The mouth of babes...

Tonight I was able to watch my friend's kids as she was needed by her daughter who was sick.  As I brought the boys into my house, the youngest one asked, "Where's your dad?"

I told him my dad had moved to Virginia a few years ago.

His brother came back with, "I know what he means..."

My brain finally made the connection.  "You mean my husband?"

"Yeah," he said.

"I don't have one."

Yep, here it comes..."Why?"

"I don't know, honey.  I don't know."

Oh...to be young and not understand it all.  Oh, wait, I'm old and I still don't understand. But his innocence made me laugh and just enjoy what I do have.

Classroom Blog

Thanks to a great friend, I am moving our students blogs into a class blog.  You can find us at wearebloggingbees.blogspot.com.

Please read the guidelines so you know what is expected for commenting.  Excited to share more of our classroom life with you there.

I'll still share some funny stories here, but with share more of our learning and thoughts over there.

Thanks for advance visits!

My Classroom...rearranged

I changed the background of the closet doors to black, trying to make it all color-coordinated.  I also have a table in there because we have 3.5 sections this year.  What, you say?  As of today, I have 20 in the morning for reading/writing and then 26 in the afternoon for math, science, and social studies.  I will rotate kids in and out who get to sit at the table.  

We have new computer counters which are currently serving as some hide some stuff under them.  I also bought two new stools from Ikea...love that place!  The black bins will be scattered throughout the room to hold book bins.

Currently, a working with words station.  Underneath is a container with sorted magnetic families.  I am planning on differentiating my words instruction by letting kids know which boxes they can work through.  We will create "I Can..." lists for each station.  The other side of this easel is a chalkboard and also a roll of paper.  Excited for the possibilities!

Our class library!!!!!!  I rearranged some baskets today.  Moved the chapter books all onto certain shelves and need to revisit all of the bins.  Notice the great chairs there?  They were painted from my favorite book, Beware of the Frog, and were a prize for the slice of life challenge.  Excited about letting the kids use them for buddy reading and for their own reading time!

My new desk!!!!  To the right is our tray of writing paper choices.

Our writing choices.

Our meeting and sharing area.  Meeting in a group, sharing in a circle.  And yes, the rug is from Ikea!  :)

Where I will host small group instruction.  Plus, students will now not argue over who sits on the bench for our morning meeting.  

Currently housing various items needed for work in our classroom.  The pile of paper will move soon...just not sure where yet.  Organization is the key...

Feel free to offer any critiques or questions...and yes, if you think it's the most amazing classroom, you can tell me that too.  ;)

Not for the weak at stomach...

What you are about to see may turn your stomach, so if you are weak at stomach, I give you permission today to skip my blog.

Living by myself has its disadvantages and advantages.  Disadvantage - I have to do lots on my own.  Advantage - I learn how to do a lot!

The drain in my shower seems slow lately.  Rather than dumping some Drano down the drain, I took measures into my own hands.  Found this amazing tool at Ace.  It was only $3, so if it didn't work, it wasn't like I wasted tons of money.  Looks harmless, right?  Watch out blockages!!!

It's easy!  Just stick it down the drain, wiggle it around, and pull it back out slowly.

Again, for those of weak stomachs, I beg you to stop scrolling!!!!!!

Stop...Unless you're ready for it!!!

It's called Zip-It!

For those who made it this far, isn't it amazing and gross???  Cleaned out three drains today and am excited to see if it helps with drainage!!!

Before and After

It's been one of those kind of summers.  A before and after summer.  I've completed many projects and love seeing the befores and afters.  I hope you do too.

The desk and chair my dad had painted for me to celebrate my IU days.

The desk now in my classroom, freshly painted black.  I plan on changing the seat cover too...just haven't done it yet.

Well???

Why not?

I am a sucker for bargains.  I love clearance (within reason), sales, coupons, and all things that save my green stuff.

However, today, I splurged.  On myself...

For my dining room table

In my bathroom

Up above a hutch in my kitchen

A tool to clean out drains without chemicals...more to come on that one, but only for those who can handle it.

Workouts...

I lay here...and am definitely ready for bed tonight.  Not only did I have a training session this morning, I completed the 21st day of my burpee challenge.  Start with one and add one a day until you reach 100.  Only 79 days to go.  My trainer also challenged me to do something instead of just watch tv...therefore, tonight (so thankful for my summer roommate) during every commercial break of Bachelor Pad (yes, I admit I watched it - all three hours of it), we did ten push-ups.  Ten...not too bad.  However, three hours equals 150 push-ups.

My arms are exhausted and will probably not turn on the tv at all tomorrow.  Well, maybe just to watch Hoarders...

Road Trip

This summer I took a small road trip to visit a friend in a nearby state.  My friend is always so gracious in hosting me.  While driving to her house, and just crossing the state border, I noticed these giant windmills (is that what they're called?).  Grabbing my camera, I snapped a photo and on my way back, pulled over for some safer shots.  (I am trying to become spontaneous with my camera and document the ordinary events of my life).  I had a blast reconnecting with my friend, seeing her kids, and enjoying healthy recipes and homemade bread!

What a deal!!!

I stopped at the grocery store last night...Wednesday is the final days of the week long sale at the store and I was going to be headed out town that night.

Let me just tell you...I hit the jackpot!

I am not ashamed of the clearance items.  Due to my father's love for discount stores, I have picked up a few tricks.  I remember when we were in grade school how he would take us around and teach us what to look for.

I bought

• 4 bags of steamable veggies (broccoli slaw and carrots and sugar snap peas) for 99 cents (normally 2 for $4)
• 3 boxes of jasmine rice (6 servings each) for 99 cents
• 2 boxes of VitaTop muffins (cranberry bran - not my favorite, but I'm up for trying them...maybe with some chocolate) for $1.29, normally over $5.
• 3 boxes of organic mushrooms for half off...only $1.29

Woo hoo!  I love my vegetables...and I love them more when they are on sale or for cheap!