Currently 2016 !!

Happy New Year Everyone! I can not believe it is 2016 already! Time flies so quickly!! I am feeling pretty lucky right now because I still have another week off. I am super excited to be linking up with Farley for the first Currently of the new year.

Listening: Ok, I am going to admit it!! I am a fan of the Hallmark channel. I just got suckered in the past few months. Of course over vacation I have watched every single Christmas movie on Hallmark multiple times. My favorites are The Bridge and The Christmas Ornament. Right now, I am listening to the the channel right now as I am doing some school work.

Loving: Can we say I heart vacation!!! This has been a much needed one. I have done quite a bit of nothing in my pj's on the couch!!

Thinking: I know I might get some dirty looks on this one!! Yes, I still have one more week off. Our district decided to go with the high school calendar this year so we get three weeks off. I know I will probably pay for it when I get back, but right now it is AWESOME!!! 

Wanting: I would love to paint the back bedroom and redo the guest bathroom, but my hubby says there are other things we need to do. I am working on changing his tone...slowly, but surely!!!

Needing: I need to get organized. I feel like I am always saying this. I think I get organized and then boom I am unorganized again. When we go back to school I will have a student teacher. I want to be ready for her so things flow smoothly. 

One Little Word: Time!! I am going to make sure that I make time for myself and my hubby this year.   The past couple of months I have been so exhausted and really didn't take the time to work on me. 2016 is going to be the year that I take the time for ME. When I am happy and feeling good then everyone else around me is happy.

Don't forget to link up with Farley and join in on the fun! Happy New Year and good luck to everyone that goes back on Monday!!! 

THE PERFECT PURPLE PENCIL SHARPENER!!

Hello! I hope everyone is surviving the week before Halloween!! I know my kiddos were extremely chatty today and it was only Monday!! It may take a lot of diet Coke, coffee, and chocolate to keep me sane this week!! 

About a month ago I saw a blurb on Facebook from one of my favorite companies...

 Classroom Friendly Supplies!!!! 

They were going to be unveiling a new color of the BEST PENCIL SHARPENER IN THE WORLD and wanted volunteers to test it out. So...I responded and guess what??? I was lucky enough to be chosen to test it out!! Can we say super excited??  I am not going to lie I felt like I was an audience member on Oprah's favorite's for school!! 

Let me tell you that when my package arrived I was super excited!! The color is so bright and cheery that it just makes you want to giggle with excitement. Did I mention that my grade level partner and best bud was so jealous when she saw it???? Her birthday is coming up so I just might have to surprise her with one because purple is her favorite color!!

Anyway, the kids loved it!! I thought this would be the best way to express how Mrs. Swaney's Second Grade Superheroes feel about it!!!

If you do not have one of these amazing sharpeners then I suggest clicking 

HERE NOW!!! 

If you already have one in another color...it might be time to add a little purple to your classroom!!! 

One Tired Teacher!!!

Happy New School Year!!! Let's just say as I begin day 5of the new school year I am exhausted!!! You would think after 20 years that I would get used to starting a new school year...BIG "N" BIG "O"!!! I am one tired chick. The thought of having to get up another day at 5:25 am in the morning makes me want to cry and pull the covers back over my head. I have to be honest. I miss my morning cup of coffee with Matt, Savannah, Al, and Carson!!! I want to know what is going on in their world. It feels like it has been forever since we have seen each other. Is anyone else feeling this way???

So this year I begin my twenty-first year of teaching. I feel super old even admitting that. I guess I have to start dealing with the fact that I am 45...wow, I just told you all how old I am. I don't feel it, but there are many days I am sure I look it!!! I am going to be brave now and share a photo of me. This is me earlier this month for my hubby's 50th b-day!

That was a big deal for me because I hardly ever put  pictures of myself out there.

So...I have been in school 4 days. I must say I was quite nervous on the first day. I looped with my class the past 2 years so I new it was going to be quite a shock starting over with kids I didn't know again. I felt like I had forgot how to start a new school year. Once I met my new kids my nerves started to settle down. I actually have a nice class. I do have some challenges, but I am already starting to see changes. 

I thought I would share a few pictures of my Super Hero themed room.

 This is my front door! I saw it on Pinterest and just knew I had to do it this year!

The "Believe" is probably one of my favorites in my room. I loved Katie King's "Dream" so I decided to try it for myself.

The kids loved the word wall. We put our first words up today! They loved how we did kickboxing or dance moves to spell our word wall words out loud!!

This is part of my classroom library. Yes, that is Superman's telephone booth in my room. Last year one of my student's parents made it for me. It actually holds my classroom phone inside of it. My students like to read inside of it during Read to Self time.

This is my math meeting area. I bought the Super Hero rug last year at Target. I was walking through Target a couple of nights ago and the Super Hero rug was on clearance so I purchased a second one to make my meeting space bigger!

I will definitely share some more photos of the room. I realized that I didn't take that many and I really need to work on my photographer skills!!!

Happy Tuesday!

Assess Me Linky: Week 2

It's week 2  of the fun linky with Rachel from the Tattooed Teacher. I love reading and learning  about everyone!

I used to be an all silver girl, but now I am throwing in the gold too! I am totally cool just hanging out out home, but I am also one who likes to have fun and keep busy! I am a little embarrassed that I had to Google what Girls was. I think I have heard of the New Girl, but do not watch either. 

Don't forget to link up!!!

August Currently and the Back to School Sale!!

I can't believe it is August 2nd already. Only 8 days left of vacation and then it is back to real life...WORK! I am already having nightmares and weird dreams about school. I keep telling myself to relax and enjoy this next week...something tells me that won't happen.

So here is what I am currently up to in August!!

I am super excited for the Back to School Sale. My cart is quickly filling up!! I have been trying to update and finish a few products as well.  Here are a few that will be on sale!!

Have a great Sunday!!! Remember to link up

Assess Me! A Get to Know You Linky!

I am joining in on all the fun and linking up with the Tattooed Teacher for her fun linky! 

1. I seem to have my best conversations when I am talking with myself!! Especially in the car on the way to work!

2. Not really.

3. I do not crack my knuckles and the sound freaks me out. 

4. I think I work out so I can eat. I am not one of those people who forget to eat. When I am done eating I am already planning my next meal!

5. Couldn't sleep so watching cheesy late night shows!

6. I got my wisdom teeth out way back when!

7. I did shower because my hubby and I spent the day together! Lunch and dinner date!

8. Yes, went 2 years ago on Thanksgiving with my hubby. Spent some time in the CA Adventure Bar/Restaurant watching all the moms and dads come have a drink!!

9. I have prescription readers that I never wear. But suddenly the eyesight has really started to go the past 6 months...thank you fabulous 40's!! 

10. I am a California girl!!

Don't forget to link up! So much fun reading about everyone!!

Just a Lazy Sunday

It's a lazy Sunday. I have been sitting on the couch watching Christmas in July on the Hallmark Channel pretty much the whole day. Yes, I said the Hallmark Channel. I am ok that I am admitting that. I have cried a bit, but like I said I am ok admitting that. A while back I had my hubby watching with me and his comment was ..."This is worse than sliding down a slide of razor blades into a pool of rubbing alcohol!" I thought he was a little harsh, but guys just don't get the Hallmark Channel or the Lifetime Channel.

I just got back from San Antonio with my mom and niece. My mom likes to take my sister and I on a girl's trip every year to make a few memories. My mom is a retired teacher so she sometimes will incorporate an educational experience into the trip. This year my sister couldn't go so my 14 year old niece went. We had a good time, but I sure was glad to be home. One of the cool things that we did do was visit Bracken Cave. We watched 20 million bats fly out for the evening on the hunt for dinner.

This is my niece Kaleigh and I waiting for the famous bats to come out of their cave. I want you to know that I never take selfies so this is a big deal for me posting this. When you are 45 you do not really enjoy what the camera reveals!! 

Here is the famous Bracken Cave!! Can you believe that over 20 million bats are inside waiting for the right moment to come out!!

This is just a quick snippet of what we saw. I have to admit it was pretty cool. They say it takes 3 hours for them all to fly out of the cave!!

So the realization just hit me that school starts in less than a month!! How??Why??? Is this really true? Panic has started to set in. I am trying to tell myself to relax and just enjoy the next couple of weeks, but I have so much I want to do. I have been trying to really map out my year. I have been focusing in on my math and trying to plan my units. Am I the only one that struggles with all the big ideas, essential questions, and everything else?? I want to be more detailed  in my actual plans instead of having it all in my head. How do you all do it?? Do you ever feel this way?? 

Well enough of that!! Sometimes you just have to vent to feel better!! Have a great rest of your day!!1