2022 @ 06:11:13

    I know what you mean about how difficult it is to say goodbye to your students. I started my teaching career with kindergarten children. They changed so much over a year. With most of my years teaching middle school, I saw the great changes in those students also.

    Liked by 1 person

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