Hello there! I was going to say I’m sorry for being late, but then I realised that it’s a deadline only imposed upon myself by me, so no apology is needed! It’s half term this week, and I have spent the weekend trying to relax before a fun but busy week… So let’s get started!
I have tea and cake accompanying me. What is your tipple of choice?
- If we were having chai, I’d start by talking about school. The last week of this half term. That means we are officially halfway through the academic year. Where does the time go? Even though this is one of the shortest terms, it felt like forever. I think it probably has something. todo with Christmas break finishing so soon after New Year when you’ve probably had a really busy two weeks, then full-on school, when you are still exhausted… Anyway. it went well. It was Children’s Mental Health week. We had. special yoga session, then little activities and mindfulness breathing to practice, as well as positive affirmations. On Thursday, the older children came in for half an hour and spent time reading with the children, which was lovely. The children in Year 6 right now were my first-ever Nursery class, and to see some of them, at 10-11, already taller than me, is rather a wild sensation! On Friday, we had Dress to Express day. where the children could wear what they wanted or choose a colour to wear that showed how they feel. We had a great circle time in the class I was with that day, talking about what they wore and why giving them a chance to use their communication skills to let us know how they felt. It was precious.
- If we were having chai, I’d tell you that our Wellbeing champions in school (who are there to look after the staff) held a cuppa, cake and chat after school. We all brought in cakes and nibbles and had a lovely hour or so, chilling out and not thinking about work for a little while.
- If we were having chai, I’d say that we were definitely caked out this week at home too. It was my Brother in Law’s birthday last week, but he was away, and on Wednesday, it was Hubby Dearest and Mum in Law’s birthday, so we had a cake-fest on Wednesday evening! (And we still have two birthdays to go, yet…)
- If we were having chai, I’d tell you that once Friday came, I was pooped. I spent most of the weekend chilling out, with. a book and a lot of food, as well as bingeing. a few series/films!
- If we were having chai, I’d mention that seeing as it is Lil Princess’s birthday the day we go back to school, we had a few birthday treats for her too since she has been having quite a tough time. The first was on Saturday when she got her hair done. It’s the first time she has had any sort of colour, and it looks so lovely. I can’t believe how grown up she looks!
- If we were having chai, I would give you a snippet of Sonu Singh! I think he senses I am tired. On Sunday, I lay on my bed with my planning notebook. He promptly sat on it and stared at the TV as if to say, “No, Mummy, you aren’t working now. Watch TV. Switch off!” So I did! We watched Your Place or Mine on Netflix, as well as the first part of season 4 of the series You. Very good! I also watched a Bollywood film called XL, about how plus size is viewed so negatively in India, and championing two strong-willed larger women. Loved it!
This week will pass in a flash, I know it. I have lots to look forward to, with a Society of Authors meeting a little later today, then Valentine’s Day, which will probably be taken up doing a big tidy up and house clean, since my Finndian family are coming to visit for a few days! I cannot explain how excited I am! Not sure what the weekend will hold, but hopefully a couple of days of relaxation before we start back in school!
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But I Smile Anyway... 
Feb 15, 2023 @ 21:52:24
Ritu, our kitty loves watching tv with her 20-pound body sprawled on my lap. We watched Your Place or Mine, too. Very cute! All your school activities sound like so much fun for kids and adults alike. Your cake fest sounds like something I would have loved 30 pounds ago when I taught full-time and didn’t have to worry about putting on anything. How can you when you’re so busy??? Have a great rest of your week.
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Feb 15, 2023 @ 21:54:01
Aw thank you, Marsha!
Now perimenopause has hit, cake says on the hips far longer…!!!
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Feb 15, 2023 @ 22:39:42
Amen to that! 🙂
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Feb 14, 2023 @ 22:28:56
I love how the big kids come to read to the little ones, and they were in your class ages ago! Dress to Express- great idea!
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Feb 14, 2023 @ 23:02:32
It was a lovely afternoon. We hope to don’t again. So good for all the children!/
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Feb 15, 2023 @ 01:12:49
How many times a year do the big kids read to the little kids? Do you do the flip, where the little kids ‘read’ to the big kids? This is such a big thing, Ritu, so good for all the children. If we had older children in our school, I would want this to be a regular thing.
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Feb 15, 2023 @ 07:11:10
This is a relatively new thing, Jennie, but we will try do to it more often as it is so beneficial 😊
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Feb 15, 2023 @ 19:39:20
I’m so glad to hear that!
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Feb 14, 2023 @ 21:38:04
A busy day here as well, moving furniture and cleaning so a new chest of drawers could be installed in the middle boy’s room. Everything still didn’t fit in so we googled Marie Kondo and rolled things up. Oh how we laughed. He had a birthday recently as well, so there have been some treats here too. I always think it must be strange for teachers to see their little charges all grown up. Hope you have a good rest-of-the-week and that you manage to have some relaxing time. CJ xx
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Feb 14, 2023 @ 21:50:32
Ha!
Did you see the recent meme about Marie Kondo now she has kids, realising her techniques were never parent/child/emotion friendly!!!
I can’t believe one of mine will be an adult this year, and the other 15… Where does the time go, CJ??? Xx
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Feb 14, 2023 @ 11:43:11
What a unique perspective on young lives, Ritu – seeing them join the schools and then watching them move on – taller than you! ♥️
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Feb 14, 2023 @ 11:49:17
It is is mindblowing, Steve, especially when some are 10 or 11!
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Feb 14, 2023 @ 05:12:18
Lots of cake and why, not lots to celebrate I love the idea of talking about the clothes the kids wore and why it must been very interesting!
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Feb 14, 2023 @ 07:41:07
It’s wonderful to see how they have progressed in their development over 6 months. Some could not strong words together in coherent sentences, in September, due to delayed Communication and Understanding development (another side effect of Covid 🙄)
For some, English us a second language .
Yet each child who was in, could say something about what they chose to wear, and why 😊
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Feb 14, 2023 @ 08:11:15
Oh wow..that’s even more amazing and a testament to the teachers 🙂
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Feb 14, 2023 @ 08:13:54
😊😊😊
That, and everyone around us whomhelp nurture these little souls 🥰
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Feb 13, 2023 @ 20:00:20
Happy birthday to all the birthday recipients also from me. I love the idea of a day with freely choosen clothing. xx Michael
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Feb 13, 2023 @ 20:38:04
It was a fantastic day, Bro!/and, Thanknyoi 😁
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Feb 13, 2023 @ 16:38:30
Cake , cake, cake and more cake ….mouth watering!
Happy birthday to all of the birthday recipients. Lots of taking it easy for you 💜💜💜😃
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Feb 13, 2023 @ 17:29:58
Lol! Thank you Sis. I’ll try xx
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Feb 13, 2023 @ 18:27:12
You better had 💜💜💜💜
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Feb 13, 2023 @ 16:07:55
May seems to be the favorite month for couples… to tell from the births in the following February… lol. Most birthdays in our greater family and of some friends are in February.
Happy belated birthday to everyone 💖
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Feb 13, 2023 @ 17:30:14
Thank you Sis 😁😁
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Feb 13, 2023 @ 19:32:24
💖
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Feb 13, 2023 @ 16:03:42
Hi Ritu, it was not clear to me if it is school holidays next week. The cakes all look lovely, a real treat. I hope your Monday is going well.
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Feb 13, 2023 @ 17:30:35
We are on a week break, now!
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Feb 14, 2023 @ 08:10:11
Nice.
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Feb 14, 2023 @ 08:13:22
😊
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Feb 13, 2023 @ 15:02:19
I love the cake fest!
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Feb 13, 2023 @ 16:00:18
My tummy did, too!
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Feb 13, 2023 @ 14:51:24
Sounds like a busy week, Sis. Pace yourself. ❤️
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Feb 13, 2023 @ 16:00:28
I’ll try, Sis 🤗
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Feb 13, 2023 @ 18:19:47
Big hugs right back to you! 🤗
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Feb 13, 2023 @ 14:40:54
I am sipping a very hot cup of coffee as I reply to you – knowing you are well into your week already – you had much to celebrate last week so let there be cake!
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Feb 13, 2023 @ 16:01:15
There was definitely cake, John! And more to come! Cheers!!!
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Feb 13, 2023 @ 14:15:17
Seeing you have a lovely week ahead! I must say, I doubt I could have weathered all the sweets you had this past week and lived to tell… Carry on, Sis! ❤
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Feb 13, 2023 @ 14:26:11
Ha ha! Well I’m powered by sugar right now! 😁
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Feb 13, 2023 @ 13:56:52
Hope you’ve a good week ahead
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Feb 13, 2023 @ 14:24:48
Thank you, Sajde 😊
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Feb 13, 2023 @ 14:42:58
My pleasure
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Feb 13, 2023 @ 16:00:44
Have a lovely week, too 😁
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Feb 13, 2023 @ 16:39:32
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
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