Brew Over Ice

I just received my "Brew Over Ice" Keurig from BzzAgent.

I am so excited to try it. I love ice tea and iced coffee, and I am absolutely sure this is going to save me some money from stopping at a high end coffee shop every morning! I will report back in the next couple of days (given the 100+ degrees outside, I won't be having anything HOT for a while). I have embedded a video of how easy this is!



Let's get brewing!

SoBe--So Be Yourself!

Hello Summer! Yesterday was the beginning of the Summer Solstice. Of course, here in Indiana, it feels like it has been summer since May! They SoBe Lifewater has been a very refreshing way to get through the this heat. There are over 25 flavors to choose from! I have had the Mango Mandarin, Pomegranate Cherry, and the SoBe Lean Green Tea. So far, Mango Mandarin is my favorite! Drinking these, is like a drinking a tropical drink by the beach!

The "SoBe" (Short for South Beach) name pays homage to the vibrant Miami (my hometown) neighborhood. Living in Miami, I know how important it is to stay hydrated. You always try to find ways to stay hydrated that are beyond plain water. I remember the first SoBe Drinks with Ginseng, Guarana and other herbal ingredients. I drank it all the time! I am so glad they have come out with new flavors!

I took the Coconut water and mixed it with some frozen fruit, ran it through the blender, and made some fruit smoothie pops for my son and I. LOVED THEM!! There are 35 Calories, and only 8 grams of sugar. That's pretty good when trying to watch what he eats and drinks!

So Why the Lizard Logo? Relaxing in South Beach, a lizard on the side of a local hotel caught the eyes of the founders, and the logo came to be!

If you want to know more about SoBe drinks, follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

CLASS IDEAS MECCA!!

I was browsing Pinterest (I know, shocking), and came across a site for Calendar Notebooks/Binders. Little did I know how much more I would find! Ms. Meacham's Classroom Snapshots are amazing!! She has shared all her tried and true ideas with everything under the sun! I think I have found my new mentor!!
Please hop on over to her site and check it out. She is also on Pinterest. She is FULL OF IDEAS!!!

Just sharing....

Puffy Paint

I found this awesome Puffy Paint idea on Pinterest (of course). I have every intention of doing this the first week of school! When it dries, it feels gritty and hard, so it is good for teaching letters by touch. This is a great way to work on Colors/Letter/Numbers...etc. It makes for a great center. Hop on over and check it out!

The Boy With Pink Hair

So...The Boy With Pink Hair arrived a few days ago (THANKS MOM!!), and I believe I was more excited about reading this, than Peanut--of course, he is only 2.

I bought this book for 2 reasons: 1) Perez Hilton is from my hometown, (and 2) I believe it is never too soon to teach children about acceptance and tolerance.

My thoughts...
Well, I was blown away. I was not a fan of Perez Hilton up until I read an interview about this book. I said to myself "well, why not give him a shot. No harm, no foul." Glad I did! Right off the bat you know he is paying homage to Lady Gaga's Born This Way. As we read about the Boy With Pink Hair, and the Girl with the Ponytail, I was transported back to a time when classmates of my own were made fun of for being different, or looking different. I knew that I didn't want my Peanut to grow up in a world where "kids are cruel" and are not taught any better. I only wish this book would have been around when we were kids.

This is a great book to teach tolerance and acceptance. This boy doesn't care what others think, and his parents support him no matter what.

Bottom line...I LOVED THE BOOK! I think every teacher/educator/parent should have this book in their collection. This book teaches tolerance, acceptance, and that every child is special and different in their own way!

So...thank you Perez Hilton--you have a new fan!!

"Happy New Year"

So a school year is coming to a close. To most teachers (and mommies) this means the end of a year. If any of you are like me, your calendar/year runs from August-June. July is usually a blur of Summer!

This End Of School Year is a little harder for me, emotionally. My first class ever is graduating and moving to High School. (I have been an emotional roller coaster all day!!) I am also ending a 3 week substituting "gig" with a 2nd grade class. Although I did not have them all year, I am sad to see them go. I became very attached to them in a very short time. (Imagine had they been with me all year...YIKES!!) They remind me a lot of my first group, which is probably why I am sad to see them move on.

As we all know, every year must come to an end, and every group must move to its new adventure. It's still hard!!!

So...to all the "graduates" moving to High School, High School Seniors graduating and moving to college, and college graduates getting ready to embark on "the real world"--HAVE A WONDERFUL SUMMER!!

I am ready to do it all again "Next Year"

YO HO LET'S GO! DISNEY SUMMER

I Love Disney! I was so excited when Disney Jr was brought to our cable network! My son, husband and I wake up every morning and watch Disney Jr as we get dressed, and eat breakfast. If we don't watch it in the morning, we watch while dinner is being made (so that a little person is not wandering in the kitchen while the stove is on). Sometimes it is background noise while my son colors, or plays puzzles, other times he is completely enthralled with what is on. His particular favorites are Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Doc McStuffins.

Well, guess what?? As Alice Cooper once said: "School's Out for Summer!" What on earth am I going to do to keep my 3 year old busy??!! And here comes Disney Jr to the rescue! Teachers out there (and parents as well) remember the book Flat Stanley? Well, here is the chance for your child to take a Disney character on a Summer Adventure.

Visit the Disney Jr Yo Ho, Let's Go! Summer website, and print your child's favorite character. Have them color the character, and help them cut it out. Then...let the fun begin!

If your children are older, have them keep a journal daily of the character's "adventure." Perhaps they can share it at school on the first week back. This is also a great way to help them recall what they did over the summer! If your children are younger, have them pose, with the character at different places you visit! With today's day of camera phones, and digital cameras, you could probably make a scrapbook full of their entire summer; picture of the day...etc. Have fun and get creative!!

Speaking of technology, if you need something to keep them busy on those long car rides...you may want to consider downloading the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Road Rally and Jake and the Neverland Pirates Appisodes. These are interactive episodes that lets your child be part of the episode! Download and have fun!

Enjoy your Summer!!