The One With The Small Group & A Party

State testing began today for my students.  It's going to be a long week.  Something I may never understand as a teacher is how administering a test can be so much more exhausting than teaching all day.   I came home absolutely exhausted today.  It's a good thing I don't have any lessons to plan for this week.

I'm testing a small group for the first time this year.  I'm reading the test for the first time this year.  We tested 1.5 hours longer than the other students today.  It made for a long morning.  But watching those sweet kids working so hard makes it all worth it.  

This test is what we work for all year.  Though I don't consider myself to be a teacher who solely teaches to the test, I do stress its importance to my students.  They know that this week is a pretty big deal.  

I've started taking things down in my room.  Normally I would just cover them up, but since this is my last year in this particular classroom I decided to just take it down.  It makes me sad.  I could only take down so much before my heart began to hurt. 

With that being said, I'm ready for the end of the school year.  I love my students, my coworkers, and my school.  They are my second family.  HG is my home away from home.

But as the saying goes, home is where your heart is.  and right now my heart lives in a different town.   I'm more than ready to live with my husband and our sweet furbabies again.  I'm ready to meet my new coworkers and start making QES my home.  

And there you go.  That's my whining for the day.  

Okay fellow teachers, can I be completely honest with you for a moment.  Eeh, I always try to be honest with you...even when it means sharing that a lab was an absolute flop.  

I shared with you a few post ago about a party I'm having just for us.  Obviously I really believe in the product.  That's why I'm an independent consultant.  I'm slowly adding to the organization of my classroom with Thirty-One products.  

I love how this teacher uses large utility totes to organizer her supplies. 

The Fold N' File is also a great way to help you get organized. 

If you haven't joined the party yet and started shopping, it's not to late.  You can check out our catalog here.

Of course don't forget about all the awesome giveaways I've got going.  These giveaways are just for you as a way to help some of you earn some more free products. 

One of you will earn hostess rights for this party.  That means you have the opportunity to earn FREE products, Hostess Exclusives Items, and 1/2 Price Items!

One of you will win FREE personalization on any one item.

One of you will win 10% of your order.

When you place an order online, you will automatically be entered to win one of three great offers.

It doesn't even stop there.  If you blog about our party and invite others to join the fun, you will be entered to win FREE personalization on any TWO items!  Be sure to leave me a comment with a link to your blog post.

I'm working on reaching a personal goal and moving forward in this business.  It would mean the world to me if you would join our party and do a little shopping.    And there's the honest truth.

I'm hoping you can help me reach my goal and I can help you with these giveaways.  

What do you say?  Team Work! 

The One With Random Thoughts!

Yay!  The party has started.  Michelle over at The Organized Senorita was our first guest.  Thank you Michelle for your order.  You are going to LOVE the organizing utility tote.  It makes the perfect school bag.   Don't let her have all the fun!  Come party with us!

Tomorrow is the last day before the big state test.  Thank goodness!  I'm so ready to be done with it.  I know my students are too.  They've worked hard all year long preparing for this week of test. They are ready!

I only have 38 days of school left.  It's bittersweet.  I'm so ready to move and live with my husband again.  I'm super excited to meet my new coworkers and see my new classroom.  But it also breaks my heart to think about leaving my friends at HG.  I'm going to miss them!

How many days do you have left?

I've been thinking about how nice it would be if next year I worked at a school where I could wear jeans every day.  Right now I can wear them on Friday, which I love.  I'm curious - Can you wear jeans every day, certain days of the week, never?  If you could wear jeans every day, would you?
I like dressing up.  But there are some days when I'd be happier in my jeans.

In 18 days, I leave with my friend/co-worker, two parents, and 32 7th-9th graders for California.  We are pumped!  Several are nervous about their first time flying.  They all hope to see someone famous in LA.  We are going to have a blast!!

The One With The Harry Potter Party

Occasionally I can be very stubborn.  There are a few things in life I refuse to do just to go against the grain.  Reading and watching anything Harry Potter related was one of those things until this school year.

I never really had a reason to not read the books or watch the movies.  I simply didn't want to.  This year I have G in my class. G is a big HP fan and immediately started trying to convince me that I needed to read the books.  I figured since I was challenging my students to step out of their comfort zone when it comes to genres, I probably should too.

I gave in and checked out the first book.  I read it.  I liked it.  I liked it a lot.

I've since read the second one and am planning to read number three soon.  When I received an email from scholastic saying J.K.Rowling was doing a webcast for students my interest was peeked.

It turns out it is this Thursday during my Pre AP English class, which G happens to be in.  Perfect.  I got in touch with our technology person and it looks like we should be able to do this.

The party planning began.  Any excuse for fun snacks.  I went to Pinterest of course and found several cute ideas.

I will be serving these Nimbus 2000s

Along with Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans (thanks to my brother).

We will also have the much needed wands.

Cauldron cakes & petit fours are a must simply because they are so yummy.  I'll post a picture of these soon.



To drink we will be having a special potion that changes colors when poured.  The color will determine your house since the Sorting Hat only works in Hogwarts.

My kids and I are super pumped about this.  I love a good party.