Friday Photos 31: My Classroom Under the Sea

To begin my 11th year of teaching, I decided to finally get a theme going in my classroom. Usually it just looks like a rainbow exploded, and while it's still very (I can't help it) colorful, it's also focused on the ocean. 

My classroom library has always been decorated like a beach ('cause who doesn't love reading with their toes in the sand?), but this year I added the fishing net with sea life to the ceiling.

A few years ago, a group of my students' parents decorated and donated an adorable "Polar Express" desk for my classroom. But after some wear & tear over the years, it was in need of a boost. I decided to redecorate it with the ocean theme in mind. A little decoupage & hot glue later...

I also extended the theme out into the hallway with this bulletin board:

More pictures to come as I add sand dollars and starfish aplenty. Here's hoping the school year goes "swimmingly"!

UPDATE: So the ocean theme has gotten a little deeper (see what I did there?). For our class jobs, I made a "Dollars for Dollars" display with sand dollars that have the positions written on them. 

I also found some really inexpensive, cute, blue fish curtains on Amazon to give the room even more of an under-the-sea feeling.

I bought some ocean creature party favors to hang from the ceiling for our table numbers (I also bought some address number stickers from Home Depot to put on them). 

Our word wall letters have fish for the consonants and starfish for the vowels, which I found at our local Parent Teacher Store.

At Open House, I asked parents to write a "fish wish" note for the first day of school and had those sitting on the students' tables when they arrived in the morning.

So basically, I'm loving the ocean theme. I'd eventually like to order a large area rug that fits with it as well. I also saw an adorable "Reader's Reef" reading strategy board on Pinterest that might have to make its way into my room one day. But for now, I have to say we're floating along pretty well.

Tip Tuesday 9: I've Got You Covered

Are you looking for a new case for your smart phone (that's cute & monogrammed)? I've got you covered. Well actually, Etsy has you covered.

Yesterday I came home to find this precious cargo had been delivered:

I'm in love! Thanks to EmbellishCases I was able to find this black & chevron "tough case" for my iPhone, personalized with a red circle and monogram font to my heart's desire.

I'd also like to give a shout out to BeeCovered, where my friend Julie got her precious phone cover.

Both sites offer adorable monogrammed cases at reasonable prices! Of course Etsy has many other similar stores on their site. If you have any good sites for phone covers you'd recommend, please let me know and I'll share them here!

Friday Photos 30: You Are My Sunshine

On Sunday we were able to celebrate our little McNugget's 1st birthday. The weather could not have been better, the decorations were beyond precious, and the little lady was all smiles. In other words, it was the perfect 1st birthday party!

She really is our little sunshine!

Tip Tuesday 8: T-Shirt Shenanigans

So last Monday night, this happened:

That's right. We (the Sparkle Sisters) represented our love for JT at Soldier Field in these awesome hand-crafted t-shirts. I mean, if he was going to notice us, we had to do something to stand out, right? Neon, blinging, off-the-shoulder shirts seemed like the answer.

Regardless of how ridiculous we looked, we had as great a time in the shirts as we did making them. If you've never used iron-on materials to make a shirt, I totally recommend it. So easy and fun!

We went to our local craft store and picked out our $4.00 shirts, a pack of colorful glitter iron-on paper, and 2 packs of iron-on letters. We followed the directions on the packs of iron-on materials and were able to create these cuties:

But we didn't stop there. I found a tutorial video on YouTube which helped us to make our shirts off-the-shoulder & look distressed.

So basically, now we want to quit our teaching jobs and open a t-shirt business. But seriously, the possibilities are endless with iron-ons & off-the-shoulder shirts! Turn a blank shirt into your own personal message board...take that old t-shirt in your drawer to a new level with a few snips of your scissors. Do your wardrobe a favor and get craftin'.

Friday Photos 29: Chicago

On Wednesday I returned from a fabulous 4-day vacation in Chicago. It had been 9 years since I'd last visited the Windy City, so needless to say it was long overdue. 

While our main reason for going was to see our man Justin Timberlake in concert with Jay Z, my friend Jenny and I did manage to squeeze in some shopping, walking along Navy Pier, and a White Sox game. Here are some of my fave photos from our visit to Chi-town:

I'm happy to be home, but I'm already thinking about when I can get back to the fine city of Chicago. It was a great way to wrap up my sweet Summer.

Friday Photos 28: The Best Year

I really feel like it wasn't that long ago that I was writing this post about my McNugget's first week of life. And yet, here we are, just 3 days away from her 1st birthday. It is not hyperbole when I say that this has been the best year of my life. 

I fell in love with my sweet niece the instant I held her, and I fall in love all over again each time I see her. 

It has been a true joy watching her grow and change these past 12 months...

1 month old: We were already BFFs.

2 months old: The first time she smiled at me.

3 months old: She didn't quite have her shopping stamina yet.

I knew she had to have these purple sequin cat ears for her first Halloween.

4 months old: She had some serious conversations with Sophie the Giraffe.

5 months old: She loved her penguin onesie & her daddy-daughter time.

Santa said she was on the "very nice" list for her first Christmas.

6 months old: She learned how fun a snow day with Aunt Jackie could be...and we learned just how photogenic she really is.

Kriech-Higdon Photography

Cupid was good to my little Valentine on her first V-Day.

7 months old: She really started rocking some hair bows.

She was a lucky little leprechaun on her first St. Patrick's Day, wearing the first item of clothing I ever bought for her.

8 months old: She got to witness the Cards make it to the Final Four while we vacationed in Gatlinburg.

9 months old: We celebrated her first Derby Day at the Cafe.

10 months old: She loved eating beats & watermelon.

11 months old: She showed what a big deal she really is, starting to stand up on her own.

I have loved getting to know my little McNugget over the past year. I love how goofy she is. There's no doubt she's one of us.

I love that she's a little fashionista already. She has a matching bow for every outfit.

I love how she knows what she wants and isn't afraid to tell us, with a pointing finger, with a grunt, or by saying "nummy nummy nummy" over and over again.

I love how ticklish she is and how she laughs so hard she makes herself have the hiccups.

I love that she's already a Cardinal fan and that she refused to sleep the night of the basketball championship like she knew that they were going to win it.

I love that she loves to dance. "Wobble" is her favorite song and she will stop whatever she is doing when you sing it and start to drop it down.

I love that people thinks she looks like me. I will never get tired of hearing it. 

I love how she smiles with her whole face, squishing up her nose and squinting her eyes almost shut.

I love that she loves the water, whether it's her bath, the lake, or a pool. Again, there's no doubt that she's one of us.

I love that she knows how to pray, and then claps for herself after she does it. I love that when you ask her about her "brother" (Pete the pug), she squishes up her face and snorts just like him.

Is there anything I don't love about my McNugget? Just one. I don't love how her first year has flown by. Though it has taught me to cherish every moment I get to spend with her. 

It has been the best year of my life, and I know that whatever else may happen, getting to be her aunt means there are many, many more wonderful years to come.