Project Runway is BACK!!

Yes, Little Miss Glamour loves Project Runway.  {surprise, surprise}  And it is back tonight!

For real this time.  Last season was sans Heidi, Tim, Michael Kors and Nina Garcia.  It was fun to see some of the old contestants back but it just wasn't the same.

Remember to tune in tonight if you're a fellow fashionista.  9/8c on Lifetime!

Woot woot!!!

Rainbow of Friends {outline}

In one of my very first posts I shared my Rainbow of Friends activity that I like to use at the beginning of the year.

The title came from the book Rainbow of Friends by P.K. Hallinan but you can use any book about a child's individuality and uniqueness.  The point is just to get them seeing their similarities and begin making friends with their new classmates.

I've had so many emails and requests to share the outline but I can't because it's a printable from Mailbox magazine.  However, you continue to ask for it, so I did the only thing I can...I made a new one.  As long as you're a follower, you can have it!  :)

We keep our rainbow hanging up ALL year to remind us that we're a family at once & always.  Who else is hoping summer will stick around but is still already getting excited for the first day of school?!

good classroom finds & {six} winners!

Today, I am a happy lady.  :)  I got to see my new classroom, had lunch with my fave & her boys and took a trip to the Container Store.  {I can hear the angels sing when I walk in...ahhh!!!}  I love that place.

I went in to get this {for our trip}

But ended up with...this.  :)

{sticky ties for 56 cents! how perfect for the kindergarten ball!}

{acrylic box for makeup brushes.  with coffee beans in the base, it'll be a great start to my early mornings!}

{organizers.  on sale.  for.....organizing.....something}  ;)

{apple bucket!!  seriously no idea what's going inside of it.  but this gem is going on my desk!}

I didn't end up with any of these yet but how great are Lego shaped boxes?!  They have enormous ones that I'd love for storing my Lego pieces but $40 per box is a little much right now.  Maybe someone will get me one for my birthday?!  {hint not intended.  yeah right, it totally is.}

And now, what you've all been waiting for...the winners of my Sight Wordgories literacy game!  Thanks to all participants and an extra special "Welcome!!" to all of my new followers.  I try to be really good to my readers because I appreciate each one of you.  There are lots of freebies even if you didn't win today.  Or click the pic to get the game at my TPT store for only $2.

Since I reached another 100 mark, I've added 5 more winners.  So here are the lucky 6 ladies!!

{Thanks to Miss Tiina for the cute notebook paper background!}

I'm back to packing!  See you in a week with a trip update!  xxoo

crate seats.

I've been on a DIY kick!  I guess that's what can happen when you're on summer vacation but actually stay in town.  :)

I love the thought of using crate seats at my guided reading table because a) more storage and b) no slouching and laying on the table!!  I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to store in them, but I'll deal with that when the time comes.  Once I start moving everything into my new room I have no doubt I'll need to find a place for something.

I love the box seats Erica has at her table {from Big Lots} but she said they haven't actually held up all that well so I figured it was worth the extra effort to make my own.  Miss Krantz has a great tutorial that I used.  And if I can do it...so can you.

I looked ev-er-y-where to find these stinkin crates.  Where did I eventually find them?  Target.  Of course!  I bought 6.

I got this plywood at Lowe's.  They'll cut the wood for you so I took my measurements in to get the pieces.  MISTAKE.  Take a crate with you to be sure they fit.  I had to borrow the hand saw from our neighbors to take an edge off of all of them.  I would also recommend slightly thicker board as I'm afraid if anyone bounces or sits hard, these might crack.

I got this roll of foam at Hobby Lobby.  The tutorial suggests using 2 pieces of foam but it was thick enough with one that I had some left over when I was done.  Let me tell you in advance...this was more expensive than I planned, about 30 bucks.

After following the steps, I got 6 of these!  I'm not quite sure if polka dots will be my theme or if I'll just keep sticking with bright colors but either way they're super cute.  {3 green & 3 orange.}  Gender neutral and happy, right?  ;)

I'm choosing the winner {winners?!} for my literacy game giveaway tomorrow {Friday} at 10pm Eastern time.

{click the game to comment on the correct post}

Leave a comment saying you follow my blog to enter.  Post about it on YOUR blog for a 2nd entry.  We're close to the 600 followers mark, which means 5 additional winners!  Tell your friends...the more entries, the more winners there will be!  :)

4th of July {a day of sparkle!}

I love the 4th of July for 3 main reasons. 1) Hubs is off of work & we can hang out with the family all day soakin up the sunshine. 2) Glitter in the sky. Fireworks are just millions of sparkles overhead. So fabulous! 3) And this is the most important reason. This is a day where our entire country comes together to stand as a team. Political party doesn't matter {except to the politicians} and neither do any of our other differences. For one day, it's all about our similarities as people and AMERICANS...just how we teach our kids that it should be.

Now, on to some good celebrations. Since no one is working tomorrow, neither is my blog. Enjoy the day with these festive finds.

{Red, White & Blue Sangria}
At the risk of sounding like my Magic 8 Ball, will I be cutting the pineapple into those adorable little stars? My sources say no. But I'm sure it will still be delicious.

{Firecracker Cakes}
Pop Rocks. Get ready to find them because this will be a reoccurring theme in today's list. I won't have time to try these out this year but I think they are stinkin cute...and they explode in your mouth!

{Snap, Crackle & Pop Rocks cookies}
She added her pop rocks & sprinkles with frosting but how awesome would these be as ice cream sandwiches?! Put some vanilla between 2 cookies & then roll it in the edible firecrackers. Fun AND refreshing!

{Rocket Dogs}
I laughed out loud when I saw these. Hot dogs are a grilling staple, right? Even if I thought I wanted a hamburger I would have to change my mind when these were presented as an option!

{Let Freedom Rings}
Love. And so would any kid. Of any age.

And a couple of {cheap & easy} decorations
Paper frillies in mason jars & streamers weaved over a table. Ta-da! Instant party.

To keep your kiddos busy...
How about an ongoing game of Bingo?  Who can find a hot dog, flip flop or  popsicle first?  This {free printable} will keep them busy while the grill is firing up.

Or grab your pool rings and water bottles from the cooler for a super cheap DIY ring toss!

If you have little little ones who have to go to bed before the fireworks, help them feel included be creating fireworks in a jar for them to keep on their dresser when they go to sleep.

Another super simple game for any hot day: grab a paintbrush & a bucket of water and see how many times your child can write their name, sight words or math facts {whatever you want to work on} before the water evaporates from the sidewalk.

If they're old enough to use a sparkler {wahoo!} do like the outdoor weddings have taught us and use those to write sight words as well!  Chances of singed hair highly decreased when fingers have something to do with the wand of fire.  ;)

Happy 4th of July everyone! And thank you to all who have served {past, present & future} to keep our country strong.

currently for July & {my birthday!}

Yay!  It's July!!  Then again...I am turning {30} this month so I guess it's ok if it crawls by slowly!  I'm linking up with Farley again and love her new Rule of Three.  I hope some of you new readers checking out my {currently} will become a follower & join my giveaway!  I love new friends!!  :)

Click the game below to head to the right post & get all the info on my giveaway.  And just because I'm in a good mood for a Monday morning, I'll even up the anty on this one.  If you post about my giveaway on YOUR blog, go back and leave a 2nd comment with the link for an additional entry.

Happy July!  :)

storage wars.

Yes, that's that show on TLC.  No, that's not at all what I'm dealing with.  But I do have a sense of fear creeping in...that I may be becoming a storage hoarder!!!

Granted, many of these empties have come from my parents {decaf coffee?  I don't think so} but still, I am the one holding on to them!  Ladies, when you don't know what to do, where do you turn?  Pinterest of course!  Here are some of the things I'm thinking of upcycling all of that junk...treasure...no, junk into:

Coffee Can: Organizers!  I only have 1 for now but wrapping it in pretty paper is super simple and it would be great for storing pointers or Morning Meeting supplies.

Pringles Cans:  I already have one in my art supplies that I use to hold my paintbrushes.  They never get smooshed and even if they get put a way a tiny bit damp, the water runs down & collects at the bottom. It's great.

I may have to save the rest of these for Christmas, though.  How adorable are they for holding cookies or homemade candy?!  And my hunt for the perfect kalidescope craft?  Over!  So cute.  {as is that sweet little munchkin!}

Cereal Boxes: I love the idea of these as magazine/file holders but I'm just not sure they're sturdy enough to stand up and hold it all without falling over.  Which makes this paper holder tutorial just genius.  I've already bought great wrapping paper to get started.  I also love the idea of turning them into notebooks.  But I would do it boring-side-out so the kids could decorate their own covers!  Perfect for taking outside as we explore this or that.  {technical content area names, obviously}

Egg Carton: I have more counting games than I know what to do with.  So...how about some crafting?!  The flower wreath is beautiful and I would've never thought those were cardboard.  But those apples!  How perfect for Back to School!

Plastic Jars: I think I'm definitely going to use the big ones to create Vocabulators {themed jars with words & toys to introduce a topic} because they are just too cool!  And if nothing else, I'll just modge podge some paper on them and use it for storage.  :)

I'd say that's a pretty good start.  And makes me feel better about my closet full of containers.  :)  I hope you find something to spark your creativity and let me know if you have an even better idea.  In the mean time, I better get a move on transforming it all!

And don't forget to enter my giveaway!  One of you will win my new literacy game just by following my blog & leaving a comment {on that post} that says you do so!  Super simple!