But I Smile Anyway…

Aaaand… at ease, every educator out there! (Well, most of you, anyway. I know some schools are still going for a couple more days!) It’s the Holidays!!!!!!!

Are you ready with your drink?

• If we were having chai I’d have to start by telling you all about the nativity! So, we practiced every day, after our lunch hour, as the hall was always free then, and each day, I saw the children’s confidence, and performances getting better and better! Thursday arrived and I had a nervous tummy, I kid you not! It was also my directorial debut, so there were added nerves. New show, new songs… EEK! But, those children did us proud. There were one or two absences, but we managed to cover them. One of my SEN children was out, and the mothers of the other two sat with their children, to help them out with such a big change. One sat on his mum’s lap the whole way through. The other sat for a while, then did try and storm the stage a couple of times, but only to join in with the singing, and to check up on baby Jesus in the manger! The parents were happy, the children were wired, the staff were relieved! We did it!
• If we were having chai I’d tell you that the rest of the week was not quite a right-off, learning wise. We still had our activities, but the children were definitely in a heightened state of Christmas excitement. Maybe it was the consumption of chocolate with breakfast, as they cracked open their advent calendars each day. Or just that feeling of manic energy you get when you are all so tired. Or was that just us staff? Whatever it was the week went smoothly, even though we were all wondering if the Government would suddenly decide to put everyone on remote learning for the last week, seeing as the Omicron cases slowly rose. Part of me wanted this, as it could be the circuit breaker we may need, in order for everyone to have a decent Christmas. But, another part of me desperately didn’t want it to happen. Remote learning is a bummer for little children, and another end of term with no Christmas festivities for the children would have been awful. So thankfully, we got to the end of term. Crawling, I have to admit, but we got there!
• If we were having chai I’d say that I felt extremely spoilt and appreciated, again, with all the love showered on me by parents and colleagues. The whole team were, actually. I cant thank everyone, enough!

• If we were having chai I’d mention that even the Secret Santa gifts were gigglesome!

• If we were having chai I’d have to put this out there, though, especially… One of the little lads in my class, I have great affection for, because, even though we have some tussles with some of his choices, and behaviours, he really does try hard, and wants the approval and praise from the adults around him. After school finished, he came back with his mum with a beautiful box of biscuits from Fortnum and Mason’s along with this lovely message, that I want to frame and keep forever! The biscuit tin is also musical, so it’s another lovely keepsake!

• If we were having chai I’d let slip that I had a preliminary meeting with the publisher, on Friday, too… watch this space, is all I can say, right now!
• If we were having chai I’d let you know that the weekend was very, very quiet. We did hardly anything, but to be honest, I don’t think I could cope with much more than that, given the tiredness! The weekend involved, aong with a little laundry, grocery shopping, and housework (necessities!) plently of reading and drinking warm drinks! A perfect weekend!

• If we were having chai I’d share tghat even Sonu Singh decided to give me a lie in on Saturday, with no 5/6 am racket, demanding food. In fact, when I had fed him, and came back to lie down, for a little longer, he joined me!

This week will hopefully be finned with the joys of the festive season. We have a family member who hasn’t been well, and should be back in the family fold by the beginning of the week, and everyone is tentatively waiting for any last-minute announcements from the Government, regarding Christmas and mixing households… I am sure that I shall have at least two more trips to a supermarket, since the teens have turned into gannets, and even the shopping I did on Saturday seems to have already disappeared! Fingers crossed all the presents arrive as well, so I can get them wrapped. The next time we meet for a drink, will be the last Chai of 2021… where did this year go?

And while you’re here, did you sign up for my mailing list? I am in the middle of writing an exclusive Chickpea Curry Lit story for my subscribers, and there will be news, tips and even recipes! You know you want to join… go on! Click the pic below to sign up!

Hello, all! Relief is spreading through me, right now, as I embark upon the final week of term!

Are you ready with your drink?

• If we were having chai I’d tell you that school has been somewhat easier. Unbeknownst to me, a new member of the team was to start on Monday, in my class. A new one to one support assistant for one of my SEN pupils. It’s always good to have these adults to support the children who really need it, and as we were down one of those children as they were unwell, it was a little easier to manage. Yes, there were meltdowns, but we had that extra adult to support!
• If we were having chai I’d tell you that we have done around three run throughs of the nativity, sans costumes, and it has gone from being a hot mess, to a kinda luke warm one. Some children are aware of their lines, some still have no clue… thanks parents, for reading the letters and supporting your child with learning their ONE LINE!
• If we were having chai I’d say that the week ended on a higher note than it started, at school. We were made aware on Monday evening that one of our academy schools had received the OFsted call. Knowing we are also due an inspection, it meant we were all on tenterhooks, as when they visit one academy, they tend to follow with another school from the same group, and as they were in the area, it was highly likely. However, we were then informed by the DofE that there would be no more inspections this side of Christmas, to allow schools to arrange for all the midigations that would need to be put in place, in case of lockdowns, or stricter restrictions again. Oh, and maybe that we could enjoy the last week, too! (There is still a high chance that we might not be able to do our play to the parents. but at least we have it all sorted, and costumes for most of the children are in. We could always video it, amateurly, and send it to parents, I guess!
• If we were having chai I’d mention that on Friday, we had a little team meal out. It was a kind of thank you to everyone for the support they have given, a little Christmas get together, and a chance to catch up with my TA who had to leave, after being injured. I think it was a get together that was much needed, outside of the school walls. I do love my team. They are the reason my job is a little easier… (but not much, because it is HARD!)
• If we were having chai I’d whisper that there might be a little interesting news from me on the book front… It’s not official, yet. Contracts and terms are being read and looked over, but, what a lovely way to end the year! (And it was me that was approached, not via any sort of submission!)

• If we were having chai I’d let you know that the weekend was very, very quiet. And I think that was needed. Aside from a little house work, and laundry, I did nothing apart from snooze and read, because I was incapable of doing anything more! “(One week to go…)
• If we were having chai I’d give you little Sonu Singh update, since he’s been a little absent from the blog! Here he is, guarding the Christmas tree. I think we have found the right sparey now, to deter him from trying to eat the branches, however, he does love to sit by int, or lounge near it! Bless him!

This week is the final one before we break up. Still wondering whether things will be cancelled, Christmas performance-wise, for parents, however, we will ensure the children have a great lead up to Christmas! There is still present shopping to do and plans to be made for the festive season, but until we are told, by the powers that be, it’s hard to make any plans. I really want to be able to drive up to Brum to see my parents, even for a day and night, so I can reassure myself they are both doing alright, especially Pops, after his operation. I already have the basics of the Christmas Dinner in the freezer, just in case things end up with everyone having to stay at home… but we are hoping that won’t be the case! And I have a meeting with the publisher, who is interesting in signing me, too, so wish me luck, everyone!

And while you’re here, did you sign up for my mailing list? I am in the middle of writing an exclusive Chickpea Curry Lit story for my subscribers, and there will be news, tips and even recipes! You know you want to join… go on! Click the pic below to sign up!