August Rush

It has been 17 days since my last post.  So much has happened since that post that I don't really even know where to start so I'll just let this pic speak for itself.

This is something we had been praying for almost a year.  We prayed that God would put a baby in our lives in His perfect timing; of course, with that prayer came a prayer of giving us the ability to be patient.  Our patience finally paid off one Sunday night when we shockingly got a pink little positive sign on not one, but two pregnancy tests.  We've since had our first prenatal visit and got to see our little peanut's heartbeat fluttering on the sonogram.  Take my breath away.  Cue the tear-filled eyes.  Now, we are just anticipating finding out if we are having a blue baby or pink baby!  We would be thrilled with either and just feel so blessed that God has chosen us to be parents to this special little person growing inside me...who right about now is measuring about the size of a green olive (about 1 inch).  Funny how something so small has already taken up so much room in my heart :). 

In other news, I've started back to school.  I am in love with my small class of 17 Kindergartners and first graders.  I truly believe I have the cutest, sweetest, smartest group of kinders and firsties ever!  We have been hard at work over the last 7 days, getting into the daily routine of school.  We've been practicing rotating through various centers, learning to use the computer and completing lots of fun, crafty projects which I'll share soon when I actually remember to take pics. 

In my last post, I promised pics of my new room which has a rock n' roll/funky animal prints theme, although I don't have a photo of my favorite decorative feature which is the records and animal print paper lanterns that my sweet, little husband hung from my classroom ceiling.  Special thanks go to my husband, mom and mother-in-law for helping me set up my home away from home.  I am very happy with how my room turned out and the kids really love it, too. 

Word Wall and AR book shelf

Reading Center with my new book shelf...thank you, Mrs. Lewis!

I Can board, schedule pocket chart and reading group resource bins

This is where students will put notes from home, completed homework and bookworms.  The purple chart below will hold our lunch cards.

Bravo board for keeping track of the our weekly table competitions, listening reminders (courtesy of Christie Berlener at First Grade Fever) and my behavior clip chart (compliments of my favorite blogger, Babbling Abby). 

The clips hold a picture of a student who will do a certain job each week. I change helpers every Monday.   Pictures of students who don't have a job that week stay inside the zebra print pocket.  I have done my classroom helper board like this since I started teaching and I love it. 

I've not decided if I'm completely thrilled with this board.  The idea behind it was based on Billboard charts but I didn't know where to start, so for now, this is what I came up with.  Suggestions welcome!

This is the bucket the kids put their library books in once they have read them.  On check-out days, my library helper takes the books back to the library.

Where my reading groups will take place...I am crazy for my crate seats! 

What do you think? 

In the midst of all the chaos of starting school, we traveled to Pike county last Saturday for my youngest nephew, Ashton's 5th birthday party.  Loved getting to see my family even if it was just for a few short hours.  I even got to paint a few faces like the Cat in the Hat in honor of the Dr. Seuss themed party!  Pete the Cat, my classroom mascot, went along for the ride so that I could share with my students his weekend adventures.  I was lucky enough to snap of pic of the birthday boy and Pete!

Just presh!

For Ashie's present, I got him his own Pete and a couple Pete books.  My kiddos love Pete!  Each weekend, my Pete will go home with a different student in my class and on Monday, we read about his adventures and check out pictures of all the fun things Pete got to do that weekend with that particular student.  The kids get so into it and can't wait to see who Pete goes home with each Friday.  I've used Curious George before this year but was introduced to Pete last year and thought he was a better fit for our class. 

And just because I love my mama so much...

Well, I hope that's enough randomness for you:  a pregnancy announcement, classroom decor pics & a birthday party.  I will try to not make it another 17 days before posting again!  My lesson plans and newsletter are finished for the week.  Whoohoo!  Tomorrow I get to spend quality time with the hubs which I am most excited about.  Have a great rest of the weekend!