Hey there Peeps! I hope you have your beverage of choice ready!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you – “Week Five– In-Law-less – done! and 10 days to go!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that I woke up on Monday aching! all that walking on the weekend meant I was physically exhausted! But it was great fun! so much so, that I ended up joining in again this weekend just gone! Obviously, not with as much gusto as it was Mother’s Day on Sunday, but I did get to first place at one point on the Saturday!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that school was great fun, with the introduction of Space. The kids loved their new play area and joined in the learning with gusto! It’s a shame we can’t continue it until after the holidays, but we have to cover Easter this week! But there was a great moment when we were debating about Pluto and it’s planet status…
5 yo: Mrs B, I said there are 9 planets but 2 girls keep saying there are 8.
Me: well, you're both sort of right. Pluto was a planet, now its a dwarf planet.
Other 5 yo: yes, Pluto's not a planet any more. Now its Mickey Mouse's dog!
— Ritu Bhathal ✍🏽📚💜 #ChickPeaCurryLit (@RituBhathal) March 27, 2019
If we were sipping chai together I’d say Nursery was wonderful, with us getting ready for Mother’s Day. They all had a chance to paint their mummy for our I Love Mum Because… gallery! They saw my paintings of my mum and them did their own. Too cute! I loved getting their mummies to come in and have a look!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that generally, the rest of the week went pretty smoothly. Lil Man had his badmindon academy training on the Thursday, and he actually gets coached by someone who was seeded #8 in the UK when she played for England! Pretty special! Lil Princess enjoyed her swimming and has now decided that the thing to wear to her lessons, (not during, though. That would be silly…) is a onesie! She saw some other girls doing the same and decided that was it. Her thing for next week!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that, speaking of Lil Princess and her healthy endeavours, she is also playing badminton, and doing really well. This week, I dropped her off, hoping to get back and do some ironing, but we arrived at the leisure center to find she had decided that Silver sparkly pumps were the right footwear for sport! Cue me rushing off like a loon to get her trainers, and haring back!
I mean… really?
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you I am trying very hard to read fast. I joined NetGalley at the end of last year and have been happily reading and reviewing arcs for authors and leaving reviews, but my biggest problem is that I get excited and end up with too many books to read! And that is not counting the TBR list on my Kindle, or the pile by my bed! Eeeeks!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that I had a most wonderful Sunday. It was Mother’s Day here in the UK and I woke early, as I usually do, to a bunch of flowers, chocolates, cards and my new mug as my last Mum one broke. There was also a little Pandora charm tucked into the gifts too, followed by a trip to Bluewater where we had lunch together, and I was able to peruse the bookshops.. but I didn’t buy! A few pink bubbles at the end of the day really set it off as the best day!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that there is one week left of term then the Easter holidays are upon us! Whoopee!!!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d mention that I still need to be prepared for Thursday night’s School Easter Disco, and the Nursery Easter Egg hunt on Friday (times two; once for each session!)
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d say I am rather excited about Saturday, as my bestie is coming to stay with her hearly two year old!!!!!
Have a wonderful week, Peeps! Let me know how your week went!
Hey there Peeps! I hope you have your beverage of choice ready!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you – “Week Four – In-Law-less – smashed it!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you about ‘that’ observation. Yes it happened. I was so worried about it, but even though there were some silly niggles (there always are!) I didn’t need to have it postponed, or anything, and I got the most lovely comment from my team leader!
My observation feedback included the following comment…
"Class teacher has a wonderful aura around her that makes the classroom environment inviting, entertaining and the children wanting to learn."
— Ritu Bhathal ✍🏽📚💜 #ChickPeaCurryLit (@RituBhathal) March 19, 2019
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that, the next bit of fun has been getting our new topic set up for the class. We are introducing Space to the Reception year, and have never done this before, so it has been all systems go, trying to get everything together for a fresh start on Monday. Seriously, new roleplay area, which is a space station, new resources for the learning, new everything! I had a mad dash into town to get bits for the topic on Thursday with my children, after school and I was buzzing, rushing around like a headless chicken. The kids were exhausted with keeping up with me!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that it’s been quite a calm week with the kids, as Lil Man has given his a self-imposed reward chart as he wants to earn money for a new badminton racquet. I’m not complaining. It means there aren’t as many arguments, and I have NEVER seen his room so tidy! Oh and his first session at the Badminton Academy went really well. There was an England coach there too, so he was stoked!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that, I have been working very hard on making sure my new Zen-like kitchen is kept pristine… but why do others NEVER put things back where they are meant to be??? Mentioning no names here… If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you I still had to get up early on Saturday morning for Lil Princess’s swimming lesson.. What I wouldn’t give for a little lie in… but the thing is, I can never actually stay asleep more!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that despite intending on a really quiet weekend, I woke on the Saturday to a challenge. A FitBit challenge! One of my friends added me to a Weekend Warrior challenge, to see who in the group could get more steps in over the weekend. Well, usually this is my chill time… but I can’t step away (see what I did there!) from a challenge, and I ended up walking around my living room, and even ended up doing a 3 mile walk in the afternoon! I was aching by the end of the Saturday, but felt quite invigorated! Saturday steps were over 25K in the end! Sunday, nowhere near as many, but I was going to relax, no matter what!
If we were sipping chai together I’d also say we had a sleepover on the Saturday night too, with the Brother and Sister -in-Law! The parent’s in- law are still away but we thought it would be lovely to chill out together on the Saturday evening, and it was lovely, but I ahve to say, I really don’t like not having my own bed at the end of the night!
If we were sipping chai together I’d let you know that I did something… something HUGE… I finally sent that WIP off to my editor…EEEEEEKS!!!!!! Could 2019 be the year for me???
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that it’s nearly time for holidays… I am crawling towards that goal that will be here in two weeks!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d mention that it’s ~Mothers Day here in the UK on Sunday… Hmmm… I wonder what we will be doing to celebrate?
Have a wonderful week, Peeps! Let me know how your week went!
Hey there Peeps! I hope you’re ready … never a quiet one in Ritu-World!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you – “Week Three – In-Law-less – done!!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you work has been manic (isn’t it always? Life in an Early Years class…) We had Science week, so hyped the kids up with a chance to meet some minibeasts, like ginat Africam landsnails, tarantulas, African milipedes, cockroaches and a snake! Then on the Tuesday, my day started with a panic, as my team leader was off sick, and there was a moderation meeting happening the next day, across the schools in our academy. For those of you that don’t know, moderation is when you compare your judgements about pupils with the other schools, to make sure you aren’t making too easy/harsh judgements about how a child is progressing. I was worrying as I have never done one of these without here there, and the other Reception teacher has never been to one before… blind leading the blind? Yup! On top of that we had planning to do the next day too, which was going to be cut short because of the Moderation meeting. So by 9am on Tuesday, I had gathered moderation information, chased up paperwork, and created a skeleton plan for the following week’s learning. Phew! But thankfully my Team Leader ended up back that afternoon, because she cannot stay at home! So no panic in the end! But the day did not end without a tension headache… oh yes…
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that, moderation went well. I kinda feel a lot more confident about these things now, and hope that the experiences will help me further along in my career.
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that the rest of the school week was relatively simple, until my kids decided to embarrass the heck out of me first thing on a Friday morning. Playing up and messing my classroom before the day had even started, arguing and generally making a nuisance of themselves. I ended up blowing my top at Lil Man before he headed off to his school… Seriously? Can children not even keep calm for at least 10 minutes, without causing a storm? BP felt like it rose high!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that, on the flip side, he has done really well in a Maths test, proving that the tutoring we send him for seems to be working! And he is also playing badminto regularly, on top of the cricket, and on Sunday, he was scouted for a Badminton Academy! I am very proud of him and his strengths. (Not so much, his teenage strops and attitude!) If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you Lil Princess got me worried this week. I would walk past her room, and hear her shout ot periodically, “Just shut up…!”… Turns out I didn’t need to worry! Apparently she did really well, but I couldnt watch as I was short staffed at the time!
Got a little bit concerned the last few days… Was my daughter beginning to suffer some form. Of Tourettes?
— Ritu Bhathal ✍🏽📚💜 #ChickPeaCurryLit (@RituBhathal) March 14, 2019
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that the weekend was absolutely wonderful with Pops and Mum. They brought a huge box full of my old photos from infanthood to university and I spent a long time perusing… they also found old certificates of mine, and embarrasing school photos too! We spent a long time chatting, reminiscing and talking about all sorts, and I learned so much from them both, about their lives, and customs and traditions in our culture. It’s amazing how I learn new things about my parents every time we sit and chat. Seriously, you think you must know everything about them, and then they tell you things that make your head spin… I hope to share some of the stories one day, on the blog, but I tell you what, Mum could write a memoir, and it would be amazing!
If we were sipping chai together I’d mention that mum even managed to help me Marie Kondo the heck outta my kitchen which I had been dreading! We stripped countertops, emptied cupboards, threw out of date stuff away, made a (huge) donate pile and scrubbed cupboards and drawers and walls too (bit of a condensation issue in the kitchen) and then put it all back, wrapping up equipment that is used less frequently so it stays clean and generally more organinsed. Feels good, but 8 hours of that andf my shoulders are killing, my body is exhausted and eyes are itching from dust and all sorts! Still – feels GOOD!
If we were sipping chai together I’d also say we had to sleep on the sofa bed for two nights, as I would never inflict that upon my parents, and I totally appreciated that Sunday night bubble bath that I have made sure I enjoy each week, as part of my ‘self’ word of the year!
If we were sipping chai together I’d let you know we went a bit spiritual too, at the temple on Sunday, celebrating the birth of a baby in one of Hubby Dearest’s friend’s family. Soul cleansed, kitchen cleansed, body cleansed… just need my mind to be emptied now, though I fear that will never happen!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that official lesson observation week is also this week, so I just need to get Tuesday out of the way, successfully (my observation day) then I can breathe and relax!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d mention that this coming weekend, NOTHING is planned – honestly! I hope for lots of lazing around. I need it!
Have a wonderful week, Peeps! Let me know how your week went!
Well hello, again Peeps! I’m already chugging away at my chai as I type this to you. Yes. Week one of no In-Laws is over!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say “Yes! We survived the first week!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that things have been going pretty smoothly on the kids at the end of the school day front. They either come to me or to their uncle if he’s working from home, and that has been really helpful… except one day when Lil Man (he had to do something, didn’t he?) when he took so long to get to me, I wandered the roads outside our school for twenty minutes and even called up his school, only to find him sauntering into the gate, with a lollypop stick hanging from his lips and a blue mouth! He can’t seem to grasp that I have to fit a whole load of work into less time at the end of the day at the moment, so I don’t leave late, and takes his sweet time getting anywhere!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that the migraine decided to come back with a vengeance too on Monday evening… I guess I am stressing a bit about everything. It made me go to bed early, after popping a pill, and I woke with it still there. More tablets and I managed to get through the school day, and once that finished, it reared its ugly head AGAIN! No fair! But please don’t worry, I am better now!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that I’ve had a few interesting emails over this week. The first was one from that blessed car servicing place, who tried to fob me off with a 20% discount on next year’s service, even though in my original email I had expressly said I would not be using their service any more. Then they came back and offered me a £20 refund… I still haven’t replied, since I paid nearly £300 for the pleasure of being carless for 2 days for NO REASON!
If we were sipping chai together I’d excitedly say we got some lovely news on Friday for Lil Princess. She got her first choice for her secondary school place in September. I can’t believe she will be going to big school soon, but am so happy that she got where she really wanted, as so many kids out there didn’t… seems the Government forgot there was a baby boom in 2007/2008 and places were going to be scarce!
If we were sipping chai together I’d let you know I got another email that, though it might seem negative to some, is actually really positive. I received my first REJECTION from an agent. This is, so far, the first and only one I have sent out, so to get a response was just amazing!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that my Tootie Frootie lades and I had a great night out on Saturday for a Comedy Night, a few bevvies and a bite to eat. We giggled our way through the evening!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that I had a lovely video conversation with my Finndian family on Sunday morning and I can’t wait for a couple of month’s time when I get real cuddles!
If we were sipping chai together I’d let you know that we have managed to book a long weekend away to yet another Center Parcs too, this time in Elveden Forest! Another exciting time! We need to get booking activities now!
f we were sipping chai together I’d say that thankfully the in-laws arrived safely, though my father-in-law left here feeling a little under the weather. We were a little worried about the whole India Pakistan thing going on, especially as they closed the airport closest to where they stay, but they assure us they are okay, if wet, as they combat rain, whilst here we had three days of glorious weather, and on one day we were hotter than the tropics! (It’s wet now, but shhhh!)
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that I have two busy evenings this week, with Parents Evening rearing its head. So School gets me for nearly 12 hours on two days… I know it is a long day, but I do enjoy catching up with the parents and discussing their children’s’ progress.
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d mention that I don’t want to have anything else planned next week. I deserve a quiet rest of the week, after the parents evenings, but let’s see…!
Have a wonderful week, Peeps! Let me know how your week went!
Well hello, again Peeps! Have you got that drink ready? My chai is waiting!.. I have a doozy of a week to tell you about!
If we were sipping chai together I’d sigh and possibly be looking for something stronger than a chai! (That, I said last week, and it still stands this week too!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that the half-term holidays is a chance to recharge your batteries… yeah right!
If we were sipping chai together I’d let you know that the simple car service and MOT did not go to plan. I can’t bore you with all the details, but if you click here, you can read my anguish in full! Basically, it failed its MOT on something ridiculous and the garage could have sorted it out easily… and there were other issues, I have emailed the company I booked through to complain, and am still waiting for a response… Oh, and it was dang expensive!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say the above rigmarole really messed with our plans. As it was Lil Princess’s birthday in the week, there were umpteen things to do, and being without a car for two days really didn’t help. But it did give me a chance to do more #KonMarie- clearing! I got up into the attic and really had a good scour around, in the dusty place, found some gems and got rid of loads again! I think another 10 bags or so of old soft toys, puzzles, more toys and clothes, again!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that all was not lost though. I treated myself to the All-New Kindle Paperwhite and it is lovely! All my unread books are ready for me to dive into, which is just perfect! My old one was cleared and set up for Lil Princess, and she loves it!
If we were sipping chai together I’d let you know that on top of the car-aziness on the Monday and Tuesday, we had an impromptu visitor. Hubby Dearest informed me that his cousin, who was visiting from the USA, was popping over, and would possibly be staying over. I do get on with this cousin of ours. He is great fun. The kids love him too, but it was just a bit manic, with my hallway full of black bags full of stuff that no longer sparked joy and me with no car. ANd the worst thing? He was driving up in his parents’ car, and all the electrics failed as he was nearing us, so he had to abandon the car, and get a lift to us too. I don’t think this is a good week for cars in our family…
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that Wednesday and Lil Princess’s birthday finally arrived. She tells me it was her best birthday ever! We finally relented and got her a SIM card for her phone, and as she walks home alone some days, I feel it was a good call, but not before a lot of coaching on the appropriateness of how to use a phone, Social Media, sending (or not sending) photos to people, etc. She also got an Instax camera which she thinks is the bomb! Added to a catch up at an ice cream parlour with her friends, and CAKE, and lots of lovely presents, she really did have a wonderful day!
If we were sipping chai together I’d let you know we even managed a mother-daughter nail appointment on Thursday, a girlie lunch date on Friday while Lil Man was meeting his friend, and on Saturday, we had our hair done. Truly a great bonding week for us both! We also watched Life of the Party, where a mother ends up going to college with her daughter, and despite huge embarrassment and misgivings on the daughter’s part initially, they both have a fantastic time in the end. (I still don’t think Lil Princess is convinced that it is a good idea for us in the future thought…!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you Lil Man discovered his Dhol drum again too, and I really wish he’d take it up again. He is so good… That is my boy playing below. What do you think?
If we were sipping chai together I’d let you know we managed to help the in-laws get packed and ready for their extended trip back to the Motherland too. It’s always bittersweet when they go. I appreciate the freedom we suddenly have but miss all the support they give, and the reassurance I have that no matter what, the kids are always in a safe place.
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that it is back to school time, and though I am always up for the new challenges that every term brings, it’s always a little fraught while the in-laws are away, and I can never give my 100% as I am worried about my own children after school!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d mention that we find out where Lil Princess will be going to secondary school this week too, and I am as nervous as anything. She wants to go where her brother is, and I am hoping she gets her place there, but you honestly never really know… Roll on Friday, with some good news!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d add that I’ve also got another Tootie Frootie night out planned on Saturday, to a comedy night, and I am just a tad excited, especially as I personally know two of the fantastic comedians who are performing!
Have a wonderful week, Peeps! Let me know how your week went!
But I Smile Anyway... 