March Madness

Hello!

Three days late (and in April), but here we are; March’s blog *thumbs up*.

I won’t lie there is no theme to this blog this month… just a whole load of offloading! March was absolute madness and the energy just isn’t there (sorry). So much has happened, from Ciara moving into her own house (very exciting) to the children finally returning back into the classroom. It is difficult to sum up how I have felt this past month but enjoy the rambling below as I try to :).

Ciara (and Dave) has moved on out…

I mean she is like 8 minutes down the road if you walk, a minute (if that) if you drive. However, going from having both my siblings in the house to having neither there in the space of 6 months is super weird!

I am now officially an only child (in the family home), and Lisa and Ciara are proper adulting! Last weekend, we literally had a conversation about kitchen work-tops, washing machines, sofas and, wait for it, water being on a meter in comparison to it being non-metered. Absolutely riveting stuff I can assure you. I of course joke. I am very proud that they both have moved on, and out, and perhaps soon it will be my turn; if anything it gives me two new escapes and places to go!

I shall leave this part with this, the other day I stood by the dishwasher after dinner with my mum on one side, and my dad the other as we cleared away our plates and it genuinely hit me that this is what an only child feels like- an out of body experience that felt so weird after 27 years of absolute madness in our house!!

School returns…

This term has definitely felt like a term of two halves. Remote Learning for the first 9 weeks and then everyone back for the last 3 and a half. Having all the children back physically in the class has been great, and I really feel it has brought them all closer together as a unit. There is definitely a different vibe to the class now, and if anything a slightly different outlook on school, and what it gives them.

Everyone, obviously had to settle again and find their feet back in the classroom, and back with 21 other children, who want to play on the same equipment as you, talk to different people, other than you, and perhaps work a little differently to you, and obviously this has taken some adapting. So I guess what I am saying is, it hasn’t been an all-out smooth ride back into the classroom, as some would like to lead you to believe. However, I know in our school we have tried our utmost to make sure that it has been as seamless as possible, and that the children feel safe and supported as they get used to being back in school.

It has taken time for the staff to adapt too, with the ever changing guidance, and with children being at different stages as they re-entered formal teaching in school, that in itself was a challenge. But again the staff at my school, and I’m pretty confident schools all around the country (even the world) have taken it in their stride and strived to provide the best transition back into school as they possibly can.

I can honestly say from personal experience and I am sure my Y5 team can attest, my emotions have been all over the place. They have pulled me up, dusted me down, and pushed my onwards- for that I am incredibly grateful!

Yes, we are tired, yes, we’re back to spending most weekends doing work, rather than just one day of it, but by god I don’t know about anyone else, but I am LOVING the fact I no longer have to say these god-forsaken words….

“______ you’re on mute!”

What else?

I’m sitting in my car watching Lisa my twin play netball from afar. Something I haven’t done in over a year. I’ve really missed it. Just like I have really missed being able to go and visit family and friends at a moment’s notice, and not worrying what the weather is. I’ve missed being able to chat to friends at work, who are now in a different bubble, so these chats need to be from a distance and quick. I’ve missed Trampolining, and going to watch both Lisa and Ciara play netball on the side-lines. But overall I have just missed the mundane normality; stuff that we perhaps used to take for granted.

My family are a sociable bunch, and every Birthday, Christmas; Practically any event we can think of, in the calendar, we meet up, have cake, chat, and just be there with one another. So as it has been with everyone, this year has been tough. Lis and I had to say Happy Birthday to each other from afar and exchange presents this way, Ciara has turned 30 and is yet to have her big celebration, my auntie will turn 70 in June and plans for this still remain up in the air.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and I realise that vaccinations are happening and things are beginning to open up (hallelujah). I just hope people continue to stick to those guidelines just for a little longer so those who have done so all along, and those who have had no choice not to, due to shielding and isolation can finally go out and see their family, friends and get back to a normal(ish) life again.

See I told you… no theme, no point really to this one but I feel better… kind of!

Enjoy Easter tomorrow everyone :).

Sinead xx