Fabulous Find Friday

So, I know everyone loves to find something FABULOUS (and so worth the $$$) when you are out partaking in retail therapy.

Therefore,  I thought I would share my FABULOUS FIND of the week (because just maybe you need one of these too).

First of all, let me set the stage...my classroom has a beach theme.  Thus, each year I use a "treasure box" as a positive reward system with my students. It houses large items (that are donated) and comes out every Friday.

I also use treasure buckets.  These are sand buckets that have smaller items in them.  These stay out everyday.  I may have to do a separate post on these too (Note to self!).

For the past few years, my treasure box has simply been a large, clear Sterlite Container.

I know, that's not very cute, is it?  I simply wrote "Treasure Box" on the side in bubble letters to fancy it up a bit, but it really was Blah!

I knew I wanted something a bit cuter but just couldn't find that special something, until about a week ago.

While visiting my sister in Tampa, we were doing some therapy at her local Walmart.  As we were looking in the homegoods section, they had a small area devoted to colorful cloth bins and organizers to use in kids bedrooms (cute stuff...nice colors too).  Amongst all of home organizers I see this...

Yes, it is a REAL treasure box.  Well, it's actually made of plastic but it look's like a real one.  And, it is just as large as my boring Sterlite container.

I was so excited!

And the best part, they had them in a variety of bright colors.  Of course, I didn't see any in pink or blue which are my classroom colors, but I decided to overlook that minor detail especially after seeing the price.

Are you ready for it?

This little bad boy only cost me a whopping $19.97...$9.97...$4.97!

BAM! Now that's a deal!

So of course, without hesitation, I placed one in my buggy and proudly went to the checkout isle to pay for my precious, new treasure box.

I am thinking that I must decorate it up a bit more, but I just haven't decided what to do with it. Knowing me, it will probably end up with some bling or maybe just polkadots.

Anyway...now I can't wait to fill this little cutie-patootie and display it in my beach themed classroom.

Oh, and an added benefit for me...now I can use that boring, clear Sterlite container to house something else.  Maybe all those wonderful freebies that I keep getting from all my blogging friends.

So that is my FABULOUS FIND.  Have you found anything fabulous this summer?  Let me know about it!

Until then, happy blogging!
Ann

Fourth of July...and Teaching Tip for Today

Did you have a fabulous Independence Day?

Our's was quite memorable and this old dog actually learned a new trick!

Here is a peek at my new love...

See that brave woman in the water?  No, not the one standing in the water!  The one on the paddleboard?  Yep, that is me!  And the other cutie is my hubby.

This year my hubby decided to purchase paddleboards to rent on the beach when conditions are favorable.  Well, yesterday it was pretty much lake Atlantic out there.  I had been telling him that I would try one of those puppies out when I got a chance.

So of course I couldn't back out of it!  Even though I tried!

He said I did great for a newbie!

I only fell off once!  As soon as I realized that I couldn't touch the bottom, you should have seen how quickly I shot back up on that board.  I don't even want to think about what other unmentionables were lurking out there in that deep water.  I do believe I saw Bruce from Nemo.

But I have to admit!  What an experience!

It is so peaceful out there and the view of the coast is spectacular.  I can't wait until the conditions are favorable again; however, this time I need to wear a more flattering bathing suit.  Thank goodness this picture is from a distance or I don't believe I would have even shared it, but I know that I am amongst non-judging friends so I have nothing to worry about!

Here are a few more pics I thought I would share...check out the cuties in their new suits!

I just love these littles!  They make being an an adult so much fun because they know that I will act like a kid with them anytime!

Here is a pic of my hubby's business...

If you are ever in the Daytona Area, connect up with us!

Okay!  I really need to stop babbling...for those of you who stuck with my long windedness, here is my teaching tip for today.  It's simple but maybe it will help someone out there!

One of my biggest pet peeves in the classroom is SHARPENING PENCILS.

I don't know about you, but once my day has begun, I do not like to stop what I am doing to sharpen pencils. I don't know...maybe it's just that lovely sound that come out of that little gadget.  For me, it is kind of similar to sensation some get when someone runs their nails down a chalkboard!  I get that same curl up your spine, scrunch up your nose, want to hit something sensation!

 Furthermore, since I teach KINDERGARTEN, I am the only one in my room old enough, responsible enough, capable of using this machine.

Now, for those of you who don't teach this age group, just ask one of your kindergarten teachers at your school what little ones do with an electric pencil sharpener.  I promise, first you will relish the expression on their faces as they tell you about all the shenanigans a five year old can do with an electric pencil sharpener.

Anyway, since I despise this so much.  Here is what I do in my classroom.

First, after all the supplies have come in at the beginning of the year, I count my pencils into stack of 25 (Yes, remember I am diagnosed OCD...currently non-medicated too.).

I store them in a drawer near my teaching table.  Every Friday afternoon (before I go home), I sharpen two sets and have them ready for Monday morning.

On Monday, I pass one set of the freshly sharpened pencils to my table baskets and the other set goes in my pencil buckets similar to these found on pinterest.

You can find the free printable for these here.

Then, during the week if a child has a pencil that breaks or gets dull during the day, they quietly place the dull/broken one in the "Sharpen Please" bucket and then selects a new one from the "Ready to Write" bucket to be placed in the table basket.

This management system has worked for me over the past few years and HAS KEPT ME SANE TOO!

An added benefit, I have had the same electric pencil sharpener for the past FIVE YEARS!  I know, that is unheard of in the teaching world!

Oh great! Now I probably jinxed myself!  Watch it bite the dust on the first day of school!

Well that's it!  That's my teaching tip for today.

Do you have any pet peeves in the classroom?  Please share!

Until then, happy blogging!
Ann

Happy Independence Day!

First of all...

Happy Birthday to America!

It is way too early and our bags are already packed!  We are going to the beach today!  We always go on the Fourth of July!  It is a tradition and....it is the only way my kids can spend time with their Daddy.

Yes, my husband is one of the few who works on this special day.  Here is what he does...

He is a beach bum...but a well paid beach bum!  And...he looks pretty cute in a pair of board shorts too!

Actually, he is owner and operator of a rental concession on The World's Most Famous Beach.  The image that you see above is what is referred to as a "Set Up."  On the Fourth of July, my husband and his employees (six good looking young men, who also look good in board shorts) have to put up 150 of these bad boys.  Amazingly, by 11 am, all are rented!  Gone!

That is why we are up so early on the Fourth.  If we want one of these (which is a MUST for me), we have to get there early.

So now you have a visual of where I will be sitting for most of the day.  Right there!  Under that umbrella.  Probably in the chair on the left (I really don't know why, but I always claim that chair.  It must be my OCD tendencies.).

I know! It's a rough life!  But someone has to be married to a beach bum! Lucky me!

So, since we go to the beach ALL DAY, I try to make the Fourth a special day for the kiddos.  Here is a picture of my tradition...

This is the traditional "Fourth of July Bucket."  Each year, I purchase red, white, and blue beach buckets (Thank you, Micheal's for making my life easy!).  Use a paint marker to write names on them and then fill them up with a bunch of goodies for the kiddos.

Think of it like a Christmas Stocking but for the Fourth of July.  My kids (Alan and Abby) and the cousins (Allison, Katie, and Sammie) just love it!

This year's contents include:

• new patriotic bathing suit/trunks
• red,white, blue dresses (girls)/american flag t-shirt (boys)
• patriotic beads
• sparklers
• red, white, and blue side walk chalk
• pop-its
• red and blue bubble necklaces
• patriotic straws

The beach buckets are delivered on the morning of the Fourth and it is just like Christmas morning as they open them together and discover what treasures are hidden inside.

So, as soon as everyone else is awake...it will be beach bucket time.  Then we will go to "Daddy's Beach" wearing our new patriotic bathing suits/trunks.

After the beach (and showers, of course), it is the traditional Fourth of July photo shoot time (this is what the dresses and t-shirts are for).  Here are my two cuties from last year's photo shoot...

Aren't they just the cutest?

After photos, then it is time for our annual cookout at Grandmas, sparklers/pop-its, and FIREWORKS!

Every year is the same....but it is filled with such special traditions!

Oh...on a side note...here is how I painted all the girls nails yesterday.  Check it out!

 Cute, huh?  Found the idea somewhere on the internet but don't remember where (remember, I suffer from ADD).

So that is a few of our family traditions for the Fourth of July.  What does your family do to celebrate our nations independence?

Happy Blogging and Happy Independence Day!
Ann

Made it Monday...Post it on Tuesday

Always a day late and a dollar short!  Oh well!

Let's just say that I had the best intentions of posting about this yesterday, but I got bit by the shopping bug that has been going around in the blogging world.  I think I might have to intervene when the credit card bill comes this month just to hide the evidence (Does anyone else do that?)

Or...

Next time I go shopping, I need to fly through the bank's drive-through and get cash...not as much evidence with those purchases (Come on!  Don't judge me, you know you hide purchases from your hubby too.)

Or...

I heard this one on the radio one day and thought this woman was brilliant.

She said that her husband gives her a monthly grocery shopping budget of $200.  So, this intelligent woman partakes in extreme couponing and maybe spends $100 a month.  But, of course, she doesn't share this info with her significant other.  Instead she uses the remaining balance of her grocery shopping budget and buys gift cards at the grocery store.

BAM!  Why didn't I think of that!

However, all this talk about sneaking around behind the hubby's back...I have to be honest.  I actually have one of those wonderful, understanding husbands who doesn't mind my spending habits.  He actually is very supportive of my retail therapy....he's says it's cheaper than "head doctors."  Hee Hee!

That's enough about my shopping addiction!  Afterall, I am suppose to be telling you about what I made on Monday.

I'm sorry, I just had one of those Adult ADD moments!

So, as I was surfing Pinterest one day, I came across this little cutie:

I believe this one was made by Michelle over at Inspired by Kindergarten.

It was love at first sight!  She used one of my classroom colors, blue. And, the polkadots are simply a bonus!  Who doesn't love polkadots?   The amazing part is that she covered it with duct tape.  Yes, you heard me right!  Good ole, duct tape.  

Now I have made the modge podge ones too and those are just as adorable. But, wow, these intrigued me!

So, I had to try one for myself.

I had an ugly clipboard just sitting in my scrapbook room that wasn't really being used because it didn't match anything and I had bought some zebra print duct tape for a project I was making for my daughter's bedroom.  

I was set, so I got to work!  I have to admit, it was a much faster process than the modge podge ones and the results were just as cute.

Here is a pic of the final product:

Isn't it cute?

My daughter immediately claimed it for her bedroom.  We added a little flower hair clip to the top to add a little more pizazz! She loves it and keeps it out on her desk.

Now, I just have to make a set for my classroom.  But first I have to find some cute hot pink and blue duct tape.  

I know what you are thinking! "Oh no! She has to go shopping again!"

 But this time I am in luck!  One of my parents gave me a $20 gift card to Hobby Lobby as an end of the year gift.  That's great!  Now my credit card bill shouldn't be too large and the hubby will continue to be supportive of my classroom spending addition.  

Did I mention I went to IKEA the other day?  Wait until he sees that bill! 

Sorry, that was another adult ADD moment.  Maybe I do need that "head doctor."

So go link up and participate in The Made It Monday Fun.

Until next time, Happy Blogging!  

Ann

Currently

Can someone tell me where June went?  It seems that I have misplaced mine.  Anyone else feel this way?

Sorry for the hiatus.  I have been a busy bee since my last post:  Four day Common Core Institute in Orlando, five days of VBS, my daughters BIG dance recital (Seriously!  Three consecutive days of dance with little girls in various colored tutus.  That is not my idea of a fun time so incredibly cute!), and a clean sweep/organization project over at my sister-in-law's new house.  That pretty much sums up the past 2 weeks of June.  I think I deserve a vacation, a medal, a pat on the back.

I have to say that I did find just a little time to continue checking out all those wonderful blogs I stalk.  I am so jealous proud of you!  You guys have been busy planning, shopping, creating, organizing and laminating for next year.  And I just love that you blog about it.  It makes me want to get started too.  I am hoping to find more time this month.

Well, since it is a new month, it is time to link up with Farley and complete your "Currently" for the month.  I had a fun time with this one.  Check it out!

Does anyone else just love the fact that you can slowly drink your coffee, actually take the time to chew your food, and stay in your pajamas all day.

 I actually did this yesterday!

Well,  I tried to.

I had to get dressed at 4 pm because I had to go to the grocery store.  I did think about just going in my pajamas. Hey, don't judge me!  I see other people do it!  Apparently, it's fashionable these day.  But then, I thought about how many of my students/parents I could possibly run into (Inevitable!).  I could hear the gossip in my brain.  It sounded something like this:

"Did you see Mrs. Greene at the grocery store in her pajamas?  Can you believe that Mrs. Greene wears Mickey Mouse pajamas?  Those are so tacky!"

 or...

"Mrs. Greene really is lazy over the summer!  She didn't even bother to dress when she went to get groceries.  I bet she hasn't even done her laundry since school has gotten out."

When really they should be saying something like this:

"Poor Mrs. Greene!  Her teaching salary is so miserable, she can't even afford summer clothes.  I saw her just the other day at the grocery store and she was wearing her pajamas.  They really should pay teacher's more."

Wouldn't it be great if we could control gossip?  We could really have some fun with this super power (There's a new one for you Farley!)!

Okay, I have babbled enough!  I really do need to take a shower and get dressed today.  I am due at school to fill out some paperwork regarding my Four Day Common Core Institute.

Until next time...Happy Blogging!
Ann

Winner!

Hello Blogging Friends!

Remember this?

Well it is time to announce who has won this little puppy!  The winner of my 100 follower giveaway is...

Lisa R.

Learning is Something to Treasure

Thanks to all of you who entered and I love all the new blogging friends that I have found.  

Have a wonderful next few days, as I am off to Orlando for a Common Core Convention with my Principal, Assistant Principal, and Curriculum Team.  Apparently, I am going to come back as a "Common Core Expert."  

Hee Hee!  I guess we will have to see!

Happy Blogging!

Ann

It's Official...and a giveaway

It's officially summer break!  I finally finished up all my classroom duties (it took me an extra day because of all those extra "hats" I wear).

Finally....

...today was the first day that I could sleep in (of course, I was still up at 6:15 am).

...today is the first day that I can stay in pajamas until...whenever (It is currently 9:30 am and I am still sporting them).

...today is the first day that I can relax and enjoy one...two...three cups of coffee if I want...in consecutive order (normally, I have one, maybe two in the am and one, maybe two in the pm...I'm currently on cup #2).

...today is the first day that I can actually catch up on all the blogs I follow,  play on FB, peruse pinterest at a relaxing pace, and even post on my own blog (I've done all of the following so far).

...today is the first day that I can actually do a thorough cleaning of my house (I'm already on top of that too..laundry is in...there are no dishes in the sink...I'm thinking I will tackle my seven year old daughter's room today).

...today is the first day that I can actually take my time and enjoy my breakfast (I haven't even made myself breakfast yet...I forgot about it because I am so excited about all the other things that I can do...I firmly believe that my body could survive on coffee alone...even though I know that isn't very healthy).

...today is the first day that I could do absolutely nothing if I want too (However, I don't believe my ADHD self would allow this to ever happen...oh, and my littles wouldn't allow me to do this either...they are just like me and want to always be doing something.  They don't just "sit" well.  Except for when they are in school...Ha!  Same as me!).

Well, I think you get the idea that I am excited about summer break.

I am also excited about all of the new followers that I have picked up because of my $10 Target gift card giveaway.  I am so excited that you decided to follow little 'ole me.  I am pretty sure that I have returned the love and are following you (if you have a blog).

Yes, my 100 follower giveaway is still open...but will be closing soon (Friday @ midnight).  If you haven't entered yet...please do.  Really all you have to do is follow me and leave a comment.  I love to hear from my blogging friends!  Especially now that it is summer break.  

Is it just me or does anyone else miss the communication with your co-workers during the summer?  I know that our team tries to get together once a week, even if it is just for fun (trips to IKEA, lunch, beach, etc).  As a matter of fact, we have a trip planned for tomorrow.  We are going to IKEA and Lakeshore Learning...my husband better take the credit card from me now.

Speaking of giveaways....

Heather over at Heather's Heart also has an AWESOME giveaway going on right now.  Go check it out and enter!

Good luck!  

Okay...so although I have all this time to do whatever I want...my neglected house is calling my name.  It needs a little bit of attention.  I have been ignoring it's calls for quite some time now. Oh, and you know how we are at the end of the year in our classroom...you know in the "pitching" mood.  All I know...my daughter's bedroom better LOOK OUT!

Happy Blogging!

Ann