My Week in Review & a Freebie

I am linking up with The Primary Gal and her weekly Friday-Free-for-All linky.  You should check it out.  There are lots of great freebie available!

My freebie is included in my post, so keep reading!
Here is my week in review.
{1}

I had foot surgery.  I am using Christmas break to recover.  I will have to wear my lovely boot for 4 weeks.  It's a look!

{2}

I finished my Polar Bear Packs

My retelling pack has lots of activities to check comprehension, sequence, and retell the story of Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?  You cab check it out on TpT here or TN here.

I also created extension activities that I will use during my circle time.

It has color, shape, math, and alphabet activities.

You can check it out here on TpT or here on TN.

Enjoy this Polar Bear 10 frame freebie!  Click on the picture to download.

{3}

 I celebrated Christmas with lots of family and friends.

Both my babies made it home for Christmas, which made me happy, happy, happy!

{4}

 I am having a 20% off sale on my products at both my Teachers pay Teachers and Teachers Notebook stores.

{5}

One of the best things about being from a big family at Christmas time is that the celebrating seems to never ends!  Lots of celebrating still left to do!

Have a great day!  Thanks for reading.  :)

New Year's Resolutions!

I am linking up with A Peach for the Teach 2013 Resolutions Link-Up!

PERSONAL:  I had foot surgery a week ago, so after four weeks in a boot I will be ready to start exercising!  I really enjoy yoga and Pilates.  Once the weather warms, I hope to add some walking/running back into the mix.

PROFESSIONAL:  I have plus 28 hours past my Master's degree.  I want to be at plus 40 hours by this time next year.

CLASSROOM:  My four new sweeties starting in my morning class are all brand new 3's.  I already know it will be busy, busy, busy getting them into the routine.  I am very excited to welcome this new batch of littles into my classroom.  I always grow and learn so much with each new one.

BLOG/TPT:  I am not sure how realistic this goal is, but I want to be more consistent with my blog posts.  I also hope to add more products in a timely fashion!

JUST-FOR-FUN:  This time every year I think I need a trip somewhere warm!  I love snow and cold weather, but after awhile I just need to feel the sun!

Link up your resolutions with A Peach for the Teach.
Thanks for reading!  Have a great day.:)

13 in '13

I am linking up with Hadar from Miss Kindergarten for an end of the year linky party.  13 in '13!

{1}

I sold my house.  This was exciting, scary, and sad all at  the same time.  Who knew there would be so many mixed emotions in this transaction???

{2}

I started a blog!  I had wanted to do this for a long time, but finally bit the bullet.  I am so glad I did.  I love the friendships I have made in the blogging community.  I also love the connection it gives me with my students' families!

{3}

I started selling some of my products on 

TpT

and

    

TN

Again, this was a goal of mine that I was not sure how to achieve.  I have learned A LOT this year.

{4}

Speaking of learning a lot....I went back to school.  

I am working on additional hours past my Master's degree.

{5}

I traveled.  

I took a cruise with my family to celebrate my mom and all she has done for her eight children through the years!

{6}

I took golf lessons.  :)

We tried to take them seriously, but couldn't stop cracking up!

{7}

I became a grandma {sort of :)}  

I love this little girl as if she were my own.  I am so thrilled to be a part of her life!

{8}

I had the pleasure of watching my teams have amazing football seasons.

Go Tigers!

and Chiefs!

{9}

My youngest baby turned 21 this year.

It's a strange feeling knowing the main part of my job as a parent is over. I know I will always be their mom and they will always be my babies, but it's now on an adult level. Weird!

{10}

I had surgery on my foot.

Of course I had to plan it around the two week Christmas break (duh, I am a teacher and ain't nobody got time to be away from the classroom for two weeks!)

{11}

Friends.

This year I have come to rely on my friends more than ever.  I feel very lucky to have what I consider the most supportive, caring, and loving friends a girl could ask for.

{12}

Love.  

Quote of the day: 'Love is out true destiny.  We do not find meaning of life by ourselves alone-we find it with another'.

This quote helped me realize how important it is to have love in my life.  May I always be good at showing those I love how important they are to me.

{13}

Here's to an even better 2014!

I am looking forward to continuing my journey of loving, learning, laughter and life!

Thanks for reading!  Have a great day.  :)

5 for Beautiful Friday!

Whew!  We made it!  That sums up this past week.  It was crazy busy, but oh so fun.  I had lots of meetings to get in before break, so the amazing Valerie did more than her fair share to get us to this point.  Thank you Valerie!  Here are some of our highlights from the week.

Jingle kept returning from the North Pole and landing in different spots around the room to keep an eye on us.  We kept a picture journal of his sightings.

Monday he hung out with us above our snack table.

Tuesday he landed on our flower.

Wednesday he stayed in a vase.

Thursday he had a great view above out Teamboard.

He was so very pleased at what he saw!

We worked so hard on these art projects for our parents.  I love how beautiful they are.  Each one is unique in a special way.  

My speech and language sweeties made one for our most amazing SLP.

The original idea came from HERE.

We did manage to squeeze in lots of fun learning activities during the week, like this one.

 We matched numbers and then put that many lights on our Christmas trees.

Thursday was our super fun day!  We wore pajamas, watched Polar Express, and had a visit from Santa! How much fun can you squeeze into one day?!

I love these Santa headbands.  :)  They make me happy!  I got the original idea HERE.

And then last, but not least, I finished up a couple of packs that are now available on TpT and TN.

The Mitten Retelling Pack available here on TpT or here TN.

The Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow available here on TpT and here on TN.

Link up with Doodle Bug's Teaching for your Five for Friday!

Thanks for reading!  Have a wonderful holiday.  :)  May your dreams be merry and bright!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

This week will be a little cray-cray.  I already know it and have been trying to prepare myself mentally! Some of our activities this week will include a visit from Santa, a pajama day while watching Polar Express and drinking hot chocolate (yum), and making a special present for the parents of my little ones.

I found this Santa craft idea HERE

It was super easy and turned out so cute!  

We added a letter to Santa.  I let each little pick three of things they wanted most for Christmas to glue on the letter.

I got the original idea for the letter HERE

You can get the letter and pictures from me HERE or on the pictures below.

I found this on Kate's Fun in ECSE blog and it spoke to me immediately!

I can't wait to spend some quality time with family and friends, especially this little cutie!

Thanks for reading!  Have a great day.  :)