End of the Year!

I can not tell you how excited I am that the end of the year is upon us! 

Granted it FLEW here, faster than most years, but it's here and I am glad. I have a whopping 16 days left of school and it sure does feel like it!

I'm sure I'm not alone when I say my kids are all kinds of crazy.  

Just think, at least you don't have to get observed tomorrow. :/ For your formal observation none-the-less.  Yes, you read that right.  I'm getting my formal observation for the year tomorrow!  With 16 days left of school!!!!!!

Please say a prayer for me.  I've done all the bribing I can do!

Along with that little bit of stress and tattle-talling kiddos, I'm excited to hand out these bad boys in just two short weeks:

I have given out these silly awards for the past two years and I LOVE them!

Even more so, the parents and kiddos LOVE them!!  They always put a smile on each face and I always hear a little chuckle from the parents. {love}

This packet contains 22 different awards, 2 versions of each {boy and girl specific}, AND I'm working on adding black and white versions of each {should be up in the next couple hours...go back and re-download}!  I've also provided you with a full page or half page size option! All you have to do is print, write, and laminate! 

PRESTO!

Even better news...it's on sale!

Only a couple hours left! Be sure to snag it up! I've spent a fortune already!

End of the year...already?!

Anybody else already thinking about the end of the year?

Surprisingly it is coming up sooner than later and I am READY! :)  

Remember that beautiful picture of the beach I shared...well it has been nothing but cloudy skies and rain since then. :(  Majorly bummed that my days of sitting in the sun and doing nothing have changed.  Now I'm being forced to actually get things done! 

Well, I did get my End of the Year Silly Awards done!

I love giving these out every year.  The kiddos and the parents really love them.  When I taught first grade, I let the kiddos vote for the friend that deserved each award.  They nailed it every time too!  This year, since I'm back in KinderLand, I'm going to choose the awards for each kiddo.  

I love that these awards do not require me to purchase anything to go along with them {unless I really wanted to}, the kiddos are not rewarded with food {just not my thing}, and I made the awards so that there are both girl and boy versions.  Now the boys aren't embarrassed to receive an award that has a girl on it! :)  I also made the awards full-page and half-page size.

All you have to do is print, write, and laminate! Easy!!

Here's a peek at some of the awards:

Click HERE to check out more!

If you're on Spring Break, I hope you're enjoying your time!  

I'm off to get more checked off my 'to-do' list.  Come on sunshine!!!

28 days...

I am so excited that we only have 28 days left of school!!  I mean I. AM. EXCITED.  I'm not sure how your sweet little's are doing as the end of the year approaches but I am really struggling with classroom management right now.  All the wonderful management tools I've used all year {that have WORKED beautifully...I promise} are all of a sudden chopped liver!  Are you having these issues or is it just me?  And if your sweeties are getting a little "out of control" what are you doing to ring them back in?  

Aside from the stressful week I had last week and the "oh so fun" week ahead {we have a FULL week of IOWA testing...side note...I don't live in IOWA} I got some sort of stomach bug Friday night and was out of commission ALL DAY yesterday.  No fun!  This morning after 12 {yes, 12} hours of sleep I feel a gobzillion times better.  I even finished whipping up my end of the year awards.  I've used these awards last year, however, they were in need of cuter font and clipart.  Here's the preview:

You can check them out at my TPT Store HERE.  There's a sample download too!

Here's how I give the awards.  I first let the kiddos vote on who they believe deserves each award.  They LOVE doing this!  Usually they're right on target too!  After they're done voting and I tally up the awards I write the kiddos names and laminate them.  Then, I present them at our classroom awards ceremony.  Last year was my first year holding a classroom awards ceremony and it was SO much fun!  I created somewhat formal invitations for the parents and we decorated our room to look like a hollywood awards ceremony!  It was so much fun.  This year I will be rolling out the red carpet one more time!

Since I'm feeling better and I've had the wonderful joys of blogland to keep me occupied during my stint on the couch this weekend, I will give these awards away to the first 3 people who comment!  Make sure to leave your email! 

HOT, HOT, HOT

WOW!  What can I say?! I am overjoyed for such a wonderful blog award. Thanks to Anita over at Mrs. Bremer's Kindergarten for the special honor!

You should check out her blog.  Super cute ideas and a lot of great twists on classic lessons!  The joys of blogging.

With the award comes a couple rules:  list 7 things about myself and nominate 7 other blogs for the "On Fire Award!"  So .... here it goes:

1. After being moved to first grade last year a WHOPPING three days before school started, I can now say that first grade is my niche!  I love everything about first grade!!!

2. I live in Tallahassee FL and although it gets ridiculously hot and humid 80+% of the year, my windows are all open, the sun in shining bright, the leaves have changed their colors just enough, and I'm enjoying a cup of tea! :)

3.  After 5 years of marriage my husband and I are finally discussing the thought of having a little one!

4.  My mother is my biggest supporter in ALL that I do!

5.  I am the definition of a "daddy's girl"  :)  Love you dad!

6.  I am so OCD and a control freak that I would rather go to school sick than even toy with thought of making sub plans and allowing someone else to take over my room.

7.  If I wasn't an educator I would be a forensic scientist, or blood splatter analysis.  I know gross!  It's all the Snapped, 48 Hour Mystery, Dexter, and other shows/docudramas of sorts that I watch!  I'm so nosy that I HAVE to know what happened, how, and why.  I can get a little out of control. :)

Now for the 7 blogs.  I am giving this award to the 7 blogs that I began following when I first started 'blogging' a year and a half ago!  These are the ladies that inspire me on a daily basis and make me a better educator.  My room, curriculum, and way of work all mimic a combination of what these ladies do in their classroom.  There are SEVERAL new blogs that I love and am working on creating my own little award to present to these ladies.  Here we go:

The First Grade Parade

Primary Perspective

Bishop's Blackboard: A First Grade Blog

Thanks for all the love! :)

Who....ME?!

I'm just over the moon excited!  I have been super M-I-A for too long now.  I have just been SO incredibly busy.  I don't know what it is about this year but I just feel like I can NOT get caught up.  Sadly, I'm about to get dressed on this gorgeous Saturday morning to head up to the school for a 2-hour "power through!"  {I'm only allotting myself 2-hours so that I don't get 'ADD' and start doing projects that I'm not up there to do}. 

See! I can't even stay focused on what I'm blogging about today! ha!  

Ok, so I log on today to find I have won TWO awards!  This is SO flippin' exciting.  I love that people actually love my blog! :)  

My first award is from two awesome teachers.  Of course, I had to check out there blogs and am now avid followers.  You must check them out:

Anita:

and 

THANK YOU so much ladies for this sweet award!!!!  

The Rules:

1. Give the "I Heart Your Blog "Award to your favorite Top 10 Blogs that have touched your heart and inspired your teaching by listing them on your blog.

2. Contact that person and let them know of their heartfelt award.

3. When you receive the award, copy and paste the graphic onto your blog and give a shout out to the person who nominated you.

4. Spread the LOVE by passing the "Heart Your Blog" Award on to your Top 10.

Then, I received The Versatile Blogger Award!!!  Are you kidding me?!  I am BEYOND excited!

I received this award from another wonderful teacher, Ms. Payton!  You should totally check her out!

Now..according to the rules..I must share 7 things about myself so here we go:

1. I am in my fifth year of marriage to a wonderful man and no kids.  Enjoying the first five years of marriage with just us two has been the smartest decision! :)

2. The movie Doc Hollywood was filmed in my hometown.  One of the scenes was even filmed in my first grade teachers house!!!!

3. I recently just went on a cruise {my first} and will FOREVER take that route for all my future "girls trips!"

4. Breakfast is my favorite! So much I love and so many options! 

5. I just took over as "chair person" for our school's Relay For Life team and I'm so nervous that I'm just not going to get it together {any awesome fundraiser ideas?????}

6. I am all kinds of OBSESSED with pinterest!

7. I have become a better teacher because of Blogland.  I check my blog-roll daily in search of new inspirations.  Seriously, THIS is the best classroom! :)

WOW! Thank you again ladies for thinking of ME when giving out these awards AND thank you for all your amazing ideas that I "steal" from you on a daily basis! 

Off to school I go!