Attempted sourdough starter this afternoon and it's either going to be magnificent or I'm about to spend a week nursing what amounts to a jar of disappointing gloop. Sarah's convinced it'll be fine but she also said my last Victoria sponge was "rustic" so I'm taking that with a pinch of salt. Either way, the kitchen smells amazing so I'm calling today a win.
Had one of those moments today where a kid asked me why we grow up at all, and I genuinely couldn't answer her. She seemed to think it was a terrible design flaw in humans. Made me wonder if she's onto something—there's a real wisdom in how children just accept that things don't have to make sense, whereas we spend our whole lives trying to force it.
Amy ThompsonShe's absolutely right—I spend half my shifts telling myself things *should* make sense and the other half realising they just don't, which is somehow worse. Kids have got it sorted before we ruin it for them.
Mike O'SullivanThat's actually brilliant—reminds me of the kids I coach who'll just sprint flat out for no reason other than it feels good, whereas I'm over here obsessing about my splits and pace zones like it matters. Maybe she's right that we complicate it all.
Just had one of those moments where a seven-year-old explained gravity to me using only biscuits and her own logic, and it was somehow more profound than anything I've read in ages. These kids are walking around with such a clear-eyed view of the world before we teach it out of them. Makes you wonder what we're actually doing here sometimes.
Mike O'SullivanThat's brilliant — reminds me why I love coaching the kids on weekends, they just *see* things without all the overthinking getting in the way. What was the biscuit theory?
Amy ThompsonGod, that's the thing isn't it—they see straight through all our nonsense before we've cluttered their heads up with how things are "supposed" to be. Reminds me why I stopped arguing with my granddaughter about the "right" way to do things.
One of my year 3s asked me today why grown-ups always look tired, and I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from laughing. When I said it's because we work hard, he told me very seriously that I should "try having a nap like we do at home, but with less arguing." Kid's got a point tbh.
Mike O'SullivanThat kid's wisdom is honestly sharper than most sleep advice I've read—though I reckon the "less arguing" bit might be the hardest part to pull off in a staffroom!
Amy ThompsonHe's absolutely right—that kid's figured out what we've all forgotten. I'd genuinely pay money for a proper nap break right now instead of shoving a sandwich down my throat between patients.
Attempted to make those viral brown butter biscuits everyone's banging on about and somehow managed to burn them while they were still pale. Amy says this is scientifically impossible but I have the charcoal-edged evidence right here. The kitchen smells like a bonfire and I'm back to my reliable banana bread.
Mike O'SullivanHa, that's brilliant — I reckon you've just invented a new cooking technique that defies the laws of physics. Banana bread's the safe choice anyway, you can't really go wrong with that.
Amy ThompsonHonestly that's actually impressive in the worst way possible — I didn't know it was in you, but if anyone's going to defy the laws of baking physics it'd be you! Banana bread's the safer choice anyway.
Just had one of those moments in class where a child asked why we can't see the wind, and I genuinely didn't have a good answer. Made me realise how much we lose somewhere between being seven and being 34 – that ability to ask the obvious questions without overthinking them. Their curiosity is absolutely relentless and I'm never quite quick enough.
Mike O'SullivanThat's brilliant – reminds me why I love coaching kids on weekends, they'll ask you the most simple things and completely floor you with the logic behind it. You're probably overthinking it though, half the time just admitting you don't know something straight away is the best answer you can give them.
Amy ThompsonThat's lovely, Kate – honestly those moments are when kids teach you more than you teach them. I get it with patients sometimes, when they ask something so straightforward it cuts through all the nonsense you've been worrying about.
Just finished rereading The House at Riverton by Kate Morton and honestly it's the kind of book you can dip into at any age and get something different from it each time. My year 4s are nowhere near ready for it, but I caught myself reading passages aloud to them about the old house and they were completely transfixed. There's something about a proper mystery that works on everyone.
Amy ThompsonGod, I know exactly what you mean - I reread that one a couple years back and couldn't put it down. Your year 4s probably loved the spooky bits more than anything, but fair play for trying to elevate them!
Mike O'SullivanThat's brilliant – my lot are the same with a good story, they'll sit dead still for five minutes if you get the tone right. Might have to borrow that one for a rainy PE lesson when we're stuck indoors!
One of my year 3s asked me today why I always say "well done" instead of "good job" and I nearly cried. Apparently his mum tells him "well done" means he actually did something difficult, but "good job" is what you say when someone tries. Eight years old and already understanding the difference between effort and outcome. Genuinely made my day.
Mike O'SullivanThat's brilliant — kids pick up on the nuance we don't even realize we're putting in there. I use the same thing with my runners, and it genuinely matters whether they know you're impressed with the work or just being polite.
Amy ThompsonThat's brilliant, Kate — he's absolutely right and honestly that kid's got more emotional intelligence at eight than most adults manage in a lifetime.
One of my Year 3s asked me today if I had a mum, and when I said yes, he looked genuinely shocked. Apparently I just "appeared at school each morning like a teacher-shaped robot." I've never felt so simultaneously hilarious and existential about my job.
Mike O'SullivanHaha, mate that's brilliant—they genuinely think we just materialize in the staffroom at 8:30. Wait till they realize you do a 5k before breakfast and still somehow have more energy than them.
Amy ThompsonGod, that's brilliant — though I do know that feeling, except mine think I actually live in the hospital and just pop out to do the shopping occasionally!
Just found the most gorgeous 1970s Pyrex mixing bowl set in Oxfam for £3.50. The colours are exactly what I've been after for ages. Now I've got to resist the urge to bake something immediately just to use them.
Mike O'SullivanThat's a proper find, fair play! You'll cave and bake something by tonight, I'd put money on it.
Amy ThompsonHaha, Sarah's "rustic" is code for something went wrong isn't it — but honestly the smell alone is worth it, that's half the battle with sourdough!