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

TPT Seller's Challenge Week #3 Complete Woohoo!!!

Finally, I finished my challenge for week 3!! I must say thank you to all the wonderful people out there that have been so helpful and kind. I am blown away by the support!! 

I am super excited to share my project with you from the TPT Seller's Week 3 Challenge! Thank you Sparkling in Second, Third in Hollywood, Teach Create Motivate,  and Preppy Zesty Teacherista.

This challenge was...

After deciding on what to do, creating it, and swapping it with some great teachers for feedback...It is finally finished!

Since I teach second grade I thought it would be great to have a little review of nouns for the beginning of the year. It would be great to use in first grade as an introduction to nouns. This unit has 6 hands on literacy centers that cover what is a noun, common and proper nouns, singular and plural, and a few interactive notebook pages. 

Do your kids love task cards. My kids do! This unit has 4 sets of task cards and 2 sets of Noun-O! and Plural-O! (a connect 4 game). 

Below is Noun- O! Students have to get 4 in a row to wi! We have played this many times in our classroom and they love it!

 

 Here is a preview of the entire unit!

This product can be found at my store for the next 2 days on sale!! I would love to give away a few copies as well!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy 4th and Magic Mike XXL Review!!!

Happy Fourth! I hope everyone is out having an amazing day with family and friends! I am waiting for hubby to finish golf and then we will enjoy the rest of the day together.

So I am going to be honest with you all right now. I saw the first Magic Mike movie when it came out with a group of girlfriends a few years back. We had dinner and cocktails and then headed off to see the smoking hot half naked dudes do their thing. The movie theater was packed with a bunch of screaming woman  admiring the beautiful beasts on the screen. Not the greatest movie, but let's be real...we didn't see it for the amazing plot or academy award winning performances! Well, if hottest, gyrating, six-pack abs was a category it might be a different story.

Now fast forward to Summer 2015...let's say yesterday. Picture this...lunch with a best girl friend, a few cocktails, and then an afternoon matinee of...

Ok, have you picked your jaw off of the floor?? I must confess that if Channing knocked at my door or pulled my up out of a crowd to be his pole or prop to do his stripping...this girl would be so ok with it. I had to laugh because when I told my hubby I was going he was like...why?  I laughed and said really?? Did you see the previews of their abs? Uh, hot men dancing on a screen...no brainer!!!

Anyway, I am not going to give you a play by play of the movie because I do not want to spoil it for all you ladies. But...I will say this...I thought it was better than the first one. A few new characters, no depressing drug scenes, lots of laughs, great dancing, good music, and just a fun make you laugh movie to see with a bestie or a group of girls.

Yep, this was a scene from the movie!! Hot, hot, hot!!  

And how many of you watch Kelly and Michael in the morning. Well, let's just say I am not sure if I can look at Michael Strahan in the same way anymore..LOL! His part was hysterical!! He did a great job!!

So if you need something to do today or the rest of the weekend...check out your local movie listing and put a little "Magic" into your life!!!

July Currently

Wow! It is already July 2nd! Summer needs to sloooooooow down! I am going to ignore the fact that Target already had school supplies out for the new school year! I love you Target, but that is so not nice!! I  am linking up with Farley for the July Currently!

Listening: It is my morning routine! I get up, make myself a cup of coffee, and enjoy a little bit of the Today show before I head out to my workout class!

Loving: I live in California and we are in a major drought. We have been having some crazy hot weather. I am one who loves when the temperature is in the mid 80's, but we have had way too many days of super hot weather. The past 2 days were 105 and higher...WAY TOO HOT!! Today we are back in the nineties and there is a breeze!

Thinking: I am loving the TPT Seller's Challenge, but I need to finish this week's challenge. I have hit a creative slump! There are so many talented teachers out there!!!

Wanting: Summer is the time when this wife is supposed to get the household organized...according to the hubby. This is where I need an "Organization Fairy" to come in and do it for me. I have about 10 baskets of books in the garage from last summer that I need to organize and return to my classroom. I redid my classroom library last year and these just didn't get done!!! UUGHH!!

Needing: I am going to San Antonio for a little fun with my niece and mom next week. I know it is going to be hot and HUMID.  I am not one for humidity so I need to get me a few more shorts and tank tops to stay cool! 

ALL STAR: I love to make chocolate chip cookies! I have been told that I  make a really good one too! I freeze my dough and fresh bake it when I am going to bring them somewhere. I am known to bake cookies at 6 in the morning to surprise my students or my staff!!

Enjoy your day! Remember to link up!!

Weekend Warriors: 3-2-1 Teacher Bio

Happy Saturday everyone! I am linking up with the Weekend Warriors for their 3-2-1 Teacher Bio.

1)  I can not believe this year will be my 21st year teaching! I have taught 2 years of 6th grade, 3 years of 4th, 1 year of 1st, and I will begin my 15th year in second grade. Time sure does fly by so fast! 

2) Yes, I do wear high heels to work everyday! I am only 5 foot 3 so I love that I can be a little taller with a little help from my friends. I work at a small school so I am known for my shoes!! To be quite honest I wore flats one time and couldn't see over my cart in Costco. I will wear flip flops during the summer though!

3) I am always learning. I try to keep current on what is going on in the teaching profession. I am willing to try whatever. I still get nervous every school year for the first day of school. I truly feel that the day I stop learning, being nervous, or feel that I have mastered everything is the day I am done being a teacher. 

 1) Yes, I love shoes. My husband thinks I have too many, but seriously...can you ever really have enough? I am waiting for a pair of wedges to arrive this week!

2) I am a very loud person. It drives my hubby crazy. He always says "Can't you whisper?". I am pretty outgoing and will talk to almost anyone too. Sometimes this can be perceived as being super confident, but really I am actually super sensitive. I take things to heart and when I care about people I am very loyal.

I really do not think this needs explaining! : )  I just hope that this one comes true very soon!

Happy weekend! Come join the linky so we can get to know each other!