How'd you meet your hunny? *linky party*

Chrissy B -- Buzzing With Ms. B is hosting a linky party - How'd You Meet Your Hunny?

I met my husband, Val, when we were both 9 years old. We were on the same swim team together. We became friends by daring each other to do flips off the high dive, always trying to outdo the other. After a year or 2 he left the swim team and I didn't see him again until the summer when I was 14. We were swimming again but on different teams this time. We'd talk a little when we saw each other at swim meets but nothing major. Once again, we went our separate ways until our senior year in high school. We went to different schools in different towns. I was the team manager for the boys water polo team and he played for his school. When I saw him again for the first time, I was instantly hooked. He later told me it was the same feeling for him. We began dating the spring of our senior year and have been together for 21 years. We've been married for the past 12. We have 2 kids, who are taking after the both us by spending their summers in the pool. I can't imagine being with anyone else! I love my hunny!

My Breakfast Club

In my classroom I have a special club for those students who are responsible with getting their homework done and being to school on time. It's called the Breakfast Club. If a student completes his/her homework AND is not late for school for the whole month, then they earn a spot in the Breakfast Club. On the chosen day, I bring breakfast for these kids to enjoy before school starts. Breakfast can be pancakes, muffins or donuts with milk or juice. The kids are so excited to make it to the Breakfast Club and I'm so proud of the kids who work hard to achieve this reward.

This is the certificate that the kids receive.
(This is my son's. As you can see, he took good care of it when he shoved it into his backpack! haha!)

This card is attached to the certificate so that the parents know when the Breakfast Club will be held. (Yes, the picture is deceiving! I don't go "hog wild" and make eggs, bacon, and toast.)

I've been doing this for 13 years and have had nothing but positive and encouraging words from parents about doing this for their kids. It's one of the ways I like to make school fun for the kids and myself. :)

Valentines holders

When I was in first grade (32 years ago...yikes!!) we made these valentine holders in class. It was something I remembered when I started teaching 13 years ago and have enjoyed doing with my class over the years. Every time we make them, the kids are beyond excited, knowing that they are making something special for themselves. When they find out that they will actually be sewing for this project, the level of giddiness goes through the roof ( girls & boys both!)

The heart is made from felt and is sewn with yarn around the edges, leaving an opening at the top for valentines or other goodies. There is a little handle at the top but it's more for looks than anything else. By the time these hearts get loaded with cards and treats, they're pretty heavy. The size of the finished heart is about 12 inches across and maybe 8 or 9 inches high. I use puffy paint to add the kids' names to the hearts. I usually have a parent helper sit with the kids as they sew and help if they get a knot or the yarn comes loose from the needle. The kids end up being pretty good little sewers. More than a few times, the boys have done a better job than the girls! haha!

Well, my class has finished sewing their hearts and I've put all their names on them. Now we just have to wait until Valentine's Day to fill them!

100th Day Fun and Craziness

Friday was our 100th day of school. It was a crazy, hectic and fun day for us! All week the kids were so excited in anticipation for the BIG day. It's been 7 years since I've celebrated the 100th day, so I wanted to have fun too! I spent Thursday afternoon and evening decorating and getting things ready for Friday.

This is what the kids saw outside our classroom door.

The colorful streamers got lots of "oohs" and "ahhs" from the kids.

I had 100 balloons spread out throughout the classroom. Inside each balloon was an activity or question related to the 100th day. I popped a balloon and then, as a class, we did whatever the paper said. (ex: count by 10s to 100; 90 + 10 = ?; would you rather eat 100 m&m's or 100 watermelons?)

Here's a view of the front of the classroom.

Another view of the side and front of the room.

This is the 100 chart I had on the board. Each time we did one of the activities from the balloon, I colored in a square on the chart.

Here's how it looked towards the end of the day. (We completed 81 of the 100 activities. I have a tendency to "go BIG" a lot. haha!!)

I took everyone's picture outside our door by this sign. That's my son. :)

We had a 100 breakfast. Like I told my friends, there's no such thing as "too much sugar" on the 100th day of school!

We made crazy hats and put together puzzles that I made from copies of a 100 chart.

This was our snack mat that we used to count out all of the food for our 100 snack.

Here's a picture of some of the kids making their 100 snack. This was THE MOST anticipated activity of the day. I think it's because I asked the whole class for donations to make the snack. The kids wanted to make sure that we had plenty of time to use what they brought in. haha! Our principal even came in to help with the 100 snack and see all the fun we were having on our special day.

We had a blast even though we didn't get through all 100 activities. The kids left at the end of the day with huge smiles on their faces and couldn't wait to tell their parents what we did. I was exhausted to say the least but it was all worth it!

The 100th Day is coming!!

Next Friday is our 100th day of school! I have some BIG plans to make that day super special for my kiddos. I've taken some things off Pinterest (thanks to all who share on there!!) and I am working on a BIG, BIG, surprise for the kids. I'll post pictures and details next week when I get it all worked out. :)

It finally feels like winter!

Even though winter started a month ago, the temperature here in California has been very Spring-like. The past 2 - 3 weeks it has been wonderfully warm and sunny (mid 60s). The kids and I have been enjoying every bit of sunshine! Well, today was our first real cold day (32 degrees), icy windows, frosty breath, and red noses. It reminded me of a great story about recess and weather.


Recess at 20 Below is the story about kids in Alaska who go outside to recess unless the weather is colder than 20 below. Brrr! The great photos show how the kids get ready for recess, putting on layers and layers of clothing in order to go outside and enjoy the frosty fun. My students love hearing the story--seeing what the kids wear, what they play at recess, and comparing their recess with our own.

Do you have any special weather books you like to share with your own class? I'd love to hear about them.

Busier than ever but STILL here!

Time sure flies when you're having fun! I forgot what being in a new grade level was like...silly me! Even though I've taught first grade before, it's been 6 years and a lot has changed. I know I've said it before but I am LOVIN' being back in first grade again.

I haven't had much time to blog (shame on me). Even my blog stalking has toned down some (yikes!) But I have been finding some great ideas and shopping on Teachers Pay Teachers when I can. I found some great things just last night that I can't wait to use. If you haven't checked out the Glyph Girls, I highly recommend doing so.

Here's a few of the adorable items I purchased and am excited to make with my class: