Baby Talk Tuesday

Since my husband and I are expecting our first child, I have baby on the brain 24/7. My husband I found out we are having a girl, Spencer Claire.  didn't think it was possible that I would pin as much baby stuff as I do teacher stuff! I think it is only fair to give myself a non-teachy day of the week to talk all things baby! I am so excited to be a mom! One of my favorite things to do is going treasure hunting at junk stores. I love finding something old and making it new again! So Spencer's nursery is going to be a very fun project for me to do! This weekend I stopped at a junk store with my parents. I stumbled across the super cute old rocking chair. It's sturdy, comfy, and totally my style. I couldn't wait to get it home and start redoing it. Here is a step by step of my fun weekend project...

Here is the chair.....

Here is what I used..

I used Plaster Paint, which is a chalk paint that is made in Oklahoma. However, you can use whatever chalk paint brand of your choice. 

I used:

Plaster Paint in Ivory Lace

Plaster Paint in Mintalicious

Plast Paint Dark Brown liquid wax

Plaster Paint clear wax paste

220 grit sand paper

600 grit sand paper

water 

Ok, I kind of made a mistake when I first started. You have to mist your fabric with water and mix about a 50/50 solution of paint and water when painting fabric. I didn't do that on my first coat and just used the paint. So mine has a cracked look in some parts where the paint was too heavy. 

Also, initially I thought I wanted the fabric white. It was taking too many coats to cover the pink with white, so I switched to the mint, which I like better anyway. This fabric, by the way, is velvet. Velvet is the hardest to paint apparently, according to my research and now experience. If you have a different fabric if shouldn't take as much paint.  Don't be scared though, velvet is still doable. 

You want to paint with a 50/50 water and paint mix. The water helps the paint kind of soak into the fabric, instead of being thick and cracking on the surface. It will take a few coats. You want to let it completely dry for 24 hours before moving to the next step. 

After your fabric is dry you want to sand with the 220 grit and then the 600 grit to smooth it all out. Then you brush it down with clear wax and wipe of the excess wax with a clean cloth. (old t-shirt)

Below you can see where mine kind of has a cracked look where i didn't apply water first. It's not peeling off and you can't hardly notice it in person. Just be sure to use water!! 

I'm just in love with it! I used the Ivory lace on the wood and then used the brown glaze liquid wax to help it look distressed. 

It's like a brand new chair!!! 

Peek at my Week

Wow! We are already rolling in on week 2 of Kindergarten! I can't even believe it. Last week we had fun with Pete the Cat, learning about colors and practicing letter/number recognition. This week we start our full lessons. I'm so excited to get started! I can't wait to see my little Kinders grow! It's truly amazing how much they grow and learn in Kindergarten. I'm linking up with Deedee again to share this weeks plans with you!

Check out my products I use this week in my TPT Store:

I

hope you have a great week!!!

Peek at our First Day of Kindergarten

Last Thursday was our first day of school. We had a great day and I am so excited another school year has begun. When you teach Kindergarten, you typically spend the first couple of days of school going over rules and procedures and getting to know each other. I thought I would share with you my first day plans. I'm linking up with Mrs. Wills Kindergarten to share with you my first day plans!

My morning on the first day consists of meeting parents and helping the kiddos get familiar with the room and each other. When students enter on the first day, I have play-doh on each student's desk. This is something that doesn't need directions and they can sit down and play quietly while I mingle with parents. I also have Sesame Street playing on the Smart Board. I chose Sesame Street because it's quiet and familiar to the little ones. I also feel like the play-doh is kind of a stress reliever, if they are feeling a little nervous. After all the mommies and daddies are gone, I read a story and we all go to breakfast. 

When we return from breakfast I read Pete the Cat Rocking in my School Shoes. We listen to the audio version that you can find on Harper Collins website (just google pete the cat song). The kids love it and usually start dancing to the music. 

After the story I take the kiddos on a tour of the school and then of our classroom I show them where they can find all of our supplies, etc. 

When we finish taking the tour I have a little Pete the Cat first day coloring page, which you can find in my Rocking in my School Shoes bundle. 

We then sit in a circle and pass Pete the Cat around. I usually start by telling my name and couple of fun facts about myself, then pass Pete to the next kiddo to do the same. 

After that we go over bathroom rules and lunch rules. Then it's off to lunch. Wow the day's already gone by so fast! 

After lunch, It's time for Math Workshop, normally.. Today is less math more rules and procedures!

I introduce Calendar time. I then read Clark the Shark and establish classroom rules. If you would like to purchase my rules you can find them in my TPT store. Just click the picture below. 

After rules I introduce them to the Math Tubs and that I use in my Math Workshop. I am just letting them play with the manipulatives. 

And then I introduce GoNoodle! I pick a GoNoodle leader and tell them about how each day we will have a new GoNoodle leader. The GoNoodle leader gets to wear a fun GoNoodle sweatband and choose the GoNoodle video. I got that idea from Elizabeth Hall, Kickin' it in Kindergarten. 

After GoNoodle we go to Recess/P.E. and then have snacks. I did the typical "You are o-fish-ally a Kindergartener" snack. Last year I bagged the goldfish crackers up myself. This year I saved some time and bought the prepackaged goldfish. It was still cute but saved some time. 

Then we move onto the Kissing Hand (Everyones favorite first day book)

We read the story and then I give them a very cute Kissing Hand snack. 

I made a recipe that's easy to follow in case you'd like to make some Kissing Hand treats as well. 

We then do a little Kissing Hand craft. They're so cute! 

Before we end our day I pass out these cute Kindergarten certificates and the kiddos make a headband. I found this from Freebilicous Blog. Just click on the pic below

Also, a little unrelated bit of info.. I recently found out I'm having a little girl. Meet Spencer Claire 

I hope everyone has a great first day of school! 

Back to School Giveaway

I cannot believe that school starts NEXT WEEK!!! I love going back to school. Starting a fresh new year with new ideas and new kiddos. I have been so busy preparing my classroom and getting lessons ready! I'm sure everyone is searching Pinterest and TPT for back to school goodies and ideas... I thought I would kick off  the back-to-school fun with a giveaway! One lucky winner will get a color chart, 100 chart, and a set of classroom rules! It's sure to add some major cuteness to your classroom! Winner will be announced Sunday, Aug 2. See below for details on how to enter =)

 

I made this for my room last year and love it!!! You can find it in my TPT store. Simply print, laminate, and put together and it's good to go!

Same thing with the color chart! This is from last year too.. So cute!!! 

 I'm in love with this adorable set of classroom rules. You get 4 sets! Line up rules, lunchroom rules, circle time rules, and class rules.



                       Winner will be announced on Sunday, August 2.

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TPT Seller Challenge {Week 2 Dare to Dream}

I am loving this TPT Seller Challenge linky! I've already gotten so many great tips from fellow bloggers! It's been very helpful! This week is all about dreaming big... It's a time to reflect and think about what you want out of TPT, blogging, etc. Here's a reason why I started blogging and selling on TPT... When I do something I put my whole heart into it! Whether it's decorating my classroom, doing a science experiment with my class, or planning a lesson, I always go above and beyond. It's not because I'm trying to be an "over-achiever", I just really like my job! When I first learned about TpT I was in college. Right away I knew it was something I wanted to do because I love creating things! Especially in those college classes where you had to create games and activities for reading or math. I loved it! I live in Oklahoma, and last time I checked we were 48th or 49th in the country for teacher pay rank. Teacher's do not get paid for their creativity that's for sure. That's why I love TPT... Oklahoma might not appreciate the time and energy spent creating something for students, but other teachers do, and that's why TPT is such a great place for teachers. It should be called Teachers Supporting Teachers, because really that's what it is. We are willing to buy from fellow teachers because we know the time and effort put into products. We know our money isn't being wasted to someone who hasn't taught a day in their life and is charging ridiculous amounts for curriculum materials. Not all companies are bad, but you know where I'm coming from! That stuff is expensive and is often times lacking! Now, blogging.... Again, I started following teacher blogs in college. I think the first blogs I followed were Mrs. Jumps Class, The First Grade Parade, and First Grader At Last. I fell in love. I just loved what these teachers were doing. I loved the collaboration, and the passion for teaching they shared through blogging.  What I love about blogging and seeing what other teachers do around the globe is getting new ideas. It's free professional development if you ask me! I've learned more from fellow teacher-bloggers than anything else. So anyway, now that you know why TPT and blogging is a dream come true for me already, let's look at bigger dreams.....

 

Teachers get a bad rep for being on the bottom when it comes to pay. You kind of get pitied by others that are equally successful but have a better paycheck. Like, yuck a teacher salary, no thanks! I don't want that.. I wouldn't trade my job for anything. I went to school to be a teacher because I wanted to be a teacher! I knew what kind of pay I would get. It wasn't a big newsflash when I got my first job or anything. How much I love my job though, makes up for the pay. As my TPT store grows I have been dreaming big with it.

 

First of all, I love to travel. I would live in a shack the rest of my life if it meant I could see the world. I think life is short. There's so much of this world I want to see and experience. I don't want my "teacher salary" to be a reason I can't. I'm hoping that TpT allows me to travel with my husband and future family. Traveling is so good for the soul.

 

Secondly, family.. Kind of a broad topic. When my husband and I start our family, I want to be able to give my children wonderful memories like going to the beach,  Disneyworld, and getting to go to whatever college they want. Maybe I could even get to be a stay-at-home mom... Though right now I have no desire to leave the classroom, but if I had babies that would be an awesome opportunity to get to stay with them while they're little. They're only little once....

 

Last, opportunities to broaden my career. I want to be able to present at conferences one day, or visit other schools.. I don't want to limit myself. I'm hoping TPT and blogging will get me out there and help present opportunities to do different things. I think trying new things keeps you motivated!

Makeover Madness {Linky}

I am linking up with with Third in Hollywood, Sparkling in Second, Peppy Zesty Teacherista, and Teach Create Motivate in the Teachers Pay Teachers Seller Challenge. I'm so excited about this linky! Being new to TpT and blogging it is great to link up and share ideas with other teachers. This week has been about Makeover Madness. Looking at an old product that needs a little TLC. I chose my first product, A-Z Letter Recognition because I thought it was lacking a lot. I didn't like the cover page and work pages were boring. I also only had it in a  D'Nealian version, which is annoying if that's not the handwriting you teach. So I did a total makeover for this whole product! AND for the rest of the week my entire store is on sale!!! Great time to get some goodies for back-to-school!