Really?

I ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner in my office at home....


....I had a mini melt at around 11:00 when I realized I made a mistake...


....I haven't spoken to Mark all day with the expectation of "I'm thirsty," or "My wrists are killing me!"


....I haven't showered...yes a fact which I am severely embarrassed to admit...


....my poor puppy has been whining for me all day....


....I have been sitting in my little office for 12 hours straight...


BUT.....THE YEARBOOK IS DONE!!!!!!!! 


It feels unbelievable to me. I think once I go to the doctors and am diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel, it will feel real then. There is an insane weight lifted off of me...that's probably the 20 pound pile of baby photos and candid pictures I have been getting since January and have FINALLY finished going through. 


I have odds and evens to finish up, but to me it's done! The rest is a piece of cake.


Speaking of cake...I am going to go shower to feel like a human again and have a giant piece of the cake that Mark got me. When I asked what the occasion was for such a treat, he said "It's a I'm sorry your hands will probably fall off due to the yearbook cake."


He's so charming. 

Spring break is over my friends

As I sit here and munch on cereal, I'm forced to acknowledge that my spring break is in its mere, final hours. Boy, that was fast. I am ready to get back to work though. I miss my kiddos like CRAZY and all of their charming antics! 


I wish I could say I had a lot of down time. I did here or there. My main goal was to put a dent in my yearbook "homework." I did Friday night when I sat in my office from 5pm-2am working on all things yearbook. I also worked on it for 5 hours yesterday and 10 hours during the whole week. I'm so ready for this thing to be done! I'm about 80% of the way there. 


There were a few things that kept me going during these marathon yearbook sessions....


First off...

Thank you Yummy Earth for such a wonderful gift. I killed this whole bag Friday night and then I hated those little bears for the rest of the night....the hate has since surpassed.

I also love Sweet Leaf Raspberry Tea.

Obsessed is more the word for this drink. 

and lastly....

OMG, if you haven't tried these and you like hot, TRY THEM! They are fabulous. Mark and I often argue about who will hold the bag when we open these babies up. I will forewarn you they turn your fingers orange so eat them in the comfort of your house next to the kitchen sink. Thank you comfort food for making the yearbook more enjoyable!

Mark and I are going to look at a condo today. We are taking the first (baby) steps in looking for a place to buy. We're not really house kinda people...I wonder what that says about us? I'm excited, yet anxious. Looking at places, the paperwork, etc, etc...YIKES, more things to deal with right now. I'm already tired thinking about it, BUT it needs to be done. We have been renting for years and now is the time to buy. 

I don't really have much to say in terms of teaching. So I will leave you with a family photo that Mark's mom just recently gave us. It's from Christmas and everyone is smiling. When I say everyone I mean Mark. Usually the camera gets him with his mouth wide open like he's catching flies. Even little Penny was cooperative. :) ICK, notice how short I am? And I am standing on my tippy toes.....

Yearbook and "Code of the Day"

I have been working non-stop on my school's yearbook. I have devoted HOURS to this task and I feel as though I haven't made a dent in it. I'm slightly nervous. It's enjoyable, but WOW....I never realized how much work goes into something like this.

As I was getting ready for tomorrow, I decided to redesign my "Code of the Day" template. I got this idea from my former AP. Over summer break, she suggested to us teachers that we have a "code of the day." This is where you put a math fact on your door, whiteboard, wall, etc. and request that your students say it at various times of the day for different reasons. For my class I hang the "code" on my doors (I have two). The students must say the code and the answer when they enter the room. If I'm not by the door to hear their response, my fabulous (and always willing to tattle) 3rd graders will harp on that individual until they say it. At first, I was like "ehh... this could work." My fear was that my kiddos would just expect someone to solve the code and then "steal" their answer. I was very wrong. My students love this concept. They are very respectful of the idea and know that we have the "code" so that everyone can learn their multiplication and division facts. If they don't know the code, they peak their heads inside and ask for someone to bring them paper and a pencil. I LOVE IT! Such effort. :) Usually in the morning, they attempt to be "secretive" about the answer, so they will whisper it to me. By mid-morning we have heard the code/answer dozens of times and the novelty of the "secret" has worn off. BUT THAT'S GOOD...hearing a math 50+ times in one day! I make my kids say it if they want to leave for the bathroom, when they return, running errands, leaving for lunch, specials...EVERYTHING! Not only are they saying the same math fact several times a day, they are hearing that same fact constantly. My multiplication drill test scores are impressive. :)  

The template is nothing fancy, but I did have it laminated so I can use Expo markers to write/erase the facts.  I have attached the template for you all. Click on the picture.

Off to watch some football and snuggle with Penny. My alarm ringing at 4:30am tomorrow will be here before I know! Happy New Year blog friends!