I'm sorry guys but this blog post is probably going to be short and sweet.  I've been sitting in GT training for the last 2 days (6 hours each day) and I mentally exhausted.  I've been trying to finish my Back to School stations and my mind literally can't take any more.  I now understand how important those Brain Breaks are for my students.  

Ok, first I want to share my classroom colors and theme.  For the last oh let's say five years, my classroom colors have been primary.  It just felt comfortable and simple and well me, so I stuck with mostly blues and reds with yellow and green scattered in the mix.  Well this year I found this fabric and BANG I'm totally going outside of my primary colored comfort zone.  Here is my inspiration.

Sorry Facebook Fans, I know you saw this a few weeks ago.  There is also a mustard and teal blue color in this fabric but it doesn't appear in this picture.  I'll take a better picture tomorrow.  I'm using this fabric to recover some pillows and make a curtain to hide some of my ugly open cabinets.  I also found some solid colored fabric that matches this that I will use to recover some of the other pillows that I have.  I like mixing solids and patterns.

Today the hubby and I went to Target after my class and I picked up a few things from the Dollar Spot.  Here is one of my finds.

Since my room will have some chalkboard accents, I think these will be perfect in my Writing Center.  I think they will house some markers or highlighters and some special writing pens.  I'm going to label them with chalk and then seal it with Mod Podge, so the kids can't erase the label.  That will work right?  I think it will...hopefully.

I found a few more things but for some reason the photos aren't in my Dropbox and my phone is charging, so you'll have to check back tomorrow to see what else I found for my classroom.

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Stephanie

I'm super excited because I found out today that my school is open.  That means I can get into my classroom and get to work.  YAY!!  When I finished moving my stuff in early June, I just had to put stuff into cabinets and on top of cabinets.  It's a mess y'all!  I can't wait to start organizing and getting my new classroom together.

So today, I FINALLY finished my Chevron Number Labels and guess what?....They are editable :).  Here is a little peek at what is included.

There is a lot of different options for labels in this pack and I LOVE that it gives you the option to create your own labels.  Here is a short tutorial on how to edit these labels because they come in PDF form.

   
I hope this tutorial was helpful!  Leave a comment on when you are able to start working in your classroom and I'll choose one lucky winner by 8:00 pm tomorrow night.  Don't forget to leave your email, so that I can email you your labels.

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Stephanie

I'm linking up with An Educator's Life to share a new freebie.  It's hot of the presses...I created it TODAY!

Here is a short preview before you download it.  It is meant for Second Grade but you could use it at the end of the year in First Grade or for struggling Third Graders.

 

I'm really enjoying the "I Can" posters because it helps the students feel more independent.  I also think I might have to change my name to the "Black and White Queen" because I love including activities in black and white.  Sometimes it's just easier to print in black and white.

Click on the picture below to grab my "Summer isn't Over - An ABC Order Station".  Hope you enjoy it.

 

 

If you like my pack, you can follow me on Facebook HERE or TpT Here.  I also have two Facebook fan freebies HERE if you are interested in grabbing some more fun freebies.

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Stephanie

I'm super excited to be linking up with Cara from the First Grade Parade for the first time.  My blog is so new that I can't participate in Throwback Thursdays, so Favorite Pins Friday is just perfect for my new blog.

For the classroom...

   

I love the idea of having a "Top 5" for the class.  I even think it might be helpful to have them change through out the year or depending on the classes needs.  The caption says it is from Betsy Aronson, 7th grade ELA, but it doesn't have a link.  It just links back to a photo album.

For my boys... 

 

This is from Angie's Laughing Place.

My two year old has gotten super fussy lately and when he gets angry he gets into a little bit of trouble :(.  I ALWAYS tell him that I love him after his time out and this saying is perfect.  I need to make this super cute time out chair.

 This is from Lil' Mop Top.

Mason loves cars and trucks.  I was searching for ideas of things to do with him and I found these super easy to make road strips made from old jeans.  You just put Velcro on the back and they will stick to the carpet.  I know he will LOVE these.

Step by step instructions from Beauty Through Imperfection.

My 8 month old loves to eat, so my husband and I have started to make our own baby food.  We have just been using our blender but we've only been making simple things.  I can't wait to use some of these baby food recipes.

Some funnies...

I've started printing out some of my back to school stations and decor and I need to pull out my little laminator.  I pinned this because who doesn't love Ryan Gosling!  Confession time, I've been in love with him since the MMC :) and I'm addicted to laminating.  Doesn't everything just look better when it's laminated!

Another confession...I've been playing Candy Crush WAY to much!  So here is another funny that I pinned.

Ok those are my favorite pins of the week.  I would love to share more but Candy Crush is calling my name ;).  Just kidding but I should be starting dinner.

If you want to see what else I've been pinning, you can follow me on Pinterest HERE.

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Stephanie

Hey friends!  I hope you are enjoying my Editable PDF products.  These make it so easy to keep those super cute fonts and you do not even have to download any new fonts to your computer!  So easy and fun!

Here is a little video to help you see how you can easily edit your new labels.

I really hope that this video helps you edit your labels.  Please let me know if you need any help.

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Stephanie

Did you grab my first Facebook Fan Freebie?  If not, make sure you like my Facebook page to grab it.  Well....I had so much fun with the first freebie, that I decided to add another.  This time I wanted to create a freebie that all elementary grade levels could use.  Here is a preview.

 

These would be perfect to create a class graph on the first day of school or for a pocket chart.  You could also attach ribbon to the bottom and have the kids use clips to show how they go home.  Make sure you click on the pictures above to head to my Facebook page.  These are only available to fans, so make sure you "like" my page.

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Stephanie

Happy Monday!  Don't Mondays have a totally different feeling during the summer.  I wish all Mondays felt like this!

Well it took me almost ALL day but I finally have a Facebook Freebie tab on my page.  Isn't it beautiful?  I'm pretty proud of myself but I had to watch a few tutorials to figure it out.  Aren't we so lucky that there are so many wonderful teacher bloggers out there willing to help others!

So....if your a fan on my Facebook page go over and grab your freebie.  It's a QR Code Station for the letters A,B, and C.  It also comes with 2 "I Can" posters and a recording sheet.  Just click on the picture below to head to my Facebook page.

If you're not a fan yet, don't worry you can become one today and still grab this freebie.  Hope you enjoy and please leave a comment with some feedback so that I know you were able to grab it!

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Stephanie

I'm linking up with Michelle from Fabulous in First for her Sunday Smorgasbord.  I totally wanted to link up last week but I had two super fussy boys and the hubby at work all day.  So today I was thrilled when my 2 year old wanted to sleep in and my 8 month old decided to play happily on the floor in front of me.  Well it's 9:30 y'all and my two year old is still asleep!  That never happens!  Anyways here are some totally random things from my week.

(One)
 
I have a new Sunday night obsession.  Have you seen it yet?  I have to admit that I was a Desperate Housewives girl and when the show ended two years ago my first thought was, "Oh no!  What am I going to watch on Sunday nights?!?"  It was always a good way for me to chill and not think about the upcoming school week.  Well Devious Maids just started, the third episode is tonight on Lifetime, and it's from the creator of Desperate Housewives and Eva Longoria.  I'm totally hooked!  So if you liked Desperate Housewives, you should check out Devious Maids.  Very addicting and it leaves you with a cliffhanger every episode.

(Two)
   
No not me yet, December for me :(.  But my husband is turning 30 in just a few short weeks.  I'm trying to plan some simple and fun things for the boys and I to do for him.  I have no ideas right now though.  What are some things people did for you or someone you know when they turned 30?

(Three)
The boys and I had a very restful week.  We spent the week with my parents, who live about two and a half hours southwest of us.  We were able to go swimming, see some fireworks, and I was able to cuddle with my 3 week old niece.  She is such a snuggle bug!

(Four)
I just started the 30 Day Squat Challenge and boy am I sore.  I'm on Day 4 and yesterday was my day of rest.  I'm not as sore today but after doing a few sets, I'm starting to feel it again.  I'll have to build some confidence and have some results to show before I show my before picture.  Hopefully, I can share soon.

(Five)
I just finished my ABC QR Code Station and I'm pretty proud of it.  I think it will be perfect for my Spanish speaking kiddos that are learning their alphabet in English.

It's the perfect way for the kiddos to self check themselves while I'm holding my guided reading groups.  I know they will get a kick out of searching for the letters.  I'm totally going to hide some under tables and desks!

Thanks for reading about my totally random week!  

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Stephanie