Fraction Fun and a Freebie!

Hello!  I have been one busy lady... not really busy... but, my mind has been busy.  Do you have a hard time getting things done when you have SO many things to do?  I'm definitely that way.  If the list is long, nothing gets done. 

How was your Teacher Appreciation Week?  We were allowed to wear jeans every day last week.  I hate jeans, though.  We got some new Mr. Sketch markers... :)  What teacher doesn't love a new pack of smelly markers?!

We also had a special lunch and breakfast.  AND...we got to pick a day to leave an hour early or come in an hour late.  I picked Thursday.  :)  I left an hour early and then I was off on Friday. It worked out perfectly!

I have my final evaluation on Monday.  Although I know I'm a good teacher, my students are angels, and I feel completely comfortable teaching in front of the principal... I'm still SUPER nervous!  :)   I'm going to be teaching fractions....

I already introduced fractions by offering some Hershey's bars.  I let the students pick what fraction of the bar they wanted.  Of course, they picked the one with the biggest denominator. :)  They learned REAL quick which one they should have picked.  They were so cute when they realized what the fractions meant... so everyone got a Hershey's bar.  :)

I didn't eat ANY of the chocolate.  I was so proud of myself.  :) I'm down 20 lbs... can't mess it up now! 

We've done more work with fractions since then so I really just need a fun, enrichment for them.  I found a little gem on TpT and knew it would be perfect...  Flower Fraction Freebie.  :)  Before creating our flowers, I'm going to ask them what fraction of a cookie they want.  I'm hoping they'll have a better understanding of fractions this time around. :)  

I also found a super cute game that we can play on the Promethean Board.  It's called Fractions Shoot.  There are different levels to play which will be perfect for my kiddos! 

Now, for the freebie!  I'm working on my Lavender Lemon Digital Paper Pack.  She's still not ready, but I want to give you some of the papers I have so far.  :) 

Click the pic to get your copy!  If you grab the freebie, please leave a comment below so I know what you think of it.  I love feedback! :)

Happy Weekend!

4

Sunday Blues and Nouns

Where did the weekend go?!

I spent Saturday shopping, napping, cleaning, and creating this fun little guy.

This is the ultimate resource for nouns.  I just wish I had made it earlier so I could have used it when I taught nouns.  :)  It'll be on sale in my TpT store for the big Teacher Appreciate Sale!  My store is going to be 20% off and you can get an extra 10% off of that by entering the code: TAD13.  (Click the pictures above to head there!).

I'm also throwing a little sale at my Teachers Notebook Artist Shop.  I'm offering 10% off and then TN will give you an additional 10%.  That means most of my digital paper packs are just $1.30-$1.80.  :)  They will be on sale until the 10th.  :)  Want to see my favorite pack?

Click the picture to check out more awesome deals!

I went to bed wayyyy too late Saturday night and woke up wayyy to early this morning.  I worked out (I'm down 18 bs!) and  I went to a shower for my good friend from work.  There were tons of people there and it was very pretty.  I'm glad I got to meet all of her family that I hear so much about.  :)

I know I promised a freebie this weekend but I've been pretty busy.  Please forgive me?!  I will definitely whip something great up throughout the week and offer it as a late Teacher Appreciation gift at the end of the week.  :)

Enjoy your last couple hours of the weekend!

0

Currently!

Out of the 12 months, I have to admit that May is one of my faves.  School is coming to an end and we are doing lots of fun things in the classroom.  Summer Break is SO close... it hasn't started yet so you have the whole thing to look forward to.  AND... (I never let my students start sentences with "and".... but I still do it... bad teacher!) the weather is perfect!  It's warm, but not too hot.  The days are beautiful and sunny (usually) and the nights are cool and calm.  :)

What better way to kick off May (a couple days late) than with Farley's linky?!

My husband took the day off of work to hang out with his buddies and play video games and board games. It's perfect for me because then he doesn't expect me to play his "boy" games.  ;) 

I'm loving that there are only 21 days of school left for me!  I get a teeny bit sad when I think of ending the school year with these amazing kiddos, but, I look forward to a relaxing summer... and a fresh start next school year.   

With the end of the school year comes packing up the classroom.  We have to pick everything up off the floor, take decorations and other goodies down, and cover
e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g.  The custodians wax the floor.  That's about it.  We are supposed to cover our boards because the custodians might paint... but, they never paint.  So, most of the packing and covering is all a big waste of time.  Do you have to pack up completely, too?  

I can't wait until my classroom floor is washed and waxed.  I washed my floor one time this school year... yes, I washed it.  I'm pretty sure that's the only time it has been done.  We sweep our classrooms every day... and I vacuum my own carpet.  I'm lucky if my garbage cans get emptied at the end of the day.  Needless to say, our school is pretty dirty and gross.  :(

I'm wanting some creativity!  I want to create some new things for TpT but I just can't think of what to make.... and I'm wanting some sweets.  Yum.  I've stayed strong and stuck to my diet.  I'm down 17 lbs and I can't wait to lose the rest! 

I need a tan.  Bad. 

My Summer Bucket List is pretty self-explanatory.  :)

Don't forget to link up!

On a different note, I'm working on some cute digital papers and I hope to offer up some freebies sometime this weekend!  Come back to check them out! :)

6

Happy Birthday & Presents for You!

If you know me, you know my Tobey is my life.  My husband and I are struggling (and have been struggling for a while) to  "human" babies, so Tobey is like my child.  Some people don't understand it... especially people that never had to struggle to have kids.  But, for now, he is the closest thing to a baby for me.  :)

Today Tobey turns 4 years old.  :)  My little baby is now a big boy!

To celebrate, I have a couple of freebies for you!  Click the pictures to grab the freebies!

Enjoy!

7

Instagrammin' It!

I am pretty good with technology and seem to pick most "technological things" up pretty easily.  Not Instagram.  I don't understand it.  But, I guess it's just a way to share pictures?  Hashtags? Ugh.  I'm still trying to understand those, too. 

But, I'm linking up with What the Teacher Wants and Apples and ABC's for their Instagram Linky! I love myself a good linky! :)

I haven't really snapped many school pics with my account yet but I'm excited to do just that!  Follow me, friends!  My username is: MrsDsFirsties.   Just look at my # of pics, followers, and people I'm following.... I need to step it up! 

Here are some of my favorite pictures that I've snapped so far... :)  There are more educational pics to come, I promise!

Some of my super cute sparkle and pretty pins for my behavior chart. :)

Yummmm!  My chocolate peanut butter cupcakes... a family favorite!

Of course, my little Tobey... napping on a toy.  

Don't forget to join in the fun!  When you snap your pic for Teacher Talk Tuesday, make sure to use the hashtag #teachertalktuesday! :) 

Oh.. and don't forget to stop back tomorrow!  It's Tobey's birthday tomorrow and he wanted me to share some freebies with you all!  ;)

2

Another Facebook Freebie!

This is going to be short and sweet for a couple of reasons... my hands ache from creating all day, my head is stuffed because of my allergies, and... I have to start making dinner soon.  :)

I am LOVING the sun and beautiful clear skies today... but, my head sure isn't!  I'm not going to complain though.... I'll take a sunny, allergy-filled day over a cold, snowy day! 

I really want to create teaching resources but my stuffy head has blocked my creativity.   So, since digital papers are easy and fun, I created up a storm.  :)

Here is your Facebook Freebie!  You can find the link on my Facebook page. :)  They go with my Glow in the Dark papers (that are also free on Facebook)!   :) 

Happy Saturday!

0

13, 30, and a Freebie!

Hey bloggy friends!  Happy Sunday! :)  I'm all refreshed from my 3-day weekend and I'm really ready to get back into my normal routine.

I worked my butt off this weekend - sticking to my diet and doing some amazing, sweaty workouts.  As of this morning, I'm officially down 13 lbs.  :)  I still want to lose about 20-27 more lbs... but, I'm getting there.  If I lose 27 more pounds, I'll be "high school skinny".... maybe that's not realistic?  We'll see...

I'll be weighing for the Biggest Loser at work tomorrow and I can't wait until my weekly percentage lost is posted.  Woo hoo!  I want to win soooo bad.

Source: www.eattrainbelieve.com

There are only 30 days left of school for me.  It's kind of bittersweet.  I love, love, love this class so much and I don't them to leave me.  But, I'm really looking forward to a relaxing summer.  30 more days!  30 more days!

I found a pretty funny quote on Pinterest for all you teachers out there....

SO many of my students say "hanitizer"... HAHA!  I thought it might just be my class, but I guess not! :)

And, now for the freebie... :)

I whipped up some fun Glow in the Dark papers that I'd love to share with you.  But, there's a catch... the only way to get to them is to follow me on Facebook.  Sorry about the bribery!  :)

To all of my lovely Facebook followers:  the link is in my last post!  :)  Enjoy!

Happy Sunday!

6

Skittles!

....I haven't blogged for a long time... I'm so sorry!  The weekend flew by (way too fast).  Although I have the time to post, I just can't think of anything great to write about... and I definitely don't want to bore you with each and every post.   I think I'm losing my creativity as I'm losing weight...

Oh, how much weight have I lost?!  Thanks for asking! ;)  I've lost 11.5 lbs. as of Monday.  I've been trying to keep myself from getting on the scale every morning... I want to see big losses so I'll just wait a couple days in between weigh-ins.  :)  I joined the Biggest Loser at work.  Whoever loses the biggest percentage of their weight by May 25th will win... I'm hoping it's me!  

Now, onto something Latoya's super fun linky!  

 

This week we're playing the Skittles Game!  Interested in linking up and playing along?  Here's the code: 

Red:  Favorite Ice Cream Flavor

Orange: Favorite Memory from College

Yellow: Favorite Sports Team

Green: Favorite Fast Food Place

Purple: Wild Card (tell anything about yourself)

Here we go!

My favorite ice cream flavor is... Party Cake! Each brand seems to have their own name for it... but, it's the cake flavored ice cream with the little chunks of cake and icing in it.  I could eat the whole container when I get it. :)   But, I'm limited to 8 oz. of fruit sorbet as a snack with P90X though.   Ho hum....

Favorite memory from college?  Oh, there are way too many fun, crazy memories!  I went away to Miami University for a year and a half.  It was nice to get a little freedom and independence.  It was also nice being so carefree and close to all of your friends in the dorms.  For my last 2 1/2 years, I  moved back home and went to a college nearby. I guess I didn't really tell you my favorite memory... it was just an all-around great experience filled with lots of fun, interesting people! 

Here are some pictures from those fun times... :) 

Two from 2002... yikes! 

Halloween :)

And, another goodie from 2006! 

My favorite sports team?   I'll sit through a Cleveland Indians baseball game if I'm forced to.  I'm not that into sports.  :)

My favorite fast food place is an easy one... Chipotle!  Yum!  I do enjoy the Southwest Chicken Salad from McDonald's though... or their chicken nuggets.  The onion rings at Burger King are so good.  Arby's has a really good turkey reuben sandwich, too.  Wendy's has a great value chicken sandwich.  Geez!  Now you know how much I really needed to go on this diet.  ;)

Now for the WILD card!   I'm a creature of habit.  I love my routines! I wake up the same time every day... I even get up super early on the weekends.  I also go to bed at about the same time every night.  I also go grocery shopping at 7:30 am every Sunday morning.  I like to beat the crowds.  :)  

I could get ready (shower, dressed, hair, makeup) with my eyes closed because I do everything in the same exact order and same exact way everyday.  I'm routined to the core... almost to a fault.  I have a very hard time when things don't go as planned... but, I'm working on it! :)

Source: http://www.wookmark.com

Now it's your turn!  Make sure you link up!  

3

Help! I'm Stranded!

Source: http://idesigniphone.com/page/149

Someone please take me to wherever this is!  :)

I'm linking up with Latoya from Flying into First Grade for her weekly Let's Get Acquainted linky!  This week I'm going to tell you the three things want if I were stranded on a deserted island.  :)

Obviously I'd want food and water first.  But, let's pretend I already have those things. :) 

So, here's what I would want.... 

1.  Chapstick -  I can't go anywhere without it.  My lips automatically feel chapped when I know I don't have chapstick.  :)  

Source: http://www.chapstick.com/

Did you know ChapStick (the brand) has Cake Batter and Red Velvet flavored chapsticks?  Yum!  I {HEART} eos and Aveda Lip Saver, though.  

2.  Tobey - He would have so much fun on that island!  There won't be any other dogs to run out after him and no cars for him to bark at!  I've taken him to the beach 2 times and he had tons of fun biting at the waves... so, he'd be nice and busy.  :) 

That's Tobey chewing on his deer antler.  :)  Thanks Sarah for telling me how much your pup loves the antlers! (I'd sneak a couple of deer antlers onto the deserted island for my Tobey) 

3.   Sunscreen - I would be a blistery lobster if I didn't have some strong sunscreen.  You may call it fair-skinned or pale, I call it ghostly.  No amount of sun will ever change that... so I would have to protect myself!

Source: http://amberblueskincare.wordpress.com

Don't forget to link up!

5

Currently, Graphics, and a Freebie!

Oh, Sunday blues.  Spring Break is officially over and it's back to the grind tomorrow.  Good thing I love my little kiddos, so I don't really mind.  :)

Moving on... to the super fun CURRENTLY! I'm always late for Farley's Currently party.... but, better late than never!

Listening:   Do you like that "Thrift Shop" song by Macklemore?  It has such a good beat... and the video is pretty funny.  I wanted more songs like that on Pandora... but I've been listening to a lot of Taylor Swift on this station.  What's up with that?  Nothing against Taylor... she's just not Macklemore. 

Loving:  Spring Break!  Where did you go?  Thank goodness I still have the weekend.  :)

Thinking: Yikes.  What am I supposed to teach when I get back?  I know there were things that I needed to make/get ready... but, not sure what those things are.  

Wanting:  I'm having a bad craving day.  Must lose weight.  Must stay strong.  

Needing:  Wowzas... I'm pale.  That's nothing new though.  My skin likes to stay semi-transparent white throughout the whole year.  But, I got some SUPER blonde highlights this week.... and I feel like I need a tan to match. 

Advice:  Don't hold back!  I was so afraid to start blogging.... I was even more afraid to start making things for Teachers Pay Teachers.  Would I be interesting?  Would I sound stupid?  Would people read my blog?  Would people buy anything from me on TpT?  Is it cute enough?  Will anyone even use this? Ahh!  

But, take the plunge... and do it!  Everyone has been so nice, welcoming, and supportive.  :)

Don't forget to link up with Farley! 

Don't leave!  I wanted to show you some fun little graphics I've been making lately.  I've branched out from the digital papers (... I ran out of color combinations, haha).  I also have a freebie for ya!  Click the pics to check them out! 

Here is the quick, little freebie.  Click the pic to grab your set! 

I posted about another freebie on my Facebook page for all of my awesome followers! :)
Happy Sunday!

4

Favorites Survey!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Latoya's weekly linky! :)  I almost went the whole week without linking up..... I tell ya, Christian Grey really had a hold on me this week...

This week it's all about our favorites.  :)

Favorite Store:
If you know me, you know I LOVE Target.  I could go every day... and spend $100 each time.  I swear they have some secret message playing in the music.. "buy this.. you need this.... you want this".  Or... they put special "I MUST HAVE THIS!" fragrance in the air.  Not sure which.. but, it gets me every time.  :)

I bought this little gem earlier this week.  It looks HORRIBLE in the picture.  Oh my.... but, in real life, it's not that bad.

Source: www.target.com

I also love New York & Company.  That is one of the few places I can find pants that fit.  :)  I love that teachers get 15% off, too.  Teachers... if you go to their website, you can get a one-time 20% off coupon!

Favorite Show:
This is tricky!  I love TV...

Umm... my all-time favorite (and guilty pleasure) is Bad Girls Club.  It's pretty intense... I think a tiny part of me wants to act like them... just once.  :)

Source: http://bad-girls-club.oxygen.com/

I also love all of the Real Housewives shows.  Modern Family is amazing.  New Girl is so funny.  I love Big Brother, too! :)

Favorite Sweet Treat
I love blueberry muffins.  I will eat anything sugary... but I don't like frosted things as much.  Muffins are perfectly sweet without all the gross frosting.  MMMM....  reminds me of my Sweet Treats Paper Bundle.  Did you check it out yet?  It's on sale for a very limited time!

Favorite Restaurant:
Oh... this is a bad time to talk about food.  I'm feeling very deprived while I'm on this diet.  Name a restaurant, I like it.  I'm not picky at all.

One of my favorite places to feast on cheesy carbs (yummmm) is Olive Garden.  It's always so good.

The BEST thing they have is the Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara.  

OH MY.  I'm drooling....

Source: www.olivegarden.com

I looked up the nutrition facts for this delicious dish.... 1440 calories, 88 grams of fat, and 3000 milligrams of sodium.  Holy moly....  no wonder it's so good.  :)

Thanks for making it through this long post!  Don't forget to link up with Latoya! 

I.can't.stop.thinking.about.Olive.Garden..... ;)

3