It's Beginning to look {and feel} a lot like Christmas!

I am sure you have heard that phrase "Meanwhile in Florida..." Although you may be jealous of our weather, I have been a Grinch when the weather is warm. It does not feel like Christmas and all I want to do is do my shopping in chilly weather. These past few days have been cooler, and it helps.

Who is ready for Christmas Break? I don't know about you, but my seventh graders have checked out two weeks ago. This year has been a crazy one for me, between searching for my first teaching job, having surgery, and landing my first teaching job. It makes me blessed to be teaching these kids (call me crazy). I am finally getting to the point where I can have fun with my students, but they know what I expect of them. It is so weird that they trust me to tell me their secrets or their problems outside of the classroom. I never thought that I would be considered as a one of those teachers after I heard, "Ms. Kane is SO mean!" I guess they are realizing I am "mean" because I care.

It is a Friday, and I am wanting to further myself into the Christmas Spirit, so I am linking up with Fabulous in First for the Christmas Questionnaire!

I have loved looking at and reading a few other blogger's responses these Questions. I feel like I can get to know more about other people and get ideas from them. Gives me warm and fuzzies!!

Hot Chocolate or Egg Nog?

Definitely Hot Chocolate! Something about the texture and thickness of Egg Nog does not strike me. It makes me sick. I have been bringing packets of Hot Chocolate to school with me and use their hot water at school. Something about REALLY hot water with Hot Chocolate makes it really good!

Does Santa Wrap Presents or just put them under the tree?

Wrapped, for sure! I have gotten into the tradition of getting a wrapping paper for the season, and wrapping everything in that paper. This year I got "Ugly Sweater" wrapping paper by Paperchase collection {available at Target}. I Love it SO much, I have to show you!

Isn't it awesome?! 

Don't mind me, getting all excited about wrapping paper. 

Colored Lights or White Lights?

I am in a white lights phase right now. My mom always used color lights, so I am playing around with themes until I can add to my Hallmark collection (More on that later)

When do you decorate?

I try to decorate at least three weeks before Christmas. I hate the feeling of making all the effort to decorate, then taking everything down a week later. So, in order to fully get into the spirit of things, I like to decorate early!

Real or Fake?

Right now, me and the mister live in an apartment, so we have a fake tree. I grew up with the smell of a fresh tree every year. I really liked that smell. When we settle down in a house, I'd like to return to that tradition. 

What tops your tree?

A bow. I like the burlap type ribbon. I found some red and white burlap ribbon and attempted to create an amazing bow. How do you think it turned out?

I tried to make curls in the ribbon, but I couldn't figure out how to do all that..

Favorite Christmas Memories and Traditions?

My favorite Christmas traditions are getting an ornament every year. When I was younger I did not think much into it, but today I cherish that tradition and it continues to get passed on to my nieces and boyfriends family. It was funny, when I was going through my ornaments that my mom has given me, I noticed one was missing. I sent her a text right away!

Do You Remember your favorite gift as a child?

I am sure this answer is going to represent how young I am, but when I got my first cell phone. It was not because I got the cell phone, but the thought that went into surprising me. My parents hid the phone in the tree and called it. I had to find it. Because it was a surprise and I gad to go looking for it made it special. 

My dad had a mouse pad made of me and him in San Francisco. I still use it to this day. I am sentimental like that. LOVE IT! 

It is a little dirty, but it has character, what can I say?!

Do you prefer giving or receiving?

Can I say both? I like giving because I like the shopping hunt to find something special and out of the ordinary. Everyone has "stuff". I don't want my gift to just be "stuff". I want it to have meaning. Receiving is similar as in the meaning of the gift. Is this making any sense? Ha

What is your favorite Christmas Song?

The Christmas Shoes! I remember one day my dad was driving me back to my mom's house and hearing him ask me what this song was called. He really liked it and enjoys hearing this song every year. 

Candy Canes Yuk or Yum?

Yum! For sure! I prefer the little mini ones. They are less messy. Have you tried Chic fil A's Pepperment Chocolate Chip milkshake. OH MY HEAVENS?! Yum!

Favorite Christmas Movie?

The newer version of Miracle on 34th Street

Do you shop online or stores?

A little of both. I like to look at Etsy and get things that I know the people I love will like it!

Photo Cards, Letter or store bought cards?

Photo Cards! I love seeing pictures of my family!

I hope you are winding down soon in the classroom. Do you have a long winter break? We are out from the 19th-6th. A much needed break! 

Currently: December

Happy December! Yesterday was one of those days that I could use a few more hours in the day. Although I have today off too, I did not want to have a full to-do list to accomplish. That hasn't happened. I have been on the run all day today anyway. I decided I wanted to complete my Currently as a break in my day. Farely's mom did a wonderful job at picking the winner for the December Currently and I can't wait to see the Currently for January. Anyway, here goes nothing:

Did you see that Auburn vs. Alabama Game? Mind you, I am not a fan of either (UGA won already) but, WOW!

Loving- The Mister and I have been decorating the apartment since after Thanksgiving, and I am loving it! I have decorated at the last minute some seasons, and I hated it. It felt rushed. 

Thinking- Mid quarter grades are due today, so I need to get to work.

Wanting- One of the teachers on my team made a ring countdown to hang in her room. I want something similar. 

Needing- I think I wrote about a pedicure last month. During the winter I am always wearing closed toed shoes so I guess it isn't that big of a deal. But for real. It NEEDS to be done before Christmas. 

Tradition- My mom always got my brother and I a new Halmark ornament every year. I love that tradition. We also always open one gift on Christmas Eve. Usually it is something we can all do together (game, movie). 

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and your holiday spirits are in full swing. I am going to spend.a few more minutes of my break reading some Currentlys.

Action Packed Friday!

Good Afternoon! This week has dragged on! BUT! I have to say that although I have school next Monday and Tuesday, I am SO happy it its Friday!  I am here in time for Doodle Bugs' Five for Friday! This one is actually more interesting and action packed than the recent ones. I hope you enjoy them as much as I had thinking about what I was going to write about!

Have you done an activity where students (specifically older kids) are traveling around the room to get information for their graphic organizer? It allows them to research at each station? I did this while I was teaching the seven principles of the Constitution. The kids seemed to love it! I eventually want to try a quiz this way. 

Below are some pictures of my students: 

Who has two thumbs and is co-adviser for YEARBOOK?! Me! 

I know you all are probably thinking, "This girl is CRAY!" "That is a lot of work to take on, Have fun!!"

I was an editor of my yearbook in high school and I loved it! I believe that this is my chance to 

spread the creative bug with other students in the school. Last year, a lot of students did not buy the yearbook because of price. This year, I wanted to provide the book to them at a price they could afford without sacrificing quality. 

Yesterday I went to town making signs to help recruit some high school students. Let's hope they get inspired by one of my posters!

Have you used Google Chrome? I haven't until today! They have amazing resources that can make life as a teacher out! Alison at Rockin' and Learnin' mentioned it. A lovely blogger called  Purely Paperless talks about all the extensions and apps you can add to your Chrome page. I can split my screen to use two sites at one time. This helps while lesson planning SO MUCH! I strongly encourage you to check it out!

I am sure that close to everyone is having some kind of Thanksgiving festivity at their school for all the faculty and staff. Usually everyone brings something that they think everyone would love. Grandma's recipe and all that fatness goodness. So, I decided that I would share with you a picture of what I am bringing to this event.... Drummmmroll!!

(Pinterest Picture: Martha Stewart)

By no means am I Martha Stewart, but mine DOES look a little like this. I would like to think it tastes better too! We will hear the verdict on Monday!

Yes, I am one of those annoying dog ladies. When a dog is 2.2 lbs and Ten weeks old, you know you want to see the pictures!!

Gibson has grown so much since getting him a few weeks ago. 

I'm looking forward to reading about your week! I am so happy to be back into the blogging world again. It honestly takes me to a calm place. So, for that, Thank YOU!

My Truth Monday!

Happy Veteran's Day! I am so thankful to all of the service men and women that have put their lives on the line for my freedom. My grandfather was in the Airforce. I used to go every year to the Air Show on the base (McDill AFB, Tampa, FL) every year. I always loved hearing him tell me what he used to do on the planes.

Also, I am here to participate in Denise's My Truth Monday Linky: Celebrity Crush Style.

Isn't he handsome?! Mmm!

I hope you are having an amazing holiday! Can you believe it November is almost half way over?! Oh MAN!

Five for Friday: November 8th!

Whew! Kids just left for the day, and I literally just put my head down on my desk and thought about how thankful I am that it is Friday! The last half of my day I had a horrible headache. Daylight Savings Time is the death of me EVERY YEAR! I feel like I go to bed so early and feel tired ALL THE TIME! I'm hoping it gets better soon! This long weekend is a start!

Along with the weekend, it is also one of my favorite linkys, Doodle Bug's Five For Friday!!

It has been a wild, but very slow week! I am super glad to share it with you!

Have you been a part of Farley's Currently that happens at the first of every month? Well, I downloaded her "Currently: For your classroom" and have been using it once a month in my classroom. I have students fill it out and color it. They are 7th graders, so I only see them for 45 minutes every day. This activity allows me to get to know them more and I will give them all of their months at the end of the school year.

 

 This is my bundle of joy, Gibson. Me and the mister got him at the beginning of the week. He weighs 1.9 pounds and is the cutest thing. I can't wait to go home to him every day. So precious.

 

This is a new recipe I found (please excuse the iPhone screenshot, this is how I save all my ideas).

It is a healthier version of banana nut bread. A friend of mine has made them and they were DELICIOUS!

 

This is a picture of my classroom. You may be wondering, "Why just an empty classroom?"

Do you ever have an issue moving desks, then at the end of the day, your desks look like they have been randomly put in spots, like a chaotic mess? 

Well, I am trying to move these ANNOYING shaped desks into groups. Students have to move them to get into them. 

Bright side: If I didn't have a big classroom, I could not even do this at all. So... tough.

Raise your hand if you LOVE this show! Oh. My. Goodness. This is my TV guilty pleasure. Olivia Pope is the best character! If you have not seen this show, check out the first few seasons on Netflix! I miss the teachers from the school I student taught at. This would be the topic of discussion on Friday at lunch. 

I hope you all have a FABULOUS weekend! Enjoy the weather and do something adventurous!

Thankful Thursday, New Blog Design, and a new puppy!

Happy Thursday, ya'll! I want to introduce to you a new blog design made by the AMAZING Fairy Blog Mother! I was worried that I would wake up to a blog design blank today because my old blog design was due to disappear. I figured that I would take this time to revisit and revamp my goals for this blog! If you have noticed, I changed the name of my blog a little. I did this because I still want to incorporate my teaching experience rants into the blog, but I also want to use it to share what is going on in my day-to-day life. I hope you like it! It gives me more motivation to keep up with it and reflect on my educational posts!

While I was surfing bloglovin' I found a linky that I was thrilled about! November is a month that I use to reflect on things I DO have! Teaching Little Texans is hosting a November Linky called,

 

I am extremely thankful for my family and friends! I know this is what you typically hear everyone is thankful for. Honestly, family and friends are the support system of every human being. It defines our culture! My friends and family have been there for me every time I have needed support, love, or even just someone to talk to. 

I am also thankful for my students. Even though they are 7th graders and get on my nerves sometimes all the time they mean that I have a job that I love doing everyday. I have learned so much about myself through them this year. I have learned that it is okay to learn as you go, and change things accordingly. They have also taught me to be more accepting. I am so used to my little bubble of a world. 

As I go through the month of November, I am certain to be reminded of the things that I am thankful for. When I do, I will be sure to share them with you! 

I want to leave you with something you will for sure LOVE! A new puppy! His name is Gibson (after my mister's love of guitars), he is a jack russell/chihuahua. 

Hope I did not overwhelm your cute radar.