I need s'more time!!!

It is extremely hard to believe that my summer is basically over!! I think I have spent a good 50-60 hours in my room already & it is soooo close to being done!! There are only a few small things that are keeping me from being 100% done.... however I'm pretty positive that even if I get those few small things done, more will be added to the list!! Story of my life.

I wanted to take part in each of the different topics over on Blog Hoppin' this week, BUT life got in the way.  Well... not so much that it got in the way, but I chose to enjoy as much of this week with my sweet little one before we go back!!  This week, we went on an impromptu trip to Sea World... for the 3rd time this summer!! B had an absolute blast, except for when "Shmoo" (Shamu) splashed us until we were SOAKED!

She was out before we even made it out of the entrance to Sea World, poor kid.

We also enjoyed our last lunch date of the summer at our FAVORITE spot!! If you haven't ever been to McAlister's Deli, you're missing out!!  B loves it so much that every. single. time. we drive by she says "momma, momma, eat!"  B's lunch of choice is generally mac&cheese, grapes, & sweet tea!!

In an effort to get B acquainted with her new daycare, I decided to take her a few times this week!  My hope is that next week will go very smooth... Things are going great so far, she is just exhausted when she gets home!! At 5 this evening, she was already laying on the dining room floor with her ladybug pillow pet acting like she wanted to go to bed!!   I can't say I blame her because I was quite tempted to join her on the floor!

While B was at daycare, I was working away in my room!  I managed to get my bulletin board done!!! After a trip to HobLob I was set to go!

Once I have my class list (that is looking quite large 22+) their names will go on the marshmallows over the fire!! I think this is my favorite bulletin board out of all the ones I've ever done!!!! :)  If you caught the post about my classroom earlier this week where I showed how it's set up & decorated... You're probably wondering how in the world I came up with this theme.  Well, our school theme this year is camping & while I don't usually take part in decorating to match (no one does) I also couldn't figure out what the heck I was going to put out there for BTS!!  So after brainstorming for days... I came up with this!! I also made my meet the teacher goodie to match!!

 These are gram crackers stuffed with s'more filling!! They are made by Honey Maid & called Gramfuls!  I snagged a box of 24 for less than $8 at Sams.

To grab the tags, you can {click here}.  

They are editable so you can add your name before printing off!! :)

On top of that... I managed to get a couple other things done today... Here is a picture of a few!  The burlap banner I made is for our photo booth that we will be having for staff next week!! Can't wait!! The chevron banner is still up as a freebie on my Facebook page!! :)

Before I go though, I would like to share a few tips & tricks of the trade! :) 

Tips:  

Remember that each class & student you get each year is new to you.  Don't judge them (as a whole of individually) based on what teachers they had the prior year say.  Let all of your new babies come in with a clean slate.  Form your own opinions & let those of others go in one ear and out the other.  

With that, remember that each class is different.  Just because something worked wonderfully for one group of kids (i.e. classroom management, lesson, etc) doesn't mean that it will work so great for the next.  Be willing to change, be willing to learn new methods for teaching different content & strategies.  After all, if we are not willing to try new things & be a learner ourselves, how can we expect our kids to be?

Tricks: 

I wish I had a picture for this one, but I don't! :( That's what happens when I don't think ahead!!

One of my biggest life savers when I get a new kiddo is having pre-made bags with all the necessities they we will need to get them started together & ready to go! 

What is this bag made up of?

Beginning of the Year Letters 

(classroom management, parent contatct, expectations, etc)

 Homework Journal

Take Home Folder

Labels for Journals & Folders

& anything else special that we use

By having these things ready to go & fixed up for kids when the arrive, it makes the craziness of a new kiddo arriving at your door go a little bit smoother!  I know I can just go grab a bag & we can at least make it through the day!  

For those of you that are back already, I hope you had a great week!! For those of you that start back with me on Monday.... I hope you savor every moment left of the weekend!! I sure plan to, especially since I will be getting to meet a bunch of fellow bloggers at a blogger meet up!! :)  Excite! 

Let's Talk About ME!

So I have to be honest.... when thinking about what today's teacher week post is called.... All I can think about is Toby Keith's I Wanna Talk About Me song!  Needless to say, it is now STUCK in my head!

Ok...Here is goes! ;) Blog Hoppin' Teacher's Week 2013 is underway!! :)

1. My name is Kelli & I am the mother to a precious little fire cracker, Berklee!!  She is by far the best thing that the great Lord above has blessed me with!! She is my world!  My family is my life, I would truly be lost without them.  I am the oldest of 8 kids... Yes, 8.  However it is a blended family! 

I had to share this picture, it perfectly captures both the personalities & relationship between my daughter & I.  This a photo collage I made from my birthday, this past Friday!  It was a wonderful day & the surprise of my flower bed being finished by my siblings & being the WINNER of an Erin Condren giveaway, was just icing on the cake!!! :) 

 2.  I am entering my fourth year of teaching.  I still am having a hard time swallowing that I've already been at this for 3 years, because it sure doesn't feel like it!  The last three years have FLOWN by!  I have spent all 3 years at the same school & in 2nd, I'm blessed y'all!!

3. I am a reality TV junkie!!  It's pretty ridiculous how involved I get into what my mom would call "trash tv!"  At least I'm not in denial though! :)

4.  I didn't start out going to college planning to be a teacher, even though it was my childhood dream!  I began going to school to be a pediatric nurse.  It wasn't until I made it through 3 semesters of pre-reqs, made it through (&loved) a&p, & was sitting in micro-biology class that I realized.... eh this isn't for me!!   I began to realize that teaching littles was really where my heart was!! I jumped right into my edu classes & never looked back!  :)

5. I am about the furthest thing from a morning person that there can be!  Seriously y'all ... It takes me a good bit to get going in the morning & on those early ones... coffee is non-negotiable!!  I love taking naps & staying up late is what I'm good at!! In college, my friends always knew when they couldn't get a hold of me, & I wasn't in class or working, that most likely I was napping!

6.  Mexican food, pasta, cookies & brownies are among some of my biggest weaknesses when it comes to food.  Thankfully I've learned to eat in moderation through the years!!  Otherwise, I would no doubt be in trouble!

7.  Blogging & creating are a release for me... especially on stressful days.  It is my own little escape from the world.  It's almost scary how easily I tune everything else out!  I am blessed to have become part of such a great little-big community!! I especially can't wait to meet some of my fellow TX bloggers next weekend!! :)

8.  I usually work best & am most productive when I feel as though I am in a time crunch.  This is me basically admitting that I am a procrastinator.  I'm fully aware, always have been, unfortunately probably always will be!

9.  When I like something... it can become an obsession almost... for example... in college I was completely obsessed with the fleur de lis.

I have something almost identical to this hanging on my wall now.  I was just too lazy to take a picture myself, thank you google!

I mean any & everything with a fleur de lis on it I loved... I had jeans, shirts, sweaters, decor, sink drainer, picture frames, covers, and eh even more with this fleur de lis on it!!  This obsession lived in my life for about 5 good years until B was born.  Now my obsession is anything chevron, morrocian, or aztec printed!  L.O.V.E. 

10.  I am an apple snob.  After getting my first mac in college (5-6 years ago) I now love EVERYTHING Apple.  Shortly after getting my mac, I got an iphone.  I'm spoiled rotten & am in a district that is all Apple, too!  So basically I have become completely illiterate when it comes time to do anything on a PC.  I bought a new MacBook in the spring & it made me fall in love all over again with Apple!

I hope you learned a few new things about me!

See you back tomorrow for Classroom Digs!