But I Smile Anyway…

Good morning, Peeps! The first offical Monday of the holidays! I have been off since Wednesday, though, so I feel like a bit of a cheat!

i can enjoy a leisurely chai with you, today, so I hope you have a lovely, long drink ready!

• If we were having chai, I would tell you that it was a very emotional start to the week. We had our transition days, so my classes were sent up to their new Year One teachers for a morning, and we invited our new children in to visit us for the morning, too. It takes this day for it to really hit home just how much the children we have been nurturing have grown and matured as we meet those little ones who are at the very beginning of the journey… and it makes us realise how hard both the staff and the children have worked to get them there. Monday afternoon, we had a little party. Tuesday, our last official day, was very tough. It was my dear head teacher’s last day, as well as for a couple of other members of staff. Plus there were three maternity celebrations to be had! The children had been practicing a song written for our Head, and as soon as I heard it, it brought a tear to my eye. I knew there was no way she would be able to stay dry-eyed. And she didn’t. But before that, there was an amusing assembly by the Deputy Head dedicated to her, asa well as the Year Six children singing her a song. The staff did an impromptu flash mob dance to a song associated with leaving staff the last few years. There was also a silly song video compiled with all the staff doing silly things, dedicated to her. We had aa fantastic meal out on Wednesday celebrate her sixteen years at the school. Less tears, more laughter, and the reassurance that this was not the last time we would be together.

• If we were having chai, I would mention that saying goodbye to our classes is always a tough time, and, as always, the parents and children astounded us with their generosity with end-of-year gifts and cards…

• If we were having chai, I would say that I made sure to get myself back in the writing game, too, now holidays started. Not every day, but most days, and I am making a dent in Book three! Plans have been written, and words are beginning to flow!

• If we were having chai, I’d jump back to Straight As A Jalebi, and say I am grateful to those readers who have left reviews, and we are now on 50 ratings and reviews on Amazon!

• If we were having chai, I’d share that I managed to watch a bit of a cricket game this weekend, as Hubby Dearest wasn’t too well, so I saw the end of the game, where (not so) Lil Man got three wickets! It’s been while but it always makes me proud to see him bowling successfully.
• If we were having chai, I would bring it back to Sonu Singh. He’s happy to have us all around him, and miaowing all the time for food! But there are plenty of times when it is just me and him who are awake, or around, so he joins me for a read, or as my meal partner!

This is the first full weel of the holidays, and though the first couple of days will be a little calmer, I have some appointments to attend with Lil Princess, as well as a wedding and Valima ceremony to attend for a dear friend and colleague, then we have that shopping trip with the in-laws that got cancelled last week. A possible office move may occur on the weekend, as Hubby Dearest wants to move to the upstairs room, so he is not disturbing everyone when he works from home, and is on the phone… but I am loathe to let my beautiful room go, permanently!

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