Sleepover

There are many things we do as parents that after we have done them we look back and say "Thank Goodness that's all over." Birthday Parties, for example. Having 10 of your child's friends running around your house, is something you just have to put up with once a year (per child! - glad I stopped at 2!) It is always difficult when you have other children in your house. They never have the same house rules at home that you do and they do things you wouldn't let your own children do, not because they are naughty or disrespectful, but just because everyone has different routines at home.

Little Z has been asking for weeks if Little A could come for a sleepover. Little Z has never had a sleepover before, but having just turned 9 is at that age where she feels more grown up and wants to start having her friends to stay the night. They asked so many times that I finally gave in and so yesterday I picked up Little Z & Little A from school and after watching Little Z take part in the school's last cross country race of the season we all went back to our house for dinner.

I was surprised by how calm and sensible they were. I expected to have to keep nagging them to pick their things up and not make such a mess or to stop teasing Big J (something Little Z tends to like doing when she has friends around), but they were very well behaved and Little Z was much calmer than she usually is. We watched Doctor Who on DVD during which the girls sat together quietly snuggled up on the sofa. They had their hot chocolate and then went to bed. Again, I expected to have to go in there several times to tell them to go to sleep and not to make so much noise as they were keeping Big J awake. I didn't. They talked for 5 minutes, then it was quiet. Within 15 minutes, they were asleep. It is never that easy when it's just Little Z and Big J to put to bed. Maybe we should have friends to stay more often!

What a day...

Feeling energetic, I woke up this morning and decided we would walk to school. So having hurried to get ready for school, I ushered Big J and Little Z out of the house to take Big J to the childminder's. Despite the fact that I am going to the school and could take Big J myself, it is a long way to walk for him and I don't want him getting worn out before starting the school day. I am also trying to keep him in some kind of routine so that he knows he must go to the childminder's every morning whether mummy is working or not.

So, after dropping Big J off just around the corner, Little Z and I had to just pop back home to get her bags and then we could go. That is when I realised I did not have my house keys with me. Having been in such a hurry to get out of the house on time, I had pulled the door shut behind me without taking my keys out of the other side first. Great!

Little Z and I tried for 10 mins to open the door from the outside using the very sophisticated 'twigs through the letterbox' method. We were not successful. Luckily I had picked up my car keys and so we were able to drive to school where I had to drop Little Z off without her school bag and lunch and then had to go into Big J's school for sharing time, where he gets to take me around the class and show me all the things he has made etc.

I then had to go to the Junior school for an informal meeting with Mrs C, their ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) which was very beneficial to both parties. I was able to express my concern about Little Z's recent change in behaviour at home, namely her frustration and anger, and Mrs C agreed to try to see Little Z today to give her some time to talk through anything which may be worrying her and which she has not felt she could talk to me about.

I felt very positive after the meeting with Mrs C, however, I still had the issue of the keys to sort out. Thankfully, Larry had not yet left his office to go on delivery so I was able to collect his keys from him.

After such a busy few hours, I was glad to be able to sit down and relax until at 11.55 I suddenly realised that I had not taken Little Z's bag to her at school (it had been locked in the house and so left behind) and she therefore had no lunch! So much for trying to be economical with petrol this week. I called the school. They were not answering and I was not going to leave a message. I jumped in the car and took her bag to her.

As luck would have it, the deputy, who is also the SENCO (special educational needs coordinator) was in the school front office and having just had a meeting with the Ed Psych was able to give me some feedback on that meeting and its outcomes. It is a big relief to know that finally something is being done. I have to say. I think the school are being fantastic. The class teachers and SENCO are very supportive and have been receptive to recommendations I have made. Having then also spoken to the class teacher at the end of the day, he seems to be taking the recommendations of the Ed Psych on board and in addition to the things he already has in place for her, is considering how he can support her further.

I have spent months with my 'Teacher Parent' head on, not knowing which one to be and not being able to separate the two roles. Now I can relax and just be a parent where Little Z is concerned. She already has a teacher who is doing a good job, she doesn't need another one.

Oh Deer!

Sundays are our family time. We always try to get out somewhere with the whole family and have some quality time together. Last Sunday we took Seany & Granny to Bolderwood. This is fast becoming our favourite place to visit in the New Forest. We enjoyed the walk so much last week, that we decided to go back again this Sunday. It's great whether you want to go for a long walk, short walk, cycle ride or just a picnic on the grass. As it is a deer sanctuary, there is a viewing platform and daily talks by the local keeper when the deer get fed. There is a lovely picnic area which also has barbecue facilities and there is plenty of parking. I recommend it to anyone looking for somewhere new to go that doesn't cost a lot of money. Take a look here to see for yourself.

2nd Chance?

Interview last week at one of the lovely schools I mentioned did not go well. The lesson I planned was really good, but I did not deliver it well. I did not prepare enough for my interview and it was a tough interview with some difficult questions. I am using the excuse that I had not been well for a few days prior to the interview and so was not feeling 100% on the day. Doesn't make any difference though. they are not going to give me a job because they feel sorry for me. I do have another applicatioon to send off this week to a school I have had an interview at before. It is across the other side of the city so would take about 30 mins to get to in the mornings, but I have to take what is on offer. It is a nice school with a good ethos and having interviewed there before, I know what sort of things they are going to be asking should they invite me for an interview. In the meantime, supply is going okay. I enjoy being called by schools direct as apart from getting paid more, I get satisfaction out of knowing the like me / like my teaching and are asking me back.

Heads, Shoulders, Knees & Toes!

Big J has been going to school for four weeks now. I am amazed we have (so far) not lost any of his jumpers, his trousers do not (yet) have holes in the knees and his shoes are not scuffed beyond repair. I wonder how they manage it. We have not been so fortunate in avoiding headlice. Even with Big J's short hair, they managed to go forth and multiply leaving the poor boy scratching and scratching. Luckily, as a teacher, I have become slightly obsessed with spotting headlice and they were gone quicker than you could say "nit nurse". As a precaution, I have taken the clippers to his hair and he now has a number 2 all over. It suits him and I think he has had long enough at school now for them to know that he is not a little thug despite his resemblence to one:)