Lil Man | But I Smile Anyway...

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 352 – Lil Grinch

05 Dec 2021 36 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Lil Grinch, Lil Man, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday, The Grinch

“In a world full of Grinches, be a Cindy Lou Who.”
ANONs

Thanks, Spidey, for that festive one!

It’s the first Sunday of December, which means that the craziness of Christmas is finally upon us.

I usually put the tree up on the 1st of December, but this year we succumbed a few days early, as I felt like we all needed the little boost that the tree always gives.

But, in school, the tree went up in the classroom, interestingly, and lopsidedly, decorated by my class. Elfis the elf is firmly ensconced in there, too, watching the girls and boys so he can send his reports to Santa. We’ve started practising the songs for our little nativity, too.

Yes, Christmas is definitely on its way!

But, I appear to be living with a modern version of the Grinch!

Lil Man has embraced his mid-teen years by becoming a 16-year-old misery guts when it comes to the festive season! When the tree went up, he refused to enter the living room for a day! Lil Princess and I love a good Christmas song, and have the radio on, in the car, excitedly singing along (well, I do, anyway!) to the festive tunes playing. Lil Grinch? He sits and either asks us to change the station or stuffs his own earphones into his ears!

How did I give birth to something so against Christmas???

I’m still working on him. I wonder if he’ll be happy to wear a Christmas jumper this year?

So, do you know any Grinches? How do you handle them?

Wishing you a wonderfully peaceful Sunday, Peeps!

Proud

12 Aug 2021 66 Comments

by Ritu in Family Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Family, GCSE, Lil Man

Today, Peeps, my pride knows no bounds.

Yes, I know they say pride comes before a fall, but this time, I am prouder than proud of my son.

Despite the craziness of this last eighteen months, with the pandemic, and numerous other barriers to overcome, Lil Man got his GCSE results today, and he passed.

My boy will be off to Sixth Form in September!

I promise, I am not biased in this thinking, but I do feel that this year group had it tougher than most. If you think about it, last year, yes the exams were disrupted, but the children had the opportunity to cover the whole curriculum before the world went crazy.

So, despite not getting the chance to sit exams, they were prepared.

And A-Level students? They have seen the disruption, too, but they’d had a bit of normalcy with their own GCSEs, two years previously.

I mean, this set of children, have lost out on around six months of face to face learning time, suffered possibly even more testing than the average year group, as the grades were to be teacher assessed, rather than exam based, and have never faced a true exam. (SATs in primary school not withstanding!)

Yet, they carried on. And for the most, smashed their grades.

Personally, I much prefer this teacher based way of assessing, as exams mean you having an off day, despite being a good student, cound end up leaving you with a bad grade.

Whereas, this year, teachers were able to build up portfolios of evidence for each child, from assignments, to coursework, to test results, and their own professional judgement of each child, to give a grade that they felt truly reflected each pupils efforts.

I fall apart in tests and exams. I know my boy is the same.

But I also know that though he isn’t a straight A student, (can I say that, nowadays or is it a 7-9 grade student, now?) he is capable, and by acheiving the grades he needed to get to Sixth Form, he has proved that.

See.

Couldn’t be prouder.

Now, how to celebrate for a guy who passed his exams? Does he want a special meal? A treat?

Nope. He wants to go to his cricket training!

So, I’ll be off on cricket mum duty again!

Still, I’ll be taking him there, extremely proud of the young man he has become. 💜

And here is a little poem I penned a few years ago, just for him.

Fly my little chick, fly
Just stretch those wings and fly high.

Roar my little cub, roar
Show them what you're made for.

Swim my little fry, swim
You're just as good as 'him'.

Jump my little roo, jump
You can get over this bump.

Believe in yourself
In the power of you.

Have faith in yourself,
Like I always do.

So,

Fly my little chick, fly
All you can do is try...

Ritu 2016

For all those Little Chicks out there, that need that little bit of encouragement… You’re doing great, and you will continue to do so, have faith in yourselves… And especially for my son, Lil Man xxx

Lil Man hits 15!!! #HappybirthdayLilMan

29 Jun 2020 67 Comments

by Ritu in Family Tags: Birthday, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Lil Man

3.08am. A funny time to be posting, I know, but at 3.08am, fifteen years ago, I was finally a mum!

Yes, my first born, Lil Man turns 15 today!

Born after a smooth pregnancy, following fertility treatment, and an interesting labour, Lil Man made his way, kicking and screaming, into our lives.

Lil Man was born on my mum’s birthday, (Big birthday for her too – separate post to follow for that!) and was the first grandchild for both sets of grandparents.

He is a total character, and has such a gentle personality (apart from when he winds his sister up, and World War 3 threatens to start! Siblings, eh!)

From an early obsession with Thomas the Tank Engine, morphing to an infatuation with Spiderman, he then progressed to Star Wars, then cars and football. A bit of an obsessive personality, he has…

He’s a keen drummer, playing the dhol, and has managed to earn money at weddings, playing his drum. In fact, at one time, he was adamant that when he grew up, he would be a dhol-playing Spiderman!

Now, at the tender age of 15, he’s growing… inches to his height, shoe sizes are increasing at an alarming rate, and that bumfluff moustache has begun to show itself too!

And over the last few months, especially, he’s become more of a friend to me. We have been going out for long walks, talking about all sorts of things, from life, to family, to general silliness. We have discussed topical issues, and random topics too. We have developed a friendship, on top of the mother/son relationship.

I don’t get to say it as often as I should, but I am extremely proud of this young man, who has blossomed into a person with a huge heart, and a fierce loyalty for those he is close too.

So, please, can you help me in wishing Lil Man a fantastic 15th lockdown birthday! ❤

13 Thoughts For My Newly Teenage Son #HappyBirthdayLilMan And Birthday Thoughts For My Mum #HappyBirthdayMum

29 Jun 2018 132 Comments

by Ritu in Family, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Birthday, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Familly, Lil Man, mum, Teenager

Well, it’s here.

I feel old…

I am officially a mother of a TEENAGER!

Not a baby, toddler, child or tween, but a real TEEN!

Yes, Lil Man officially turned 13 at 3.08am this morning.

He may be small in stature, (hence the Lil Man alias) but he is big of heart and full of personality.

Bless him, I am so proud of him!

What can I say to a newly turned teen?

Google Image

Life was very different when I was that age, not least the fact that I was a girl, suffering the hormonal imbalances of a female, not experiencing the growing pains and voice breaking joy of a boy!

But there are a few words of wisdom I’ll try to impart upon him.

Be yourself – too many kids buckle under the pressure of trying to live up to crazy expectations of others.
Work hard – yes, I know school feels like a drag, but seriously, this is the time to lay the foundations of your future. Get your homework done, so you can relax, and not stress at the last minute. Do the best you can, then no one should have room for complaint.
Play hard – When it’s downtime, enjoy it. Get out there in the fresh air, make memories with your friends. Seriously, when you’re older you want to have other people in your thoughts, not computer games…
Embrace change – the next few years are going to bring a good few changes to your body. They may feel awkward at the time, but don’t worry, you’ll grow into them, and I’ll be there to take the photos to embarrass you with, when you are a handsome young man!
Good manners cost nothing – Always treat people with the respect you wish to be treated with.
Be sensible with Social Media – it’s so easy nowadays, to get caught up in the whirl that is social media. Remember there is a limit, and that once something is out there on the world wide web, it is nigh on impossible to totally delete.
Respect everyone – you’ll get to that stage soon enough, where you start to show an interest in others romantically. Remember that person is someone’s child, someone’s sibling too. Treat them how you would hope your own loved ones are treated.
Friendships last – good friends are few and far between. Make sensible choices about who you hang around with, and remember that some of the friends you make in these teen years will be with you throughout your life.
Do your chores – BORING, yes, I know, but essential. Learning to cook a little, keep your room clean (a lot!) and knowing how to do laundrey not only helps your poor mother, but gives youa good basis for the life skills you’ll need in the future.
Cleanliness is next to Godliness – please don’t EVER skimp on having a shower! You’re a teen now, smelly and hormonal. I will know. Full Stop!
Be honest with me – if you ever make a mistake, don’t be scared. I may be the biggest killjoy in your life when I tell you to get off the phone or screen, but I am also your biggest supporter. If you can admit doing something you shouldn’t have done, I can be there to help you.
Be a strong person – (or Man Up, as you like to say) stand up for your rights and those of others you know are being wronged. If you know something is being said that is hurtful, don’t join in like a sheep. Have faith and don’t be afraid of being the one who speaks his mind, and not that of the majority.
Remember – most of all – I love you lots, and I always will. No matter how old you are, you will always be my baby, my first born, my son ❤

Here’s wishing you a most special thirteenth birthday Lil Man, you are very precious to all of us!

And you are extra special to your Nani, or my mum, since you decided to make an appearance on her 55th birthday! Sorry mum, I can’t top that as a gift, but my brother may be able to equal it this year, with the imminent arrival of niece/nephew #2!!!

A very happy birthday to the most special mother a girl could ask for; a role model I aspire to emulate, a guide through good times and bad, and most of all, a very special friend.

Love you squillions Mum! Happy Birthday!!!!! ❤

Flash Fiction Must Run In The Family… #YoungWriters

21 Mar 2018 64 Comments

by Ritu in Children, Fiction, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Children, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Lil Man

I’ve mentioned the Lil Princess a few times with regards to creativity, be it singing, drawing or writing.

This time I have to report that Lil Man is now nearly up there with the published authors of our time!

His school sent some entries to a company here, who encourages and promotes young writers, and Lil Man’s flash fiction piece was one that was chosen! The compilation is called Stranger Sagas…

Here is his piece!

The Magic Pen
It started at my birthday and Grandpa came. I like Grandpa
coming on my birthday, he gives me presents which were his
when he was a boy. This year, Grandpa gave me a pen.
Grandpa handed me the pen.
He said, “Click this pen when you are in great trouble.”
By the way, my name is Billy. I’m twelve years old. Later, I
went to school. I had the pen that Grandpa gave me, just in
case I needed it. I clicked it. Click! Time froze. What do I do?

The Young Writers Association is a company which targets schools and encourages entries into various competitions for children of all ages.

They select ‘winners’ to go into books, and yes, it is a ploy to get proud parent’s to buy the books, but if it gets kids writing, I am all for it!

(Yes I have already ordered one copy – not going mad and ordering one for every member of the family!!!)

What did you think of his flash?