a mix of things...

first:
quick dog bed tutorial, per request.
i'm not fancy.
so this is wildly simple...

1. buy two different heavy fleece fabrics (i bought .875 yards of each and it was enough for two dogs beds for a 30... should be 25... pound dog). never buy it on sale-joann has an app that gives coupons!
2. simply sew them together (and obviously, leave an opening to put stuffing in) and stuff, then hand sew the edge shut! i'm sure there are more complicated ways to make it happen, but i did super easy style and it words great.  i just make sure to buy stuffing that is not the softest, so it'll last longer.

second:
the pictures of the math program for school:

third:
i'm going to actually make creative foods again. on the docket for this week:
-fish tacos.
-shrimp and spinach angel hair pasta.
i'll be sure and update as to how they go.

i feel like i'm getting back into the real world, with grad school a-l-m-o-s-t over. hallelujah!

back to school, back to school.

i am PUMPED for the new school year.
for many reasons.

1. i love school.

2. i love teaching.

3. i love kids.

4. i love what i'm teaching.

what am i teaching?
daily five.
FAST phonics.
science, social studies, and my own made up math!

i finally have more details on this.

here's how i'm going to implement:

-first, i'll be easing into it just like daily five, with 3 minute practices to start, model the correct and incorrect behavior, etc.

-second, here's my schedule: rocking chair area: 5 minutes (practice counting, patterns, writing date, etc.). then, introduce new concept with something tactile and fun.  then, back to seats for 15 minutes with new concept through game or activity. during this time, they'll be detectives (and have badges). then, they'll choose what they'd like to go to (to be written in my chart in a binder, students choose 2 centers a day for 10-15 minutes each).

-third, students that i'm pulling to work with will only get one center that day. obviously, they have to do every center before doing one again.

-fourth, centers will be added to on Thursdays.

-fifth, to close, something written for about 10 minutes.

total time: about an hour (5 to review, 5 to introduce new concept, 15 to practice new concept whole group, 20-30 for two centers, 10 minutes to review and wrap up)

here are the centers i'm going to start with this year:

-Buddy games: dice addition—you and a partner throw dice and add the two numbers together on whiteboards, writing the number sentences in two different ways

-All About Numbers: Math flashcards, writing numbers from 1-however high you can in rainbow on paper

-Solving Mysteries: Draw the room (looking for squares or circles), draw out simple story problems on paper to come up with answers

-Exploring manipulatives: Make patterns with pattern blocks, counting pennies

so there you have it!

i have set up my area already, but forgot to take pictures. i'll add those later.

photo shoot.

matt and i were models for a day.

and it was insanely fun.

check out a few of our baby bump session!

i'm a bit obsessed with them.

they're copyrighted, i feel obligated to say. 

we borrowed a house.

kind of like "we bought a zoo"... anyone?

it's true, though.

we're borrowing a house for the year. and it's not awful.

by not awful i mean incredible.

take a peek at a few of the finished areas 

(i haven't completely put together the living room, baby room, or our room).

 our screened in porch...

 a backyard! 

 my crafting area.

 our kitchen. 

 the ping pong table room.

the basement mancave-ish area.

bailey's bed i made yesterday 

(for record prices--got all the supplies for two dog beds for $10! the joann fabric app for iphone is incredible--tons of coupons!)

 top 10 lessons i've learned about being in a house:

1. it can be overwhelming to have so much space.

2. three bathrooms is a lot of toilet paper.

3. cleaning is going to have to be constant.

4. try not to use air conditioning to save money.

5. bailey wants to be outside constantly.

6. fill up extra rooms with baby things.

7. trash gets gross (gross is an understatement) after a week of accumulating before pickup when you first move in and have a lot of trash...

8. when watering grass, set a timer to know when to shut the sprinkler off.

9. comcast is the worst.

10. garages are great, but difficult to maneuver for those who are afraid of backing cars up (that would be me.)

so, that's that! we're in a house and loving life.

the plan: use the space as wisely as possible by having friends over as frequently as possible.

i have a feeling this year will be bringing a lot of baked goods and dinners, with that kitchen!

my short term sabbatical.

it's true.
i'm on a blog sabbatical.
i'll be back... after i'm done moving, finishing grad school, finishing tutoring, and getting ready for the school year.
so expect me back in two weeks or so, and for those of you who are anxiously waiting each post (kidding, i don't think there's anyone out there like that. though if there is, hey-yo... this is for you!)... i'll make it a good one.

joy to the world.
my crazy summer is almost finished!