JustPickOneUK

Well today is August 12th 2026 and it is time for a (near in the UK) TOTAL Eclipse.  Its not quite a full one here in the south of England but it is for some close by and it is the nearest we've had for 27 years. I remember the last one and being excited that it was happening. My sister and I ended up going to one of her friend's houses to see it. Not that it was any better there and mostly we just noticed it got darker and watched the live reporting from Land's End on the TV but hey, I remember where I was when it happened.  This time will be a bit different though as I have a cool kid at home for the summer holidays and we will be watching. We don't have any eclipse glasses as I need regular ones to see properly and I am a big proponent of not messing with the sun when it comes to eyes in particular.  So instead we are going to walk to to the top of the near by hill and use a pin hole viewer. This tech has been around for a very long time and it is the second safest w...

 Well it's that time again. Another academic year over. The last day of the school year. A time for reflection, for relief, for yourself. This year has been a hard one for me. My role changed from being the lunch lady to becoming a TA. That changed my life dramatically and I have felt so many differing emotions that I have no idea how I actually feel about the last day. My last day with the children in an educational capacity. I will cease to be "Mrs Oliver" and become "my son's Mum" again.  I've been working in Reception and in Year 3. Both challenging year groups with very different levels of ability and need requirements. But at the end of it all they are all just kids learning to do something new. Learning what the teachers want to tell them, to read, write, make music, cut and stick. Learn about our planet, about themselves, socialisation skills and that p.e. is their favourite lesson.  Whether they are 4, 8 or 11 years old all of the kids need a tr...