Summer is finally here and an update on the past month! :)

Wow June flew by and I was soooo crazy busy I didn't have a chance to blog.

So much has been going on I don't even know where to start. So I will do a recap since I last blogged :)


End of the year gifts for my students (briefly...since I want to talk about my summer thus far) There will be plenty of posts later in July and August about my classroom!

Thank goodness it is summer vacation..I was SUPER jealous of all you bloggers out there that were out of school in May or early June. I was at school until JUNE 27TH! Yeah that's right....the 27th as in 3 days before JULY. That was basically the week before 4th of July (hence why it is July 8th and I am finally blogging).

OK so first ---some exciting news that I can't wait to share with all you teachers out there.... I am now a 4th grade teacher!!! I will be moving classrooms and changing positions (same school and it is actually right down the hall) BUT--I will no longer be working in special education (yes I am sad to leave but excited about this new opportunity in my district)...and I will have my own 4th grade classroom. I CANNOT WAIT (I started my teaching career as a 4th grade teacher and I am happy to be going back) Can you tell how excited I am?! ha
So all you 4th grade blogging buddies out there---any advice?!?!



So right after school got out about 10 teachers drove to Ellicottville (about an hour away) for a little getaway  overnight!! It was a long year and we deserved it!!! haha or at least we thought so :) It was a wonderful weekend shopping, eating and laying by the pool! Don't forget to look at that view.

Summer concert update : I have already been to the Taste of Country and Brad Paisley. Jason Aldean is this week...can't wait :)

Some of my favorite things about summer:

a delicious breakfast: iced coffee and a bagel with cream cheese! YUMMM

Summer bonfire...can't complain :)

 This is an absolutely amazing S'More...a pie iron. I couldn't even begin to describe how delicious it is! A regular s'more taken to the next level.

 A must have for summer.. crisp and refreshing sangria :)

 My favorite flowers...hydrangeas

 I can't have enough sushi..I could eat it every day if I had to :) my favorite is spicy tuna or shrimp tempura!












I also enjoy spending time with friends and going to the beach !!

Aww..what a cute picture at the beach :)

My newest obsession is Paint Nite. I went to one in NYC for a best friend's bachelorette. I didn't think I could paint at all..but it didn't turn out so bad. So i decided I wanted to do another one with my boyfriend :)

 How amazing are these paintings...we are real Picassos! ha

While we were there...I ran into some sorority sisters from my chapter as well as another chapter (it was an event!) I was so surprised and excited! I am joining the Sigma Kappa Buffalo Chapter and can't wait to meet more girls!















Since I didn't write a July 4th post...I will add it here.

Can't have a summer party without a Sangria...Independence Day style. 

 If you know me at all...nails have to coordinate. So a last minute mani did the job.

My first trip (that I can remember..unless I went when I was 5?!) to Dairy Queen.. I had the baby and Dan had the large haha

<3

 Melissa and I ...so festive :)

Before the fireworks!!










Being MIA for awhile really puts me behind on the newest trends in the blogging world..thank goodness I came back in time to see Blog Hoppin and their BlogHoppin2014 Scavenger Hunt. What a fun fun idea for summer!! I already at 33 posts to Instagram. There are 200 items on the scavenger hunt and in order to win prizes you need to snap 105 photos and upload to instagram using the hashtag and the bloghopping2014 sign. Check out the Blog Post here to join in the fun!


Okay that is all for now..sorry for the long post! I will post regularly now that I have time :)

Look for updates on Trending Closet and Trending Classroom as I update both this summer :)

Don't forget about my weekly link up Fabulist Friday!!! I will be starting it again this Friday so don't miss out!

Positive Thinking Thursday--It's 72 degrees and a Beautiful Butterfly!

Today has been a beautiful day and only makes me think that "spring" is finally here! It's 72 degrees out side...the sun is shining at 6:30pm and I have my windows open! Woo!! So I am linking up with Mrs. Laffin's Laughings forPositive Thinking Thursday

My positive thoughts for today....

30 something days left I think :) we can do it!!! Even thought my kids have checked out..and somedays I have even checked out...I just have to remember to Keep Calm and get through the rest of May and June until Summer! 


Check this out...our 5th grade science class was keeping a moth in a clear plastic container to see if it would hatch into a butterfly and just the other day it did!! Isn't it absolutely beautiful!?!?

I don't think we figured out what kind of butterfly it is yet..if you are a butterfly expert and know what kind..let me know so I can tell my students!!!

Don't forget to follow me on Bloglovin and check out me TPT store :) 
                                  

Monday Made It- Behavior Chart, Candy Jar and STUTELAGE INNOVATIONS (Hobby Horses)

 I am SO excited for this Monday Made It. I am linking up with Tara from 4th Grade Frolics today

My first MMI is my behavior chart for next year. I decided I needed to change up my program in my room and I came across this from PINTEREST (of course!!) Here is the behavior chart. I LOVE the idea that all the students start at Ready To Learn and they can move up and down depending on their behavior. The first picture shows ribbon I used to connect them all. The middle picture is the final product :) absolutely LOVE. I don't know if I am going to use names or numbers yet for their clothespins to move up and down. The far right picture is the individual bookmarks for each student to take home (parent communication!!) as well as to keep at their desks for personal reference. The Hall of Fame is for the end of each week if a student was in "good choice" "great job" or "super student" for all 5 days will be placed in the Hall of Fame :)

I did laminate each indiviudal page so that it would last all year long!


My SECOND MMI is my desk candy jar. I found this year that I had a candy jar on my desk (not for students) but for teachers! The only problem I had with it was...it was a SNOWMAN (and I kept it up probably until March)--yikes! I wish I had a picture of it to show you! It's super cute...but we already get enough snow I didn't want to have a snowman in my room too! But I didn't find another jar that I loved..I looked everywhere!

I was at Michael's the other day to get those little chalky clips which you can find HERE and I found the jar that I wanted--It was on SALE. All I had to do was add the pop of color that I wanted and Presto a 4 season candy jar!

 My THIRD MMI I am SO excited about! On Friday I went to help my friend who started her own business called Stutelage Innovations (check it out its amazing!) If you live in Buffalo, NY or surrounding areas you should REALLY look into this. Stutelage is a center that provides tutoring, community programming, party planning, summer camps and MORE! I helped out with a summer camp called "A Horse is a Horse of course"  You can find all the other community programs HERE for the rest of the summer. Not just for children, there are programs for young adults and adults too (especially teachers!! Since my friend is a teacher too---her philosophy is that you learn something new from everything they offer!)

SOOO..A Horse is a Horse of course Stutelage description said-- "Come learn everything there is to know about horses in this week long camp.  We will read stories about horses both wild and tame.  We will learn what is needed to take care of a horse and the many different jobs that a horse can have.  We will even learn important information about owning, riding, and caring for a horse." How exciting right?! A whole week to learn about

Friday was the last day for the camp and I was soooo glad it was the day I went. For the end of camp craft they were making Hobby Horses. HOW CUTE RIGHT! I thought this would be a perfect Monday Made It for all sorts of different reasons ( to use at school, at home or just fun for your own kids!).  Now you are probably thinking...how are they going to make Hobby Horses without it costing a fortune! Welll....Think. Pool Noodles, Felt, Twine, Sharpie Marker and DONE.


Pool Noodles-- $1.00 at Five Below
Felt- $0.29 at A.C. Moore
Twine- $2.99 at A.C. Moore
(then use your teacher discount!!)

Here are the materials that you need!!  Make sure you draw on the felt the mane and the ears for the horse!!

Fold the noodle at the top to make the head for the horse.           Cut out the felt for the mane and ears!

 Have an adult help tie the twine around the noodle. This helps to keep the folded part down as well as makes the reins for riding!In the picture below you can see the reins hanging!!

After that you will want to hot glue gun the ears and mane to the noodle. Put the ears on first like above!

 Now it's time to add the mane to the back of the noodle! Hot glue gun it down . Look at all the pictures :) How cute!!!

 Now...your horse cannot be a horse without some eyes. Use a sharpie marker or googly eyes to make your horse stand out!!

Aren't these Hobby Horses adorable!?! It is a quick and easy craft project that you can make at home or at school! Here are the 5 Final products

Bright SUMMER COLORS and a FUN Summer Activity! Now after you make the Hobby Horses--the best thing to do is have a horse race right?!?!

On Your Mark Get Set....GO!!! The campers had such a great time the whole week learning about horses and then being able to ride a "horse" on the last day!!

Don't forget to Check out Stutelage Innovations for more fun this summer and into the school year!

Hopefully you found something fun for Monday Made it! Don't forget to Follow me on Bloglovin!
Also don't forget to check out my new pages Trending Closet and Trending Classroom