History...My Favorite!

Happy Friday, Friends!

Yesterday, I finished making my President's Day Literacy Packet.  After I finished it, it made me realize how much I love history.  Reading will always be my favorite subject, but history is a close, close, close second.  My favorite was U.S. History.  I loved learning about all the wars that we have fought and just about the US in general.  I also had an AMAZING teacher that really made learning history fun.  Anyone else love history, too? 

Here's a preview of what's included.

 

Click on the picture below to download the packet. 

AND...of course someone will get it for free.  I truly appreciate all of you and would like to reward two people with my packet.  All you have to do is leave me a comment.

The first two people to answer either of these questions correctly will get my my packet for free.

1.  Which president was president when I was born?

2.  Who was my favorite president to learn about?

Good luck and thank you for being such amazing followers!

Lots of love,



1st Christmas=SUCCESS

Hello, wonderful friends!

Christmas was so much fun this year!! Brayden had so much fun. Check out these pictures.

                                                  Lots and lots of gifts under the tree!

 This picture is priceless!  Love it!

                                      Were you aware that boxes are SO much fun? :-)

                Brayden LOVED his new ball pit.  Of course, it's Mickey Mouse themed!

This picture is hilarious because Mr. and Mrs. Claus learned a lesson Christmas morning.  We need to put everything together before we wrap. Hahaha! 

                                                  Playing with his fun new ramp!

Have I mentioned how much this little boy loves Mickey Mouse? Super sweet picture. 

AND...look what my husband bought me! 

I can't wait to use this!

I hope you and your family had a WONDERFUL Christmas! This will definitely be a Christmas to remember.  Now, I have to work on planning Brayden's first birthday.  January 12th is coming up rather quick.  I loved seeing his face light up on Christmas morning, but he is growing up WAY TOO FAST!

Lots of love friends,

It's A Winter Sale!

I'm teaming up with Casey to celebrate the arrival of winter (I definitely feel it here in South Carolina) to have a Winter Sale.  Everything in my store will be on sale from today through Sunday. 

And the best part....lots of other bloggers are linking up to have a sale too.  Lots of fun! Click on the picture above to see which bloggers are participating.

Lots of love,

It's Cold Outside!

Hello, friends!

It's cold here in South Carolina.  No, it's not snowing.  But, I am FREEZING!! Being from South Carolina, I get cold VERY easy.  It is currently 43 degrees and I am freezing.  The strong winds isn't helping the situation either. So, Brayden and I are wrapped up nice and warm and currently watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, his favorite.  Since I was cold, I began thinking about my next packet and I can't wait to use it when my kiddos return in January.  I finally finished it this morning. :-)

My students watched Frosty the Snowman before we left for Christmas break and I heard them talking about how "cool" it would be to make a snowman come to life.  Hence, my inspiration for my writing packet.

Here is a preview of everything that's included in the packet.

 

 

 

The packet includes two writing prompts-'How to Build a Snowman' and 'How to Make a Snowman Come to Life'.  Click on the picture below to download it from my TPT store. 

And...the first two people to tell me what they are looking forward to most on Christmas will get my packet for free.  I am most looking forward to watching Brayden on his first Christmas and figuring out what my husband bought me for Christmas. 

Lots of love,

Brayden is Walking!

Hello, wonderful friends!

I am off for two weeks for Christmas vacation.  I need the rest, and I am so excited to get the opportunity to spend time with my little munchkin, Brayden.  I have been trying and trying to record Brayden walking.  It's as if he knows I'm trying to record him.  I'll pick up my phone to record him and he automatically stops.  Well...I finally caught him on video.  I think I can say that I have a  "walker".  He's walking across the room.  Click on the video below to check out my munchkin walking.

I hope each of you have a wonderful Christmas break.  I'll be busy creating. :-)

Remembering and Honoring Sandy Hook

Continue to pray for this community!

Hello, long lost friends!

Hello, long lost friends!

My family came down with that awful bug that has been going around.  Sick babies and sick mommas are no fun.  I finished up my Penguin Addtion Games packet a couple of weeks ago and haven't been able to blog about it.  The games are centered around 2nd grade common core standards but would be a great review for older kids.  My kiddos have been having a blast playing the games the past couple of weeks.  They know that penguins are my favorite animal, so that makes it even more fun for them. Click the picture below to grab your copy. 

I may or not be counting down the days until Christmas Break (cough...7...cough...cough).  I hope you all are having fun.  I know my kiddos are wound up.  I love Christmas time though! 

Other news...
My Brayden is starting to walk.  He's pulling himself up to a standing position and then taking those important few steps.  He's growing up too fast!  Video to come soon when I catch him off guard to capture those moments. I get my phone ready and he freezes, but as soon as the cameras are off there he goes. :-)  I stay pretty busy these days.  Christmas break will be my time for lots of creating.  I can't wait! 

Lots of love,

When I Was in 2nd Grade Linky Party

Kate from 2nd Grade Sparkle has a super cute linky going on right now that I just had to join in on.  It's a linky party for When I was in ______ Grade.  Go link up now, and link up pictures of you from the grade that you teach now. 

I teach 2nd grade...in case anyone forgot. ;-)  The pictures below were taken when I was in 2nd grade. The first one is the beginning of 2nd grade and the second one is the 2nd of second grade. 2nd grade was always my favorite grade.  I had the best teacher!  I'm so glad that I get the opportunity to teach a grade that I fell in love with such a long time ago.

Wasn't I such a cutie! :-)  Here is me now with my adorable family. This picture was taken almost 4 months ago.  I need to get family pictures down ASAP!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Lots of love,

First, I'd Like to Thank....I've Won An Award!

I am so honored to have been awarded the Liebster Award from 6 fabulous bloggers.  All of the people that nominated me just made my day.  Thank you to everyone who nominated me. Since there were 6 bloggers, you're gonna get ready to learn A LOT about me.   

So here are the rules:
1) You must post 11 random things about yourself
2) Answer the questions that the nominator created for you
3) Create 11 questions for the people you nominate
4) Choose 11 blogs you love that have less than 200 followers and link them to your post
5) No tag back.. but please leave a comment on THIS post with the URL of the Liebster so I can learn more about you!

So here goes:

11 random things about me:

1.  I can't walk straight.  My feet look like they are walking in different ways.  I should have been a ballerina.
2.  I know more about football than a lot of guys.  My favorite team is the Clemson Tigers.  Go Tigers!
3.  I became a mom last January.  Brayden is my world.  It's hard to imagine my life without him.
4.  I always try to stay happy.  I usually have a smile on my face, even when I don't want to smile.
5.  I am very emotional.  Any sappy movie or commercial will bring on the water works.
6. My sister and I were pregnant at the same time.  My nephew, Caleb, is 11 days older than my son, Bradyen.
7.  My favorite color is blue.  I can't stand the color pink.  I'm definitely not a girly girl.
8. I am clumsy.  I fall and trip over everything all the time, including my feet.
9. I married my high school sweetheart.  In February we will have been together for 10 years.
10. Christmas is my favorite holiday!  I love all the smells and sights.
11. I love to watch TV.  Favorite shows currently: Grey's Anatomy, Vampire Diaries, Revenge

Next are all the questions asked by the fabulous bloggers. Get ready to learn all about me!

                                         First up is Bailey from Mrs. Sturdy's Class. Her questions were:

1. What is your favorite dessert?

I LOVE sweets!  If I had to pick one, why choose though LOL, I would have to go with brownies.  Yummy!

2. Beach or mountains?

Beach.  I hate to be cold.

3. If you could travel anywhere you want, where would you go?

I would just like to go somewhere.  I've never left the South in the United States.  I'd love to go to the Caribbean.  A Caribbean cruise is on my to do list.

4. What was the last dream you had?

I dreamed of my students and them not understanding what I was teaching.

5. What is your favorite grade to teach?
2nd!!! I truly believe it is the best grade. :-)

6. If you could go back to any time in your life, what would it be?

January 12, 2012-The day my son was born.  I'd love to spend that day again just holding him.  They're only little for so long.

7. What color are your eyes?

My eyes are blue, green, or hazel.  My eyes change with the color shirt I'm wearing.  My driver's license says green though.

8. Do you have any pets?

I have 1 dog named Molly.

9. Are you a night owl or early bird?

I'm a night owl.  I hate getting up early.

10. Does your classroom have a theme? If so, what is it?

Sorta.  It is a subtle pirate them with splashes of red and black.

11. What is your favorite movie?

The Little Mermaid...I'm a DISNEY freak.  I love all things Disney. 

Next is Karen from An Apple A Day in First Grade.

1.  Sweet or salty?

SWEET!  I love anything and everything sweet.

2.  Beach or mountain house?

Beach.  I'd love to be there right now.  I need a vacation.

3.  What is your favorite season?  Why?

Summer.  I hate to be cold and love the long days. 

4.  What kinds of things do you collect?

I don't collect anything.  Pinterest ideas maybe...

5.  Coffee or tea?  Hot or cold?

Sweet Iced Tea!  I'm learning to drink coffee though.  Being a momma requires coffee...:-)

6.  What would your ideal vacation be?

Setting sail on a cruise ship in the middle of the Caribbean.

7.  What's the most recent book you have read?

Honestly...50 Shades of Grey.

8.  Target or Walmart?

Target.  The people in Wal-Mart get on my nerves.

9.  Funniest thing that ever happened in your class?

Hmmm....Book Character Day-I had a Michael Jackson impersonater.

10.  Early riser or like to sleep in?

Sleep in.  I'm so glad that Brayden likes to sleep in too!

11.  Favorite sweet to make during the Christmas holidays?

I don't bake.  I just eat! :-)

Next is the Realistic Teacher.



1.  What is your favorite genre?

Humorous Fiction.  I love to laugh.

2.  Do you parallel park or find another spot?

Find another spot.  I don't parallel park...EVER. 

3.  Do you have any tattoos? How many? Of what?

None.

4.  What is your favorite book?

Oh, the Places You'll Go.

5.  When did you last laugh?

Probably five minutes ago.  Brayden had a ball pit on his head and he was chasing the dog around the room.

6.  Where have you traveled and what was your favorite place?

I don't get a chance to travel often.  My last real "travel" was my honeymoon and we went to Charleston.

7.  Do you like to dance?

Yes, but I'm not good at it.

8.  What is your favorite type of music?

Country  music.  Oh, how I love the South!

9.  Have you ever, or would you ever, go skydiving or bungee jumping?

I don't know.  I've thought about it, but I think I'm too chicken.

10.  Do you garden?

Nope. I kill everything that I grow or plant.

11.  If you could eat lunch with a favorite person who would it be?

My momma.  I love her so!

Next is Coffee Cups and Lesson Plans.

1)  How did you pick your blog name?

I wanted to have something to do with 2nd grade.  The monkeys made me think of surprise!

2) What made you start writing a blog?

I wanted to share what I was creating with other amazing teachers.

3) What is your favorite thing to do with your family?

Just spend time together. Watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is among our favorite things to do at the moment.

4) Coke or Pepsi?

Pepsi.

5) Who is your favorite music group?
Lady Antebellum..I love country music.

6) What would you purchase if you had an unlimited budget?

I would pay off my bills and buy my mom a new car.

7) What is your favorite book to share with your students?

Anything that has to do with Mo Willems.  I love him!

8) What household chore do you like the least?

Folding clothes.  Ugh...I need to do that now.

9) What professional book or conference changed something about how you teach?

Whole Brain Teaching...check it out if you haven't.

10) What is your favorite color?

Blue.

11) If you could eat lunch with a famous person, who would it be?

Channing Tatum...LOL!

Next is Colleen from Fun and Fearless in First.

1.  What is your favorite subject to teach?

Reading.  I LOVE literacy centers!

 

2.  Favorite holiday tradition?

Buying a Christmas tree after Thanksgiving dinner.

 

3.  Favorite book to read to your class?

Anything written by Mo Willems.

 

4.  Favorite guilty pleasure reality show?

I don't really watch reality shows.

 

5.  Favorite movie?

The Little Mermaid.

 

6.  What is your best childhood memory?

Drinking hot chocolate and putting up the Christmas tree with my family.

 

7.  What is your least favorite household chore?

Folding clothes!

 

8.  What are you afraid of?

Snakes, spiders, the dark

 

9.  Salty or sweet?

Sweet!

 

10.  Where is your ideal vacation spot?

The Caribbean.

 

11.  What sparked your interest in blogging?

I wanted to share my ideas with other amazing teachers.

 

Finally, is Christina from Apples, Books, and Crayons.

 

1 - If you could be any animal for one day what animal would you be and why?

Hmmm...maybe a penguin.  They're my favorite animal. 

 

2 - What is your favorite flower?

Sunflower

 

3 - What is your favorite pizza toppings?

Pepporoni

 

4 - What is your favorite childhood television show?

Full House.

 

5 - What do you like to do on a day off?

Spend time with my son Brayden.

 

6 - When at work - make up or no makeup?  

Make-up. 

 

7 - Disney World or Disney Land?

Disney World.

 

8 - When you were a kid did you always want to be a teacher?

No, I knew I wanted to work with kids.  I always thought I'd be a pediatrician.

 

9 - What is your favorite song?
I don't think I have one.  It changes from day to day depending on my mood.

 

10 - If you were stranded on a deserted island what three things would you want to have with you?

My husband, my son, and something to eat.

 

11 -   If you could choose to speak with any one person - dead or alive - who would it be and why?

I'd love to have been able to talk to Dr. Seuss.  I'd love to have talked about his ideas and my love of his books.

 

I'm suppose to nominate 11 blogs, but everyone I have found has been nominated.  Let me know if you know of any who aren't. I'm still gonna be one the lookout!  Make sure you check out these wonderful ladies who have awarded me.

 

If you made it to the bottom of this post, I hope you enjoyed learning some things about me.  I hope everyone has a great weekend.  I'm working on some addition games at the moment.  I can't wait to share them!

 

Lots of love,