Blog Hoppin' is hosting a week of fun teacher Linky parties. It would be great to say that I'll be linking up all week...but let's just start with Day 1, okay?? Know that if I miss a day, it's because we are officially back to work this week with the first all day meeting tomorrow...
This linky is my favorite type because it's really open ended...just sharing about ourselves! Here are some things {that I haven't already told you} you may be surprised to know:
1. I can not stand the sound of metal touching. I have the heebie jeebies just from posting this picture.
2. I am a {recovering} perfectionist and tend to shy away from even minor tasks if they seem overwhelming. This is why my closet always has clothes on the floor, I go months between work-outs and I buy project supplies way before I actually get around to completing them.
3. I honestly, truly believe that if I ever had the chance to meet Kelly Ripa we would become instant BFFs.
4. I do not like being underwater. I hold my breath in the shower & when washing off my makeup. I am so excited that this picture looks cool because I was not breathing.
5. I think that I am hilarious. :) {and I laugh at my own jokes.}
6. I think my sister & I would be even more entertaining than the Kardashians.
7. I have a love-hate relationship with commercials. I either find them extremely amusing {like the receent AT&T commercials} or I am super bummed that they're boring. One or the other.
8. I can not watch the news because I cry at the horrible stories. I would much rather hear about inspiring stories and can't figure out why TV stations don't focus more on those.
9. I will eat anything once.
10. I think if everyone set out every day to have a little more consideration of others the world would be a much better place to live.
That's it! If you want to play along, as much as you are able to, click the button below to join in! :)
P.S. Major giveaway announcement coming up. $40 retail value. See you tomorrow for details!!! ;)
One thing I've learned is that pregnancy = listening to unsolicited advice & opinions. Most of it I don't mind because I actually like hearing the different stories and experiences. But the thing I've received the most criticism on is my honesty about wanting a daughter. For my whole life, long before kids were even a realistic thought, I've had the desire to be a mom to a little girl. I fully believe that God puts desires in our hearts but I also had to remember that just because God says He can do something, it doesn't mean it'll necessarily happen in our timing.
Needless to say, it took a loooooot of patience waiting for our 18 week ultrasound. And I received a good bit of criticism {and judgement that I'm already a bad mom} for replacing the expected "I don't care as long as it's healthy" answer with "We'll obviously be happy either way but I would be over the moon thrilled to find out it's a girl."
So what is the result? First, here are some pics from our party...
Everything was pink & blue themed, of course. And I had fun comparing bellies with a few of my other preggo friends! :)
Best surprise of the day {because I already knew what baby was} is that my AMAZING brother in-law surprised my sister & I both by flying her and my sweet nephew out for the weekend!! I haven't seen them since Christmas so I was so so so pumped to find out they were coming. How cute is he playing with the bubbles?!
Team Blue on top and Team Pink on the bottom. This is a pretty accurate picture of reality. All of the Old Wives Tales said boy. Hubby's family has had boys as first children for at least 3 generations. I'm carrying like a boy. I haven't been sick. Complete stranger women have stopped me in public to tell me that I'm having a boy. Yadda, yadda, yadda. I was surprised there was anyone in the girl picture at all to be honest!!
Then it was time for the big reveal! I put confetti & glitter in each of the lanterns so no peeky spying would give it away. {A huge huge thank you to Oh Happy Day for this super fun idea.}
1...2...3...FAKE OUT!! IT'S A GIRL!!!!!!!
{That's all 4 grandparents at the bottom with tears in their eyes. We made family history & shocked them all. It was a super, great, fabulous moment!}
Yes, we would've been happy with a son. We are thrilled first and foremost that our baby is healthy and are excited to jump in and plan. We knew - before learning the gender - that this is the baby we have waited on & prayed for. But for me, this goes beyond my love of all things girly and sparkly and is a shining moment in my life that will always point me back to God's love. I never prayed that this baby would be a girl and prayed only for health and an overwhelming sense of joy for the mood in the doctor's office. And she will be my purest happiness - an answer to prayer that God pulled straight from my heart because I feared it was too selfish to pray out loud.
Amy from Literacy and Laughter is hosting a linky party to showcase all of the things she loves this month. Being that it's President's Day and I have the house to myself {thank you George & Abe} I figured it was a great day to be reflective. If you're lucky enough to be off as well, enjoy some easy reading, link up your own little lovies & be sure to take some time for yourself today doing whatever makes you feel relaxed & rejuvenated...even if that's sitting in front of the computer screen...and even if it's already something you do every day. ;)
Name: Kristin Grade you teach: kindergarten State: NC...a midwesterner turned southerner and loving it! Birthday: July 26th Favorite colors: pink Lucky number: 44 Favorite subject to teach: literacy, specifically guided reading & small group time Go-to snack: cheeze-its. yogurt. chips & salsa. TV show: The Cosby Show. New Girl. Cougar Town. Friends... Last movie you watched: 5 Year Engagement. Music you're loving right now: Home by Philip Phillips. I still love it. Always shopping at: Target. Teachers Pay Teachers. Word of the day: balance. Taking time for myself but also doing some neglected housework. ;)
A blog I'm loving right now: Sarah's 1st Grade Snippets
You have to check out her {free} guided reading & math snapshots. So great for parent-school communication. I love them and am thrilled she continues to make new ones!
My February pin board:
A product I adore: CoverGirl lash bast fusion mascara.
I am obsessed with glam eyelashes. If I could get away with it I would wear fakes every day. :) I've tried a zillion different kinds of mascara and even stuck with a few expensive name brands for a little while {DiorShow} but I always come back to this one. It's cheap, it's good & it layers well if you want to wear a few coats. Mascara tip: when you think your tube is almost out, add a few drops of saline solution or contact lens cleaner to get a few more wears out of it.
Favorite hobbies/free time activities:
Blogging & Pinterest are really my hobbies. I love to shop but don't really find myself with the time or extra money to do that as much as I'd like so I read InStyle magazine instead. ;) I also love the beach and being in the sun so when the weather is warm my free time will be spent at my parents' pool!
Favorite vacation destination:
Again, anywhere with a beach. :) We went on a catamaran tour in Saint Maarten last year and it was one of my most favorite vacation memories so far.
Best advice I've been given:
Finding the balance between confidence & humility has been life's greatest lesson. Of course I'm still working on it but it's let the real me shine without dulling the sparkle of others.
Plus a few from my Words to Live By pin board that are too good to pass up:
Most rewarding part of teaching:
Hearing my kids use kind words & treat other with love. I know that's not technically a score on the report card but molding such young, impressionable minds into good people is the heart of being a teacher for me. Knowing how to treat others is what will really make them successful in life.
What I'm known for: shoes. clearly. maybe glitter is a close 2nd.
Random fact #1: I cry at everything.
Just about everything has the potential to make me tear up. They can be tears of happiness, sadness or if I'm just moved by something...which is easy to do. If it has to do with kids, God or an inspiring story, just pass me the kleenex.
{ok, ok...even if it's not something that's intended to evoke emotion, it'll probably make me cry anyway!}
Random fact #2: I am a child.
I really think this is why I love teaching kindergarten so much. Exhibit A: I am currently watching The Muppet Movie on Netflix while I type this. I laugh at kid jokes. I thoroughly enjoy kid movies. I am dying to go to Disney World again. I am perfectly happy to play in the sand at the beach, color pictures while I wait for my dinner at a restaurant or make a fool of myself in public. Any chance to dress up is a good day in my book!
The loves of my life:
this guy. who's not as little as he used to be.
my wonderful husband.
the best family I could hope for.
my best friends.
this little nugget, yet to be named.
Happy love month! Head on over to Amy's to share your own lovies! Or at least give them a call to let them know you appreciate them. ;)
Today is my 30th birthday. And I have to admit that I've been looking forward to it about as much as Rachel & Joey.
But I took a step back to really look at my life and I have no choice but to humbly say that I have been so blessed. So instead of the traditional 30 before 30 list that would set me up to look at what could have been, here's 30 pretty amazing things I'm super pleased to say I can already cross off:
And since life doesn't end at 30 {it really isn't as old as it seemed!} here are my next 30 things to try:
Would you like to play along? Share either version. And I encourage you to print it out & hang it up somewhere as well. Take a random Saturday to pick something new to work on. It's so fun crossing things off the list! :)
{Thanks to Miss Tiina for the cute heart stationery!}
I was tagged by Chrissy over at Everyday with the Jays and think this is one of the most fun posts to go around. There are rules of course {don't get crazy!} but after posting 12 things about yourself, the tagger then also gets to make up her own questions to the new tagees! So fun!
So....{part 1} 12 things about me, that I haven't already shared:
*I am a little OCD. Volumes need to be on evens. I only write with really inky black pens. When eating something smooth like peanut butter or Nutella, I scrape from the top and can't stop eating until I've left a smooth surface. I had to write one more sentence to balance it out. {pah!}
*I've started the process of growing my hair back out. My stacked bob is so fun and so much easier, but way long hair is just part of who I am.
*I've seriously begun entertaining my next project. {hint hint}
*I cried when I realized I was too old to be Miss America. Unfortunately, this is not false.
*I have an office full of half-done projects.
*I love love love kids but can't make up my mind about when I want to have my own. Yesterday? In 3 years? Tomorrow? Is anyone ever really ready?!
*I love Zac Efron. Yes...from High School Musical.
*I am a daddy's girl. Straight up.
*I wish I was better at consistently reading my Bible.
*I have a really super great husband.
*Miss Mary in our cafeteria calls me Tyra Mail. {Every day: "Hey Tyra Mail!"}
*I love love love love my school and the people I work with.
{part 2} to Chrissy's questions:
Most favorite day every and why: Thanksgiving. It means family and togetherness. Also playing games and watching home videos for us!
Do you go to church anywhere? Yes! I helped start Mosaic and have been attending and serving ever since. Our pastor was born in Kuwait and raised Muslim. This is not your average church. :)
Dresses or pants: Dresses are cuter and comfier but I wear dress pants to work a lot because it's easier to get down on the floor.
What state do you want visit the most? California! Hollywood baby. I've never been out west!
What country do you want to visit? Greece. Take me to those blue and white villas on the crystal sea. With kalmata olives. I would go tomorrow!
Coffee? What do you like? I can't wake up without it. I drink it with just half and half in the mornings but do like a cappuccino at Starbucks for a treat. {1/2 syrup, though...living with Peter has changed my tastebuds and now a full flavor is too sweet!}
Least favorite house chore: Laundry. So thankful you can't see my closet floor...
Favorite movie of all time: So hard! The Holiday. Willy Wonka. Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. Elf. Depending on my moods, one of those will do it!
Do you sew? No. Or cook. And I barely clean. My poor husband. I would've never made it in the 50s!!
What's your favorite hobby? Right now...blogging and pinterest! And making things I take from them.
Do you like to travel by car, train, plane or ship? Well, a ship would imply a cruise which would be awesome...but I have to say plane because that means I'm going somewhere pretty fun.
Goal for blogging? To share my ideas, make me a better teacher and provide kids everywhere with a better education experience!
{part 3} tag...you're it:
First Grade Blue Skies - Jennifer is always the first to comment and leave me feedback! Teaching with Sight - Sharon is legally blind and the way she teaches is incredible. Coloring Books & Funny Looks - Kristina is a new blogger with long posts {like yours truly!} that are chock full of ideas. Kinderland - Katie is another new K blogger. Show her some love! Kindergarten Lesson Plans - Kayla's blog is full of all things kindergarten. And if you don't see what you're looking for, she'll help you find it! Be a Nut with Mrs. McNutt - If the title doesn't grab you, Steph's cute personality will. Apples and Papers - Jessica is a new teacher and already tackling a blog...with cute stuff at that! Wood's Kindergarten Class - Mrs. Wood may not have freebies ready to print out but her pictures and amazing photographic detail tells you everything you need to know to recreate her activities. Oopsey Daisy - Alison's blog is all kinds of cuteness but she has a separate section for what she calls Mommy School, ie free themed packets. She's great! Dilly Dabbles - A K-2 blog with a giveaway coming soon!!! :) Mrs. Lee's Kindergarten - Julie has so so so many pictures for so so so many ideas. Busy Teacher's Cafe - strategies, printables, themes, resources...FREE.
{part 4} ok ladies, your questions are as follows:
1. How do you relax after a stressful day/week?
2. What's your guilty pleasure TV show?
3. How many pairs of shoes do you own?
4. What is your favorite place to buy school supplies?
5. What is your favorite board/pin on Pinterest? (or your favorite recent idea if you aren't on)
6. What is a super easy meal you like to make for dinner?
7. What frustrates you about blogging?
8. If you found the perfect unit on a blog, the topic/skill would be ______?
9. What is your favorite thing to teach?
10. What is one of the funniest kid moments you've had at school?
11. The most played song on your iPod is _______?
12. Who inspired you to become a teacher?
Looking forward to reading their answers! And I hope the rest of you will head on over to find 12 new blogging friends! :)
When I linked up with {Oh Boy 4th Grade} I admitted my bias of only reading other bloggers whose kids are the same age as mine. Then a 4th grade teacher in my school told me she had started a blog and I realized that I didn't have any great blogging buddies to pass along to her. Then I found {The Adventures of a 6th Grade Teacher} and her linky party. What better place to find other great blogs than a linky party geared toward the upper grades?! Hopefully this will help Wendy {You Won't Believe What Happened at School Today} find some new blog buddies of her own. Go on over and introduce yourself! :)
And while I'm at it, I may as well link up. I hope she doesn't mind that I altered her image a little bit...I just don't wear sneakers in my classroom! Ok, I don't exactly wear Louboutins either, but a girl has to have a dream!
6am: Wake up. Well, my day is supposed to start at 6 when my alarm goes off, but this week it's been closer to 4:30 as Huxtable has decided it's the new time to wake up. We'll call 4:30-6 the trying to soothe the dog back to sleep start of the day. And before you call PETA on me, I'm not keeping him from going to the bathroom. He doesn't even need to go when I take him out, he just wants to play....not happening.
6-7am:Getting ready {in the hall bathroom so we don't wake up my husband} while drinking coffee, keeping the puppy from chewing the cabinet and listening to the Ace & TJ Show. So funny. I couldn't wake up without them.
7am:Getting out the door to beat traffic. We now live half an hour away from my school, which includes a drive through downtown. I could look for something closer, but I really just love where I work!
7:30-8am:Classroom time, which mostly includes printing out new recording sheets I downloaded from blogs or pinterest the night before. :) And switching out my schedule picture cards and objectives.
8:15-8:45am: Kids come in. This is a quiet time in my classroom as I see it as a chance to set the tone of the day. I have classical music playing on Pandora, they unpack quietly and sit down to some form of morning work {either a skill review activity or morning work journals to write & draw about whatever they want}.
8:45-9am: Morning Meeting! This is their chance to share fun news or tell those "Guess what?" stories. We always incorporate some type of song. Dr. Jean has great Good Morning songs for the kids to walk around and greet each other. I also really enjoy Wally Acha and Boom Chica Boom as "Getting our voices ready" songs to prepare them for participation.
9-9:45am: Workshop. {Guided Reading, Daily 5, whatever you want to call it.} I have 4 groups and do two rotations of 20ish minutes each. This is the only 45 minutes of the day that I have an assistant so while I'm working with one group, she's working with another group. Because I'm teaching inclusion this year, our EC teacher is also present for Workshop and she works with a third group. The fourth group is split into literacy centers...listening, writing, sight words, reading, alphabet...they change depending on the skills we're practicing and not all kids participate in every center. Half way through, we switch so each teacher sees a different group and another set of kids is in centers. I only see the kids every other day, but if they're not with me, they're working with one of the other teachers. {Confused yet?!} This week I taught this nonsense word game from Extra Special Teaching.
9:45am: ABC Dance Break & snack. While I clean up centers the kids dance to one or two songs that practice letter sounds, rhyming words, sight word spelling or some other literacy skill. Any song I use during this time has a specific dance or routine that I teach at the beginning of the year so it's very controlled. If they lose control, they sit out...and they don't like to sit out! After we finish a quick snack, its on to...
9:45-10:30am: Literacy. We use the Open Court curriculum so I go through that day's lesson. With whatever time I have remaining I'll read another book related to the unit, teach a new literacy center to use in workshop or get a head start on writing.
10:30-11am: Writing. This week we used the five senses to write about snow. Since we don't have any down here in the south, we make our own! :)
11-11:45am: Math. I teach the lesson in our Investigations curriculum and pull in other games that either relate to the skill or allow my students to practice areas they haven't yet mastered. This week we used this addition game from First Grade Fanatics. Instead of coloring in the squares, I laminated a few copies and the students used valentine M&Ms to cover their squares.
I'm also loving both of these songs from Harry Kindergarten. My kids love them, too! They're perfect for transitioning into or out of math.
11:45-12pm: Calendar. Days of the week, months of the year, your standard questions. We've also been looking at the weather channel online to predict and check the temperature to see if we need just coats or hats, mittens and scarves when we go outside.
12:00-12:30pm: Recess. Whew! Finally, a break. And my daily dose of Vitamin D.
12:30-1:00pm: Lunch. Sometimes spent in the classroom getting ready for the afternoon, sometimes with my team in the teacher's lounge. Really just depends on the day.
1:00-1:30pm: Reading Renaissance. This is our chance to read the books they checked out from the library or other books that aren't necessarily related to a concept. I like to use voices and read books here that make the kids laugh.
1:30-2:15pm: Specials. {sigh!} Music, Media, PE, Computer Lab or Art. On Tuesdays & Thursdays I have team planning. Monday, Wednesday & Friday I'm checking my email, changing out student work, trying to pick up the classroom, call parents...whatever has popped up that day!
2:15-3:00pm: Science or Social Studies. We're getting ready to make these cute little people from Pencils, Glue & Tying Shoes as begin a unit on the 5 senses next week.
3:00-3:45pm: Explore & Discover. Sometimes I use this time to continue our science or social studies lesson, especially if we're doing an experiment or big project. More regularly, since this is also the time struggling readers get pulled out for Intensive Reading Model {leaving me with only 8 students} it's time for Legos, K'nex, Blocks, Housekeeping, Puppets and/or SmartBoard to be opened for free choice. The kids naturally take our concepts from that day into their centers. If we read a book they like, they'll act it out in the puppet theatre or housekeeping. They've made menorahs from K'nex, built 3D Lego models of the classroom and used blocks to make dens for polar bears. They really like Highlights' hidden pictures or using the Digi-Color at Crayola on the SmartBoard.
3:45pm: Dismissal. Then setting up for the next day before leaving around 4:30.
5:00pm: Home. Time to play hide-and-seek with Huxtable, my de-stressor. :) I'm either pinning or blogstalking while I wait for my husband to get home. We eat dinner together, usually while watching something from the DVR {introducing him to LOST right now}.
Whew! That was a loooooooong post. No wonder I fall asleep this side of 10pm every night!
I have a workday tomorrow for more Common Core training. Hopefully I'll be able to chip away at my to-do list when the training's over. Have a great week ladies!!
