SNOW BE-GONE!

Growing up in the south makes you pine for snow and more snow, but its because we never get any.  Until last year.  It snowed and snowed last year and we were in school till June and now we are on our 4th snow day this week.  That’s right 4th!  The 7-14 inches of snow that fell in the surrounding areas has shut down our little town.  I am going stir crazy being snowed in at my Mommas.  I guess its better than being home alone.  So all I want this Wednesday is the snow to be gone!  Somehow I don’t think its going anywhere with the temps being in single digits tomorrow.  I am sure we will be out of school Friday and Monday (for MLK/REL Day) and return Tuesday seriously re-energized and ready to teach!

Other than no snow I want this!  It is from Mark It with a B.  I originally saw in it in my Southern Living

Magazine as a present topper.  I want one of each size!  With my new initials of course!  I would love to have some to hang inside my wreaths at my reception, one on my front door when we get home from the honeymoon, and several to give friends.(bridesmaids gifts anyone?)  You could prime it and spray paint it a solid and then polka dot it for a fun girl’s b-day party, perfect for wedding showers, baby showers, and store fronts. Ex. My sister’s old store was Cherry Tree Lane so the initials could be CTL or my friend Nicole’s store in Trussville, AL The Spotted Zebra her initials could be TSZ!  How fun would that be to paint!

What would you do with your monogram?

Teacher Talk

Teachers Pay Teachers

Don’t you just love when you are looking for that idea that is going to help you decide what to teach next week?  Well, look no more!  Teachers pay Teachers is a great website to find just about anything and everything you can imagine.  No matter what grade or subject you teach. You will find something that you can use.  Some things are free but some things are a little bit.  Deanna Jump and Brooke Perry have some awesome items that can be downloaded as soon as you purchase them. 

You can make your own account and start making money for your ideas.  In all of our spare time (right?).  That’s my goal in 2011, but it will be awhile before you see any of my ideas and documents.  In the meanwhile, support these other teachers and visit their blogs for free downloads as well as purchasing items from Teachers Pay Teachers.

Do you have any other favorite websites/blogs that are your go to sites?

Make It Monday

SNOW DAY!

I am all out of sorts because I decided to get “snowed in” at my momma and daddy’s house instead of mine.  I have a great snowman craft to show you that is at school so I will wait till I can include some pictures to blog about that.  I will share with you a project from the fabulous girls over at eighteen25.  They showcased this project for Christmas, but those of use who do snowman units in January could use it then. 

I will also leave you with some stunning Winter Wonderland pictures of the 8 inches of snow that fell in North Alabama!

         

    

Enjoy the winter break!  How much snow fell at your house?

Wedding Weekend

The Dress
I have been looking at wedding dresses my whole adult life.  I worked at Kennedy’s Bridal in college and had to quit to student teach.  Then my sister bought it and changed the name to Cherry Tree Lane (from her favorite movie Mary Poppins).  So needless to save with every new catalog we would immediately pick “which one was ours.” So you can imagine in the last six years how many of “That’s the One” moments we have had.  My criteria was tough to meet:
NO STRAPLESS!  I hate it when you look in the paper on Sunday and all the brides look the same.  Their shoulders just a showing with maybe an inch of their dress.
No Back out!  I am a realistic kinda gal… who wants to see my back walking down the aisle..uh, NO-Body. That’s Who!
No lace-up back.  I am sure this is a personal preference, but I can’t handle that!
Pockets: I.Love.Pockets.  I’ve never really been one to know what to do with my hands.  They always end up being awkward. Behind  your back, laced in front, arms crossed, on your hips??? All of the above give my grandmother and mom a chance to “make a face.” So hence the pockets!
A-line…not ballgown.  I once wore a ballgown to a winter formal… It was beautiful, but Lord Have Mercy at the dress.  I could even get up in the truck.  Very  impractical, for me on my wedding day, even though I think they photograph well.
I am sure there was more criteria to meet, but we will leave it at that.  Whitney sold her store but not before we both found “The One” we wanted for real.  I will show you a few inspirations I used to find my wedding dress.  Of course, you’ll have to wait 182 days and then after the honeymoon before I post it on here!
*All images are from theknot.com
And my all time favorite dress (besides the one I actually  bought) is this Monique Lhuillier.  It is beautiful and my  dream dress, but oh, well. I love my dress and can’t wait to put it on July 9th!

Free Choice Friday

Sight word Review Game

For those of you who use Scotts Foresman you know how l-o-n-g reading is for our little firsties.  It seems like they have to sit there and listen to you talk for hours.  My reading coach and I decided to spice things up and get them involved.  Student Engagement = Paying attention!  (I know you already knew that!) So on Thursdays, we play a little game of Smack It!  As soon as I introduce the new sight words my kids start asking when we are going to play it.  THEY LOVE IT!
This is how you play:

1. Write the words you want Ss to review on your board:

* Variation: Instead of writing the words on the board, write them on a post it note.  It is easier to set up and they don’t erase :)


2. Place a line of tape away from the board.  Ss need this so they will stay behind the line and it will be fair.  Otherwise you are going to get a lot of “This is not fair” when the student loses.
3. Students will need a pointer.  We use fly swatters so the game is true to its name “Smack It”.
4.  Have two students stand behind the line.  (I use my '”sticks” with Ss #s on them to call out who gqes first and next…) call out a word and let them smack it.  The first Ss who smacks it stays and the one who lost gets a sticker and sits back down. 

This a great and quick way to review your sight words.  I hope your kids love it as much as mine.  Let me know how you use it and if your kids love it.  Have fun!
.

Thankful Thursday

It’s not just the Little Things
but this time the big things….or thing…that I am thankful for today.  Today I am thankful for 12 very special women I call my bridesmaids.  Yup that’s right 12!  I can’t imagine life without each and every one of them.  They each bring out a little different side of me.  I could go on and on about each one of them, but to find out more go to our wedding website:
www.theknot.com/ourwedding/LauraHill&CarterLedgewood
I couldn’t ask for a better bunch of girls. Praying right now that near future get-to-gethers are for happy times and not sad.
*I am currently in panic mode because I have forgotten my user name and password for the knot.! ugg so forgive the emptiness.  We are working on getting it under control.

What big or little thing are you thankful for?

What I Want Wednesday

kate spade: Charm Heel

I.Love.These. I came across these in my search for bridesmaids’ shoes. They are like engagement rings for your feet.  I already have my wedding shoes, but Carter and I have a little wager and if I win then he buys them for me!  Can’t you just see my freshly painted toes just peeping out with my wedding dress pulled up around my shins.  Fabulous Photo in my head. Now just to keep my end of the deal…Harder said than done.  Will see..these are major motivation.

Photo Courtesy of; Zappos.com