'Twas the Night Before 1st Grade...

Sometimes, after a deep long breath, all you can say is "Wow!" I have neglected my 'lil ol' blog these last few weeks...but, it was all in the name of my soon-to-be-firsties. 

I'm not gonna lie, more than once I thought I was crazy (make that kuh-razy) for deciding to change my classroom theme from beachy (for the last eight years) to Pirates...and more than once, amid all the laminated stacks of papers, haze of E-6000 glue, and the small moments of progress I made daily, I was SO glad I decided to go for it! Here are some teaser pics below...I'll do a honest-to-goodness, top-to-bottom, side-to-side classroom tour later...

So, as I sit here, between batches of Kissing Hand cookies, I sit and reflect on the years past, and the new year that is upon us all. Although I am starting my ninth year (yikes!), I have been a bundle of nerves this past week...excited for what this school year will bring, filled with slight trepidation as our school has a new principal (I have only had one other principal), and trying to bury the dreaded question, "What am I gonna do the first day of school?" No worries, I have that all figured out...(now)...

So, here's a snapshot (ha, ha) of what I have been up to these last few hours, days, and weeks...

Landry's on the pier

why do I look plastic?

I l-o-v-e the beach...

Imagine visiting the Selena memorial, as she overlooks the bay, while her song "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" plays on a fan's smart phone...although it was my third time to visit the memorial, it was still inspiring...

my goodies from Teacher Appreciation Days

my blank canvases... 

I painted these for my daughter's dorm room...JAM is for her and her roomie's initials (J and M)...so when you put it together, it is the JAM ROOM...so, if you see or hear about any craziness on FB in the "Jam Room," please let me know...(to my daughter, I have eyes everywhere...)

I am such a recycler, but what an eyesore...

duct tape is my new best friend...

making breakfast ahead of time...the flavored water is for my team...

so they look more like feet than Kissing Hands...lol...

collection of first week books

first day welcome book :)

Here's to a wonderful year (if you have already started)...and good luck if you start tomorrow like me!! I'd love to hear how your first day went or what you planned for your students as they walked in the door for the first time.

August Currently...Shoes...and a Giveaway!

It's that Currently time again...ya know, the one that Farley from Oh' Boy 4th Grade hosts...which means that my summer vacation is quickly coming to an end...sigh with me here...

Check out Farley's post to read about her rules for linking up...

And here's a couple of my back-to-school must haves...

Well, you know how I love books...and since Kohl's has the Skippyjon Jones series out currently, I could not resist. So, although I set out to get these...Skippyjon Jones, Skippyjon Jones Class Action, Skippyjon Jones in the Dog House, Skippyjon Jones Lost in Spice, and a Skippyjon Jones plush...

I also ended up with these...

and these...

AND these...

I would have l-o-v-e-d to get these...

In the words of Skippyjon Jones, "Holy jalapeño," I know!

So, to ease my guilt, I went to Target...no, really redemption is coming...and I bought another one of these:

What is it? Although it looks like a regular name tag, it is actually a giant magnetic dry erase board...this baby measures approximately 8 1/2" tall X 15" wide and comes with a magnetic dry erase pen, too!

So, I know what you're thinking...yes, well, now I have two...but ONE is for YOU! Now, I wish I could be like Oprah and say, "one for you" and "one for you" and "one for you,", BUT alas, I am a teacher just like you...so I have ONE to give away to ONE lucky YOU...

All you have to do is follow my blog, like my fan page, and leave me a comment telling me how you would use it in your classroom...don't forget to leave your email address so that I can contact you if you win...

The winner will be selected using a random number generator. *I can only ship within the U.S.*

Good luck! The contest ends on Tuesday, August 7th at 10:00 p.m.