Five For Friday {Christmas Break...Woot}

Chiming in here for the Five for Friday post...  just chillin' on my couch!  That's right... I'm on Christmas break, y'all!  If you're reading this... chances are... you are also on your couch...  enjoying the first few hours of Christmas break!!!  Yesterday was day 90 for us... that's 1/2 way done!!!  It's all downhill from here...

This week was a crazy week.  This is my 12th year but every year it takes me by surprise.  I was driving to work earlier this week and I looked up at the moon and actually thought, "Man... that's a beautiful moon!  OHHHHH NOOOOO... that's a full moon."  .... and the kids didn't disappoint.  Game on little humans...  they have kept me on my toes all week.

 Yesterday was a hard day.  It marked the one year anniversary of the day I found out that Frances didn't have a heartbeat.  I didn't tell anyone that it was the anniversary until later in the day... just needed to get through work.  A co-worker brought this down to me this morning.  Said she had ordered it a long time ago, but for a myriad of reasons... didn't get around to giving it to me until yesterday.  Y'all... that was a God thing!  No other possible theory fits!

My M1 and M2 at karate.  They really love it.  The hubs signed them up and he loves to go watch them practice.  I love having a few quiet minutes after school.  Then I run home, straighten the house, and try to make a plan for dinner....  ahem, a loose plan for dinner!  Let's keep it real...  y'all want Little Caesars for dinner?  Why don't we go get chips and salsa wasted?  Kids... y'all just want a bagel?  

I'm stalking my summer vacation at the beach.  Straight up STALKING!  Love a good countdown app!  We may have booked our 2014 week back in August.  We are READY!  

 Remember above... when I mentioned loose plans for dinner?  Yeah... I actually love reading cookbooks.  Ironic... since I don't actually cook often... {or even that well}.  This lovely book was a gift from our school nurse who also love the Pioneer Woman cookbooks.  Made my week!!!  <3 her!!!

A sweet co-worker came down this week after school.  I had brewed coffee {if you brew it... they WILL come}.  While she was visiting... she asked if I had any thoughts on homemade ornaments.  I asked her if she had ever made the borax ornaments (for lack of a better name).  I quickly described it... told her it definitely works & gave it my seal of approval.  Side note: I used to make these every year when I taught 4th graders.  She took some pictures of her 2nd graders in action & sent them to me. {she's sweet like that}.. 

 So you need some Mason jars... or she used glass beakers.  You also need some pencils, fishing line, pipe cleaners, Borax, and access to boiling water {she used my coffee pot to do this}.

 The best part... you can totally do this one day... let them form overnight... and VOILA!  Great for people on a time crunch!  I've never made these with my personal little humans... but thinking we might give this a go over Christmas break.  I think they would LOVE it!

 Here's an image of one with fully formed crystals.  So pretty... and really fascinating I think.  The recipe and instructions can be found HERE... but there are several others... mostly all saying the same thing though!

I hope that you are reading this... relaxing at home... enjoying the first few hours of your break.  Hoping to blog more this week since I can actually have a few coherent thoughts!  Talk to y'all soon!  

QR Codes, Adam Levine, and the Pioneer Woman

Well that's one intriguing title, right?  Not a whole lot weaving all those things together... just kinda what popped into my mind.  My newest product uses QR codes and I'm super pumped about it {not even gon' lie}.  I have been using QR codes on my newsletters and for posters outside the classroom, but this is the first time I have created them with the sole reasoning being for STUDENTS using them.  The center comes in the regular version, too... if you you're just not ready to jump in quite yet!  OK... so how does the center work?  Glad you asked...  walk with me.

You cut out all of the cards (they are separated into rounding to nearest 10, nearest 100, and nearest 1000).  Each child also gets a recording sheet.  They write their answers on their recording sheet and using an iPod or other smart device with the laser app... they scan the QR code and the correct answer is displayed on the screen.  I have the RED LASER app downloaded onto the iPods I have in my classroom.  The kids love using technology and I love that they can get instant feedback.  Interested?  You can find it HERE! 

 Have you seen this picture on Pinterest lately?  A co-worker shared it with me and every time I see it... I almost snort Pepsi through my nose.  I have saved it on my phone and go find it when I need a laugh.  If you haven't heard of Sweet Brown... google her and this will make more sense! :)

 The school nurse (love her) brought me the Pioneer Woman cookbooks this week.  I have followed stalked her blog for awhile now, but have never laid eyes on her cookbooks.  I don't even like to cook {hangs head in shame}, but the way she writes and takes such detailed pictures... well it almost makes me wanna try!  I think I'm gonna start out with one of the simple recipes this week!  Pray for me!
I hope that you are all having a great week so far.  I have popped some Advil PM in the hopes of getting more than a few hours sleep tonight.  It is still my struggle!  OHHHH... and remember that the pencil sharpener giveaway ends tomorrow @midnight... it's like the super easiest giveaway EVER... seriously like 2 clicks and that's it!  Good luck!!!
-Stacy