This one's for all the teachers out there...or for anyone that gets a kick out of cute things that kids do!
So...I might have said to my class, "If the phone rings one more time today, I'm going to jump out the window!" Oops...love my babies, and yes, that is a picture of cheese. They might know me a little, huh?:-)
Thankfully, the results from the needle biopsy were just what we hoped: benign! Now, if only my stinkin' hormones would cut it out....
When I asked the doctor what more I could do to prevent these fabulous fibroid tumors, she said that I was already doing the most important thing.....getting older day by day. Charming! She said as my hormone levels decrease, so will the chances that I develop more of these loves little gems. Glad there's some benefit, right???
Moving on, I decided it was time to count my blessings, stop being a slug, and make my body work for me. So back to Jazzercise I go! Now, before you judge, this NOT the workout you are probably thinking of:
It actually combines dance, weight training, Pilates, aerobic conditioning, and more! A one hour class can burn up to 600 calories and you get to dance to great music and have fun! My goal is to do 3 classes a week until spring break, then I hope to add in some extra conditioning classes as a last push before summer. I've done Jazzercise off and on for over 10 years and it works for me...if I actually go!
I also decided to see if I could find some new products I love, as I've been in a kind of makeup rut. Enter Ulta! Whoa! I love to shop for bargains, so finding a place that offers rewards and coupons for makeup? Score! New favorites so far:
Pop Face Magnet Primer
This primer has caffeine in it, which wakes up your skin, helps to minimize redness, and makes your foundation last like crazy!
Ulta brand Lipstick
It goes on so smoothly, the colors are beautiful, and it sells for $8 but was on sale for $4!
Ulta brand Tinted Lip Balm
My new favorite thing to keep in my desk at school. Just enough color and lots of moisture. Love!
I think I'm becoming a little Ulta obsessed. What are some of your favorite products that I should try???
Christmas around here began all holly and jolly! One of the ladies at school challenged me to sport a fun holiday look, so on our tacky sweater day at school, this happened:
It was a hit more so with the adults than the six year olds and I won the contest! Such fun! I can't believe the wiggly eyes stayed put all day and that I managed to conduct a perfectly professional ARD meeting, too. Parents must think teachers are totally nuts.
I got my wish of a pink Christmas tree this year:
I actually managed to get the tree half price after Christmas last year with my sweet sister's help. Score!
David and I enjoyed a quiet Christmas Eve together, starting with dinner at Cheesecake Factory(courtesy of a generous gift card from a precious student) and a little fun in downtown Grapevine to see the lights!
We celebrated with both sides of the family and our own furry babies, too.
One not so fun part of my break however included getting a call after my yearly mammogram that once again, a spot had been found that needed further scrutiny. Back I went for a diagnostic mammogram, followed by an equally exciting sonogram on New Year's Eve. It was then determined that I didn't just have nice clear cysts, but a tiny mass on the left side. Today's fun included a needle aspiration, followed by an ultrasound guided core biopsy. The doctor said it looks to be another fibroid tumor---just like last time, a little over a year ago. Results should come in by Monday, so fingers crossed that I dodge the same bullet twice! And for those keeping track, I now have 2 titanium chips, one on each side---marked for the surgeon "just in case" and so the areas can easily be monitored in the future. Tylenol, an ice pack, and a healthy dose of care and attention from my ever sweet husband make it all better! Here's to starting 2014 in a memorable way, right?
For every teacher, there is a day or hour or moment in time when their class becomes "theirs". At least, I hope so! For me, it happened on day 12 this school year. We had just finished a read aloud and almost all 19 of my kids excitedly wanted to share a connection they had to the story and, wham! Just like that, they were "mine"!
So far, I've gone to 2 birthday parties, a softball game, a cheerleading show off, and have many more fun times on our class community calendar. It is shaping up to be a great year!
Next week is parent conferences and I am so excited to share all the progress and goals for these babies. I can't believe we're almost done with the first six weeks!
Ah, fall! Sharpened pencils, new school clothes, fresh beginnings, and back to school!!! Ok...so, it's not quite fall, really. Not in Texas, anyway, but it IS back to school time and I am so excited...again!
I am blessed to be starting my 20th year of this adventure and since I'm going back to first grade after a four year stint serving in a specialist role, I am completely refreshed and ready to get started! Well, almost ready. We're never really completely ready. Teaching is always a work in progress. However, after spending the summer leisurely moving in and decorating, I'm ready to do a classroom tour!
Let's start with the "before":
Actually, my new teammates had been using it for storage, but they graciously cleaned it out, I cleaned out the cabinets with their help, and started moving in...in MAY! Yep, I had all summer and got to take my time. Teacher friends...can I get a WOO! ? :)
Drumroll, please....
The view as you walk in:
Our math tubs with the most awesome Ikea rug:
The student cubbies, to the right of the door:
The bathroom door, where I am putting our guiding questions as a way of displaying our objectives:
The classroom library/reading center:
I organize these books by genre and interests. I do have leveled books by the small group table. I do a hybrid of Daily 5 and Debbie Diller's Workstations. It's all based on student choice and using evidence to show practice and learning...and it's FUN!!!
More centers:
The Workshop board:
My little corner with small group table. I kept my desk, but use the horseshoe table most of all during the day, as we do Reading, Math, and Writer's Workshops.
At the end of each group of desks, I've placed a shelf from Target with the students' browsing baskets to keep their leveled books from small group. The three drawer units hold more center supplies.
The front left corner:
One of my favorite things...the ceiling tiles I painted:
Our Share Chair! This doubles as the Big Books center:
Well, there you have it! I think I am in love with my sweet little corner room. Now all I need is some lesson plans and some sweet new babies!
Happy Back to School! Make it a great year!
And now, for a picture recap of The Happiest Place on Earth, Volume No. 18:
First I got these:
And we got on a plane and went here:
The Boardwalk!!! Our DVC home away from home (aka: Heaven on Earth)
The lobby:
We ate some wonderful meals:
Saw the sights:
Rode our favorite rides:
Saw amazing fireworks:
And completely enjoyed ourselves!
Sigh...Disney days just don't come often enough!
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