Thursday 30 April 2015

LisaSmiles 120:365

'Nobody puts Baby in a corner.'
An amusing night out at the Hippodrome. Not sure that Dirty Dancing intended their stage show to cause such amusement but the field/water scene caused great hilarity amongst our group and led to plans to integrate the scene into forthcoming assemblies/end of year performances as we think we can do as well if not better.
Also enjoyed my cheeky cider in the interval ;)

And I discovered that you can tell I learned German in Switzerland from my responses to this quiz. Not quite correct on the region though (Zürich came in 5th!) 




Wednesday 29 April 2015

LisaSmiles 119:365

I came home to a parcel - always makes me smile! This one was special as it was my prize for knowing about horses belonging to famous people, real and imaginary. Looking forward to making the glasses - fits very well with lessons on animals coming up soon!
And the sender, who is a very funny man in person, made me smile even at a distance. Thanks Steven! 

Tuesday 28 April 2015

LisaSmiles 118:365

Back a bit better :)
Lovely moment during break duty when a gaggle of little girls came and surrounded me in a group hug because I looked cold (I was!) :D
Staff deciding to use the girls' toilets rather than go all around the building work to the staff room ones in another building. :) 
Finished week 2 of the MOOC I've doing - and my sketchnotes are evolving nicely. I'm pleased with my increasing use of images!

Monday 27 April 2015

LisaSmiles 117:365

An enforced day at home and more robin watching. Lots of zoom but here he is! 
And here's John watching too! 
Time for sleep now. Hopefully! 

Sunday 26 April 2015

LisaSmiles 116:365

Beautiful blue sky again today. And new blossom in the garden too. 
Sitting on a chair to sing at church was fun this morning; no key changes so the congregation were spared me 'doing a Westlife' and rising from my seat! 

This cartoon made me smile, not just because it's about Zürich but also because it points out that Ü looks like a smile! 

Saturday 25 April 2015

LisaSmiles 115:365

Kinesio tape on my ankle. 

Jigsaw making. 

And more robin watching. 
I know it's a hedge. The robin was sitting in that hole when I pressed the button! Cheeky chap! 

Friday 24 April 2015

LisaSmiles 114:365

I spent today RICE-ing my ankle (which is improving!) which gave me the opportunity to do some online shopping (lots of books arriving soon!) as well as finish my planning for next week and read for a bit.
The highlight however was that throughout the afternoon I've been watching two little robins flying back and forth through the hedge with food in their mouths and delivering it to the greenery near the living room window. Robins are very special little birds to my family and this made me smile. Unfortunately I didn't manage to get a photograph as I couldn't move (husband's orders!) and even if I did, I startled them and they flew. 
So you get a photograph of my delicious yoghurt instead! Highly recommended. 

Thursday 23 April 2015

LisaSmiles 113:365


There is great joy in survival.
Don't know if anyone famous ever said that but it's true.

I've survived a day at work on crutches without too much pain (although one excited Y3 did accidentally give me kick as he enthusiastically simultaneously thrust his hand in the air and his foot forward to answer my question in guided reading...
Conducting assembly from an armchair is a new experience, and it wasn't altogether unpleasant.
Having to carry everything in a rucksack rather than my usual trolley on wheels meant I had to think carefully about what to carry.
I played an excellent C on the trumpet tonight before resuming impressions of flatulent elephants but Jude is managing not to laugh at me for which I am very grateful.

And today being Sant Jordi, I was reminded of Barcelona and all it means to me! 





Wednesday 22 April 2015

LisaSmiles 112:365

Today was proving to be a smiley happy day until lunchtime when I had a bit of an accident and hurt my long suffering right ankle. 
However, even in the pain, annoyance and frustration there were smiles.
Lots of concern and care from staff and children. 
A hilarious hour spent with 'Dr Anna' whilst trying to guard my ankle against further harm, guard two trolleys of PE equipment, sort out disputes via messengers as I couldn't move and conduct a mini French lesson with a multi age ever changing 'class'. 
Watching Pixar films with y3 and discussing rust, old age and feral creatures. 
Playing Hot cross buns on the trumpet with moderate success. (Jude was mildly impressed.)  

Let's see what tomorrow brings...


Tuesday 21 April 2015

LisaSmiles 111:365

Can't leave my 'phone unattended for a moment without a cheeky little monkey taking a selfie! 

Monday 20 April 2015

LisaSmiles 110:365

A sunshine filled day with cloudy (read grumpy) patches at times this morning.
Much localised smiling at funny stories, raucous singing, trumpet and recorder playing and mad monkeys. 
And a triumph for sensible sandal wearers! 

Sunday 19 April 2015

LisaSmiles 109:365

It's a shame my blog isn't "scratch and sniff" as the clean bed linen smells wonderful and is making me smile! 

A 2 mile run with Jude continued for another 4 in the park after he left me was a good way to spend Subday afternoon. 

The frequent calls of 'Hello Mrs/Señora Stevens", starting at church this morning and continuing throughout both runs, have made me smile and bemused the boys :)

Saturday 18 April 2015

LisaSmiles 108:365

Sunshine on Saturday when you can enjoy it relaxing and reading in the garden. 

And John's been pottering and planting in the vegetable patch too. 

Friday 17 April 2015

LisaSmiles 107:365

Happiness is...
Running in the sunshine.
Seeing four beautiful wild ponies on said run. 
Finishing your planning by lunchtime. 
Coffee at the shops and some bargain purchases in Paperchase
The return of the Nespresso machine.
A tidy garden. Well, tidier ;)
HIGNFY. 

Thursday 16 April 2015

LisaSmiles 106:365

Delicious chocolate milk. 
Great day at school. 
Excellent parents evening for Jude. My boy's great :)

Wednesday 15 April 2015

LisaSmiles 105:365

A fun afternoon on the field with the whole school playing games. I ended up making up races with a small group on the field - we had a great time! And it was lovely to be out in the sun.
One Y3 started slapping stickers on me at the end of the day which was lovely except she was sticking them on my chest...
Went to the osteopath again. Always have a good chat, this week about the trials and tribulations of living with university flatmates. Fridges seem to cause no end of trouble!
And a trip to Lidl on the way home meant we have "Momo" meat and Prosecco :)

Tuesday 14 April 2015

LisaSmiles 104:365

A beautiful day!
Good to be back in Y4 - I love their enthusiasm. And also lovely that Y3 missed me and wanted to know when they were having me next. Playground duty was even fun in the sun as lots of children wanted to tell me about their holidays.
Tired though!

Monday 13 April 2015

LisaSmiles 103:365

Apparently I look like I should be in an IKEA catalogue today! Thanks Jamie - I think ;)

And then there was this popping up on Timehop as we went back to school after Easter reminding me that last year I didn't. I skipped a whole half term! So far so good this year...  

Sunday 12 April 2015

LisasMiles 102:365

Another long run today, this time the reverse of last week's run plus a bit extra on the end. And the lovely ponies were there to greet me as I got to the top of Cardiac Hill :) Made me feel much better, particularly as I was caked in mud down one side having fallen over.
Had to smile on my return as I left a pile of muddy bits behind in the bathroom when I removed my socks... And the boys smiled - and laughed - when I had an ice bath to aid my muscle recovery. It was very cold and I 'sang' my way through it! 

Saturday 11 April 2015

LisaSmiles 101:365

Thanks to Beth for today's picture; smiley Scottish fishing men! 
This photo also made me smile; the boys have grown a bit since then! 
More smiles as I think I've managed to get rid of the stain on my favourite blouse - thank you magic pink tub of powder! The washing smelled wonderful as it came off the line. And we visited Joe and the Juice which always makese smile! 

Friday 10 April 2015

LisaSmiles 100:365

Last day in the Lakes today - Aira Force and then over the Kirkstone Pass to Windermere. 
Sad to say goodbye as it's been lovely; great weather, beautiful scenery, delicious food and great fun with my family. 
Glad to be home after M6 shennanigans and an interesting cross country circuitous alternative route. And I do like my own bed! 

 




Thursday 9 April 2015

LisaSmiles 99:365

Another lovely day in the Lakes. 
A boat trip on Ullswater, a little walk, several cups of coffee and reading in the sun. And then a run up the hill behind the hotel to the church. A mile there, mostly steeply uphill but that meant the return was mostly downhill! Beautiful views including baby lambs. And another delicious dinner! 
Other smiles today: #addabodyparttoafilm suggestions over lunch. 
And trying to help Jude remember the 'horror film that had part 3 last year; starts with c and ends -tion'. Tens of suggestions were rejected. Turns out it was... Insidious. 

Wednesday 8 April 2015

LisaSmiles 98:365


Made it to the top of Helvellyn! And I didn't panic, freeze or fall over. An achievement. 

A small monkey made it up there too...

More misheard lyrics as Jude was sure there was a song about budget breast implants on the radio. 
And lots of whistling, giggling and mucking about too. 
A good day for the Stevens'. 

Tuesday 7 April 2015

LisaSmles 97:365

Ullswater - our home for a few days. Sunshine, a lake and hills/mountains always make me smile. 
Add tiny newborn lambs in plastic bibs jumping in the fields. 
Then delicious food and time with my boys. 
Big smiles. 

And then there was the hilarity at my concern over Ed Sheeran's unfortunate underwear predicament. I'm sure he said 'I feel the chemicals burning in my butt string...' 


Monday 6 April 2015

LisaSmiles 96:365


🎶It's a beautiful day! 🎶
Much of it spent in the garden. I've recharged my batteries (sunshine supercharges them!) and I'm all smiles. The boys had great fun reclaiming the trampoline and playing with John, chucking balls at each other. 
And off on holiday tomorrow :) 

Sunday 5 April 2015

LisasMiles 95:365

Happy Easter! 
This Osternbaum at church made me smile this morning. 
I also smiled as we sang lots of Easter hymns and songs. 
This afternoon I went for a loooong run. I wasn't smiling by the end as 10 miles was a long way and I needed water quite desperately by mile 7. Blackroot Pool looked lovely but not fit for drinking! I so miss Swiss drinking fountains - in my top 3 things I miss alongside the public transport and safe cycling.  
However, I made it to the end (thank you to John who met me at the bottom of our road with water) That made me smile! 
Coming home from church to see the boys playing in the Wii made me smile, and I made them smile as I creaked up the stairs for a bath. 

Saturday 4 April 2015

LisaSmiles 94:365

Galettes and crêpes for lunch - and cidre too :)
Jude in a bed showroom also made me smile - he was very good at trying out the beds and was very reluctant to leave...
Fun with cuddlies also made me smile - never a dull moment in our house! 

Friday 3 April 2015

LisaSmiles 93:365

I am following this instruction but the capital letters in the middle of the word are annoying me... ;)

Thursday 2 April 2015

LisaSmiles 92:365

Chocolate y churros and I had a lovely  conversation in Spanish with the lady who owns the restaurant. And I got to see my little sis and her family. 
Good day and lots of smiles. 

Wednesday 1 April 2015

LisaSmiles 91:365

Thank you to Sylvia for today's picture:
"@sylviaduckworth - Anyone can make you smile via @GoogleFacts Photo @MethoxyRoxy http://t.co/hrZ52iIBMb"

I've had fun laughing at April Fool tricks today although I'm very disappointed that Fabian Cancellara is not bringing out an aftershave called Monument. I particularly liked the one from CERN confirming that The Force exists.