One Last Post Before I'm Off to No Man's Land...

I've decided to link up with Michelle at Fabulous in First for one last post before I go off the grid for a few days! Merry Christmas all and Happy New Years!

Hot Chocolate or Eggnog? 

Hot chocolate. Since I am allergic to eggs, eggnog might not be a good idea! However, I used to drink my Grandma’s eggnog…let’s just say it was less egg and more nog! Lol.

Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them underneath the tree? 

Well when Santa visited me…some things were wrapped and some where unwrapped…now everything is stuffed in my stocking..which was knitted by my great aunt. Those suckers can hold a lot! When the day comes that I have children of my own gifts will probably be both wrapped and unwrapped!

Colored lights or white? 

I used to love colored lights, but now I am liking the white lights. There is just something magical about them.

When do you decorate? 

Sadly…we don’t decorate! We are never home for Christmas so we very rarely put up a tree. That will all change in the new house. I do however decorate my classroom and that usually happens after Thanksgiving break.

Real or Fake Tree? 

Well I am allergic to the real things, so fake it is!

What Tops Your Tree?

When I put up a tree it is a Purple and Gold Star to go along with my LSU inspired tree!

Favorite Christmas Memories or Traditions?

Every we go to my Grandma’s and Aunts. Even though all the cousins have grown older and are starting our own families we still stick with our traditions. At some point we all watch Christmas Vacation; because we truly are the Griswolds…we used to pull up in an RV…so I guess my family is Eddie Griswold. Lol. Every Christmas Eve we have my Grandma’s Sauce Piquant (Cajun dish, kinda like Jambalaya and Gumbo together) then we open presents from each other. Then it is off to bed. My Favorite memory would be my cousin Jarred and I sneaking into the living room to see what Santa brought. As we go older we got wiser and used walkie talkies and flash lights. Then Christmas Morning comes and we open presents (and act surprised) then every comes over to my aunts for Christmas lunch with fried turkey and all the yumminess! Then we watch the movies we got in our stockings. My mom and dad’s anniversary is the day after Christmas sometimes we go out to eat other times we stay home.

Do you remember your favorite gift as a child? 

I would have to say it was when I got my dog Muffie, who has since passed. My uncle had gotten a puppy and his nephew had gotten the puppy’s sister and we were all passing the puppies around loving on them, when I went to go give the puppy back to my uncle he already had his, so I went to go give it back to his nephew, but he already had his! I was like well who’s puppy is this? Everyone said she was mine! She was a cute little snowball, even though she was a blue heeler. I had her for 16 years until she died of cancer, she out lived her brother and sister that my uncle and his nephew had.

She did not like her Halloween Costume...

Do prefer giving or receiving? 

Is it bad if I say both? Lol. I love giving to my friend’s kids it is pure joy watching them open their presents.

What is your favorite Christmas song? 

It is actually a new one (well new to me) that my church choir sang in their Christmas Cantata. It is called Heaven Everywhere by Francesca Battistelli.

Candy Canes. Yuck or Yum? 

Yuck…I like peppermints, but for some reason I don’t like candy canes. I know I am weird!

Favorite Christmas Movie? 

Christmas Vacation and Elf

Do you shop online or at stores?

Online, I become scrooge when I am in the stores!  

Photo Cards, Letter or Store Bought Card? 

All??? I send special cards to special people, everyone else gets good ole’ store bought ones!

Five for Friday (Ok, Saturday) and Yule Logs?

One of my wonderful coworkers saw that I always had a paper towel or stack of klennex under my glass of water. She bought me the awesome thirsty stone for Christmas! I also got a car candle, LSU Garden Stone, and a bunch of sweets! I work with some amazing people that make me laugh and feel loved daily!

Getting mom's Christmas Present ready! She has a NOOK Color and has been asking (more like hounding) me for an iPad. I have been telling her she didn't need an iPad and my dad told her she could have a Kindle  and she said "I don't want a stupid Kindle" (no offense to Kindle lovers). We bought her an iPad Mini and I had the genius idea of wrapping it in a Kindle Fire Box (hehehe). Again, my amazing coworkers came through and hooked me up with a Kindle Fire Box. 

Every year we drive 6 hours to my Gma's in Louisiana. Since I have gotten older, we open our presents before we leave so we don't have to pack them (don't worry, we still have AWESOME stockings). This is EXACTLY the results I wanted when she opened her iPad Mini....

Her look is priceless! She really really really didn't want a kindle!

When she realized it was an iPad!

We had it engraved with...

"You don't need and iPad"

Bottom Layer: Kitchen Flooring
Middle Layer: My Kitchen Counter top and cabinet stain sample (at the top)
Top: Wall color

Cabinet color and style

Exterior finishes. I will have a metal roof.

Possibly my exterior lights

Finalizing my house finishes. The footings were dug Thursday and poured Friday, it is one big muddy mess right now because of the rain. They are suppose to come frame out the foundation sometime next week!

Ice Storm???? Sigh.... at least we haven't lost power! Had to knock some ice off the satillite dish so we could have TV...at least I can watch my Hallmark Movies now with this snuggle buddy...

Enough said!

Onto the Yule Logs...

In the weeks leading up to our winter break my kiddos and I took a pre-vacation around the world! Thanks to Sarah Cooley at First Grader...at Last! for her AMAZING Christmas Around the World Scrapbook, the kids loved it! We went all over the place but our stop in France was the most memorable. In France they celebrate with Yule Logs, so we made our own! These are some of my favorites that my little darlings made:

Yes those are Swiss Rolls and M&M's. There should of been frosting, but I was pushing our "no sugary snacks" policy. My little darlings made it work and had fun doing it! I truly enjoyed watching them be creative. One of my Autistic Darlings who very rarely expresses anything not in monotone voice or in meltdown mode, wanted to know how to make a real Yule Log, so while they were making them I found this video on YouTube...he told me "Um yeah, mine for sure isn't going to look like that!" (His is the bottom one) we just giggled together. I highly recommend checking out all of Sara's cool things on her TPT Store!


Now to leave you with another funny story...

That same Autistic Darling's class was having hot chocolate in their class when I came to pick them up for my class time. He wanted to know if he could bring it with him and I said of course! As he was walking towards me and his teacher he almost spilled it, but he caught himself and saved it from spilling! I told him "B why don't you hold it with both hands" and without missing a beat he said "Are you kidding me? It's hot!" I replied, "Well would you like for me to carry it?" again without missing a beat he said "What for you to drink it? Think again Tim!" He was on a roll this week! It always makes me happy when he is witty and happy like he was this week!


Sorry this was so long, but I wanted to share my funnies with you! I want to leave you with one last note...

Holy Wow!

It's been a super long time since I have posted something! Sorry! Life and work have been super crazy! Crazy enough to not post for more than a year? Yes! No boring details I promise! 

I will say that for the past couple of years I have been trying to get everything together to build a house. Being a single gal, I thought maybe my Prince Charming would show up and then we could build a house together. Bad news, Prince Charming hasn't shown up yet! I have decided to tackle the having a house built on my own (maybe Prince Charming will show up then!). The good news is, I have started the process. I am acting as contractor (well, ok my Daddyo is helping me out while I work). I know, I think I am crazy at times to add the stress of building a house to the stress of work! Oh well! I'm EXCITED!!!!

I am going to get a jump start on one of my resolutions for the coming year....keep the blog up to date! What better way than getting a fresh new look! Thanks to The Cutest Blog on the Block for the cute new design! You know another good way to kick start this resolution? Linking up with Farley for the December Currently, enjoy! 

Please hang in there with me while I figure out the new layout of everything! I love when Tech companies change how things are done! Now where did my cute buttons go? Well I am off to play around with this thing (yes, more procrastinating!)

Calling all Techies! and a Currently! (Semi Long Post)

I have been super busy I haven't had a chance to post! Plus my allergies and sinuses have been driving me crazy and now it has moved to my chest...needless to say it took all I had to stay at work today. Yes, I have the sick days...but I just don't like doing that to my kiddos!

Anyways...My district requires us to to PLCs (Professional Learning Communities) and of course all us SPEDies (new wordy!) formed a group. The district has set our first topic for us...Math and the Common Core (I feel like that should be said in a big booming voice!)

Apparently I have been designated as the resident computer geek! I was asked if I could create an online community where we can share resources, documents, ideas, and just to chat. Sooooo...does anyone have any good FREE websites for this? I know I can do a wiki, but it is just so blah...I like to spice things up a bit. Now most of the teachers will be accessing this from school and our lovely IT department is taking care of us and making sure we don't get any unwanted virus and has blocked some sites. I thought maybe I could do a Google Circle? But found out it is blocked at work plus I didn't know if it could be private or not.

Any ideas, links, blogs or anything that will help me out in a WAY cool way besides a wiki would greatly be appreciated!

Time for the Currently! Of course I have linked up with Farley over at Oh' Boy 4th Grade for September's Currently... so here it goes...

Favorite Things....

1) Flocabulary for those who haven't discovered it yet is....Hip Hop in the Classroom. Now the website isn't free, but you can do a 14 day free trial. They have songs for everything imaginable in Language Arts, Vocabulary, Math, Science, Social Studies. I teach in a rural school and my kiddos LOVE It!

2) ZUMBA! What is not to love I get an AMAZING workout and have fun at the same time! I am not a big workout fan, but I have stuck to this and go to a class at least 2 times a week! I have the Xbox Kinect Game and I use it when I can't make it to a class for some odd reason, BUT the class is WAY WAY WAY better! Want to find a class near you? Well Ditch the Workout, Join the Party!

WOW!

 What a week! This is only the 5th day of school and I already feel like I am being pulled in every which direction! My caseload is the biggest it has ever been and it keeps growing! I feel like everything is on fast forward!

This week has been all about learning about  my new move in and transfer students. I have also been assessing them to see where they are working so I have a good feel of where I need to put them through out my curriculum.

My principal has set my schedule for me (a blessing in disguise!) I just wish I had the kiddos a little bit longer! I feel like just as we get going it is time for them to go! I know that it will improve as the year goes on, but there is so much I NEED to do with them!

Is anyone feeling the same way I am?

Anyways that is all for now! I am off to relax and try to catch up on a week and a half worth of tv shows on my Tivo and 4 Netflix Movies!

Warning: Long Post and a Classroom Reveal!

It is time to reveal my classroom (good time since school starts tomorrow!! AKKK!) Now these pictures were taken before I had put all of my finishing touches on it. And honestly I just forgot to take pictures yesterday....it was a busy and long day (we had Back to School Night).

I am linking up with two linky parties.....

From Swimming Into Second

and....

from Brigid's Daily Lesson Log

There is a story that goes with this reveal, so here it goes.....

At the end of the 2010-2011 school year I was told that I was going to have to move rooms to make room for another 6th grade class. I accepted the challenge and all went smoothly in the move! Well at the end of last year (2011-2012) I was told I was going to have to move again. I expected this since we are getting half of our new school and we were having to add 2 more classes (one 1st and one 4th). I once again accepted the challenge, however it didn't go as smoothly this year! Since we had to add 2 more classes they moved portables in and the music teacher and the Title I teacher were moved into the portable. The extra 1st grade class went into my old room, the extra 4th went into the music room, and I went into the Title I room. This is where things didn't go smoothly! The Title teacher couldn't move her stuff until the portables were placed, so I couldn't move my stuff! However, we worked together to unpack her cabinets and load my junk in them. We couldn't move furniture until after summer school and they had waxed the floors. So I left on vacation! When I came back I was able to get in the room and I moved all her stuff to one side of the room (luckily she didn't have as much as me!) and all my stuff on the other side.... here is a picture of all my stuff on my half of the room!

Now I didn't get a picture of her side. Sorry! It was funny though because I had a path all around so I could maneuver.

After I got everything moved I spent multiple hours painting 4 bulletin boards. I was lucky because she had painted all of them but 4!

2 weeks ago they got the portables set up (they didn't get electricity until this Monday!) and all her stuff moved out and I went to work! Please keep in mind I took these with some finishing touches still left, but here is the final product... I went with the Dots on Turquoise and Paisley on Turquoise theme this year (have to say this is my favorite by far!)

My new and improved classroom library...sorted by lexile level! The shelf is accessible by both sides. The shelf came from IKEA and so did the little Green Table and  stools

After you step in the door and turn left...

My AR Board...When the kiddos reach 20 points they get on Mr. Potato Head and get a coupon to a local ice cream place. The little buzz is 70 points or more and they get a $10 gift card to a local restaurant of choice if they get there. I have been doing this for the past 2 years and it motivates them to read (which normally they could careless). The big Buzz and the thermometer is the whole class goal...the choose how many points they want to get to and they choose the reward. They have until they reach the goal before it changes (but there is only one party a semester). The red poster is where I post their points so they aren't constantly asking me how many points they have. I post it first thing every Monday morning. Up at the top is my CRAFT board that I picked up from Ladybug's Teacher Files

Turn in station... See my Monday made-its?

Looking from one of my "teaching spots" 

My reading center. I have one more black panel to hang up (that's it on the table). They create a nice see through division between "my" space (file cabinets and resources) and "everybody's" space. They came from The Container Store

My Manners board...the posters and paisleys are covering up major damage from something the teacher before me had super glued up there! That is why it looks a little funny! I picked up the posters from Alicia Wyand's TPT Store

My Curtains my mommy made! 

Hope you enjoyed the tour! I anticipate that I will have to move at least 1 or 2 more times before my classroom is built (in the second half of the new building). I plan on keeping my theme as long as I can! I will be a classroom packing pro!

Long long day and a Monday Made It

WOOOO! What a day! Today was our first official day back as teachers. We were given the privilege to sit in meetings all day! Some of us get to do it again tomorrow (not me,WOOOHOOOO!!!)

This is going to be short an sweet tonight...I am very tired since my sleep habits have become horrible over the summer...getting up before noon is killing me already!

I linked up with 4th Grade Frolics once again for Monday Made It!

Now this is something I have used for the past 5 years in my classroom. It just got a little updated. So my Monday Made It was my Can't Can.

Huh?

Being that I am a resource room it seems that some of my students favorite word is the word "can't"...for example... "Miss Peters I can't do this it is to hard" or "Miss Peters I can't read this I don't know how" I STRONGLY dislike the word can't especially when it comes from my kiddos, it breaks my heart because they can...just in a different way!

So.....anytime someone says can't their name goes in the can. Whoever DOESN'T have their name in the can at the end of the nine weeks, semester, year (whatever mood I am in) receives some special incentive. For me this USED to be a pizza party, however my school has become a health and fit school so certain foods and beverages are not allowed. I will probably do a movie party or electronics day this year.

Pretty simple, huh? As the year progresses the classes find other words that should be added to the can....so last year my can was the "Can't, don't, wanna, umm, like, whatever" Can. I just cut up scrap paper or index cards for the kiddos to write their name on. Hope this gave you an AMAZING idea!

So here is my redone can......

You can't really see the cute handle (my bad!) but it is all different colored ribbon!

Don't forget to hop on over to 4th Grade Frolics to see all the nifty fifty made its!

Hopefully tomorrow (when I don't have to go to meetings) I will get pictures of my classroom and share them with you all!