First Annual Mid-West Teacher Blogger Meet Up

What's the best way to spend a Saturday?  Surrounded by AMAZING and POSITIVE teachers from all over the Midwest!  I was privileged to have been a part of the 1st Annual Midwest Teacher Blogger Meet Up.  I am a self-proclaimed BB...Beginner Blogger!  The ladies I got to spend the day with are far from that!  I have followed many of them via their blog, Facebook, or Instagram for awhile.  Some I met for the first time and have already started following them.  It was amazing to learn from them and get energized by the collective energy that was in one room.

I wasn't alone in this adventure!  It was a Road Trip with my pals, Molly (at Miss K's Kindergarten) and Sara (at Life in the Fast Lane).  We decided to make a day of it and started off with Portillo's for lunch!  I mean it is a must!!  And oddly enough, we all ordered the same thing!  Next we hit up the Container Store and Five Below!  Five Below was filled with amazing finds and the Container Store had just what I needed for an activity I am doing later in the week!  Then we hit the promised land, IKEA!!!  The IKEA in Schaumburg is almost OVERWHELMING in size, however we were up for the challenge.  We tackled half the store when we realized it was time to head to the Meet-Up!  So we checked out with our Round 1 purchases and head to Lakeshore Learning!  A huge THANK YOU to Lakeshore Learning for allowing us to invade their space.  At Lakeshore, we continued to get our shop on!

Below are some pictures from this great day!

Who doesn't love Portillo's???  What is your favorite thing to order?

Not going to lie...they had to test these cool chairs from the Container Store and their testing got a little dangerous! This is after testing!

Some go to IKEA to shop, some take selfies!

My pals that help me stay on the positive path!

My table pals!!! Back row L to R, Cretia (blog coming soon!) Me,  Tasia (Great Minds Teach Alike), Bobbi (Bitty Bilinguals), Front Row Michelle (Teaching Ideas For Those Who Love Teaching) and Kristin ( Teaching In A Nutshell)

The "after" of 3 teachers let loose in IKEA, Container Store, Five Below, and Lakeshore Learning)!

Sunday Scoop

Seriously weekends just fly by...don't they??  Each Friday night I have a HUGE to do list for the weekend.  Not jobs just things I want to get done, things I actually enjoy doing!!!  Then I blink and it is Sunday night and the list doesn't look as complete as I would like.  So let's see if today can be productive!!!  Here's my Sunday Scoop.....(leave me some feedback!)

Want to link up?  Head on over to 

A Free For All!

Who doesn't love a freebie????  The Primary Gal is hosting an awesome Free For All on Facebook!!!!  I am blessed to be a part of it and can't wait to see the amazing work of some awesome teachers.  Check it out, click on the picture below!!!  It starts at 12:00 am est!

Currently....October is here!

I am beyond excited that October is here!  I feel like October really means FALL!!  I must say I do LOVE me some FALL!!!  In fact, I might go as far as to say it is my favorite season!!!  I have BIG plans for October...now if I can just muster up the energy!!  Thanks to Farley at Oh'Boy 4th Grade for hosting this awesome party!  Here's my currently....and as always...please make comments!!!  I LOVE comments...almost as much as I love Fall!

Listening:  I mean...I can't be the only one who watches "Watch What Happens Live.." right?  I love that show and pretty much all that is Bravo!!!

Loving:  I am blessed to work with 2 awesome teachers, who believe my Dollar Tree/Target obsessions and craftivity fun is normal!  So normal...that we are having a work night tomorrow!!! Can't wait!!!

Thinking: My list is long, but with the motivation I get from my work buddies...I am certain to get it all accomplished!!!

Wanting:  My daughter's adoption is slowly coming along.  I try to remind myself that each day that goes by is one day closer to her being home!!!  Just excited and really want to see some movement!!!

Needing:  A re-adjustment!  Lots of negativity lately....I pride myself on being a positive patty.. and it is time to get the naysayers out of my head!!!

Trick or Treat:  Office Max is having AWESOME clearance deals!  I got 3 binders, 8 pocket dividers, and a ream of pink paper for $5.18!!  You read that right!!!  SO run don't walk to your closest Office Max!!  And don't forget to use your Teacher Rewards card for points!!!

Let's try again...Sunday Scoop Take 2

So last week I was thrilled to link up with the Teaching Trio for the Sunday Scoop!  Well I hate to say I was very unsuccessful:(  Let's just say learning we are going to add a 4th first grade tomm (yes, you read that right!) and my town having their annual festival (which is a must do) required me to re-evaluate my to-do list.  If at first you don't succeed...try try again...so here it goes:)

Certainly I am not the only one this happens to...right???  Have a great week!!!

Sunday Scoop...a look ahead!

Just found a new linky!  The ladies at the Teaching Trio are hosting The Sunday Scoop.   I love anything that makes me put my goals out there!  Now I will feel like I am letting everyone down if I don't follow through.  Good motivation.  So here it goes....

This year my professional goals are to make sure the kiddos know what we are doing and trying to achieve!  My focus boards are a part of that, but of course the OCD teacher in me, needs them to be cute...so they are a work in progress.  Which of course brings me to my classroom reveal, seriously I love my classroom this year...it may be my all time favorite...so I have to take pictures so you can all see!!!  This week is one of my favorites, our annual Pumpkin Festival!!!!  I love every day of it and love that I live in such a fun and caring community.  Of course next year will be even better, as it will be Little J's FIRST Pumpkin Festival!!!  Have a great week everyone!

A makeover and a HUGE thank you!!!

What do you think???  I mean isn't it the cutest???  The colors were inspired by my classroom but the rest was the wonderful work of Lindsey at

She was wonderful to work with and truthfully underpaid for her great design.

I am inspired to create some great projects and activities that my firsties will love and now that the canvas is ready, you can bet I will be sharing it all right here!!!!