Giveaway!

There's a great giveaway going on at Holly and Joanne's blogs to celebrate 1000 followers each AND the New Year.

Each day they are featuring three bloggers and a chance to win one of their favorite products. Today you can win my Happy Happy Happy Literacy Centers! They regularly sell for $6 in my store and are very popular with the kids. Go check out the giveaway!

Eh, I'll go back one day...

Today has not exactly gone the way I planned. Yesterday morning, I woke up with one of those awful viruses you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy (or maybe I'm just a big baby). Anyway, I was quarantined to my bedroom until it all passed. Seriously, Steven dropped off some ginger ale, crackers, and some tulips, then he backed out of the room spraying Lysol. So sweet, right? Just kidding. One of us has to be able to take care of the goober.

So instead of going back to school today (since we weren't closed for snow/cold weather), I stayed in bed. I think whatever I had has passed, although I'm too scared to eat much and test my boundaries. Good news? My school is CLOSED tomorrow for a "cold" day. Perk of being a rural school? I think so! I guess it will also give me time to sanitize the rest of my house.

Don't forget that today is the big launch day for our new literacy blog, and you don't want to miss it!

Stay warm! Who else is off for a "cold" day?

Five for Friday - It's a New Year!

I have kept my promise and spent very little time online blogging/following blogs. Actually, today I finally began going through my bloglovin feed to narrow down only to posts that would be most helpful for teaching. Today's post will be short, not very school related, and mostly just pictures of what I've been up to on my break!

We had a blast making Christmas memories with this little guy. He enjoyed trying cookies and has learned the word very well. Of course, he preferred eating cookie dough like his mommy over actually helping make cookies.

We woke up Christmas morning at home, and Keagan got a new tricycle! As tall as he is, his feet still don't quite touch the pedals, but he loves it! We also have a TON of new toy vehicles. Our living room is now officially a playroom.

On Thursday, we flew to see family in Mississippi. Keagan and I flew when he was 6 months old, but this time was a big deal because he had his own seat and is much more active. The flight attendants even gave him his own wings! He loved every minute of it.

One of the neatest things about visiting family was that this was the first time all of my mom's family were together in YEARS. We got a picture of my grandparents with all of the great-grandchildren (and me since Keagan wasn't up for anyone else holding him). Keagan is the baby by two months until my sister has her baby in February.

And for just a few teacher-y things, have you seen Joanne and Holly's big giveaway? It started yesterday, and it's awesome! I will be participating later in the week, so go check it out!

Then make sure you've marked your calendars for the big kick-off for our new Literacy Collaborative Blog. It starts Monday, and I'm SO excited!! There will be freebies every day, so make sure you don't miss them!

Currently January

Happy New Year! How many of you stayed up (or maybe even went out) to ring in the new year? We were old and went to bed early. Actually, I made it to 10 before heading to bed, but travelling with a toddler will wear you out quickly! I'm going to keep it pretty short, but I want to post my currently!

Most of these are pretty straight-forward. We flew to visit my family in Mississippi and just got back yesterday afternoon. Keagan LOVED flying! I think he's more interested in planes right now than trains. He was a very good boy, but he wouldn't leave mommy's side. This meant I carried all 32 pounds of him through three airports, and I ended up eating with him in my lap multiple times. Steven and others tried to help, but he mainly just wanted me. It's been nice today letting him enjoy all of his toys and not needing to be in my lap all the time. Of course, our living room is covered in every toy that he got for his birthday/Christmas. Oh well!

In other news (more teacher-related), there is a new blog in town! A group of 20 wonderful reading specialists/coaches are starting a collaborative blog that will be full of great ideas for literature instruction. I'm so excited to be working with this group of talented women, and I can't wait for our big launch next week! Make sure you're following us on Bloglovin so you can collect a bunch of great freebies and learn all about the participants. Everything is all set up and ready to go!

Thirteen in '13 and a SALE!!

I saw this link up a little while back and thought it would be fun to participate. I think I did it last year, too!

 I think it's safe to say I love my skinny jeans! I would wear them every day once the weather gets a little cooler and I'm not in dresses anymore. Plus I love my boots (a close second), and the jeans are some of the few pants I can wear them with!

 Steven and I almost never go to the movies because they're so expensive, so we've only been once all year (although I really want to see Catching Fire).

 

I know this book was assigned when I was in high school, but I honestly couldn't remember ANYTHING about it except that it was set during the 20's and they liked to party. Thinking I didn't actually read it...but I really enjoyed the movie. And the music was really fun!

Still Big Bang Theory. We don't watch a lot of tv, especially now that we've gotten rid of cable/satellite. This show probably won't get old to me for a while!

We have this local restaurant that Steven and I discovered and LOVE! It's a little pricey but not terrible, so we go when we can. It's called Mint, and now their new chef is from The Next Food Network Star a few seasons ago (when we still had cable and were addicted to Food Network), so we really need to go again!

 

Malcolm Mitchell, chef

This year, I did two of those painting classes at this local shop. It was so much fun, and you get to bring home a piece of art! If you have one at home, you really should try it out.

My brother bought me the cutest leopard print shoes from Target! They're really comfortable, and my boots have been able to take a little bit of a break. Plus they're WAY cheaper than the adorable Tieks that I've been seeing around the blogging world but will probably never be able to afford.

I really haven't done a whole lot of pinning this year, but I did decide to go DIY for some Christmas presents, so I will share that idea - chalkboard coasters! They were so easy, and my aunts loved them!

Back in the summer, I participated in a VA blog hop that was so much fun! Even though I haven't had the chance to meet most of these ladies yet, I have enjoyed getting to know them online through the blogging community. We put together some great freebies for you to have (and I may be adding a new page to mine so this could be a reflection on the year as well).

I had a goal with my TPT store to make enough for a check in the first quarter (before they went to monthly payouts), and I made it! Going to premium seller was scary, but it has definitely been worth it. Thank you to all of my wonderful followers that love my stuff enough to buy it! You've already paid for my ticket to see my sister and her new baby in the spring!

That's a tough choice, but I think I have to go with this one. I like that it kind of shows how we're watching our little boy grow into something amazing!

Anything with Keagan is a great memory, but I would have to say this Christmas! He has really had a blast learning about the traditions, the food, and he had fun meeting some of my family for the first time.

I want to be more organized with my time so that I can focus more on my family. This may mean that I blog less (or at least only during scheduled times), but it's important that I take time away from the computer to make more memories!

Possibilities

Alright, we just got in from flying with a toddler who wouldn't let his mommy put him down, so I'm going to take a nap. You can stop by my store and treat yourself to something nice because I am having a sale!

Merry Christmas!

This is just a quick post while my boys are taking naps (the hubs, dogs, AND son - it's gloriously peaceful!) to say Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

I plan on spending a lot of time with the family, so I probably won't post very much until school starts back on January 6. I hope all of my wonderful friends and followers have a wonderful and relaxing time away from school, and I pray that God showers you with his blessings!

Some Giveaways to Check Out

How many of you were awake early this morning even though it's the beginning of break? I could have slept for a while, but little goober was screaming for his mommy by 7:30. Oh well, that's still some extra sleep, and it's not like we rushed to put on real clothes and do anything! We've been taking it easy and playing with all of his new toys from his birthday. Then I had to go and upset him for a haircut, but that meant he was more worn out for his nap.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know about two fabulous giveaways that you don't want to miss! Amanda and Stacia at Collaboration Cuties are celebrating one year with two great prizes that any teacher would love to have!

Then be sure you head over to Andrea's blog for her Christmas giveaway where you can get winner's choice from a great selection of stores (mine included)!