A Peek Into My Pre-K Classroom!

I had so much fun decorating my classroom last week! I thought I would show you what I have done so far! I still have last minute touches like adding my student's names to everything. I kept last year's theme...OWLS! I love my owl stuff!

Here are the before pictures of my classroom!

And here are the after pictures!

We decorated our hallway in a pirate theme. So the front of my door has an owl with a pirate hat on! I haven't added the words yet but the front of the owl will say, "A'hoy, whooo's going to have a great year?"

And here's our hallway!

See the hidden Mickey??!!

Our pirate ship!

Our treasure map!

I'm looking forward to an exciting school year!!!

QOTD: Do you like the owl theme or pirate theme the best?

The Weekly Chase #34!

It's back to school day...for me as a teacher and for my boys as students! I am really excited to be back to doing what I love...teaching! I'm hoping for a fun filled day with minimal tears...but I fully expect a few tears since this will be the first time some of my 3 year old's have gone to preschool. Hopefully I can make them feel welcome and help them have a great first day!

The boys are super excited about school starting again! I'm thankful for this...otherwise it would be a lot harder getting them up in the mornings! They met their teachers on Friday and it looks like it's going to be a great year! I can't believe I have a first grader and third grader! My boys are growing way too fast!

It's time for the Weekly Chase! I'm ready to tell you my goals for the week! I hope you will link up your own goals with us so we can encourage each other!

Since it is August...it's time for a new challenge! This month's challenge is geared around Back to School. For some of you I know that time is in September but in my part of the world that time is now. This month I want you to think of one thing in your life that you used to do and wish you were still doing. Maybe you used to exercise 4 days a week. Maybe you used to cook more meals for your family. Whatever it is...this month let's Get Back To It!

Here are my goals from last week and how I did with them:

• Goal #1: Run 4 times this week. Yes! I had THE busiest week ever but I still managed to get my runs in!
• Goal #2: Get in at least one walk each week for some cross training. Nope. :-( I was hoping to get this in over the weekend but it rained the whole time.
• Goal #3: Finish the last minute details in my classroom by Wednesday. Yes! I got my classroom finished and ready in time to meet my parents on Wednesday night and my students on Thursday morning! And everyone seemed to love the owls!!! :-)
• Goal #4: Do the first week of school lesson plans. Yes! I got these done! It's a good thing because to teach preschool you need a plan! ;-)
• Goal #5: Get back to drinking my water every day (challenge goal). Yes! I did great with this this week! :-)

Here are my goals for this week!

Goal #1: Run 4 times this week. This will be trickier this week since I'm going back to work. I've got to figure out the best times to run and still be able to get the boys on the bus on time and myself at work on time!

Goal #2: Get in at least one walk each week for some cross training. I'm going to keep trying for this one in the hopes I will get it done!

Goal #3: Adjust to the new schedule. I'm hoping this week we can all adjust to the new schedule of the boys going back to school and me going back to work. 

Goal #4: Get all of my blog posts written each day. Since I will be working I've got to schedule a time to write my blog posts each day so I can keep them up!

Goal #5: Get back to drinking my water every day (challenge goal). I've got to make sure to drink water while I'm teaching. 

So that's my plan for this week! It's going to be such a different week and I'm sure I will be super tired as I adjust to my new routine. Wish me luck!!!

QOTD: What goals are you chasing this week? Any advice for me on how to work, blog, and get all the household things done?

A Peek into My Classroom!

Hey everyone! Sorry for my lack of a post yesterday. I've been so busy this week getting my classroom ready and attending teacher meetings and training. I also had to attend the boys' teacher parent meetings. And last night was the parent meeting with MY class parents. It's been busy!!! But I'm super excited because my classroom is finished!!! And...I get my boys back today! I've missed them so much this week! But I'm so thankful to Andy's parents for watching them because I'm not sure I could have gotten everything done this week if they'd been here.

I promised you I would share pictures of my classroom once it was all done. I did an owl theme and I think it turned out really cute! Enjoy taking a peek into my new preschool classroom!

The door to my classroom!

Wall full of toys (will be organizing this more in the future)!

Looking in from the door!

Birthday Wall!

Bulletin Board!

Another Bulletin Board!

Class Rules!

Helper Chart, Calendar, and Stop Light for Behavior Management!

Reading, Writing, Art, and Home Center Area!

Table Time Area!

Cubbies!

I think it turned how really cute! The classroom is a lot smaller than what I'm used to so it was tough figuring out the best way to arrange everything. I couldn't set up areas like I wanted because there just wasn't enough room. But it is cozy and will work fine! School starts on Monday! I'm so excited!!! :-)

QOTD: What do you think? Do you like the owl theme?

The Weekly Chase #33!

Hey everyone! Today is my first official day of my new job! We have a staff meeting and training all day today. I'm hoping to learn a lot of stuff about the school and procedures, etc. It's always a little scary to start a new job because you don't know the basic stuff. Everyone there has been super super nice answering my many questions though. It seems like a great place to work and I'm so excited!!!

I dropped my boys off at their Grandma and Papa's house yesterday afternoon. They both cried when it was time for me to leave. It broke my heart. I'm gonna miss them so much this week!!! But I know they are going to have a blast!

I was a little sad on the drive home after leaving them. But then I looked up in the sky and saw an amazing sight! There were rain clouds mixed in with the sunset and it was gorgeous! This picture just doesn't do it justice.

I have a winner for the babyBelle Fit Bodybuffer giveaway! Random.org chose #41. Congratulations to Kimberly Remig Prytherch!!! Email me at mindy@roadrunnergirl.com with your mailing address please!

It's time for another Weekly Chase! I'm ready to tell you all about my goals for the week! I hope you will join me and link up your goals for the week too!

Since it is August...it's time for a new challenge! This month's challenge is geared around Back to School. For some of you I know that time is in September but in my part of the world that time is now. This month I want you to think of one thing in your life that you used to do and wish you were still doing. Maybe you used to exercise 4 days a week. Maybe you used to cook more meals for your family. Whatever it is...this month let's Get Back To It!

Here are my goals from last week and how I did with them!

• Goal #1: Run 4 times this week. Yes! I ran on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday! I normally try to do speedwork on Monday but I took the day off...and that rest seemed to do my body good because I had an awesome run on Tuesday!
• Goal #2: Get in at least one walk each week for some cross training. No. Just didn't happen this week. :-(
• Goal #3: Clean and decorate my classroom. Yes! I got everything done except the things that I need the student's names on. I am supposed to get my class list this week so I will get that part done this week.
• Goal #4: Get back to drinking my water every day (challenge goal). 85%! I've done pretty good with this! Although I went to a retirement party with the hubby and had a Coke there. But I had also had all my water for the day too. 

So here are the goals I am chasing this week!

Goal #1: Run 4 times this week. This shouldn't be too hard to fit in this week as long as I go early before work. The boys won't be here so I won't have to worry about childcare for them while I run.

Goal #2: Get in at least one walk each week for some cross training. I really want to make this a habit every week!

Goal #3: Finish the last minute details in my classroom by Wednesday. As I said above, I still need to finish up a few things that need the student's names on them. My mother-in-law also made me some awesome owl curtains that I need to hang. It's parent orientation night on Wednesday so I need everything done by then. I can't wait to show you the finished product!!! :-) 

Goal #4: Do the first week of school lesson plans. I know the first few weeks of school are going to be mostly about rules and learning the routine of the classroom. I just need to finalize some activities to go along with that. 

Goal #4: Get back to drinking my water every day (challenge goal). I've got to make sure to still drink water while I'm at work!

So that's my plan for the week. Wish me luck on my training, meetings, and meeting my students and their parents this week!

QOTD: What are your goals this week?

The Weekly Chase #32!

Hey hey! I hope you all had a great weekend! I got lots of things done this weekend! I got most of the boys' closets cleaned out. They have outgrown almost everything in there!!! Then we went shopping for school uniforms. I spent way more money than I should have but since it was tax free weekend I did save on tax! Score! ;-)

I had another hard run Saturday morning. This heat and humidity is really getting to me. It's time for it to GO! I'll tell you more about my run in tomorrow's post.

The rest of my weekend was spent relaxing in the pool, getting some blog posts written, and working on more stuff for my classroom! Did I mention I'm decorating my classroom in owls? Yes I have totally fallen in love with colorful owl things! ;-)

It's time for a new Weekly Chase! I'm ready to set some new goals for the week! I hope you will set some too and link up with us!

Since it is August...it's time for a new challenge! This month's challenge is geared around Back to School. For some of you I know that time is in September but in my part of the world that time is now. This month I want you to think of one thing in your life that you used to do and wish you were still doing. Maybe you used to exercise 4 days a week. Maybe you used to cook more meals for your family. Whatever it is...this month let's Get Back To It!

Here are last week's goals and how I did with them:

• Goal #1: Run 4 times this week. Yes! I got in all 4 of my runs this week! They weren't pretty or easy but I got them done!
• Goal #2: Get in at least one walk each week for some cross training. Yes! The whole family went on a walk together Saturday night! We even saw some people flying model airplanes..the boys loved it!
• Goal #3: Do my "All About the Minutes" exercises every day (challenge goal). Yes! I did planks, squats, lunges, bridges, push-ups, dips, and burpees!
• Goal #4: Start working on classroom stuff and lesson plans! Yes! This was so fun! I decided to decorate the classroom in owls! I've been printing out lots of cute owl things!
• Goal #5: Go through the boys' school uniforms. Success! The boys had several short sleeved shirts that still fit but all of their shorts and pants were too little! They are growing like weeds!!!

So here's my plan for this week!

Goal #1: Run 4 times this week. I want to continue my runs this week and hope that they get better. The heat and humidity are really getting to me lately. Half marathon training starts in two weeks!!!

Goal #2: Get in at least one walk each week for some cross training. Hopefully this week my walk will take place outside!

Goal #3: Clean and decorate my classroom. I've got most of my ideas and cute owl stuff. Now I'm ready to put it all up in the classroom! I also need to go through everything that is in there. My director said I can keep/get rid of whatever I need to.

Goal #4: Get back to drinking my water every day (challenge goal). I still drink water every day but have really slacked on the amount I need to drink each day. With training about to begin I need to get back into my water habit!

That's it for the week! I also have CPR on Thursday with my new job...perfect timing since my CPR actually expires this month! Wish me luck!

QOTD: What goals do you have for this week?

The Weekly Chase #31!

Happy Monday everyone! How was your weekend?  Mine was super busy! I ran a 5 mile long run (which was tough). It was also Hayden's 8th birthday! He wanted a loft bed with a desk for his birthday...and he and the hubby spent all weekend working on it. It's not completely finished but he is loving it so far!

I also have some NEWS!!! Remember last week when I told you about the job I interviewed for? Well I got a call from them on Monday when I was in Destin and I GOT THE JOB!!! Say hello to this new 3 year old preschool teacher!!! I enjoyed substitute teaching last year but the pay wasn't steady enough. And I really missed teaching preschool. So I am super excited about this opportunity!!! Bear with me as I start getting my new classroom ready for school to start in 3 weeks! I will be sure to share some photos with you! :-)

It's Weekly Chase time! I'm excited to share this week's goals with you! I hope you will link up your goals too!

Now – It is July – that means a new challenge! Molly has created the All About the Minutes Challenge! Each day this week you are to take one minute and do one exercise as many times as you can in that minute! 

Here are my goals from last week. I'm gonna be honest with you...I didn't do so well! :-(

• Goal #1: Run 3-4 times this week. No. I only ran two times last week. I had good intentions to run while I was on my mission trip in Destin but it didn't happen. I planned to wake up early to get it done but it was raining (thunderstorms) every morning. And the only other time I could do it was at night...and it was always raining (thunderstorms) again! There were only a few sunny times during the day...and we were always doing our mission work at those times. 
• Goal #2: Get in at least one walk each week for some cross training. If walking around the outlet mall while it was raining counts...then I got this one! Hayden even said, "Hey Momma this is our walk for this week!" :-)
• Goal #3: Do my "All About the Minutes" exercises every day (challenge goal). Big time FAIL! I didn't even plank while I was in Destin. I was too busy doing mission work...but I think that's a good thing! :-)
• Goal #4: Be an awesome witness for some awesome kids this week! I think this was a huge success! If you haven't read about my mission trip experience be sure to read about it here!
• Goal #5: Help Hayden have an awesome 8th birthday! I think this was a success too! Hayden acted like he had a great day! :-)

Here are the goals I am chasing this week!

Goal #1: Run 4 times this week. Gotta get back into the routine this week!

Goal #2: Get on at least one walk each week for some cross training. I hope we get to do this as a family this week!

Goal #3: Do my "All About the Minutes" exercises every day (challenge goal). Planks, squats, lunges, push ups, dips, burpees, and crunches are on the list to do this week!

Goal #4: Start working on classroom stuff and lesson plans! This one is gonna be fun! I love planning, organizing, and decorating my classroom!

Goal #5: Go through the boys' school uniforms. I need to figure out how many uniforms they both need for this next school year. We have our tax-free shopping weekend coming up and I want to have a list of what they need!

So that's it for this week! Hopefully I will do much better at my goals than I did last week.

QOTD: What goals are you chasing this week?

New School Year Reflections

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I met Sawyer's Kindergarten teacher Tuesday night....I LOVE her!!!  It is going to be an awesome year!  I truly believe their two personalities are going to go well together!  I was so worried about him getting a teacher that would stifle his personality but I think she is going to be so good for him!  She's like a cheerleader and is so bubbly and he is going to LOVE her!!!  It was just a parent meeting last night...but Sawyer will get to meet her on Friday.  And since I am subbing this year and will have a little more time on my hands I signed up to be a room mom...I'm super excited about that!

Last night I got to meet Hayden's second grade teacher at the parent meeting.  Let me tell you that the atmosphere is totally different for second grade lol!  I felt like a student myself walking into his classroom...I even got to sit at his desk!  His teacher seems very nice but I can also tell that she is very structured and expects a lot out of them...and I love that!  Because that's the kind of teacher I am too!  I also loved how organized she seemed!  And she is the IT person in the school and so she LOVES technology.  She said he will be doing a lot of things on the computer!  Even his spelling homework will have to be done on the computer!  I think this is awesome (although that means I am going to have to give up some of my computer time so he can use it lol)!  She also loves frogs so her room was decorated cutely with frogs! I hope she is perfect for Hayden.

It's a little sad for me...this is the first year in a long time that I haven't been hustling around trying to get my classroom ready!  I miss that!  But I'm also looking forward to the change and new opportunities subbing is going to bring!

I gave all my updated sub info to the boys' school last night while I was there.  They all seemed so happy that I wanted to sub!  And one teacher said the school would for sure keep me busy.  That all sounds like good signs!  Fingers crossed!

QOTD: What are you looking forward to in the new school year?