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5 for Friday & a FAB Spooky Freebie!

10/3/2014

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Don't Miss Out on the FREEBIE @ the End!


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S.T.E.M.agination Station: 
Hogwarts Academy After SChool Club

S.T.E.M.agination Station is the brainchild passion project that my #teachingtwin, Jenna Weinstein, and I created a year ago. It is hands-down the best move I've ever made as an educator and continues to amaze me every time we engage in an engineering challenge. Learn more about S.T.E.M.agination Station on our web page HERE. 

This year we added an after school club component to our  S.T.E.M.agination Station endeavors. Because we're both Potter dorks, we host "Hogwarts Academy"  every Monday after school through our PTO enrichment program. Students engage in Harry Potter-themed STEM projects each week and create a fun Potter-inspired snack, that usually involves STEM skills as well.  IT.IS.SO.MUCH.FUN.  I wouldn't lie. 

Call me a dork if you want...I'm in Hogwarts heaven, and the kids are, too. They have so much fun that they don't even realize they are engaging in complex science, math, technology, and engineering challenges. Stay tuned for more S.T.E.M.agination Station fun!

S.T.E.M.agination Station Buddy Program:
Build Rapunzel's Tower

On a weekly basis, we participate in STEM challenges with our Kindergarten buddy class. In our school, older classes pair with younger ones to build leadership and other skills. Each week we start with a classic tale and then create STEM challenges based on that tale. This week, we engaged in our first buddies STEM challenge: RAPUNZEL

After reading/watching the story, students had to build the tallest, free-standing Rapunzel tower using only dried spaghetti and marshmallows (both large and mini) to help the witch make a tower tall enough that no prince could rescue poor Rapunzel. The kiddos did SUCH a great job! I can't wait for next week......when we'll be building the strongest Rapunzel hair using only Pull-n-Peel Twizzlers!  Stay tuned for more S.T.E.M.agination Station fun!

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Anniversary Concert with Hubby

As you may have seen on Instagram or my Wordless Wednesday post, 10/1 was our 10 year anniversary! We took a glorious trip this summer to celebrate, but last weekend continued the celebration with a trip to downtown Chicago for the Black Keys concert.  Let me tell you, the concert ROCKED. I mean, it rocked HARD. I could NOT believe how amazing these guys from Ohio were live. If you EVER get the chance to see The Black Keys...TAKE IT!

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Dinner Before the Concert @ Eataly

As you can already tell, I'm ALL ABOUT FOOD. Seriously, I adore good food. Before the concert, we took the plunge and experienced all that Eataly has to offer....and then some. We will have to go back for sure...at least 2, or 3, or more times. Eataly is my food Mecca.  Just check out the photos below. From restaurant goodies, to their Italian market, it was beyond delish and made us feel like we were legit in Italy!
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Fresh Salads All Week & Meal Prep Post Update

I'm THRILLED that my salads-in-jars were so incredibly tasty and stayed fresh and crispy ALL.WEEK.LONG.  That's 5 days, peeps! I made them on Sunday evening and today at lunch my salad was still fresh as a daisy! I'll be writing a post on how to make them and my fave recipes soon.  Also....drumroll {b/c it's taken forever}....my make-ahead freezer meal post should be up either Saturday or Sunday!! YIPPEE!

Save the BEST for Last...YOUR FREEBIE!

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If you already follow me on TPT, THANK YOU...& you're about to receive a special treat! If you don't yet follow me on TPT, please do & then YOU can receive a special treat, too....and that's no trick! We can only send out 1 email per month, so follow me on TPT by Sunday @ midnight {technically Monday a.m.}. On Monday I'll blast out an email to all of my TPT followers with this custom designed owl silhouette Halloween notecard/art print. Just download, cut, and use as a card or frame and use for ghoulish decor!  THANKS & ENJOY!

GET THE COMPLETE SET FOR $3.00 ON TPT!

Click on the image below to see the product preview and details in my TPT store. 
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Wordless Wednesday: Black Keys Concert

9/23/2014

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It's been a while since I linked up with Miss DeCarbo for Wordless Wednesday, but figured I'd definitely make time this week because I'm COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS until I get to ROCK OUT with the Black Keys @ their United Center concert in Chicago! I LOVE this band, and have wanted to see them live for a while now.  Between work and little Gray.....it's been a while since I've been to a concert (If you are that busy, too, and times flies by...can I get a "HECK YEAH!"???), so I'm SERIOUSLY looking forward to some ear-ringing jams at the show! 

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HERE'S MY QUESTION: WHEN was the last concert you rocked and WHO was the band (or solo artist)??!?!
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Wordless Wednesday: My Erin Condren Planners Arrived!

9/10/2014

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I'm linking up with Miss DeCarbo for Wordless Wednesday because my special delivery today (#erincondren planners) left me SPEECHLESS...and that's difficult to do!
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Erin Condren Planners: Need I say More?!?!

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I've obsessed, pondered, and hemmed and hawed over Erin Condren planners for years...
This year, I finally took the plunge and purchased both the Life Planner and Teacher Planner because I had a discount coupon and figured...WHY NOT?!?!?!  These make me giddy, tingly, and down right ecstatic. I'm SWOONING over every detail and cannot wait to write an 
in-depth post about the product details and how I'm customizing and using my planners. 

To be honest....I'm NERVOUS.  Nervous about writing in them, making a mistake, scratching the cover, etc. etc. etc. I'm weird that way! Ask my sister, I used to dress my dolls and line them up on my bed.  I'm sure I'll get over it, but my question this week for all of you is 2-fold: 

1) Do you have teacher planner obsession?
2) Do you get Nervous about digging into your planner? (#perfectionist  #obsessing  #ridiculous)


**PSSSST: WANT $10 OFF OF A PLANNER OF YOUR OWN?**

If so, use THIS LINK for your instant discount!!

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Teacher Mama Volunteers: Wordless Wednesday

8/13/2014

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As teachers, WE are always the ones planning, coordinating, running, and cleaning up at school events. Being a first-time mom, it's always so exciting {and SUPER surreal} for ME to be the parent volunteer at Grayson's school. I-LOVE-IT!! I find it's always great to have multiple perspectives, and now being able to speak with and relate to my students' parents as BOTH a parent and a teacher is unbelievably life-changing and valuable!

I've enjoyed volunteering at Gray's Mother's Day tea, Little Chef's exploration day (where I created chef-themed centers & volunteered in his room), and this week at his end-of-summer carnival. They were all incredibly fun experiences and I LOVE interacting with the ADORABLE kiddos in his class. More importantly, it forms a great bond between Grayson, his fabulous teachers, and myself.

QUESTION: Are you ever able to serve as the PARENT VOLUNTEER instead of always playing the role of the teacher?  If so, what have been YOUR favorite parent volunteer events?  Class parties? Field trips? Story time?  PLEASE SHARE!
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Wordless Wednesday: Back 2 School Tunes

8/6/2014

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// Pump Up the Jams //

It's back to school time again, and between summer ending, classroom setup, meetings, planning, and buying WAAAAAY to much in craft stores, Wal-mart, and TPT for my new school year I need a rockin' play list to "get in the groove" of back to school. I'm linking up with 2nd Grade Sugar & Spice to share my B2S playlist for Wordless Wednesday! Lollapalooza just ended in Chicago, so right now, I'm jamming to a mix of songs from past and present Lolla bands that I love.  
On the playlist:
  • Out of My League by Fitz & the Tantrums
  • Come With Me Now by KONGOS
  • Tongue Tied by Grouplove
  • Fever by The Black Keys (CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THEM LIVE IN SEPTEMBER!!!)

// What's on YOUR B2S Playlist?? //

Share your fave B2S jams below!  I'd love to add some new titles from you to my playlist!
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