Saturday 19 February 2011

HALF-TERM! HOORAY!


I can't begin to tell you how glad I am that half-term has finally arrived. It has been an unbelievably and unpleasantly hectic last couple of weeks at school. There has been so much to do in addition to my classroom teaching, that I feel as though I have left whirling in freefall. I needed sweets, sweets, sweeets!

There have been some positives too. This week my class spent the morning at the Castle, taking part in a Dragon Workshop. It was wonderful and the children behaved brilliantly!!!



We looked at atmospheric paintings, listened to stories, looked at dragons, wrote down ideas for our own stories and experimented with wax resist.

Then the following day, we welcomed some student visitors from the university. We are working on a project all about our city, in preparation for a big exhibition in the school hall. The children wrote letters to ask for information about many of our city's beautiful, historic buildings and got some really lovely replies. The students offered to come in and spend the day with us, bringing lots of exciting activities and opportunities for learning.


Once again, the children were fantastic and got so much out of the day. THAT'S what I love about teaching! I need to keep reminding myself, with a quick pinch.

But let's try and switch off from school  and concentrate on some relaxation and fun. We are off to Manchester today, to visit our son and his wife, little Sophie and Scott (Oscar's half-brother) and our eldest daughter and her boyfriend. Our younger daughter is coming along to. It's always a great time when we all get together; lots of fun and laughter, good food and ale and plenty of cuddles with little Sophie. I can't wait!

I've packed nothing so far, except my knitting! Obviously, the most important items remembered first ;-). It's going to be socks, socks and more socks; it's all my poor, frazzled brain can cope with at present. Hopefully, when we arrive back home on Tuesday, I will be in a more relaxed frame of mind and ready to press on with the 'Gunnerside Ladies' sweater.


As you can see, there are two pairs to finish and two pairs to knit. Hmm, that's a lot of socks! Well, it is a five hour journey, so I plan to keep it simple and knit, knit, knit!

Of course, Oscar is coming too....... if he can raise himself from the sofa ;-)


See you all again on Tuesday evening. Have a great weekend!

12 comments:

Sarah said...

I know just what you mean-about school-and just how you feel! Hooray! I like the look of your last couple of days at school-especially the castle visit. I remind myself all the time that the kids are what make it all worth while-despite all the extra paperwork that seems more and more for other adults rather than to actually benefit the children!
Have a lovely time with your family this weekend and your knitting! I have finally finished a lovely purple scarf-my level of knitting-and have bought some gorgeous recycled silk, cotton and viscose yarn to make-another scarf! I am ribbing this one-enough difficulty for me!
Have fun!

Susan McShannon-Monteith said...

That looks like a fantastic place to learn about dragons.
Enjoy your trip to visit Sophie, your knitting and of course your holiday.
Oscar looks so comfy.
Susan x

bellaboo said...

Have a wonderful week and enjoy your family get together.Hope you will be as relaxed as Oscar looks!

Lynne said...

Have a lovely time. I hope it wasn't too much trouble to trail Oscar off the sofa! Happy sock knitting, and I really love the yarn with the yellow in it - at the front right of the photo. :)

Jennyff said...

That sounds like fun and such a good start with five hours of sock knitting, that will get your relaxed. Have a lovely time, looking forward to hearing all about it.

Dawn said...

Oh yes, it is such a relief to get to half-term. I was clockwatching like crazy on Friday!
Have a lovely visit with your family.

Stadtwaldvogel said...

Have a great time with your children and Sophie!
Yours, Julia

Teje said...

Have a wonderful holidays!!!
Hugs for Oscar!

Sarah Knits said...

We have almost switched places! We have made the trek from Cheshire to Norfolk bringing Ted our lovely Choc lab to his favourite place. My inlaws have his sister as well how spooky is that!

Enjoy your trip to Manchester, are you visiting purl city yarns while you are there?

Tracy said...

Treats all in all here, Ros... and LOVE the photo of Oscar--so sweet! Enjoy Manchester! :o) Happy Days ((HUGS))

josiekitten said...

Hope you've had a relaxing time and been able to recharge your batteries! See you soon! xx

melissa said...

looks like you had a lovely week. i hope you have a wonderful trip to manchester. i hope you come back with photos of sophie and pupper-cuteness.