Meet the Teacher Blogger Linky!

So many of my favorite bloggers are participating in this linky

and I love getting to know them beyond that daily teaching grind. 

They are answering so many questions that I have wondered about, 

but never taken the time to ask. I decided I had to link up too and there is

no better time than summer time to share what you've been 

up to and who you are outside of school. 

{Even though anyone who knows a teacher will tell you all we talk about is kids 

and teaching, seriously do we have lives? The answer is no my friends, we do no not!!}

I am a 27 year old wife and mommy of two. I am going into my 6th year teaching. I got on the crazy ride when the budget was at it's worst and new teachers were non-existent. I consider myself beyond lucky and blessed to be doing what I love, but it came with a lot of bouncing all over from grade to grade and place to place. On the bright and sunshiny side I found my forever love and where I know I am supposed to be right here with 3rd graders! 

This guy is my pie in the sky, the jelly to my peanut butter! I met this love of my life working at Burgerville in high school. It was love at first fry!! Here we are at a Portland Trail Blazers game. 

We are... RIP CITY!! 

We have two wonderful kids, a niece and nephew and I even have an 8 year old little sister that 

we make every memory we can with... 

Q& A Session
 

 THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...

My EOS Chapstick- have to have it. I love zebra print everything and am finally adding some to my classroom. I was worried I would overdo it, but so far I am doing a good job of keeping it in check. Hershey Kisses- I could eat a thousand in a day, I swear. Sunglasses- I am always losing them so I keep a dozen pairs. Clearance racks- I go straight for em'. Books- Amazon loves me. RSVP pens- I think it's because I am left handed and they don't smear. Rearranging furniture- something about things looking different keeps it new and fresh to me. 

 IF YOU WEREN'T A TEACHER, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO BE?

Nothing. I would probably just whine about how I want to be a teacher. I am not kidding. I have tried to like other things, but it is just not happenin'. I get bored after 5 seconds and want to start grading papers or something. If you read my blog you know I have always wanted to teach. I used to make my brother and sisters wake up at a certain time on Saturdays to begin our "school day". I already had pre-made worksheets and activities planned out. My brother always wanted to quit in the middle so I made him sign a contract the night before saying that he would stay for the whole school day. I know, terrible! 

THREE LITTLE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOU.

Positive.  Efficient. Perfectionist.  

 

FINISH THE SENTENCE, "________,  SAID NO TEACHER EVER!!"

"I love the way you are pretending to read that book," said no teacher ever!!!!!!!! 

Q: IF SOMEONE WROTE A BOOK ABOUT YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD BE THE TITLE?

 "Super Woman"{DUH :P}  

 Q:YOU GET TO PICK ONE SUPERPOWER. WHAT IS IT?

I would never have to sleep. I love sleep, but I just think of all the things I could get done while my kids are sleeping!!! 

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE OR SAYING?

Oh jeeez I am terrible at this thing. Well, I suppose the first and best one I've ever heard- 

"If you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all." 

Q: IF YOU HAD TO SING ONE SONG ON AMERICAN IDOL, WHAT WOULD IT BE? 

We are getting ready for our Back to School Kick off assembly and the only song I have been singing

is Rude by Magic! I could belt that one out on American Idol no prob! Ha!

 

 Q: ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON OR A NIGHT OWL?

I am definitely a night owl, but I never stay up late because my husband is such a morning person. I

always try to go to bed when he does, but there are times where I get caught up working on something I just have to finish. Then I always end up staying up until like 3, waking up at 6 and I'm kicking myself!  

 

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE RESOURCE THAT YOU'VE CREATED IN YOUR TPT SHOP?

I love my Multiplication Centers because they are so quick and easy to throw together. They also include all of the exit slips for every multiplication standard and I could not live without those little diagnostic checks when it comes to creating my small groups!

My Morning Check in Question Pack is also one of my favorites. It helps me take attendance without disrupting anything else and I can check in with students on what we've been working on the day before as we are getting morning work done. 

Q: SHARE SOMETHING WE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU!

I laugh at the stupidest things and have the most immature sense of humor. Like you know when a kid "toots" in class? Ya, I am the one covering my face with a book because I cannot control myself. 

Here is a picture of our little pup with my hair over her head. I swear I giggled at this thing foreverrrr!

Make sure you go link up and read all of the other fabulous Q&A's. There is so much I didn't know about these blogger ladies!

My Truth Monday + {My World} right now + Freebie

Okay, I know the song doesn't apply to me

losing my computer for a week but it was soooo

sad. 

"You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone!!!" 

I wasn't stressing too badly about not having it until...

I got it back!

I have everything backed up on my external hard drive for teaching. 

I had added all my clipart and files. 

Sadly, I did not add pictures because there were so freakin' many. 

Little did I know that my computer would crap out on me a week later. 

All I can say is thank goodness for Facebook and the pictures I have posted there or I would

be completely without Averie's newborn pictures. 

On top of all that when your hard drive crashes like this you have to set EVERYTHING

back up again. I mean every- freaking- thing, people. 

Note to self: 

-Back up fonts

-Pictures

-Files

-Applications

-Clipart

I spent nap time on Saturday adding Microsoft Works and hunting for all of the fonts that I had so I could respond to TPT emails and product requests. 

It's alllll good now, though!

Back in action, baby :P 

I am linking up this afternoon with Sunny Days in Second!

Today, we share about holiday disasters. 

Well if I am being truthful I have to say that there have not been any "holiday" disasters from me. 

That is only because I refuse to take on anything for the holidays that could potentially lead to disaster. 

I leave the holiday prepping up to the rest of the family and bring my store bought pie or my "previously tested on teachers" recipes from Pinterest. Seriously, before I bring anything to a gathering I always make it once before and take it to work. If it's gone by the end of the day I know it was good!

It might not be a holiday but it was the most important day of my life so I will share my wedding day disaster. 

We were married in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. It was wonderful! 

We chose a destination wedding because, well, we were young, anxious, in love, and poor. 

This was as stress free and as beautiful as it possibly could have been. 

Everything was amazing. Our photographer even flew in to take our photos. 

She wanted one of those running on the beach with your bridesmaids actions shots. 

And, look what she got. 

Yep, that would be me, face planting. 

There are another 20 or so of these pictures where they continued to laugh for several minutes before helping this poor bride up. 

My hair looked like this the rest of the time and no one bothered to tell me. 

It was pretty dang embarrassing, but I'll certainly never forget it!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

My maternity leave is nearing the end. I cannot believe I am meeting up to plan with my 3rd grade bestie this Thursday for the week I return. I really, I mean really really thought I was going to be ready to go back. I thought I would be chomping at the bit to get out of the house and have some real adult conversations. 

I know that once I am back in action and teaching away I will be in my zone and completely fine. Until then, I just feel like I have this cloud looming over me. I feel insanely blessed that I was able to spend the first 5 months home with both of my babies though. I know this is a special time that many working moms are not able to get. I got to hear her giggles for the first time!! This was so monumental to me since I wasn't the first to hear Conner's. I still remember the first time I heard him full on giggle. It was after my grandma heard him giggling all day. I was so sad I missed the first ones. These two are of course, my world and I wouldn't trade these months at home with them for anything!!!

I was hoping to meet the parents and get to know each family before my return. 

I had a "Meet the Teacher" night at out local library. 

I put together a scavenger hunt and some prizes. 

Guess what?? 

Only 3 families showed up!!!

Booooo

I wasn't expecting a huge turnout, but I was expecting a few more. 

I think I was more disappointed after talking with the families that did show because I realized just how valuable it was. 

I left feeling like I knew each of them and their children. Just as important, they know me and got the opportunity to ask questions and share openly about their little learner. I just wish I had that chance with all of the families. 

Here is a copy of the scavenger hunt for you. It was probably the most plain looking thing I have ever made but the kids left feeling much more comfortable at the library. {It's the plain things that make me appreciate my computer. So happy it's back in my arms again} I prettied it up for you a little. 

Click the picture for your copy! 

In other news... check out this little reader!

My heart is so full!!

Saturday Snapshots

It’s funny to me how I lose track of the days now... that is until Friday comes along.

  There is just something about having my sweet hubs home with us for the weekend. I love love love snuggling up in bed a little later than usual. Averie wakes up at the crack of dawn and we get all our cuddles in with her. We baby talk our brains off and try to squeeze a smile or five outta her. 

Conner joins the snuggle sesh a little later. He watches cartoons with us for a while and then it always turns into a wresting match between him and daddy. Averie just thinks it is the best entertainment. I’m not sure what in the world I would do without these sweeties! 

 You know what else is the absolute best? Having a job I can call my hobby. Once a week my mommy-in-law begs to take the kids. She loves em-- I am tellin ya’ she just can’t get enough. She’s not your typical in-law either. She is wonderful in a she comes and helps me do yard work to begin each spring, sends me home with a giant yummy salad every Sunday, loves my kids and spoils em crazy rotten kinda way. 

Well anywho once a week she takes C & A for a few hours and what do I do? Go shopping, sip coffee with a friend, get a pedi?? Well maybe for an hour of my time but the rest I spend in my classroom. I just love being there, creating, decorating, getting ready, ya know all the funsy stuff. I know I won’t be there in the fall but theres just something about it that makes me so happy. I feel so lucky to love what I do so much. 

One day right now is plenty though because as I said before I have these sweet ones to love all up on!

 Being home though I get to work on lotsa goodies though and at my own leisure. 

Look back for a freebie after I finish up this Twitter Board... but here is a sneak peak.

 We’re also working on updating paint and the feel and decor of the living room. Painted this table... 

ran outta spray paint so I’ve still got another to do. Gray and Yellow after much deliberation. some inspiration...

Also dying to add some fall decor... perhaps a wreath and some dining room table fluff.

I love these from aDOORable decor!

 Oh and speaking of updates, I love our new dining room table. We bought it at Wal-Mart and it is incredibly well made. Loving! 

 This little lady is 2 months today! Already! Crayyyyy Cray!! 

 Well those are my Saturday snapshots. Go link up!!

February Currently...

Linking up with Farley here... I just love her. She makes me chuckle at just the right time. 

The Big Game is finallllly over. I think I would like sports a lot more however, my husband is ALL sorts of serious and makes it a tad bit un-fun. When it comes to football and basketball there is hardly a game we watch that does not include some sort of yelling or throwing. On the bright side of that I do love how Conner like to correct his daddy and remind him that saying stupid is not nice... haha that's my boy. 

Onto my currently... visited my parents today! Always fun. Sadly, I had a fierce headache. I shoulda known one was coming on though. I was super emotional yesterday and they say that these pregnant hormone surges can cause headaches. Glad to be home and my prego approved Tylenol has kicked in. 

I am way too tired though so I might just have to skip my must do's for tonight and hit the hay with my little man. Grading can wait right? Right! I think needing sunshine is a given. Last but not least my pet peeve. I mean come on, do you really have anything to say that is going to make me want to admit that I am being overly emotional and sensitive? No! So how about just not arguing with me! Hopin' this baby is a girl because I was not all little miss sensitive with Conner. 

Have a great week all! Now head over and link up. Click here. 

FREEBIE Central... Back to School Blog Hunt

Darling Mandy, whom I adore, from Mandy's Tips for Teachers is hosting today's Back to School Blog Hunt. This is a link with a collection of Back to School FREEBIES. Click the picture below to attend the party!

I am featuring my favorite freebie my teacher binder. Below are the picture but click here to go to the post and download your giant freebie!!

School Year Resolutions... Promises I can keep!

From the sounds of it and what I have been reading lots of you are already headed back to school "officially" or already there! Where I am we are just beginning to see back to school adds. I am not so sure how I feel about it. Definitely excited to get my room ready to go and start planning with my team, but also hoping that after I do so I will still have a week or two to just (ahhh) unwind and spend every second with my little guy!

Tomorrow I will be in my classroom. Yes! Grammie is watching Conner so I can stay completely focused. My plan is to get all of my furniture where I want it to go and then get my bulletin boards painted. ---- On a side note, I went back and forth about paining my bulletin boards again (I have moved every year) so I went to walmart and priced the two. Sheets were $4.47 each and I would have needed 8 of them. Paint on the other hand, was $10 a gallon. So so cheap so I bought a gallon of pink and a gallon of blue and I know I won't use all of either but it was much cheaper and will also look super bright. Just thought I would let all of you know who are still contemplating.

So back to the original purpose of this post... New <School> Year Resolutions! 

This year I promise to....

#1. Call parents of my two Citizens of the Month! Rarely do I find the time to make phone calls that desperately need to be made. I always tell myself that I am going to do a better job of making those positive parent phone calls so I thought that this was a really great way to start. I would love to be the parent of a phone call like that... 

#2. Wake up at 5:30 a.m. everyday ----boooo hoooo :(  School begins at 8:40 and my goal is to wake up early aka on time so that I can get out of the house, drop Conner off and get to school my 7:00. I think that if I have over an hour and a half each morning I should be able to get out of there by 4 or 4:30. I.... MUST.... I.... MUST... I.... MUST

#3 Invite parents into the classroom. I want to work really hard to invite parents into the classroom more often this year. Parents know that they are always welcome but there is just something about being personally invited for a specific event. I want to do this at least 3 times this year, possibly for publishing parties, mystery reader or family projects. 

#4 Most importantly spend time at home with my family. I swear I am always working... I am an addict, plain and simple. I just can't help it. If we are sitting and watching a movie I must be working on something. If we are on a road trip I am typing away on the computer. No matter what I just can't quit and I know I need to get a handle on this addiction before somebody creates a teaching rehab and locks me in there!!!! Plain and simple when I come home I need to spend time with my hubs and Conner, that's all there is to it!! 

Common Core Linky Party

Mrs. Saoud- the genius that she is, is hosting a Common Core Linky Party. I am linking up and posting my Common Core related freebies here! Go check it out because I am finding all sorts of goodies to use for this year!!

Newbie up in here! Linky Party and a FREEBIE

Thank you,

For throwing the Newbie Bloggers Blog Hop! I am excited to share about myself, but it has also been so much fun reading about everyone else and being introduced this this all.

I live in the absolutely beautiful state of Oregon! I always think I might want to live somewhere more sunny like California or Arizona but truly, we have it all here.

Teaching has been absolutely insane for me. I will be teaching 3rd Grade this year but, I have taught 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 1st and now I am happy to be back to 3rd. Mmmm hmmm can you say roller coaster ride? Every year is a great one and I certainly feel blessed!

I have worked with the same district for 6 years. I started as an assistant in a special education classroom (best experience). Then I was a "skills trainer" helping students with special needs be successful in a general education classroom. After that I did my student teaching (prego as ever, I might add). This was when all of the first round of BIG cuts happened. There was no position for me upon finishing but I applied everywhere. At the very end of the summer a 1/2 time 5th grade position opened up! I got the job and it was perfect. The following spring I interviewed for a full time 3rd grade position and the rest is history!

Well, when did I start blogging or when did I start stocking all of your blogs? Just kidding but really I started blogging in July of 2012, officially.

Well it might sound like a ridiculously silly tip but it was something that I had to learn. Create your blogs with the "compose" tab, instead of the "Edit HTML" tab. It is much easier ;)

And now... drumroll please... onto the freebie. Well this was A LOT, and I mean A LOT of work. We use Rigby's Literacy by Design in our district. It is a perfect fit to Daily 5 and integrated well with Social Studies and Science. There is a huge vocabulary piece to it but there are no pictures for the kids to make connections to the real world. This FREEBIE is gigantic. There are 160 vocabulary cards with word, definition, and picture. I use the cards to introduce new vocabulary words and to play review games. For example, you could pass out the cards you are working on and have students find their matches. The word will have to find the definition and they will have to find the person with their matching picture. You could also use these as a center game. Hmmm, maybe I will have to create a little recording sheet soon. Anywho magoos I hope you all enjoy these!! Let me know what you think or if you have any suggestions. Click each picture for each file. Remember I said they are big so there are 3 different sets.

Getting in the right mind....

It is nearly August so I suppose I need to give in and start doing some super productive work to get ready for the school year!

At least I am having fun doing it! This week I am linking up (for the first time ever, I might add) with Fourth Grade Frolics for Made it Monday!

I saw this on Pinterest and thought it was both Genius and darling. Because, as some of you may know, sewing is a no no for me and I just don't have that kinda patience. The glue gun and staple gun are my two best friends!

Here is the final product and below you can see step by step how I completed this easy project!

Isn't it gorge :) And yes that's Conner in the background putting on his new rain boots

Super Easy Step by Step

1. You will first need to find a stool. Really any works. I found mine at salvation army for $8

2. Buy a can of glossy spray paint. I used black but of course, you can use any color. Take your stool outside or in your garage and completely cover it with the spray paint. Let it dry.

3. Once your stool is dried completely you will need a piece of foam large enough to cover the seat, a marker and scissors. I had extra foam laying around in the garage that used to be on top of a mattress.

-Turn the stool upside down on top of the foam and trace around it
-Then cut out the circle

4. Now you will need your fabric. I had some extra from other pieces that I am incorporating into my room. You don't need much. Lay the foam on top of your fabric and then the stool upside down on top of the foam. Use a pencil and ruler to trace a square around the stool that leaves about 2 1/2 - 3 in. on each side, enough to fold over and staple to the bottom of the seat. Once you have your lines traces you can move the stool and foam and cut your piece of fabric.

5. Once your fabric is cut lay your foam and stool back on top like shown above. Fold the pieces in so they are tight. Use a staple gun to staple your fabric into place all around your stool. Voila! You have a beautiful new stool for your classroom.