Yay for Creativity!

So I am a pretty crafty person. I am always trying this or that...hey, what can I say: I LOVE a craft project! And I come by it naturally...my sister, mom, and I are always sharing our creative escapades with each other.

My sister has been using "Pocket Books" in her classroom this year. I asked about them when she told me about them in Aug. or Sept. - but as any of you teach-peeps know, out of sight out of mind & I failed to get more info. or respond with interest, so Shawn stopped talking about it and the subject wasn't brought up again, until...

Now that I'm working on my Master's, there are a few more responsibilities as far as data & research are concerned. I do many of the things I've always done, now I just have to calculate and report out percentages of proficient students etc.

Well my action research project is about developing independence in descriptive writing by using small, differentiated groups. So I formed my writing groups, but to teach them I have to have something else for the kiddos-who are not in group-to do. Writing groups also run into my Science/Social Studies time, so integrating was ESSENTIAL for success.

So, who do I call when I need ideas & strategies...my sister!! She reminded me of the Evan Moor "Pocket Book" series -- I proceded to order Jan., Feb., Apr. - July. We're sharing...she has the others. So together we'll have the complete 12 month series.

Last week my 1st Graders started their first one...Famous Americans. And...they LOVE it! Today we started sewing bookmarks with their initals--to remember Betsy Ross. They know so much about her & because of the hands-on connections to making a 13 starred & striped flag & sewing an initialed bookmark, they have remembered EVERYTHING about this unit.

They are experts in: John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin, Betsy Ross, & after Friday...Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Gotta love it when you see the light bulbs shining--so bright they're blinding me!!!

Any Takers?

So my mom received Amish Friendship Bread starter, and gave me one. I made the bread in a bundt pan & I LOVE IT.

However, it is a lot of cake for one person & now I have 3 starters to give away. Any baker takers? It takes about 10 days & then you can get started.

It's really easy & all it requires are baking things you probably already have:
eggs, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, & vanilla

Only ingredients that you might not have on hand are:
lg. box of instant pudding & add ins (chocolate chips, nuts, raisins)

I do have friends...just they don't seem to be baker-takers of this starter. It's really tasty...promise :0)! Let me know if you're interested...

Claustraphobic?

So I never thought of myself as afraid of enclosed spaces--elevators, closets, trunks, etc. Probably because I've never been locked in one!

Well, on Wednesday that all changed. Have you ever experienced that panic when you lose control & really aren't sure how to solve a problem?

I'm pretty sure that's what happened to me! I was leaving for work & my garage wouldn't open...the overhead motor was just blinking. I didn't start to panic until I pushed the buttons, reached over my car & reset the motor & it STILL wasn't working. Then I realized I wouldn't be able to leave, how would I get to work--how would I get my car out--did my car have to stay trapped in here? My heart started racing & I kind of freaked out--who was going to help me?

Oh, but the cord--THANK GOD for the pull cord thingy that allowed me the freedom from my beastly garage. It is amazing how little I stopped to assess a situation before panic ensued! I'm even more grateful that I didn't get in total freak out mode before I recognized that the escape pull cord was dangling there all along.

Oh and have I mentioned before ;0) just how FANTASTIC a brother I have? ;0) Called him on my way to work & he dropped by to save the day. He fixed my garage & my garage light--it was doing that annoying flicker thing (even with new bulbs) so he rewired a new ballast, which is MORE energy efficient--YAY for BROTHERS. Then Evelyn made dinner. Love those 2!

Best & Worst

So in a Teaching with Love & Logic training this Saturday I had to write about my best & worst teachers.

My best was Mrs. Becker in 3rd Grade. She was older, probably close to retiring but she'd sing at her piano for transitions at least once day & we all had fun classroom jobs. I loved being in her class and especially loved the fun projects we'd do for holidays. Also I remember she was really good about reading aloud (I remember Jumanji & The Elves and the Shoemaker) to us and having parent speakers each month. I have so many memories: Secret Santa gift exchange, being Hawaii and voting for Roger Rabbit in our mock-Presidential election, and joining choir performing: Peter Rabbit & singing for soldiers before they deployed to Kuwait.

Worst...was 1st Grade. Maybe this is why I feel so compelled to be a good, relational 1st Grade teacher?!?! I remember not speaking in her class for days - and for those of you who know me I'm sure you're like "Yeah, right!" Really though, I remember her making me recite things in front of the class that she knew I couldn't do...I just felt so stupid so I started to play mute. I hated her class & I was almost retained because of my lack of cooperation in her presence! What's worse...well, my mom told me a few weeks ago that she's pretty sure this lady got Teacher of the Year in our former school district. I guess sometimes it's just a personality conflict, right?

So how goes it with you? What are your bests & worsts when it comes to school teachers & memories?

50 Things I Love

Well, this marks my 50th blog post. So fittingly I'll post 50 things I LOVE - also just in time for Valentine's Day!



1. Knowing that my future is settled - my faith is who I am, Jesus paid my way & words can't express that sacrifice or my gratitude.

2. My family...who would I be without their influence & modeling?

3. The sun - couldn't live in a place where it's not sunny for most of the year! CO, almost doesn't count because winter lasts FOREVER!!!!

4. Slippers - love having extra toasty feet.

5. Electric blankets, a must have for an AZ girl living in CO!

6. M&Ms a mix of regular & peanut (boys & girls as Casi says)

7. On-line school, kinda crazy considering I whine about it alot, but I'm really enjoying that I can just glance over all the annoying peoples' comments, not have to listen to them drone on & on for hours in a lecture hall!

8. Quilting, it has been fun learning how to sew like my mom & I'm getting better each quilt.

9. Claritin-D-nothing helps me breathe better with the allergies. Even when I have to sign my live away to get the script, it's SOOO worth it.

10. Teaching, most days it's fun & the BEST JOB EVER!

11. My boss-she's an amazing administrator, who thinks like a classroom teacher (very hard to find)!

12. Glee (need I say more?).

13. My brother's handy-man skills.

14. Fires - I love campfires, wood burning stoves, & electric fireplaces; love that toasty feeling & the smell doesn't bother me like it does some people.

15. Chai-tea try one, you might get addicted!

16. Talking on the phone with my sister.

17. FB - keeping in touch is fun, most of the time.

18. Aunt Dee Dee's e-mails because they're full of quilting patters she wants me to try.

19. Harry Potter - so sad to know the final movie #7 part 2 is almost here.

20. Going to the dentist - LOVE having a teeth cleaning.

21. Flip Flops - why wear shoes?

22. The Bachelor - love to watch & ponder the rantings of the cast members!

OMGsh...not even 1/2 way yet?!?! This is HARD!

23. Traveling (would love to visit all 50 States--next is FL; really want to go to NY).

24. Chick-flicks, can't resist 'em.

25. Reading - I'll read any book you give me, HONESTLY!

26. Coloring, I find it soothing to use Crayola crayons to color (guess I'm in the right profession :0)).

27. Jewelry, love those accessories (too bad they're kinda $).

28. Friends - spending time with people who care about me & who I care about.

29. Coffee, how do you get up without it?!

30. MY BED - can't believe it took this long to post, forgot you oh dear thing.

31. Going shopping, although I've cut WAY back in this dept.

32. Patterned socks...if you must wear socks, patterns make them fun.

33. Game nights - my competitive side comes ROARING out (I really enjoy winning)!

34. Popcorn, the movie theater kind hurts my tummy, but I love making it at home in a pot (not in the microwave).

35. COKE - another one I can't believe is so far down the list, but I've really been cutting it back.

36. My cat, Simon's great company.

37. Google - how did I find answers to all of life's questions before it?

38. Pedicures. I'd love to get one soon, any takers?

39. Finding new uses for old stuff, I keep things & it's fun to find ways to craft or reuse old items.

40. Frozen margaritas with EXTRA salt...mmmm!

41. Post-it notes. Well really, office supplies in general make me happy. Love those colored paper clips too!

42. Wireless mouse...one of the best & most thoughtful presents from my dad EVER! Plus he apologized because he "Couldn't find a pink one" LOL, too funny right?!?!

43. Pumpkin cookies with maple icing...tasty.

44. Sparkle eyeshadow...love the sparkle ones, most of mine sparkle (and if they don't I add the sparkle over the flat colors ha ha!).

Are we there yet?

45. My walk in closet - how have I lived for so long without you?

46. A clean house, gives me a sense of accomplishment.

47. A home cooked meal, even better when my mom makes it for me :0)!

48. A hug from a student...best yet, "You're my favorite teacher" comments melt my heart, truly!

49. My iPod, when everything stinks on the radio...just plug in the iPod & listen away.

50. Watching baseball (usually Nick's games) or playing with Noah & Addi. Being with my family, does life get any better than that?

"Back to School, Back to School"

Yes, it's going on my 6th year in education and I finally know what I want to be when I grow up...a teacher, FOREVER!

Well, specifically a primary teacher. So it's back to school I go. I'm enrolled at Grand Canyon University, taking online classes. I'm trying to earn my Masters in Education: Curriculum & Instruction, emphasis in Elementary Reading. Phew...that's a mouthful.

It will take 17 months. Seems like a short ammount of time, but after finishing my first week I think these months will be harder that I originally planned, isn't that always the case though?

Plus, this summer in July is DisneyWorld, FL with the WHOLE family--for about 2 weeks. Crazy to be enrolled in school?! Yeah, I know. BUT WAIT, it gets better! I also will be trying to teach summer school this year--for all of June. I have visions of my family on the beach & me in a hotel...typing...or sleeping from 1 too many late nights!

Wish me luck, too late to back out now!

Best Mom

I think my Mom is the greatest!


But, this post is to give congrats to my sister Shawn. She is really a TERRIFIC mother! Addison is such a pleasure to be around & she is super smart.


I see all these posts about wonderful kids...and I'm sure that is the case. I however want to take a minute & tell my sister that I think she is doing a AMAZING job with Addi-girl! Addison loves to be around people, shares, uses manners, and cleans up. She is after all only 17 months old -- that speaks to the routines & boundaries that my sister & Juan have established.


It is so much fun to bathe Addi, get kisses from her, shop with her, and watch her learn & grow in her little stubborn way. Keep up the hard work Shawn & Juan--Addi is truly A BLESSING to me!!