HUGE Giveaway!

Just checking in quickly (I say quickly because I have 1 week of summer vacay left and I've got lots to fit in!).  I know I'm not the only one who struggles with my work wardrobe.  I wasn't born with natural stylist instincts and because of that shopping isn't always my favorite thing to do.  That was until I discovered the amazing blog, Pinterest Told Me To.  Seriously, it has been life changing!  I discovered it right before the big Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (lucky me) and was able to grab some amazing deals!  Sheaffer is like your own personal stylist and so far everything she's suggested has been amazing!  Check out her blog today as she is giving away a $500 gift card to Nordstrom - oh yes, that is correct, $500!!  What teacher couldn't  use this right before the start of a new school year?!  And even if you don't win, you'll score tons of fashion advice.  To me, that's priceless!

Happy Shopping!!

And August is Upon Us...

First, let me just say that I am really not sure who gave August permission to sneak up on us!  I mean...how in the heck did the summer go by so quickly?!  I was just settling in to late nights and mornings spent in pj's sipping coffee and catching up on all of the latest reality TV shows that have filled my DVR.  Then...BAM...August appears and ruins it all!  ;)  Now I find myself waking up to a long to-do list and the stress of trying to fit everything in before I return to work (well...officially return to work since the work has already begun!)

Oh and now for some exciting news!  I won a great giveaway!!!  Major thanks to Emily at Third In Hollywood!  It was a super giveaway and Emily seems like such a sweet person!  Her email to me just made my week!  Not only did I win some great products from fellow teachers, but also the dreamy sharpener from Classroom Friendly Supplies that has been on my wishlist for just about ever!  Be sure to check out Emily's TPT Store.  Thanks, Emily!!

We're off to a weekend of soccer for my middle daughter!  This will be our 3rd (or 4th?) weekend in a row of soccer tournaments.  I LOVE watching my girls play, but I'll be happy to have a weekend off to just relax!  

Enjoy your weekend!!

Ahhh.....Summer!

Summer has been glorious thus far!  We've had great weather (which for me means anything under 85!  I can't stand the heat), lots of family fun and a lot of lazy days.  The week after school got out was our "work week" at school.  Since I teach at a private school that doesn't have a custodial staff, the teachers put in a week of work getting things spruced up at school.  I was shocked that my principal actually trusted me with a paint brush (it's not a good thing)!  :)  I spend the week after work week rearranging my room and de-cluttering.  Last year I had a .6 contract and had a great teaching partner.  This year I'll be full-time.  So, I had the opportunity to redo the entire room.  It was fun - but lots of work!  I still have about another week of work to do, but for now, I'm happy to put that on hold.

I have spent a few nights this week doing some online work.  I got started on my teacher planner for next year.  I chose to use one of the great planners from A Modern Teacher.  I used one last year and it worked so well.  This year she has some really cute new designs!   I have also spent some time going through the great resources that Jennifer Smith-Sloane has on her website.  I'm going to implement interactive notebooks this year and she is the queen!  My next step is to order a pencil sharpener from Classroom Friendly Supplies.  I've wanted on for a long time and am going to get one for next year.  (If you want to win one, head over to Miss Elementary's Blog and enter!)I've heard nothing but great things about them.  If anyone has any other must-have resource recommendations, please share!

Here's wishing you all a great 4th of July!

Melissa

Well, well, well....

I guess my great plans for daily (weekly?) blog posts went right out the window!!  What a crazy year it has been!  We have 2 1/2 weeks of school left and oh so much to get done.   My new plan is to survive May and then begin blogging again as I 1) Job search 2) Plan for next year 3) begin reading A LOT of books on different teaching methodologies!   Here's to the end of the school year!!