The Countdown Has Begun!

24 days and counting!  We started this countdown bulletin board when we had 40 days left!  

 You can find the pin here.
Each day we pull off a petal.  I have one little girl who, when I pull off the petal each day says, "I am soooo sad!"  It's so sweet!

When we get down to 15 days left, we start playing the "What's Missing?" game.  The kids think this is the best game ever and I get to start taking things down and putting them away.  Basically, you just take one item, bulletin board piece,etc. each day and put it away.  When the kids come in in the morning, the first one that can tell you what's missing gets a piece of candy!

Next week, we start our plant unit.  Although I personally have a black thumb and can't really grow anything...I love this unit!  So how about you?  When do you get out and what are your favorite units to do?

Easter Fun

We had a very busy Easter week last week in our classroom.  Although it was a short week, we managed to squeeze in 2 field trips and lots of fun Easter centers. Here are some photos:

 One of our centers was sorting numbers on eggs into even and odd baskets.  This came from this freebie from Mrs. Leeby:

 

Click here to grab it!

We also used tens and ones to help us solve the number sentences in this center - Easter Egg Scoot!  I found this one here (yep, it's a freebie too)!

Now, because we had FCAT testing this week which meant we did not get our specials classes this week (YUCK!), we had some extra time on our hands.  So, we tried out our Adventure to Fitness account.

The kids had a great time with this and begged me to do another one.  If we get the chance, I will try to work this in whenever I can.  It was really so much fun!  Go here to check it out!

And yes, you heard me correctly - we had a 4 day week and took 2 field trips!  Both of them were walking field trips (living in a small town has it's advantages).  The first one was on Wednesday when we walked to the city park to hunt for Easter eggs.  Here are some pics:

We make our egg hunt a little more challenging than an average hunt.  Each child brings in 12 eggs filled with candy.  We then label the eggs to spell out "Happy Easter!".  The students have to find the eggs to spell out Happy Easter to complete the hunt.

 Then, we had a nice picnic lunch and the kiddos got to play at the park.

I also got to be a mom on Thursday and went on an egg hunt with my own little sweetie:

I hope your Easter was wonderfully blessed!

Currently - There's a Great Blog Hop and Giveaway Going On!

So, I apparently blinked and it's already April, and I realized that I have only posted about once a month (or two) instead of once a week like I promised myself in January.  Life has a way of getting in the way, huh? Oh well,  since it is April, here's my Currently...

Listening - Being in the middle of a whole house renovation, HGTV has become my new favorite channel.  I have already seen this episode of Property Brothers, so I'm watching Cops now!

Loving - the weather.  This time of the year is one of my favorites.  We can sleep with our windows open and I love waking up to the sound of the birds chirping.

Thinking - Why is it that the people in charge have no idea what's going on?  Here's the latest from the higher ups in our district.  Starting next year, we are required to implement one consecutive hour of professional development per week.  Which doesn't sound bad, until you factor in the rest of the order - "we cannot extend your hours and pay you to come in early or stay later for that hour.  We cannot change the time that the kids report for school or go home.  We cannot afford to pay subs once a week, and we cannot give the kids early release once a week to provide that hour."  So basically, we have to come in early or stay late with no pay.  Now, keep in mind, I ALWAYS come in early and stay late, but it's just getting a little out of hand..  "Find an extra hour in the day..."  SERIOUSLY????

Wanting - Ok, here's the renovation update.  All the cabinets in the kitchen, laundry room, and master bath are in.  The only thing left in the master bath is trim and crown molding.  We are getting everything put back in the cabinets now and in 2 more weeks we will be packing everything into a U-Haul truck so we can replace the floors throughout the house. 

Needing - SUMMER!  'Nuff said!

Last day and hours - I'm loving seeing what your hours and last days are.  Our district used to start at the beginning of August and we got out at Memorial Day which I loved.  There's something about Memorial Day kicking off the summer that just seems right.  And truthfully, by the beginning of August, I'm ready to go back to school. 

Now for the fun stuff!  I found this great blog hop and giveaway.  I really love these hops 'cause I find such great new (to me) blogs.  I found it at Rowdy in First Grade:

 

There are some great prizes up for grabs!  So, head on over and enter (or don't and I'll have better chances of winning)!