$60 Target Gift Card Giveaway!!!

April 27, 2015


Aahhhh Target!!!! It must be that bright red bullseye that just gets me suckered every.single.time. You go in for milk & bread and $200 later you're out! Raise your hand if you can relate!! Hahaha! 
Well, if you love Target then you're in luck! I'm teaming up with five other blogging buddies to bring you our "Lookin' Good" Instagram Loop Giveaway. The six of us recently had our blogs re- designed by Gabby Barba from Gabby's Classrooms, and we couldn't more thrilled with the results!! I'm sure I shared that with you about 100 times already. In celebration of that, we're giving away a $60 Target gift card to one lucky winner.

Head on over to my instagram page to check out the details! Good Luck!!




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The Liebster Award


Thank- you to Yukari from A Pinch of Kinder for nominating me for this sweet award! I first received this award a few years ago when I started blogging, and it's nice to see that it's still being passed around! Although I've been here for a few years now, I've never really been so consistent with blogging. With my recent blog makeover, my love for sharing tips and ideas has definitely been reignited! 

Let's Get Started!! 

Here are the answers to the 10 questions I recieved:

1. Why and how long ago did you start blogging?

I started in November 2011, but never really gave it my 100%, because of everything else I had going on in my life. I am hoping to get back into the swing of things!

2. What one word sums up the heart of your blog and why?

I couldn't agree with Yukari more when she said for her it is about sharing. I feel the same way. I really wanted an outlet to share ideas and offer freebies.

3. Is there something you learned late in your blog journey you wished you knew before?

Be consistent. 

4. What is your favorite past time other than blogging?

I love to organize and make sure things are neat and tidy. Everything has a place, that's my motto! Some might call it OCD though! Hahaha! 

5. How many hours a week do you dedicate to your blog?

In the past, not much. Now, my goal is to blog at least 2- 3 times a week. 

6. What category of blog posts do you enjoy the most?

I enjoy posts that assist me with meeting the standards. The CCSS is rigourous!! And a lot of times, although something looks fun and cute, I might not be able to implement it in my classroom because my admin expects almost EVERYTHING to be tied to standards. Bleh, I know. 

7. Where does your blog inspiration come from?

Definitely from my little sweeties!! 

7. Which post that you've written are you most proud of?

It has to be the post about my Black History Month products. It was my first product posted, and has since remained my best- selling product on TpT. 


8. Is there any post that you have been planning to do, but have been postponing it for a while now?

Nothing that I can think of at the moment. 

9. What is your favorite aspect of blogging?

Meeting new people has been the highlight of it all and just being able to take a peek into their classrooms is fun! 

10.  Which idea from a blog would you like to try yourself?   


I've been blog- stalking Reagan from Tunstall's Teaching Tidbits, and there are so many fun things going on over there. Her rotation boards packet is something I'm eyeing for next school year.

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I'm passing this lovely award on to: 
1. Bethany from Ship Shape First Grade. She has a TON of fun ideas on her blog! I am obsessed!! 



2. KaSandra from Memories Made in First. I love the poetry picnic she recently blogged about! 


3. And finally, Jamee from Scissors and Crayons. She recently blogged about all the fun her class had learning about dinosaurs. 


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1. In your post, link back to the blogger who nominated you as a thank you and "shout out." (Follow their blog if you haven't already!)  

2. Answer the 10 questions given to you (the ones I answered above).

3. Nominate 5-11 blogs of your choice that each have less than 200 followers. Provide them with 11 questions to answer or have them answer the questions above. 

4. Let your nominees know that they've been nominated and provide them with a link to your post so that they can accept. 

5. Send your nominator a link to your post so that s/he can learn more about you as well! (You can just put your post link in the comments below).



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Five for Friday- April 24th

April 25, 2015


I'm linking up with Kacey from Doodle Bugs Teaching to bring you my #fiveforfriday!

This week has been all kinds of crazy!! District assessments, mid- quarter progress, parent meetings....on top of trying to squeeze in Spring, Earth Day, Plants and Life Cycles all into one because we just returned from break and I'm running short on time......aaarrgggggg! Makes me want to pull my hair out!


The definite highlight of my week was the fact that my blog design was finally completed! I can't say enough about Gabby from Gabby's Classrooms!!! She is extremely patient, kind, and really affordable! This design was my 5th or 6th and I hope it's my last for a while. She really hit the nail on the head and knew exactly what I wanted. Out all of all my designs, this one is really me. I love bright & cheery colors, and I can't help but smile when I look at my design. If you haven't already, go and check her out! Even if you're not in the market for a blog design, she offers a lot of techy tips as well as free fonts from her favorite designers. 



The pit of my week had to be problems with my macbook. It's barely a year old, and has been to the shop already 3 times. I've paid close to $300 and I am super frustrated! I snapped this picture to show the tech guy who kept saying it's fine, and that there is no virus or worm. While I was blog hopping, the background on my laptop turned this weird color and then it shut down....wwwaaaaaaa!!! Has this ever happened to any of you?!




This week we planted some flowers for Earth Day which we also plan to give our mom's for Mother's Day...I totally forgot to snap a picture of that, but I did snap one when we were investigating seeds. My kids were amazed to learn that seeds come in all shapes and sizes. Bless their precious hearts. Afterwards we wrote about our discoveries in our journals. 



Click on the image to download. I hope it's something you can use in your classroom!




We did more journal writing using words from our word wall. I made the header but the cards are from First Grade Schoolhouse and can be purchased here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Spring-Word-Cards-1770503




Finally, we did a little review on things that are "Heavy & Light" for our district assessments which will continue next week....prayers are accepted and appreciated :)


Please forgive my poor picture quality. They are all taken on my cell phone. I have a fancy schmancy camera but cell phone pics are way better, hahahaha! I kid, I kid. I just keep forgetting to bring my camera with me in the morning. I promise next week's Five for Friday post will have better quality pictures!


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FREE Chalkboard Themed Supply Bin Labels

April 19, 2015
I posted this picture on my instagram page a few weeks ago and the response was so overwhelming, that I wanted to be sure I share it here as well.


I wish you could have seen the whole picture! There are almost 40 bins on that top shelf, a little OCD you might say!


You can shrink or enlarge these labels in your printer settings depending on your needs. I also included an editable set. Just click in the middle and type away! I hope you can find these useful in your classroom.





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This just pinned...

April 18, 2015

I haven't been on pinterest for a verrryyyy long time so it feels kinda good to be able to get back into the swing of things! I recently cleaned out my boards and all I have to do now is make those pretty board covers that I've seen some people have. Aaaahhhh, who am I kidding??!! 
I will probably never get around to making them...LOL! 

Anyhow, I am hoping to make this a regular post and share with you some of the things I find which hopefully, you might also find useful in your classroom as well. 

I absolutely loathe play-doh, but if it gets my kids motivated to learn, I'm all over it. 


Image Credit: mamapapabubba.com

You can read more about this fun activity here: 


I simply adored this picture when I saw it, but even better, it is FREE!!! 


Image Credit: inmyworld.com.au

And finally, some organization tips:


Image Credit: Kindergarten Fun with KFundamentals 

Popsicle trays make great crayon holders. 

And so do diaper wipe containers!


Image Credit: listotic.com



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Five for Friday - April 17th

April 17, 2015


I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching to bring you my 5 for Friday!! 




I definitely need an "amen" for surviving this week!! Although I am on Spring Break until Monday, I have never been busier!! I really tried to stop and smell the roses, but there are just so many things I've been needing to catch up on. 


My blog is getting a makeover!!!! I simply can't say enough about Ms. Gabby from Gabby's Classrooms. She is extremely creative, super sweet, very reasonably priced, and has a very fast turn around date. I am just so indecisive that it's taking me longer than usual to really finalize everything. Here's a sneak peak. There are just a few minor things that need to be tweaked before it can go live. I am like a kid on Christmas morning, I just can't wait. All my past designs have been something that I wanted at that "moment" but this one totally screams me!! She really hit the head on the nail! 




I purged and purged and purged!!! I am happy to report that I have given away almost half of this stuff. Excuse the awful picture, it's from my phone.

I posted this picture on my IG page a few weeks ago, and the response has been overwhelming! I sent it to a few people who asked, and I will be posting it on my teachers pay teachers store for free soon. Again, another awful picture, sorry.


Finally, my upcoming blog design has inspired my new theme for next school year, Neon Lights. I am working on this calendar header set and I hope to have more coordinating pieces available soon! This will be posted in my tpt store this weekend. 


Happy Friday!! 


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I've been busy....

April 16, 2015
I cringe, as I sit here thinking it's been five, GASP!, five months since I've checked in!! Well, my friends, I'm going to be very honest when I say I've had a very rough school year. I have a few precious boys with behavior issues, one with very major issues, and each and every single day was a struggle. I did everything I could and sought as much help as I could get, but at the end of the day I felt defeated. I felt so defeated that I would sit at my desk and pray, and cry, and pray again asking the Lord to give me strength. I also told him that I knew I was not put on this earth to just pay bills and die, a little dramatic, I know. I spoke to my administrator about taking the rest of the school year off, but of course he didn't seem too keen on that idea. He did offer to give me more support, and he re-assigned an aide into my classroom for a majority of the day.

I continued to pray and ask God to guide me. I questioned whether this was the job for me. I questioned everything. At that moment, I wanted to kick myself for going into the teaching field. I thought about resigning but wondered what would I do. I love teaching, but that flame was burning out rather quickly. Then one day, before heading home, as I unplugged my cell phone, this image popped up out of no where from my instagram account.



I don't know what it was but it was just what I needed at that time. During my lowest points, I am always quick to forget that the Lord is still with me. While I may not understand his test, whoever said "whatever doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger" was definitely right. You may or may not believe this but two days later, my precious boy transferred. His father got a job in another town and he was withdrawing immediately. It was very bittersweet, and trust me, I felt terrible, but in my heart I knew that God wouldn't give me anything I couldn't handle, and he knew I was struggling. I still have a lot of guilt, thinking I could have done more, or gave more of myself. I gave that boy a big hug on his last day and he will forever have a place in my heart.

I debated sharing this story with you, because I don't want to seem like a Debbie Downer, but I wanted to put it out there in case you have a similar story, and so you know you are not alone. Our job is never easy, and sometimes we don't always get the credit we deserve. Not many people can do what we do, day in and day out. I love Kindergarten, but I've decided to accept my administrator's offer to move to another grade next year. I'm not sure where I'll go, I'd honestly love to stay in Kinder, but I have to keep my faith and believe that everything happens for a reason, and maybe this move will turn out to be something just as great. 

I will definitely keep you posted! 

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