New Store

Hi Friends,
Just a quick post to let you know that I've opened a TpT store.  The main reason why is because I've been trying to share a Smart board lesson that I created with all of you.  I cannot, for the life of me, figure out how to put a notebook formatted lesson on Google Docs.  I've tried and tried and failed and failed.

Anyway, the lesson that I made was on nonfiction text features.  Click below to check it out and feel free to take.  I hope it is something that you can use.

 

Now, I have to be honest.  I did manage to get the lesson posted on my TpT store but I can't figure out (yet) how to make the pictures show up.  I'll keep working on that one but I didn't want to wait to share any longer.  I'd really appreciate some feedback if you decide to download.  Either way - Enjoy!

My Furry Friends!

Hi Friends! 
    I'm linking up with Sandy at Soaring Through Second because she is hosting a linky party that is about my most favorite thing to talk about...pets!  I have a several, two dogs and two guinea pigs.  I love them all and yes, they have all taught me wonderful things.

Moose

First, there's Moose.  He is our 7 year old shihtoodle.  We gave Moose to our youngest daughter for Christmas seven years ago.  He has been such a wonderful addition to our family and he has helped my daughter through some tough times.  Moose has taught all of us to 'just keep swimming'!

Ember

Then, along comes Ember.  She is a 1 1/2 year old dachsund mix.  Our youngest daughter found this sweet little baby online on New Year's Eve (see the pattern...?).  Ember was found in Tennessee along with her siblings.  Tennessee has many high-kill shelters and these puppies needed a home.  You'd think that was why my daughter had to have this cutie, but no....of the eight puppies in this litter, Ember was the only one that was completely deaf.  Yes...completely... deaf.  So we adopted her and our lives have never been the same.  Ember is the most lovable dog we have ever met.  She is a giant snuggle bug and none of us can get enough of that.  What has Ember taught us?  That love is THE most important thing on earth!



Lilly and Daisy

This adorable picture is of my two, little guinea pigs.  I applied for a Pets in the Classroom grant and was approved.  The grant covered the initial cage setup and half off of the price of one guinea pig.  I wanted two...so they could keep each other company...so I could have two...because they're so darn cute!  These little girls have taught us compassion and the true meaning of joy.  They are so much fun to be with and my students all agree...100%!

Lunchbox Linky!

Hi Friends!  I'm linking up with Tara at 4th Grade Frolics for a fun linky party.  Click on the button above if you are interested in joining.  The links that I've read so far have been both amusing and quite interesting...!  Plus, there's a super cute giveaway if you participate.  Shhhh!

So here's a picture of my lunchbox.  It came from a very dear friend whom I used to team teach with...until we were divorced...involuntarily!!!

I admit that I am jealous of the beautiful lunch bags I've seen at this linky party aaannnddd I'm very close to shopping at 31 but I really do like this bag.  You see I am most definitely a leftover kind of girl and this lunch box holds just about any plastic container that I have, plus a couple of water bottle (which I see that I forgot to put in my picture...oops!).

So today's lunch included a banana for my snack - a good filler and source of energy.  The for lunch, I had my husband's baked haddock.  He makes the absolute best - LOTS of cracker crumbs, garlic, lemon, parsley....YUM!  I also had some watermelon for dessert.  The little foil wrapper you see was holding what was left of my Girl Scout cookies - Thin Mints.  I enjoyed those during my prep.

My lunch schedule is 12:15 to 12:40 which is a good time for eating.  Unfortunately, like everyone else, my 25 minute lunch truly comes down to about 15 minutes.  I'm not complaining, it's what we do.  Teaching has definitely improved my multi-tasking skills!  We do not eat with our kids on a daily basis but Tuesdays have turned into my "Lunch with Teacher" reward. It's my duty-free day so I actually do enjoy that time with the kids.

So there's the scoop...don't forget to link up!

Two Great Giveaways!

Dee over at First Impressions and Barbara at Grade Onederful are having super giveaways which include $25 to Amazon from Dee and a blog makeover or a $20 giftcard to several fun places from Barbara.  You definitely need to check these out.  Good luck!

   



Barbara is venturing into the blog design field so stop by and give her some good luck of her own.  Thanks for following!

A K-2 Linky Party!

I'm joining in on a really fantastic linky party.  All K - 2 bloggers are linking up to help Jeannie, over at Kindergarten Lifestyle, create a wonderful sharing place.  If you have a blog or just like to stalk other blogs, you should definitely check it.  There are already over 170 blogs linked up - all in early elementary!  Thanks, Jeannie, for organizing this linky party!

Blogger Meet Up for New Englanders...?

Hey Everyone,
    I've been reading about all of these super fun blogger meet ups that are way too far for me and I've started to feel a little jealous.  I admit it.  And I want one.  So what do you say?  I live in MA but teach in RI.  I'd be willing to organize it if there's enough interest.  Just let me know.  Hope to see you soon!

Donor's Choose

Hi Everyone!  This is just a quick post to remind you that Donor's Choose is matching funds this week.  The matching code that you need to apply at checkout is BLOOM.  If you have projects posted, spread the word!  I've already gotten a new table funded and I'm hoping to get the third table funded as well.  I've had to call the maintenance guy to my room three times so far this year because a table just all of a sudden fell apart!  It makes the kids absolutely wild when this happens which is what prompted me to post on DC. 

Here's a couple of pictures of the new table that we've already received.  The first one came in January.  Another table just got funded and we'll see about the third one.  I need four all together but so far, so good.  I certainly didn't expect to get two this year with a possibility of a third.  So don't delay...get that code out to everyone you know.  The motching code expires on the 19th and it works!  Good luck with your funding!

Guinea pig number 3?

Hi Friends! Well, I'm about three weeks into being a guinea pig mom and I already feel super protective about them. Here's what happened...

At Petco, you have 15 days to return a pet if necessary. Well, at about day 8, I noticed a lump in poor Cindy Lou's throat. I waited a few more days, watching it closely and hoping that it would go away.   It didn't (poor little thing!) so on day 12, we took a trip to Petco.



Cindy Lou



Daisy came with us so Cindy Lou wouldn't be so afraid.  Heather (from Petco) took a look at her and said she needed to be seen by the vet.  Heather told me that I could get a phone call after she was evaluated and choose to take her back if I wanted.  I said yes, of course.  She then proceeded to let me know that Petco would not operate on small animals because the success rate was so slim.  They would either put her down or if she wasn't suffering, I could take her home to die comfortably.  What!?!  I couldn't believe what they were saying.  I reaffirmed that I wanted the phone call and wanted to take her home if that was a choice.  Heather said that they would keep her until the vet could see her.  They refunded my money for Cindy Lou.  :(  Daisy, my daughter and I went home with tears in our eyes.  How could we be so attached in just a couple of weeks?! 

Anyway, we decided that Daisy was lonely and we should get another guinea pig so we could start socializing her.  I promised the kids that their class pets would be there the Monday after vacation.  And now, I only had a week to get the new guinea pig ready for second graders.  Off we went and found Lilly.  She's smaller than Daisy but not by much.  She is also much squirmier when being held but she's super cute. 

Lilly

So my plan became that Daisy and Lilly would go to school and Cindy Lou (if we got her back) would live out her days at home.  Perfect, right? WRONG!  I only had one cage!  What was I thinking?  I couldn't bring Cindy Lou to school and let the kids watch her die.  But I also couldn't buy another whole set up.  The first cage and accessories were from the Pets in the Classroom grant.  I already spent some of my own money, more than I should have but I wanted two piggies.  I can not buy another cage and accessories for a temporary situation.  I couldn't afford it even if I wanted to.  I promised my husband, whom I love dearly but he is just not an animal person, that the guinea pigs would not be a bother.  It's killing me but I had to say to Cindy Lou. :' ( 

And then Petco called...

They were shocked!  The vet diagnosed her with an abscess (sp?).  They lanced it, put her on heavy antibiotics and said she would be just fine in a week or so.  Oh my God!  Please, please tell me that three guinea pigs can fit in this cage?  Heather said, 'No way.'  If I want Cindy Lou back, I would have to pay for her again because she's okay.  I am so torn!  I don't want to return Lilly but I can't accommodate three piggies.  Oh my word...this is so hard!

Names At Last!

Well, it took some doing but we finally have names for our new, furry little friends.  Maybe it's because Dr. Seuss' birthday is coming soon or maybe it's because commercials for The Lorax have been all over the television...I'm not really sure.  But their names are officially Daisy (after Daisy-Head Maisy) and Cindy Lou (yup, that adorable little girl from The Grinch).  Only, the tiny guinea pig is Daisy and the chunka munka is Cindy Lou.  That feels a little backwards to me but it is what it is.  We all love them both!  



Daisy - 2 months old





Cindy Lou - 3 months old



Great Giveaway!

Monica Schroeder over at Welcome to the Schroeder Page is hosting a fantastic and oh so cute giveaway.  I almost don't want to blog about it!  But I'll play fair and let all my bloggy friends know about it.  Go check it out - it's a definite must see!