Time is Ticking Fast! ~ New Blog On The Block!!!

I am sitting here in utter disbelief.  It's already Friday!  Friday I said!!  As I look back and reflect on my accomplishments for the past two weeks, I'm beginning to realize I could sum it up in one word.  NOTHING!! Well... that is on a professional level (not counting blogging, because that is all about getting a fix on my stalking addiction).     But in my other world I was able to clean house, host a family get together, shop, shop, shop, read, play games, bake, sing some karaoke, take care of a sick husband (aren't they the worst babies!!), deliver goodies to special people that don't get out much, attend a cookie party, celebrate Christmas Eve with my favorite co-worker,  etc.   That list could go on and on - and for the most part I loved every minute of it.  Oh yes, one of the most important things  was the celebration of our 25th wedding anniversary!  My amazing hubby surprised me by fixing a ring that had lost one of its diamonds.  I totally love this man ~ the sweetest man on earth!


I just realized that Clutter-Free Classroom  is hosting a linky party on "How I Spent My Winter Vacation"   - so I'm linking up.  I'd love to read how you spent your Vacation too!!!!

Now, on to some pretty darned exciting news!  If you love books ~ you're going to love the new blog on the block.  It is called The Best Endings ~ a blog all about books.  The most amazing part (to me... anyways) is that I am going to be a contributor!!!  Yep, I see you there on the couch with your mouth open in disbelief!  I am so excited to be a part of a new blog that is going to be so much fun!    I hope that you will boogie on over there and check it out.  There are some amazingly talented people over there that are also going to be contributors!   I sure hope I haven't got in over my head!!!   POST and they will come.... See you over there!!

Christmas Survey All About ME!!

I'm done with my shopping, baking & cleaning!!!!! I had to wake myself up, I was in fantasy land there for a second!!! I've got so much to do, but it's my Christmas Break & I just want to ... well... do nothing! But while I'm sitting here, I thought I might as well fill out the Christmas Survey that has been floating around that several bloggers have completed, including Kristin over at A Teeny Tiny Teacher. If you continue to read my survey, you will notice that on #24 I really didn't have an answer, because she already gave me my Christmas wish! Okay, now to a survey all about me!!! How fun!!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both. If I’m wrapping a gift for my hubby, it is definitely wrapped. Although I must confess, it is more for me, because I usually forget what’s in them and I’m almost as surprised as he is when he opens them. For anyone else it is usually in a gift bag.
2. Real tree or artificial? Artificial. I love the smell of a freshly cut pine tree, but it does weird things to my body.
3. When do you put up the tree? Usually the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd weekend in December. It basically depends on when my husband decides to get everything out of the attic. Last year, I decided to keep all the stuff in our spare bedroom, so this year it was up the weekend of Thanksgiving! 
4. When do you take the tree down?  No rules about that at our house. I’m the one that takes it all down. Maybe this year, I’ll leave it up until my husband decides to help. Probably not!
5. Do you like eggnog? Absolutely! But when I drink it and I start to think about the word “egg” it bothers me a lot. Are they raw?   Never mind, I don’t want to know, because if the eggs are raw...I will definitely stop drinking eggnog...just like raw cookie dough, cake mixes, etc. I don’t wanta know so don’t leave any remarks about it...because I’m not going to read them!!!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? A Chatty Cathy. I loved that doll! I miss her so much. I wonder what happened to her???
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Nope. I refuse to get one until I get the one that I really want- Precious Moments...Probably never going to happen. 
8. Hardest person to buy for? That would be anyone I'm buying for that isn't my husband.
9. Easiest person to buy for? Definitely my husband. All year long he tells me “that would be nice for Christmas” – I wish I could remember some of the stuff he wanted...hmmmm
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Neither, I really do have good intentions every single year. I have the cutest Christmas cards that I must have bought...hmmm. I don’t know about 5 years ago. Every year I get them out, but never get around to sending. As a matter fact, they are on my table, within reach...but it's probably too late to send them out now!!! I suppose I'll just have to call everyone!
11. Worst gift you ever received?  I'm sure I've received my fair share, but nothing comes to mind right now.
12. Favorite Christmas movie? Christmas Story (for sentimental reasons).
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? All year long - I'm definitely a bargain shopper!
14. Ever recycled a present?  Absolutely not! Sorta, if you want to include white elephant gifts. But I do recycle the gift bags...which can get you into trouble, especially if you give it to a secret pal and the name tag is still on it. What was I thinking????
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?  Divinity – never make it except for at Christmas (I don't have a clue why that is)
16. Clear lights or colored lights on a tree?  Both 
17. Favorite Christmas song?  Silent Night
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Home – usually... This year we are traveling to a nieces house (although deep down we both want to stay home)
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Of course!
20. Angel or star on top of the tree?  Angel. My grandmother made it for me... I’m sure it will always be at the top of our tree.
21. Open the presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?  Christmas Day
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?  Being bullied Giving $$$ or food to people that have been naughty all year!!!!
23. Favorite ornament, theme, or color?  My favorite ornaments are on my “special” Oklahoma State Christmas Tree. I decorate it with all OSU ornaments. Can’t pick just one. They all rock!
24. What do you want for Christmas? I really don’t care. In fact 2 years ago, we didn’t even exchange, we just drew pictures of what we would have given each other if we would have bought something. Seriously!

Linky Parties - Come and Have Some Fun & Good Food!

There are so many linky parties going on around and I decided I would break out into my Holiday Spirit and join up with them.  I hope that you come too and don't forget to bring your favorite recipes!  

First on my journey is a trip to visit my partner in crime, Tammy over at Klinger Cafe'.  She is one of the bossiest, sweetest, kindest, loving, people I know.  (I'll post more about her later when she's not checking my blog!)  She is having a Cookie Linky Party which I am finally getting around to linking up to. So here is the recipe I'm sharing.  Ginger Cookies.  Not only are they yummo...but it leaves the house smelling so...well Christmasy!   I would share my secret caramel corn recipe with her...but I know she would never make it...because...well... she ALWAYS demands it of me...and I always almost always do whatever she tells me.   And besides... it's a Cookie Party!!  I'll be waiting for your awesome recipes!

The next recipe linky party is with  Rowdy in First.  She is having a Holiday Recipe Linky Party.    She has an amazing site!    She has created this adorable recipe card that I'm typing my yummy Divinity recipe on.  This is a recipe I make only around Christmas.  Not sure why - because it is absolutely delicious!  Head on over there to add your recipe!

Last, but definitely not least on my list is being hosted by Tamara over at Teaching Blog Addict.  There are some recipes over there that I already have on my list for trying out.  That's it.  That's all I have for you!  So, head on over there and link up! 

Reading, Giveaways & Cookie Linky Party

     This is the second day of dreary weather occurring during my much needed Christmas Holiday break! Rainy & just flat miserable! On a positive note though... this weather does put me in the mood for reading. So after posting, I'm going to slip under the covers and read until I fall asleep and then read again when I wake back up.  (Repeating the cycle until my hubby gets home).   The only thing that would make is better would be a little rumble of thunder every now and then. I don't know what it is about that sound, but I LOVE it when I'm nice and cozy and with a good book in my hand. 

     While doing some major stocking stalking over the past few days, I've found a few giveaways that you might want to check out.   I always question why I want to share them with you guys though.  Seriously!!! It certainly doesn't improve my chances of winning!!!!  But it is the holiday season...and well...consider it my gift to you! Good luck one and all! 

     First up on my stocking stalking list is Second Grade Shenanigans. She is giving away her ENTIRE TPT STORE!!! How crazy for her and wonderful for us is that!

     Next let your fingers do the walking and head on over to Dreamlike Magic.   She is celebrating 1000 Facebook Fans! That really makes my 200 fans (mostly family members)  seem really really teeny tiny. She is giving away a $25 gift voucher to Dreamlike Magic Designs! I'm so much wanting to win this one. I mean seriously! Look at this blog...I need a little help!!!!!!!!

     Last, but certainly not to be considered any less important is happening over at Live Laugh and Love to Learn in Second Grade.  She is keeping us all on the edge of our seats trying to figure out what the mystery is. She won't even give us a hint, except to say that she is also giving the mystery gift to her Holly Bloggy Christmas Pal!

 Oh yes... one more rather important thing. My awesome first grade teaching partner is having a Cookie Linky Party over at Klinger Cafe'. However, I'm VERY upset with her right now... since I told her a few weeks ago that I was going to do a Cookie Linky Party...but that I had to figure out how to do it first!!!  Seriously, head on over to her sight and please tell her that I sent you AND THAT SHE CAN MAKE HER OWN CASHEW CARAMEL CORN THIS YEAR!!!  She has a adorable site!  You will definitely want to go over and see it!

Currently December

I was about to give up on Farley over at Oh' Boy 4th Grade providing us with the December Currently. I can't imagine a teacher having anything more important to do the first couple of weeks of December.   But it's here!!!! So head on over there to link up.

Note to Self... Never Again!!!!

    I gave in reluctantly... I knew I shouldn’t have...but I did. Admittedly, it is my awesome co-workers fault. Her class was going to exchange gifts and eventually my class found out (most likely within 2 seconds after they found their friends at recess). There was so much excitement in the air when they told me that we were also going to exchange gifts (imagine my surprise). When I told them we were going to do something different, there was some major sulking going on. That’s when I folded... after all I didn’t want to take their JOY away from them. Besides, I was all wrapped up in their excitement and it wasn’t until later (5 seconds or so)... that I started getting this sick feeling in my tummy.


Parents were told (3 times) to PLEASE let me know if they were unable to provide a gift and I would take care of it. I was pretty confident (since I checked them off as they brought them) that everyone but one little girl had brought a gift. The morning of the party I find a note in my mailbox notifying me that the little girl would indeed not be bringing a gift! Are you kidding me!!!! Irritation set in because I realized I had forgotten to buy an extra gift... Grrrr!!!!!! After scurrying around a bit, yeah the gift is take care of!

     And then the much anticipated party begins. The kiddos loved our reindeer race! The treats are quickly devoured. Now they are ready for the greatly anticipated gift exchange. I’m rather curious what kind of gifts the kids brought to exchange. It didn’t take long, and things started happening. One girl loudly said she didn’t like her gift and began to pout (not that it matters, but this was the same little girl who didn’t bring a gift). I quickly make a scan of all the faces trying to locate the little girl who brought the present to see how she was handling the fact that her gift was hated. It didn’t take long and I saw her. Tears were beginning to form in her eyes and by the time I reached her she was sobbing! By this time all the other children were looking at her and asking her what was wrong. She was not hesitant at all about telling them. “Everyone else got a toy and I got a blanket!” Yep! I was 100% wrong on that one! I wanted to scream “ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!” Another parent immediately turned to her daughter and said something. The next thing I know the daughter is bringing her gift and offering it to the crying child. Unbelievable!

     Wow! I’m glad that is off of my chest. And with that being said I’m once again back to my original plan. I will not do gift exchanges ever again. I’m going to keep this post and as a reminder to myself read it every year around December 1st as a reminder!

Don't You Just Love Getting An Award!!

I’m so excited! I was given a Blog Award for up and coming blogs! Up and coming! I absolutely like the sound of that. I’m trying not to let this Blog Award go to my head!!! I think I might have a future here in Blogland!!!! A special thank you to Barbara over at Grade ONEderful, Amy over at the Resource(ful) Room and Miss Squirrels over at Going Nutty in Miss Squirrel's First Grade for thinking of me! 

The goal of the award is to spotlight up-and-coming blogs with less than 200 followers. The rules are:

1. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
2. Thank the giver and link back to them.
3. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
4. Hope that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers!!

Without further ado... these are the 5 marvelous blogs that I’m passing the award on to. Congratulations!

Head on over to each of these blogs. I don’t think you will be disappointed!

Mrs. Obama is Gorgeous

Today our counselor came into our class for her weekly visit.  She tried to get them all excited by telling them that she had a big surprise for them.  (I could have told her that was a big mistake!!!  That's a different story though)    She tried to refresh their memories of something special that happened here at school when they were in kindergarten.  Blank looks from everyone  (me included).   I wanted to be helpful... but to be truthful I didn't have a clue what she was talking about.

Finally.... she was able to drag out of them the information that she needed.   After this information was finally out in the open and the kids adamantly said they remembered what she was talking about (sure they did!!!) ... anyways  she shows them a large envelope with the return address of the White House on it.   She asked them who lived at the White House.    Yeah!!! My kiddos know!!!!!     One little girl immediately says that she got a letter from the white house yesterday too!!!!  The Counselor pretends not to hear that statement and moves on.

The questioning continues.... She asked them what his name was...  I'm sitting there so proud because I know they know this answer!!!   Hands are waving like crazy in the air.  Finally one of my kids can't stand it anymore and yells out the answer.  George Washington!!!!!!!   Sadly, most of the other kids agreed.  Okay, well, maybe we need to go over that George Washington isn't the President forever.

Anyways.... She continues sharing all her wonderful things in the sack (which the kids don't seem to be too impressed with by the way...especially since she can't give them to them because she doesn't have enough...another story as well)   Finally, she takes out the prize, a picture of the Obama family.  One little boy in the back says "She is gorgeous!"  Seriously!!!!  Several other boys said she is beautiful!!!   Nobody notices the cute dog!!  or the cute kids.... just how GORGEOUS  Mrs. Obama was!    You gotta love First Graders!!!! :-)

Deer Me! Are You Feeling Lucky?

     For the next two weeks I will be using all the cool stuff that I have found out in there BLOGLAND.  There has been a tremendous amount of stuff that's been shared!!!!  We will be seeing lots of reindeer and elves in our classroom the next TEN days.   I decided to make a few things myself that would go along nicely with them.  Now all I need to do is get them printed, laminated, & packaged all nice and neat put in some kind of container for the children to use!!!  


     I officially posted my first item for sale on TPT.  YIPPEEE!!!   It's the little things in me life that excite me.  

     So... to celebrate this HUGE landmark in my blogging life... I am giving away this item to the first 3 people who make a nice comment on this post.  Naughty comments will be totally ignored!!  ho ho ho!   Don't forget to leave your email!!!


     If you are not one of the lucky 3... it's $1.00 at my TPT Store!   


Happy Holidays!

Elf Homophone Concentration Freebie

I think I have probably broken the rules of blogging today.  But what's a girl to do when they are having soooo much fun!  I have graphics that I thought I heard screaming at me!!! Please pick me!  No, pick me... so... after much discussion with my graphics I chose some adorable elves.  Well, I must be totally honest, I chose them because they are so cute and well... because I am going to be doing lots of elf stuff next week.  We have been studying homophones just a tiny bit.  We definitely need a lot more practice.  So I created a concentration game.  Click on the picture to head on over to my TPT store.  If you download...  I would appreciate your suggestions or other comments. 

Have a great evening!  I'm ready to watch some football!  Let's go Pokes!!!!!!

There's So Much Going on Out There

     While checking out some of my favorite blogs this past week I saw that some are having awesome giveaways.

     Barbara over at Grade ONEderful is celebrating reaching 100 followers! She is offering a chance to win a $25 Amazon or Starbucks gift card! I have a ton of books on my wish list, so I already have it spent!   

Jenn over at Finally in First is having a Blogiversary Giveaway!!!!  She is picking 12 winners!  Yip!  I said 12!!!!

 

     While your out there blog hopping, make sure you check out  Clutter Free Classroom.  She is giving away a Dinner Table Conversation Starter Kit.  

    
     That's it!  I'm done.  Now I'm working on a few things of my own.

Christmas Finds You Don't Wanna Miss!!

     It's Saturday, and at 5:00 I was wide awake! Craziness! So... instead of tossing and turning I decide to get up and clean the house, do the laundry, make a shopping list, decorate the house with Christmas decorations and start breakfast when I hear my husband getting up. NOT!!!!   Instead of doing those very important things, I'm spending some time reading blogs and catching up on some awesomeness that everyone has shared.  Here are a few things I have found on this windy, rainy, cold, wet wintery morning.

     First over at Adventures of First Grade, Jaymee posted some Subtraction Christmas Stories that her students made.  They are so cute and I'm going to try and squeeze this activity in sometime in the next 2 weeks!  YIKES!!!!   Click the tree below to get the pattern I'm going to use for the tree.

     Next, Heather over at Differentiation Station posted some Christmas Sentence Scrambles.  My kids love these!    I think some of them think that they have bragging rights if they can figure it out faster than their classmates.  I'm just happy that some of them can figure them out!!!!  You would think that the capital letter at the punctuation is a great clue!!! Practice!  Practice!  Practice!

     Last, but certainly not least.  If you were like me and missed the 1st day of the Twelve Days of Christmas Giveaway, you have a chance to win it.  Head on over to Lory's Page to enter.  Good luck everyone!!!!

     Now I'm off to fix sausage gravy and biscuits.  Yummo!  Have a great Saturday everyone!!!!

Twelve Days of Christmas Give Away

It's happening!  The Twelve Days of Christmas Give Away is upon us.  Scurry on over to Oh' Boy 4th Grade to sign up for this gargantuan giveaway.  Good luck to all!