Getting Ready!

Call me crazy, but I couldn't leave for my beach trip on Wednesday without starting to set up my classroom! Being a second-year teacher comes with the knowledge of what actually worked the first time around and what didn't (whereas last year this time, I was setting up my classroom in hopes that I was doing it the "right" way). There are lots more little projects to be done, but there will be time for those things when I get back from the beach.

Gotta love starting with a blank slate:

After getting my guided reading corner situated and my homemade "no-sew" curtains hung:



Some Daily Five Anchor Charts that I made - need to be laminated next week:

Created a postcard to send to my kiddos when I *finally* get my class list:

...And right on cue, the back-to-school nightmares have begun.

You know, the ones where you show up on the first day naked. Or you get to school on the first day and find out that you're now going to be teaching kindergarten. Or you find out you're teaching kindergarten and you have a class of feral children who eat your lunch when you're busy crying in the closet.  Uh-huh... the new school year is definitely right around the corner.

xoxox

Hershey Park Happy

My Hubby and I took our annual trip to Hershey Park last week! For the past several years, we have gone to Hershey on or around my birthday.

We go for a couple of reasons:

 1. Anyone who really knows me knows that I LOVE CHOCOLATE. And of course, Hershey makes the Special Dark Chocolate that I absolutely crave.

 2. Love a good amusement park! Hershey has great rides, great shows, great food... a day of fun for all.

3. What more could I ask for for my birthday other than a day of my Hubby's undivided attention? I love having him all to myself all day long with no distractions.

Our trip to Hershey Park this year did not disappoint. Of course, Jason thought it was completely appropriate to drag me to the brand new rollercoaster for our very first ride of the day... Skyrush. The reason that this ride is named "Skyrush" is because it creates the sensation of freefalling, or skydiving. *GULP* We waited over an hour to ride this brand new coaster, and boy was it intense! I'm pretty sure the entire park heard me scream on that ride.

Of course, after that first ride on the most insane rollercoaster in the park, all of the other rides seemed like nothin'. We rode all of the rollercoasters at least once (some three times, some front-row seats), took in a few shows, went to the zoo, and shared some delish food. We got there when the park opened at 10:00am, and we were there when they closed the park at 10:00pm. It was a long day, but we had a great time! The only time I got sick all day long was after riding (wait for it.........) the swings. I know, so embarassing! :S

Here are some pics from my trusty, handy Nikon point-and-shoot:

Even though the storms rolled in around 9:30 and the rides were officially closed for the night, we enjoyed some icecream before leaving the park . You can definitely say that at the end of the day, we were "Hershey Park Happy" :)

xoxox

It's August!

It's here... that dirty word that all teachers dread: August.

*Wahhhhhh* ;(

Carefree days of summer vaycay are quickly slipping away, and my thoughts are quietly turning to my classroom. Granted, I've been pinning ideas for the new school year all summer long... but have I actually made anything for my classroom yet? ...No. Time to get busy, I guess!

I have a five-day beach trip coming up this week, and I'm excited to squeeze a few more delicious drops of fun out of summer before putting my teacher hat on again.

Since it's the beginning of a new month, I'm linking up {{here}} for CURRENTLY:

Check out the pedi:

...And the new 'do!

Countdown to first day for teachers: 12 days

Countdown to Back to School Night: 16 days

Countdown to FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL: 18 days

Forgive me if my posts become sporadic for the next couple of weeks...

 life is about to get cRaYzAy.

xoxox

What I'm Loving Today

It's Wednesday and I'm linking up {{here}} for "What I'm Loving Wednesday."

1. Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - A Daily Devotional'

I LOVE my Bible app on my iPad. It's super easy to navigate through the Bible, and I can change translations with the mere click of a button. I also love this app because it includes several different devotional plans. I am on my 11th day of a year-long Joyce Meyer devotional about promises in the Bible. There is a mini-lesson, a scripture reading, and a prayer-starter for each day. I love starting my day with God's word. Here's a screenshot of my devotional today:

2. Quality Time with my Hubby

Jason and I went to Hershey Park last week. We opened the park at 10am... and we stayed until the park closed at 10pm. Wow.. LONG DAY, but it was awesome to spend an entire day, uninterrupted with my best friend. I'll post more about our day later :)

3. Pampered Chef Products

I. Am. Addicted. I went to my very first Pampered Chef party last month and I have fallen in love with their products. My first two purchases were the Deep Covered Baker (stoneware that you can use in the microwave to create a delish meal in 30 minutes or less) and the Manual Food Processor. The Deep Covered Baker is also known in the Pampered Chef world as "The Magic Pot". You can roast an entire chicken in the microwave in this natural stone baking dish in 35 minutes... and it's the juiciest chicken you'll ever try. I know, I didn't believe it when I heard it either... until I tried it for myself! I made some Brushetta Chicken Pasta the other night in my microwave and it was AMAZING.

4. Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

I have never read a Jodi Picoult book that I didn't enjoy, and while Nineteen Minutes has been published since 2007 and is not necessarily a "new" title, it's a great book so far.

5. Back to School Shopping

One of the perks of being a teacher is getting to go back to school shopping as a grown-up! Fun, fun, fun! I went to Kohls on Saturday, armed with my 20% off coupon and saved $357.00. I bought seven tops, a pair of shorts, two pairs of trousers, a pair of flip-flops, and three new button-down shirts for J. My budget was $200 and I only went $15 over. I think Round One of Back to School Shopping went well. Hopefully Round Two ("Trouser Shopping for Short-Legged Teacher") will be equally successful next weekend - ha!

6. Fun Times with Friends

Amy and I spent Monday together. We went on a photo safari! Over the course of the day, we took photos at the school farm, Pen Mar Park, High Rock, my friend's winery and vineyard, and Cunningham Falls. We had a great time! I'll post more about our adventures later this week. Then, today, my BFF took me to a fancy spa to get a pedicure as a late birthday present. It was totally relaxing and a great chance to catch-up with each other!

7. Pinterest Posters

Here are some posters from Pinterest that struck a particular chord in me this week.

Until next time... XOXO

Winged Love

Absolutely loving the views from my front porch swing!

My butterfly bush has attracted lots of butterflies and even a hummingbird this year.

I love getting close enough to capture some shots of these gorgeous creatures.

I was so blessed by the beauty of these little gifts from Heaven. Butterflies have taken on a very special meaning for me over the last year and a half, so I felt like God was sending me an early birthday blessing last weekend by allowing me to capture these shots.

Hope you enjoy them!

 

Snap Happy!

I have been taking lots of photography clients this summer. I had decided not to take on any clients during the school year last year because I really just wanted to focus on having a successful first year of teaching. ...And then summer vacation rolled around, and people began calling/texting/Facebooking about doing pictures. I have loved getting to use my new lens and reconnect with old friends through my camera. Here are some of my favorites:

The Beal Wedding

Hannah's Senior Portraits

Megan's Head Shots for Theater

Cameron's Two-Year Portraits

Linking up {{here}}.

28 in 28

On Wednesday, I celebrated my *gasp* 28th birthday. I had a wonderfully relaxing day with my family... but seriously, time can slowwww down any minute now. Here are 28 things I would like to accomplish over the next 365 days:

Linking up {{here}}