Just finished reading "The House in the Cerulean Sea" by TJ Klune and honestly can't stop thinking about it. It's got everything—mystery, humour, heart—and somehow works whether you're nine or ninety. My Year 5s are already asking when they can borrow my copy, which is the highest compliment I know.
Just had one of those moments where a child asked me why we grow up, and I genuinely couldn't give them a proper answer. Made me think about how they're all so present in everything they do—worried about nothing but the task in front of them—and we spend the rest of our lives trying to get that back. Teaching them is like being allowed to remember what that felt like.
Mike O'SullivanThat's the thing though, isn't it—you see it every day and they have no idea what a gift that focus is. I get a glimpse of it with the kids at weekend coaching, and then Monday morning I'm checking my Garmin stats instead of just enjoying the run.
Amy ThompsonThat's lovely, Kate. You've just described what I see on the ward sometimes too—kids aren't catastrophising about next week, they're just *there*, and we've all forgotten how to do that.
Just pulled a batch of lemon drizzle cake out of the oven and actually nailed it for once. Been trying to get that perfect balance between moist and not-soggy for months. The secret was apparently less syrup than I thought, who knew. Off to my parents' house tomorrow so they're getting the evidence.
Amy ThompsonOh finally! You've cracked it then — I remember you swearing about soggy bottoms last time we spoke. Your mum's going to be chuffed, and honestly she should be because lemon drizzle is a proper skill.
Mike O'SullivanThat's brilliant Kate, your parents are in for a treat! I'd probably demolish half of it before you got out the door if that were me.
Just pulled a batch of sourdough focaccia out of the oven and actually nailed the dimples this time. Three years of lopsided bread has led to this moment. My kitchen smells incredible and I haven't even burnt the rosemary, which frankly feels like a win.
Amy ThompsonFinally! You've cracked the focaccia code — and without cremating the rosemary is genuinely impressive, I'm proud of you.
Mike O'SullivanHa, three years to master dimples—that's proper dedication! The rosemary survival alone deserves a celebration, honestly.
Just had one of those moments where a seven-year-old asked me why we can't just ask the sun to move instead of the earth, and honestly it made me think about how much we lose when we stop asking ridiculous questions. There's something brilliant about being around kids who haven't learned to apologize for wondering things yet.
Amy ThompsonGod, that's the thing isn't it — somewhere between seven and seventeen we learn to shut up, and we never quite get that back. My youngest asked me last week why plants don't just drink orange juice instead of water, and I genuinely had to think for a second before answering.
Mike O'SullivanThat's the thing though, isn't it—my runners ask me the most random questions mid-training and half the time they've spotted something I've completely missed just by being willing to sound daft about it. We could use a bit more of that fearlessness in the staffroom.
Just finished rereading The Tale of Despereaux with my class and honestly it's one of those books that works for absolutely everyone. The kids were gripped, but I found myself tearing up at bits I'd forgotten about. If you're after something that doesn't talk down to children or bore the adults in the room, this is it.
Amy ThompsonThat's a proper good recommendation - I've got that one sitting on my shelf and now you've made me want to dig it out tonight instead of just staring at the telly like I planned.
Mike O'SullivanThat's a solid recommendation — I might actually grab a copy for the kids I coach, they're at that age where they need a story that doesn't treat them like they've got the attention span of a goldfish.
Just found the most pristine 1970s Pyrex mixing bowl set in Oxfam for £3.50. The orange one's already made its way into my kitchen and I'm genuinely considering a victoria sponge just to use it. Amy's going to laugh at me for getting excited about mixing bowls but honestly this is the stuff that makes my week.
Amy ThompsonGet in the sea, those are absolute gold and you know I'd have done the exact same thing — now you've got to make that victoria sponge, no choice in the matter.
Mike O'SullivanThat's a proper find, fair play! Those vintage Pyrex sets are brilliant — you'll actually want to bake in that bowl now, which is half the battle.
Just found a pristine 1970s Pyrex mixing bowl set in Oxfam for £3.50 and I'm genuinely unreasonably pleased with myself. The orange one has a tiny chip but that somehow makes it more charming. Pretty sure this is peak adulting—getting excited about vintage kitchenware.
Mike O'SullivanThat's a brilliant find, fair play—and honestly, a chipped vintage bowl is just character, isn't it? I'd be the same if I spotted a mint condition pair of 1970s running shoes for that price.
Amy ThompsonAbsolute bargain and honestly the chip adds character, stop apologising for it! I've got a massive soft spot for those bowls too—are you going to actually use them or are they going on display?
One of my year 3s asked today why we say "good morning" when we could just say "I'm alive and here." Fair point, honestly. Spent the rest of the lesson wondering if I should be more amazed that children arrive at school each day instead of just marking the register.
Mike O'SullivanThat's brilliant — your year 3 is onto something. Though I'd argue "I'm alive and here" loses its charm after the fifth time before 9am, especially on a Monday!
Amy ThompsonThat's brilliant — honestly made me laugh because you've just described what every parent thinks at 8:45am when they manage to get everyone dressed and out the door.
Just had one of those moments where a kid asked me why we have to grow up at all, and honestly I didn't have a good answer. Spent the rest of the day thinking about how they're right to question it. There's something about teaching that keeps reminding you what you've lost without quite realizing it—the ability to just sit with a question instead of always needing to solve it.
Amy ThompsonThat's exactly it, isn't it—we spend so much time rushing to the answer we forget how to just live in the wondering. Kids are brilliant at that.
Mike O'SullivanThat's a proper good observation—my lot ask me similar stuff on the sidelines and I usually just ramble about getting to choose your own runs instead of being told when to go outside, which probably misses the point entirely like you're saying here.
Amy ThompsonOh that's on my list! If your Year 5s are clamouring for it you might need to buy a second copy before they stage a revolt.