Summer update and B2S SALE!!!

I can hardly believe it is that time of the year again.  This year will be much different as my oldest daughter is starting kindergarten!!!  How can this be?  I am pretty sure she was just 2 years old yesterday!!!!!  Time sure does fly by.  She is extremely excited to be starting school and I'm just a little sad that she is big enough and is ready to go.  Can't she be my little baby girl a little while longer???!!!  I know she is going to have a fabulous year.  We are going to have a fabulous year in first grade too.  If you haven't checked the class lists, they are now posted outside the multipurpose room door.  

I hope you all have had a wonderful summer.  I definitely enjoyed my summer.  I know was quite absent from posting most of the summer.  Life with three little munchkins is extremely busy.  So, let me me show you a little of what we've been up to...{bare with me I got a new camera and I'm in LOVE}

We played t-ball...daddy was our awesome coach.

My oldest playing t-ball.

Posing for a pic with Coach Daddy.

We went swimming....A LOT.   My oldest went from starting out the summer in floaties to being able to swim in the deep end with nothing supporting her.  She went through a total of three swim classes.  She is definitely my little fish.  She loves the water and is very good at swimming.  I'm so proud of all of her progress.  Our community is very blessed to have some great swim coaches as well.  They really helped shape her into the swimmer she has become.  I am forever grateful for them teaching her this life skill.  My two year old had mommy and me swim lessons, however I was in the water with her so I don't have any pictures to share of that fun! :(

Breathing during the freestyle.

We played... A LOT.  We played at the park, we played at home, we played inside, we played outside.  We rode bikes, scooters, and drove our cars.  We played with chalk, blew bubbles, and played ball.  We learned new board games and card games. We had so much fun.

Merry-go-round fun.

We Celebrated...We celebrated my grandma's (paternal) 75th birthday.  We also celebrated Independence Day, some birthdays, and a special wedding.

Happy 4th of July.

We Learned...My oldest went to summer school to "learn the ropes."  She loved it!  She got to learn who her teacher for the school year was going to be and she got a little taste of what school is like.  We also visited the nature center, zoo, and a farm and learned while having fun.

At the nature center.

We relaxed and rested...Most importantly our summer was fun and relaxing.  We didn't go on any extravagant vacations.  But, we had family time and that is what's most important.  The girls enjoyed their time home with me and I enjoyed my time too.  I always look forward to my relaxing summer vacations with my kiddies.  It is a definite perk of my job.  

Now, I can look forward to meeting a new group of firsties and the first year of Kindergarten for one of the most special girls in the whole world.  I'm so glad I get to be there to hold her hand through it all (even though I'm sure she'll tell me she can do it on her own.)

In honor of the beginning of the school year.  My little shop on TpT will be on sale on August 4th and 5th.  You can save up to 28%.  So click on the picture and go check it out.

Photography 101

Photography 101....well not really.  But, I did get a new camera that I am so thrilled about.  I recently purchased the Canon Rebel T3i and needless to say I've been "shooting" up a storm.  I've always wanted a DSLR camera so I could capture the moments when they happen.  As my daughters have gotten older I've noticed that it has become increasingly more difficult to get good pictures of them, because they always close their eyes!!  We have taken countless family photos in front of the Christmas tree just to try and get the perfect shot...and we always fail miserably!  My youngest will smile in her sleep...that sweet baby smile...and I'd miss it because my camera took too long to take the photo.  I was frustrated beyond belief.  So, now that I have a new camera I'm so tickled pink that I've been doing nothing but taking photos and editing them on picmonkey.  I'm so excited to use this camera to capture more beautiful moments as they happen....for my family and for my school kids.  Here are some of the pictures I've taken and edited over the last two days.  I hope you enjoy them.   Tell me...what have you been up to this summer?

Summer Lovin'...

It's 2 weeks into summer break and I have to say "I'm lovin' it!"  I thoroughly enjoy spending my summer breaks with my girls. (It's definitely a perk of my awesome job.) This year is quite different since my oldest is in Kindergarten summer school!!!  I can't even believe it!  Where did the time go???!!!!  I thought I'd make a quick post today so I could add some collage pictures of some of the great things we did this past school year.  It was my hope to get everyone the class DVD that I created with all the pictures of the year.  Who knew that after many hours into the project I'd find out that my burner on my computer bit the dust and I wouldn't have enough time to get it fixed and make DVDs for all my parents.  So instead, I showed the video to the class...and they loved it.  Now, for you I have created collages to share of some of our great moments in first grade.  Enjoy!!!

 

Here's a little birthday collage for my 5 year old....I can't even believe I can say I have a 5 year old!!! :)

I have slowly been going through old units that I have posted on TpT.  I have officially finished updating my weather unit.  It is posted on TpT now.  If you have purchased this, make sure you go back and re-download it.  I added quite a bit of new stuff.  Be on the lookout for more updated items in my little shop.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Primary-Weather-Literacy-and-Science-Activities-530045

Blessings

As I reflect on my six week maternity leave my mind is overwhelmed with the many blessings that have been bestowed upon my family and I. 

Karly Christine has been an enormous blessing to our little family.  My love for this little girl is indescribable.  It is amazing how ones’ heart continues to grow for each little baby that has been placed in our lives.  We are so incredibly blessed to be called mommy and daddy for a third time.  Each of my girls have their own little personalities and it is amazing to me how different they are all from one another.  I can definitely say that our little family is now complete.  Who knew that this little babe was the missing link?  (I didn’t feel like anything was missing from our family prior to her birth and now I couldn’t imagine our life without her.)

Thank you to everyone for the kind words and baby gifts.  Your thoughtfulness is truly amazing.  Last week was my first week back as Mrs. Hogan and everyone was so welcoming.  It was a great week back getting acclimated to the classroom once again.  Last week was also a short week due to Easter break, therefore there was no homework.  This week however, homework was sent home.  You can also check our homework page if you have lost your schedule for the week.  New homework books were also sent home today.  I hope you all had a blessed Easter break (for those of you who celebrate.)  I had a wonderful time spending time with family and as always I feel like it wasn’t enough time!!!!  I always have so many things planned for these breaks we get, but rarely do I ever have the chance to actually sit down and complete the multitude of tasks I want to complete.  {I’ll try to post some pictures of my Easter chicks soon.  }

We have a short 21 days left of school after today.  Where did the school year go??!!!  These last days we will be busy reviewing all of our reading standards.  In addition, we will be finishing up our math, writing, and science, and social studies units.  We’ll be busy little bees….buzzing right along until the last day of school.  The last week of school we are planning a 3-day countdown.  During this week we are planning a visit to our local public library, a read-in day, and field day.  Field day shirts that were ordered while I was on maternity leave were sent home today.  All change (if needed) was stapled to your order.  Field day shirts will be worn on the last day of school, Wednesday, May 21st.