Festive in the Classroom

I'm always trying to find new, fun and festive ideas of things to do with the kids during the holiday season.  We always have an early release or full day off from school landing somewhere near each major holiday, which are perfect times to get out the craft supplies and have some fun!
Here are some of my favorite holiday crafts to do with the little ones to take home.   Easy Christmas Trees from Fantastic Fun and Learning

 How awesome is this idea? I'm all about finger painting, but this is a great idea to keep things clean -- I have some kids who hate getting their fingers messy so they would love this! I think it's also fun that the pom poms match the color paint they belong with :) This would be great for our little ones.
Build a Snowman from happy hooligans

This activity would be awesome for all ages - the older kids could get SO creative with this and really add a lot of detail. The little ones would love getting to pick their own pieces out and make it their own.
Name Trees from Miss Kindergarten

I love this activity - perfect for kindergarteners - and it can be completed with or without the name. You could also modify this and make snowmen! Good practice for spelling names and using scissors.
Shape Ornaments from Mrs. Lee's Kindergarten

These ornaments would look so cute hanging up around a classroom.  Even though this idea was inspired by a kindergarten teacher, I think you could use it with all ages. Especially with the older kiddos who are diving into geometry. They could get really creative with this - either making it symmetrical or trying to fill the circle the best they can with shapes.

I love getting festive! Plus these crafts gives the kids something to do with all of their craaazzzy holiday energy!

On A Break

What does one do when a semester of graduate school is over & you have a little less than a month of freedom?  

I'm currently trying to answer that question.  I still have to go to work, but other than that I am feeling SO MUCH FREEDOM lately since classes have ended. I'm so used to having something to be working on each day that it feels really weird to have nothing major on my to-do list.   Currently, my to-do list includes the following: Wrap presents. Finish a cross stitch. Finish my Christmas burlap wreath. Catch up on The Biggest Loser (a recent, random, obsession). Finish 12 tutus for our Christmas play. A couple of babysitting jobs. Make 2014 resolutions.   So, some of that stuff needs to get done, but it's nothing I'm totally dreading. Woohoo! And a lot of it makes me sound like an old woman, and maybe I am, but whatever. I'm embracing the freedom. A lot of my Christmas shopping is already done, and the next thing I have to look forward to is packing for our trip to Austin!
  What are y'all doing to fill the days? Is your Christmas shopping done?  

Recently...

I realized I haven't done a "catch up on life" post recently and, although nothing major has happened, I still want to document some fun things!

Recently...I finished my first cross stitch that I gave to my mom for her birthday:

 Not the best picture, but after I was finished with it I ironed it and framed it.  I also added the quote and heart on my own to make it more unique. I think I did pretty good for my first one ever!  Definitely some mistakes, but thankfully no one but me can tell where they are :)
Recently...I rang in the New Year on one of the best NYE I've ever had!

I wish this picture wasn't blurry :(

I honestly couldn't have asked for better people to spend it with -- although I was sad my roommate Lindsay wasn't able to come back for the night!   Recently...the weather (last weekend) has been gorgeous!

 I got to pleasantly run outside down in the valley.

Then I went for a run at Pandapas Pond!
Recently...Steven got me a new Vera Bradley wallet for an early Valentine's gift/happy spring semester of senior year gift :)

I love VB wallets.  In the past I've used their basic Euro Wallet, the All-in-One Wristlet {as a wallet}, the Clutch wallet and I've been happy with all of them. However, I hadn't found the perfect style quite yet -- either they were too small, didn't have enough card slots, the change pocket was too tiny or they just didn't work well with carrying them around campus. This is the Turn Lock Wallet in Plum Petals - one of my favorite prints. I wanted this style because it's easier to access your IDs than it is in the clutch wallet (what I've been using up until now) and there's plenty of card slots! So far I love it and I love that Steven remembered the style that I wanted! He picked out the print on his own though :) (Although, I did tell him some of the prints that I do not like...)
Recently...my brother built me a nail polish stand for Christmas!

Wouldn't ya know...it's already filled. I actually even had to eliminate some! I guess I'll have to ask for another one to match for Easter or something... :)

Like I said, not too much going on, but still I've been keeping busy! This is my last week before classes start and I'm working every day & going in to kindergarten on MWF. I'm starting to organize my room, car and purse TODAY! Wish me luck and send any tips :)

M&M Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Also known as: heaven   I borrowed this recipe from a teacher that used to work at my mom's school.  They are so delicious you can't just eat one! Or two, for that matter.  You might just want a plate of 5.

You can use any m&m/chocolate chips you would like.  I used the Christmas colored m&ms and plain chocolate chips.

I used a mixer for most of the ingredients - decided to stir in the chocolate chips and m&ms. Once you get to the peanut butter and oatmeal, the mixers get stopped up. I also used parchment paper for easy clean up :)

The "batter" all ready to put on the baking sheet.

 Fresh out of the oven!

This recipe makes lots of cookies.  Unless you have friends coming over or a party to go to, I would recommend cutting the recipe in half :)

Happy baking!

Friday Five!

1. Shamrockin' Run It's official...I'm signed up for the Yuenling Shamrock/Anthem 1/2 Marathon!

It's on March, 17 in Va Beach! I'm running with my older brother and my goal is to beat my time from my first half- 2:13. I'm really excited! If any of my running friends will be there, holla!
2. She Reads Truth

I recently discovered "She Reads Truth"...anyone following this reading plan? I'm still getting a hang of it all, with the YouVersion app and everything, so I'd love to hear any tips y'all have.  I started late in the Advent reading plan so I'm trying to catch up so I can be more engaged in the conversations online. So far I love the short passage readings and devotional content! Really makes me think!   3. Carrie in Concert! My big Christmas present was...two tickets to see Carrie Underwood in March!! Hunter Hayes will be there too!

One week after my half-marathon, I'll be jammin' in the 15th row on the floor! THANK YOU MAMA!!   4. GO HOKIES!! Today, my Hokies take on Rutgers in the Russell Athletic Bowl down in Orlando! I wish I could be there (where it's warm and sunny) but you bet I'll be screaming and cheering in front of the TV here in Blacksburg! Hoping to end this season on a good note!

I know all of my Hokie girls out there have goosebumps.

P.S. Is it weird that I shed a tear when I think about only having one more semester here?!?!

5. Bean Boots

My other big Christmas gift was from my boyfriend & his mom...bean boots! I had them on my list and my mom relayed the information to him, I guess! Anyway, I lovvvve them! It snowed here on the 26th so I was able to try them out yesterday when he gave them to me :) They are going to be perfect for any nasty weather that may be headed our way. So happy with them!
TGIF! Have a great day! Annnnnnnd GO HOKIES!!!!!

5 December Favorites

I've been trying to catch up on reading blogs -- it's almost impossible! I've missed a lot. I've been doing lots of reading, not a lot of commenting. Once I'm caught up, that will be easier :)   I wanted to fill y'all in on 5 fun things I've done so far in December!   But first, I hope you had a very Merry Christmas!   1. 22nd Birthday For my 22nd birthday, I had...lots of studying to do. BOO! But, I did get to start my day in kindergarten! My sweet teacher and students had a card, balloons and gift waiting for me! They are seriously too good to me.  I am so lucky to be with the best kindergarteners in the world :)

After class it was time for our family dinner! Here's what I wore:

 Lilly Joycee tunic, giant teardrop necklace from Groopdealz!

We went to dinner at a local restaurant, 622 North. Yum, yum, yum.

  2. Army v Navy Football Game Steven's family invited me to tag along for football game between Army and Navy.  One of Steven's brothers is at the Naval Academy and we went to last year's game, too.

 GO NAVY!

3. Hokie Basketball

I'm somewhat embarrassed to say it, but I hardly ever go to basketball games.  Of all the sports to watch, basketball probably isn't in my top 8.  However, once finals were said and done with, we headed to one of the weekend games vs Georgia Southern! Although the Hokies lost, I still had fun and I have high hopes for the team this season!   4. Picking out our Christmas tree

 We went to a family farm down in McCoy

 James starts the cut

 And, I had to help ;)

Taking our tree home!
5. Playing with my crazy, and most of the time sleeping, pets

 Belle peeking outside

 sink cat.

 Best friends and pet sisters

Snoozing, waiting for Santa

 Belle's 1st Christmas!

 Worn out from opening presents.

Seriously - they have slept all day! Oh, the life of a dog...

My December has been full of many blessings! Not to mention Christmas day, which was simply wonderful. Another post on that tomorrow, maybe!
Today is my Mom's birthday! We're going to see Silver Linings Playbook and then having dinner in Roanoke. I'm excited! Anyone seen that movie? Steven and his family are also heading home today. We still have to finish our gift exchange! Lots of fun :)
Have a wonderful day!