Yo yo yo Peeps! It’s Holiday Ritu in the house! But am I sitting here with my feet up? It’s Ritu, come on… what do you think?
If we were sipping chai together I’d say “YESSSS! The holidays are here!” But am I actually making the most of my time off?
If we were sipping chai together you would already know that the beginning of the week, we were still in school mode. And it was a crazy busy week at school! On Monday, we had the school Talent Show which was always cute at the beginning with our Reception class entry, this year a dinosaur dance, then it spirals into a strange collection of not quite singing/dancing, magic act/comedy routine! Still, the kids loved it and it was fun.
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that on Tuesday we had our transition day where all the children go to their new class for the day, and we had our new reception children in for the morning. Another interesting one, but the kids were great, even the ‘interesting’ ones! Then there was a parent meeting – I really don’t like speaking in public, not that you’d know! The evening was Lil Princess’s Leaver’s Prom, which had been hastily organised by two parents, and Kudos to them, they did a fantastic job! The kids loved it, and it was wonderful to see them all relaxed, excited for the future, and looking so grown up!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that Wednesday I had a full day with my Nursery class where we did lots of playing and practicing songs for their End of Nursery Celebration the next day. It was too warm to let them play outside, so after a few moments of fresh air, we were back in, singing songs and drinking copious amoungs of water! In the evening I spent time getting their little gifts ready for the last day.
If we were sipping chai together I’d admit that Thursday was rather emotional… It was Lil Princess’s last day at Primary school, so after a lovely celebration with my morning nursery class, where I melted slightly, as it was the hottest day of the year here, and a few moist eyes as I spoke to parents about how their children had grown and progressed, and then a long assembly to say farewell to some staff members, we had the Year 6 Leavers assembly which is performed to parents. The children usually choose memories from each year and present it in their own unique way, then they are presented with leaving gifts from the school and PTA. This is followed, always, by emotional hugs and tears from the children as it becomes apparent that they are really leaving, and will be off to become the small fish again in their secondary schools, after being the biggies here for the last year. A quick lunch, then we had the afternoon nursery class celebration – more sweat, I kid you not – and finally the schoolw as empty of children. We ended the day with a cream tea celebration in one of the only air conditioned rooms in the school to celebrate the impending births of two of our colleagues babies! It was lovely, but oh my… as I left school my car was unbearably hot… And it was packed with all the amazingly generous gifts that parents and students had given to us as Teacher Appreciation. I am always humbled and grateful. There is never an expectation, and I am always dumbfounded by the generosity.
If we were sipping chai together I’d want to share this specific message with you too, that was written in one of my cards. It has made my year. Makes all I do worthwhile. ❤
If we were sipping chai together I’d like to tell you that on Friday I put my feet up and did nothing, but no. I was back in school with my kids as they helped me with some hard graft in what will be my new classroom! The caretaker was in there all day too, removing various old shelfing that needed taking out, and putting boards up, taking boards down, making sockets miraculously work again and generally being a superstar. We put up new displays and moved a whole load of furniture around, emptied redundant shelves and brought in the billion boxes of things that I had ben collecting at home. It cetainly looks different now, but there is still so much to do!
If we were sipping chai together I’d happily say that Saturday and Sunday I did relax. Managed to read a couple of books, and just generally get in to holiday mode for a short while at least… before the craziness of next week kicks in!
If we were sipping chai together I’d want to tell you about something rather cute that has been happening in my back garden. You all know about Sonu Singh, our Punjabi cat. Well, next door have a lovely ginger cat too, who is called, most originally, Ginger. He belongs to a couple who live in disability housing. Ginger has never really been able to build a repationship with his owners in the same way that we have with Sonu Singh. He wants to play, but doesn’t really know how, swiping and scratching, yet reaching out for strokes. Anyway, the last few weeks, he has been getting braver at coming over to me, and now, he trots over daily for a stroke, and though he still goes to grab and scratch, he is getting so much better at being gentle. Sonu Singh has been watching with interest and we managed to introduce them (for the second time) with no hissing, and lots of sniffing each other instead. It has been lovely to see, and I think I have an adopted furbaby now too!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that this week I’ll still be in school for 3/4 days as the fun of actually trawling through the ‘stuff’ in the classroom needs to be done, as well as putting things in the places I want them to go. There will be no help from the kids as they won’t be able to, but I know Lil Princess wants to help me create my reading corner one day at least… here’s hoping I can post pictures of my new learning space for you all next week!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d say that once it hits August, I am planning on devoting a couple of hours every day to my WIP. and editing in full flow. Here’s to it being ready to be read by Beta readers before the end of the month. This does mean, however, that I may be a little less available on the blog, as I try and achieve my dream.. but I am not promising I won’t be here, because, well, you know me!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d mention that I shall be scheduling some proper mummy time with the kids too, so they don’t feel like the holiday is a flop!
Hey there Peeps! Welcome back to the madness that is the life of Ritu! Got that cuppa? Right, let’s get on!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say ‘Phew! One week to go…’ Yup the holidays are almost upon us, but not quite!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that I haven’t had the same amount of runnin around that the last few weeks have contained, but there has still been a lot of school based ‘stuff’ that has been going on, which means the days are ending much later than usual. My colleague in nursery is getting to grips with taking over the whole shebang with out me next year, and she is fantastic at what she does, but is not as confident on the technichal stuff. The last few yers, I have kept the IT side of things running, so it has been a few late evenings of quick tutorials!
If we were sipping chai together I’d mention excitedly, that I received my first lot of class stationery, you know, the official stuff. My own stapler, labels, velcro, pencils etc, and though that doesn’t sound too interesting, it is, very much so, for a stationery addict like me! Can’t wait to get labelling on all the little baskets I have ready!!
If we were sipping chai together I’d let you know we had the Reception class parent assembly where the children ‘performed’ for their parents and carers, talking about what they have done this year. It was extremely cute! As teachers we have also been giving performances of our own. but more about that next week!
If we were sipping chai together I’d whisper that the pile of things of rmy new classroom is getting rather large now, taking over my bedroom, not to mention what I stored in the attic! I think Hubby Dearest will be relieved once the holidays start, and I can finally take these boxes into school! We can have at least a quarter of the bedroom back! I just don’t have anywhere in school to store these things and if I took them in, and left them in one of the rooms, you never know who might help themselves!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that kid wise the Lils of the family had their last tutoring session for this academic year, and they were very glad! Lil Man has now finished school for summer and loves to rub it in, but Lil Princess and I still have until next Thursday, officially, and I know I will be in for at least a week after that, setting up!
If we were sipping chai together I’d breathe a sigh of relief and say there was NO CRICKET this week! It was lovely to have a Sunday where I could have a real lie in!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that on Friday, we had a staff meal out to celebrate the impending wedding of our headteacher. It was a lovely night out, much needed, and the food was good too! We were presented with these funny little tablet things which foxed us, as to what they were, until we popped them into water and realised they were little hand towels for use after our sticky ribs!
If we were sipping chai together I’d happily tell you that on Saturday Pops came down with my mum’s brother and wife, my aunty and uncle. I haven’t seen my uncle in 18 years, and my aunt in 8 years, so it was an emotional few hours, full of love and laughter. As mum was in Finland, she was feeling left out, so kept on calling us! But what a lovely afternoon. Family is everything, really.
If we were sipping chai together I’d ask you if you knew that Sunday was #NationalDoSomethingStupidday? Well, I was not stupid on Sunday, I was a bit premature and did my stupid stunt on Saturday. Yup, you guessed it #ClumsyRituStrikesAgain! We popped into Halfords, the car and bike place, after Pops had left. Lil Man wants a new bike, and has been saving up. So the rest of the family traipsed upstairs and I went to ask for one of the advisors to look at my car, as the AC wasn’t working, and the radio wasn’t picking up any stations. There was a few minutes to wait, so I checked on the others, and satisfied that they were still busy, I went back down, except I managed to miss the last step, and found myself sprawled across the floor, with an audience of around 6 people. How embarrassing! The cashier asked if I was okay, to which my bruised ego answered that I was perfectly fine… however, both feet hurt, my toes hurt, my knees hurt, my shoulder hurt…OUCH! I sat back on the offending step and waited for the advisor to call for me. Oh, I ached all evening, and woke up on Sunday to a graze that appeared on one foot as well, and hobbled around all day…. Feeling rather sorry for myself!
If we were sipping chai together I’d admit that I was rather proud of Lil Princess. We had an italian day at school on the Friday and her year group all got to make pizza which was transported home in a pizza box they had all designed and decorated themselves. Hers was lovely, and when she explained all about her design, my heart melted! If my daughter had a pizza restaurant it would be called Amore with the slogan, L’amore è nell’aria – which means Love is in the air 💜 It would be a couples restaurant and her tagline would be Girl Girl, Boy Boy, Girl Boy as it would be a place where ALL couples are accepted and celebrated . Bless her little cotton socks!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that this week will be hectic for various reasons, and most of them school related. We have the School Talent Show on Monday, our next Transition Day on Tuesday for all the school children to meet their new teachers for the next year, Lil Princess’s Year 6 Leavers Prom, my last full day in Nursery on Wednesday, and on Thursday, I’ll have two lots of nursery end of year celebrations with the children and parents, tmy Reception class Graduation, and Lil Princess’s End of School Assembly!
hing for cake or cookies I’d say that on Friday and the following week, I have roped in the kids to come and help me with classroon rearrangement in my new classroom! I will have my own room, finally, and can’t wait!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d mention that, touch wood, nothing has been planned for the weekend, so I might just catch a break! (Shhhh! Don’t tell the universe what I’m planning!)
Hey there Peeps! Time for our weekly catch up! Did I end up with a more calm week? Read on to find out!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that this week was marginally better than last week, but still no smooth sailing!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that school has been busy, as ever, with transition days for our new kids, preparation for end of year assemblies, thinking about cards for staff who are leaving/having babies/turning 70, Sports Day, more training and handovers for my new subject lead next year, and Book Fairs!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that I have a new challenge next year, with a student with Autusim joining my class. He has very specific needs and routines, and there is no one to be his one to one support, so this will be interesting…. He joins another child I have who has certain issues, one who is showing signs of sone sort or SEN, and two others with extreme behaviour problems. Oh, I’ll have my work cut out, but hey, it’ll be my class, and there will be continuity, so I hope I can do justice! I thing there will be a bit of blogger fodder in it for me too….
If we were sipping chai together I’d groan and say we had Sports Day! It’s been a while since I was involved in Sports Day as it is usually on a Thursday, which is my Nursery day. This year though it was on a Wednesday which meant I got a chance to get more involved in it all. My class were a great bunch, encouraging each other, and showing some real competitiveness too! One lost her shoe in her running race, so I ended up running the race with her so she didn’t feel like she was the only one running at the end. Then I accompanied a toddler to the finishing line in our siblings race, and finally I was dragged to the starting line again in the Teachers race! No. I dodnt win, but was 4th out of around 9. I’m not complaining, but I was the next day when the aches and pains were showing themselves!
If we were sipping chai together I’d mention that it was my nephew’s first birthday, and the first anniversary of Pops and his emergency surgery on Monday. The thought of that day is always bittersweet, with the worry of his op, and the news that the baby had been born!
If we were sipping chai together I’d yawn as I tell you that Saturday, I was up at some ungodly hour, unable to sleep with the muggy weather. I ended up reading for a coule of hours before I could sleep, then when I finally dozed off, it was time to wake up ready for taking Lil Princess to swimming! The morning passed in a haze, and I didn’t feel right until I’d had a 2 hour nap in the afternoon!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that Sunday was another Cricket dedicated morning, but I was determined to have a little me time too, so I went to get my nails done! And Cricket-wise, Sunday was a good day for many… Lil Man’s team won their match, and England were crowned Cricket World Cup Winners for the first time, after a nailbiting, historic Super Over end to the match! Now, if you know me, you know I am not sports orientated at all, but even I got excited about this! And to top it off, the Wimbledon final was on too, so tensions were high right up until the end of these matches!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that this week we have the end of year assembly for Reception class, reports need to go out to the parents too, and there is a toy sale being organised by my councillors, and the Eco councillors, to raise money for playground equipment!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d say that I have a dinner out on Friday that I am looking forward to, to celebrate the impending wedding of our Head!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d mention that Pops is coming over on Saturday, to bring my dear aunt and uncle who have come over from Kenya to visit. I haven’t seen them for a long time, and I am really looking forward to it! This is my Mum’s elder brother and his wife. They are such wonderful people and my aunt is one of the women in my life, I class as one of my ‘other’ mothers!
Hey there Peeps! Time for our weekly catch up, and I think I am kinda back to normal… if there ever was a normal in Ritu-land!
If we were sipping chai together I’d let you know that I am melting slowly in this heat that has gripped us in the UK… We are not used to, or equipped for it, and it so humid… Today, I even got sunburned, and I had applied suncream! Still, good old Fred the Ice Cream Van Man was on hand to cool us all down!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that there is no change with the craziness at school. In fact it has upped its crazy-anti! You see, officially the letters have been sent out, and parents know, so I can tell you that I have, for the first time every, been given my OWN class next year! The past few years I have shared responsibility with others, and I can only like my experience to that of a poor homeless relative, who would carry her bags to different places every day, never fully settled, and finally, I have been given my own home! I shan’t be in the nursery next year, which I will miss very much, but I will be full time in Reception, and I have been busy getting to grips with my class list, and planning my new classroom in earnest! I have known for a while, so my Pinterest has been expanding with all sorts of classroom management ideas! Nervous, yes, but very excited!
If we were sipping chai together I’d mention that usually at this time of year we take our nursery to the seaside on the train, but I was gutted that I wouldn’t be able to go, as they went on a day that isn’t my timetabled Nursery day. Coupled with the fact that I am out of a few training courses to aid my new subject responsibility for next year, it wasn’t feasable that I be released to go… I was sad as I haven’t been able to go on any trip with the children, of any class. But then, last minute, I was asked to accompany my Reception class to their day trip out to the local country park, where we learned Forest School skills, and we also were going on a hike to find the faerie ring! This was because next year, I’d need to do this by myself, so I needed the experience… Eeeek! Then we got a call that the ranger had broken her foot, and they would have to cance. But we couldn’t do that to the kids… so we undertook the whole session by ourselves, and had the best time! And we walked a LOT!
If we were sipping chai together I’d giggle and say I had a great time embarrassing Lil Princess too, on Wednesday, as it was the school disco. She just about bore with me at the first one for the little children, as they were my class… and watched in embarrassment as I jumped around to all the music, including Bhangra tracks! Then solemnly told me that if I danced at her one which was the second of the night, she would run away! I ended up honouring her wishes and stayed with a couple of my students whose parents were on the PTA and so they had to stay there for the whole evening… I was tested on my maths… I think I passed!
If we were sipping chai together I’d mumble that I managed to injure myself too, under my eye, with my Kindle! I was reading and must have fallen asleep. The Kindle fell forward onto my face, whacking my cheekbone, and waking me with a jump! It was sore, and I was convinced I’d end up with a black eye in the morning, but thankfully it wasn’t as bad as that!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that the weekend whizzed towards us and after an optician’s appointment for Lil Princess on Friday, we had a nail appointment, followed by a Saturday filled with birthday madness as it was Lil Man’s 14th birthday, and my dear Mum’s 69th! We ended up at Loch Fyne restaurant as he loves eating mussells, but got there to find that it isn’t mussell season, so we sampled other seafood instead!
If we were sipping chai together I’d mention that Sunday was spent in a haze of cricket mum duties, then I dozed in the afternoon, while the kids played with friends on the road. The evening ended up filled with preparation for next year’s classroom! I have been a busy bee!
If we were sipping chai together I’d have to excitedly tell you that Hoppalong Hubby has graduated from boot-wearing crutch user, to walking for short periods unaided (apart from the boot!) He still can’t drive, but less than two weeks until his next appointment. Let’s see what they recommend next. It will have been 3 months by then.
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that I did indeed get another few chapters edited, as promised, last week, and that I plan to do a few more over this week.
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d mention that I’ll be travelling to London again for the second day of my training course, though I am dreading it as it is in a further away place than before and means getting up even earlier!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d say that I will be having the first of my taster sessions with my new class this week. I know these children, as it is just the nursery children who are coming in this week, but next week will be the whole cohort… Bring it on!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d let you know that there is another major event happening this week… Lil Princess will be visiting her new secondary school for the first time for a transition day. I don’t know if I am ready for this, being a mummy to two secondary school kids!!
Have a wonderful week, Peeps! Let me know how your week went!
Hey there Peeps! Time for our weekly catch up, and I think I am kinda back to normal… if there ever was a normal in Ritu-land!
If we were sipping chai together I’d start by telling you that I am so appreciative of all my blog pals out there. You were so generous in your congratulations last week, that it touched me, especially as there were a few burbles in Book Blogger land that a supposed non-book blogger won the award… Thankfully, no one directly said anything to me but still… It nearly dulled the shine of a wonderful achievement, but you should all know me better than that. I just forgot about it!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that school has been extremely hectic. It is always a busy time of year for teachers, even though the children are winding down. We are fraught with end of year assessments, and those dreaded reports (yes, I fnally finished my last comments this weekend… but there is still tweaking to go!) Then we have to think about next year. The looking at class lists and working out how to swap and change the class demographics from nuresry, all the way to Year 6, and finding out who our class will be next year, as well as our team of adults within our year group. Next step will be preparing all the resources for September, whilst still operating on 2018-2019 mode too, so we can make the last few weeks fun filled for the children! I have been reading chapter books to my reception class this year and we have started George’s Marvellous Medicine, by Roald Dahl. The children decided that we could make our own medicine, but something to make people nicer… check out their list of ingredients…
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that this week, I’m a little gutted, as I will be missing the annual Nursery trip to Margate, as well as the Reception trips to the local country park for the day… It all stems from my days being split in two classes, and the fact that I am in and out like a crazy person with training, and covering different classes whilst home visits for next year are being organised…
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that I had two times I was out of class last week. One was to visit another school, to see how they operate their phonics teaching… and I have to say, I feel proud of our school. We appear to be smashing it, especially when you look at the demographic of our school. The second day I had out was to London, to learn about becoming a Phonics Leader, for the RWI scheme we use in school. Yes, my new responsibility next year will be Phonics Lead, and I’ll be retiring from the school council after two years. The trip to London was fun, though an early start, and gave me plenty to think about!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that we managed to survive the week without Lil Princess! She had a wonderful time on her residential trip, and I missed her, but I wasn’t sad. I am glad she is learning how to assert her independence! Hoppalong Hubby, however was the opposite! At every opportunity, he was trying to get me to call my colleagues to find out if she was okay. I had to tell him that I wasn’t about to take the mick, just because they are my friends! Lil Man thought it was great though, not having a sister who was constantly singing, and arguing with him!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that I read a couple more books this week, including an arc from our fantastic blog pal Lucy Mitchell… keep your eyes peeled for a review soon!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that now I have finally finished those reports as best I can so it will be time to get my edit on… I promise!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d mention that I have been exhausted, the last few days, so I shall be attempting some relaxation as well as getting all the school stuff done!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d say that I can’t believe my Lil Man will be turnign 14 this week… where has the time gone?
Have a wonderful week, Peeps! Let me know how your week went!
But I Smile Anyway... 