Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Snowmen Galore

Bowling Pin Snowman…totally cute!


…I thought I'd share with you what we did in class this year for out parent gifts.  I've been making these cutie patooties for well over 14 years and they are a hit.  Keep this in mind for next year because it's worth the effort!

This year we made well over 60 snowmen because we included our 3rd grade buddy class.  …can you imaging 200+ cotton balls per snowman…holy guacamole batman!!  Believe it or not, the kids did a fantastic job!  They were neat and didn't even get glue up to their elbows as I expected.  They followed directions and loved every minute of it.  Here's the how to and the materials needed:

-one bowling pin per student
-200-300 cotton balls per student (they come in bags of 100, 200 & 300)
-LOTS of white glue
-one scarf per student (cut from fleece)
-one sock per student (tied and cut at the top…don't forget to shake it out to remove extra lint)
-one orange nose (made from 1/3 length of reg. pipe cleaner)
-one black mouth (made from 1/2 length of reg. pipe cleaner)
-3 jingle bells per student
-2 goggly eyes per student



1)  Get a parent volunteer to scout around to your local bowling alley and ask for any donations of their old pins.  Some years we have had to pay $1.00 a pin but his year, our volunteer hit the timing just right since they were switching out old pins for new pins and got over 100 pins donated for FREE!!!!!  

This is only half…the remaining half is in our buddy room.




2)  Have students bring in 200+ cotton balls and store them until your ready for the big gluing day(s).  We did this over a two week period.  The first time we just got started and the second meeting, we met for an hour to finish all the gluing.




3) As you have your kids begin gluing, make sure that they start at the bottom and glue one row at a time.  I gave the kids a paper plate with a puddle of glue to share…then dip and glue, dip and glue, etc...

First day results
Second day results…a week later


The (un)finished snowman…200+ cotton balls :)
4)  Now is the fun part.  I went out and purchased (each kiddo donated $1.00 - $2.00) about 2 1/2 yards of wintery fleece (cut into 2 1/2 strips), jingle bells (3 each), black & orange pipe cleaners, and lots of large googly eyes.  We pre-made the mouths, hats (made from a "no-show sock-tied and cut at the top) and the noses (cut an orange pipe cleaner into 1/3 and then wrap it around the pointy end of a pencil…this makes the perfect spiral nose).  Remember to show the kids one thing/detail to glue at a time.  We started with the hat & scarf then moved on to the mouth, jingle bells, and eyes.  We placed the nose on last and then let our snowmen take a nap while we went to lunch.  Adorable!!!





Don't they look so cute? 
5)  Finally, the last thing to do is wrap them up so your kiddos can put them under their trees...but this year, to save time…Boomer our Elf got a little busy!  If you could have seen their faces when they walked in to our room the last day -priceless!  We found Boomer wrapped up a little as well.  Thanks Boomer!  


I really think you would love making these with your kiddos next year or even in January to celebrate Winter.  :) 



Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Holly Bloggy Christmas Exchange

Merry Christmas!


Holly Bloggy Christmas  

I was so happy to participate in my first Holly Bloggy Christmas Exchange.  I can't tell you how happy I was to get my package in the mail…who doesn't like a package arriving on their doorstep?

So here's what I sent my new bloggy friend Kaci Hoffer over at

Mrs. Hoffer's Spot

Favorite things I sent to Kaci…
Candy Cane lip gloss
…I love the game and I LOVE any kind of yummy flavored lip gloss.

Kit Kat Bars
…Really nothing I can say about these except that I purr when I eat them.

Gumby & Pokey
…I grew up watching the cuties on TV and the put a smile on my face.

SSS
…Skin So Soft hand cream.  This is probably the best I have ever found!

Awesome stamp
…Just because Awesome is what I love to say and tell my kiddos.

Mr. Snowman
…I made an extra one this year just for my Bloggy Buddy Exchange.

I hope she liked her goodies.  I know I did from my secret buddy Amy over at 
Look at the fun things I received…btw, I can't wait to wear my socks Christmas morning…
LOVE… <3…LOVE !!

Thank YOU Amy!!!

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Boomer the Elf & Currently::December

Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah!  I'm making this short, sweet, and a little elfie…just because. :)

First up:: Boomer.  Boomer surprised my kinderkiddos last week and we all had three days of Elf magic.  Boy Oh Boy did this spark up my kids.  Great behavior until Friday when the rainy day schedule wound the little buggers up.  Anywhichwho, I left a note for Boomer to take to Santa saying that we hope the understood about our crazy behavior and that we'll be back to normal come Monday.  Finger crossed please.  Here's a few pictures of Boomer.
Day 1…Hanging upside down from the projector.
Day 2…He left a little treat.

Day 3…Silly Boomer dressed up our owl.


Up Next:: Currently 


Don't forget to visit Oh Boy Fourth Grade to grab your December Currently.  …And I want to give a huge thank you to her for highlighting my blog with her R.A.K.  Thank YOU!!!  What a great way to start the new week.  Merry Christmas! 

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

I've been Nominated…5x Yowza!

It's a great feeling when you have been nominated for an award…but even better when you have been nominated FIVE times for the same award.  How sweet it is to be recognized not only by one fellow blogger but by 5 fellow bloggers for the Liebster Award.  WOW!!! But, before I begin first I'd like to give a big thank you to 
Bren over at 
The Teacher Wife
and
The Realistic Teacher

Realistic Teacher
Stephanie Ann at 
Sparkling in Third Grade
Amy at
3 Hoots for Little Learners
and
Karen at


for nominating me.  So here goes…


Rules to follow:
1. You must post 11 random things about yourself.
2. Answer the questions that the nominator set for you.
3. Create 11 questions for the people you nominate.
4. Choose 11 other blogs with fewer than 200 followers to nominate and link them in your post.
5. You cannot “tag back” the other blog, but leave a comment on this post with the URL of your Liebster post so I can learn more about you & see who you nominate.

My 11 Random things about me:
1.  I {heart} cooking shows.
2.  I always wanted to take a week long trip on a train and travel through Europe.
3.  I cheat at Monopoly EVERY time I play.
4.  I cry like a baby when I watch Despicable Me.
5.  I enter Publisher Clearing House Sweepstakes every year…still never won.
6.  I'm really good at procrastinating…stellar actually! :)
7.  I hold grudges for years…I finally just got over one from college and I friended her on fb. 
     I thought 22 years was long enough.
8.  I live dangerously by eating raw cookie dough.
9.  I love spending a day at the races…I keep spending $ in one pocket and winning $ in another pocket.
10.  I love high heels but rarely wear them.
11.  I'm able to crank out a dozen chocolate chip cookies in nothing flat.

Bren's questions:
1. What lead you to decide you wanted to be an educator?
Long story but I met someone in college…his entire family were educators…that's when I changed majors and never looked back.
2. What is your all time favorite book? (Children's books don't count! lol)
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
3. What is your current ringtone?
I am a Rock
4. How did you come up with your blog name?
It just kind of happened. I was trying to think of something that clever and then the lightbulb went off…and voila!
5. If you could time travel to any place or time, where would you go?
I have absolutely no idea.
6. You have the chance to appear on your favorite show, currently on air or past, what show would I see you on?
Criminal Minds…I'd be Derek's (Shemar's) "baby girl" Penelope :)
7. What is your favorite childhood memory?
Hanging out with my brother ordering room service at the Fairmont Hotel while my parents went out to dinner. We didn't know it was $$. :)
8. Who is your celebrity crush?
Shemar Moore & Daniel Craig
9. If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, which would it be?
Do they Know it's Christmas
10. Where do you live?
Southern California
11. I'm hoping to get a full-time teaching job soon, got any advice?
Never give up…everything will fall into place…have faith.


The Realistic Teacher's questions:
1. What is your favorite smell?
That smell that only a fresh Christmas tree can give at during the holidays.
2. If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy?
A vacation home in Maui with a never ending supply of airline tickets to get there.
3. Do you have and what is your end of the day routine? At school & at home?
At school…leave after I clean my desk for the next day.
At home…brush my teeth and crawl into bed to flip channels.

4. What is your favorite TV show?
Criminal Minds…Love my Shemar Moore!
5. Do you have pets?
Two labs…Bruin & Harley
6. When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried?
Probably just the other week at dinner…that's when those things tend to happen.
7. What is your favorite book to read to your students?
Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock, I never get tired of seeing the kids when they discover Little Bush Deer hiding in the pictures.
8. Why did you start blogging?
I decided to start blogging after I was inspired by so many other incredible bloggers.
9. What is your favorite type of weather?
If I'm inside for the day…a cold rainy day.
If I'm out for the day…light sweat weather.

10. Are you a “list maker”?
Nope…but I'm sure it would help.
11. Do you workout, go to the gym, or exercise in general?
I started running last May and I enjoy like well, …I go to the gym every now and then.


Stephanie Ann's questions:
1. How long have you been teaching and what grades have you taught?
21+ yrs…k,1,2,2/3,3,4,5,7, & 8 Whew!
2. What do you usually do on a Friday or Saturday night?
I love staying home just relaxing.
3. What do you like the most about the school that you teach at? 
Our staff is small and everyone gets along…and I like the kids too. :)
4. What do you like best about being a teacher?
Seeing their brains go to work. I love it when I see their "ahh ha" moments.
5. If you hadn't become a teacher, what would you have been and why? 
Most likely a pre-natal nurse.
6. What is your best teaching memory? 
"Den Dooper" He was on of my kinders way back when I started…He wanted to be a firefighter. He wore his"firefighter" uniform to school each day…I let him hang up his coat and change his boots. He wrote me a letter not to long ago saying thank you for letting him be a fireman. :)
7. What is your worst teaching memory? 
My first year of teaching with two students: Pablo & Pierro! That was a doozy of a year.
8. Who or what is your inspiration for being a good teacher? 
Mr. Warner…SO happy he keeps in touch with so many of us through Facebook.
9. Chocolate or fruity? 
Chocolate.
10. In the spirit of cyber Monday, what is your favorite store to shop online? 
I really can't decide…
11. What blog was your biggest inspiration when you decided to start your blog and why? Kindergarten Crayons…A Teeny Tiny Teacher. Both because I loved what they both had to say…ideas and humor.

Amy's questions:
What is your favorite season and why?
Winter…I love sweater and Ugg weather.
If you hit the lottery, what would you do and why?
Vacation home in Maui and a lifetime membership to Lynda.com
How long have you been teaching and what grades have you taught?
21+ yrs.  Every grade K-8 except 6th.
What do you want for Christmas?
A really pretty purse.
Do you believe in fate?
I absolutely believe in fate & destiny.
Why did you choose teaching as your profession?
A boyfriend in college entire family were teachers…destiny.
Do you like the new evaluation process?
Not sure...
What do you like the most about the school you teach at?
My staff and the kiddos.
What is your favorite subject to teach?
I love teaching writing with Kindergarteners.
Tables or desk? Which would you rather have in your classroom?
I have big round tables…my teammate has large square tables…I WANT hers!
What is the most memorable moment in your life so far?
Far too many to choose from to pick just one.


Karen's questions:
1. Sweet or salty?
Salty
2. Beach or mountain house?
Beach
3. What is your favorite season? Why?
Winter…Sweater and Ugg weather.
4. What kinds of things do you collect?
Dusty bunnies…lol.
5. Coffee or tea? Hot or cold?
Skinny Vanilla Latte hot…2 pumps classic passion tea cold.
6. What would your ideal vacation be?
Fiji
7. What's the most recent book you have read?
50 Shades…all three :)
8. Target or Walmart?
Target
9. Funniest thing that ever happened in your class?
The time when the hermit crab grabbed hold of me and pinched me for a LONG LONG time…I had to calmly say to one of my students to go get help as tried to maintain calm in the class.  After the little bugger let go I just started laughing and so did the kiddos.
10. Early riser or like to sleep in?
M-F early riser…S/S…a little later riser.
11. Favorite sweet to make during the Christmas holidays?
Cookies

Here's my 11 questions for my nominees:
1.  Favorite food item to bring to a potluck?
2.  What are your three most played songs on your iTunes?
3.  Do you prefer a Real book or an electronic reader?
4.  Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall?
5.  Favorite animals to see at the zoo?
6.  Favorite James Bond movie?
7.  Breakfast cereal of choice?
8.  To iron or not to iron?
9.  How many things are in your TpT wish list?
10. Guilty snack you eat while at the movie theater?
11. Mac or PC?


Here are my nominees:

1.  Krazy About Kindy
2.  Owl Righty Then
3.  Mrs. Pauley's Kindergaten



Saturday, November 24, 2012

UnStuff your Wallet Linky…Cha Ching

Hi Everyone, I hope you are recovering well from your Turkey day comas and from your shopping.  Personally speaking, the only shopping I'm doing is online and from my TpT wish list and from my favorite clip art shops.  

Shuna at A Pocket Full of Kinders is having a linky party {CLICK} and what better way to get a peek into what we all are stuffing in our carts.  Jump on over to her blog and join the party.  But for now, here's a look into my top three things…oh boy, I can't wait. 




Here's my first grab of the day come Monday…I just adore anything Gingerbread.  Jennifer over at Herding Kats in Kindergarten has this fantastic unit.  I know the kids will have so much fun learning with this…well me too!  Here's the link {HERE}


Next up is...

Deanna Jump's Reindeer Unit…Who can resist this during the month of December?  Not me!  It's in the cart.  Click {HERE} to add it to your cart too.

And finally last up is... 

Mel D's Seusstastic Classroom Inspirations Elf creation.  OMWord…I'm already planning on what to do each day…I can hardly wait to start this Tuesday! I'm already picturing their faces.
{HERE} is the link for her ADORABLE Elf unit


Have fun hitting the "check out" button come Monday…and Tuesday.  





Sunday, November 18, 2012

Stuffed with thankful thoughts linky party...

Want to have some fun tonight?  Then hop on over to Lyndsey blog A Year of Many Firsts for her stuffed with thankful thoughts linky party.   

{Here's the linky link}

1
I am incredibly thankful for these beauties each and every day for moments
 like this...

and this!

2
I am thankful for the blogging world that I stumbled upon last year that dazzled up my love for teaching again.  The very first blog I ever discovered was Fran's Kindergarten Crayons.  I'm even more thankful for being lucky enough to sit next to Fran at lunch for our SoCal not to long ago. 


3
I'm thankful for Spicy Tuna Rice Crispies…YUM! I'd eat them daily if I could.


4
I'm thankful for these two ladies who are forever my besties.  I find strength in their words and encouragement in their smiles.


5
I'm thankful for these wacky and lovable creatures named "The Bru" & Har Har…Love them to pieces.



6
…and I most thankful for my incredible parents who are continually there to guide and support me through thick and thin. {I'd upload a picture of them but my mom would be on the phone in two seconds…but oh well sometimes you have to live dangerously and I love this pic of them so I'm uploading it anyways.}  Shhh…don't tell her.


Now it's your turn…time to get a little linky.

Happy Stuffed with Thankful Thoughts...



Thanksgiving & A Pilgrim Story


 The month of November is my most fave of faves.  I just don't really know if it because we have so many days off? Or if it's the feeling in the air and being thankful but whatever it is…
I LOVE IT!!! 

How about you…are you in full swing Thanksgiving mode?  I am…or at least my students and I are.  We've been having learning about Pilgrims, Indians, turkeys, cornucopias, corn, fish, The First Thanksgiving, you name it and we've been learning about it. And…we still have next week too (Monday & Tuesday) that is.

How do you all celebrate?  My girls and I are for fortunate that my family lives all but five minutes from one another and my brother hosts Thanksgiving. YAY!! But what excites me the most every year is that my dad always cooks a turkey with all the fix-ins' just for for leftovers and delivers it Thanksgiving day.  Double Yay!! Bring on turkey leftovers.

So for those of you who have 2 or 3 days left of school…I've posted a new quick and simple Thanksgiving book called Pilgrim, Pilgrim - A Thanksgiving Story in my store.  I've included a color and b&w version so your students will have a booklet to read to their families at Thanksgiving.  Here is a quick sample.  You can find it in my store by clicking
{HERE}


Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours !!
Gobble Gobble