Teacher Week 2015: Make Ahead Meals

I hope everyone is having a great week so far!! I am on day 6 of kindergarten, and each day gets a little bit better! My Dragons are trying so very hard to follow all the rules and routines of the school and classroom, and I'm so proud of them!! Check back on Friday for when I share 5 fun facts from these past two weeks with my Dragons!

Today I am linking up with Blog Hoppin' for their #teacherweek15. Each day this week we have a different topic to blog about, which is really helping me to remember to blog!!

Today's topic is all about Make Ahead Meals!

So this one might be the hardest for me to write about this week. See, I'm not a huge fan of cooking. I would much rather go out and sit down and have someone else cook and clean up after dinner. Most nights I do end up going out to eat, and since it's just me the bill is never high. Plus, every once in a while I can enjoy a 'grown-up drink' with dinner!

Also, since the accident it has been impossible for me to cook. For the first 8 months I wasn't able to move at all, so others had to bring food to me. Now that I'm able to stand up, I am still not able to stand up long enough at the stove i order to cook a meal.

So what does that mean when it comes to getting my lunches together? If I have leftovers from eating out, those are the easiest quick lunches to bring to school. When I don't have any leftovers, I'm all about putting together a lunch quickly so I don't have to be on my feet for too long, since it's still painful to be standing for long periods.

I also make sure to pack my lunch each evening after I get home from work, since this saves me precious minutes in the morning. Plus, I'll have more time to rest afterwards if I get it together in the evening.

It's not very exciting, but here's my go-to lunch!

I'm really digging these cracker chips from Ritz. They come in several different flavors, and they are baked and toasted and not fried. They are salty and crunchy enough to remind you of a chip, but in a healthier variety.

My favorite cracker topping. Not the healthiest choice, and sometimes I do pepper ham, but it's quick and easy and yummy!

One or two of these and that's the entire basis of my daily lunch. I will often treat myself to something sweet, like fruit snacks (yes, I'm a sucker for those!) or a small pack of mini-Oreos. I've always been known to add some baked Cheetos!! Even though they're baked, they taste SO GOOD!!

My lunch isn't very exciting and I can't really help you with any awesome Crock-Pot or freezer-prep meals, but there are some really awesome posts who can help you with those things! Make sure to swing back over to Blog Hoppin to see who else linked up!

Teacher Week 2015: 5 Facts About Me

It's Monday!!! Today marks Day 5 of kindergarten for me! My Dragons started last Tuesday and they have been rocking it!!

I'm still very much in the healing process so I have come home each day completely wiped out and end up falling asleep on the couch before I head up to bed for the night!! I can't wait until I'm all better and back to normal!

Since I've been so exhausted every day my poor blog has suffered! However, I am excited to be linking up with Blog Hoppin' for their awesome #teacherweek15 link up!!

For each day this week we are given a different topic to blog about. Today is the very first day of the link up, and it's all about ME!! :-)

Five Fun Facts about me!! Here goes!!

I am the proud mommy of an American Pit Bull Terrier. She is what they call a blue brindle, due to the unusual color of her fur. She is my very best friend and loves me so unconditionally!

I can't imagine my life without this incredibly sweet cuddle bug, and I'm so glad she loves snuggling up with me at night. She's the best dog ever and I love her so very much!!

I am a HUGE Baltimore Ravens fan!! Every Friday during the post-season is Purple Friday, and I proudly sport my Ravens gear!

Win or loose, I back the Birds!! Go Purple or Go Home!! :-)

I am a lover of all things Dragon. I have created a whole classroom theme around that love. I tell my kids that dragons work extra hard to solve their problems and that each dragon is different and special in their own way. I tell them that dragons don't worry about getting to the finish line first, they focus on the journey and not the destination.

Here are some of the ways I decorate my classroom each year.

Alphabet line with the vowels in red and two different images for each vowel sound (as well as two different images for the hard and soft sounds for /c/ and /g/.

Labels for their Daily 5 Book Boxes. The label shows them that they can keep books and journals in their book bins, but nothing else!

Schedule tags that incorporate real photographs so my Dragons know what to look for and when.

Number line for 0-20 with sparkly gems representing each number.

Name tags for the hallway work display.

Dragon eggs for the behavior clip chart!!

The list goes on and on!! I love creating new things for my classroom, and I especially love how original and creative I get to be!

I am the proud aunt of a ten-year-old nephew and a 15-month-old niece!

I love them both so much, and my favorite things to do are spend time with them doing all sorts of incredibly fun things! I only have one sister, and we're about five years apart, and I'm so very luck y to call her best friend!!

I was lucky enough to attend a conference where Eric Litwin was presenting. Not only did we all have a wonderful time singing our favorite Pete the Cat songs, but he signed my book!!

It was so much fun watching him sing and dance on stage, and introduce us to his newest characters!

He is an incredibly funny man, and his stories has us all laughing so hard we had tears in our eyes!! If you ever get the chance, I would definitely recommend checking him out live!!

Well, those are five fun facts about me! Swing on over to Blog Hoppin' to see who else has linked up to share!

You can still link up for Spotlight Saturday! I would love for you to participate in this Teacher's Show and Tell!

August Currently

Can you believe it's already August 2nd?? I know many of you are headed back to school next week, I wish you luck for your first day with kiddos!

I head back August 17th and my kiddos return August 26th. Don't be too mad at me...when next summer rolls around and you get out several weeks before me, it'll all work out!!

Since it's the beginning of a brand new month, that means it's time to link up with Farley for her incredibly amazing Currently linky!!

This link up is so much fun!! Did you know she has even started a Currently on Instagram??!! It's so much fun, I love scrolling through and reading what everyone is Currently doing!

Here is my August Currently!!!!

Just got done watching a great movie with my dad, thought I'd post about my Currently!!

Make sure to swing back over to Farley's page to see who else has linked up!! I love reading everyone's Currently!!!

Don't forget that you can link up for Spotlight Saturday still! It's a Teacher's Show and Tell where you can share your favorite product, resource, activity, idea, tip, trick, or anything else that makes your classroom life more awesome!!

Assess ME Week 1

Thank goodness for Instagram!! Do you think people actually say that?? Well, today I'm grateful because I learned about another awesome link up that I found out about on Instagram.

The Tattooed Teacher is hosting a really fun Back To School Get to Know You Link Up called Assess Me. As teachers we're super used to assessments, both giving them and taking them. As teachers, we're not always fond of the assessments we have to give but this linky is a way to make assessments fun!

This is a link up that will last for several weeks, and each week there will be a different way for us to share information about ourselves with all of you!

Week One is all about answering Yes or No questions. I had a great time answering these, they're really fun questions. Check out my Yes or No Assessment!!

1. Not only do I talk to myself, but I will often answer myself as well.

2. Of course I'm superstitious, I'm Irish!!

3. I know it bugs so very many people, but I've been cracking my knuckles since middle school at least!

4. I'm not hungry 'cause I just ate!

5. Yes, my TV is on. Watching 'Treehouse Masters'. I want Pete to come build me a tree house paradise!!

6. I had my wisdom teeth pulled out a few years ago. It was my very first time getting a tooth pulled, and it was not fun at all. Ugh.

7. I haven't showered yet today. I'm a shower-at-night type of girl.

8. I went to Disney for a week when I was 7 years old. I would say it's WAY past time for me to go back!

9. I have worn glasses since elementary school. When I got to tenth grade I was finally able to get contacts and have worn them ever since. I'm really seriously considering lasik surgery.

10. I was born in Jersey and spent a few year there while my dad bounced around from one Air Force Base to another. I stayed with my grandparents in New Jersey so I could experience stability. When my dad was discharged from the AF when I was five we moved to Maryland, and have lived in the same house ever since.

I hope you had fun reading my assessment and learning even more about me! Head on over to the link up and see who else is sharing more about themselves!

Don't forget that you can still ink up for Spotlight Saturday!  It's a Teacher's Show and Tell where we can share our favorite products, activities, tips, tricks, resources, and ideas with all of us! I get excited each week to learn about new things I can do in my classroom!!

Sunday Scoop 7-26-15

Ahh, Sunday. The day of the week widely known for relaxation and taking it easy. I'm currently relaxing on the recliner and using my laptop. What's your favorite way to relax on a Sunday? Personally I would love to be at the beach, but there' always next year!

Since it's Sunday, that means that I am linking up with The Teaching Trio for their totally fun Sunday Scoop linky party!

In case you're not familiar with this link up, you get to use the popular 3-2-1 organizer to tell us about your upcoming week. 3 things you HAVE to do, 2 things you HOPE to do, and 1 thing you're HAPPY to do.

Here's a peek at my week!!

HAVE TO

1. It is beyond past time to organize the files that are on my computer. My clipart is pretty well organized, so it's all the other files that need work. All of the different activities that i have downloaded as freebies or have paid for. Things sent to me from others. Honestly y'all, I don't even know what all I have on my computer anymore!! I need to weed things out and figure out what exactly I have so I now how to best use the resources that I've already saved!

2. I am getting really, really good at walking around using my walker. Next step is for me to start practicing standing up on my own two feet. I'm not quite ready to walk without the aide of the walker; it's still pretty painful to put weight on my ankle and my lower back ends up seizing up if I try moving without having the walker to lean on. However, I can usually stand up on my own. I'm practicing getting up from the couch and then just standing on my own two feet. I'm telling you guys, never ever ever take the simple stuff for granted!! Who knew I"d be almost 35 years old and having to re-learn the whole walking thing!!

3. Tomorrow is Round 8 of the laser surgery treatments on my ankle. I like the treatments not only because they are helping me, but because I get to get up and out of the house on 'doctor days'. I'm looking forward to a grown-up lunch and a trip to Target tomorrow!!! When you've been laid up on the couch for 7 months, it's the little things you start getting excited over!!

HOPE TO

1. I've been trying extra hard to create some new activities for the beginning of the school year. I need to get them finished up and posted to TPT. I'm one of those creators who needs to finish what I'm working on before I can start something new, otherwise I'd never get anything done! Gotta buckle down and crank out some creations!!

2. I'm headed back to school in a few weeks, and it's time to start making those seemingly never-ending lists of things that need to be done. Shopping lists, classroom set up lists, student lists, lesson idea lists...the lists go on and on! Lots of lists to write, so I should get started!!

HAPPY TO

I am very happy to figure out all the different ways I can use the incredibly amazing Pal that Lauren from Polka Dots and Pals created for me!!

Do you see this awesome creation?!?! I am so in love with how Lauren incorporated my obsession with al things dragon into my Pal!!! I'm also holding my cup of ice water, which I carry around with me everywhere! I am just so much in love with this Pal!! She does such an awesome job! You should definitely check out your own Pal! Lauren will be creating more Pals around Christmas time!!

Now that you've had a peek at my week, head on back to The Teaching Trio and see who else has linked up for Sunday Scoop!

Don't forget that it is not too late to link up with me for Spotlight Saturday! This link up is a Teacher's Show and Tell, where you can showcase your favorite products, activities, tips, tricks, resources, ideas, and anything else that is fabulous about your classroom life! Share your Spotlight with us and learn about some new must-haves by reading who else has linked up!

Five for Friday - 7/24/25

Another Friday has arrived!! Only one more Friday in July is left!! Can you believe there are stores with Christmas stuff out already???

Today I am linking up with the fabulous Doodle Bugs Teaching for her super-fun 5 for Friday linky party!

This linky is where we get to share five random things from our week.

My sweet furbaby Isis had her fourth birthday on Tuesday!! It kinda snuck up on me, I can't believe she's four!! Not being able to get around on my own yet, I wasn't able to get her a gift yet. I know she's not going to care one bit that I'm late with her birthday gift, though it makes me a bit sad!!

It says three years, but the bottom pic was taken a week before her fourth birthday. I didn't realize her birthday was so close when I took this!!

She's changed so much since she was a puppy! However, she just seems to love me more and more every day!! Love her to pieces!!

On Monday I had another doctor's appointment with my Foot and Ankle Specialist. I received laser treatment #7, and talked with the doctor about how my recovery is going. I've been able to use my leg brace and walker and put weight on my foot to walk. I have even been practicing going up and down the stairs using just the brace and the hand rails! The doctor said as long as I didn't overdo it, I could start to take short trips out into the wide wide world!! Huge deal for me, since I've been stuck on the couch since January, only leaving for a doctor's appointment!!

After my appointment, my dad and I went to a local Red Robin. I have a tavern bacon double-cheeseburger with bottomless fries, and a grown up drink or two. This was so yummy!! A prickly pear margarita with sugar on the rim!! So good!!!

It was so incredibly wonderful to get out of the house! Tomorrow I get to go to Target and zip around the aisles in the little electric cart! The Dollar Spot is calling my name!!!

If you've been paying attention to social media lately, especially Periscope, you have learned about the movement created by Lucky Little Learners and Schroeder's Shenanigans in 2nd called 'Find Your Tribe'. This is a way for teachers to get together and help each other out by giving support, encouragement, collaboration, and so much more! 

There are many different tribes you can become a part of, and often more than one tribe will apply to you! Just go search Facebook and you're going to find at least one tribe for you to join up with!!

I was lucky enough to become a part of #teachertribe, #primarytribe, and #kindertribe. I find myself spending the most time with #kindertribe, since this is a group full of kindergarten teachers. There are so many in this group that the experience level ranges from brand new to veteran teachers. There is so much wonderful information and ideas to share! The #kindertribe Facebook group I belong to have gone a step further and created a blog. This blog was designed with the intent for kindergarten teachers from all over the world to come together and help build each other up!

In order to get to know the many, many kindergarten teachers who are part of our tribe, there is an awesome linky party going on right now.

This linky party is where we get to share a bit more about ourselves and learn more about each other. You can read about the many members of our tribe by clicking on the image above!

I've been working hard on adding some new products to my TPT store! I have been creating different activities that can be used during the beginning of the year. I think my kinders are really going to enjoy these!

They will get to use various colors of BINGO daubers during each of these activities! You can read all about these three activities by clicking here!!

Finally, I wanted to share with you how my Freebie Feedback Challenge is going! For any of you who don't know, I am challenging myself to leave feedback on all of the freebies I have downloaded from TPT. Here's what I've accomplished so far!

Since I started, I have been trying to leave feedback on at least ten freebies every day. This doesn't always work, and some days I leave more and other days I leave less. However, I think I'm going pretty well so far!! I have left feedback on almost 300 freebies, and that's pretty awesome!!

Thanks so much for reading about my 5!! Swing back over to Doodle Bugs Teaching to see who else has linked up. You can link up too!!

Don't forget that tomorrow is Spotlight Saturday! It's a Teacher's Show and Tell link up to share your favorite products, activities, resources, activities, ideas, tips, tricks, and whatever else you use in your classroom life that you just have to share!