OUT OF SHAPE + winners!!

No, I did not go to the gym and am now sore.  Although I did the other day and the title does ring true for that.  But I'm not talking about that.  I'm talking about being out of shape with TEACHING!

Did anyone else go back today and are now just getting home, sitting down for the first time, and are just plain ol' EXHAUSTED?!

I mean really...it's kinda sad.  I loved getting to see all my precious kinder babies.  I loved getting to hear all about their vacations and presents and all the fun they had.  But then, at 8:45 just 15 minutes after getting in and settled and starting our routine I get a knock on the door.  

A new student.

I am one of those teachers who takes all kiddos in.  I really am.  Most students, if not all, grow on me and I end up wanting to teach that class forever.  This class is one of those.  I love my class, how we function, how we mesh together. All our quirky personalities.  What I do not like is that we get no warning, no heads up, no nothing.  Just a knock on the door and then a kid shoved in.

That's it.  And I'm suppose to just get him unpacked, show him around the room, what we're doing, how to do what we're doing, all while keeping the rest of the 19 little bodies in order.  Thankful this class is different.  They're not 50 shades of crazy.  They're great.  They know what's expected and they know what to do.  But getting a new kiddo can be exhausting.

Here's the real fun part.  Mom.  Oh, sweet mother of this curly haired, too tall to actually be a kinder baby, cutie.  Within seconds of me first meeting this new friend of ours she says to me "good luck."  I look at her a little perplex.  She proceeds "The last two 'first-days' he has had at schools (yes, this little one has moved three times in the past year...in the same district) the principal has had to call me due to behavior issues.  I think he'll be okay though."

Say WHAT?!?!  

NOT.OKAY.   You can NOT come into my classroom, drop off your child, as well as that little bomb, smile and peace-out! 

Talk about putting a stigma on your child.

Needless to say I watched him like a hawk and we had zero problems! PHEW!

I am still beyond exhausted.  Just from that.  That's it.  Nothing crazy happened today.  I didn't chase a child or had to lift anything heavy. I was only off for two weeks.  How did I become so lazy and unfit?! 

All I can chalk it up to is a really relaxing break! :p

Lets get to the real reason you're here...the WINNERS:

Check your email ladies!

Thank you to all that entered and became new followers! 

I hope you stick around! :)

If you didn't win, no worries.  I am putting my Mrs. Wishy Washy unit on sale for the rest of the night!  Click the picture below!

I'm off to cook up some dinner for the hubs and then it's time to prepare myself for tonight.  The Bachelor!!!!

I could not be more excited! Screw going to bed early.  I can be exhausted for one more day.  :)

A Day at the Farm with Mrs. Wishy Washy!

I know it's January and we're all still in *winter* mode but I just finished a super fun unit and I'm so excited about it!  Why not go ahead and share?! :)

Okay, so I {{LOVE}} doing a farm unit with my kiddos. I really do.  Maybe because I grew up on 14 acres.  Maybe because my bus stop growing up was on a dairy farm.  Maybe because I find those barnyard animals absolutely 

A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E! 

Either way, I love it.  The problem is there's just so much going on in the fall that it's hard to devote more than a week on the farm. (at least for me)

But at last(!!!!!!) I found a way to solve the problem:

I-{{puffy}}-heart-kind-of-love some Mrs. Wishy Washy.  I love the story, love how the kiddos get into the story, love that I can teach the farm based off this simple story, and I L.O.V.E. that I get to dress up like Mrs. Wishy Washy.

I have a picture somewhere...I'll find it for ya!

This unit is perfect for incorporating the farm and meets TONS of common core standards!  It's jam-packed with emergent readers, reader's response, pocket chart activities, literacy centers, math centers, science activities, graphing, and (for the first time) craftivities with tracers!!!!

Here's a closer look at what's inside of the 121 page unit:

click on picture to enlarge

Disclaimer: I realize I took a picture of that cute piggy and COMPLETE forgot to add the pipe cleaner tail! :(  Oops!  Minor oversight. Don't forget yours! :)

I am so excited about this unit that I'm going to give two away! 

Enter below!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check it out HERE.  While you're there snag this little freebie:

and make sure to follow my store!

It's my last day of break.  I know it is for many of you as well.  My day is going to be spent on my couch, relaxing.  It's raining outside so I think that qualifies for a Lifetime Movie kind of day! :)  
Happy Sunday to all of you!

when life gives you lemons (don't you love them btw)

Of course I am referring to Amy Lemons and her adorable husband. 

I ADORE them.  

Lately I've been presented with the "big man."  You know the one who handles all things. The one with THE master plan. I like to think of myself as a person of values. Values which stem from Christianity mixed with a little modern twists but by no means can I say I am a Godly woman and walk the Christian walk.

 Honestly, it has been YEARS since the last time I set foot in a church other than for weddings and/or funerals.  It's sad.  Really.

This past month the "big man," Mr. G-O-D has been speaking to me.  It's crazy.  But he's been there and he got to me through the world of blogging. 

He first slapped me on the face when Amy and her husband began speaking of Him and the power that is Him after her surgery.

Then He nagged me again when Abby spoke of her life and His plans.

He's all over the place and I feel like He's out to get me.  But in a good way.  Rather... great way!

I have never felt more at peace with my life than I do now.

2012 was an insane year for my hubby and I.  Through money issues (which really stems all other issues), stability, job woes, job hunting (still in the process), having to sell both of our beautiful vehicles to "downsize," family issues, etc... that I was pretty low on myself and really felt like it was never ending for us.  We just kept taking it. Blow after blow.  I started to wonder when God was going to start taking our side.  We are good people. Why was this all happening to us? 

Then, this past month he quieted my worries.  My hubby and I have our own "master plan" but it's not a set-in-stone kind of plan.  We have a vision for our life, for this year, and I just can FEEL God working on getting us there!

It's so exciting!

So exciting that this morning I got up went straight to Hobby Lobby {come on...any excuse to go there} snagged up a cork board and have been working on making my our vision board.  

I think back to Oprah every time I think of a vision board.  

{She spoke wisdom to me. :) I miss her at 4pm still every day.}

It's still in the works but I'll share with you when it's done!

On top of that amazingness going on I got the notification today that I WON this giveaway:

Remember, I blogged about HERE.

Seriously, could not be more excited to have won these great products from two inspiring and talented women!  If you have not checked out their products and/or blogs...you MUST.

I just love Blogland!!!!

:)