A TIP for you…

If you use a roller to decorate your ceiling, don't stand directly underneath it or you'll get paint in your eyes.

Just another life lesson that may seem fairly obvious to most of you but I had to learn the hard way.

Anyway, on the positive side, we are back in school next week so I can't have any more DIY howlers.

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The return to school is not just good for me.

My children have had a lovely half-term.

Mainly revolving around planning Hallowe'en outfits, wearing the outfits, wearing the outfits to bed, and finally crying because Hallowe'en had finished and they had to take off their outfits.

Despite this, they are far better off learning in school next week.

And they have been learning so much.

In the last half term, the eldest has nailed his number bonds, can now hold a pen properly, and somehow has even learnt how to catch.

I can't think of anything more important than children like him getting the opportunity to go to school.

And it's the same for the pupils at Whitmore.

While I have no intention to wade into a debate about the R number as I'm not a scientist, I can't help but think it is incredibly important for children to go to school and this should be a key priority going into the winter months. The Whitmore staff are continuing to produce superb online resources to prepare for any eventuality, but all hope that they will be able to teach their classes as normal.

So, let's keep our fingers crossed that pupils across Wales can enjoy another productive half term in schools and that we will soon be able to return to some semblance of normality.

If not, I'll have to think up some costumes that my children could wear to celebrate Black Friday (I'm thinking one could dress as a cheap TV and the other as a Nintendo Switch)…that will hopefully keep them busy.