I Need a Vacation from Summer Vacation...

You laugh (or maybe throw rotten tomatoes if you're still in school)…but I'm so serious!

I have yet to have a completely "plan free" day since I finished up school. This week has been especially busy.

We have been working on my bathroom and laundry room remodel. We took an extra bedroom off the dining room and divided it into a small bathroom and laundry room.

This has been a long time coming…

Here's some before pictures:

This is my handsome husband. He worked for my father's stucco business for 10 years before following his passion for cars. He returned to school and became an automotive technician.

 Construction Experience + Auto Experience = Handy Husband

I really should have had pictures of the bare studs because that is how far we have come in the last two weeks!

Here's the before pics on tile day:

That "today" was for last Saturday when we tackled the tiling project. It POURED all day--which was fine--until we worked our way out the back door. I was in charge of cutting the tile and the saw was outside on our front porch. By the end of the day, I was walking from the back door to the front porch to make the cuts in shin deep water and drenched from all the rain. It seriously would have made an enjoyable "selfie" picture for you, but…no…just no.

Oh, and praise the Lord, we had enough tile. We literally came down to the last piece! Yikes! I was praying that I didn't mess up on those final cuts!

Here's the finished bathroom tile job:

Today we continue the work. Well, I should say my husband continues the work. He is installing the vanity and sink, toilet, and the ceiling treatment I wanted. I will share more pictures as we finish up and I begin decorating.

I'm so anxious for this remodel to be complete!

We have had a 2nd bathroom only once in our 19 years of marriage--and that was for 1 year while we lived in Phoenix and the kids were small. Now with two teenagers, that 2nd bathroom will be even more appreciated!

I also have never had a "finished" laundry room. Our other homes just had laundry closets and this one has always been unfinished, so I'm chomping at the bit to get in there and think about what will make the space the most useful.

The remodel, running around with the kids, and catching up on appointments that were put off during school have kept me busy.

I *think* I will get a little more down time this week…that is if I can get used to the idea of my kids driving to the school by themselves for basketball camp. Chaz now has a restricted license…still getting used to that idea. He won't be able to participate in camp (the knee injury), but his coach wanted him to come and help out.

I guess I do have one "school/teachery" thing to share.

If you have purchased our Robot pack in the past, you will want to redownload (either at TPT or TN). I updated the calendar included this morning to be July 2015-June 2016.

Have a great weekend!

Wisdom for Wednesday-Something Beautiful

Welcome to this week's:

I will have to say that this year has been a very tough year for me.  I have battled some health issues and continue to battle them daily.  There were many days that I would pray and ask God-"Why me?" I will admit that many times I didn't understand why I was having to battle what I was battling and why God wasn't doing something for me for it when I prayed and continued to have faith.  This song became my song this year.  It says it all.  God has a plan for us even if it is something that we feel like we don't want to have in our lives.  He knows what he is doing and he will turn it into something beautiful in the end.  We may not always understand it at the time, but there is a reason for it. 

Have a great day!

Summer To Do List Begins

I am now officially on summer break!  I have to say that my first day off was Friday and I was lazy! I layed on the couch and watched movies for most of the day.  

Now comes the summer projects.  It seems like every summer I have so many things that I want to get done and I get overwhelmed and never end up getting them all done.  This summer, I decided to tackle my projects a little different and I believe it may help me to stay focused and not get so overwhelemed.  I started by making a list of everything that I would like to get done this summer.  My goal is to do at 1-2 things on that list each day and cross it off.  I have already started it and have been able to do it so far and the best part is I'm not overwhelmed!  For me, having the list is nice and seeing things get crossed off that list is also very helpful.  But, I think the best part about it for me is that I'm not going to get overwhelmed because I tend to start a lot of projects and spend all day on them.  This way I can go at a slower pace and not get so burned out with the projects......I hope.  :-)  

Have a great day!

Happy Friday! Freebie Alert--Today Only!

Good morning! 

My first full week off has been crazy! Although Wednesday was a chilly day and perfect for a little curled up on the couch, movie watching with my kids. ;-) 

My son is finishing up driver's education this morning which means we are on our way to getting his restricted license. Yikes! Each morning while he was in class, my daughter and I have been working out and shooting hoops. 

Yesterday I was sent to Wichita to get the things we need to tile my new bathroom and laundry room floors. Yippee! I should have a functioning second bathroom on Monday. I have waited FOREVER for this so I am super excited. I'll post pictures soon. :-)

Okay, now for the real purpose of this post. I wanted to let you in on a great new product I posted on TPT: Math Helper (with workmats)! These are going to be AMAZING for my kiddos next year. Our math series had a math folder with some of the information, but I'm abandoning the series for next year AND I wanted the open number line, 20 frame, and most of all a place value mat! 

I listed it as a freebie because I wanted to thank all of our followers--TPT, blog, and Instagram. The price will change to $2 (still a great deal if you ask me) after today, so go grab it for free while you can.

Click the pictures to check it out:

Enjoy your day!

Wisdom for Wednesday - Keep Praying

Hi there! 

Thanks for stopping by for:

I'm going to admit what I feel is one of my biggest spiritual weaknesses to you today...prayer. 

I try to pray according to God's Will. I want to desire what the Lord wants for me. But then there are those times when I'm praying over a situation and just don't feel like I'm getting an answer...maybe even that I'm not being heard. Of course, I know that I can't base my relationship with the Lord on feelings, but...it is a battle that I have (hoping I'm not alone).

Anyway, I found this quote and thought it was perfect for me.

I'm praying.

 Not getting an answer. 

Maybe feeling like I'm not being heard.

What should I do?

Keep praying. 

Not for an answer.

But instead to know God more.

To gain a better understanding of Who He is.

Keep praying, friends!

School Memories

We are on our last 3 days of school. Our last day here with the kids is on Wednesday.  Today, we started on our End of Year School Memory book that Crystal and I made up for us to do at the end of the year.  The kids got with a partner and worked together on the pages.  I told them that they may have different answers on their pages, but to talk about what they were going to put on each page.  For example, one page says "The best time was when......"  They got to talk about what their best time in first grade was and then draw a picture of it and write about it.  We didn't get them finished today because it is a longer book so we will work some more on them tomorrow.  Here are some of them:

So sweet!!!

If you read Crystal's last blog....she is actually done with school now.  I will have to say that a few times today I was thinking....she is probably resting on her couch right now and maybe even taking a nap.  The nap is what I'm looking forward to when we get out of school.  :-)

Have a great day!

Don't Hate Me...But I'm Done!

Happy Friday, friends!

Yes, it is true. 

Today was my last day.

We use a condensed calendar which means we have longer days (than most schools), and we are able to start in late August and dismiss in mid-May.

Kristi is very jealous of this condensed calendar thing.

Here's proof:

Some could argue that I was rubbing it in. 

But her response... LOL!

And just so we are clear...the condensed calendar results in less days without kids, and Kristi has sent me many e-mails/texts about her relaxing work days while I was teaching. So I think it all evens out.

Anyway, I've seen the countdowns. 

I know some of you still have a few days left while others have A LOT. Yikes!

I thought this picture was appropriate for ALL of us--no matter where we are in the countdown.

Today was (thankfully) a half day. 

It was Rodeo Day (think western themed Field Day because, well, we are a country school). I said good-bye to the best class I have ever had. 

I cried. 

A lot.

And then I came home and took a two hour nap.

P.S. Some thought I cried knowing the kind of class I will have next year. I promise that was not the case. Even though this week as I dealt with one student about having good manners, the first grade teacher was dealing with four students doing some not so nice talking with their fingers. (insert scared emoji face here)

Wisdom for Wednesday-Wisdom

Welcome to this week's:

Oh, how true is this quote.  How many times have I found my self wanting to say something or I did say something and thought that I shouldn't have said it!  Many times I will have to say.  Sometimes it is just wise to not say anything at all.  It may be very difficult to do at times, but could be for the best.

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Have a great day!

A Very Late May Currently

I will have to say that this is how I am feeling this month......LATE!!!  It seems like I'm behind on everything this month.  But I did make it before the month is halfway over....YAY!  I have linked up late with Farley for Currently!

Listening-We have had quite a few storms these past few days and I can hear the wind blowing.

Loving-I have a nephew getting ready to graduate and I got a graduation invitation from a student that I had in first grade (boy did that make me feel old).  I love that they are graduating and getting ready to start the next part of their journey.

Thinking-I really can't believe that we only have 7 days left in school, it just doesn't seem possible.

Wanting-I love it when it is nice outside and I can just sit and soak in some sun.

Needing-Grade cards are due soon and I really need to get them done.

Summer-I would like to take a trip to Arizona, do some home projects and of course rest up!

Don't forget to link up if you haven't already.

Have a great day!

Parent Communication #2GETHERWEAREBETTER

Happy Friday!

I'm linking up with Angie and Ashley for their #2GETHERWEAREBETTER linky this month.

I love this linky idea and missed getting in on the first one. I pinned it though so I can go back and read all about schedules, schedules, schedules. I'm kind of a schedule nerd...always curious how others fit it everything in so it is the perfect resource for me!

Okay, back to the present linky theme - parent communication.

My main tool of communication is my weekly newsletter, so that is what I'll focus on. I also use e-mails, phone calls, and if needed behavior notes.

This year I changed to a different type of newsletter and homework system which I absolutely love. It was inspired by Amanda Madden. 

I used to feel like my weekly newsletter was a waste of time. It seemed the parents rarely read it...or at least it seemed like it based on the questions I received.

When I stumbled on Amanda's homework mini-series, it solved two of my "problems." Homework and a newsletter that went home and most likely got tossed in the trash right away.

I love my new style of homework and so do my parents. It is absolutely the BEST change I made in my classroom for this year. If you want more details about my new homework system, click here. 

Every Monday, the newsletter is put in the front of their homework folder (Nicky's Parent Communicators are the best). Students keep it there all week and pull it out to track their STAR homework. That means it is constantly in front of parents and students.

Okay, now I'm off to the Avengers: Age of Ultron with my daughter for an early birthday present.

Lots of things going on!!!

Sorry for the late post, I'm not sure where this week has gone but I can say it has been pretty hectic. Starting on Monday, we had to say our good-byes to our 12 year old dog.  :-(  He was diagnosed back in December with cancer and his tumor had gotten a lot bigger and he was getting weaker.  My husband and I didn't want him to suffer therefore, we had him put to sleep.  

Now our other dog that is 2 years old is missing him terribly.  We are trying to give her as much attention as possible.  Now, we are debating if we should get another puppy.  They say that Siberian Husky dogs do better with having a companion.  My problem is that I don't know if this old lady can keep up with a puppy!  We will see!

Tuesday-I woke up with a fever and ended up having to get a substitute for the day.  I will say that I slept until 11 and then from 12-3:30.  I went to the doctor at 4:30 and back home and asleep again at 8:00 until my alarm in the morning.  The sleep was very nice!  

Along with being sick, my stepdad had surgery to remove some kidney stones.  Everything went great with the surgery.  

Wednesday-At our school, we do AR reading and if the kids had an 85% average on their AR tests then they got to go bowling in the morning.  Our librarian set it all up.  The kids had a blast!

Thursday-We started our 10 day countdown like Crystal was talking about in her last post.  Only we didn't do balloons because my co-teacher doesn't like the popping of the balloons.  She came up with the idea of using little cups, pinning them on the bulletin board and putting tissue paper around them.  Well, when putting it together I had to tweak it some because it just wasn't working out for me.  (I'm not very crafty).  

Today, if they hadn't moved their owl down yesterday for behavior they got to do what was in the cup and it was painting.   They were thrilled!  We haven't used paints too much this year so this was a real treat!

I've made it through so far and now tomorrow is our field trip to the zoo.  It is supposed to rain here but we are hoping it holds off until we come back from the zoo..........fingers crossed!

Have a great day!

Wisdom for Wednesday - The Battle

Good Morning!

I hope you're having a happy week! 

This week has been crazy already for me. I survived Hats! The kids did a great job and nobody seemed to notice that I messed up leading one of the songs. :-/

Last night my son accompanied the high school choir in one of their songs at their concert. Pretty cool experience for him.

Tomorrow is my daughter's league track meet and then Friday she is having some friends over for her birthday. The end of the year is just crazy!

At school, the kids have enjoyed "ink pen day" and "rearrange the room" day so far from our balloon countdown. 

Today we are having "puzzle day." This class absolutely loves puzzles and they often choose them as their Fun Friday activity, so I'm bring in some "big" ones and we're going for it after lunch. I can't wait--really! I love puzzles too!

Now for this week's Wisdom quote. Take a look:

This quote is actually talking about the "work" we do for the Lord, but I think it applies to all of the "stuff of life." If we are so busy doing, that we are not taking the time to truly be in fellowship with our Lord, we are missing the point! 

The Lord desires a close relationship with us and that takes time. Time in the Word. 

Time in prayer. 

Let's not be so busy doing, that we neglect the "one thing is needful…" as Jesus calls it in Luke 11:42 when he is talking to Martha. She was "…careful and troubled abut many things…" and Jesus wanted her to choose "…the good part…" which was fellowship with Him.

Thanks for stopping by for:

Hope it is an encouragement to stay focused on the Lord in these last, crazy weeks of school! 

Hang in there!

P.S. Don't forget the TPT sale! It ends today! 

Five for Saturday!

Five for Saturday just doesn't have the same ring to it as Five for Friday, but I'm linking up anyway. 

I actually just walked up to the school to take these pictures since I completely forgot take pictures all week. If you remember from last week, I'm in survival mode people.

1

Speaking of survival, I have our 10 day balloon countdown ready to go. I love this! Such a simple incentive for good behavior at the end of the year. I have one simple rule. If you get a mark (that is our school-wide behavior system), you do not do the next balloon activity. Easy Peasy.

We will be having Ink Pen Day, Rearrange the Room Day, Ice Cream Day, Science Experiment Day, Puzzle Day (this class LOVES puzzles), Extra Recess Day, Kickball Day, Mystery Readers Day (reading with the K class), Movie Day, and Have a Kool Summer (gift from me) Day!

2

Our garden beans are sprouting! These are the ones we planted in cups. The ones in the paper towels may have gotten a little to wet. Some are sprouting, some are molding. Teacher FAIL.

3

We interviewed a friend, wrote biographies, and then typed them up. Yes, typed them! That part took us a good week or two, but the result is cute. Hee Hee!

We have an odd number, so one of my students wrote about me and drew a picture of me. Love the KU shirt! Not sure why I have brown tips and blonde roots--it should be the other way around…ha!

4

The Spring program is Monday. Praise the Lord! I am so ready to be done with it. Those of you that don't know I am the 2nd grade teacher AND the K-2 music teacher. Music is a challenge for me and well, let's just be honest, I hate teaching music! It is because I am a perfectionist and I know I'm not good at it, so…

Enough about that. Here's a neat-o quilt the students made squares for that will be auctioned off on Monday night. It is so cute! Dr. Seuss theme!

5

Teachers Appreciation Week is next week--which means SALES! I already started my wish-list shopping. Both of our stores are on sale, so shop away and enjoy the Teachers Appreciation discounts!

Have a great week! 

P.S. Or #6 or whatever…we are saying goodbye to my daughter's 29-year-old horse, Cosmo, today. :-(

So thankful we did a little "photo shoot" with him a few months ago before he got too bad. We are all broken-hearted, but it is time...