Five on Friday

I'm linking up today with Darci and Natasha from the good life blog and hello! happiness for Five on Friday again!

Here is the random assortment from my life...

1.  SOY ALLERGY

Two weekends ago a huge group of my girlfriends and I got together for our annual Girl's Weekend in Duluth.  We rent a condo right on Lake Superior, relax, converse, dine out, enjoy some cocktails, and once in awhile we participate  in the popular Fitger's 5K.  

Always a fun time...however this year I. WAS. MISERABLE.  I had a pounding headache the entire time and slept most of Saturday away.  I was in tears on the way home Sunday it was so awful and I was in so much weird pain.  I took Monday off of work and immediately called my chiropractor.  I went in the following Friday and had a major adjustment.  My neck was majorly out of whack.  My amazing chiro also did a food allergy test on me using muscle testing.  One of the most amazing things ever.  Everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) in my family has some type of food allergy.  I would think this was so sketch, except for the fact that its made family members live's so much better after discovering an allergy.  I'll post on this another time.  Anyways, the winner (or should I say loser??) was SOY.  At first I didn't think it was a big deal, what has soy?  Upon some research and an attempt at grocery shopping, it was going to be a bit harder than I thought....

Foods That May Contain Soy

These foods often contain soy. You should be extra cautious about eating these foods if you are unable to get a complete ingredient list.

• Asian cuisine (Korean, Japanese, Thai, Chinese, etc.)
• Baked goods and baking mixes
• Bouillon cubes
• Candy
• Cereal
• Chicken (raw or cooked) that is processed with chicken broth
• Chicken broth
• Chocolate
• Deli meats
• Energy bars, nutrition bars
• Imitation dairy foods, such as soy milks, vegan cheese, or vegan ice cream
• Infant formula
• Margarine
• Mayonnaise
• Meat products with fillers, for example, burgers or sausages
• Nutrition supplements (vitamins)
• Peanut butter and peanut butter substitutes
• Protein powders
• Sauces, gravies, and soups
• Smoothies
• Vegetable broth
• Vegetarian meat substitutes: veggie burgers, imitation chicken patties, imitation lunch meats, imitation bacon bits, etc.

AAAGGGGHHHHHHH!  This week's meal plan has been interesting.  And I don't know how much longer I can last without my favorite thing in the world, chocolate.  I will keep my blog posted :)

2.  MOWGLI TURNS 1!

                 

                           
         
            

He is honestly like my child.  I sang, "Happy Birthday" about 25 times, he got 3 new toys (2 of which are already destroyed-he'd rather chew on an empty bottle), and a plate of his favorite foods!  I've never met a dog who would rather eat apples, bananas, carrots, and green beans over dog treats.  He's a goofy boy and such a monster, but man am I so happy I have him!

3.  DIET BET

Has anyone heard of this??
I feel like I always need a huge motivator to get myself in gear after the loonngggg, boring winter.  Last spring I joined a weight loss challenge at our local Herbalife supplier that really got me on the fitness bandwagon.  I by no means starve myself or limit anything-I need food.  Like, if I don't eat every couple of hours I turn into a crazy person.  My friends can ALWAYS tell when I am hungry and will graciously get me something to eat.  stat.  Anyways, with the newly found soy allergy, those types of shakes are out of the question.  I heard through a friend about challenges you can find online, I didn't get it and I didn't want to take time to look.  Then, a friend asked me to join, explained it, and I jumped on the bandwagon.  It is super easy!  This video explains everything.  Here is my first picture.  Don't judge...haha!

OMG.  I can't believe I actually posted that.  Notice I made it small? :)

The paper on the floor is my "word".  When you sign up, they give you a word to write next to your scale.  You need to submit a photo of yourself on the scale, and then a picture of the scale with you word next to it.  If you meet the goal, you split the pot!  Totally the motivation I need to get my fitness, healthy-eating back on track again.

4.  MICROSOFT SURFACES

At the elementary school I work at, there was a 1:1 initiative this year for 3rd and 4th grades.  Each student has their own Surface to use!  As a 2nd grade teacher that LOVES trying new things, I was jealous.  super jealous.  

Word on the street is...2nd grade is up for this same initiative next year!!  We received 4 to try out in our rooms for the rest of the school year. 

Super fun!!  So far I let them visit sites like abcya.com and such, we've researched a couple of "I wonder?" questions, and my high reading group used it to find fact about WWII and Hiroshima (VERY protected searches might I add).  Tomorrow we are going to research types of weather to make posters for our hallway.  Here's hoping EVERY student in my class has one next year !!

5.  FLOOR PLANS

Literally....I shared on Wednesday the actual floor plans for the whole house we are hoping to start building sooner rather than later.  We also have been looking at real life floor ideas.

This is the only one we've agreed on thus far.  I am loving the grayish tinted wooden floors, but wonder if those will be "out" in a couple years?  I like darker floors, but Travis is all for the light.  You can't really tell in the picture, but this sample has it all--dark, light, gray, and warmer tones.  Who knows what will actually end up happening.  Our plans have only changed about 439279543248093 times in the past month! :)

Speaking of wooden floors....and wood....

That is a LEGIT chunk of wood (aka a sliver) that I, that is right IIIIII, surgically removed from my finger on Tuesday morning before school.  The world was sure playing a real funny April Fool's joke on me that day.  It looks small, but people it was enormous!!  I still can't stop talking about it.  Yes, I may be dramatic, but it was a very dramatic, horrific experience for me.  :)

Hopefully next time I link up it will be with a huge, "SOLD", sign in front of my house...cross your fingers!

Get Pin-Spired--Newbie

Here I am!

And I am linking up with the Mix and Match Momma and friends for my first month of getting Pin-spired!  

I am super excited and this is going to be super random, but YAY for trying something new :)

Now let's begin....

I've always loved me some stripes!!  Like, my eyes immediately zero in on anything with stripes.  However I NEVER wear them because of the ole' fashion tip about how stripes make one look large and in charge.  Recently I decided to throw that out the window and I went for it!  I bought myself a COUPLE different striped shirts.  Along with stripes, I am into all things Spring!  

Even though spring is no where NEAR :(

ANYWAYS--Loving the Spring-like colors lately, like coral.  Now put the two together, and you have some majorly cute, Spring outfits.

Annnnnd my take on combining the looks.  (please disregard the awful lighting)

Even though it is still cold and snowy, I can incorporate some coral color and stripes to make my (warm) outfit think spring!

Speaking of Spring, I've been swooning over Sperry's since last summer!  

Look at how trendy/adorable/comfy/goes-with-anything/must-have these are!

Thanks to my loving parents, they got me a pair for Christmas this year!!  

Unfortunately because of this looonnnnnnnngggg Minnesota winter, I can only try them on once in awhile, and walk around my house in them, and take pictures of them on my feet in the closet as you can see above.  I guess I MAY have worn them to school once or twice, after lugging my big, winter boots with me as well.  I can't wait for warmer, non-mud threatening weather so I can bust these babies out every. day.  

My last Pin-spired pictures are dedicated to my needs wants for the house we are preparing to eventually build once our house finally sells.  I realized through this process I am not a very patient person.  Our house has been on the market for less than a month, with multiple showings a week, and I am already sick of it.
If you happen upon my little ole' blog and you see something in my plans that you think "NO WAY-don't do that!" I beg of you to comment and let me know!!  Otherwise, these are just ideas and hopefully someday (SOON!!) they will be a reality.

And there we have it--my first Pin-spired!  What a fun way to post after my short hiatus :)

Five on Friday

I'm baaaaaaccckkkkk  Of the three people I know who read my little ole' blog-you already understand I had an awful cold, set up a school-wide book exchange, and grad school was kicking my rear!

I haven't given up yet :)

 

I am here to try my very first linky party!  

I am linking up with Darci over at The Good Life blog.  One of many amazing blogs I've recently discovered.  

So here goes nothing...please excuse the CRAZY randomness of this post.  

1.  SNOW DAY!

That is right...school was cancelled today!  To be honest, it was the first time in my life that I was kind of bummed out school was called off.  Now the chances of having to make days up are very high.  Not to mention Game Day.  My class has been working so hard to earn a Game Day with 3R (respect, responsibility, readiness) behaviors, and they finally did!  I had all types of games lined up to play this afternoon--Twister, CandyLand, Go Fish, Jenga, and of course all the cool, new games my kiddos were bringing in.  I guess we will just have to add in some game time come Monday, our school's Winter Fun Day!  That will kick off the week with a BANG.

2.  MY NEW BOOK

As mentioned above, I have been MIA partially because of a book exchange I was in charge of executing at my elementary school.  Students and their families brought in books they had outgrown or were tired of and were able to exchange or just pick up "new" ones after school one day last week.  It was such a great success!  I was sooooo worried about it, but there was literally a gym full of tables of books and so many families came.  We also served banana splits (because we were "bananas" for books :)  ) and had a drawing for several bookstore gift certificates and a Kindle Fire.  ANYHOO--while setting up I came across this beauty.

Does this bring back memories of the early 90's or what?

I almost screamed when I saw it!  I just had to score it for myself.  I gave it to my dog/son, MOWGLI for Valentine's Day.  I know, I know...I am THAT dog mom.  But I can't help it!  He is too cute!

He just looks like a Mowgli, doesn't he??

3.  ZENERGY

I have some major cases of 'ants in pants' in my second grade classroom.  I am soooooo thankful to have an amazing administrator that seriously cares about the students AND staff.  One day a couple weeks ago she called me into her office to tell me she purchased some new chairs for a couple of the students in my class who are well-known wiggle worms.  THEY. ARE. MARVELOUS.  I don't know if it is just the excitement of a new spot to sit or if I am just way too excited about this, but one of my kiddos in particular can not last an entire afternoon in my classroom, AND HE DID!!!  Two days in a row.  This may not sound like a big deal but ohhhh my goodness it is!  

Zenergy Ball Chair=Heaven in a second grade classroom

There is an actual exercise ball inside this UFO-looking contraption.  I am crossing my fingers that my boys who are using these keep up the excellent work the rest of the year!!

4.  NEW SHOE MUST-HAVE

 

Tom's Desert Wedges in Taupe  (the middle pair)

These wedges have been popping up EVERYWHERE!!  I see them on blogs, Pinterest, blogs, magazines, blogs, store fronts, blogs....are you catching my drift?  A couple weeks ago I traveled to the warm city of Fargo, North Dakota (please sense my sarcasm) to see theeeeee Justin Timberlake in concert, which was absolutely fantastic--he puts on a GREAT show.  Anyways, as a teacher living in the far north I was worried about my outfit selection.  I ordered up a pair of these bad boys on Amazon and they were humongous on me... whomp whomp.  The DAY OF THE CONCERT, I called just about every store in Fargo to see if they had the Tom's Desert Wedge in Taupe, size 8 and.... lo and behold about 30 minutes into my frantic search, I found them!  My mom and I stopped there on our way and it was a perfect fit!  Isn't the inside adorable also?  They are SO comfortable and you can dress them up or down.  The perfect wedge for me if I am feeling fancy pants :)

5.  HOUSE HUNTING

I don't have any pictures for this favorite......yet.....

When I moved home, I moved in with my boyfriend.  A couple years prior, he and his family purchased a house, TOTALLY flipped it, and made it a gorgeous house worth living in.  

This picture is real life people-literally just snapped it from the couch.  But please notice the open space and gorg floors!  All done by Trav and his talented dad!

                                                                                                                     

I like this house, I really do!  But it doesn't feel like my HOME.  Do you know what I mean?  Right when I moved in it was all set up to be an extremely nice bachelor pad.  I made changes, we painted, rearranged, and I added alllllllll my stuff.  Travis is often heard saying something along the lines of how much "junk" I have and that there is basically no room for it.  A couple months ago, when I was a runner (ppfffftttttt), I ran by this one house in particular that always caught my eye.  I mentioned it a couple times throughout the last months and recently, TRAV GOT INTERESTED.  We went and looked at it and fell. in. love.  I am going with both of our parents today to check it out again and I can't wait!  I only hope they love it as much as we I do.  In the meantime...I better stop my rambling and go get this house cleaned up and ready for staging.   

                                                                                              

This guy is also wanting some attention...obviously :)

Now to see if I can actually figure out HOW to link up....

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Marshmallow Behaviors

It is that time of year again...the winter blues.  Usually living in Northern Minnesota this time of year means plenty of time outside--skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, etc. etc.  BUT IT IS TOO COLD!

This affects everyone, children included!  I can't even begin to tell you the behaviors that are popping up in my second grade classroom.  It is insane and makes my gray hair garden grow.  Therefore I had to come up with something....hence Marshmallow Behaviors.

The pictures really don't do the cuteness of this project justice!  

The elementary school I work at is a PBIS school, which basically means we are always looking for the positive in student behaviors.  Instead of focusing on what students are doing wrong, we try to focus on what they are doing right.  I am on the PBIS team so we plan all these fun events throughout the year.  (if you are familiar with PBIS and have any ideas or challenges, let me know!)  Anyhoo-our winter challenge is taking place NOW and it is really a whole class goal setting/earning process.  I have a lot of challenging behaviors this year which take up a lot of my time and attention.  Therefore, I am always trying to find ways for my kiddos who are ALWAYS following expectations to be rewarded and get some credit for all their hard work.  

During our Winter Fun Day (pending we earn it :) )we are getting hot chocolate.  I had my class design their own hot chocolate mug.  Along with their mug is a Ziploc bag to hold marshmallows.  Each day, anyone who's behavior pin is at "Ready to Learn" or higher earns a marshmallow.  However many marshmallows are in the bag by Winter Fun Day is how many marshmallows they get in their hot chocolate from our "marshmallow bar".  I also had them write out HOW they plan to earn marshmallows each day.  I was beyond impressed with their goal setting and ideas!

How cute is that?!  I mean....seriously....

So far I have seen a difference!  I am so proud of my little chiddlers :)  Hopefully we can make it through this crazy, busy, fun week following our expectations and keeping the gray out of Ms. Burich's hair.  Ha!!

P.S.  Don't you just LOVE all the multi-colored paper?!  My school doesn't purchase this for us, but definitely worth the $12.99 to spice up our writing, projects, and walls!

The Square Scarf

This weekend I headed to Duluth...AKA the nearest town with decent shopping options that is 1.5 hours away...to pick up supplies for upcoming events at the school I work at.  What I thought to be a "quick trip" turned into a near 12 hour excursion.  Therefore, a major shopping spree occurred.  whoops.

BUT the good news is, I scored some amazing deals!  I swung through good ole' Old Navy and picked up a majority of this outfit.

I scored some Old Navy tanks for $5!  Naturally I just had to get four different colors-white (seen here), black, blue, and coral.  I have had my eye on a sweater like this for weeks!  It is perfect--3/4 sleeves, comfy cozy for winter, and can totally be worn in the spring.  Unfortunately, the sweater was not on sale, but it was only around $30.  And then...THE SCARF!!  As I was going to check out I peered into some 97 cent bins that were filled with fleece gloves, hats for babies, and other things that do not benefit me.  Then I saw some plaid wonderfulness peeking out at me.  I grabbed it and ran!  I totally didn't think it was only going to be 97 cents, BUT IT WAS.  I was so excited to show it to the boyfriend because although I have 4,548 scarves (I am a scarf queen!), I bought something that was so cheap, what a bargain hunter :)  This morning I couldn't wait to put it on and then I realized-it was a square?!?!  Now maybe I am not as scarf savvy as I thought, but I had no idea where to begin to create a wonderful look for the new scarf I was so excited about.  As I was running late, per usual, I hopped on Pinterest to see what I could possibly do to fashion this scarf and I found these marvelous directions.  

Now instead of having the two dog ear things hanging on either side, I tucked them under and tied them loosely.  

And WA LA!

I don't know about you, but I was pretty proud of myself to figure that out so early on a Monday morning.  I think I might just love square scarves now!  It laid perfectly and had a wonderful fluff all day long.  Even when my car was completely dead, I panicked, and had to call a dear coworker friend to come pick me up so I could make it to school before my second grade friends came through the door :)

Grad School

I should probably mention now that I am in...DUN DUN DUNNNNN...grad school.  

Why you might ask?  The answer is simple-money.  I mean lets be real people, teachers make nothing as compared to the time and energy put in.  And I suppose if teaching ever falls through, I have another direction I could go.  (but let me be clear, teaching second grade is what I would like to do for the rest of my life.  until retirement that is)  Anyways, I decided to go for my Master's in Reading and Literacy.  It is the subject I love to teach and really an overall passion of mine.

I am taking classes at Capella University.  

It is completely online which makes it super easy for me, living in the arctic north of Minnesota makes attending any universities within a reasonable driving distance impossible.  I am 16 credits in and going strong!  I refuse to figure out the amount of time it will take to finish, I'd rather be pleasantly surprised than counting down.  If anyone out there wants to check out the online programs click HERE.  If you would like to check out what I am specifically doing, click HERE.

Each course is 10 weeks long, then we have a 3 week break.  Thinking about the overall program, it really isn't that bad.  However, finding the time and motivation to get the many discussions, annotated bibliographies, reflection journals, and papers done each week gets tiresome.  Lucky for me, I followed in a very good friend's footsteps and she helps me along the way.  PLUS, Kacey is taking the exact same courses as me at the SAME TIME.  That is a real lifesaver!  Click on her name to check out what she has been up to-we are bringing blogging to the north! :)

What is the point of this post?  In case I ever go MIA for awhile, I AM NOT GIVING UP!  I am probably sitting on my couch, researching and typing away to meet a deadline.

Oh, and also most likely trying to work around this guy.

I swear he requires more attention than a small child!!

And yes, that is indeed a Christmas blanket.  I realize it is almost February.  

It is comfy and red for Valentine's Day.  :)

Coming up NEXT Wednesday--a potential link up for "What I Wore Wednesday"???
I need to accumulate some #ootd pictures.

Look at me go...post number two is in the books !

Where I Come From

Aaahhhh!  It's official.  I. HAVE. A. BLOG.  I've been reading blogs for years!  If you check out my blog list you will see I follow a lot, not to mention the usuals I read every. single. day. that are not even on my blogger list.  So exciting!

I figured it was time to create one of my own when I started making mental lists of things I would blog about, pictures I would take, blogs to link up with...so what will you see from me?

This guy--Mowgli, or as we call him, "Mo".

Mo has pretty much turned into my first child.  It is sickening how obsessed I am with him.  This is your warning, be prepared for Mo overload.

My attempts at being a runner.

Last spring I decided to jump on the running bandwagon--this picture was taken after a 6 miler.  Needless to say, that only happened once.  Yet, I keep on going for it and currently am in a new Barre kick-more on that later.  Oh, and those crazy gals with me?  Those are two of my greatest friends, both in and outside of work. And where do I work you may ask??

The School by the Lake!  I LOVE my job and teaching in second grade even more!!

Being this is my fourth year teaching, I am hoping I will be able to start sharing my creations and ideas with you all.  Lord knows I've taken from the fabulous teacher blogs nearly every day!

I should also mention this guy-bf of over two years, Trav.

He's pretty great.  Aaannnnddd the reason I moved back home to the cold tundra where I swore I would never live again.  Yes, I am that girl.  Picking up and moving for a BOY.  But I couldn't be happier, it was the best decision ever.  Now...if he would just put a ring on it already! :)

Well looks like I can put a nice big check next to "write first blog post" on my never ending to-do list! 

YAY!