Currently-December!?

I can't believe it's December already.  I also can't believe that I'm linking up with this month's currently from Oh Boy, 4th Grade!

I'm currently listening to the dishwasher working... and it's not me or the hubs.  I'm excited because I just got all new dishes (a black friday "steal" for me!)  We are now a family of 5.. and had 8 settings that were starting to chip, crack and break.  With only 8 plates... that meant doing dishes almost every day!  

Loving-that it's December.  While it's crazy, chaotic and just plain tiring sometimes... it's my favorite month.  It's full of excitement and wonder.  It's full of family and fun and LOTS of traditions.

Thinking--there's NO way I'm getting everything done.  THREE kids.  What was I thinking?!  ha!  So much to wrap and do... plus there's that thing called SCHOOL!?  And we go to the bitter end of December 23... and that's even a full day.  I know it'll be here in a blink though.

Wanting-a maid.  Who wouldn't?!  My littles just aren't keeping up and would never make a good maid.  For that fact-neither would I.  I have a mentality that they are only little once and I'd rather not miss out on family fun because I was cleaning the house....  though.  A clean house is a happy one!  Or, maybe we could say a relatively clean house?!  {How clean is it ever going to be with 3 boys and a husband???}

Needing-SLEEP!  My littlest is not sleeping... Now, I always blame everything on teething.  But, I think it's true this time.  Tonight I saw what looked to be an outline of a molar ready to come through!  Poor thing has had fevers off an on... and just crying in his sleep, if he's not crying awake.  Add in that thing called school and I'm just beat..

Tree---REAL!  I used to always have a fake one... then we found a tradition about 4-5 years ago.  There's a local tree farm near us that takes you out to their trees on a horse drawn wagon...  We always go on Black Friday after lunch with my parents.  This year the weather was beautiful.  Here's a few pics from our day:

We FINALLY found the perfect tree after walking around FOREVER! 

Chopping it down!  My biggest Little actually cut most of it down, after daddy and grandpa helping him get started.

Getting ready to decorate... the littlest little was a bit drool-y... he also had a fever that night, but was in good spirits.  He loved throwing the ornaments like they were balls...

Currently-August! I'm back!

Boy, have I missed you all!  This has been quite the summer.  I'm linking up with Farley for her Currently in August to fill you in a bit.  I promise to be back more often.... soon!

Disclaimer: I'm SO sorry for lack of pictures...  Haven't been in school enough to take pics yet... (and it's a new room)

LISTENING: so, yeah, I got a lot going on with me and my life.  I have SOOOOO much to accomplish in the next 3 weeks, that I'm not quite sure how it's going to happen!  Tomorrow I leave for a week at the beach.  I want to desperately enjoy it, but I'm not quite sure it'll happen.  I'm moving to a new grade, after teaching 1st for 11 years (at my current school).  I had to move my classroom... that I couldn't get into very often, yet.  And, I'm about to have a baby!  So I've been going absolutely NUTS! 

LOVING:  So, I {heart} summertime.  I usually love the heat.  This summer has been uncharacteristically cool and I'm actually loving it, because the days it wasn't so cool....  this pregnant mama was NOT loving it!  My other 2 boys were spring babies, so I never experienced the lovely summer pregnancy!

THINKING: I have 6 weeks left till I meet my newest little guy.  I think that time is going to fly by--and as much as I would love it physically, I want to enjoy the last of the summer with my 2 little guys before we become a "party of 5!" 

NEEDING:  So, yeah--that one is self-explanatory.  Moving my classroom was quite daunting..  Add in that we were in school till the LAST week of June!  I don't feel like I left, yet my classroom is NO where near ready for a class---or a sub?!  I've also been dealing with transferring things to my personal computer from my school's... so a lot of my pictures are in limbo.  (which is code for I'm not sure where the heck they are right now---"old" computer or "new"!?!??!)

Our first day back is still a few weeks to go, but I know many of you are already headed back.  I'm moving up to second grade, so I'll know quite a few little kiddies, so I am looking forward to that.  BUT, I'm due on September 15th... so it will be short lived..... till the end of January!  I'm looking forward to spending time at home with my little guy, while the other 2 are off to school!  It will be strange to have just one at home.

Last, I wanted to put out there that I'll be participating in the big TPT sale next week!  All of my store will be 20% off on top of the 10% you'll get through TPT!  I'm not sure I'll have any of my projects complete that I've been working on, since I've been drowning in organizing for second grade and a sub...  I'll be back in the game shortly, promise!  With lots of second grade goodies!!! 

Currently and a Super Sale!

I'm linking up with the fab Farley at Oh, Boy 4th Grade again!  (make sure to go check her out!)

LISTENING:  To nothing.  This is the time of day/week where I reflect and enjoy some silence.  Grateful for the hubs who gets up early with the kiddos so I can rest a little before being bombarded!  Though, I only have a few more minutes before the littlest comes running up to give me a picture he drew.  He's my artist.  SO different from the first born.

Loving:  It.is.finally.FEBRUARY!  January was brutal.  4 snow days, which added to our summer vacation.  LOTS of delays.  Friday was the end of our never ending 2nd Marking Period!  Tomorrow we have a "room prep" day, but we're supposed to get 2-4 inches (or more, who knows!) of snow!  I'm a little stressed because I get SO much done during that day!  YIKES!

THINKING:  Which leads me to thinking!  I have SO much to do!  Plans, clean my classroom, get ready for some new reading block kids... GRADES!  Then there's home.  I need to start cooking some goodies for tonight's game!  We always have my BFF and her fam come over and eat some goodies and the kids play.

WANTING:  A day off.  Really.  Just for me though.  Not a snow day where I'm home refereeing my littles and getting nothing done.  A day off for me, no strings attached.  Oh, the things I could get done!  (home, school, blogging, TPT, etc....)

NEEDING:  That darn Groundhog to NOT see his shadow!  I can't take more snow days.  June 19th is late enough.......

2 Truths and a Fib:
Yep!  I am a  National Baton (and dance) champ! I twirled and danced for over 20 years.  We competed all over the place and attended Nationals every other year.  I miss it dearly, especially now that I have 2 boys.  That's a past time I'll never really share with them..   (I also taught little 3 year olds routines and skills!  Miss that too!!!)

Yep!  Both of my kids are born on the 15th!  March 15th for the oldest (however, he was supposed to be April 12....)  and April 15th for my youngest!  (and well, he was supposed to be April 9!)  My BFF's daughter is July 15th!  Super easy to remember!

NO!  I HATE coffee.  But, I do have a kuerig!  lol  Love my hot chocolate though!  (My parents actually got it for me so they could make coffee when they come over once a week) ;)


Before I leave, just wanted to let you know that I'll be having my store on sale today!   Click on the picture to head to my store! 

Come see who else is having a sale today too over at Primary Possibilities!

Currently-----August?!?!!?

Well, it's that dreaded A word.  August.  I know I'm fortunate to have off another 4 or so weeks.  BUT, I feel like summer is over.  I'm linking up with Farley over at Oh Boy, 4th Grade for August Currently!

Listening.  This is what I hear daily around afternoon.  My littlest will NOT take a nap in his room.  He snuggles next to me on my bed and will take awesome naps.  {of course, my oldest isn't always fond of it, because I'm unable to escape.  He's downstairs reading, writing and of course watching TV when he's done with his "homework."  Or maybe he does love it?!?!?!?}   ;)

I am LOVING life right now!  I love being home with my kiddos.  Today was an especially good day, with no fighting, complaining... WHINING!  My professional life has been especially happy too, as I stumbled upon the Top Sellers for each state.  I found that I am the Number 1 seller in PA right now!  {Of course, I don't expect that to be for long, because there are so many fab sellers out there--but for right now, it's neat to think that I'm the best at something in the state!}  THANK you so much for all the support and love!!!!!!  XOXOXOXO

I'm thinking that I REALLY need to stop looking at everyone's stashes on Instagram!  Of course, I'm so thankful for TPT that I don't have to always watch how much things are adding up, but it's not helping me get my "game" on and have an idea of what I need to tackle when I head back to school to start setting up!  If you haven't gotten an Instagram account yet, you really should.  I LOVE it so much more than Facebook for sharing things.  Of course, right now there's not too much teaching things on there, other than people's stashes... but I'm enjoying getting to know people a little more "personally" since we're sharing things from our days!  Click {HERE} to follow me if you haven't yet!

I REALLY want a whole entire week (or more) of summer weather!  I'm SO not ready to go back.  It hasn't been hot to make me wish for that awesome September weather (and October).  I feel like it's still May or June!

Of course, speaking of weather... I could REALLY go for a get-a-way trip to the beach.  I love the relaxing-ness of it.  I want to sit and watch my kids play, listen to the ocean and look for the dolphins!  We're going to a new beach this year with my in-laws, and not hitting up my annual beach that I've pretty much gone to my entire life...  I'm a little bummed about it.  But, at least we get to go to the beach somewhere!

B2S.  1.  I've already accomplished it!  And it was on sale for 50% off!  SCORE!  Here's a pic of my new teacher bag!  I LOVE it.  It's not huge... I'm not a fan of hauling papers to and fro anymore.  Let's face it.  At my house, I'm luck that I remember my son's papers in his backpack.  I often found myself just lugging things back and forth, doing NOTHING with it!

 
2.  I want some new school clothes too!  I have just started getting a few things for my son.  Who is starting SECOND grade this year!  {Where has the time gone?!?!!?!?}  I've picked up a few things for me too... but nothing that has been "first day of school" ready...

3.  I also need some nice new pens.  I can never start a year without colorful pens.  And new pens, that I've never used before!  ;)

Currently (a day early)

I have been wanting to link up with Farley for the longest time, but life has always gotten in the way somehow.  I'm NOW starting!  {Fingers crossed that I can keep up!!!!!}

I am currently sitting in my bedroom, blog stalking, catching up on emails---listening to nothing but silence!  It is the only time, pretty much, during the week that I do not have a shadow or a second head (or in some cases, third).  My kids think I'm still sleeping, while the hubs keeps them occupied.  Of course, I can't sleep forever, and I'm pretty sure they'll be banging down my door in a few minutes... :)

I am IN.LOVE. with next year already.  As you may or may not have known, we have been switching our babies for both Reading and Math instruction for the past few years...  We'll still be switching, but have our "homeroom" for the majority of the day!!  We'll be able to carry over instruction to different parts of our day, instead of feeling rushed and choppy-not to mention LESS TRANSITIONS!!!  Oh, I am soooooooo overly excited about this!!!

M I C K E Y M O U S E we'll be driving to Disney this summer!  While, the 15 hour drive isn't ideal, my oldest will love driving through different states looking at things.  Reminds me... I should head to AAA to get some maps for HIM.  :)  Oh--found a great app for travelling!  Wazes is awesome.  Not only tells you how to get there, but also tells you where construction is, POLICE are, accidents are...  Can't wait to test it out on our long trip!
I'm wanting our annual beach trip to the beach we always go to... but it was given up for our trip to disney.  One day I will have saved enough money to buy a place there....  I'll probably be 90 and not like heat anymore though.... but it's a second home to me, for a week every year (almost) since I was a kid!  Maybe I can talk hubs into a day trip?!?!?  We'll eat like 6 times that day to get in all the food goodness all while soaking up the sun on the beach?!?!?  Looking for dolphins?!  Can anyone add a few extra hours onto the day, pretty please?!

I am desperately needing some cleaning or packing around here...  clothes are everywhere.  Toys are everywhere... Teaching things I brought home are everywhere...  End of the school year was a whirlwind---both at school and at home... figuratively and literally!  ha!

Tip:  Blog about your classroom and life.  Don't use your blog to solely sell products.  Show your classroom ideas and products WITH pictures!  I hate clicking on posts to just read an ad...  occasional ones are great!  But, with those, add pictures from your teaching to it.  Makes it more personable.  Of course, I'm not an expert blogger---it's just my thoughts!  {I also like reading personal things about bloggers from time to time---makes them feel more like a person you can connect to, rather than a robot-trying to sell something, etc.)

OH-don't forget to follow me on bloglovin' to keep getting my posts!  Click {HERE} or on my link at the top!  I am planning something fun this summer--------you won't want to miss it!!!

I think I hear footsteps running up here---------Till next month,