Tell me more, tell me more!! A Linky Party

Amy Lemons at Step into 2nd Grade is having a linky party. Since I am new to blogging I decided it would be fun to join and share a little bit about myself!

1. I wake up every morning and have a Diet Coke with my breakfast...if I must be completely honest, on some mornings I have 2. I do not drink coffee so I guess you can say this is my coffee!!

2. My husband and I met on a blind date. Actually, a parent in my class set us up. We were going to meet at a school function, but it got rained out, so he called me up and took me to dinner. 13 years later we are still together!

3. I love shoes!! Let me clarify...I love high heels! I think it is because I am only 5' 3 inches tall. I bought a pair of flats earlier this year. I have to admit they were quite comfy!! Here's the story though: I  was shopping at Costco and my cart was pretty full. Guess what? I could not see because I had the flats on. So as soon as I got home...the flats came off and the heels were back on!!!! Here are a few of my latest purchases!!

4. I met Gail Boushey and Joan Moser (The Sisters: Daily 5 and Cafe) this summer at their Seattle conference. I did have my picture taken with them. Infact, on one of the days Joan asked where I got my shirt, but cause she loved it!!! LOL...I felt like a celebrity!!

 This is not the shirt she loved...LOL!!

5. I am addicted to sweets. Let's be more clear, I LOVE chocolate.  I might even be a sweet treat closet eater!! No, I don't sneak off into the closet to eat sweets, but sometimes I do nibble without him knowing.  I love to bake!!! It relieves stress, but then I think it stresses me out even more because it makes you fat!! It's weird how my body works. It is like clock work that soon after I am done with a meal my body screams, "Where's the chocolate?"

These are my peanut butter balls with Rice Krispies!

Homemade Butterfingers!

6. I am the worst with photos. I guess I should say I am the worst at taking photos of me and my husband. This photo is from like 6 years ago!!!

Thanks for stopping by!! It has been fun learning about everyone!!!

 

WOOHOO!!! My Rockstar Unit Is On TPT!!!

I feel like I have just won the Boston Marathon!! I  finally got my Rockstar unit uploaded to Teachers Pay Teachers. Remember...I am a newbie!! It is a short Back to School art project with a few short writing prompts in the "Rockstar" theme. I think my rockstar kids are pretty cute! Here is a picture of the rockstar kids and of course a freebie!!

Click on below picture for your freebie!!

I would love some feedback! Now I have to learn how to display things better!! That is another day! I am exhausted...LOL!! Happy Monday to everyone!!! I am off to relax!!!

My Very First TPT Item!!!!

So I finally did it!  I uploaded my first item to TPT!! I am hoping I followed all the rules carefully and correctly. If you would like to check my first product out I would love the feedback!!

Just click on the picture and you will have 5 different "Safari" themed communication covers!!

New Bloggers Blog Hop

I am breaking the rules of two posts in one day, but I just had to post the "Newbie Bloggers Blog Hop". I only have been blogging since April and am so amazed at how helpful everyone is. So join in "NEWBIES"!!!

Janis at Grade Three is the Place for Me!  is having a newbie blogger blog hop.  Since I just started my blog in April...I had to join in.  I hope that you will check out some of the other newbie bloggers!  For any other newbies, link up and tell everyone:

1. What state your are in.

2. Your current teaching position.

3. Your teaching experience.

4. When you started blogging.

5. Share a blogging tip/ blogging resource

1. I am in El Dorado Hills, California.

2. I currently teach 2nd grade.

3. I will begin my 18th year of teaching. I have taught 2 years of 6th, 3 years of 4th, and 12 years in 2nd.

4. I started blog stalking last summer and begin my blog in April.

5. If you don't know something just ask. Fellow bloggers are extremely helpful. Remember to bookmark a blog you like or one that is helpful!!

Teaching Maddeness 500 Follower Giveaway

Head on over to Amanda's blog Teaching Maddeness for her big giveaway!!! She also has a fabulous post on writer's workshop!! Congratulations Amanda!!

CTP Giveaway

Who doesn't love a giveaway??? If you answered yes then you better had over to Fabulous in First because Michelle is teaming up with CTP for  her giveaway!!!

Super Second Grade Giveway and Getting Closer to 100 Followers

Casey from Second Grade Math Maniac is having a super giveaway!!

                                                     

If you have not visited her blog...get over there now! You do not want to miss out on all of the amazing things she has to offer!

I am super excited to see that I am approaching 100 followers. I have an idea for a give away...it involves one of my other passions... so hopefully it can happen soon!!

I am off to do some projects for the classroom!! Happy Monday to everyone!!

I Would Like to Thank...Plus a Share

I woke up yesterday to find out that I received an award from Teresa at Fun Games 4 Learning!  Thank you so much Teresa. If you haven't checked her blog out...it is a must visit!!

This award highlights blogs that have under 200 followers. Here are the rules for it:

1. Copy and paste this award on your blog.

2. Thank the giver and link back to them.

3. Reveal 5 other bloggers and let them know by commenting on their blog.

I am happily awarding the Liebster Blog Award to:

Across the Hall in 2nd

2nd Mon-"Stars"

Simpson's Superstars

Wild About First Grade!

Teach Inspire Prepare

Now for a share!!

I think my husband might be jealous of my computer...or should I say all of the time that I have been spending with my computer and not him.   LOL!! All week I have been glued to it. Now that I have the newest PowerPoint I am trying to create all kinds of cute things for my classroom and school. It's taking me twice as long because I have not used PowerPoint to create documents like I am doing. I must say it does get easier and the documents look so much better!! The other day I posted my communication binder cover. After more time experimenting with PowerPoint, I have a created a better version...at least I think so. It will go with my rock star theme.  I would love feedback. If you saw my previous post you can see the first one I created.

I just looked up at the clock and am shocked to see that  it is already one in the afternoon. Time for me to get off of my computer and start  enjoying the nice 100+ degree weather. I looked at the calendar today and realized in one month I will be back at school...aaahhh, time flies!! 

Thanks again to all of the wonderful and amazing bloggers. I am so grateful for all of the  helpful hints from everyone. 

Happy Friday to all!

THANK YOU!!!

I want to thank Marissa from Wild About First Grade for giving me the Versatile Blogger Award!! Marissa is actually my younger sister who helped me start this blog!! I am super excited and always texting or calling her that I got a new member!! She has been a big help...and not just because she is my little sis!!

Here are the rules....

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you.
2. Include a link to their site.
3. Include the award image in your post.
4. Give 7 random facts about yourself
5. Nominate 15 other bloggers for the award.
6. When nominating, include a link to their site.
7. Let other bloggers know they've been nominated. 

Here are 7 random facts about me:

1. My mom, sister and I are all teachers. My mom retired 2 years ago.

2. My husband and I met on a blind date. Actually, 14 years ago a parent in my class introduced us. The father of one of my students and my husband were business clients. Of course, the husband and wife came to our wedding!!

3.When I read a really good book, I will stay up all night just so I can finish it.

4. My very first teaching job was with the same principal who suspended me in 7th grade for spitting water on someone during the last week of school.(He was a vice-principal back then.) He was a great principal, but retired now.

5. I love to bake!! It makes me happy. I seem to do it more when I am stressed.

6. I love to shop. The Loft is one of my favorite stores. I shopped there so much that at Christmas they sent me a beautiful bracelet as a thank you for being a great customer...my husband says it's called spending too much money!!

7. I used to work at the Limited Clothing Store on Sundays for extra money when I was single and teaching....I actually was top sales girl a couple of times!!

Here are some fabulous blogs I have nominated:

Surfin Through Second

Ginger Snaps

Second Grade Math Maniac

Second Grade Sweets

Delighted in Second

Across the Hall in 2nd

Diving into Learning

Primarily-Speaking

123 Teach with Me

Adventuresn2grade

Sassy in Second

Ms Preppy

Learnings-a-hoot

The Teacher's Chatterbox

Hopelessly Devoted to Teaching

UPDATED POST: Creating My First Document in Powerpoint

Why is it that I seemed to be glued to my laptop these days? I am supposed to be relaxing and enjoying my summer vacation...doing the things I do not have time to do during the school year. I guess seeing everyone posting about school supplies they have purchased or items they have created has inspired me made me a complete lunatic.

So...Today I finally broke down and headed to the closest Mac Store to purchase Microsoft 2011 for my computers. I decided that if I really want to get involved in blogging and creating for TPT than I better have updated software. I did have to drive to 2 Mac stores to get what I needed, but in the end Microsoft Office is successfully downloaded on both of my computers. Fast forward 10 hours later ....it's  now 11:00 pm and I decide to sneak out of bed to continue to play with PowerPoint. I must remind you that I have experimented with it since I got home at 6 until I climbed into bed at 10. Can we say crazy? What is wrong with me?? Hopefully, some of you are nodding your head and saying you have done the same thing.

Almost 2 hours later, I have created my first document with PowerPoint. It's amazing how one little page can take so long. I created the cover sheet for my communication binders. It is a new version for my updated "Rock Star" theme in my classroom.

Graphics by Maree Truelove

 I have not done the research yet on how to upload to google documents. Can someone please tell me how long it takes to figure this stuff out????? It gets easier...right??? LOL!! I will figure it out, but for now I thought I would share. I am off to bed now for real!!

With some help from fellow bloggers, I was able to upload my "Rock Star" communication binder cover. If you click on it...is should download!!

Thank you so much to Jenna from Diving into Learning and Sara from Squirrel Bottom Diaries for guiding me through this! I appreciate the kindness and support!! Thanks a bunch ladies!!

Linking Up with a New Classroom Theme

Weekends can get you into some serious trouble when you are relaxing  blog stalking while the hubby is golfing.  As I am stalking researching on my laptop I hooked up with Corinna from Surfin' Through Second and her classroom theme linky party. Super excited to see all the classroom themes!

Don't forget to head on over to Delighted in Second for Jennifer's 100 blog followers giveaway!! Congratulations Jennifer!!

I hope everyone is enjoying their Sunday!! I think I am going to pry myself away from my computer and be productive...ha ha!! Enjoy!!

Getting My Toes Wet in the Blogging World

Being fairly new to the blogging world is very exciting, but quite intimidating as well. There are so many amazing blogs out there!! Each day I am wowed by all of the creative and fantastic ideas that are posted. I wonder how do these people do such incredible things and do them so quickly. Hope from Second Grade Shenanigans 

literally blows my mind. I found her blog last year and was super excited because she was doing a rockstar theme. So I stalked and stalked all year. Hope...Do you ever sleep? Is there anything that you can't do? Thank you so much for all you create and share. I hope someday I will be able to create and share back.

So as I continue to stalk  follow all of these fabulous blogs and spend a good chunk of time on Pinterest, I decided I wanted to share my first big project with everyone. I am going to revamp and upgrade my Rock Star themed classroom.  Right now it is all packed up so they can do a deep clean for summer. 

Some book shelves and computer area

More stuff to organize!

More books!


So here are the only 2 photos I could  find  from my "Rock Star" themed classroom last year. If you are wondering why I only have two photos it is because I am notorious for taking photos and then forgetting to download them to my computer or print them out.

A "rockstar" reading area for the kids!

After seeing many cool stools on Pinterest last summer,
I tried one for my own classroom.

I have been searching for new ideas and thinking of how I am going to change it up.  I look forward  to sharing my changes with everyone throughout the summer.

On another note...I want to thank Tammy from Forever in First for helping the newbie post a button that will actually link back to the person's blog. Since you were so kind I wanted to say thanks and let everyone know to go check out Tammy's blog!!

My Very First "Currently"

I have just linked up with Farley from  Oh' Boy Fourth Grade... for my very first "Currently"!! I do have to admit there is a lot of trial and error to this blogging adventure, but everyone is so nice and helpful. Hope everyone is having a fabulous Monday!