Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

The last few days... wow. I finished (and started!) my report cards yesterday as well as making all new differentiated math centers and updating my literacy centers and literature circles. Then, when I got home, I did a MAJOR cleaning. I vaccumed, dusted,  mopped the kitchen, took out the trash, picked up all the clothes laying around my room and did laundry. Then, this morning, my mom and dad brought some stuff by the house... which, then turned into a trip to Target. Followed quickly by a bedroom re-arrange and a trip to the grocery store. Again, wow.

But, there's something that feels so good about knowing everything is checked off the list and you can just relax. At least until it all starts again on Monday :)

I thought I would share some of the house stuff we worked on today. I haven't posted many house pics lately because I haven't really changed anything or bought anything.

 But, that kind of changed last weekend.

My mom and I went to TJ Maxx last weekend and I walked out of there with a new loveseat. A loveseat that I LOVE!

Want to see?

That's it right there in the corner.

The fun pillows sitting on the loveseat both came from Target.

I don't especially like the loveseat beside this black table. But, it's okay for now because I'm eventually going to replace that table with something better. I'll know it when I see it. The wooden architectural piece came from Pier 1 a few months ago. I can't remember if I blogged about it or not. But, I absolutely love it.

This is what the other half of the room looks like... not much has changed over there.

I took the sunburst mirror from above my bed and hung it in this room, too. I think it kind of adds to the eclectic look I'm going for in here.

I got two things at Target:

 

this fun rug for the front door

and these fun adirondack chairs for my back patio. I realize this looks a little bare right now. But, it's too early to be buying plants. Although, it was sooo warm here today! I think these will look great with some colorful flowers out there this spring and summer. Plus, I'm going to need a place to sit while my little puppy friend plays on the patio :)

The other big project was rearranging my bedroom. I was getting a little tired of the layout because my bed and nightstands were blocking my  big windows :( And, there was a lot of wasted floor space (which is apparently prime real estate for dirty clothes.)

So, here's what my room looks like now:

This trunk is sitting on this little wall for right now. But, I'm on the lookout for a great comfy chair that will fit in this corner.

Obviously, I need to hang that picture above the bed.

I'm excited about all the new changes at my place.

 I love my little house :)

Oh, and on a completely unrelated note, good luck to Vandy tomorrow in the SEC tournament championship! Beat the Cats!!!

A Peek at our Week...

This week was kind of tricky. Report cards are due Monday, running records and sight word assessments were due Thursday and it was a short week. So, honestly, my kiddos did a little something that we don't do too often: busy work. Well, kind of.

We focused this week on American Symbols. I've been feeling like we needed to talk about all this stuff because somehow President's Day passed us by this year. I can't believe I'm admitting this on my blog, but it's true. We did ZERO presidents activities this year. Which is a darn shame because I always enjoy it and my kids do, too!

So, each afternoon, I read my kiddos a book about an American Symbol. And, we talked about it and filled in possibly the most boring anchor chart in the history of the world.

I mean, really, how hard would it have been for me to draw a tiny version of each symbol? But, all I was worried about was getting back to my table to test. You can judge me all you want. But, if you're a teacher, chances are you know just what I'm talking about.

After we read about each symbol, the kids went back to their seats and worked on their books. Books, you might be asking? Ahh, yes.

Such a thing of beauty, isn't it? 

(Note the sarcasm.)

And, what is inside these charming little books?

Just four graphic organizers. You know... the graphic organizers we use for EVERYTHING.

But, my kids didn't mind. Plus, they do them totally independently. So, win/win for a test-giving crazy person like me.

Want to see some of their cutie-patootie American Symbols?

 Sure you do...

Their little books actually turned out pretty cute.

 I mean, if it had been a normal week, we definitely would have done a big writing project and made some of the cute little "craftivities" I've been pinning like a fool. But, real life just got in the way. And, for this week, this was a good activity that my kids really got into and learned a lot. 

When I finally finished my testing, I decided to treat my kiddos to a little lesson on the president and the White House. My kids were uh-mazed!!! They couldn't believe the White House has a bowling alley and movie theater inside it! 

I let the kids make little post cards to "send" to the White House.

Nice rendition of President Obama, wouldn't you say?

We also started making a new poster recently that I wanted to share. Every week, I've been letting my kiddos come up with a poster of words that contain our skill. We add them to the poster on Monday and we talk about what part of speech they are. Then, we practice reading them together.

On Tuesday or Wednesday, we add some suffixes to the word. The kids have to tell me the root word and then spell the suffix for me. Then, when we read the words each day, they have to read them with the suffixes.

My friend Claire gave me this idea and I have LOVED using it in my class. It's been a great source of words for us to read together every day. The kids especially like to read it in funny voices. ( I normally let them write the words... but, we had some issues with that this week so I took over. It happens sometimes, what can I say?)

And, lastly, we spent a lot of time this week talking about test-taking strategies. I've noticed that in taking our weekly "standards-based" tests (that come with our reading series), my kiddos just do a lot of guessing. So, we talked about what good test-takers do and we went through a test together and practiced these strategies.

So, here's to some (hopefully) better test-takers in first grade.

Well, that was a little glance at our week.

I hope I didn't bore you to tears.

Just So You Know....

Here is a list of things I should be doing tonight:

1. Report cards. Those are due in like three days. And, I haven't even really started. Good thing we have a planning day with no kids tomorrow. I swear I'm gonna lock myself in my classroom. Not to keep people out, mind you. Mostly to keep myself in.

2. Laundry - It's at the point where I don't even know where to start. And, the large piles of clean clothes and the large piles of dirty clothes have all merged into one big pile. I'm a terrible housekeeper. Thus....

3. Taking out the trash. From multiple rooms. Take your pick.

4. Vacumming. Again, multiple rooms.

5. Dusting. Goodness, it's bad. Sooo bad.

6. Cleaning my bathroom. I don't even have any words.


Here is a list of what I am doing tonight instead:
1. Blogging. Great use of my time. This blog post is just sooo important.

2. Eating Starburst jelly beans like my life depends on it

3. Watching How I Met Your Mother on Netflix (mostly epidodes that I have seen before, obviously)

4. Playing on Pinterest... because, when am I not?

5. Laying in bed. Which is my favorite thing to do in this entire world. Not even joking. Which is why my house is such a mess.

6. Daydreaming about my new puppy. I hope it likes laying in bed, too.

Aren't you so glad I shared all that? I sure am...

Gulp.

 
I might have just payed a deposit.

For a puppy.

Who isn't even born yet.

You see, I've been wanting a puppy for a while now. But, I for sure didn't want to get one during the school year. It seems mean to crate up a tiny puppy all day. So, I want to be home the first few weeks so I can train it and love it and enjoy it.

And, my mom mentioned yesterday that if I wanted to get a puppy the first week of June, I should probably start looking. Since that would mean they would be born in April. Oh, yeah. I guess you're right, mom. Ha.

So, I called today and found a breeder that has adorable cockapoo puppies. And, lo and behold, she has a litter that is due April 15. And, when are these precious babies available to go home? Why, June 1! Woo hoo!

So, I'm a tiny bit nervous. It's a big commitment. I'm also a little nervous because I don't love the idea of getting a puppy I haven't seen. I kind of want to pick out the color and all that. But, the litter has five puppies and I will get the second pick... so it'll be fine. I'm just a worrier. My friend told me I will think whichever puppy they put in my arms is the cutest thing I've ever seen. And, she's totally right!

Oh, and it has a name. Finley. Boy or girl. Doesn't matter to me. Finley is its name.

Want to see what a cockapoo puppy looks like? Sure you do...

Again, who knows what color it will be. The breeder thought the puppies would probably be darker rather than lighter. But, they all seem pretty cute to me!

Fair warning: you may get some cuteness overload this summer on the blog. 

All I do is pin, pin, pin no matter what...

I dare you to get that song out of your head now!

I went shopping with my mom today and bought something new for my house. You'll have to stay tuned to see it because I won't get it until next week when she can bring it out to my house. It's currently riding around in the back of her Explorer. But, we're going to do some stuff at my house next week so hopefully I'll have some updates to blog about. But, to hold myself over, I've been pinning lots and lots of stuff :) Here are the rooms I'm loving this week...

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I think this kitchen is so sweet! The open shelves are great... but, even better when you add all the colorful and vintage dishes. And, that sink is to die for!

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I really like this wall color! And, the plates aren't too shabby either. I also think it's a pretty cool idea to put old suitcases into an open dresser.

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I'm not sure what it is about this room that I like. I think it's all the great pillows. And, I know I love that sign above the bed. The room just looks cozy to me.

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This is maybe the most calming room I've ever seen. Those billowy curtains are so dreamy! And, I absolutely adore the pillows on the bed.

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I've mentioned before my love of white with colorful accents. And this is a perfect example! Those pillows are gorgeous.

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This room is really not my style at all. It's a little formal and hotel-ish for my taste.  But, I really like the color scheme. Plus, the rug is great! And, again, I love the pillows. Pillows can single handedly make a room, I do believe.

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This room is fresh, fun and so cozy! Isn't it perfect for curling up on the couch and watching a movie? The lamps are amazing. And, fuschia is really not used enough in decorating.

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Love this headboard and the use of navy and yellow together. If I had a beach house, I would absolutely be re-creating this room!

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I do NOT like wallpaper. But, I think if you took the wallpaper out of this room, it would be fabulous. I really like white and yellow. Have I mentioned that?

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I can't stop thinking about these slipcovered bar stools. And all that shabby chic wood!

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This is eclectic decorating at its best! That color scheme is just so yummy. And, I'm all about some symmetry in a bedroom.

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Another peaceful, dreamy bedroom. With more amazing pillows....

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The warm and bold colors in this entryway are just beautiful. The gray walls, red doors and patterned drapes are what stood out to me.

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I love every single detail in this room.

Every. Single. One.

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These might be some of the cutest built-in bookcase decorations I've ever seen. I just love the mix of old and new!

Okay, I think that's enough.

Thanks for reading!