Thursday's Thoughtful

A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.
Phyllis Diller

A smile is an inexpensive way to change your looks.
Charles Gordy


So SMILE and be HAPPY! :)

Friday Favorites

1. Autumn
My favorite time of year- nuf said.

2. Life Experiences
In my old age I've found I'd rather take $20 and use it towards making memories and enjoying life rather than spending it on junk or clothes. Stuff comes and goes, memories and life experiences will always stay with you.


3. A Clean Car
I loath dirty, junky cars. Maybe it's because of my commute, but I hate riding in my car when it's messy! I definitely do not enjoy washing/cleaning it, but I so love riding in it after it's been cleaned!


4. Eating Dinner At A Table
Wednesday night my husband and I ate at our breakfast table for the first time since we've moved. We've had that table since we married, but I can count on one hand how many times we've actually eaten at it. We usually plop down in front of the tube and eat- while watching our favorite shows rather than conversing. After eating at our table we've decided to make a new house rule- anytime one of us cooks, we will eat at the table, rather than on the sofa in front of the T.V.


5. The Ugly Pumpkin
I now have a new favorite book- The Ugly Pumpkin. My kiddos and I have read this book at least a dozen times this week. I stumbled across it in our library and it's now one of our favs! Parents and teachers out there, I highly recommend this cute, funny book.


6. Cooler Weather
The cooler mornings lately have been a nice taste of what's to come.


7. Drunk Chicken
My father-in-law grills the best drunk chicken! I always look forward to holiday cookouts with him because he always fixes me a drunk chicken.


8. Coconut Lime Verbena from Bath and Body Works
I have never been a coconut fan- I hate the taste of it, and I've never found any good coconut scented items- until now. I found a bottle of this scented lotion while unpacking the other day and actually like it.

9. Say Yes to the Dress
I've always been a fan- but I especially like the new season because it's in Atlanta.

10. Kenra Shine Serum
My beautician introduced me to this. It's magic in a bottle.

Thursday's Thoughtfuls

The best of times is now.
Oprah Winfrey

Never take life too seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
Author Unknown

Whatever you are be a good one.
Abraham Lincoln

Thursday's Thoughtful

When once you have tasted flight you will always roam the earth with your eyes turned skyward; for there you have been and there you will always be.

Leonardo DiVinci

Are You Ready...

.....to sky dive?!?

NOTE: BEFORE YOU WATCH THE VIDEO, YOU MAY NEED TO SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE AND HIT THE PAUSE BUTTON ON THE MUSIC PLAYER.

Yesterday I took the big jump from 14000 ft. altitude. I had 65 seconds of free fall where I did upwards of 150 mph. I was even able to fall through a cloud! So, it's your lucky day because it's all on video! My favorite part was the jump... well, I didn't actually jump. I did six summer sault rotations- yes, I'm one tough cookie :)


Along with the video I have about 200 still shots. So, check back later for pictures!
Oh, the guy in the blue jumper, sitting beside me in the plane is my best friend's boyfriend (Chickadee). My brother was supposed to come but he could not get off duty in the army. That's okay though- because we're planning another jump next month!

I'm addicted. It's the absolute BEST EXPERIENCE of my life. Nothing I ever do from this point on will even come close to the feeling this gave me. Now all I do is look up at the sky and wish I were up there.

Friday Favorites - Classroom Edition

1. Technology
I am blessed to work in a school with ample technology. In my room I'm fortunate to have a projector, ELMO, projection screen, two computers, a sound system/microphone, and an interwrite pad. Plus, every afternoon our class gets laptops for the students to use! We have a distance learning lab where students can go on virtual field trips. I LOVE using technology in my classroom- and today's kids are so tech savvy! My students love using the technology!

2. Secret Student
This is something I started my first year of teaching. Each morning I pull two star sticks-but I don't tell the kids whose name I've pulled. All day I make comments such as "Oh, my secret students are doing so great!". Naturally, everyone straightens up in hopes that it's them. At the end of the day I announce the names, and those two students get to feed the fish, hermit crabs, and check on the tadpoles. The kids LOVE doing secret student.

3. Costumes
I love pulling out costumes to enhance books or a lesson!

4. Click-able Dry Erase Markers

5. Pets
I love having classroom pets. The kids really enjoy them- and it's a good way for them to learn responsibility in taking care of an animal. We have two hermit crabs - Bully and Auby-, a fish named Simon (that my principal gave us :) ), and some tadpoles that a student brought.

Bully has the Bulldog paw prints (we're the Bulldogs) and Auby looks like a Tiger.
Note: I'm not an Auburn fan. A student chose that name :)

The kindergarten teachers hatched chicken eggs- so our hall had baby chicks this week. It so so neat! They are going to hatch duck eggs next, and I'm joining them! My dad has an incubator, so hopefully we will be able to have ducklings hatch in our room! Very exciting for a first grader- and me!


6. Displaying Student Work
I love hanging student work from my ceilings etc.. Right now we have fish hanging from the ceiling- it makes our room seem kind of like an ocean! :)

Family trees made in Social Studies


Growing Up Project for Social Studies
The students brought in a baby picture, a current picture, and then drew what they think they'll look like as an adult.

Mini People made in Science

Close up of a mini person.
They labeled the five senses and four major organs:heart, lungs, brain, and stomach.

7. Murials
I have always done big class murials for different times of the year. The kids really enjoy it!

"Mrs. James' Pick of the Patch"
Their fists made the pumpkins and their hand prints made the Autumn leaves.

8. The Jazz Fly
I absolutely love this book! It also has a CD and the kids LOVE listening to the jazz music! Too funny!
Go HERE to listen to the song.


9. Outdoor Lessons
I love finding ways to get out of the room for lessons. This week was focused on The Writing House (another of my favorite things). It's a writing program- and this week was dedicated solely to descriptive writing. We wrote, and wrote, and wrote! Yesterday we read Little Cloud by Eric Carle. Then, we went outside and sat on the sidewalk to admire the clouds. The students then completed a descriptive writing activity on the clouds they saw. Things like that just make school special- or at least I think so ;)

10. My Sweet, Witty, Funny, Loving Students
Last, but not least, my students. I cannot brag on my sweet peas enough! I have fallen head over heels in love with this group of kids. We've had so much fun this past month. Each day I drive to work so excited because I cannot wait to show them what fun things we're going to learn that day! I am blessed!

Thursday's Thoughtfuls - Dr. Seuss Style

“A person's a person, no matter how small.”

“If you never did you should. These things are fun and fun is good”

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own.
And you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go.

“Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.”
My kids and I say that at the end of each day :)

Friday Favorites

1. American Pickers
My husband and I love this show! It always makes me want to go antiquing!

2. Skype

My husband's uncle emailed us about this. I had never heard of it before. He currently lives in Dubai- so it's neat to know that we can skype him, talk as long as we want, and it doesn't cost us a cent! We're going to pick up a web cam today- I'm excited to be able to talk to him and actually see him! :)


3. Sleeping Late


4. Saturday Morning Pancakes
My husband and I have started a tradition- every Saturday morning we have pancakes. It doesn't matter if we sleep until noon, we always eat pancakes on Saturday.


5. Having Family Over
I love having my family over. My nephew and Dad are always stopping by to go fishing. Just last weekend my brother came over with them. It was so good to see him!


6. Living in a Neighborhood
We've had so many people stop by to meet us, bring us goodies, or just stop to say hello!


7. Glade Apple Cinnamon Air Freshener
I picked this us the other day to use in my classroom. It smells so good! Everyone has commented on how good my classroom smells (not always an easy feat with first graders).


8. McAlister's Deli
Their nacho basket with Rotel cheese dip is amazing! I love it with jalapenos. Yummo!

9. Sitting Areas in Bedrooms
This just makes me that more excited about our furniture coming in soon.



10. The Late Show with David Letterman
I think David Letterman is great! I know there are several people who would disagree with me, but I like him. It's rare that I can stay up late to watch him, so I go to cbs.com and watch it.

Thursday's Thoughtful

If you’re bored with life — or you don’t get up every morning with a burning desire to do things — you don’t have enough goals.
Lou Holtz