Just One Word...

I despise resolutions! People always make them this time of year and usually, but not always, look back and see what they didn't accomplish. I don't want to fail, so if I don't make a list of all the things I suck at, I can't fail, right? WRONG! 

I'm linking up with my Primary Powers girls to bring you the best way to make a resolution...one word! Just one, simple word to sum up how you want to be a better person, teacher, friend etc. this coming year. 

Sounds simple and easy to me. Now let's see if I can accomplish just one small part of my resolution. 

Here's my word: PATIENCE 

I need more of this in my life. ALL. PARTS. OF. MY. LIFE! 

As a mom, I need more patience with my boys. The days get crazy and I need to step back and take a look at the big picture sometimes. 

As a wife, I need more patience with the hubs too! No details needed. Relationships need patience to grow and be nurtured correctly. I need to do more of this.

As a teacher, patience is what gets us through the days. I need more of it.

For myself, I need more patience! I juggle too much sometimes. I need to forgive myself for not getting everything checked off my mental "to do" list in a timely manner. I need to take a step back, slow down and have patience! It will all get done in due time. Patience, patience, patience....That is my word this year!

Be sure to head over to Primary Powers and link up your one word resolution too! 

Weekend Warriors December Deliciousness

Now that the craziness of the Christmas holiday is starting to slowdown, it is time to get ready for the New Year! I have joined the Weekend Warrior gals to bring you some fun and festive recipes to use to ring in 2015!

Finger foods and delicious beverages are always a way to start a great celebration. Most importantly, the recipes need to be EASY to make. When I have people over, I don't want to be in the kitchen cooking and prepping. I want to be with my guests eating and being merry. The recipes I am sharing with you are simple, easy, and delicious.

 I made these little Baked Brie Bites last year for New Year's Eve. They are SO easy to make. You might want to double the recipe because they will be gone before you blink. All you need is fillo dough cups, brie, cranberry sauce and pistachios.

If you would like a copy of the recipe, click on the picture below to print it out.

New Year's wouldn't be complete without a few good drink recipes. For the kids, I am going to make these Chocolate Mock-tinis I found on Pinterest. Pick a fun clear glass to use and coat the inside with chocolate syrup. Then, blend together 1/2 c chocolate milk, 1c chocolate mint ice cream and a few ice cubes. I am going to garnish the rim with sprinkles instead of a candy cane for the New Year. What kid wouldn't feel special and festive drinking this while ringing in the New Year?

I love a fun drink! I saw this Cotton Candy Champagne Drink on Pinterest too. This is on my list to make this year. 

All you do is fill a glass with cotton candy and pour Perrier over it! What? Pink sparkling fun in  glass. I'm in!

If you aren't already following our Weekend Warrior Pinterest board, just click on the picture below so you won't miss out on any of the fun!

Check out all these fabulous bloggers and their December Deliciousness recipes too!

Hippo Hooray for Second Grade	Lucky To Be In First	Bright Concepts 4 Teachers	Primarily Speaking
A Sunny Day In First Grade	Saddle Up Second Grade	A Burst of First	Creative Lesson Cafe
First Grade Smiles

InLinkz.com

How To Survive The Week Before Winter Break

I am giddy with excitement that winter break is finally here! It is Sunday, and I am just now sitting down to write about my week....that is how busy I have been. 

One day last week, I just decided to scrap all my language arts lesson plans and decided to do art all morning! It was liberating and the kids were besides themselves with excitement. Anybody that knows me, knows that I HATE paint! That being said, this was a pleasure! I busted out my brand new watercolors (remember, I hate to paint), oil pastels, and covered the tables and we got to work. 

We made these adorable reindeer portraits you may have seen all over Pinterest and the blogging world. The kids were so proud of themselves. Once they were dry, I mounted them on black paper. The parents went crazy for them when we sent them home! Thank you to ARTventurous for the step by step directions and fabulous visuals! 

We also got to work on some winter classroom transformations! I like to have my room ready for January before we leave for winter break. All the holiday goodness that was displayed was taken down and handed out to the kids so they could take it home and enjoy it over break. When they return, they will see their snowman glyphs and poems on our bulletin board.

This activity is from my Let It Snow! Snowman Glyph and Writing Prompts packet

We also worked on our descriptive writing and use of adjectives with this writing activity from Aimee at Primarily Speaking. This is a freebie you can grab in her TpT store. These will also be up and hanging around the room for our January return.

And on top if all the holiday madness, it was my son's birthday! Friday night, there was slumber party craziness....pillow fights, basketball, video games, and junk food galore! Then, go carting racing the next day, to top it all off!

I think it is safe to say...I am VERY ready for a vacation! I hope all of you have an incredible holiday season and well deserved winter vacation!

Spectacular Secret Santas

I am so excited to have joined two of my sweet blogging gals, Angela from Hippo Hooray in Second Grade and Marcy from Saddle Up For 2nd Grade, for a little holiday fun! We were paired up to send some seasonal cheer to a fellow blogger. I had so much fun shopping and wrapping away. Fingers crossed the goodies are well received!

I was so excited when I came home one afternoon and found this on my doorstep. And who could it be from? No other than....

Brenda picked out all of my favorite candy....My heart went pitter-patter when I opened my package and saw Junior Mints, York Peppermint Patties and peppermint bark. My "stash" has been reloaded, people! Joy to the World!!!

As I came back down to Earth from my sugar high, I saw some more wonderful surprises...

SCENTOS galore! 

I hadn't even taken them out of the box and my son was snatching up the Santa Scentos and claiming it as his! W-H-A-T???? Mitts off, kiddo! They're mine! 

A MILLION thank yous to Brenda for this extremely thoughtful gift! Simply perfect in every way! Virtual bloggy hugs are being sent to you, Brenda!!! Thank you warming my heart, adding 5 lbs to each of my hips and giving me my smelly marker high! You rock! I love it all!

Make sure to head on over and check out all the holiday cheer and meet some new bloggers while you are at it!

An InLinkz Link-up

Sequencing Freebies

Today, I am blogging over at Primary Powers.

I am sharing a few ideas on how to review sequencing with a little winter, holiday flare. 

Head on over to learn about this cute activity and how you can grab your own copy too.

12 Days of Christmas Sales

As I am in a crazy frenzy trying to wrap up the first semester of the school year, I am also starting to plan for the second semester to start once we get back from winter break. I am no doubt a planner. But this time of year, it seems more difficult to get ahead. That is why I have linked up with Amanda from the Primary Gal to bring you some INCREDIBLE sales right before Christmas!

Here is how the sale works: Today is the first day of Christmas and....

 all the items below are $1.00

On the second day of Christmas all the items will be $2.00. On the third day of Christmas all items will be $3.00. and so on. How awesome is that?  I hope you will check back each day to see what is on sale. Tomorrow all the items will be $2.00.

Here is what is on sale today for $1.00:

Head over to The Primary Gal to see what other products are on sale today!

A Few of Our Favorite Things Blog Hop + Giveaway

I am so excited to be joining up with some of my blogging friends to bring you a very special blog hop of  "A Few of Our Favorite Things."

Starbucks Coffee

I just HAVE to start my day with a little java. I just purchased one of these reusable $2 holiday cups! I feel so fancy! I want to share my love of coffee with you too! As part of this giveaway, you could win a Starbucks gift card from me!

Osteria Mozza:

This is my most favorite restaurant around! It is only for special occasions in my mind. You have to make reservations a month in advance. That means you can't go here on a whim. Nancy Silverton and Mario Batali rock my world. I have celebrated many special moments with my husband here, so it holds a special place in my heart. The food is incredible! The wine is amazing! It is always an event to remember. 

Lancome Juicy Tubes:

I look forward to opening my stocking Christmas morning because of these little tubes of deliciousness! Santa knows how much I love my Juicy Tubes and usually leaves me a little surprise. It lasts me the entire year and I get to remember the holidays each time I use a tube. Can't get much better than that!

I have also put THREE of my favorite holiday items on sale for 50% off December 7th-14th  only! Click on each picture to take you to them on my TpT store.

Baby, It's Cold Outside Literacy Centers and Winter Book Activities

Gingerbread Winter Fun Literacy Centers and Writing Craftivity

Snow Much Fun! Language Arts Activities

Because we value our followers and wanted to treat you to our favorite things Oprah style, we have put together the best giveaway of the season! My bloggy friends and I welcome you to the best, biggest, most cheerful event of the season:

7 winners for 7 prize packs!

Come and enter the giveaway and check out my bloggy friends' favorite things:


a Rafflecopter giveaway

An InLinkz Link-up