Weekend Recap

It's been a busy last couple of days. So, I'm going to make a list of some things I wanted to share.

1. The Zoo: We took the first graders on a field trip to the zoo on Friday. Oh. My. Word. I don't think I have ever been so tired in my life. The kids enjoyed it... but, they were exhausted! That's a lot of walking for little kids! And, it was sooo crowded. I have a major fear of losing a kid on a field trip: especially places like the zoo where there are just kids EVERYWHERE. So, I made them hold a rope the entire time. And I dragged them throughout the entire zoo. But, it was TOTALLY worth it. Here are some zoo pics.

Monkeys. You should have heard the heated discussion between the kids when we got back to school about whether these were just "plain old monkeys" or gorillas. I knew the answer... but, sometimes it's best not to get invloved ;)

This elephant was slinging mud everywhere. Ha.

And this elephant picked up a trunk with his... well, trunk.

These are literally the only animal pics I took. I was too busy taking care of my own "animals." But, it was a great trip.

2. Saturday Scholars: My school, Cole, started Saturday Scholars this Saturday. It's basically a TCAP tutoring program that we do on Saturday mornings for the third and fourth graders. I LOVE it! I adore teaching first graders. I don't want to teach anything else. But, I have to say... it's fun to be around the older kids sometimes. They get your jokes. And, they're so sweet. It honestly gives me goosebumps to see these kids get up on Saturday morning and come to school so that they'll do well on TCAP. I LOVE my school!

3. New Computer: My sweet dad bought me a new laptop yesterday! I was planning on getting one for Christmas. But, he went ahead and just got me one to use now. I love it! Thanks so much, Dad!

4. Hampy: Matt came home this weekend and brought Hampton with him. She's gotten so big! It was fun to spend time with her. She's so calm, now! Definitely she's losing some of her "puppy-ness."

Love her!

Isn't she so big, now?

Matty and Hampster

And, if you will rub her under her chin, she will be your best friend forever.

5. Projects: My mom and I worked on a few projects yesterday. I made a yarn wreath that I have been eyeing on Pinterest lately. It was a lot of work. But, it was very easy to make!

I really like it. The problem? I don't know where to put it!

It's sitting here for right now.

And, my mom made a cute fall pillow:

She sewed it together, but I didn't get a "finished" picture. I'll get one and show it to you.

Well, I better go cheer on the Titans. Looks like they need it.

As always, thanks for reading!

Creepy, Crawly Spiders!

*Updated 10-22-13
I have received numerous emails in the last few weeks about this post. I, unfortunately, cannot email anyone these graphic organizers because they were on an old computer that crashed. I'm so sorry, but they were really easy to make on Word. Thanks for reading!!

I haven't posted a first grade update in a while and I wanted to share some things my sweet little kiddos have been working on lately. We kicked off Fall last week with a big unit on apples. I didn't really take any pictures of the stuff we did. But, I took a few  today when I was taking their stuff down from the hall.

I usually have them make collage apples and write sentences to describe their apples. But, it just didn't happen this year. And, I wanted to try these cute little apple cores I found on Pinterest.

We did a Johnny Appleseed graphic organizer.

And, we used an apple bubble map to write sentences about apples.

I think it's safe to say that:

This week, I had my big evaluation. You know, the BIG ONE. And, I had a hard time coming up with a lesson that I wanted to do. So, I decided to take a trip to Target and browse the children's books for inspiration. I found the cutest book ever!

(picture from Amazon.com)

It's called the Itsy Bitsy Spider and it's by Kate Toms. It has the sweetest illustrations and it tells the story of the Itsy Bitsy Spider in a lot more detail. I knew my kids would LOVE it... and it single-handedly sparked a week-long spider unit. Love it when that happens.

On Monday, we read a non-fiction book about spiders. We made this anchor chart to record our schema, new information and misconceptions.

Oh, and we got VERY EXCITED about spiders.

Next, we used our chart to fill in a graphic organizer about spiders.

I've been using this same graphic organizer A LOT and they are really starting to get the hang of it. I really like that I can change the topic and it works for basically everything we do!

Here's another one...

We also read this pocket chart poem I found on Mrs. Jump's blog. I LOVE her stuff! My little friends absolutely went BALLISTIC whenever I changed the name in the poem. And, the kid who got picked would get sooo shy and put their head down while everybody else read it. Kids are so funny.

On Tuesday, we made predictions about the Itsy Bitsy Spider. We made three seperate predictions: one before we started reading, one during the reading and one after we finsihed reading. Then, the kids got to get in their teams and share their predictions. They gave themselves a check mark in the circle if their prediction came true. I like that they have some accountability!

Tuesday afternoon, we used a brainstorming web to write sentences about spiders. The kids didn't even have to use the anchor chart we made: they were SO obsessed with spiders that they knew it all by heart. That makes me so happy :)

I didn't know if my kids would be able to handle this so early in the year. I didn't really do this with my kids last year until the VERY end of the year... and they were a high group! But, they did SO WELL. It just showed me that kids will rise to your expectations! I plan to use this format frequently so that they will get more and more familiar with putting sentences together.

Here are a few more:

Yesterday, we transferred the sentences on our webs to a story. 

And, today. Oh, today.

They KNEW they were going to get to make spiders today. And, ya'll? They were ecstatic! They came in at 8:00 this morning talking about those spiders. It really doesn't take much to excite a six-year old, does it?

I wish I could show you the pictures I took of the kids holding these up.

The smiles on their faces are HUGE.

I wasn't even going to hang these up in the hall because I had JUST put up the apple stuff. And I wanted something cute for the clothesline in the room. But, they begged me. And, if you're begging me to hang your work in the hallway? I'll do it. Every single time.

I took the spider off our pocket chart poem and made a sign for them. Because, why not?

We're all decked out for Fall now!

I'm so proud of my little friends. They work so hard and it's really starting to show.

 I can't wait to see what all they accomplish this year!

My Other Passion :)

So, usually I do posts about teaching or decorating. Those are things I'm very passionate about. But, I have another passion. And, if you know me, you know what that passion is: reality tv. Ha! I don't know why... but, I LOVE IT! It's funny. It's dramatic. It's entertaining. And, it's really fun to talk about it with people the next day. Right, Melissa??? Just because it's fun, I thought I would do a TOP TEN list of my favorite reality tv shows. So, here we go...

10. Flipping Out (Bravo)

Description: In all honesty, I just started watching this show a few months ago. I think it's in its 5th season now. But, yall? It's sooo funny! Jeff Lewis is a professional house flipper. He buys houses in LA and then renovates and flips them. He's totally OCD, controlling and completely sarcastic. Which, awesome. Oh, and the title? That's because this guy will LOSE IT about twice an episode... also awesome. His crew is amazingly funny as well. Especially Zoila, the housekeeper.

Favorite Character: It has to go to Zoila. She barely speaks English. But, I swear. She has the best one liners. And, she is basically the only person who will call out Jeff on his ridiculousness.

9. Toddlers and Tiaras (TLC)

Description: There is just something about this show that just draws me in. Maybe it's the little girls that throw tantrums and are praised for being a "diva." Maybe it's all the flippers (fake teeth), makeup and sequins. Or, maybe it's because the mommas on this show are CRAZY!  They are all living out their lives through their poor children. There are a few reoccuring "toddlers" on this show and they are my favorites to watch. Obviously, they bring the drama.

Favorite Character: Makenzie. She's a 4 year old little girl with a huge attitude. And, she still uses a paci, which she calls her "nini." That girl had some very funny moments: like when she calls her paci a "hard-working lady" and when she tells her mom she's "driving {her} nuts." (I'm properly embarrassed that I know this and am proclaiming my entertainment of it on the Internet. Just so you know.)

8. The Bachelor/Bachelorette (ABC)

(Um, how funny is this picture of Jake?)

Description: Watching people try to find their "one true love" on national TV is aces. It's so entertaining! Plus, add in alcohol, desperation and an annoyingly dramatic host and you have a recipe for awesome. I've never seen so much crying in my life... except, of course, on Toddlers and Tiaras.

Favorite Character: This is kind of hard because there are so many characters to love and "love to hate." But, my favorite guy has probably been JP from Ashley's season. He was just so sweet and nice and, ahem, smokin' hot. My favorite girl was Emily from Brad's season. She just seemed really nice and genuine.

7. Real Housewives of New York (Bravo)

Description: I love all the "Real Housewives" seasons. But, I had to only choose a couple for this list and the New York ladies were a no-brainer. I mean, come on! You couldn't write a show this entertaining. There are funny characters (Jill and Sonja), crazy-pants characters (Kelly), holier-than-thou characters (LuAnn), and irrelevant characters (Alex). And then there's Ramona. She's in a league of her own.

Favorite Character: Um, I guess if I had to say (and I totally do), I'd say my favorite is Ramona. Just because she's nuts. And, nuts = fun to watch. Plus, who can forget Turtle Time??? A close second would be LuAnn, solely because she wrote and starred in the song Money Can't Buy You Class. I suggest you Google that asap.... I'll wait here.

6. Dance Moms (Lifetime)

Description: Abby Miller is a dance instructor in Pittsburgh. And, y'all? She's fierce. She's a screamer, yeller and pusher. But, the moms on this show are worse. I LOVE to watch all their antics. They yell at their kid's teacher right in front of them, swear like sailors and are so jealous of the "star" Maddie that they can't even see straight. And the little girls on this show are just so darn adorable. My roomie, Claire, got me hooked on this show and I am forever grateful!

Favorite Character: That would have to be the ever-so-cute Mackenzie. She's the youngest of the girls and she has the best quotes. My favorite? "Abby always talks but nobody knows what she's talking about." Which, is so spot on. Kids really do see it like it is. Ha!

5. Bachelor Pad (ABC)

Description: It's just all drama. All the time. Plus, it involves strategy and alliances. So, win/win, right?

Favorite Character: My favorite character this season was Ella. Because she's from Tennessee. And, she's normal. Two rare occurrences in reality TV.

4. Real Housewives of New Jersey (Bravo)

Description: I think this is my absolute favorite of the Real Housewives franchises. I enjoy it because these ladies bring the crazy every episode. And, when they got rid of Danielle, I thought the show would go down-hill. But, it's been even better with the additions of Kathy and Melissa. My only complaint: get rid of Caroline. She's old, absolutely no fun and waaaay to opinionated.

Favorite Character: I know she's insane. And, I know she's in legal trouble up to her eyeballs. And, I defintely know she's a terrible parent. But, I am going to go ahead and confess my adoration of Theresa. I can't stop watching her! I honestly think she's really funny and her family is sooo entertaining to watch. Her daughter Milania should have her own show. Just trust me.

3. Teen Mom (MTV)

Description: Sigh. I LOVE this show! Cute babies? Check. Drama? Check. Funny? Double check. The funny comes largely from Amber and Gary. They fight and make up and get back together every. single. episode. I mean, how can you NOT get wrapped up in watching that?

Favorite Character: The babies. Did I mention how cute they are? And, I just want to take Leah and bring her home with me. She deserves a house where people get off the couch and eat things other than Taco Bell. Wait. Maybe my house isn't much better... ha!

2. Bethenny Ever After (Bravo)

Description: Y'all, I LOVE Bethenny! She is seriously the funniest person ever. Although, she's totally nuts. Which is a WINNING combination, if you ask me. I think her husband is a saint and seems so nice and patient. She has an adorable baby and last season, she had the funniest baby nurse ever. I can't wait for the new season of this show to start!

Favorite Character: Obviously, it's Bethenny. She's hilarious. My goal in life is to be as funny as she is.

1. Survivor (CBS)

Description: I might be the biggest Survivor nerd on the planet. I watch all the seasons. And, some of my friends and I have a Survivor watching party every week. So, clearly, this is my favorite show. Maybe of all time. I love the strategy and alliances. I love the challenges. And, I mostly just love to watch people embarass themselves on TV week after week. 

Favorite Character: Boston Rob! Always and forever. He plays reality TV shows like it's his job. (Which, technically, it might actually be his job.) He is nice to people and plays an amazing social game. But, he also knows that it's just that: a game. And, he's not afraid to cut ties and get rid of people that he knows will beat him or who won't play by his rules. He's a genious, I tell ya! Plus, sexy Boston accent. Just sayin.

So, all that to say, I love reality TV.

Could you tell?

*Disclaimer: This post took me a month and a half to finish. Quite a waste of time, huh? I promise I'll be back sometime soon with soemthing worthwhile. Or, at least, more worthwhile than this...

Fall-ish Fun

I haven't done a lot of house-related posts lately. To be real honest, my whole life has been teaching lately and I haven't done a lot of house shopping or decorating. But, I went shopping with my mom yesterday and found some cute things. And, I brought them home and set them out. Then, I decided it was the perfect time to fall-ify my house.

The shopping frenzy actually started this week when I made an ETSY purchase I had been debating about for a while. I wanted some new pillows for my couch.

Swoon. I love them.

And, when I saw that the seller was offering free shipping, I was sold. I ordered two. They'll be here this week. I'll keep you posted :)

I also bought these two redish-orange pillows at Pier 1. The den has just felt so blah to me. It needed color badly. Especially in the fall/winter. I know what you're thinking... that's a ton of pillows. But I have two chairs at the other end of the room that each hold a pillow.

I think I'm going to put either the new ETSY pillows or the two Pier 1 pillows in those chairs to give the other side of the room some color, too. I love the blue. But,  I think I like them better WITH another bright color.

I hung this fall wreath on the wrought-iron gate in the kitchen.

I still need to get pictures for some of my frames, ha.

I changed the quote on my chalkboard and added a fall-ish swag to the top.

I added a sign over the oven.

Then I stuck a pumpkin on top of a candle holder and added a plant that was on sale at Potterybarn to the table in the den.

My mom said I should post more "close-up" pictures on my blog. So, here you go.

And, I added some cute pumpkins to the remote-caddy on the coffee table.

I also bought this new chair that you can read about here.

All in all, a successful shopping trip. I still need to find something "fall-ish" to hang on my door. But, I refuse to pay $35 for a wreath and I don't like fake leaves... so, looks like I may need to make something. 

Well, I'm off to watch the Titans... thanks for reading!