St. Paddy's Day........

We've read several St. Paddy's Day books this week, but this is the only craft, if that's what you want to call it that we've been able to do.  I have been assessing out the you know what.  Report cards go home on the 25th.  Plus.....I am chairing our adult night out fundraiser at my little guys school, it's a Murder Mystery/Art Auction.   I can't wait for it, I always wanted to go to a murder mystery show.  We're using Murder Mystery Inc, I just hope the show they put on is entertaining.  The art auction part is what is putting me over the edge a little.  I decided to do it a little different this year and have theme art projects per grade level.  So all the first grade classes are doing platters, the kindergarten classes have painted on canvas etc.  But one mom is in charge of each grade level. And because I felt a little bad about asking people to do this, I'm getting a lot of their supplies, not to mention I'm doing the first grade projects.  I ran this about 4 years ago and we had the room mom's do the projects and it caused a lot of tension and anxiety.  Now I'm the one with tension and anxiety, ha!  And.....today I found out it is pink slip time once again -36 of us will be getting them.  So.... probably for the next few months I might be b*tching and moaning about my job :(  sorry.  Anyway, so glad it's Friday, this was a long week.  Happy Weekend people!

Helloooo....Eric Carle

I know- pretty random considering tomorrow it's going to be all things Dr. Seuss.  But the board of ed took our February vacation away about 3 weeks ago, leaving very little time for parents and teachers to change their plans, so I didn't want to teach anything really knew to the kids. I had 13 most of the week. I decided to do a mini author study on Eric Carle, I love his illustrations!  Throughout the week, we read
 and a few others when we had a few extra minutes.  The kids loved them, and to my surprise many had never read A House for Hermit Crab and The Grouchy Ladybug, so it was great, we could really get into predicting what the stories were about, the problem and solutions, character traits etc.  Whenever I teach a unit I have the kids make these little folders to put all their papers and projects relating to whatever subject we're covering.  See below:

Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?

The Grouchy Ladybug

A House For Hermit Crab

Retelling The Very Hungry Caterpillar

I love these the most, I think they came out great!

It was fun, and artistically they did a great job.  I love how my little guys are really getting into details now.  In other news,  we had an action packed weekend.  John and I, ok mostly John is painting almost every room in the house.  I do the trim here and there.  We both hate painting with a passion, but it needs to be done.  To get us through we keep thinking of the end result.  When we moved in to this house almost 7 years ago, it was sparkling, the gal who we bought the house from was very crafty and LOVED to paint and wallpaper.  We had basically the same taste, so we didn't have much to do, but now it's getting all worn, everything seems to be breaking at once, ya know it's time.  I also decided to go back to zumba.  I love it, but I get pretty lazy in the winter and since summer is around the corner, it's time to go back.  My junk food has gotten the best of me.  Ha!  Anyway, Jack had 2 basketball games, which I am praying is coming to an end this Thursday.  I know that's kinda mean but just like the snow, we are done with bball.  He also had football on Sunday morning, they won, woo hooo and he had 2 td's, he played great!  I was one proud mama!  Ryan and Danny really had no activities and were busy at friends houses. And before you knew it, the weekend was over!  I've spent the last 2 days getting my room ready for tomorrow and the big Dr. Seuss bash! That's all for now, have a great night!

How cute is this.......

If you're into Dr. Seuss, check these ADORABLE cookies, http://www.mypapercrane.com/blog/?p=1911.  And, totally random but..... have you heard of Razkids?  Our district bought it for all the schools this year, it's kind of like webkins only you read books.  My school had it last year so I was very familiar with it.  I added Danny to my k class list last year but he wasn't that into it.  His teacher went on with them today at school and what a difference a year makes.  He just spent the last hour listening, reading and taking comprehension quizzes trying to add up points so he could go to "raz rockets" to buy things for his rocket.  It's really an awesome reading tool.  Check it out, maybe your school may want to invest in it, I totally recommend it.  Well, it's getting late, have a good night, tomorrow is F-R-I-D-A-Y!

Dr. Seuss and other random stuff...

What we're doing for our Dr. Seuss party next week.....
On Tuesday I am going to read after we discuss Dr. Seuss, the kids will make Cat in the Hat headbands.  I have red templates all set up, the kids need to cut them out, add white strips and glue onto red poster board to make the headband.  I will save these in our room for our party the next day.  The kids are set up in groups of 4-5.  We will have 4 centers set up and will rotate every 20 minutes.
After listening to part of The first group will go to snack and eat green(lime) jello egg shaped jigglers along with alphabet cookies and juice.  I have a student who is allergic to almost everything and this is what she can have.  I would love to eat green eggs and ham though, maybe next year!
The next group will listen to part of  after they will fish for rhyming words from a blow up pool.  I bought these at Michael's and wrote words from the word families we have gone over so far.  After they pick up a fish, they will write what is says on a cute little worksheet and write a rhyming word in the fish next to it.  If I knew how to download I would, I need to figure that out :(  sorry.
Group 3 will listen to part of .  We have a button maker at school and we ordered Dr. Seuss buttons that say I Love to Read!  that the kids will color and make into buttons.

Group 4 will listen to part of  and make these adorable Cat in the Hat pictures with different color hats and bow ties that the children will choose.  They will then cut up the sentence "The hat on my cat is ____." and put it back in order and add a color word.  Danny came to school with me today and he made an example:
We're only reading part of each book because of timing issues but Dr. Seuss is my author of the month and I will read those during March.  I thought it would be fun to have a mystery reader throughout March as well, I know the kids will get a kick out of guessing whose mom or dad or grandparent is coming in to read to our class.
In other news, we all went skiing on Friday night and had a blast. I haven't skied in probably 17 years and I loved it. Skiing is like riding a bike, once you get going again it's a piece of cake. All 3 kids made it look so easy. Ryan and John had gone just a couple of weeks ago and Ry picked it up right away, so I didn't really see him the whole night. I felt a little sorry for Jack, it was his first time and all of his friends have been going for years, so he kinda just hung out with me and John. Something a 14 year really wants to do...NOT!  His buds were going on black diamonds and he was stuck with us :( Maybe next time he goes, he'll have more confidence and try the bigger hills. Danny was awesome, he looked so cute skiing down the bunny hill, so serious too, it was so funny. Unfortunately, it started to thunder and lightning which freaked him out so we called is a day, but he hasn't stopped talking about it since. The rest of the weekend was filled with basketball games and YAY!......football. Jack is playing in a winter indoor league and the jamboree was on Sunday, our real games start this Sunday coming up. Woo Hoo!  I love watching him play. And today was back to school and back to reality.




Danny riding up whatever this is called, sort of like an escalator.  Pretty cool.



Jack and Danny.



Even when he fell, he was all smiles!



Stylish Blogger!

Thank you Jonelle!  I feel honored :)  That was so sweet, you really made my day!!

Here are the rules for receiving this award:

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Award 5 recently discovered great bloggers.

4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award.

 7 things about me:

• I have been teaching for 18 years, however, after my third son, we moved a little north and I was able  to stay home with him for 4 years.  
• We have moved every time we had a kid...nothing like adding a little stress to pregnancy!
• I have to make the beds and shower before I go downstairs in the morning...I know just a little ocd ;)
• I absolutely love watching my kids play sports especially football and lacrosse.
• I love to dance especially with my college chickies, we have the best time every time we get together.
• I really do not watch a lot of tv, but when I do it's crime shows and the Kardashians, what a combo LOL.
• I wish me and my sisters all lived near each other :(

Now I tag these FABULOUS bloggers:
Annie at http://annieadams.typepad.com/jumping_on_beds/
Sarah from http://firstgraderatlast.blogspot.com/
Katie from http://katiesliteraturelounge.blogspot.com/
The girlies from http://frogsbeesundertheseas.blogspot.com/
Tricia from http://www.scribblingonwalls.com/
Kim from http://saylorslog.blogspot.com/

Valentine's Day in my room was nice and relaxed. We decorated our mailboxes (white bags from Michael's) for morning work.  Read a few Valentine books:
 

Before reading The Valentine Bears, the kids predicted what the story might be about and what vocabulary might be in the story which we charted.  They love doing this, but they especially love when we check afterward to see who had the best predictions.  Then we went to gym, came back and had our Valentine snack ~ heart shaped rice krispie treats-YUM! We worked on a few math activites involving sorting and finally the moment we were waiting for ALL MORNING......delivering our Valentine's.....woo hoo!

February page for Jazzy Journal courtesy of kinderbykim



sorting conversation hearts



Decorating our bags

The finished product

Delivering cards

Hope you all had a nice Valentine's Day Party, now on to the 100th day of school......tomorrow!  FINALLY....with all the snow days I was wondering if we'd ever get to it... But the best news of the week is, drumroll......... it's supposed to be 60 on Friday!  I am so excited!!  I know it's just a tease but I'll take it.  And the crazy thing is we're going skiing that afternoon, that is my kind of ski weather, lol.  Anyway, Danny's class is having International Night tonight that I have to go get ready for.  ttyl

Valentine's Day Brunch

My LOVE's

Danny lovin' his 1 millionth stuffed animal

LAX outfits for the big guys

We decided to celebrate Valentine's Day one day early here.  Tomorrow morning would be way too rushed.  I decorated the table while John made most of our breakfast.  It was awesome, everything was delicious (breakfast is my fav. meal) the kids loved their little goodies and we ate PEACEFULLY- lol.  When we(meaning me and Annie) first started planning this brunch (her Vday fun day is tomorrow) I was very gung ho. The table WAS going to be elaborately decorated, but as it got closer it seemed like a lot to do since our weekends are jam packed. Sometimes things sound great until you actually have to do them right?  Anyway, the menu was:

• french toast and pancakes
• bacon
• cinnamon rolls
• heart shaped rice krispie treats
• scrambled eggs
• milk in a lovely shade of pink
• strawberry nesquick with heart shaped marshmallows that Danny tossed out immediately :P

YUM!!! Red food coloring was put to good use today! Tomorrow is the big day at school, hope you all have a HAPPY HEART DAY too!  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!