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!!!

Five for Friday

This time I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs for 5 for Friday. A little late as always.

These 5 random things will be like this blog, some real life, some school life. :)

1. Day 1 of Spring Break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And the weather is great so I told the hubby ( I really don't like it when people refer to their husband as the hubby, but it's easy, so I see why...) Anyhoo...I told him the one thing I HAD to do this weekend was get my toes done! It was mandatory. We had a full day, so it was literally a run to the shop for a quick soak and polish, but that's ok. Here they are for your viewing pleasure.

The hubby said, "Purple? Really."

You better believe it! Spring is in the air and my toes needed to feel it! They remind me of Easter which makes me happy! I was going to get a mani, too, but I just didn't have time. They were busy at the nail place today and we had to get to the ball game, which brings me to #2.

2. Hog Baseball!!!!

You know I love my Hogs! They're even the inspiration to this blog design! (Thanks, Barbara!) Learn about that fabulous designer here, if your blog needs a new look.

I'm an Arkansas girl born and raised. I attended the U of Arkansas (even though I tried to go away. That's a whole other story I'll tell another time!) and my dad is about to retire after being a professor there for 40 YEARS! I really can't believe that!

So, I love my team and had to cheer on my hogs. We can even take all the boys as long as we keep feeding them the junk food, they're good. They lasted all nine innings today and our friend kept telling us how he couldn't believe how well behaved all 3 of our boys were. I'm a prideful mama. I've got some good boys. :)

3. Pattern Blocks

At school this week we began our Geometry unit and specifically our standard was 1.G.1 Distinguish between defining vs. non-defining attributes. So, we got out the good ol pattern blocks. I told them to make a flower. No more direction than that. These are some that they made...

I love the uniqueness. Then we sorted and graphed. I need some new material, people. Do any of you have some great pattern block lessons or any others to accomplish these Geometry standards? We just began this unit and will continue it for several more weeks. So any ideas you can give me will be appreciated! :)

4. Gardening

 With the weather being so nice, I just had to go get some flowers. I took the boys and we got some pretty flowers and got them planted fairly quickly. 

Funny thing. I got the boys some kid sized tools, a couple of shovels and a hoe. And that hoe I got, is really a perfect size for me to use, too. It was great! :) Who knew?!?!

5. Testing!!! Yuck.

So, we're on Spring Break this week, we'll be back one week, then it's time for First and Second grade standardized testing. We take the ITBS. We've taken it for several years now. I actually created a little test prep document that you can find for a measly $1 on TPT. It practices the Language and Punctuation skills which are oh so confusing. Because of just finding the mistake in the sentence, they have to fill in the bubble next to the LINE that CONTAINS the mistake. Anyway, go pick that up if you need some Test Prep practice when you get back. :)

That's it! Hope to hear from you soon!!!