Five for Friday

It's Friday, ya'll! And while that is normally a good thing....I am a little sad that it is here.

You see, I've been on Fall Break ALL week. I have enjoyed every single moment. Every one. Including my few days in oversized sweat pants. ha!! Sadly, I am very serious.

This really is a true statement. I could NOT wait to just play catch up and relax a little. Mornings with coffee, watching TV, actually cooking dinner and not being on the go all the time....it has really been good for my soul! I'm sad to see the week come to an end. Back to the grind on Monday. On a happy note, I am looking forward to seeing my little explorers. 

Speaking of all things Fall - - has anyone tried this?? Holy Mother!!! Life changing. And no, I'm not being dramatic. It is literally the best ice cream I have ever tasted!

Just read what all it includes. Spiced Pumpkin ice cream, pecans, cinnamon-honey-praline sauce - OMG. My mouth is watering as I type this and I really think it would be inappropriate to have ice cream at 6:30 in the morning. Which - why in the world I am awake at this time over Fall Break, I have no idea....

Onward.

I've been wanting to do clip art for a long time. But haven't been sure how to grab the bull by the horn. I'm still not sure I fully grasp all there is to it. I love so many of the artists out there and would never want to compete....but doodling and art has always been a passion of mine. Here are just some random doodles I did over Fall Break. I haven't figured out how to convert the files to PNGs though. Despite the number of YouTube tutorials I've watched, I still don't get it. Any suggestions?

Are these cute? Would anyone even use them?? I don't know...

My Fall Break has also been spent finishing units that I've had ongoing for months. I've had some requests for different packs and I've never finalized them to post on TpT. So, I made myself sit down and get.to.work! Here's what I ended up with.....I would say this is a record. Posting 5 packs in one week (granted 2 are bundled) but hey - - that is HUGE for me! ha 

I finished my Blends and Diagraph Flashcard set. This set includes 26 student flashcards, a checklist, and word wall. It's great for student practice! It goes along with my Blends and Diagraph Poster set {here} or you can grab the bundled pack {here}. 

I also finished my Journaling and Book Review pack. If you have purchased my Explore Informational Reports unit, you'll definitely want to add these 2 to your collection! They accompany that unit perfectly. OR - for 20% savings, you can grab the bundled set {here}. I am seriously rather proud of myself. ha I have never in my life posted that many units in 1 week. I so want to do better...

While I'm on Fall Break...I've spent it in North Carolina with my love. Long distance relationships can certainly be trying, but I'm thankful for the time off so I can be here. One of my best friends lives in Charlotte and I'm off to meet her today. 

She took the day off work so we can have quality girl time. First up on the agenda is a Blow Dry Bar! These are apparently all the rage here. Anyone ever heard of them?? We have appointments at 10:45. I'm pretty excited.....and my hair could definitely use the help.

Stay tuned for my hair do! ha Head on over to Doodle Bugs and link up. Happy Friday!

Five for Friday (nephew obsessed)

Hey ya'll! I officially get the "worst blogger in the world" award. Seriously! Who goes a month without blogging and weeks in between regular blog posts? This girl apparently! I seriously want to do so much better. I miss everyone. Anyways, I'm wanting to catch up and share a TON...boy, have I been busy. But first thing is first....I must announce to you that I'm officially an AUNT!! 

My one and only sister had her baby on Monday, September 16th at 4:19 p.m. This sweet fella was 12 days late and weighed 7 lbs and 5 oz, 20 in long. Meet the newest love of my life...Jensen Russell Sikora.

Shut the front door!! Can this precious angel get any cuter?! Seriously ya'll. I've been over to her house EVERY DAY since he has arrived (minus 1). ha I am head over heels. Needless to say, my "Five for Friday" is going to be all about this handsome fella. 

Here is my Jensey poo in his "coming home" out fit - courtesy of his E (aka ME). ha Of course I had to rush right over and get my hands on him when they arrived at home. 

This is what he came home to. Would you please look at his adorable "Woodland Creature" nursery? A lot of love, thought, and planning went in to it and every inch of it was pieced together with family effort. We were so pleased with the turn out. 

He is already smart...I can tell. He even thinks in his sleep. I mean, c'mon people! I know his Kindergarten teacher will be proud! I have 2 words: child prodigy. 

And last but not least, me with my Jensen. He loves his E. I know it ;-) I've already told my sister that he is MY baby...she just carried him for 9 months and birthed him. ha No big deal. 

Happy Friday! Off to get more snuggles in with my little man. I'll be back. 

Five for Friday

It's Five for Friday ya'll and I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching. Ohmiword...my summer break is flying by! :( Please make it slow down. We have to be back August 1st. That's right people...AUGUST FIRST! And, yes, I just used "shouty capitals." I need more time for stuff like this...

1. PEDICURES! Check out my Patriotic toes. ha ha I wanted something fun, but not too tacky. Tina hooked me up at NT Nails (I love her) and incorporated the red, white, and blue without going over the top. That one nail is actually silver sparkles.  

2. I've been working in my room a little here and there. I decided to do a "face lift" on some of my bulletin boards (well all of them actually). I went with the fadeless black paper, double border, and letters from Creative Teaching Press. I drew the explorer and added the silk leaves to make it more 3D. Thoughts? I'm pretty pleased!!

3. In more important news...I finally decided to leave the stone age and purchase an iPhone 5. Lordy day...like I need one more obsession. I already go to bed with my laptop and iPad. Now, this has been added to the mix. I must give.it.a.rest. ha But, seriously, I do stinkin' LOVE it! I have downloaded a ton of apps already and literally cannot put it down. Any app suggestions that I just MUST have? Please share! 

4. I spent some time with Will's niece and nephew on Wednesday. I watched them for a bit while their Momma worked on a few things. You may remember me posting about them {here}. Would you look at how big they've gotten? They are the most beautiful babies in the world! Here is a little video I took of Kelsey...we were paying hide and seek. Her little laugh just makes my heart melt. Have mercy! And what is up with my weird baby voice? Does anyone else do that? I even talk to animals, puppies, my guinea pig, and occasionally my boyfriend (God love him) that way. Please tell me I'm not alone. 

5. Lastly, just a quick reminder about Google Reader going "adios" on July 1. Super sad day. While I love change, I also hate it. Every time Facebook goes on a mission to update stuff, I seriously do not switch over until I'm forced. As the old southern saying goes..."If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" Amen? Anyways....please follow me on blog lovin' (just click the image below). I would be forever grateful and most certainly appreciate it. 

Have a super Friday! Be sure to head over to Doodle Bugs and link up. 

My 1st Five for Friday!

I'm so excited to be linking up this week. I read the Five for Friday posts all the time but haven't participated yet. I actually remembered to snap a photo today and get some others throughout the week. Yay for me! Ok...so my five.....here goes:

1. I spent a wonderful week in sunny/rainy Destin, Florida {with my sweetie} over Spring Break. Coming home, and returning to work on Monday, was tough. Good thing is....27 1/2 days of school left - but who is counting? :)

2. When we got home, aside from having the stomach bug, I spent some time on the farm with Will. He actually let me drive the tractor and move some round bales. I did this successfully! No cows were harmed, nothing was run over, and I didn't hit anything. This is a BIG deal, people. I'm really good at backing up - go figure? 

3. My sister and brother in law announced they were having a baby and I boo hooed like a newborn. I'm for real. Ugly girl cried. Soo stinkin' excited! They had their 19 week ultra sound on Tuesday and held a "Gender Reveal Party" at Mom and Dad's. They opened the bag and out popped BLUE balloons. It's a BOY!!! I have a little nephew on the way and cannot WAIT to spoil, cuddle, and love that little squirt. He is gonna love his "E" so much, I just know it. {sigh} Now, if September 4th will just hurry up and get here....

4. Yesterday, we went on a Field Trip to a museum in our area called Hands On! My students loved it and had a great time. Their traveling exhibit was on dinosaurs and they had HUGE robotic dinos that got my kinders so excited for our upcoming unit. In the "Science Lab" part of the museum,  students got to play with a volcano. Tradition at Hands On is that you name your volcano before erupting it.....what did my students choose to name it? Lava Ball! ha ha Hilarious. One of my parents snapped this photo with her phone...look at me standing on a stool to get a fun picture. Mercy...the things I do. On the upside, my students were mesmerized with the volcano and didn't even realize I was towering over them. 

5. The best substitute and parent in the WORLD (I had 2 of her children in Kindergarten) wore the same thing to school today as I did! ha We didn't even plan it......I guess great minds think alike. And a Happy Friday it was {PTL}! Off to enjoy the weekend. Head on over to Doodle Bugs to check out some other Five for Friday posts and be sure to link up!