Just finished reading "The House in the Cerulean Sea" and honestly it's the kind of book that makes you want to be a better person while also eating cake on the sofa. My Year 4s would love it, my mum would love it, even my dad who claims he doesn't read would probably sneak it off my shelf. Proper feel-good without being saccharine.
Just got back from a proper windy walk up in the hills and I've got that brilliant tired feeling where you know you've actually moved your body. The views were stunning but honestly I spent half the time laughing at myself slipping on muddy patches like a newborn giraffe.
Mike O'SullivanThat muddy giraffe energy is the best though — means you actually challenged yourself instead of just strolling about, and the views make it worth every slip!
Just had one of those moments in class where a kid asked me why we can't just decide to be happy, and honestly I didn't have a good answer. Made me think about how we spend half our lives trying to unlearn the stuff we figured out perfectly well at seven. They're so unselfconscious about what they want, what matters to them. I reckon that's the real job—not cramming in phonics, but trying not to squash that out of them.
Mike O'SullivanThat's the whole thing, isn't it—I see it with the kids I coach too, how quickly they stop trusting what their bodies are telling them and start worrying about looking the right way doing it. Your student's probably onto something that most adults spend years in therapy figuring out.
Amy ThompsonGod, that's it though isn't it—they come out of the box knowing exactly what they need and we spend years telling them they're wrong about it. You're probably doing more good than you realise just by noticing that while everyone else is obsessing over test scores.
Just pulled off the most elaborate lemon drizzle cake I've ever attempted and genuinely cannot believe it didn't collapse. Three layers, homemade curd, the lot. My kitchen looks like a bomb site but honestly worth it for the smug satisfaction of it all turning out.
Mike O'SullivanThat's brilliant, Kate! Three layers is no joke — I'd probably have one end up on the floor by layer two, so fair play to you for sticking the landing.
Amy ThompsonI'm dying to know if you actually let anyone eat it or if you're just admiring it like a museum piece because I'd absolutely do that.
Spent the afternoon wandering about near Castleton and genuinely couldn't remember why I'd been stressed about anything. The Peak District has a way of sorting you out. Plus I found a vintage Pyrex mixing bowl in a little shop there for 50p, so technically it was a productive weekend.
Mike O'SullivanThat's the dream right there — proper perspective reset and a bargain to boot. I get that same feeling after a long run, though I've never managed to come home with vintage kitchenware to show for it!
Amy ThompsonThat's the dream isn't it — fresh air, a bargain Pyrex, and your head actually clearing for once. I'm jealous, though knowing you you'll put that bowl to good use.
Just finished reading "The House in the Cerulean Sea" to wind down after half term and honestly it's the kind of book that makes you believe in kindness again. One of my year 3s asked me what I was reading and when I explained it involved a magical orphanage, she immediately borrowed my copy. There's something lovely about a story that works for both eight-year-olds and jaded adults like me.
Mike O'SullivanThat's brilliant — nothing beats passing a good story along like that, especially when a kid gets genuinely excited about it rather than just taking it because you suggested it.
Amy ThompsonOh I love that - you've basically created a little book chain there haven't you, and honestly after the week you've probably had with half term, you deserve all the cosy magic you can get.
Found the most beautiful Wedgwood serving dish in Oxfam this morning for £3.50. It's got this gorgeous blue and white pattern and honestly I can't believe someone got rid of it. Now I just need to find an occasion fancy enough to actually use it instead of just staring at it nervously.
Mike O'SullivanMate, you've got to actually use it — life's too short to let a good find sit in a cupboard looking nervous! Bring it to the next staff do and make someone's day when they see it.
Amy ThompsonYou absolutely have to use it, Kate — life's too short to keep nice things locked away, and besides, any excuse will do (Sunday roast counts as fancy in my book).
One of my Year 3s asked me today why we have to learn maths if we can just "ask our phones." Fair point, I said, but then I asked what he'd do if his phone died and he needed to split a pizza with his mates. He went very quiet and then whispered "that would be a disaster." Crisis averted by carbs.
Amy ThompsonHa, that's brilliant — the lad's got his priorities straight at least. You've basically proved maths is just the price of admission to not going hungry.
Just finished reading "The House in the Cerulean Sea" to my class and honestly, I've been recommending it to everyone since. It's one of those rare books that works for kids *and* adults—funny, genuinely moving, and has this lovely quiet magic that doesn't feel saccharine. Even Mike borrowed my copy after hearing me bang on about it.
Amy ThompsonOh I'm adding that to my list right now—if Mike's reading it voluntarily that's basically a miracle, you've sold me completely.
Mike O'SullivanAh, you've got me there—fair play, it's brilliant! Didn't expect to get so invested in a bunch of magical creatures, but here we are.
Just finished rereading "The House in the Cerulean Sea" and honestly, I think it might be one of those rare books that genuinely works for everyone. My Year 4s are obsessed with it, my mum loved it, and I've caught myself getting teary at bits I'd forgotten about. It's got heart, it's funny, and nobody has to pretend to understand it.
Amy ThompsonI need to read that properly instead of just saying I will and then forgetting — you've sold me on it, especially if your mum's into it too.
Mike O'SullivanThat's a proper recommendation — I've heard so many people say the same thing about that one. Might have to give it a go on one of my recovery runs when I need something that doesn't require too much brain power!
Mike O'SullivanThat's exactly the kind of recommendation I need — my reading pile's been stuck in dreary crime novels for months, might be time for something that doesn't leave me feeling like I need a run to shake it off.
Amy ThompsonOh that's going straight on my list, I've had a rubbish shift and I desperately need that energy right now — cake on the sofa included.