I'm Moving!!!!

This post has been a long time coming, but I can finally say it....

I'm moving!!!!

To a new school, that is. I have been teaching at the same elementary school for the past 16 years. And I think the building had been there for about 200 years before I ever arrived.

Ok. Maybe that's a slight exaggeration, but only a slight one. Everyone was aware that the district decided to expand and they have built a beautiful new school down the road. There was already a lot of talk about who would be going there and such and such. Then, in February, my current principal announced that SHE would be going there! Wait, wha...?!?!?! I was shocked. As you may remember from previous posts, I love my principal. She is not only my boss, but my friend AND she just happens to be awesome at what she does. So, this was not something that I was counting on, but I have been desperate for a change for a couple of years now. So I immediately decided to ask for a transfer to the new school and after a VERY LONG PROCESS (I mean, months, people) I finally found out last week that I will be going with her!

I am so excited for this new opportunity. But of course, it is bittersweet. Over 16 years I've made a lot of great friends, many of whom are staying at my "old" school. It will be very hard to say goodbye to them, but I know we will keep our great friendships.

In the meantime, have you ever opened a new school before?

When I say I've been at my last school for 16 years, I am talking about my ENTIRE TEACHING CAREER!!!! I have had many titles within my building, but I have always been at the same school. And I'm not only moving, but opening a new school! What have I done?! Any advice would be very helpful. I've been reading Debbie Diller's Spaces and Places which I highly recommend and there is a section in there on moving. I've splurged on real boxes from Home Depot (not just assorted acquired ones) and I've been trying to catalog my personal books as I go. (Do you have the Book Crawler app? I'm going to have to post about it at another time. It's awesome!!!)

What else should I be doing?????

After our work day today, we are going to tour the new building!!! Not that I'm excited, but I have been up since 3:30 thinking about it! I will try to post some pics if I can. If it's not illegal. I'm kidding. Sort of...

Teacher Talk Tuesday

I have been trying to figure out this instagram thing. I know how to follow people and look at their pics, but I was struggling to figure out how to post my own pics.

Apparently, a colored button, that is the only colored button, is not enough for me. Maybe if it were flashing and saying, "Tap Here! Tap Here!" I would've found the button.

Good news. I found it. So I can join this link that is all over blog land! Yay!!!

You can follow me on Instagram at oneberryblog. Makes sense!

If you need some Instagram help, you can ask me. I might be able to help.

Here's my page thingey. Complicated, I know. Aren't you confident I could help you?!?!

FOLLOW ME! FOLLOW ME! FOLLOW ME!

I wish it was flashing.

You need a little love???

So, we're in the middle of test prep week. Can we say booooorrrrrrrr-ing!!!!!

I'll be happy if we can get through the week and none of my kids have followed in Calvin's footsteps...

I can't blame them, though. There has got to be a better way to assess 7 year olds.

But there was a bright spot in my day.

In the middle of all the- 

Make sure you fill in the bubble completely!  

What answer would make the most sense? 

NO! Don't Mark on the Paper!!!!!

One of my sweet little guys made me something.  This is where the love comes in.

He put it on my table and said, "I love you Mrs. B."

This was the something he put on my table.

Awwwww.......ummmm....is it just me or does it look like.....

It didn't help that when he put it on my table he put it on upside down.

That's just so sweet.

You know it's a tree, right?! 

Of course it is.

What did you think it was?!

Thank you Hobby Lobby

As you may know, we were on Spring Break last week. And I know many of you are on Spring Break this week. 

Are you in need of something to do with your own kids?  

Unfortunately for us,  the weather which was awesome last weekend, decided not to cooperate. 

The first few days weren't bad, but since Tuesday afternoon, the highs haven't been over 45.

That being said, this mama needed some help keeping the kids entertained. There are lots of choices for my 6 year old, several for my 2 year olds, but not too many for BOTH ages.

We went to Hobby Lobby hoping for inspiration and as usual, it didn't disappoint.

I was able to pick up some Spongebob workbooks and coloring sheets for my older son. And I found these for my 2 year olds.

Oh my goodness! I can't tell you how wonderful these things are!!!! 

Honestly, the little pen that it comes with is not the greatest, but when I just gave the twins a little paint brush and a cup of water, they had so much fun!!!! 

They loved it because the picture appears as the water "erases" the white cover/film on the picture. They felt like they were really painting the pictures. And the best part?!?!

You can stand the book up on its side to dry and after about 10 minutes, they can paint the picture all over again. 

What?!?!

It's the best!!!

I've found the Sesame Street book, but there's also Disney Fairies, Spongebob, Dora, Mickey Mouse. Many styles to choose from, if Elmo isn't your child's thing.

I highly recommend these for any of you moms who need something to do with your toddlers.

Two thumbs up from me!!!

Now run right out to Hobby Lobby and pick one up!!!

5 for Friday (Spring Break Edition)

Here it is...the end of my spring break week. :( So sad...but we've had so much fun. I'll tell you a little about it and at the same time, link up with Kacey at Doodlebugs Teaching for 5 for Friday!

Okay 5 Random things from this week.

1. BRANSON!!!!

That's where we go here in these parts...it's about a 2 hour drive so we often go to Branson, MO. Funny thing, though. Even though I was born and raised in NW Arkansas, I've only been to Branson a few times. As a kid, my family wasn't interested in coming to see the shows and I only remember going to Silver Dollar City as a school trip. (Steal your Dollar, as we call it.)

My MIL was nice enough to come with us because I would never take the three boys on a trip by myself if I didn't have to. Just not worth the hassle, but with two adults, it's much more manageable.

Since I knew the twins would only be able to handle a few hours before having meltdowns, I didn't want to go to SDC which costs around $50 for kids, $60 or so for adults. That kind of money warrants a whole day. There is the famous

Only we didn't go in to see the show. Outside of the beautiful building, all of the horses used in the show are kept in their stables, which are open to the public. You can walk by and see the horses very close and that was enough for my boys. They are still talking about it three days later and I didn't spend a penny. Love it!!!

2. CAKE!!!!

I made this glorious thing yesterday. What's that on top, you ask???

Yup. Those are chopped up creme eggs. This cake is awesome!!!!

I got this recipe from Shay over at Mix and Match Mama! I have been trying a lot of her recipes lately and this one is my favorite by far! Click her blog name to go on over. 

You should definitely give it a try!!! 

3. Friends!!!

As busy as we are, we just don't usually have time for play dates and fun things like that. But any time I have a vacation from school, we always try to take advantage of that by seeing friends and spending time together.
That's what breaks are all about!

4. New Wreath

As I planted some flowers last weekend, I kept staring at my front door thinking...I need to get something up there. It's been bare since January and we took the Christmas stuff down. I went over to Etsy and looked at some wreaths for sale over there and thought, I could make that.

So, I went to Hobby Lobby this week and got some silk flowers, a grapevine wreath and a few other essentials. Here is the final product...

My 6 year old son said, "Wow. That's pretty."

I didn't even pay him.

That's all I need. :)

5. Finally, quality time with my boys. 

They keep my busy, keep me young, and turn my hair gray (thank you, hair salon)
but I love them dearly. 

Who could resist these guys?!?!

We were forced to stay inside most of this week, but we made it! And boy these guys have a ball together!

I hope you had a great week, too!

Thanks for reading!!!