Thoughts Opinions & Memories | But I Smile Anyway...

Friday Feelings

01 Jul 2016 36 Comments

by Ritu in Children, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Children, new experiences, taster day

Oh yes it’s Friday!!!!

I’m so happy, my Lil Man is back!

He had a fantastic residential trip, and didn’t miss home at all!

In a good way though, he said!

His birthday was great with his friends waking him up with choruses of Happy Birthday, and him getting chosen to do lots of things first, as the Birthday Boy!

And so we awake to a Friday full of new things.

He is spending a day, a taster day, at his new secondary school.

I’m more nervous about this, than I was about him being away for 4 days!

But again, he is relaxed, chilled, and looking forward to a new adventure!

I have an adventure of my own too… We’ve done the class trip, I’ve written my first ever end of year reports, and now we will be getting to know our new students. The first half are coming to nursery to visit today.

Will they be like my first ever class, a true baptism of fire?? Or will next academic year be a year of smooth sailing?

Who knows, but I’ll be finding out. We also have home visits starting soon, so we get a good idea of what the children are like!

Then to top the day off, Lil Man has another cricket match!

I can’t wait for the weekend!!!!

Have a wonderful Friday Peeps!!

Stowaway!

29 Jun 2016 52 Comments

by Ritu in Children, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Crab, Seaside, Stowaway

Yesterday I took my class to the seaside for a family day out. It was lovely, aside from one unpleasant incident. The weather was pleasant, the children and parents were happy, and I got to eat ice cream, always a good thing!

One of the children caught a crab. She was so excited, she ferried this thing around in a bucket for hours!

As we neared the time to get the train home, we encouraged her to let it go back in the sea. She’s a good girl, and went off with mummy, no problem, and found a safe place to let it go… only for it to promptly be eaten by a seagull that was hovering!

Nature’s way, I know that, but not nice for her to see it close up, like that!

Anyway, we were on the platform, waiting for our train, and her mum came to me. “We have a stowaway!” I wasn’t sure what she meant, but was soon shown what she meant. deep in one of the little turrets of her bucket, there was still sand lodged, and in that sand was a teeny little baby crab!

Mummy didn’t know what to do with it, so she took it home, then sent it in to us at Nursery today!

What are we to do with a baby crab? No sea water for him, not tank to keep him… the safest place, we decided, would be the Promenade, though it is not salt water… it’s the closest thing.

But, me being me, I had to bring it home to show my children!

Here is Cyril the Crab!

Excuse the lined hands, but isn’t he teeny, and cute!

Look at his little face!

I’m keeping him for another day, so Lil Man gets to meet him, then we will set him free.

Guilty Pleasures

29 Jun 2016 36 Comments

by Ritu in Sonu Singh, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Cat, Reality TV, Sonu Singh

Bet you didn’t know, my cat has a reality show addiction!

The new one is Love Island!

Check him out! Totally engrossed!

Yes, I’m talking about you Sonu Singh! Sorry, did I disturb your viewing??!!

Writespiration #91 – The Hug

29 Jun 2016 22 Comments

by Ritu in Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: #Writespiration, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Hugs, Peom, Sacha Black

Hugs – The prompt Sacha has given us for her Writespiration challenge this week.

I love a good hug! I think they can solve so many ills!

I wrote a little poem this time…

A cuddle, a hug, a squeeze

There’s nothing more likely to please.

It’s just like a smile, it costs nothing to you

But a well-timed hug , there’s a lot it can do

The shoulder squeeze, a solidarity stance

A hug with a shrug, well they do it in France!

The cuddles with children they warm the heart

Snuggles with your Dearest, never to part

But I have to say, the best hug I’ve had

Is the deep embrace I get from my Dad.

Bittersweet…

29 Jun 2016 56 Comments

by Ritu in Children, Family, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Birthdays, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Children, Family, Lil Man, mum

… But more sweet!

Today we celebrate the birthdays of my precious Lil Man, turning 11 today, and my darling Mum’s birthday too!

Mum, 11 years ago, I gave you a gift, I could be ever better… Your first grandchild. All I can give you now are a multitude of thanks. For being my mum, for making me, for being there all the time, my rock, loving me no matter what…

We wish you a most wonderful birthday today, and hope to see you soon to celebrate properly 😍🎂🎁

Lil Man, 11 years ago, you finally popped out, and into our world. A screaming ball of love and fun. So wanted were you, our first born, that when you were placed on my chest, we didn’t even think to ask whether you were boy or girl. The years of turmoil and heartache were worth it.

You have grown into a young man I am so proud of, coping with difficulties with gumption, a superstar in your chosen sporting activities, a champion dhol player, and an all round wonderful boy.

Today is bittersweet because as I wish you happy birthday, you’re not here with us. Instead you are celebrating your birthday away, with your school friends. I know you will be having fun, but know that we miss you and love you so much!

When you are back, you will have grown even more, in so many ways. A new maturity, after being away, and another year under your belt. Who cares if you haven’t gained as many inches as your peers.

Great things come in small packages, and you, my darling son, are one of the greatest small packages I ever did see!