Happy New Years Eve - and some Freebies!

It's hard to believe that the break is half way over!  My cousin drove up from Florida to bring her kids skiing in Maggie Valley.  It's only a few hours for Scott and I so we met up with them for a little ski trip.  I LOVE to ski!

But with all the bragging Scott did, he wasn't that great on the slopes :)

We all had such a good time!  It was good to get to see some family - even if it was just for a few days.

So before Christmas break, one thing that I like to do is use different versions of the Gingerbread Man to compare the adventures of characters in stories.  I've started to grow a little collection of Gingerbread books...

We use Venn diagrams to compare and contrast and I also like to use these stories to retell events.  I have a little reading response sheet for the students to use to recall the events and write about them.  

But wouldn't ya know it - I RAN OUT OF COPIES!!!  (Yes, I am only allowed 1000 copies per month and I have 22 students!)  So what do I do?  IMPROVISE!  and quickly.

I took sheets of paper and started to fold!  The results did not turn out that bad...

THIS is that page that I WANTED to use...you can get it along with other reading response sheets for free HERE.

And then the pen to my Smart Notebook wasn't working.  I needed an anchor chart.  So what do I do?  I slap some butcher paper on the board!

So after the students did their turn and talk and filled out their response sheet, they helped me fill out mine.  

Then we did a text to self connection (If I were a Gingerbread Girl or Boy) and filled out this little poster from Caitlin Clabby at Kindergarten Smiles.

They really enjoyed making the Gingerbread people!

I don't know about y'all, but I have been using my break to try to catch up!  I found these clear pebbles at the dollar store and grabbed them because I thought I could use them for something that looks like "ice."  The little blue bucket I found at Target for a dolla - holla!

 I wrote letters on all the "ice" and added a scoop.  So when my students get back, they will have a new activity at their word study center called "Stone Scoop!"  Get it?  STONE SCOOP!  Instead of SOUP?  Ha ha - yes I'm lame and I get a kick out of weird things.

They'll scoop out some "ice,"  make as many words as they can, record, and do it again!

I even made a cute little recording page for this center.  

You can get it for free HERE.

Hope y'all have a safe and Happy New Year!

13 in '13 Linky Party!

I just failed my North Carolina driving test!  Who does that?  FAILS a driving test???  Oh, wait - I DO!  I was in such a foul mood but then I saw this linky party and thought "Sweet relief!"

I've linked up with Dragonflies in First, A Teeny Tiny Teacher and Miss Kindergarten for their annual 13 in '13 linky party!  I can't believe this year is already over.  Scott and I were just celebrating New Year's 2012!

Hhhmmmm...I would have to say the maxi skirt.  I have one that I absolutely lived in this summer.  It's pretty bad when your fiance asks, "Did you just dig that out of the dirty clothes hamper?"  I plan on collecting more this summer.  They are perfect for those long summer days when you haven't been to the gym!

I'll be honest - I didn't watch many movies this year.  But I am a total traditionalist and EVERY year my family watches the same movies at the same time.  CURRENTLY I am watching Christmas Vacation.  My family will text me random quotes from the movie - my aunt texted me one yesterday!  We always like to quote the movie when we are together but this year with me being in North Carolina and them being in Florida we have to resort to text :(

"Why is the carpet all wet Todd???"

"I don't KNOW MARGO!"

Is it bad that I don't even watch TV???  Boy, I am not doing good with this linky.  Well, being that I am now engaged and live with a stinky boy, all we watch is the sports channel.  Golf, football, basketball...we have three TV's in this house and all three are usually on a sports channel.  It wasn't until yesterday that my mother-in-law was here and took over and said that we were going to watch Christmas movies on Hallmark.  But, when I get a spare moment (or a TV to myself), I love the Big Bang Theory!

It's a gem!  The finest steak in the world!  Bern's Steakhouse.  If you are ever in Tampa, Florida, and are looking for a unique dining experience, go to Bern's.  

Not only is it a historical piece of Tampa, it's the most incredible dining experience.

Step classes.  After the class was over the instructor said, "Well now you tried real hard didn't ya?"

 Well DUH! 

What makes it even better is that he designed the ring himself!  He was SOOOO worth the wait!!!

I don't have one thing in particular that I pinned that has been my favorite - I love everything I pin!  But I did pin these to my wedding board...

And my sweet Mama saw I had wanted them for my wedding shoes and went out and bought them!

I haven't been blogging for very long - just a couple of months - so I don't have many blogs to speak of.  But one that I do love is when I received such a sweet card from someone at school and posted about "Random Acts of Kindness"

Realizing that it's not all about me anymore.  I have someone else in my life and I need to stop being selfish.  I am learning to compromise and work with someone else.  For me, that is a HUGE accomplishment!

This one is easy...

It was the day we got engaged.  Scott had made a little picnic by the pond.  My sister said I could have at least had my nails done - I had no idea!

Another easy one...

Having my favorite ladies travel far and wide to be there to help me find my wedding dress!  From left to right:

Maggie (my future mother in law), Betty (bestie and bridesmaid), my sweet Momma (yes, she has black hair, mine is blond), Ana (bestie and bridesmaid), Melany (my cousin's daughter and bridesmaid), Sarah (my crazy cousin I've rolled with since birth and bridesmaid), and Jenny (cousin by marriage and bridesmaid).

I wish everyone could have made it.  I loved having everyone there!  

And I did find THE dress...I am so IN LOOOVE with it.  Sometimes I just open the bag to stare at it...

To pray more.  And to pray more with Scott.  He and I are trying to get into the habit of spending the evenings together and talking and he has mentioned he wants to pray more together.  So that is a goal for both of us.

Passion.

Colossains 3:23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men

  

What's YOUR 13 in 2013?

Only One More Week!

So I LOVE the things that Kristen posts on A Day in First Grade.  She's so stankin' creative!  She had posted some pics of a pretty little peg board that she had decorated with garland, lights and ornaments...I just HAD to do one too!  "How lovely and easy" I thought.  Well...mine didn't turn out as lovely as hers.

I'm serious - if you saw Kristen's and then looked at mine you would think, "Epic fail, Toms...Epic..Fail."

BUT, the kids have really enjoyed it and that's all the matters, right?

I made these cute little writing prompts to go across the front.

They have really enjoyed opinion writing this month!  If you would like a copy, the first five people to comment can get them for free!

My current obsession right now?  All things glitter.  And more glitter.  Our house looks like it's been crop dusted by a pixie.  I've been going a little cray, cray with the Silhouette this holiday season...

I've been making the most darling little ornaments for my friends and family...a Pinterest idea for sure!

And of course I had to make one for Scott and I :)

Some girls off my team went with me to the Scholastic Warehouse Sale this week.  OMG...there was so much STUFF!  I couldn't pay attention to one thing for very long.  

And the books were super cheap.  I got a bunch of paperbacks for $2.50 a pop!

If you have one in your area I highly suggest going.  And take some friends...it was way too much fun!

The first grade team had their "Dirty Santa" Christmas party last night.  Although, my gift wasn't very "dirty."

We had a good time.  I love these girls!

Lastly, I'm very excited about making memories this holiday season because it's Scott and I's first Christmas as an engaged couple!  Insert "awwww" <here>.

We went out and bought a massive tree, had a "date night" and decorated it.

All we have are ornaments and a tree skirt.  We don't have any stockings or other holiday decor but we figured we'd collect that as we go.  We'll be together FOR-EV-ER!

Happy Holidays!