But I Smile Anyway…

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!