Categories: uncategorized
Date: 18 March 2004 10:21:03
Great excitement in the seed trays this morning. We were counting marigolds when we suddenly noticed the far end of the seed trays appeared to have an infectation of moles. The soil was erupting, almost before our very eyes. Yes, the sunflowers have germinated! Only a hint of the actual plants can be glimpsed through the cracks in the soil, but they are certainly making their presence known. Great excitement indeed. Smudgelet and I had an impromptu science lesson, talking about how the seeds grow into plants and what will happen to them next. He was rather distressed to learn that the slugs and the birds are rather partial to marigolds and has set about inventing a slug-proof flower pot to protect his little babies. Suddenly he feels less amicable towards slugs.
I've been busy on the phone this morning pursuing my quest to reduce my teaching time without reducing my income. I have managed to book an appointment with a careers advisor for Tuesday - and to my pleasure he runs a weekly session in the village so I only have to pop down the road to see him. Meanwhile I rang County Hall to find out how it would affect my income if I worked only mornings. Hmmm... not good news. I'd drop over £10000! This is a little frustrating as our school is so organised that almost all the teaching is done in the mornings. In the afternoon I teach one lesson; I sit for half an hour babysitting while the children read their books and I read mine - to set a good example.... except that I can never concentrate on it and end up reading the same sentence over and over interspersed with comments such as "you're supposed to be reading" and "If you're reading, it doesn't involve writing a note on a piece of paper and passing it to your friend" and "I find it helps if you open the book"; Then I spend ten minutes handing out letters and checking homework diaries, and then I sit and babysit in assembly for half an hour. So I lose a huge chunk of my income and only a fraction of my teaching. Hmmmm.....
Poor Tiddles was quite apologetic after his tantrum last night and realised that he had time this morning to do his homework if he hurried to get ready. Bless him, he hurried, got himself ready to start, and discovered he'd left his book in school. Typical! He's also extremely repentant at the thought that Smudgelet will miss his swimming again because of him. I felt really rotten, but what can you do? It'd be silly to keep him up late again tonight. It was about 10pm by the time he finally fell asleep last night.
Right, a summons from next door, so I'd better pop across and see what he wants.