Christmas in Review

I've been so busy that I haven't had much time to blog. Sorry. We got out of school on Wednesday and I've been going a 100 miles an hour trying to get everything done. But the parties are over, shopping done, presents all wrapped, baking and cooking finished (almost, what can be is finished) and choir practices over. Now it's time to sit back and enjoy the family and the season!
Here's a few pictures of our last week. I had a lot more but my camera was on the wrong setting so most of them are blurry. Dang! I hate when that happens.

Christmas party treat trees!

Grinch Day game.

 Getting messy!

 Christmas Party craft- pine cone ornaments

 Singing "I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas" at the Jingle Jam!

 More treat trees.

 My darling granddaughter with her Grinch.

More Grinch!

I totally ENJOYED the last day of school!! We had a blast. It's fun to relax and be silly sometimes.

Look at the COOL Christmas present our class got a week before Christmas!

YES! It's a Smart Board!

Our principal had money to buy 4 boards for our school. So any teacher that wanted one had to write a grant for it telling how they would use it with a sample lesson plan. Low and behold- I got one. I'm still in shock. So guess what I'm doing on my holiday break? Yup, trying to learn how to work it. If any one has any great ideas or websites- please send them my way! My principal told us to use a TENNIS BALL! I thought he was crazy but it really works well. We use it to write with and to drag. The kids think it's great! 

I also posted a new packet on my shops. It's all about BLENDS.

You can check it out at

TpT or Teacher Notebook

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday break!

Good-Bye Ellie Elf

So sorry to have to say good-bye to our little Elf on the Shelf. My kiddos have been so excited each morning to find her. I've even had several students from last year coming in my room at lunch and after school wanting to see her. She was pretty well behaved most of the time because she knew my class this year couldn't handle very much mischief and she needed to show them what a 'good' elf does. Here's some more pictures.

 Ellie loves band aids!

 She's giving the Big Guy a hug.

 Here she made a bed in a basket out of tissues.

 One day she got into the candy jar but she shared with us and left us a note.

 Keeping watch by the math station board.

 Chillin' with some friends.

 Elves really have a sweet tooth. She got into the candy again.

 She LOVES to read especially 'Pete the Cat Saves Christmas'.

 Ellie's been the star of our class for the past month so it's only fitting she had a star attack.

Watching the class with Pete.

Tomorrow is her last day and she has brought us all a candy cane with a letter telling the kids good-bye and to continue to be good. We will miss her but I'm sure she'll be back next year for sure!

Christmas Gift Ideas

I've been getting little neighborhood, friends, and co-worker gifts put together and thought I'd share one of the ideas I do. My family loves the Peppermint Bark and White Chocolate Popcorn I make. So I take and make little treat bags of them and top them off with a little bag topper.

Both are VERY EASY and FAST to make as well as YUMMY!

I had a co-worker several years ago share the popcorn recipe with me. I've changed it a little over the years and added some red and green sprinkles. Thanks Jenna!

Click HERE to download the recipes.

The treat bag topper is printed on card stock, trimmed and folded. The graphic are from my good friend Nikki over on Melonheadz. The frames are from 'Surfin Through Second Grade' and fonts from 'Rowdy in Room 300.'

Click HERE to grab a copy of the treat bag topper.

We also put together our Christmas cards this week for our families. 

I take a photo of each one of my kiddos with a cute stuffed Christmas Moose I have. Then I get them developed at Costco for just 13 cents each. This make a really cheap but keepsake gift. I made a darling cover for the card from Scrappin Doodle's graphic.

I tape the photo inside and let the kids write a message and decorate it. 

They turned out pretty cute!

I hope everyone has a great last week before our long awaited and much needed break.

Unimaginable Tragedy

'Security' by Bowman Art

With the unimaginable tragedy in Connecticut, I came across this picture. It is comforting to know that those precious children are now safe in His arms. Prayers go out to all affected by this terrible tragedy.

Currently December

It's that time again. Man, the months are rolling by quickly. I'm joining in Farley's linky. You can head over to her blog and see all the great posts and find lots of new blogs.

Here's mine:

I hope everyone has a terrific week!

Christmas FREEBIE!

I have been without internet for most of the day. I HATE when that happens!! But it's up and running now. And I'm so glad. I wanted to get this post done before the day is over.

THANK YOU WONDERFUL 

FOLLOWERS AND FRIENDS!!!

I put together a fun little Christmas sight word game for my kiddos and I want to share it with everyone to say THANKS for sticking with me. THANKS for reading my blog. THANKS for buying my packets. THANKS for all the great comments you give me. THANKS for helping me be a better teacher.

Click HERE to download the 6 page packet.

ENJOY!!!