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! 

Back to School Blues

Yes, that's what I'm singing this week as I prepare to get back in the groove of the busy life that comes with being a teacher.  I do love my job.  I love seeing the kids' smiling faces each morning.  I love the million hugs I get a day not only from my students but from the Kindergartners and former students.  I love all the cutesy projects we do in first grade.  I love seeing the ginormous progress the firsties make as the year goes on.  I love gabbing with my co-workers before and after school.  With that said, I do not love getting up early.  I don't love doing a million things at once (i.e. simultaneously working with one child on an assignement while tying another student's shoe and answering a question of a different child).  I don't love being at school almost more than I am at home.  I don't love when my husband's schedule completely differs from mine.  I do not love getting home at 7pm and being so tired that I'm passed out on the couch by 8.  But, it all comes with the territory and there are many perks that come along with this profession - summer being one of them. 

I know I've been MIA for awhile.  I've been kinda lazy.  I'm trying to enjoy my last days of freedom and relaxation.  I've been sleeping late, not showering til late in the day, taking naps and spending time with my favorite people and pets.  I have loved not being on a schedule but since summer is winding down and my busy life will soon be picking back up, I treated myself to a new planner for the upcoming year.  Not just any planner though.  An Erin Condren Life Planner to be exact.  Personalized with a list of my favorite things that cover both front and back.  It was pricey but at least I'm now a bit more motivated to get back on track and be organized.  If you are like me and love planners, bright colored pens and making notes and doodles, I suggest you check out Erin's website.  My planner arrived this week and it was love at first sight.

In between my lazy days, I did manage to work a couple days in my classroom getting prepared for next week.  I still have several things to do til it's complete but it's definitely coming along.  I'll post pictures as soon as it's finished!  Until then, I'll be savoring every minute I can of the last days of summer break.  School starts in a week!  Yikes!

Just Call Me Martha

Why do you ask?  Because with all the craftiness that has been going on in my house lately, I'm considering changing my name to Martha Stewart...minus the criminal record.
Not that I'm counting, but school starts in 20 days!  What?!?!  I'm kinda freaking because there is so much I still want to do before my new batch of firsties walk through the door on the first day.  I have to say though that I have thoroughly enjoyed this summer.  This has been my first summer since I started teaching that I knew I had a job before the previous school year ended.  I cannot tell you the blessing it has been to not have to apply for jobs, drop off resumes and the part I loathe the most, interview this summer.  This will make my third year as a teacher at NMES and I can honestly say, there's no where else I'd rather be.  Knowing in advance I get to keep my same classroom and same grade level, has enabled me to plan, prepare and Pinterest all summer long for the 2012-2013 school year. I'm doing my classroom in a rock n' roll theme with bright colors and animal prints!  I am so excited about it!  With that said, let me show you some things I've been working on...all Pinterest-inspired.

My "Happy Birthday" Pixies! 

I plan to use these in place of the birthday certificates and Dum-Dum suckers that I usually give to students on their birthdays.  I made the balloon cutouts myself but got the "Happy Birthday" cutouts from Third Grade All Stars on Teachers Pay Teachers.  Click on the picture to get your own free copy of the birthday message.  The Pixies are from my parents' grocery store, Tackett's Market, and the best part is my mom donated them!  Don't ya love free stuff?!  I created my zebra vase from a vase recycled from my wedding last year.  I covered it in my newest obsession, zebra Duct tape, and then finished it off with some fabulous ribbon.

The coolest stool ever, if I do say so myself!

I got my stool from Target for around 20 bucks.  The feather boa came from Hobby Lobby, although I don't remember the cost...maybe around $5.  The paint came from Lowe's.  I bought the sample paint jars to avoid having to buy the big cans.  The round bars are covered in patterened Duct tape.  I love the finished product! 

A cutie patootie lollipop tree!

Yes, I have been known to bribe my students into using good behavior for a sweet treat.  When I saw this on Pinterest, I knew I had to make myself one!  Very easy and it will look way cute sitting on my desk!

"Crazy Good" Straws

Another incentive to bribe my sweet babies to do the "right thing".  Get your own copy of the "You were caught being crazy good!" cutouts, courtesy of Tiffany Gannon on Teachers Pay Teachers, by clicking on the above picture.

First day goodies!

These are going to be my gift to my students on the first day of school.  Since I am doing the rock n' roll/rockstar theme, I thought it would be adorbs to do my door with the saying "Our future's so bright, we have to wear shades!" and take pictures of the kids in their glasses for decoration.  I got the sunglasses at Target this summer on clearance for $1 for a pack of 6.  Meant to be?  I think so!  The tag was created by Hope King.  Check it out by clicking on the above pic!

"Welcome" bags for Open House!

I got this poem from Tasha Clapp over at Serenade to Second Grade.  It fits perfectly with my rockstar theme and has some yummy goodies my kiddos will love.  I wanted the kids to have a little treat during Open House so that they would feel welcome in my classroom.  I think they will make a great first impression.  Stay tuned to future posts to see my treat for the parents! Click on the above pic to get your own copy of the poem.

My trusty ole' rocker got a face lift!  Isn't she a beaut?!

I have been wanting to paint my rocker for what seems like forever and finally this summer, I did it!  Well, I did 75% of it and I have to give my mom-in-law credit for the other 25%.  I used the paint left over from my stool so that it would match and of course, the same Duct tape.  I am so tickled with how she turned out! 

Stylin' and profilin' crate seats!

You've probably seen these all over Pinterest and other blogs.  I couldn't resist the attractiveness and practicality of these little seats.  I made six which I plan to use around my reading table.  I plan to assign each student a pattern and make that their permanent seat for reading groups to avoid the race to get to a certain seat.  Click on the pic to go to the blog with the best tutorial I could find when making these jewels.  I have to give props to the Lowe's workers who cut my wood pieces out of the scraps they had for FREE!  That's right.  Free wood and cutting.  If you go there to get your wood cut, make sure to tell them you're a teacher, bring in one of your crates and ask if they have any scrap wood they could use.  The best part about this project?  Getting to use the staple gun!  It's my favorite new tool! 

My classroom door sign!

I got the idea for a classroom door sign from Babbling Abby at her classroom blog The Inspired Apple.  She used a ceiling tile for her creation but I decided to go with a canvas.  I bought letters at Hobby Lobby rather than freehand painting or stenciling them.  I used painter's tape and paint left over from my stool to make the backdrop.  I used a pencil to punch holes in the top and then knotted some ribbon on each side.  Do you love it?!

See how busy I've been?  I do like being crafty and seeing all the pretties I've created sitting together in my house.  Makes me feel productive.  Colby, on the otherhand, wishes they would magically appear into my classroom upon completion rather than in empty spaces all over our house.  He can't complain too much now because in all my DIYing, I managed to make a project to go in his home office.

He's got this thing for antiquey globes and nautical memorbilia.  When I saw this on, you guessed it, Pinterest, I knew it was just the thing to make for the office wall.  To use the tutorial I followed, click on the pic. I added a step after all the Mod-Podging was complete.  Colby wanted it to look a bit more rustic so we brewed some strong coffee and I lightly used a paintbrush to stain the map canvases.  My map was purchased at Barnes and Noble for around 8 bucks.  I got the canvases on sale at Hobby Lobby for around $25 combined.  Altogether, I have about $40 in this project.  Well worth it, I'd say!

So what have you been up to lately?

Take Your Dog to Work Day

That's just what I did yesterday as I traveled to my school to paint some shelves and organize some math manipulatives.  Anyone who has met Mona, can without a doubt tell you that she is a "mama's girl" so there was no question that she would be tickled to accompany me to work.  I can't say she was much help but she certainly brought energy and a certain charisma to my classroom as my pal, Olivia and I worked to prepare my room for the upcoming school year.  As we transformed two hunter green shelves to a fun Barney purple, organized a disastrous mess of construction paper and grouped math manipulatives into containers according to content areas, Mona watched, rested and barked...a lot.  She seemed to enjoy herself just fine. 

On the ride home.  Don't let the drowsy, drained look on her face fool you.  She didn't lift a paw!

While Olivia and I did get lots of good work done yesterday, the highlight of my trip to school came when I got to open and view all my new teaching goodies.  Few things excite a teacher more than fresh school supplies...and I got lots of them!  I was super-duper excited!

Just one of my stacks of goodies!

Expo markers, construction paper, paint pens, oh my!

Let's get crafty!

Mr. Sketch markers...scentsational!

Wouldn't you be pumped, too?  And there's even more I forgot to snap pictures of.  Gobs more construction paper.  You might say, "Wow!  That's a lot of construction paper!"  I would then have to reply with "You have obviously never taught first grade."  I have to say that I am very fortunate to work at a school that always manages to provide its teachers with everything they need to run an effective, engaging classroom.  Our teachers and kids at North Middletown Elementary are very blessed.  If I had a twitter account, my hashtag at the current moment would be #nmesrocks!

Hope you have a rockin' weekend!

Summer Lovin'

Ok, so it’s been over a week since my last post.   I’ve been really busy doing lots of fun things but I’ve not been religious about taking pictures of everything so I’m just going to give you a brief list of what I’ve been up to (with just a few pictures thrown in here and there).

-having girls night (i.e. watching Magic Mike and drooling) with some gal pals from the school where I work

-visiting a water park with my oh-so-cute nephews, sister-in-law & some great friends

-having a Fourth of July cookout with the fam

Pinterest-inspired fruit kabobs

delish red velvet cupcakes

watermelon stars

-singing at church and enjoying fellowship with some wonderful folks

-eating lots of yummy foods I shouldn’t

-having a yard sale and making a whopping….wait for it...........$87...…...not even enough to buy back my favorite Ralph Lauren polarized sunglasses that I lost at the above mentioned water park

-finding amazingly good deals at Target for the upcoming school year

Ms. Ruby approves!

-scoring a super adorable stuffed Skippy jon Jones and 3 hard back books at Kohl’s for only $20

adorbs, right?

-ordering a pricey, but totally necessary personalized life planner from www.erincondren.com that I can’t wait to receive

-getting a much needed manicure and pedicure with mama bear

Yep, I am lovin' summer.  I love that I have time to be both productive and lazy…the best of both worlds!  Hope you've been having a blast this summer, too!

The Language of LOVE

I hope this post finds you in the comfort of a nicely air-condioned space seeing as how we are currently experiencing this heat wave of temperatures 100+.  Ironically, I write this post from my 65 degree house while I use a hairdryer to thaw out my toes.  My husband likes to keep our house the temperature of a meat locker, yet he likes to sleep with the hair dryer on most of the night (a habit which I am ashamed to admit I have also picked up).  Seriously.  You wouldn't believe the number of hairdryers we have went through since we started dating.

On a different note, I attended a professional development meeting for teachers this past Tuesday.  I'll be the first teacher to tell you the meetings we are required to attend can be a bit of a snore but this one really revived me for the upcoming school year.  The speaker was Mr. Pat Quinn, the self-described  "RTI guy".  For those non-teachers out there, RTI is short for "Response to Intervention".  RTI was developed to help identify struggling students and provide interventions that are well-researched and monitored.  While I found his 3 hour presentation on the program to be very educational, easy to understand and beneficial, it wasn't RTI that I was most intrigued by; rather, it was his short 20 minute discussion on the Five Love Languages, a concept coined by Dr. Gary Chapman.  You might find it odd that Mr. Quinn would discuss this topic but it made a lot of sense to me.  Teachers have 20+ very different, very special people in their classes who feel loved in a variety of ways.  It's important for teachers to catch on early to the way each of these little people feel cared about in order for them to feel valued and safe to share and learn.

Dr. Chapman says that there are five different Love Languages that people speak:

1 - Words of Affirmation Language - People who speak this language enjoy being complimented, praised and encouraged.  If you like to hear "I love you so much" or "You are such a beautiful person", you may primarily speak this language.

2 - Quality Time Language - People who speak this language enjoy time spent with the ones they care about.  If you feel loved when your significant other or someone close to you spends time with you, this may be your language.

3 - Receiving Gifts Language - People who speak this language enjoy thoughtful gestures, notes and gifts. It's not about the amount spent, but the thought that makes people who speak this language feel loved.

4 - Acts of Service Language - People who speak this language feel loved when people help them and do nice things for them.  Think helping with chores, completing tasks and doing nice things for others.

5 - Physical Touch Language - People who speak this language like to be touched, hugged, kissed and in close physcial contact with the person they love.

Mr. Quinn told us that you should resignate with one language primarily, and just as I was thinking to myself that I might speak an ecclectic language of all 5 put together, he tells us that people who think such could also be called "needy".  Burn! 

So my reason for telling you all this is that I was shocked to hear that 80% of married couples speak different languages, and that whatever language you speak is the language you will return love in, even if it's not your partner's; hence, the reason so many married couples often feel neglected or not loved.

You may not find this as interesting as I did, but if so, I recommend logging onto the Five Love Languages website by clicking on the book above and then clicking on the Assessment tab.  There will be a short series of questions that will help you identify what language you primarily speak. As for me, I primarily speak the Words of Affirmation language.  A close second is the Quality of Time language.  I sure do love to receive gifts though so I might speak a little of the Receiving Gifts Language as well...just ask Colby :).   My husband was forced agreed to take the survey also and we found that his primary love language is Quality Time.  A close second was Physical Touch (just like a man).  I have to say my husband is pretty good at expressing his love for me in a variety of languages, as I hope he would say about me as well.

For all of my dear followers and readers, whatever love language you speak, I hope you know how much I appreciate you stopping by. 

The Birth of a Blog & the Celebration of Marriage

I have a blog! How cool is that?! I have been anticipating this day for many months now. I finally got up the courage to take the plunge into blogging world this summer. Just imagine me doing celebratory cartwheels (if only I could actually do a cartwheel)! I have been blog stalking for about a year now and am so thrilled to have my very own space to share any family or classroom news that I have. Thanks for taking the time to read my first ever post!  While you're here, don't forget to sign up to follow my blog! I would love to have you as a faithful reader :).

My first bit of exciting Newsome News: Colby and I celebrated our one year wedding anniversary yesterday! We feel so blessed to have each other and are so excited to see what the future holds for our little family (please, Lord, let it be a baby :). Our marriage isn't perfect but we are perfect for each other.

One of our many compromises as husband and wife: we had an anniversary lunch at Smashburger (Colby's favorite) followed a little later that night by cheese, salads and chocolate at the Melting Pot (my favorite).

Colby reminds me often that he had to work really hard over several years to be able to call me his wife. Once he finally reeled me in, I was hooked. I am so thankful that God chose Colby to be my husband because I couldn't imagine life without him. For his gift, I went with the traditional first year wedding anniversary gift of paper and made him this pinterest inspired craft.  (Keep in mind that I don't have a fancy camera so these are taken (as is every picture I take) with my trusty iPhone which makes for semi-poor quality pictures.  I'm asking for a fancy schmancy camera for Christmas from this amazing husband that I speak of.)

I have to give myself snaps for the effort it took to create this heartftelt gift, and I have to admit that I enjoyed doing it.  It's fun to sit and think about all the things you love about your spouse...so many more reasons than just 52.  I once pinned a quote on Pinterest that stated "Home is where your husband is." So true!  Can you feel the love?