Monday Meet Me: What I'm Thankful For

I'm linking up with The Teaching Tribune again this week for Monday Meet Me! I just have to say thanks to all the fabulous bloggers at The Teaching Tribune for giving us this opportunity to link up this summer and grow our followers. It's also been very fun and motivating!

 This week, we're highlighting three things we are thankful for. I could literally list hundreds of things, but right now, here are just three.

My husband and daughters are my world. They support and encourage me, and even when I mess up, they still love me. I'm also so thankful that I had the opportunity to be the first generation in my family to graduate from college (and get a Master's too) and be a teacher. It was always a dream of mine, but I never imagined how fulfilling it would be. I absolutely love summers "off" and getting to spend time with my family, traveling, and working on projects. Working with students and colleagues is something I have a passion for and I get to make a living doing it! On a less serious note, #3 is pretty self explanatory. The resources I've found and connections I have made through this crazy bloggy world are priceless. Of course, for me, coffee is mandatory.

Five for Friday and a FREEBIE

I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs!

Now that Camp Invention is over, I can return my focus (or lack thereof) on my usual summer endeavors. I love to learn new things and on my list is learning how to make my grandmother's ravioli. On Sunday, I went over to her house so she could teach me. Then, she let me borrow her pasta machine so I could practice. I made them on my own the very next day and they tasted JUST LIKE GRANDMA'S. Win!

Being a soccer fan, I had to catch the USA versus Portugal game in the World Cup on Sunday. I was less than happy with the result but I was glad we were still in it. Then, we played Germany. I'm a tried and true USA fan but I was expecting to get a spanking. Thankfully, we only lost 1-0. We live to play another day!

I finally got back in the swing of creating products for my classroom and store. I just finished this "sweet" product I'll use with my class this fall. It includes task cards, a worksheet, a cut and paste activity and a flip flap book for use in an Interactive Notebook. Click either pic to take you to this product.

I also cranked out this new Even and Odd Owls Activity Pack. It has the same type of activities as the Sweet Subtraction Pack, but with practice of even and odd numbers. Because I love you all so much, I'm giving it away for FREE for the next 24 hours. Hurry up and get yours and pretty please leave some feedback for me while you're at it.

Last, but not least, we finally settled on a vacation! My dear sister in law convinced us to go on a Caribbean Cruise with her. We leave in just 3 weeks! We have so much to do to get ready!

A splash of color: Shades of Red

I'm linking up with the amazing Melissa at A Teaspoon of Teaching today for her Splash of Color Linky.

 Today is Thursday, so that means shades of red! I was tempted to go with pink, but I decided to challenge myself to find things I love in red.

When I think of red, I think of my grandmother. She may be the only person I know whose favorite color is red. I love red accents, but I don't know of any red clothing in my closet besides soccer jerseys. I thought this would be the hardest color of the week, but it was surprisingly easy. My absolute favorite red item is Red Velvet Cake. I don't bake, but this recipe looked awesome with a white chocolate frosting!

 I'm a casual and jeans pretty much everyday kinda girl, but I'd totally wear this outfit, especially the comfy shoes and sweater.

 Ooops! More comfy shoes. You will never catch me in high heels at work. I love these!

 These gold and red studs I found on Etsy are simple and would look great with turquoise.

 This backyard would not be so easy to pull off in our desert climate, but I definitely could see this patio furniture working in my yard.

 Finally, a darling red, black, and gray combo for the classroom by Schoolgirl Style called Modern Apple. It is adorable!

Don't forget to enter Melissa's giveaway!

Worksheet Wednesday: Summer Style

I'm linking up with The Teaching Tribune today.

The theme this week is SUMMER! I didn't have any summery worksheets so I made one and it almost makes me wish I taught summer school (just kidding). This week I have a 4th of July themed subtraction practice page for you!

This worksheet features 2 digit subtraction without regrouping. Click on either pic to get yours and I'd love it if you'd leave some feedback while you're at it. Enjoy!

Two for Tuesday and a Giveaway!

I'm linking up with The Teaching Tribune again this week!

Today I'm offering two of my newest 2nd grade CCSS aligned creations for 50% off. 

First up is the pack I just uploaded yesterday called Sweet Subtraction. It's a set of 2 digit subtraction (no regrouping) activities for your mini lessons or math stations. It includes task cards with QR codes and recording sheet, a worksheet, a cut and paste activity and a flip flap book for your Interactive Math Journal.

Second is my Monster Place Value pack. Again, it has activities for your mini lesson or math stations that help kids practice place value, including expanded form. It also includes task cards with QR codes and recording sheet, a worksheet, a cut and paste activity and a flip flap book for your Interactive Math Journal.

Now for the giveaway! Leave a comment on this post with which product you like best and your email and I will randomly pick a winner on Friday to receive BOTH of these products.

***GIVEAWAY update: Random number generator picked commenter #3: Kelly Cooper! Check your email Kelly!

A Splash of Color: Turquoise

I'm linking up with my sweet friend Melissa at A Teaspoon of Teaching for her Splash of Color Linky Party.

Each day you get to post fun things that you love in a certain color. I'm always asked by my 2nd graders about my favorite color. I don't really have a signature or favorite color, it just depends on my mood. This linky is perfect for me because I love all the colors.

Today I'm going to feature all things turquoise. Living in the Southwest makes it easy to find cute turquoise jewelry, but I love to add turquoise clothing to my wardrobe. I rarely dress up but if I did, I'd love a dress like this.

 I'm pretty casual and my jeans are my unofficial uniform. These accents make the jeans look a little nicer.

Next up, some items for the home. I have a very neutral palette in my home so adding a pop of color is easy.

I don't know of any naturally occurring turquoise foods, but prepping anything would be more fun with one of these (this is really on my wishlist so I can make homemade pasta).

 I also love both of these room themes! Turquoise and black is a great combo.

by Shannon Allison

by Bright Concepts for Teachers

That's all for today. Make sure to check back on Melissa's blog for more colorful fun all week! 

Five For Friday: Busy, busy and a FREEBIE!

I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs!

 This is a C-R-A-Z-Y week for me. I might actually be busier than during a normal school week.

 I'm running Camp Invention at my school this week and the kids are having a blast taking things apart, creating amazing inventions and learning amazing and cool stuff.

 My daughter got her braces off on Tuesday. She said she really didn't mind them, but now that they're off, she can't stop smiling.

I think I may have You Spoke Too Soon Syndrome (YSTSS) or maybe it's Foot In Mouth Disease. Just when I think everything is going great, I decide to open my big ol' mouth and say something that will jinx it all. Today I mentioned how much I just love being a director for Camp Invention. I get to do the fun activities, see former students get to shine with their creativity, give out scholarships to deserving families, and I don't have to worry about teaching! Right after that, all heck broke loose. Let's just say there was puke involved. Don't worry, I won't show you a picture.

My buddy (and fellow NM blogger) over at a Teaspoon of Teaching has a fun and fab linky idea for next week. It's called A Splash of Color. Each day there is a color and you get to upload pics of all things fun and fab in that color scheme. I can't wait! Check out Melissa Cloud's blog post for details. BTW, did I mention there's a giveaway?

I haven't had the time to do any creating this week, but I'm going to continue my summer Five for Friday tradition by offering one item from my store for free for 24 hours. I don't have anything new, but I'm going to do a pretty awesome product that my kiddos did at the end of the year instead of homework. It is the Flip Flap Book Report Project. Here's a pic of one of the finished results: 

Take a look at the preview page:

This is normally $5, but it's free today!

Have a great weekend everyone!