About Me

My photo
I'm a mid twenties girl. Who has the cutest two boys ever. I'm married to the best hubby ever (aka the Man). I'm also a teacher of sixth grade with a masters degree in Education. I'd rather be busy than bored. I love things bright and beautiful and my family means the world to me.

Blog Archive

Monday, July 30, 2012

First day Post- 2 posts in 1!

Ashley over at Fierce in Fourth is doing link up about first day jitters.

Every year, even this one, my fifth first, I'm nervous. Because, one- I haven't been in the classroom for what feels like forever, summer plus 7 weeks of maternity leave. Two- it's a whole new group of kids. Three- I want to push myself more this year!

Ashley's link up is about listing three things you're nervous about at the start of this school year. So here we go:

1) Meet the teacher night- I'm always nervous on this night, throughout the whole night. We're the youngest grade in our building and even though it's my fourth year in this small district I don't know a lot of families. Many parents are hesitant about their sixth grader being in the high school building and they need tons of reassuring! I always feel like I'm answering tons of questions, but always doubt myself, afraid that I didn't make the best impression.
2) Day 1- We try to get a lot done during the day and it's the first real glimpse of how the class is together. I'm always worried that we'll either not get it all done, or get it done too fast. I always try to have back ups ready though.
3) My co-workers- I work with some really great people, but also some people that make it always seem like a competition. I would love to come back, have relaxed conversations, and not have to play the "Who did the most this summer?"

Lorraine over at Fabulous 4th Grade Froggies is also having a first day link up:

 As I early mentioned I have a list that I follow and edit every year. Here are some of my main do's for Meet the Teacher:
1. All bulletin boards, signs, welcome signs are posted and ready to go.
2. Seating arrangement done. Even though no matter what, every year I have to readjust after meet the teacher.
3. Plenty of copies of all the forms I have for parents:
  contact info that I keep
  all school forms
4. Pens and pencils out, and bins ready and labeled for forms to be turned in.
5. Name tags made and on desks. Make sure to double check spellings!!
6. Message on the board with directions.
  * I have students find their desks first, write their name on their own desk name tag (they have two). Then they have to introduce their parents to me to get their locker combination.
7. Have a drink on hand, so much talking that night!


3 months!!

Um, so I'm two weeks late, but the pictures and information were documented on time!
You have the sweetest disposition! You have really started to smile this month and you definitely know your mama, dad, and brother.
Your neck muscles are getting so much stronger. You're not quite steady on your own when you sit propped up, but we don't have to worry about you head butting us as much. Still hating the roll-over, but welcoming time on your stomach more.
You have definitely discovered your hands and realize that you can hold things with them. Also, they make great chew toys! You've really started drooling, to the point where I've changed your outfit do to it's wetness. I'm worried you might be an early teether- yikes!

You've really started to jabber. You've made lots of new sounds and like to "chat" with us.
 You are just amazed by your brother. He's been asking to hold you more and more in the big chair and he leaps to feed you if you start to fuss. Every now and then you get a little too noisy for him but I think he's just as crazy about you.
 We let you two take your first bath together, but unfortunately the waves were a bit much, although you never whined. Mama just didn't want you getting splashed too much. Tucker was determined to teach you how to hold your breath. We may have to wait a bit for your turn though.
While you are my sweet, sweet boy who loves to cuddle and get smooches, you can also be very serious. We love your serious face! I have yet to catch your pouty face, but I will, it's just so precious!

You are wearing anything from 3 months to 12months. I've had to dig out some of Tucker's summer clothes but he was much older his first summer. Luckily, you're nice and long and they fit just a little big.

You're still in size 2 diapers, but 3's could start soon. You nap 2-3 times a day and all through the night, about 10-7. Next month is very exciting for you! Trips to the fair, more shots, and your baptism!!

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Amazing giveaway for teachers!

So as I mentioned before I've been finding all these amazing teaching blogs, especially towards sixth grade. This excites me to no end! I should really start including more about my teaching, one because it's part of my blog title, and two- if my job that I love!

My Photo
Head over to The Dalton Gang and check out the amazing giveaway she has, so many great projects! Plus links to other blogs!
Today I'm linking up with Mrs.Crouse from 6th Grade All-Stars for her 1st ever linky party!

 Her questions and my answers-
- What grade do you teach?
 Sixth grade, reading and language arts, math, and two sciences (our focus is physical science)
- What is the greatest advice you received during your 1st year of teaching?
Avoid all the gossip and be yourself. I'm in a little district and it's very easy to get caught up in the "he said, she said" world. I also had to learn to stick up for myself and stand my ground which was super tough. It's amazing how even teammates can be challenging. 
- Do you have a checklist that you follow when preparing your classroom (include the checklist)?
Absolutely! I usually amend it every year, adding notes or making changes. If you'd like a copy e-mail me and I will definitely forward it on. I actually have a folder called "first week" with tons of things in it being that I never know how the students will be, what type of team building we need to do, how they are at organizing, and their time management skills. 
- What are some must haves in your classroom that you cannot live without (ex. items, books, posters, management strategies)?
A good pencil sharpener, tons of blank charts with students names on hand, our schedule posted, bathroom sign out sheets ( my students are NEVER supposed to ask to go to the bathroom or get a drink, we have a very clear understanding of how it works starting day 1). I also have my organizing systems that work for me and one for my students I hope to hit on before school starts. 
- What is something that all teachers should have in their classroom?
An open mind! Be flexible and even if something happens that completely ruffles your feathers and makes you want to scream, don't let it ruin your day. I try to be "real" with my students, life happens and we all need to learn how to cope positively. Find a way to be organized, your students (for the most part) will appreciate it and hopefully emulate it on their own.  

Friday, July 27, 2012

Where I've been!


So nothing too exciting around here just got stuck in this world for awhile-


So I might have become slightly addicted to this series! Then neglected some of my household duties for a bit. No worries the boys were fed and bathed. Laundry however, waited. 

I found this clip the other day and could not stop laughing! I love Ellen so this made it even better.


I need to post Ryker's three month updates. I'm so glad I write down things as they happen so I don't forget to include.

Tucker finished soccer so he gets some spotlight as well.

Plus, I've been finding all these other teaching blogs lately, LOVE that!


On top of trying to catch up with all my normal blogs.

Outside of the blog world, I've been planning Ryker's baptism, going through our Summer bucket list, and  looking at new ideas for the school year. I'm starting to think that sleep might be put on hold some, mama's got stuff to get done.

So after the laundry is done hopefully I'll get my posts up. We shall see!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Sometimes...

Sometimes I wonder... what will the boys grow up to be?

Sometimes I wonder... why is it so hard to open the dishwasher and put the dishes INSIDE?















Sometimes I wonder... if the laundry fairy could stop by, just for the day!

Sometimes I wonder... when my next haircut will be. It's been four months- yikes!
(this came up when I Googled "woman long hair"- oops!)

Sometimes I wonder... if the boys will grow up to be good dads.

Sometimes I wonder... if I should go back to school for my reading certificate.

Sometimes I wonder... what it would be like to open my own Etsy shop?

Sometimes I wonder... what it would be like to drive around in one of these-

What do you wonder about?


Friday, July 6, 2012

Photo-a-Day June

I saw this over at Elefantitas Alegres and thought it was a fun idea. It's originally from Fat Mum Slim. There is an assigned word per day and you try to take a picture to match it. I actually had a few pictures for this month! Not too bad for my first challenge.

Here's this month's challenge:


#1Last Morning of school!












#3 On Your Plate- my typical lunch salad









#4 A Closeup of my babe

















 #7 Adult Drink, yummy mini margaritas at Outback













#10 Best Bit of my weekend always involves time with my love












#21 Where I slept and where someone else napped










I sort of sizzled out at the end of the month but have picked up again for July. So jump on board the Instagram train!


 




Tuesday, July 3, 2012

No use crying over spilt tea.....


 
I've been stewing over this post for a while, but after reading lots of articles and other new mommy blogs I started thinking, "Why not?" 
Becoming a new mom again, I figured it would be much easier this time around. I didn't have to worry about jumping right back into school or work this time, Tucker would still be in school for the first month, and I knew what I was doing this time around. Just typing this makes me want to go back and slap myself or just laugh out loud. Being a mom is tough.
There, I said it. Being a mom is tough. However, it's the most rewarding "job" I've ever had. I don't know if I'm just blessed with two extremely sweet boys or what but no matter what one or both of them does something to just make my heart swell. They also have the ability to need something at the same time, immediatly. To make me feel like I can't get anything right but I'm the only thing they want, again at the same time.
Being a mom.
It took about a month for me to "wake up" to the idea that it wasn't easy with two.  Things won't go as planned. Just because Ryker took a nap the night before so I could make dinner wouldn't mean he would do it again the next day. Tucker has the capability to play and read for hours, doesn't mean he won't ask 1000 questions while doing it. There are so many days I feel like I let them or my husband down. Maybe we didn't get outside for Tucker to ride his bike or I didn't clean up the kitchen, but the boys are content and I haven't lost my mind. 
I also had to follow the rule that all mama's break- asking/ letting people help. After spending everyday with Ryker I just felt like no one else was good enough for him- I may still kind of think that. I had to let the Man do more when he was home. He was fully capable of giving baths, bottles, or starting laundry. I had to stop thinking that I could do it all. I had to talk to the Man more and tell him what i need. At the same time I realized, with the help of the Man, that I'm not someone who does well without a schedule/ plan. 
 
( not my planner but the same as what I use)
I'm a type A kind of person. Going from teaching everyday with a some-what permanent schedule to not having one at all wasn't working for my mind set. It threw me for such a loop. So I started to break up the things I wanted/ needed to get done each week. Basically I try to get a load of laundry completely done each day, washed, dried, and put away. I also really focused on exercising somehow everyday. The Man and I are now doing "Insanity" together. And most of all I find time for me to be alone sometime throughout the day. Even if it's for 10 minutes after everyone is in bed or I take a long shower when the Man is home, it's just me.
 Yesterday I had picked up a sweet tea from McDonald's, a big one! Not five minutes after we got home I spilled it all over the floor. I was so mad at myself, I ruined my treat! But after a second and a couple deep breaths I realized it was tea and went for the mop. No biggie.