Updated classroom sign...

I took the advice of some of my facebook friends and altered my "In our class" sign. Here is the finished product. I am going to order a poster size copy for my classroom. 

Classroom poster

So I have been "pinning" on Pinterest for about a month now. I am officially hooked. There was a post there that I loved with a great poster/sign idea for the classroom. It was available on Etsy for a pretty penny. So I decided to try and make my own version using my classroom "theme" of Harry Potter for inspiration and keeping in mind that I am teaching secondary grades now. The inspiration for the project is here...

And mine is here...

I just need to get it printed for the fall!

Slow down summer!

So I have a little over one month left in my summer!! How it happened I will never know. I am currently focusing on building up my classroom library (almost done due to funds shortage), get my classroom decor, and figure out my classroom organization plan. I also need to list all the books in my library for my own reference. This is the purpose of this blog update. I *need* to write out everything I have to do before school begins. So here goes...

Classroom management:

Figure out grading/course work

Look over the Core Curriculum and roadmaps

Create classroom library check-out/in procedures and notebook

Print out classroom library genre labels

Create chocolate frog cards (behavior management)

Look through teachers resources

Create example notebook (reading log, behavior contract, spiral notebook,KBAR questions handout, 55 ways handout)

Classroom supplies/theme

Create wands/pointers

Create Hogwarts houses flags

Order posters (DONE)

Find cauldron (party store maybe)

Print out "owls" for "Books you'll hoot for" wall.

Create a "Reading is magical" banner (photoshop?)

Create a platform 9 3/4 sign

Possibly order wall decals (after I see my room)

Go through my classroom supplies to figure out what I need to bring in/keep in storage

Go through the chapter books that I have in storage and catalogue

Figure out room floor plan (after seeing room)

To print (once we go back)

Paper owls

Journaling inserts (3 hole punched)

"About me" surveys

Classroom expectations handout (3 hole punched)

55 ways to respond to literature handout (3 hole punched)

Behavior contracts (3 hole punched)

Reading logs (3 hole punched)

Okay that's all I can think of for now. But I will try to come back and add more when I think of it.

Gah that seems like a lot. Better get to work!

What happened to my lazy summer?

Warning: whine ahead...

I was so looking forward to summer and just lazing around with my boy and getting some crafty things done. Instead since school ended I have packed up a classroom, packed up, moved, and unpacked a house, written a 15 page paper, and worked about 20 hours a week. Boo. I told two of my students that I wanted to see them this summer. One to tutor and the other to just see (she is a total sweetie pie). But with this schedule I just dont know where I am going to fit it in. Of course I will but it just seems so busy! And this week I have an appointment for me and one for the baby as well. ::deep breath::

Okay, whine over. In other news I got a job! YAY! I am feeling a little conflicted over it actually. I absolutely loved teaching my kinders last year. I thought that was where I wanted to be for a very long time. But because I had to find another position I went ahead and applied for all the jobs that I qualified for. Luckily I got a job for next year teaching sixth grade reading (remedial). I love reading and I am totally excited to teach sixth graders. But I am also kind of sad to be leaving the babies I am used to. And a little frustrated that I have to start all over again. By starting all over again I mean that I have to restock my classroom library with chapter books (vs. picture books), create a more "middle school" themed room, and figure out my whole classroom management system again. Gah. But I am trying to be positive. Here's a list of the positives right now:

1) I got the first job I interviewed for. That says a lot and really boosts my confidence.

2) I love sixth graders, usually they are really sweet and still enjoy school.

3) I can have much more interesting and in-depth conversations with sixth graders.

4) Sixth graders do not need to be taught how to wash their hands, tie their shoes, or hold a book. That is something of a relief (although sad in a way).

5) I can share my love of Harry Potter and other juvenile fiction with them!!

6) I suspect that planning for sixth grade will be a lot less insane than planning for kinder. But I dont know that for sure.

So those are all great things! I need to focus on them instead of wondering if I should continue applying for jobs and try to get a primary position. And a friend of mine also reminded me that "it doesnt have to be forever. If you dont like it you can always go back to primary later." So true. So I am excited for the challenges to come!

In the toddler (not baby anymore )-:) front I definitely do have a toddler. He is 15 months old now and I fear for the "terrible twos" if this is only 1. He has a molar and two other teeth coming in and the molar has been coming in for a month now! Needless to say this has made him a whiney fussy teething monster lately. Poor baby. We have been using an amber teething necklace since 3 months old and I have been trying to give him Advil before bed to try and help him sleep better. I really (REALLY) hope that molar comes in soon. But I guess that means we have three left though. He isnt walking yet. He takes up to 6 steps, but only when he wants to. He will do it on his own time I'm sure. No rush for that here.

Here's to hoping that I get a few of those lazy summer days soon...

Learning about photography...

I got a new camera. I lurve it. I was at the end of my rope with my Nikon Coolpix L100. I couldnt change any of the settings, and thus I couldnt even learn the basics of taking better photos. So I bit the bullet and got a new camera. I ordered a used Canon Rebel from Adorama.com. It came with battery, usb, and camera. I also purchased a 55mm Canon lens to go with it. A messageboard that I frequent started a group to work through the Two Peas challenge here.

I am on week two, and so far I am really enjoying learning about using my camera in manual mode. Its beginning to make more sense to me now (a little more anyway). Hopefully by the end I will be totally comfortable with using Manual mode. So I wanted to post a few pictures I have taken with my new camera strictly for my own enjoyment. I hope to look back one day in the semi-near future and be impressed with how much I have improved. I can hope anyway.

Pictures...

Here are some recent pictures:

A local farm had U-pick tomatoes 1.00 a bag. So we spent TWO weekends canning salsa, tomato sauce, and stewed tomatoes. We had 6 bags of tomatoes. It was insane.

This was J's first day of turtle patrol. Having fun on the beach.

Enjoying his new toy a pop-up tunnel. Taken with my new camera a Canon Rebel!

Playing with my new camera. Handsome hubby with his beard experiment.

Cha-cha-changes...

Here I am, back again. Its been some time but I am going to try to start blogging more frequently. I find it therapeutic and cathartic to write my feelings and experiences. But I dont want to have to censor myself. So I have decided to make my blog private. Because though I enjoy sharing freely, I dont want to feel limited in what I share here. A lot of things have been going on with work and I would love to write about them, but they arent things I want to share with the entire world. Thus I have made my blog private and viewable only to those I choose.

The last few months have been a whirlwind. J is almost 15 months old. I just ended my first year of teaching. We are closing on our first home this week (and moving too). My first year of teaching was pretty intense. I started out the year as a new mom with a 5 month old son, and trying to breastfeed/pump to supplement him at work. Combine that with trying to learn the ropes of a very challenging job and it was no wonder that about 3 months in I was diagnosed as having pretty severe post-partum depression. I have since been on medication for this and have seen a drastic change in myself. Since then I began to feel more confident in myself as both a teacher and a mother. All this to say that I feel like I did a pretty good job my first year as a teacher. My students ALL made gains, and all of my students were reading by the end of kindergarten. Not only did they make gains academically they also felt comfortable in our classroom and really learned to work together with their classmates. I love those kiddos for letting me be their teacher, and teaching me as well. I am rather sad that I wont get to see them everyday next year as they move on to first grade. I will miss that about teaching. I will miss fostering those relationship with them beyond my classroom. But I have plans to meet with two of my students over the summer. One I want to tutor weekly if possible and the other I just want to see and "hang out" with if that makes sense. She is such a sweetheart and I want to take her to the aquarium. Their parents were so sweet about it when I asked them if they would allow it. So I am so happy that I will get to see at least those two over the summer. I cleaned out my classroom on Friday with the help of my cousin and my parents. Thank goodness for them because the amount of teaching supplies I have accrued were beyond my imagination. I had about double what I thought. In the end we were crossing our fingers that my supplies would fit into one large truck, an SUV, and my mid-sized sedan. But luckily we squeezed it in and its now in storage.
It was very bittersweet and a bit awkward as I cleaned out my classroom to see my co-worker who is going to be in my classroom next year getting her things ready and organized. And me not knowing if I will find a job. I know I was not fired, and I did a great job there. But its hard to not feel like I did something wrong. I have applied for many jobs and my principal and assistant principal have said that they are happy to give me recommendations. So hopefully I will find a job for next year. I am trying to be positive and let things go. I cant stress over it, so whatever comes will be the right thing for me.

We are closing on our first home this week. I am so excited for this. We have been in a very small condo for the last three years. So having a bit more room to stretch our legs will be wonderful. Its in a wonderful location and has a very nice yard for J to play in. Poor thing has nothing but concrete in our condo. The hubby and I are excited to get all moved in and settled. I am particularly excited about getting a new bed. We are upgrading to a king size and I ordered it from a local craftsman. It is solid wood and hand-stained. We need a bigger bed badly with the baby still sleeping in our bed 90% of mornings. And our old bed is falling apart. Here's a picture of the type of bed we are getting:
And my employer and friend has generously offered us an old bedroom set (dressers and nightstands) as well as a hutch for the kitchen, a coffee table, and another dressing table that I am so grateful for. We had planned to buy a new bedroom set but now wont have to! So that money will go towards a shed for storage (remember all those teaching supplies) and a fence. The house is move-in ready and needs only small upgrades. Its a 3 bedroom and 1 bathroom which wasnt our ideal choice. But we are very happy with the price and the property in general. It comes with a brand new roof and a brand new (as in installed after closing) HVAC system. So the major things are in excellent condition. Plus the cabinets and appliances are new and its very clean and bright. I have the summer to get it all put together and unpacked which I am grateful for. So wish us luck in closing and that we have a smooth move. Also if anyone has boxes feel free to throw them our way. (-:

Thanks for reading my rambling...

Catchin' up...

So my baby is 1. He is actually 12 months and 3 weeks old today. So we are nearing 13 months ALREADY!! Life has been very busy. He had a very blessed birthday. We were able to spend time with lots of family and friends (who are just like family). He received many wonderful presents and then the following weekend we took his 1 year photos with Dorothy Snyder Photography. She did a wonderful job as you can see:

The pictures turned out beautifully. He is doing very well, learning how to cruise on furniture and saying more and more "words." He is even saying "mama" at times (though not often). He is not walking yet and that's fine with me. He can take as long as he wants. But make no mistake he is into absolutely everything!!

In other news I found out last week that I will not be staying in my current teaching position. The teacher I was "covering for" is returning. This particular teacher is great and they are so lucky to have him back. So I am trying not to be too bummed about having an uncertain future. I am trying to stay positive and remember that last year there were many kindergarten positions open for hire. So hopefully I will find something perfect for me. Though I am very sad that I wont get to see my kiddo's moving onto first grade. But hopefully in the end it will all work out. I think I have grown so much as a teacher this year. I began the year very anxious and unsure (in large part due to my ppd I think) but as the year has progressed I am finding that though I am not perfect by any means I can do a good job. My kids love me (though I dont mean to be boastful by saying that) and I love them. There are days when everything that can go wrong does, and there are other days when I am so filled with joy at simply being a part of their lives that I could sing. Being a teacher I have found is such a gift of yourself. I have tried very hard this year (my first year) to keep my students at the center. They are the reason I teach and if I can put their needs first then I cant go wrong.

I cant remember if I have mentioned here that we are in the process of buying a home. We are about 6 weeks in at this point and we have put in offers on three different homes. The first one we found out that the "brand new roof" they advertised was done illegally without a permit. So we ended up backing away from that one. The second countered back with some unreasonable criteria and the third we are waiting to hear back from hopefully tomorrow. I am so hopeful that we are going to get this house. It would be perfect for us and it is move in ready with minimal work needed. So any positive thoughts and good ju-ju you can send our way would be so great! Fingers crossed!

Here are some pictures from his birthday party:

Dont kiss me!!

Lovin' on dada.

Cheese-face.

Drive-by posting...

I seem to recall one of my goals for 2011 was to be a better blogger. Sadly I must admit that I am a failure in this respect. As anyone who stumbles upon my piece of the web would know by the glaring inconsistency in my posting schedule. I thought I was doing poorly by posting only once a month, but the low just get lower it seems. So I have two months to update...whoops. Oh how things have changed, yet stayed eerily the same. Day-to-day routines and schedules are still the same. But my baby is almost a big boy. In t-minus 14 days my baby boy will be turning one. Gulp. ::warning typical mommy cliche' coming::
Where has the time gone? Where? The image that comes to my mind as I ask this question is one of me pointing an finger at that bearded and elderly father time and asking in an accusatory, if not slightly crazed voice "What have you done to my baby?!"

The J-man is growing and changing so much every day. He is crawling like a mad-man and pulling up on everything. He cruises along furniture and loves to try and "walk" with one of us holding his hands. He babbles like a pro but still refuses to say mama with any regularity. Dada is his standard response to "J say mama." Just in the last few days his vocabulary has significantly expanded. He knows the words baby, duck, and the phrase "what's that." I am still not sure if he knows what the words mean but he likes to play it like he does. Nothing cuter than hearing him say "what's that" in his little baby voice. Oh, how I will miss that little voice one day.
In bigger news he is now sleeping again. I feel very validated in our choice to not try to "train" him to sleep as many people advocated that we do. I always thought the frequent wakings were just a phase tied to all the teething and development he was going through and it seems I was right. Literally overnight he just started sleeping in longer chunks. Just like when he was tiny and started sleeping long nights with no encouragement from us. So we were able to transition him into a crib at night and into sleeping alone (for the most part) all within the span of 5 days. He still wakes sometimes and when he does we go to him. But for now we are enjoying the sleep. For however long it lasts (which I am sure wont be forever).
He is eating us out of house and home already (not really but nearly). The boy loves his food. We took him to a local salad bar restaurant and I decided to grab a brownie for dessert. Since we arent giving him sugary foods anytime soon I wasnt sharing. The look he gave me was similiar to what I imagine a man in the middle of the desert with limited water might give to someone slowly drinking their ice cold beverage right next to him. Nevermind that I he had already had an entire baked sweet potato, a piece of wheat bread, and a variety of veggies the boy wanted that brownie. Poor kiddo has a mean mommy because I had to laugh at the longing in his eyes. One day soon he will be eating too many goodies so for now he will just have to wait.

This week is spring break for us and the weather has been heavenly. Not to cool, not to hot, and a nice breeze to keep us comfortable. Its weather like this that makes the 6 months of unbearable heat and humidity worth it. I took the kiddo to the beach for his first real "beach trip" (other than turtle patrol that is) and he loved it. He ate about a pound of sand and got quite angry that he wasnt being allowed to charge into the water (still too cold). I plan to take him again this week to enjoy the beautiful weather.

In bigger news we are starting to explore our options for purchasing a house. We know it may be a longshot but after looking at some of the prices for nice houses in our area and realizing we could be paying the same thing for a mortgage that we pay in rent now we are going to pursue it with more determination.
Here are his 10 and 11 month pictures (and a few others thrown in).