Goodbye February.

Hello, sad neglected blog. 

I've missed you.

Today is the last day of quite possibly the most insane, intense, emotional, stressful, fantastic, and overwhelming month I've ever had.  And although I could feel it coming way back in January as it grew near, it didn't make it any less chaotic.  So today I am taking some time to breathe.

I have been blessed this month with so many amazing opportunities and great teaching and mom moments but have had Z.E.R.O time to just hop on and blog or even create.  (insert weeping sounds here!)  I'm looking forward to getting back into it and sharing all the fab things we've been doing in class.  That being said for now I'll just take you on a partial picture walk of this past month.  Yikes!  There's a lot so beware!

Here we go...

We wrapped up January getting ready for the 100th day of school...at home.  While my first graders got to dress up as 100 year olds, my own girls sported their own creations.  The little one went with pom poms and was adamant that's what she wanted.  #girlknowswhatshewants  The older one wasn't sure what to do...but nothing a little bling couldn't solve.  She designed her bling in arrays of 10 (since she's been learning multiplication this year).  This was the easiest and most fun to do watching their little eyes beam from their efforts.  

two long sleeve tshirts + fabric glue + embellishments = happiness 

  

Two sad things this year about the 100th day...

1. I wasn't there to celebrate with my own girls or my school kiddos.

2.  My blinged out fashionista went home miserable and sick that day.

A coworker (aka great friend!) and our principal went to Florida for the National SAM Conference.  I received this picture (which I edited while there and sent back to her!) :) of my kinder's first 100th day!!

(Please do not count the amount of pom poms on the shirt...  I was told that one may have accidentally fallen in the toilet when she was doing her business.  :)  Too precious!!)

I had never attended a conference of this magnitude and it was incredible.  Not only being with a terrific travel mate but listening to the amazing presenters.  We got fabulous ideas that we were so excited to bring back to our school and even our classrooms.  It was enlightening to meet so many talented and dedicated administrators and hear about their schools.  While I've never considered leaving the classroom, it was definitely intriguing to be part of such an inspiring group.  

And the weather wasn't too bad either!!

Unfortunately, while there, everything back home was not so sunny and beachy.   

Ear infections, stomach flu, and a blizzard.  boo!

Somehow, someway, we made it home safely and on our expected flight...the cancellations were unreal.  And rightfully so. 

Many thanks and kudos to those amazing pilots that day!  

February was jammed packed from there....

dental health

presidents

fairy tales

Valentine's Day

presentation

music program.......

(More pics and activity specifics coming soon!)

For Lincoln's birthday we created these after learning about him.

Then we had to get some valentine holders ready.  This year we made large Valentine Monster bags.  Loved this!!!  I had a surplus of large paper grocery bags which inspired the idea and then it grew from there.  I made a fun label and monster sheet (not pictured) for the back where student's colored and wrote their names.  On the other side, they had to use all their creative juices to design whatever Valentine Monster they wanted.  It was so fun to hear the buzz around the room and watch them all come out so differently.  

Here was my example.  (Everything was cut and glued...nothing drawn.)

Here are a few of their examples.  <3

I wanted to do something a little different but still meaningful for them to take home to their parents so these heart arts were created.  I found large popsicle sticks at Wamart...again which inspired the idea.  Cut paper to match the square size and voila!  I was pretty happy with their little creations.

Our Daddy Daughter Dance hosted by the PTO was incredible, of course.  It is an event like no other!  This year's theme was "Let it Snow."  My kinder was set on wearing her flower girl dress (since it was white like snow) so that's what we went with.  Hard to disagree with that logic.  ;)  She was thrilled to be attending her first dance with Dad.  Her sister was heartbroken when she realized she couldn't go due to the fever and stomach flu she caught the day before.  :(  Dad still gave her a corsage and we took a few pics (but she would be mortified if I posted them....).  

Way too sweet!  "Dinner and a dance with just Dad.  I'm so excited," she said!  Awe!

This past week alone we had our first grade music program (so stinkin cute!).  Our class put on our 3rd Annual Fairy Tale Festival for the parents (amazing! More info later...stay tuned).  My house was hit with yet ANOTHER bug!!  UGH!!!  And I ended the week presenting at our district's Educator to Educator workshops.  It was a great experience and even though I was trying to will away my own stomach flu bug all day, I think it was a success.

Needless to say, I came home last night and completely crashed and thankful.  This month was a whirlwind of highs and lows.  Challenges and successes.  Roses and thorns.

Now I get a chance to breathe and spend more time with these ones...

my favorite mom moments from February

Goodbye February.  You will not be missed.