11 in 11

11. Favorite movie you watched
Well I really liked Captain America but I liked The Help too...And of course the final Harry Potter. I saw a lot of movies this year! Probably more this year alone than in the last 3 years combined. It was fun though. So I guess I just can't make up my mind.

10. Favorite TV series
Again its hard to choose. Loving Grimm at the moment! If you haven't watched it I definitely suggest you do. It is filmed in Portland, OR-just a short trip from my house. Also The Sing Off-LOVE it! Although this season was not as good as the last one.

9. Favorite restaurant
I don't really have one of these...I will say that a local restaurant called The Lost Roo has some AWESOME garlic tater tots. Enough said.

8. Favorite new thing you tried
hmmm...Does Teaching Kindergarten count?! It was new to me and I LOVE it!

7. Favorite gift you received
hmmm... I am super excited about my Kitchen Aid!!!!! It is silver and gorgeous and I can't wait to use it!

6. Favorite thing you pinned
Hmmm...I have pinned some awesome ideas but haven't had a chance to do most of them...Loving some of the quotes I have found though.

5. Favorite blog post
Does it have to be one of mine? Can I just say that any that Kristin wrote are my favorite? They always make me laugh. Especially her Halloween one...

4. Favorite accomplishment
Getting a teaching job!!!!!






3. Favorite picture

I take a LOT of pictures. So many that the other day when I went to upload my computer said "The disk for your iphoto is nearly full are you sure you want to upload?" I guess this means that I need to do some backing up and deleting...not my favorite thing to do. I will just go with a recent picture so I don't spend the next 3 hours searching through my 25,000 pictures.

This is "The Tribe" we have Christmas Eve together every year. There is one new person in the picture and we are missing two others but it was a FABULOUS Christmas Eve.

2. Favorite memory

hmmm...Again there are lots of those. Graduating college, getting my first real job, actually moving out, Christmas eve, going to the Reckless Kelly concert, awesome bull riding event, getting very good marks on my first formal observation, and so so so many more.

1. Goal for 2012

Hug more
Read more books
Keep myself organized because it drives me NUTS when I am disorganized but it happens so quickly!

There are my 11 in 11. Linking up...now. 

Christmas Break...

So I have had a busy break. But I have still had time to relax. So here is a list of the things I have done...
Tuesday:Go to moms house and bake cookies. Spritz cookie gun was NOT my friend. But we had a good time.
Wednesday: Drive to dad's house (a little under 2 hours) past my school-But I didn't stop!- This drive seemed to take FOREVER! I had my dog and my mom's dogs in the back seat and my sister in the front-there was a lot of complaining and it was NOT my dog. Lets just say I was ready to be out of the car. Then I got to go to Lunch (that was literally the name of the restaurant!) with two friends from high school. It was so good to actually get to see them! We talk all the time but we are never in the same place at the same time. I also saw many other people while I was back in my hometown.
Thursday: Woke up after a LONG night sleeping in a twin bed with my 60 pound dog! (I do not approve of this habit of hers but as she can't live with me at this time-darn renting anyway!- my mother has taught her bad things)Then I got to have coffee with 4 other friends from high school. I just love getting to see them. They are like my 6 extra sisters. Then I drove to my aunts house after dropping the pups off at the holiday hotel. (it's really a farm where they board dogs but they have too much fun there to call it a kennel)
Friday: Shopping. Followed by a night that included my younger sister making my drinks and playing Pictionary with the family. Grandpa had to draw a sumo wrestler and lets just say he broke the rules and acted as well. Very funny.
Saturday: I got up at 7:28. I have baked the cookies I promised to a friend. And tonight we will have our annual Christmas Eve "party". There will only be 17 this year (this is actually a small number...)It should be fun but I might not let my sister mix my drinks this time :)

Oh and each day you can add me talking about my kids and worrying about how their breaks are going and me thinking about what I am going to do with them after break...

Hope everyone has a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! I think I will be braving the crowds today and shopping again because yes I procrastinated once again... Oh but we did have professional portraits done of my sisters and I yesterday...(have I ever mentioned how much I detest having my picture taken? But I will admit it was time since we haven't done that in 10 years!)

ok...I know 2 posts in one day

So I know this goes against blogging rules but I'm going to post for a second time today for two reasons-1)I have the time!!! HOORAY for Winter break! 2) I want to. So there :)

So I have been catching up on my blog reading-because I follow so many I don't always see the ones that get posted that I want to read all the time. Today I have been catching up over at Waiting on The Butterflies. And I have decided that Sarah and I need to be friends. So she did this survey and it made me want to do it too.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
I LOVE wrapping presents! And given the right conditions I can spend HOURS upon HOURS doing so. (on the floor of my carpeted living room does not qualify...which is what I have been doing)

2. Real tree or artificial?
REAL! Although I must confess this year my Christmas decorations are a little bit pitiful. The biggest tree in the house is 2.5 feet tall and fake with blue lights and no ornaments...I mean the tree in my classroom is at least 6 feet! My word. I MUST fix this problem next year. THERE WILL BE A REAL TREE! With all of the ornaments that I have gathered over the years and it will have white lights-lots of them. (I feel much better now that I got that out of my system)

3. When do you put up the tree?
Well it depends...I don't actually have a set time. But after Thanksgiving for sure. Preferably the weekend after in my perfect world.

4. When do you take the tree down?
hmmm... after new years. I LOVE having a tree in the house...

5. Do you like eggnog?
No I do not. Hot Chocolate with Buttershots though...thats a different story :)

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
this is difficult. 3 options. 1) Trip to Disneyland 2) Addy American Girl Doll 3) Barbie Dream House...

7. Do you have a nativity scene?
I personally don't have one. But my roommate does so there is one in the house. I haven't found one I like yet.

8. Hardest person to buy for?
This year it seems EVERYONE! I am having the worst time coming up with things to get people!

9. Easiest person to buy for?
My mom. She just says "I want that"-I say "ok"-place item in cart-"Merry Christmas to you". haha (this conversation actually happened in Costco on Saturday.)

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
I didn't mail any... I did write some though and put them in mailboxes at school-does that count? I would never do them by email!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
It would have to be the Metal birds nest with 2 birds and a couple stone eggs that had a little sign that read "Our Nest" that I got last year. I actually gave it away 5 minutes later.

12. Favorite Christmas movie?
I love them all! Love Fred Claus, The Holiday, Polar Express, The Family Stone. I swear the only things that I have watched since before thanksgiving are Christmas movies.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
When I find something. But this year not until the 17th...yikes. I have already made plans to do shopping on the 24th. (This is not like me at all!)

14. Ever recycled a present?
yes. refer back to "worst christmas present."

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Cookies. Spritz to be exact.

16. Clear lights or colored lights on a tree?
Clear.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
So many. Currently "All I want for Christmas"

18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home?
Travel. Always go to my aunts for Christmas Eve.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
I teach Kindergarten does that answer your question. haha.
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen, and Rudolph of course.

20. Angel or star on top of the tree?
I don't have either one. But it will be an angel when I find one that I like.

21. Open the presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?
Open one present on Christmas eve (always pajamas) the rest on Christmas morning. One year though we had our Christmas morning at 3am! It was C-R-A-Z-Y. My sisters were little and WAY WAY WAY too excited to sleep anymore. So we all opened presents and then went back to sleep.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
Grouchy Grinchy people at the stores.

23. Favorite ornament, theme, or color?
Have to say I am one of those people who doesn't do the whole theme thing. I like the whole each ornament has a memory tree. So no theme or colors here.

24. What do you want for Christmas?
A Kitchen aid (which I happen to know I am getting-its silver and GORGEOUS and I am SO SO SO excited!)

I promise I won't post a third time today. I guess I should go do that laundry and clean up my house... Teaching Kinder has turned me into the person who is not so good at sitting still. Except for yesterday when I was laying on the floor for 4 hours-haha-hey I'm sick and the couch got uncomfortable. I also need to complete my present wrapping since my sister is on her way here and one of her presents is currently sitting on my couch unwrapped. I think I will go make a list of what I need to do. (this might just be me procrastinating again...)
Enjoy your Tuesday!

Liebster Award!

Super excited this morning! I got the Liebster Award from Bonnie over at Living a Wonderful Life. THANK YOU BONNIE! I definitely agree that we could be BFF's in real life.

The goal of the award is to spotlight up-and-coming blogs with less than 200 followers. The rules are:

1. copy and paste the award on your blog
2. thank the giver and link back to them
3. reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog
4. hope that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers 

Here are my top 5!

1)Scott over at Brick By Brick.   I can't guarantee that he doesn't already have 200 followers but I love the ideas he has over there! Super cute candy cane blog.

2) Sarah at Waiting on The Butterflies. I just love her blog and all of her cute ideas and stories. And she has a pretty cute dog too! I think that if we didn't live so far from each other we could be very good friends!

3) Mrs. Cole over at Cole's Little Pups has an adorable blog and so many ideas! GO check it out!

(let me just say that finding 5 blogs who have not already received this award or have less than 200 followers is proving to be difficult but fun made me realize I have a lot of blog reading to do!)

4) Mary at Adventures in Kindergarten. Cute blog with so many great ideas! She is VERY close to 200 followers.

5) Kelly at Busy in K. Cute blog and fun stuff over there! She has been blogging for nearly a year!



Hope you enjoy looking at these blogs I know I do! I am headed to catch up on some of them now since I am on break and I'm not quite sure what to do with myself (although I should be doing laundry and cleaning house...) My sister is coming today!!! Hope everyone that is on break is enjoying the relaxation and I hope that everyone still in school is surviving the craziness!

Top 10 reasons I know Christmas is near... and some other side notes

Ok so I have been blog stalking hopping tonight while I bake cookies for the staff holiday party tomorrow night. Well I found two blogs that have done this and I was cracking up and nodding my head the whole time. This has quite possible been the longest  most exhausting glitter filled week ever in kinderland for me. So this isn't a linky party but I saw it here and here.
1) You have letters from Santa waiting in the staff freezer with a North Pole return address.
2) You are so excited that you have a job in which you get to wear your pajamas to school because getting dressed when you are this exhausted is a serious chore.
3) You took your childrens presents to school on Monday but didn't give them out until today because you were waiting for them to be making good choices...(yes it took 4 full days)
4)You had a prep time today but were unable to focus to get anything done...so you sat in the staff room with people and ate too many sweets.
5) You were making copies today because you wanted your kids to actually do some work today and the teachers from the older grades said, "You are actually making them do work?!"
6) You fin yourself wanting to say-if you don't listen I am going to tell Santa to put you on the naughty list!
7) When you walk down the hall other teachers just say "only 1 more wake up!"
8) You are currently baking like crazy so that you have something to take to the staff party tomorrow because you are just going to stay at school until it starts at 6pm
9) Your principal walked in at the end of the day while the kids were "Doing their jobs" aka cleaning up. And she said, "YIKES! They are messy!" You then let her watch the kids play "Magic Scrap" haha (nice observation time. lol)
10) You are going to be sending home what seems like a gazillion projects with your kids tomorrow and you are wishing that you had remembered to take pictures of all of the adorable things you made.

So I am exhausted now. I need to go finish those cookies so I don't have to finish baking in the staff room tomorrow afternoon... Heres to a day with Bingo in the morning and The Polar Express in the afternoon. And no instruction except for number corner first thing in the morning.

Oh and I survived my first Holiday concert. It was a great concert. Tonight I discussed with the music teacher how we would change it for next year so that the Kinders don't have to sit through the whole thing since it is K-12. That is a LONG LONG time for a 5 year old. I had to make 5 different trips to the bathroom. ugh. More on that later.

Hope everyone has a FABULOUS Friday!

C-R-A-Z-Y week

I don't know when the last time I posted was...ugh.
Well Thanksgiving was great. Too bad both the Cougars and the Beavers lost. Better luck next year.
Teaching:
I have been crazy busy at school since then. Our report cards go home on Tuesday so I had a TON of assessment to complete. I am very thankful that my aide helped with that! We have been busy making Chritmas projects at school. I am VERY lucky in the fact that my school lets me do Christmas things! There is a tree in the entryway and in most classrooms (mine is going up tomorrow as I was not aware that they are on top of things and most people had them up last week...oops). The kids will be thrilled though since they have been asking me about a tree all week. We made gingerbread boys and girls, reindeer out of our feet, trees out of triangles and rectangles for math, countdown chains to work on our patterns. Oh and some super cute Santa's out of paper plates I cut in half :) This week the kids will be turned into reindeer as I borrow an idea from another blogger for a bulletin board idea. Oh and we wrote our letters to santa! I am telling you it was a C-R-A-Z-Y week. And the next two will probably be just as nuts if not more. What is your favorite book to read to your class? My very favorite book at Christmas is The Christmas Collie. We have always read it on Christmas Eve and I can't wait to read it to my class!
Funny story. I have a little one who is just...different. Doesn't much like participating with the group. Well she was particularly perky and bouncy on Friday. I said, "Who put ants in your pants today?" She actually started looking all over herself to fin the ants! I cracked up.



Life: I have been watching far too many Christmas movies while working on report cards. Oh and enjoying watching the National Finals Rodeo. Gotta love watching people ride bucking broncs, bucking bulls and catching little cows oh and don't forget the barrel racing. Also watched Fred Clause for the first time-if you haven't seen it I highly recommend.
I have definitely been getting fewer questions about whether or not I am going to move closer to my school (I drive 55 minutes each way everyday). But people still ask everyday how my drive was.
Alright I suppose I should go start some laundry or something...or continue to enjoy my cheesy Christmas movies.
Oh but did anyone else watch the finale of The Sing Off?! I was VERY pleased with the winner. Can't wait for tomorrows Christmas special! Hope everyone has a GREAT week! Hopefully I will post some pictures soon.

new siblings

I have three students with new little siblings (in the last 6 weeks). The newest one was born on Tuesday. The very proud big brother was telling us about his new little brother. I would ask a question and he would tell us about the baby. He told us how big he is, what his name is, and other baby things. Then I asked "Does he have a lot of hair?" His response, "Don't know, he came with a hat." It cracked me up! I am pretty sure that he thinks that his little brother will always wear a hat. Yesterday he told me that he finally has his baby-meaning that his mom and little brother are home from the hospital.

The kids thought it would be pretty awesome if their little brothers and sister were in the same kindergarten class when they get bigger like they are.

FIll in the Blank Friday

1.   A nervous habit I have is spinning my ring around...

2.   Something that makes me sad is when my students are sad. Like today when I had to carry the little guy onto the bus because he hates it so much-almost rode the bus with him today because I felt so bad. The crocodile tears get me every time.


3.  Today I am thankful for the amazing people in my life. My family! My friends, my friends who are more like family. And for my job! And all of the great memories that I have!




4. My favorite room in my house is... this is difficult. Either the living room with the view of the ocean or my bedroom-whichever one is warmer :)


5.  I can't stand when kids are not taken care of-or when I know that the student would be able to fulfill their potential if they had the support at home.


6.  If I had an extra $100 to spend on whatever I wanted today I would buy probably storage solutions to help me to be as organized as I want to be.

7.  The last person I hung out with was the other teachers at the Middle School lock in-and my mom she was there too. We were there to chaperone. Anyone who teaches middle school is a saint!

new look..and thankful

I decided it was time for a new look here in blog land. I have also decided that there is no other job where you have to write plans that describe every minute of the day. I just finished writing the plans for my sub for tomorrow so that I can kick this cold to the curb and they took me FOREVER. However they did make me realize just how THANKFUL I am for all of my blog friends! THANK YOU for all of the FABULOUS thanksgiving themed ideas! I love them! My kiddos will be doing the awesome turkey cut and glue that I found earlier today-and I can't wait to see how they turn out when I get back on Tuesday.

I also plan to spend my day at home on the couch making some very fun and math and literacy centers based on thanksgiving while I wait to go to a friends to watch Grimm and The Sing Off. (If you don't watch these two shows you should! Grimm is a little scary but also SO good and to make it better it's filmed In Portland, OR-which is only about 2 hours away from me. The Sing Off is simply wonderful! I love it! Past seasons have been even better but I definitely have my favorites on this season. Do you?)

 I have also given in and watched 2 (ok maybe 3) Christmas movies today...Hallmark was is having a marathon and I just couldn't pass it up. I do love a good mushy Christmas movie. I usually hold off until after Thanksgiving but when you have been laying on the couch sick for 2 days you run out of things to do-and I can't remember where I set my book. I am going to make myself wait to listen to Christmas music though.

I am a bit jealous of the bloggers who get all of next week off! We go to school Monday, Tuesday and half of Wednesday. I think the two Kinder classes are going to celebrate a Charlie Brown style Thanksgiving though-which should be very fun.

Hope everyone has a FABULOUS week!

3 day weekend...and I have a cold.

THANK YOU VETERANS FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE, ARE DOING, AND CONTINUE TO DO FOR OUR COUNTRY!

Of course I got this awful cold I have been trying to avoid while I have a wonderful and very welcome 3 day weekend.


Being sick I have been spending WAY too much time online looking for lesson ideas. I have found a TON! Needless to say it will be a week full of Thanksgiving themed lessons. I even bought my first unit from TpT! Very exciting stuff here. I have been trying to find activities that are meaningful and fit learning objectives while still being exciting and cute for Thanksgiving. 

Pinterest has become my friend. I have found SO MANY things that I want to do. I just wish I had 3 more hours in the day to do them and the energy to make it through those 3 hours :)


On other non school related news I watched all of Harry Potter year 7. I just love HP!
I also tried a new recipe-major FAIL. Don't try the 2 ingredient pumpkin muffins that are all over pinterest. Unless I did something completely wrong they are not good. Oh and I burned my hand while making them. ugh.
My plan for the rest of tonight-cozy up with a mug of hot chocolate and watch Country Strong ( I heard good things about it today so I decided to watch). I will let you know how it is.

I have decided on a random facts post for today...

1) I HATE being cold! I would much rather be way too hot than being cold at all. And recently it has been VERY cold-in the mornings, during the day, at night. Just makes me realize I need some new sweaters.
2) Kinders are very open. I had a boy who had an unfortunate accident the other day. Another student was in the bathroom at the same time and they both came to tell me what happened. Then the rest of the class heard of course-when you come back crying and saying what happened very loudly that tends to happen-then the rest of the class proceeded to say things like: "I still wet my pants sometimes" "I do to" "It happens sometimes". This cracked me up.
3) Halloween was an interesting experience in Kinderland. The two days after were the bad part-those are some crabby kids when they are coming down from a sugar high.
4) We have completed the alphabet in class... My kids still continue to ask daily what letter we are going to do.
5) I have been reading my kids "Ramona the Pest." THEY LOVE IT! But it's almost over. They are completely comprehending it and I love having them recall the things that have happened in the last few days in the book. I don't know what to read to them next! HELP! Any suggestions?
6) I am not ready for winter weather. I drive 50 minutes each way to school and adding snow to that will make my mornings much more difficult... I don't mind driving in the snow however my car does and I don't like to when it's dark-which is pretty much the only time that I do any driving.
7) I watch WAY too much TV. Here is a list of the shows I watch on a regular basis: General Hospital (I know it's bad but I can't stop), Desperate Housewives, CSI Miami, Sister Wives (this is just plain strange I know but it is entertaining and interesting), Ridiculousness (if you need a laugh this is your show), The Sing Off, Glee, Last man Standing (so funny! Especially since I am the oldest of 3 girls myself), NCIS (sort of), Only in America with Larry the Cable guy (haha!), CSI Vegas, CSI New York, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Extreme Makeover Home Edition, Grimm (this is a new one, but I am liking it.), Revenge. I now feel like I have absolutely NO life! yikes. At least I watch them on the DVR so that they are not taking up as much time and I am nearly always doing some type of school work while I watch.
8) Apparently for me an extra hour of sleep in the fall means going to bed at 1:30 and waking up at 5:30. Seriously?! I did manage to stay in be until 7:30 though.
9) I have a dog. Her name is Napili-this is the bay I stayed on when I went to Hawaii. But I am renting a place so she is not allowed to live with me. It makes me sad because there is nothing better than coming home from a long day to a dog that is so excited to see you that her tail nearly falls off from wagging so hard. She is living with my mom-only 15 minutes from me but I haven't been spending anywhere near enough time with her. I think that will be my goal this month.
10) I hate being disorganized-but I constantly am. It drives me NUTS! I need about a week to get all of my organization in order so that it can stay that way. I could also use about 2 extra hours each day to get everything done.
11) I am TERRIBLE at video games. I realized this once again last night. And I am sure after that embarrassing pitiful attempt I made I will never hear the end of it.
Hopefully I will also find more time to write this month. I can't wait for the three day weekend! And then a regular week followed my THANKSGIVING! I can't wait! And I get to have it at my house this year! Super excited! Hope everyone out there in blogland is enjoying this wonderful weekend.

Sorry I have neglected my blog...

I haven't written in forever! Teaching is exhausting and there isn't much time to write. So I have a list of the things that have been happening in hopes of shortening this post, so I can go bake some cookies.

1) Today I was told that my hair looks like Rapunzel. My hair is really not that long-it's blonde but seriously Rapunzel?! I guess I have to look at it from a 5 year olds view... Just makes me think that I need to cut my hair more-or change my halloween costume :)

2) We went to the pumpkin patch on Tuesday. I wish I would have had more adults go with us. But we survived and didn't forget anyone. And everyone came home with a pumpkin.

3) I let my students vote on what I should be for Halloween. I gave them choices: witch, princess, tennis ball, teacher, cat. They chose Witch. We get to do all sorts of stuff for Halloween at our school-including parties, kids wearing costumes at school and we are going to have a whole school activity race. Should be very fun! I am planning to go all out in my room-just because I can. Oh and my sister is going to help with the party-she is going to be the black cat :)

4) I survived conference week. And actually had my last one tonight. Conference week is the longest week with the shortest days! ugh. I was EXHAUSTED! But I was glad I got to talk to all of those parents.

Other things going on here in my little world:
Tomorrow is the WSU vs. OSU game and I can't wait to go!

It's raining here-I actually don't mind it because that means soup, warm cookies and being cozy on the couch with a movie.

Speaking of movies: I definitely suggest Footloose-it's a very good remake.

I got to watch the home team win a volleyball game last night!

A to Z about Me

So I know I posted twice yesterday but what can I say it's a blogging couple of days!
So here is an A to Z about me.

A. Age: 22
B. Bed size: queen.
C. Chore that you hate: cleaning the toilet.
D. Dogs: Napili. 1 year old lab/retriever mix. She is ADORABLE. (but I might be a bit biased)
E. Essential start to your day: music.
F. Favorite color: Cerulean
G. Gold or Silver: silver
H. Height: 5'5 1/2"
I. Instruments you play: I have played the flute and the french horn.
J. Job title: Kindergarten Teacher! (I have waited about 17 years to get to say this!)
K. Kids: None. Those are in the future.
L. Live: Washington.
M. Mother’s name: Michelle
N. Nicknames: Al, Ally, Sand, Eece, looby lou, and many many others.
O. Overnight hospital stays: NONE! Except to stay with my Grandpa when he had his hip replaced.
P. Pet peeves: hmmm... people who don't go a consistent speed while driving.
Q. Quote from a movie: When love feels like magic, you call it destiny. When destiny has a sense of humor, you call it serendipity. (Serendipity-LOVE this movie!)
R. Right or left handed: Right
S. Siblings: two younger sisters.
U. Underwear: yes I wear them. But really?! Couldn't it be "Unusual fact?"
V. Vegetable you hate: cauliflower.
W. What makes you run late: when elk or deer cross the road in front of me. (but I try my best to be on time)
X. X-Rays you’ve had: NONE!
Y. Yummy food that you make: I bake. Harvey Wallbanger cake!
Z. Zoo animal: Elephants!

A visitor in Room 7!

We had a VERY busy week in kindergarten. We talked about our letters and we geared up all week for our Thursday afternoon visitor. ( Mentioned this here)

Well the visitor was my grandpa and his wife. It was great fun having them come and the kids LOVED it too! My grandpa read them Ferdinand The Bull-and they LOVED it!

I then told them that they could ask questions if they wanted to. But the rule was that only one person could talk at a time because otherwise Grandpa’s hearing aids would turn off (which is actually partially true). They were pretty good about it-except they are still learning the difference between asking a question and telling a story. So the first little one raises her hand to “ask a question”-she said, “I have a dog named Gigi!” then everyone wanted to talk about their pets. Then my grandma says, “Did you know that Miss Bruncke has a dog?” oh goodness-at this point all control of talking was G.O.N.E. So I stepped in and my grandpa decided that it was time for him to leave-he said goodbye and the hugging started—and continued for the next 5 minutes. Thankfully they didn’t knock the grandparents over like they did to the music teacher last week!

After the kids got back from recess we made thank you notes. They were adorable-the kids liked the sweetest things. And my grandparents LOVED getting the cards. My grandpa is already looking forward to coming back and reading another story. I can’t wait! Here are a couple of pictures for your enjoyment-from story time and Math stations (does anyone else use Bridges?)

Versatile Blogger Award!

So I am going to have to post twice tonight because I got my first blogging award! I got a versatile blogger award from Nicole over at THE KINDER KID! Thanks Nicole!
So with this award I have some instructions



Now for the rules of this award:

1. Thank the person/people that nominated you and provide a link back to their blog.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Pass this award along to 15 other blogs that you have discovered


So for #1: Nicole, THANK YOU! I was so excited to see your comment and to see my blog somewhere. It makes me happy that other people are reading what I am writing-and enjoying the stories. So THANK YOU again!

#2:
Thing 1) I have known since I was in the first grade that I wanted to be a teacher. I went home from school-at the beginning of the year- and said to my mom, “I want to be a teacher like Mrs. Bell!” and I NEVER wavered from this because whenever I would think I could do something else I would find something wrong with the profession.

Thing 2) I live 55 minutes from my school. Everyday someone asks me “are you tired of the drive yet?” and I always tell them no. I actually enjoy the drive because it gives me a chance to wake up in the morning and a chance to wind down in the afternoon. So I spend nearly 2 hours a day in the car with the radio on…singing…VERY poorly. I will say that I wouldn’t mind having a person to carpool with some days.

Thing 3) (I am bad about talking about myself) When I get stressed or I’m having a bad day I bake. I don’t normally eat the things I bake though… strange I know. It’s the actual baking process that helps me to relax though. Just knowing that I can make something and have it turn out the way I want it to-something that I have complete control over.

Thing 4) I have a group of friends (there are 7 of us) from jr/hs and before. We call ourselves the “posse” a nickname we acquired in HS. Our lives have led us in all different directions but we still “talk” all the time. Having their support through everything means the world to me.

Thing 5) I have a dog. Her name is Napili-and she is ADORABLE. But the place I am renting now doesn’t allow pets-which is one of it’s very few downfalls (we have an ocean view after all). But I miss her terribly- even though she is only 15 minutes away.

Thing 6) I am a vegetarian. Have been for about 8ish years. I never really ate meat all that often growing up. But it’s not because of the sweet fluffy bunnies or anything like that. I just never really enjoyed the texture. But I have been thinking about trying to reintroduce at least some meat into my diet…But that is not an easy task when your body is not used to having meat in it’s system…it will take a while.
Thing 7) I LOVE TEACHING! I am in my first year and I am teaching Kindergarten. I have 24 students all day-meaning 8:30-3:10. Which is a very long day for a 5 year old-I mean it’s a long day for me so I can’t imagine how long it seems to them. I am teaching in a TINY district. We have two buildings-the elementary school and the jr/sr high school which also houses the district office. And the buildings are right across the street from each other. My kids even go across the street to eat lunch each day.

Now for rule number 3. 15 blogs I have found-these are the ones that I love/read/stalk consistently.

Herding Kats in Kindergarten


Kinder Kraziness


The Clutter Free Classroom


Ms. M’s Blog


Blog Hoppin’


Life is Better Messy Anyway
http://messyjofu.blogspot.com/

One Extra Degree


Buzzin’ on Cupcakes in First Grade


The First Grade Parade
http://thefirstgradeparade.blogspot.com/

Organized Chaos-This was actually the first blog that I followed!
http://welcometoorganizedchaos.blogspot.com/

Castles and Crayons


A Teeny Tiny Teacher-I just love reading her blog!!!


Living a Wonderful Life



The Dream Teacher-I found this blog after reading “Finding Mrs. Warnecke” if you haven’t read it yet- It’s definitely a MUST read!
http://thedreamteacher.blogspot.com/

So there are 15 of the blogs that I enjoy reading! Hope you enjoy them too!

Thanks again Nicole!

tomorrow...we have a guest!

So my kids have been guessing all week about who is coming to visit tomorrow. I have been reading books all about family and grandparents. One student actually guessed the correct person today but she doesn't know that :) I will have to take a picture of the guess chart we have been working on. The kids have thoroughly enjoyed making their guesses. If you are looking for some great books about grandparents here is a list: "Now one Foot, Now the other"-- "Great Friends my Grandpa and Me"--"Grandpa and Me" (little critter)--"Nana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs"

No funny stories today but we made it through the half day and I got time this afternoon to work on reorganizing myself.

On other news: I LOVE FALL TV PREMIER WEEK! Glee last night was awesome! CSI tonight and many others coming up too. Grey's Anatomy!

I will try to post some pictures and a story about tomorrow when I get home!

Kindergarten-when you say exactly what you are thinking

We had a very busy week in Kindergarten. Everyone was exhausted-one even fell asleep sitting up on the rug on Thursday afternoon and continued to sleep for the next 45 minutes. But the story I want to share happened after school on Friday with a little one who was late to be picked up.
We were sitting in the office.(students names on this blog are changed to crayola colors)
Me:"Red I need to go home."
Red:"Do you need to make dinner?"
Me:"Yes."
R: "How many kids to you have?"
Me: "I don't have any kids."
R: "Well you need to get married then!"
Me: "R I think that will have to wait a little while"
R: "Well you could have your wedding....(she thinks) when we don't have any school." (I think she meant this weekend because we had just discussed in class that we don't have any school on Saturday or Sunday)

Needless to say I walked out of the office laughing after she told me I should have corn, peas and chili with Milk to drink ("Milk is good for you!") for dinner.

Wouldn't it be nice to just be able to say exactly what you think all the time like a 5 year old does. They are so funny!

I now need to spend a few hours getting ready for next week...I have most of it planned just need to get the papers ready to copy and such.

My Grandpa is going to come and read my kids a story on Thursday! I think I might make them guess all week who is going to be coming to see them. I will give hints with the stories that I read to them...this should be fun!

Week 2 is almost over!

Kindergarten is getting better. I have now sent the same child to the office twice-but today she had a GREAT day! We decided on a smily face system throughout the day and she totally bought it thank goodness. (Throwing a book at my face was the last straw yesterday)

Only one little one still cries nearly all day which is great. Working on stopping those tears.

We have been working on friendship skills as well as keeping our hands to ourselves, walking in line, saying nice things, walking in the halls, cleaning up on our own, and all of those other little things that make life easier for the teacher. Oh and we now know how to close our glue sticks! (click!)

I hope everyones year is going great! Tomorrow is Friday and I need this weekend to recover-and maybe to bake too.

Not sure how much sleep I will actually get since the Rod Run to the End of the World happens to be in my town-two streets over. They are bringing in about a ton of extra officers...that is how many people come to town + all of their fancy cars. YIKES!

HAVE A GREAT FRIDAY!
(Rookie Blue season finale tonight...)

I survived.

A short list because I need to sleep.
1. 3 little ones crying (for the majority of the day)
2. sent one home after her afternoon recess where she made the poor choice of shoving a pebble in her ear.
3. 8:30-3:10 is far too long for 5 year olds.
4. We had an extra recess at the end of the day because they couldn't focus anymore.
5. Back to it tomorrow. Hoping the ask if they can have nap time again-I just might say yes.

School starts tomorrow...

and today I didn't get everything I needed to finish done...but not for lack of trying.
I have 24 kiddos, we start school at 8:30 and have an assembly at 9...ummm. Oh and the little one I met today-well I'm pretty sure she will cry tomorrow.
I will post tomorrow-if I don't fall asleep as I walk up the stairs when I get home.
Here's to hoping that the day goes well! If the kiddos I met the other night are any indication it will be great!

I don't have any freebies but I do have new pictures

So I promised in my last post that I would post some updated pictures-these aren't the best and they are by no means pictures of the finished product. Those will have to wait until Monday when I get home from meet the teacher night.
But here are some pictures of what it looks like now. You will notice my slippers in one of the pictures- I guess that shows how much time I have truly spent in my classroom this week. After 3 days of new teacher orientation I am spending my day at home working on school stuff in my pajamas-pretty fantastic! SO here are the pictures-not the best ones I have ever taken but they will do for now.

Where it all goes down Wednesday...

Well I had every intention of taking my camera to school with me today to take pictures for this post. Then I got 20 minutes into my drive (it takes me 50 minutes) I realized that I forgot my camera. ugh! I had other things on my mind as I left the house for my second day of new teacher orientation. I will just give you this link to the most recent pictures I did post. I will do my best to remember my camera tomorrow so I can post some because it has changed so much! I am up to 24 students. Meet the teacher night is on Monday and I absolutely can't wait!!!

Meet the Teacher Monday!

I decided to join this teacher week over at Blog Hoppin
So here are my answers to those same questions that Abby answered plus maybe a few others.

Tell us a little something about you:
Here is a picture of my about 40 minutes after I found out I got a job.

Well My name is Allyce. I live on the Washington coast and I absolutely LOVE it! My current home has an ocean view and watching the sunset in the evenings is fabulous! I have a one year old lab/retriever mix named Napili. She is the sweetest! I grew up in a family of teachers (dad, 3/4 grandparents...) and never even thought of doing anything else. I love bookstores, spending time with my friends and family, reading, going to the beach, the sun, the rain, photography, and life.

How long have you been teaching?:
Well this is my first year! so negative 1.5 weeks. We start school on the 1st of September and I can't wait! I am teaching Kindergarten in a small school in a nearby town. I have been waiting for this since I was 5 years old and told my mom that I was going to be a teacher just like Mrs. Bell!

You might not know:
Well there are lot of things you don't know about me. So I could really put anything here. I just graduated from Washington State University's Vancouver campus in May and got my job from my first interview in July! Still can't believe how fast it went.
But I will tell you that I feel like I have been teaching for a long time. All through high school and college I would spend at least one week usually 3 working at something called Outdoor School. I would spend those weeks teaching 6th graders and high school students about the world and environment around them. I absolutely LOVED this! This program is a HUGE part of the education of 6th graders and they have had trouble securing funding for this next year but there are some fabulous people who are working VERY hard to get the money raised!

What are you most looking forward to this school year?:
EVERYTHING! (Except the lack of sleep.) Right now I am most excited about getting to meet all 21 (probably more) of my little Kindergartners!

What do you need to improve?:
Right now I am not sure but probably everything. I know I have a TON to learn and I can't wait!

What teaching supplies can you NOT live without?:
From my student teaching experience I know that I need the following
-Peach Mango Green Tea(this is my caffeine-and it is a MUST have)
-Support from friends and family and other staff members
-Crayola Markers
-glue sticks.
-Books
-Sticky notes

That is me in a nutshell.

Tell me more tell me more...

So I wrote this whole post on the plane on my phone the other day but it didn't save to my drafts... Ugh Well here are 5 facts about me. 1)I have had the same best friend since age 2. I have other beat friends too but she has been a constant. She is currently serving on her mission in Spain. I miss her like crazy! Especially since I have so much news! The last time I got to see her 2 years ago... She and I took my picture in front of my dream school. We said it was to get ready for my getting to teach 1st grade there. Little did we know that it would only be two years before I would have a continuing contract doing just that! I can't wait to send her the letter that says that! 2) I have two younger (biological) sisters. But in the grand scheme of things I am the middle child of 7!!! It's kind of weird not being the oldest anymore. I Am still getting used to it. But on the bonus side I get to be an auntie next month!!! I can't wait! 3) in high school I ran a food drive that raised over 1million pounds of food for the local food bank. We did this 3 years in a row. 4) I have never once changed my mind about being a teacher even when I got spit on by a student last year. 5) i have read all of the Harry potter books at least twice. Most of them 3 times:) The end for now because I am on my phone writing this.

Updated classroom pictures

Well two weeks from today I will have completed my first two days of school. And as of right now my classroom still isn't all ready to go...YIKES! Close but not quite there. I spent three days this week at trainings-two days for a testing training and one day for a math training (the math one was FANTASTIC!). I got to go to a concert in there too. If you get a chance go see Reckless Kelly-great show. But I have spent some time in my classroom since the last time I posted and made a lot of progress. I am headed in again on Monday to hopefully finish up...we will see how far I actually get. After much thought I pretty much decided to have the starts of some bulletin boards on the walls but not to fill them all in. So the reading tree will be a place where we will post what books we are reading and enjoying in class. We will post birthdays with the tree in the front of the room an I will be using the tree in the back by the sink as my word wall-labels are part of my job on Monday as well as labeling other things like desks and lockers and book boxes with names-which I am not sure if I have all of yet... I was told I will continue to get more students throughout the first week of school or so. So here are some pictures. Before and afters-WARNING a bit picture heavy.

My helper for the day-she tried to escape pictures but I got her. She has been one of my best friends since Jr. High-she starts her student teaching next week!

Can't wait to have all of those little people in my room!

Classroom bulletin boards...suggestions please

Ok so I am going back and forth on creating bulletin boards. On one hand I would love to create a million of them on the other I keep reading things that say to let the students help you to create them. This is where you come in.

What should I do?

I know I will start a word wall-by the previously posted chicka chicka boom boom tree. But other than that what should I do? My school doesn't have set hanging bulletin boards, we can basically make one where we want when we want. (We just staple into the walls...which makes me nervous) I will have one set board over my computers (when I figure out how to put in the work order)-but I can't decide what to put on it. The walls look so boring right now-but I also don't want it to be overwhelming.

And when it comes to labeling the classroom-do you have the labels up to start with or do you have the students help you to label the classroom (I know it's important to do and I have started to make the labels-for the clock and such)?

So many questions. Any input would be fantastic! And any other suggestions for a first year teacher-especially Kindergarten- would be so appreciated!

Back to watching the PBR.

Linky Party.

Decided to join while I take a break from planning and other school related things for a few minutes. Head on over to Oh' Boy Fourth Grade to join yourself. Its fun to see everybody's answers.
I have new classroom pictures just need to get them in the computer. Headed back tomorrow maybe some before and after pictures will show up.
Here is my Currently I am:

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Bull Riding... it made me think even more about school

Not sure how that worked but at bull riding last night I couldn't think about anything but school and all of the stuff that I need to get done. I have so much planning that I still need to do! and my room still isn't done. I keep reminding myself that I have one more month but that really isn't that long! I am still waiting for someone to ask what I do for a living so that I can say, "oh, I'm a kindergarten teacher." Then maybe it would really become real for me.
Bull riding last night was fantastic! Hopefully tonight the stock contractor won't break his nose and more riders will make the 8 seconds. Its a great event though and I can't wait for tonight. Here are a few pictures from last night.

well...

I love bull riding. I love watching the pros on tv an I love watching it in person even more! And it just so happens that I get to watch it in person two nights in a row! A friend of mines brother is putting on an event and I can't wait! But I got asked to make 100 cupcakes for each night...for the hospitality tent. So on these two days when it is actually hot here in the PNW I am in the kitchen with two 350 degree ovens. But it will all be worth it because I get to watch two nights of bull riding!

another day in the classroom

I had a teacher friend in town yesterday so we spent a few hours working in my classroom. We got the listening center set up-it could easily move still as I figure out where everything else goes. We also put up my beginning of the year bulletin board in the hallway. I pretty much fell in love with this bulletin board that I am pretty positive that I found on Kindergarten's 3 R's I pretty much love her blog and all of her ideas. If you haven't been to see her fabulous blog full of ideas then you definitely need to. Well halfway through putting up the new bulletin board the janitor (who is FABULOUS by the way!) went home which means she turned off the lights in the hall. So forgive the poor lighting and the poor picture quality (Its from my phone). It isn't quite done yet still have to add the students names (BUT I GOT MY LIST YESTERDAY!!)

I am going to be moving the next couple days then I get to spend the weekend watching Bull Riding at a great event. So I don't get to go to my classroom again until Monday-when I have another future teacher friend coming in to help me. Loving all of the help and company! Hope everyone enjoys the rest of their July.
I can't believe it's almost August already! Yikes! So much to do still!
Oh and I started work on my refurbish of my house keeping set. Pictures to come.

Back to School Blog Party?! Yes!

"Teaching Heart ( www.teachingheart.net ) is hosting their annual back to school party on July 24th till July 30th. Each Day a new prize! Gift cards, Books, Teaching Heart Products, and more!!! Plus a free printable will be posted during the week. You need to visit the blog at; http://teachingheartmom.blogspot.com/
daily to check out the prizes each day and enter for the ones you want to win!!!"

I am so excited about this Back to School party! Hope you are too!

Shoes?! A unit!

Mrs. Tabb over at Just Another Day in First Grade is giving away a free unit on shoes when she returns from a trip to Vegas. I am taking any fantastic ideas that I can gather for my Kinders so I would love to check out this Shoe unit! Who doesn't love shoes?! If you want to get this unit too then blog about it and send her your email in a comment on the above linked post before Sunday and she will email it to you.
And to make today better I have 5 new followers! Gotta love that! Can't wait to gather some other new ideas today!

FREEBIE

I am all about finding ideas on blogs and pinterest. Well I found a blog with a freebie unit that I would love to possibly use to start out the year. So go here if you want to see it too!


She has some pretty awesome stuff.
(having a hard time getting the button to post so here is the web address too.
http://kinderkraziness.blogspot.com/

another day...another cabinet cleaned!

I spent Monday afternoon in my classroom again. It was a very productive day. My literacy cabinet is all organized and I actually know what is in it now. I also got my listening center cassettes labeled if they didn't already have one. I started to make up other labels for cabinets and objects around the room as well.
And I started making posters (classroom expectations, etc) and my first bulletin board is up! I am going to use the area to the right of it for my word wall! I can't wait!

I am so glad I have found so many fantastic teacher blogs that are full of ideas! Thank you! A special thank you to Kindergarten's 3 R's http://kidney-garden.blogspot.com/ for this fabulous bulletin board idea.

I am going with a tropical/chicka chicka boom boom theme.

Oh and I signed up for my first training. I am excited to go though because it's in my hometown-not where I live now- so I will get to see all of the Kindergarten teachers I know there!