Winners and other cool things

Happy Sunday! I wanted to quickly tell you a little bit about my new favorite store, Brookstone.  Have you ever been there?  I hadn't until recently, and I have to say, it was so cool!  I went to buy a fitbit, which all my friends bought this summer... so of course I had to be cool like them and get a fitbit too!

my fitbit one!

I had a few people ask about the fitbit after I posted a screenshot from my phone on facebook this week, so I wanted to share the scoop with you!  Fitbit is like an advanced pedometer that tracks steps taken, total miles walked, floors climbed, and it can even track your sleep if you want it to!  I also love competing against my friends each week to see who can take the most steps.  This has been the best purchase I have made in a while.  It has helped me become more aware of my daily activity, as well as my really bad sleep habits (I am really trying to go to bed before midnight on school nights!!) Here's a few screenshots to show you what it tracks:

first day of school - proof that teachers don't just sit around all day!

full day of school plus an evening Zumba class... I was EXHAUSTED!

this is what a GOOD night's sleep looks like

hmm... looks like I had a rough night...

you know it's going to be a bad day when your sleep looks like this!

I have insomnia, so these charts will be great to have next time I meet with my doctor to discuss sleeping pills, and see what the best options are to help me sleep better at night.

Right now, living social has a deal for Brookstone, where you can buy a $50 gift certificate for $25... that takes the total cost of the fitbit flex or fitbit one down to only $75, and believe me, it is worth it! BUT, since I already have a fitbit, I think this time around, I am going to purchase the super cool sand that they have at Brookstone.  I saw people playing with it at the mall last week, and was so curious!  Just look at this.... how fun would it be for a science activity table??  AND, I *love* that it doesn't make a mess!  Here's a little bit of info from the brookstone website:

SAND is kinetic—that means it's designed to stick to itself but not to you. It flows through your fingers just like wet sand, but leaves them completely dry and mess-free. And no matter how you pull, stretch and separate SAND (even if some gets on the floor), it always recombines easily. No vacuum cleaners or mops needed. But here’s the best part: when you’re ready to break out the SAND again, it’s just the same as it was when it came out of the jar. It never dries out and needs no liquid additives. If it does get wet, just let it dry out before playing with it again. It’s that easy.  

 

I'll be honest, I had a little too much fun playing with it at the store!  I don't have any pics from that day, because I was playing with it while my iphone was being repaired at the Apple Store... but trust me, it is SUPER FUN... I think my students will love it!

 

 And finally, the moment you've all been waiting for... I'm sorry to be so slow about posting the winners for last week's awesome giveaway... here's the lucky winners for the homework pack from Second Story Window! Be sure to check your email for your prize!

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And the winner is....

thanks so much for all the great comments yesterday... It sounds like many of you could use these vocabulary cards too!  Here's the winners!  Congrats :) I'll be sending these your way today!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For those of you who didn't win, you can still grab them on sale all day today!  Tomorrow I'll be back in my classroom trying to get things ready... I apologize if I'm MIA the next little while... but I have another great review to get posted (and it might include a giveaway)... make sure you're following me on facebook for all the latest updates!

Winners - week 5

TGIF! We made it to Friday!!  I hope you have enjoyed the past few weeks of giveaways... it's been a great way to kick off my blog and I've enjoyed reading all of your wonderful comments... I had hoped to have another surprise giveaway this week, but life got a little crazy (including 2 trips to the ER {not for me}, but that's another story), so clearly that did NOT happen... stay tuned next week and I'll try to get it put together this weekend... and trust me, if you are a first grade teacher, you will NOT want to miss it!  Make sure you are following me on facebook so you can get all the latest blog updates... I try to keep my posting to a minimum so as not to completely annoy you with randomness in your newsfeed :) and I'm going to apologize in advance if I'm MIA for the next little while... our first contract day is August 15th and I have SO MUCH to do before then... so tomorrow I will be back in my classroom trying to get things ready!

I'm going to keep this quick since it's been a crazy week for me and I'm tired!! Here's the winners for this week!!

 

Centers & classroom management packet:

1. P.J. Parker Friend

2. Megan C.

 

 

Beginning Sound Practice

1. Lisa M

2. Kelly B.

 

 

1st  grade CCSS jungle packet:

1. Tami M. 

 

1. Rae

2. Jenni T.

 

 

 

1. Amanda E.

2. Andrea K.

3. Pamela S.

 

 

1. Dani P.

2. Andrea L.

3. Suzy

 

3rd grade math centers bundle:

1. Marie M.

 

1st & 2nd grade language arts bundle:

1. Carol L.

And finally, don't forget to sign up at educents - right now you can get $5.00 when you join.  This amazing bundle is only available for 2 more days. Grab it before it's too late! Click on the picture to save $5!

Winners & Currently: August

I'm going to keep this short and sweet... I'm up late packing, and tomorrow I will be going to the Utah Blogger meet-up, then I'm off for a much needed vacation... any guesses where I'm going??  (hint, come back on Monday to find out!!)  So yeah, I'm posting early! Ready... here we go!! Drumroll please.... the lucky winners are:

 

 

 

Dolch Word Wall: Shannon W, Doreen B.

If you didn't win, you can pick this up on SALE this weekend by clicking here!

Kim also has a great freebie for everyone if you stop by her TPT store!

 

Book bin labels & Bug classroom décor: Madonna U., Ashley D.

If you didn't win, you can grab these items on sale this weekend!

Book labels - click here!

Buggy room theme - click here!

Cyndie also has a fabulous freebie for everyone in her TPT store!

 

Chevron Classroom Décor: Katie N., Eilidh H.

 

 

Word Wall Headers & Chevron Pack: Tracy R.

 

Bee Themed Classroom Set: Kris, Megan M., Caitlin C.

If you didn't win and still want this, Chrissy has put it on sale for the weekend. Check it out here!

and finally, the winners of Mandy's décor pack are: Pina D. & Mariann B.

ANNNNNND... if you made it all the way to the bottom and are still with me, Mandy has an AWESOME freebie you can snag by visiting her blog and reading THIS post... it's worth it, trust me. I am excited to go back to school JUST to use this freebie!! YAY!

 

One last thing before you go... I'm so excited to get to link up with Farley @ Oh Boy 4th grade for her "Currently" linky... these are always my favorite blog posts to read... and now I get to participate!!  Humor me and read it and comment, okay?! :)

 

So here's the breakdown of my August "currently":
Listening: I love country music!! Hunter Hayes opened for Carrie Underwood when I went to her concert in October and he is just adorable... {I *might* have a little crush on him. Yes, he's younger than me... don't judge!!} I smile every time I hear his new song... Love him!!

Loving: If you follow me on facebook, you saw this picture already {and if you don't follow me, shame on you!!}... I will blog more about my Ikea trip soon, but this will have to do for now.  Two teacher-friends and I had lots of fun shopping at Ikea this week and are excited for our little mini-makeovers that we will be doing in our classrooms!  Stay tuned for some awesome pics once I get my room put together!

 

Thinking: It's August. REALLY?!?!?!  I am in so much trouble!  I need one more month to get everything ready... and instead of getting my butt in gear and going to school, I am going on vacation.  I'm excited for a break... but not ready to come back to reality :(

 

Wanting: A Silhouette Cameo.  I swear every teacher has one of these.  I went to a wood craft shop earlier today with one of my friends, and we found so many fun things to make... but the pre-cut vinyl is so expensive, and they don't use CUTE fonts (yes, I'm a font snob, I'll admit it).  If I had a cameo, I could make my own vinyl exactly how I wanted it!!  Someday... maybe... hopefully!!

 

Needing: To finish packing... this is self explanatory.  I should be packing... but instead I'm blogging.  Good job, self!  Way to go.  {ugh... better wrap it up!}

 

Back to school must haves:

1. Cherry Dr. Pepper.  I have no shame in admitting to my caffeine addiction.... Cherry Dr. Pepper makes my mornings SOOO much better!  I was a Diet Cherry Coke lover until Dr. Pepper came out with CHERRY.... oh my stars... if you haven't tried it, you MUST!  I don't like the diet... if I'm gonna be bad, I'm gonna go all out! LOVE IT! (I already have my B2S case in my garage, but I'm too lazy to walk downstairs and take a picture).
2. A new haircut & color.... my hair tends to bleach out because I hang at the pool so much in the summer... luckily one of my best friends is a hairstylist, and she is nice enough to come to my house and make me pretty :) I love having red highlights in my hair, and am excited to get some red again when I get home from my trip.  As for the cut... last year I CHOPPED it off... but I'm kind of liking being able to pull it back in a ponytail (which means I never DO my hair!!)  So I can't decide if I keep it shoulder length, or go with an A line.... decisions, decisions.
3. And last... I am SO excited to start using Lory Evans' daily math packet.  (I'm also super excited to meet Lory in person at the blogger luncheon... eek!! I hope I don't embarrass myself!) I didn't love my math self-starts last year, so I can't wait to try these. I already have them all copied... just need to spiral bind them and I'll be ready to go.

So there you have it.... now, back to packing!!  Remember to come back on Monday for the FINAL week of giveaways :)

Winners - Week 3

Happy Friday everyone! This week was a holiday in Utah, and I haven’t been around much, so I’m going to keep this short and sweet. Thanks for all the comments, I always enjoy reading them! Congrats to all the winners listed below… if you’ve won and haven’t received your loot yet, please be patient! Many teacher-authors are soaking up the last few weeks of summer and might not be around their computers every day.  Some of the sellers are putting their items on sale this weekend, so as soon as I have that info, I will post it below, or you can check their stores through the previous post (I totally blew it this week! Having a holiday on a Wednesday just throws off my whole week! LOL)

And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for….

Ashleigh’s monthly journal:

1.      April B.

2.      Lee Ann B.

3.      Amanda E.

 

 

Jennifer’s math prompts:

1.      Kindergarten winner: Katie N.

2.      1^st grade winner: Andrea L.

 

Laura’s spelling packet:

1.      Jessica M.

 

 

 LaToya’s math morning work:

1.      Ruby S.

2.      Doreen B.

 

 

Angela’s kindergarten morning work:

1.      Katy S.

 

 

Fab 4 RTI pack:

1.      Michelle J.

2.      Caitlin C.

3.      Cherie Mae O.

 

 

Lory’s 2^nd grade math homework:

1.      Tanya W.

2.      Tami M.

3.      Carol L.

Facebook Finds Friday & WINNERS :)

 

 

Today I'm linking up with my friend Mindy for a little thing she likes to call "Facebook finds Friday".. basically, you find funny photos throughout the week, and post them on Fridays :) Mindy and I met in college (through an online class, ironically, which was a rarity back in the olden days of the early 2000's! HA), so it seems fitting to be linking up with her blog now :) So without further adieu, here's a few funny things I've found on facebook this week!

 I laughed when I did my laundry this week... it was mostly swimming suits and pajamas! Oh how I love summer! (and yes, my friends frequently come over in pajamas... and we will go out in public to get dinner and come back to watch movies or play just dance... cuz we're awesome like that!)
 

 HAHAHA!! I laugh every time I see a status update from friends who have children, asking how many more days until school starts again??  (I haven't counted... it will only depress me)... someday, I will LOVE being a stay at home mom, and will treasure those long summer days... but for now, I will enjoy each and every moment at the pool since I don't have kids :)
 

I don't think there's anyone out in the teacher-blogger land who is sweeter than Denise (aka "SunnyDays"). I just adore her!!  I really want to frame this photo and hang it in my classroom next year.

 

 'nuff said.

 Oh math... how we love thee so...

 this one also made me laugh... and basically sums up how I feel right now... I want to sleep!!

 
I've never been to a high school reunion... don't really see the point now with facebook... I stay in touch with those I want to be in touch with :) But there is something funny about this one!!
 

And now we'll end on a positive note :)
Which one was your favorite??

 

ANNND... finally... the moment you've all been waiting for..... drumroll please....

 

The winners are: Dani, Linda, Kirsten, Breanne, and Theresa... be sure to watch your email for your prizes this weekend :)

Congrats to all the winners, and thanks to everyone who entered... be sure to stop back on Monday for week 2 of giveaways.... it's so big, it will have to be split into 2 parts!

 

Also, if you didn't win, don't feel bad... you can still snag the items for 20% off (or more!) this weekend at TPT... (the items will be on sale Saturday & Sunday only)

 

Christina's Open House Packet (She just BARELY updated it with even MORE pages, be sure to check it out!!  Her packet is already on sale so head on over and grab it now!)

Becca's Helping Hands Volunteer Packet - 40% off!! Makes the price only $2.40! WOW!!!

The Tutor House's volunteer packet

Teach4Real's back to school packet

 

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