Where have I been?!

Hello everyone! Sorry I've been MIA for so long.... I went to Hawaii for spring break, and I think I caught a severe case of island fever! I long to be back in the sun, enjoying the beauty of the Kauai Island, eating coconut pineapple ice cream and shave ice while listening to the sounds of the ocean.  I do plan on posting pictures soon, but first I want to catch up with you!!

here's one picture from my trip... I promise to post more soon!  How beautiful is this waterfall?!

This past year I took a few weekend technology classes and started looking into getting an endorsement in educational technology. The week I returned from Hawaii, my district announced that they were starting an ed-tech program in the fall.... I was sooooo excited.... I got my nomination turned in, then got the bad news that they were only allowing 3rd thru 6th grade teachers to participate (insert super sad face here... I may have shed a few tears).... I emailed them, pleased my case, but got nowhere. Second grade teachers were not allowed... The. End. They told me if I wanted to even be considered, I had to switch grades....well, in an amazing twist of fate, just a few days after this whole ordeal began, not one, but TWO third grade positions opened up in my school. I was at a training that day, so I quickly emailed my principal and asked to have one of the spots.... I wasn't guaranteed anything in regard to the ed-tech program by switching grades, but in order to apply, I HAD to be a 3rd grade teacher. Now, let me just explain.... I began 9 years ago as a 1st grade teacher.... I did 1st for one year, then moved schools and began teaching 2nd.... I immediately fell in love with 2nd grade and have been there ever sense (I have taught second grade at 3 different schools now, and have always said I wouldn't move unless I could teach 2nd!) I have now been teaching second grade for EIGHT years and have TONS of materials for 2nd grade.... I had even worked for a few years as a math specialist for second grade...  This was a tough decision to make.... But I feel so passionately about technology as the future of education, that I was willing to make the change and see where it led.

The next few weeks were torture.... I submitted my application and had an observation looming over my head (they didn't make appointments or tell us when they were coming, just that they would be out during the week)... I waited, and waited some more.... Sometime around mid-May, I finally got the news that I had been ACCEPTED into the ed-tech program!! I was soooo excited! This two-year program includes a smart board for my classroom, and a class set of chrome books for the students.... So you can imagine just how excited I was..... Except, that my excitement was quickly replaced with a bit of panic along the lines of "What have I gotten myself into?" And "I don't know how to teach third grade!" So that's why I've been MIA lately.... The last 2 months of school were just pure "survival mode", followed by 2 weeks of training for 3rd grade common core (which kind of scared me!!)

Still with me? Sorry for the novel!! Anyway, so I am now home from all my vacations and can start focusing on third grade. Holy moly, there is SO MUCH to learn!! Between teaching a new grade, and doing the ed-tech endorsement, I really can't make any promises right now for how much I'll be around or how much I'll be creating. I have a list a mile long of things I would like to do, but right now, my top priority is figuring out my new grade and integrating technology into my classroom.

 With that in mind, I am so happy to share with you my latest project....except, wow, this post is already huge and you’re probably bored… SOOOO…. Come back tomorrow to read all about my latest product (annnnd, there might just be a little *giveaway* if you come back… just sayin’!)  If you follow me on Facebook and Instagram, you already know what I’m talking about.  Ok, see you tomorrow :)  I'm off to see WICKED with my mom, aunts, and cousin tonight.... EEK! I LOVE me some Wicked!!

#TPTVegas2014

** Warning: Prepare for picture overload :) **

This past week I went to Las Vegas for the first ever TPT seller conference and all I can say is WOW! I am still in awe of all the amazing people I met and all the great things I learned. I appreciated hearing everyone's stories and their TPT journeys... It was great to be surrounded by others who share the same passion and vision and to see that we're all in different places in our journey, and that's okay. As Deanna Jump said, it's all about quality, not quantity (though we all got a good laugh when she first said "it's all about quantity, not quality!" LOL!!!)  I would rather make one great product than five mediocre ones.

One of the highlights I enjoyed was finally MEETING so many of my "friends" that I've made through TPT and blogs.  I have to admit that it was a little overwhelming to be at a conference with 743 other TPT'ers (yes, TPT Amy knew the EXACT count of how many attendees there were!) but it a was such a great week! There was also a teacher-blogger meet-up on Wednesday sponsored by the darling gals at "What the Teacher Wants" and it was a blast! 600+ teacher-bloggers visiting, socializing, taking pictures, and being starstruck by the all-star bloggers in the room!  Oh, and did I mention we all got free scentos markers and pens?? That's right!!  

helping put swag bags together for the #2014vegasmeetup

Top left: Me, Lory, Rachelle; Top right: Mel D.; bottom left: Corinna; Bottom right: Sally, Tanja

Top: Utah bloggers (thanks @whattheteacherwants for the great photo), plus the one and only DEANNA JUMP, who jumped into our photo at the last second! Bottom: some of the darlings from "The Primary Chalkboard"; top right: Christina, middle: Corinna (again... guess I just love her a LOT!); bottom: The fabulous Greg, aka Kindergarten Smorgasbord 

This was a shot of the crowd on Wednesday night.... Oh. My. Word.  It was so crowded and overwhelming, but awesome!!

Here are a few of my photo highlights from the week :) (and to all the sellers who I didn't get a chance to meet or visit with, I sincerely apologize... I seriously get so overwhelmed with large crowds and sometimes it was more than I could handle!! But I love and adore all of you and look forward to meeting even more "friends" next summer!!)

Disclaimer: Lory would like you to know that she doesn't wear purple cowboy hats everywhere... only in TPT photo booths :)

Me with Paul Edelman, the founder of TPT.... such a nice and humble guy! (and a good sport to pose for photo after photo after photo!!)

The LOVELY Jen Jones from Hello Literacy... I *adore* this gal so much, and was so sad we didn't have time to sit down and chat :( Please come to Utah and visit me!!  I LOVE everything Jen makes... her graphic organizers were a staple in my classroom this past year!

Selfie time: Top left: Kimberly Geswein, right: Deanna Jump (couldn't resist a selfie with her!); bottom left: Marie; right: Shelley Gray

In addition to attending the TPT conference, I was able to enjoy some good old Vegas sight seeing and pool time. Here's a few of my highlights.

if you're following me on Instagram, you may have already seen this photo.... our first day altogether, and what do we do??  Play on our phones, of course!!

M&M World... you could just SMELL the deliciousness...

I saw this in the Margaritaville gift shop and had to snap a picture.... I wish I were living my life in flip flops, but after breaking my toe TWICE this summer while wearing flip flops, I have put mine away :( dang broken toe!!

the only kind of "shots" Lory and I did while in Vegas.... Coca-cola tastes of the world... Very interesting to say the least.  I think my favorite was Pineapple from Greece and Kiwi Mango from South Africa.  Don't worry, we bought some good ol' American Coke too while we were there!

Swimming at the Palazzo pool... working hard, or hardly working?! (notice the cute tote bag we got from TPT when we picked up our conference registration materials... these are my school colors, so I might use the bag this year!)

Fun times sight-seeing and meeting new friends :)

I also fulfilled one of my childhood dreams by attending my first ever New Kids On the Block concert. That's right. Be jealous!! It was so much fun.

We were a *little* bit tired at this point... it was Friday night AFTER the TPT convention and our "wild" night on the strip... But still SO worth it!

Big shout out to my wonderful roommate Lory... Be sure to check out her blog and store... Everything she makes is amazing and I am always in awe of her talent!

to all my new friends.... a message from Elvis, and Nikki, aka Melonheadz!

I'm already looking forward to #tptvegas2015 :) who's with me?!