The Ultimate Legoland and Pinterest Experience

Hi, friends. I have been dying to share my Legoland experience with you! My first grade class of 22 (along with the rest of the first grade team of another 66 kiddos) visited the newly opened Legoland. Since it is located approximately 30 miles away, we got to enjoy the "whole" field trip experience, including a joyous bumpy school bus ride and a quick highway view of the nearby Six Flags amusement park (amid ooohs and aaahs).

my new classroom mascot

The first stop for my class was the 30-minute Tall Towers Workshop, followed by an introduction to the Lego Factory (with a complimentary Lego brick for every student), the Kingdom's Quest ride, a tour through Miniland, a short Lego movie in 4D, rompus play in the Lego City Play Zone, the Merlin's Apprentice ride, and ended with time in the Lego Racers Zone and Princess Parlor...can you say karaoke machine...

ode to the Mavs

It was an amazing stress-free experience for me and completely hands-on experience for my kiddos. They were kept busy entertained from the time we arrived until the time we left. I can't wait to return!

What's more, at the end of the day, one of my boys turned to me and said, "Ms. Talley, thank you for taking us to Legoland." How sweet!!

In other news, I participated in yet another Teacher Blogger Exchange hosted by Caitlin and Sarah. These are so.much.fun!

We were to take our best Pinterest find and create something wonderful for our partner. I Pinterest-stalked Elizabeth from Fun in Room 4B and found my idea on one of her boards:

fabric-covered mousepad and coasters

I was so excited that my sweet exchange partner, Stephanie (I couldn't find a blog for her) made me these:

How did she know I was (secretly) wishing for a personalized clipboard?! My kiddos went crazy over the personalized hanitizer (don'tcha just love firsties)! The pens are almost too cute to use :)

My students participated in the class Valentine's exchange, so they hear me talking all the time about my 'teacher blogger friends'. They're probably going to be disappointed next year when their teacher doesn't participate in all these exchanges :)

What Pinteresting things have inspired you? Do you have a list of craftivities you want to work on this summer?

Only 18 days left of school, but who's counting???

Valentine's Day Exchange...and linky party

Well, it's time for another linky party, mateys! After the overwhelming response to Holly Bloggy Christmas, Caitlin from Ms. Preppy and Sarah from Kindergarten Korner put together yet another exchange for us. Caitlin and Sarah got such a great response, they had to create a special blog just to hold it all.

I participated in both the teacher-to-teacher exchange and the classroom-to-classroom exchange. But, first, I have to brag a lil' bit share a pic of my loot. Maybe I've talked a wee bit too much of my fondness for chocolate? I now have a stash that will last me for months!

For the classroom-to-clasroom exchange, these are the adorable valentines that Tamera and her class from My Heart Belongs in First made for my class. The hand-drawn faces and individualized outfits on the bears holding a bag of gummy bears were oh.so.cute! I also got a large decorated clothespin perfect for holding reminders for me or messages for my students.

notice the face at the top right

freshly opened box

These are what my kiddos sent to her class, inspired by this find. The flowered pops turned out sooo cute. We also sent some Pokemon valentine cards, a valentine bucket, and a lil' something for Ms. Wilson.

It was the perfect exchange because we both have the same number of kiddos and teach firsties.



For the teacher-to-teacher exchange, here's what Barbara over at First Grade Delight sent me: a journal (a place for me to write all my blog ideas down), a mini notepad and pen set (perfect for my purse for those afore mentioned blog ideas), an assortment of valentiney stickers, a chocolate bar (my kiddos say 'thank you' for keeping Ms. Talley happy), a pair of fuzzy socks (perfect for the freaky cold front that came in this past weekend), a gift card to Subway, and a cute green bucket to hold all my goodies :)


This is what I made for Jennifer over at Herding Kats in Kindergarten (the "K" is for Knopf). I also got her a bag of chocolates. I enjoyed getting back to my creative side which has been reignited by my new friend Pinterest.

I enjoyed sharing my treasures with you! What is the best Valentine's Day gift you have given or received?

XOXO,