New Years Resolutions: Fitness

Whew! The holidays are such a busy time for everyone! My family was here the for the week of Christmas and we had such a nice visit. It's always hard living away from family, so it's really nice that they take the time to come and visit us!!

My kids got *guinea pigs* for Christmas! Dad is pretty thrilled about them, while Mom is still getting used to them! ;) The kiddos sure do love them though!!!

It's that time of year again! The time of year  that we make all sorts of goals, and try to keep them through out the year!  After reading about some other great bloggers and their fitness journeys, I really wanted to try it out.  Erica Bohrer has a great post on working out and her fitness journey. That is what inspired me to get started. So back in October, when my hubby was deployed, I started working out again. I typically do this every deployment. Gives me something to focus  on. In the past, I would just do cardio, and I would see results. This time, that wasn't cutting the mustard! When I signed up, the gym offered  a few free personal training sessions. Going into it, I knew, if the trainer was not able to handle my personality...I would never stick to it! I've heard all of these horror stories about having personal trainers who do not know their stuff, so I was verrrrrry nervous!!!  I got so lucky to find a great trainer who keeps me in check. The best part about this, is that my trainer is a Christian, so in  between lifts and squats, we are usually talking about random scriptures or bible stories.  So I am now about 10 weeks into this, and am seeing results! I have to admit, I was expecting the weight to just "melt" off....and when that didn't happen, I would get extremely frustrated! The crazy thing is that I would see a difference in my clothes before I would ever see the number on the scale go down. I typically lose about a pound a week, and at first,  this was driving me crazy! But, once I saw how fast I was losing pant sizes, I decided to *finally* listen to what my trainer was telling me. Because of the type of exercise we are doing, I am gaining muscle. Even though I've heard this a million times from so many people, when you are working so hard to acheive something, and don't feel like you are getting results, it's only natural to get frustrated. So here's where I'm at 10 weeks in:

*Down 7.5% of body fat

*Down 3 jeans sizes

*Down  just about 10 lbs.

AND I didn't gain any weight over Christmas! So I am super excited! So for my New Year's Resolution, I want to continue my fitness journey!

Here is my progess in pictures:

Here are a few  eating tips that I try to remember EACH day!!!

One of my high school teacher's used to tell us "A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips"!! This is something I try and remember EVERY day!!!!

I drink a TON of water a day! I drink at least a gallon a day, sometimes close to a gallon and a half.

My *biggest* struggle is FOR SURE  avoiding the SODA! I am a HUGE Dr. Pepper fan! So far, I've been 5.5 weeks free and clear :)

I limit my eating out as much as posisble. Even though most resturants offer low calorie options, the sodium is usually pretty high. So I try very hard to avoid eating out.  I always have healthy snacks with my while I'm on the go.

A few of my favorite healthy snacks:

*100 calorie packs of Almonds

*Apples

*Greek Yogurt

I don't know about y'all, but the texture of Greek Yogurt drives me insane! I can't eat it right with a spoon. So I make a easy smoothie that's about 275 calories!

Another big difference, is switching all breads and flours to WHOLE GRAINS. Everything in our house is now whole grains!

My husband still eats whatever he wants, so often I find myself cooking two meals. I know for most of us, this is difficult. But for us, it works. Most of my meals, I make ahead of time so that I'm prepared and don't binge eat.


When my family starts to eat junk, I go on Pinterest and pin healthy things :) It keeps my mind off of the JUNK!! You can follow my Pinterest boards HERE!

Workouts:

I work out 6 days a week. I do three pure cardio days. The other 3 days are a mixture of cardio and strength training. You know what my favorite day is? My heavy strength day! I NEVER thought I would enjoy lifting so much...but it's so much fun. For me, it's about looking at something and thinking "I could never do that" and then seeing myself accomplish it!!! I have a few videos, but I'm too shy to post them, maybe I'll work up the courage later ;)

So what is your current fitness routine? Or what do you is your new fitness plan? Having a plan makes it so much easier to stick to it!!!

Be sure to head on over to

Mrs Wills Kindergarten! She has a few ways to add fitness  into your classroom! I love her ideas!

One of my favorite new items that I JUST got is my heart monitor!!! I love the Polar FT4! Of course, I *HAD* to have it in pink ;) I love it because it tracks your heart rate, calories burned, and the time of your training. Once you are finished training, it gives specific details of your training session. For example, if you worked out for 1 hour, it will tell you how long of that 1 hour, your heart rate was "in zone". Here is the one that I have--

In honor of New Year's, I'm throwing a Sale at my TpT Store!

Now is a great time to stock up onWinter-Literacy-Center-Packet-8-Centers

Till Next Time

Wrap Up The End Of The Year Sale!

Hey Everyone! I'm linking up with DeAnne from First Grade and Fabulous with a end of the year sale!

 

This is a great time to stock up on some holiday units!!  Head on over and check out my Santas-Helper-Literacy-and-Math-Center-Fun-10-Centers Packet! This packet is great for differeniated instruction!! It includes 10 Centers and Word Wall Cards!!

 

 

*Stocking Up For Compound Words
*He's Making A List {Sentence Editing Center}
*Here Comes Santa Claus {Sight Word Game}
*Guess The Present {Long/Short O Word Sort}
*Holly Jolly Sentence Scramble
*ABC Order Center
*Let It Snow Yes or No {Synonyms and Antonyms}
*Tis The Season For Contractions
*December Themed Word Wall Cards
Math:
*Tis The Season for Addition
*Holly Jolly Number Words

 

I just added my Winter-Literacy-Center-Packet-8-Centers!!

*Winter Vowel Word Sort
Sort the words by long and short vowels. I included two versions of this for differentiated instruction. One version includes pictures, the other does not.
*Parts Of Speech are "Snow" Much Fun!
Sort the words by nouns,verbs and adjectives
*Winter ABC Order
*I Can Make Words:Winter Edition
*Frosty For Synonyms
*Antonym Word Sort
*Winter Real/Nonsense Compound Words

 

 

 

Here are a few of my BEST Sellers that are also on sale!!!!

R-Controlled-Vowels-Literacy-Packet

R Controlled Vowels Literacy Packet!
Includes:
* four word sorts
*seven ABC Order centers, two sets for each center
(with recording sheets)
*BINGO Center with 8 different boards!
*R Controlled Vowel word list posters

 



 

Number-Order-and-Skip-Counting-Fun

This packet contains printables for practicing number order and skip counting.

 

 

Preparing for Winter

This *Texas* Family is starting to feel very outta place up here in VA!!! We are NOT used to this cold weather! It's so funny, because our kids are only used to "light" jackets. We had to go and buy real, heavy, jackets recently, and they were so confused! Now that's starting to cool down, they are starting to understand :) To say we miss Texas, would be an understatement!!!! But we are making it work here!  We are just glad to all be together for a while. You just never know what the Navy has in store!!

God has been working so much in our lives. Since we've moved, I have yet to find a teaching position. It's been nice staying home with my kids, and helping my son with his school work. A lot of my creations lately, are projects he needed.

So few positions posted lately, and then all the sudden, I get a few phone calls! Say a prayer for me as this week I have job interviews!! I am SO excited and nervous!


My little firstie LOVES Frosty The Snowman! So I created THIS packet to work with him over winter break. The neat thing is, this packet can be used from now until February!

This packet contains 8 Literacy Centers PLUS Word Wall Cards!

*Winter Vowel Word Sort
Sort the words by long and short vowels. I included two versions of this for differentiated instruction. One version includes pictures, the other does not.
*Parts Of Speech are "Snow" Much Fun!
Sort the words by nouns,verbs and adjectives
*Winter ABC Order
*I Can Make Words:Winter Edition
*Frosty For Synonyms
*Antonym Word Sort
*Winter Real/Nonsense Compound Words

I am using the word wall cards for a variety of things. I am going to place them around and have him do sort of a "Read/Write The Room" type of activity. 

This packet is on sale for the next 24 hours, so head on  over and check it out HERE!

Next week, We are going to watch the Polar Express for our family Movie Night! I've already printed and started laminating for our after school centers. I am using Katie from Queen of The First Grade Jungle newest creation All-Aboard-A-Polar-Express-Mini-Unit! I am in LOVE with this unit! It has so many things that I can use, just at home!

Anyways, even though I'm not in the classroom right now, I am still teaching! Every single day! My own children are perhaps THE most important students I'll ever have. I do still wish that I can somehow get back into the classroom soon. I sure do miss so many things about teaching in a school setting. God has a plan, and I will just have to wait and see what that is!

Till Next Time:)

Christmas Sight Word FREEBIE and a MEGA SALE!

If you have not checked out the MEGA Sale happening at TpT,  you still have time to hurry over and check it out!!! 

Right now, I'm working hard with my own little one with sight words. He picked out the graphics, and I added the words :)

Click HERE for your FREEBIE!

Till Next Time :)

Cyber Monday & Tuesday Sale!

It's the BEST shopping time of the year! I don't know you've heard, but TpT is having a huge Sale this weekend!!! Be sure to stop by My TpT Store!!

Button Courtesy of Ashley-Hughes-

Some of my *Best* Blogging buddies have linked up so be sure to check out all the great products out there! I am clearing out my wish list and loading up my shopping cart! Can't wait to share all of my finds with you!

Hope everyone has an AMAZING Thanksgiving!!!

Stuffed With Thankful Thoughts Linky

I thought I would take a break for a minute this morning and talk about a few of the things I am thankful for!

1.First and Foremost I am thankful for my Lord and Savior! He has blessed me beyond measures and I am so thankful that I found him! He is my rock, and guides me every single day :)

2.I don't talk about my hubby *that* much, do I??!?! I know I am often talking about his career, and our life as a military family. But there is SO much more to this man than that! He is a loving husband, father and my best friend. He makes me laugh when I feel like crying.  He's a strong, christian man.  Our idea of date night..is going to sporting goods store, or to the shooting range! We've been married for 7.5 years and I am so blessed to have him in my life. We met in such a crazy, unlikely way, and still fell in love! We have a beautiful family together and I'm so grateful. 

3. I am SO very thankful for my children! I have two *precious* children who literally light up my world! They keep me on my toes and constantly keep our world turning :)  I love them more than life itself and could not IMAGINE my life without them. I was made to me a mother!

4. My FAMILY! Parents, Siblings, Aunts & Cousins! My In Laws- Kevin and Emily-Simply wonderful people! Y'all are AMAZING!  They love me for *ME* and have ALWAYS been there for me :) Love Each and EVERY One of you *MORE* than you know!

5.. My *BEST* Friends! I have some of the BEST friends a girl could have! I miss y'all OH SO MUCH!!! All of my girls & Josh are simply the best friends I could ever ask for! I love you all!  

6. BLOGGING BUDDIES! I can't imagine blogging with out your help and support :) Seriously..amazing people and teachers! So LUCKY to have come in contact with~!

7. I am thankful that I am about to head to a place I like to call pure *heaven*...aka The MOUNTAINS! Can't wait to get up there and disconnect from the world a little bit!

8. AND FINALLY.. I am SO VERY Thankful to live in a country that is FREE! I am thankful for the men and women who defend our FREEDOM every single Day! We owe so much to our military! Thank them EVERY Chance you get!!!

whew! I'm done now :) Thanks for stopping by!

Till Next Time :)

FLASH Freebie!

Hey Everyone!

I wanted to offer my Contraction-Action mini packet for FREE until tonight at 9 PM EST! Hurry on over and grab it while you can!

If you are working on contractions..here are some other GREAT resources!

 Contractions-As-Easy-As-Pumpkin-Pie

Christmas-Literacy-Center-Packet


Contractions-Cards-Set-2-32-Multiple-Choice-Cards-for-Spelling-Contractions

Crazy-For-Contractions


Till Next Time :)

November ideas and freebies!

Where has this month GONE?!?!? Seriously! I can't believe next week is THANKSGIVING! How exciting! I am super excited as we we will be traveling this year!! It's been a while since we've seen our family and we couldn't be happier to spend the holiday with them!!!

I am not sure if you've had a chance to check out my Thanksgiving-Color-by-Word FREEBIE on TpT! Be sure to head on over and download it! It's great for morning work! 

Here are some of the things I have planned for the rest of my month: 

My Turkey-Math-and-Literacy-Center-Mini-Packet

This packet includes 4 Centers:

*Turkey Compound Words
*Turkey ABC Order
*Turkey Money Match
*Turkey Addition Facts

My Fall-Literacy-and-Math-Center-Mega-Packet21-Centers

This product is actually reduced for the next day or so :) 

Caitlin's (Kindergarten Smiles) 

 Pilgrim-Craftivity 

This little craftivity is just adorable and I can't wait to try it out!

Katie's(Queen of The First Grade Jungle) 

 Blends-and-Digraphs-Mega-Pack-Posters-Handouts-Games-Centers

Oh my! I'm in LOVE with this packet! It has EVERYTHING you need!!!!! Love LOVE LOVE IT! 

AND I made these word wall cards for November! Just clickHERE!

A few of my FAVORITE things!

So it's Saturday...so you know what that means >>>>>College FOOTBALL!!>>>> And in my case, date night! 

One of my favorite things about blogging is the connections I've made with other bloggers! We are truly close friends and I am so blessed to have "met" some of the most fantastic teachers out there!!! They have became some of my best friends! They understand me, offer advice and different tips that I hadn't thought of! I love my little group of "Blogging Buddies"! They  ROCK! 

 I wanted to share my new little love with you! Have you checked out A Modern Teacher?!?! My sweet friend April, has the most adorable little teacher Planners! And they are SO useful! I just am in LOVE with mine (Polka Dots) 

Another sweet blogging friend of mine is Heidi from My Not So Elementary Life ! I am in **love**with her Thanksgiving-Feast-Color-Words-Activities packet! So useful! What a great way to practice color words!!! 

Well, that Texas A&M game is calling my name...stay tuned next week for some awesome freebies!

Till Next Time

Patriotism & Veteran's Day

Well, I am HAPPY to report that my husband made it home safely from his deployment! What an  experience it was! I've never experienced a carrier homecoming before, let alone one that was decommissioning  It was such an awesome experience! Needless to say, I am one **SUPER** Proud Navy Wife!! This picture was taken *after* he changed out of his uniform! It was SO crazy when he got off the ship, we didn't get any good pictures! I still love it, but BOY I <3 p="p" the="the" uniform="uniform">

Welcome Home USS Enterprise!

After the excitement of homecoming, it was time to get back to work! I've created a Patriotic-Literacy-Center-Mini-Packet! 

This Packet contains {4} Centers and {3} Writing Printables!I love this packet because it can be used during Veteran's Day, Memorial Day, President's Day or any other time frame that you wish!!!

*Compound Words
*ABC Order
*Verb/Noun/Adjective Word Sort
*Sight Word Game*3 Writing Printables

Another *GREAT* Veteran's Day activity is from Miss Kindergarten! Her Soldier-Boy-and-Girl-Craft-and-Writing-Templates is amazing!!! I have this and can't wait to put it to use! 

Till Next Time!!!

Guest Post From Smedley's Smorgasboard of Kindergarten

I am so excited to guest posting for Ashley!  I am so happy for her to have her husband home!  I remember the day my sister's US Navy ship returned from the war in Iraq!  I might or might not have cried...and I definitely knocked people over when I spotted her in the crowd!

I have been racking my brain for something to blog about and I keep coming up blank.  Finally, I decided to share a little about my daily kindergarten routine!  I hope you find some inspiration or ideas from my post...or at least get a chuckle!

I thought about just talking all about myself... because I love me!  hehe I love my iPad...smelly markers...bright colors...laughing...sarcasm...clip art (I am addicted!) and GLITTER!  If it's sparkly, I am all over it!  But I thought I would at least give you something education related...

Anyone who walks by my classroom probably thinks it's chaos...but it's organized chaos...at least in my mind it is organized!

7:45-8:00 arrival with breakfast in the classroom (NOT A FAN!)
8:00-8:10-Journal writing (students write their name and date and draw a picture.  As the year progresses, we add in writing words and eventually sentences!)
8:10-8:30-Morning Meeting!  If you need morning meeting ideas, check out my blog!  I LOVE morning meeting.  A lot!
8:30-10:10  Literacy block

• letters and sounds 
• Poem (shared reading)
• emergent reader (shared reading
• sight words (even though they're considered bad in my school...yes sight words bad...yeah I know!  And I keep teaching them!  I am a rebel...or a trouble maker!)
• read aloud/comprehension (I use a lot of thinking maps in my classroom!)
• phonics/phonemic awareness (I love love love picture sorts!  I am THE KING OF PICTURE SORTS!  At least in my own special reality I am...)
• guided reading/centers

10:10-11:10 Specials

11:10-11:45 Writing

11:45-12:15 lunch

12:15-12:45 calendar/restrooms (we do our calendar on our smart board!  Oh how I love my smartboard!)

12:45-1:15-recess

1:15-1:45 math-we use a balanced math approach so we do mental math, math review, mini lesson, independent practice, small groups and centers

1:45-2:15-Intervention

2:15-3:15-Math

3:15-3:35-afternoon meeting

3:35-clean up

3:40-dismissal

In the midst of all of this is music (we sing a lot and we rock out!), music, art, and fun!  My goal is to make our class as fun and engaging as possible!  

I would love for you to visit me over at my manly kindergarten blog!  It's chock full of sarcasm, snide remarks, snarkiness, ideas, freebies and lots of fun!  

Thanks for letting me hijack take over ambush be your guest blogger, Ashley!  

You can also visit me on Facebook, Pinterest, and TPT!  Click on my pictures (how cute am I?!) to visit me!

Gearing up for November!

Whew! Halloween in the middle of the week is *not* so much fun! Ha! Now is a GREAT Time to start preparing for November! Here are few things that I *always* find helpful!!!

One of my BEST Sellers is my Fall-Literacy-and-Math-Center-Mega-Packet21-Centers. I've reduced this product since Halloween is over :) So now is a GREAT time to head on over and pick it up!! It has 21 Centers that you can use throughout fall!!! 

My kids LOVE this--Sight-Word-Literacy-Centers! And it's FREE! 

And another GREAT  freebie Color by Sight Word Packet for November! You can check it out HERE

I also broke my Mega Packet into Smaller ones, for those who do not celebrate Halloween. You can check out the Thanksgiving-Literacy-Centers-Mini-Packet! 

Now, TpT is FULL of great products! Here are some of my November FAVORITES! 

* Made For First Grade - Turkey-Time-Math-Literacy-Centers

*Katie "Queen Of The First Grade Jungle"-Sum-Fall-Fun-10-Fall-themed-addition-activitiescenters

*Rowdy In Room 300-Compound-word-Pumpkin-Puzzles

*The Bubbly Blonde- Fall-Fact-Families; Awesome-Autumn-Activities-8-Literacy-Centers

*Miss Kindergarten Love- Soldier-Boy-and-Girl-Craft-and-Writing-Templates

November-Games-and-Centers

*LMN Tree- Fall-Leaves-Fall-Leaves-ELA-Reading-Poetry-and-Fall-Plays-K-1st

Till Next Time

Trick Or Treat SALE & A Linky Party!

Some of my *BEST* Blogging friends got together to have a little sale this weekend! Be sure to check out all the *AMAZING* Products out there!

This is a great time to stock up on FALL center materials, or general center materials! 

My Ultimate-Math-Center-Packet16-Centers

is a great staple based packet that includes a variety of skills with differeniation activities! 

This Packet is Loaded with Centers and Visual Aides!! This packet is great for any PRIMARY classroom! Great for differentiated instruction!

*Race Into Double Facts
*Race Into Near Double Facts
*Skate Into Subtraction Facts
*Race Into Subtraction Facts
*What Time Is It? 
*Money Posters (Penny,Nickel,Dime, Quarter)
*Collecting Money
*Money Match
*Rocking Out with Even or Odd Numbers
*Some Odd Pumpkins (Even/ Odd Numbers)
*Time Wipe On/Off Cards (2 Sets)
*Place Value Memory
*Apple Multiplication (3's)
*Rock Star Multiplication (4s)
*Racing Multiplication (5's)
*Number Word Matching

Batty for Literacy Centers and a FREEBIE!

Hey everyone! I am excited to about this post! Sometimes as teachers we get SO busy, we don't get to "plan ahead"! Well I am gearing up for "Bat Week"! Some of us do not celebrate Halloween in our classrooms and so bat week is a great way to tie into the season :) I just go by what my students backgrounds are  and then determine if I will recognize Halloween. 

I am so excited about all of the things I was able to pull together. 

First off, I created this little mini packet to tie  Bat Week together!! As you know I LOVE, *Skill* Based Literacy Centers! But I also like for the *Skills* to correlate with our *Theme*! So I combine *Skill and Themed Based Literacy Centers*!!!

Here is the unit I came up with:
This mini packet includes 3 Bat Themed Literacy Centers and 4 Printables!

*Batty for ABC Order- Students arrange the short vowel cards in ABC Order (1 Printable)
*Batty for Blends- Students read the cards and then sort them onto the correct mat ( 3 Printables)
*Batty for Sight Words- A Sight Word Game

You can check it out HERE!! For Today and Tomorrow ONLY--- it's $2.00!!!

Some other resources I am using: 

I am using Caitlin from the wonderful Kindergarten Smiles 

Bats-Math-Literacy-and-So-Much-More!

I love this because I am able to differentiate  instruction. Some first graders still need help with those letter sounds, so this is a great tool!

Another GREAT Resource is from Erica Bohrer! I am in *LOVE* With her newest packet! Batty-for-Bats is SO user friendly. She does a great job with examples of how you can use the packet in a variety of ways. I also love how the packet uses higher order thinking skills. This is probably one of my favorite packets out there right now!

A few FREEBIES to check out :

Bat-Fact-Families

going-batty-free-craftivity

Some other *GREAT* Seasonal Resources: 

Halloween-Math-Common-Core-Center-Packet

Fall-Literacy-and-Math-Center-Mega-Packet21-Centers

Thank you so much for  stopping by my blog! Here is a Math FREEBIE! Click the word "Freebie" To download your file! What a great way to practice doubles facts! This is great for those fast finishers, or in small group instruction :)

Till Next Time