summer vacation, day 3

Friday was my last day of summer VPK. It was great! But not having to rush out of the house in the morning - fabulous! (even if it is only for 1 week).
So far I spent the 3 days going to dr appts (waiting in dr offices... for-ev-er!!) and doing a little bit of back to school prep.  Still so much to do.
Only 2 more days of vacation left.
Back to school on Monday, kids come on the 20th.  It's going to be busy!!

Where has the time gone????

Wow - my last post was over 2 weeks ago.  This summer has sped by sooo fast!.  This Friday is the last day of my summer VPK program.  It has been a great summer - I had a really great group of kids - AND - I got to teach all summer in my own room, that is awesome!!! (last 3 years, had to go to area daycares, not fun)
Anyway, 2 more days of VPK, then I have to get CRACKING on my room, oi vey!!
I have so much to do.
At least all my "back to school" centers are printed, cut and laminated and, I have to add, in labeled folders, organized in file totes :)

July is over, August is here
19 days til a new group of kids

Hope everyone has a great start to their year!!

Do I need it??

Okay teachers - I am here for more advice.
All this cute stuff on blogs/pinterest.  It seems like people have those electronic cutting machines.  So my question...do I need one? I'm not too crafty (yet?). If I do decide to drop 3 large bills (YIKES!!) do I go with the cricut expression or silhouette cameo.  Basically it seems like cartridges vs computer downloads.  Help me out here :)
Thanks!

planning question????

I am looking for some guidance here.  What better place to find the answer than blogland :)
So here's the deal.. I have purchased almost 1000 items from TpT (seriously! - teachers out there rock!) anywho, I am thinking about the first week of school.  With all my new stuff, where should I start?  I teach prek kids (special ed/reg ed inclusion ages 3-5) and I have total flexibility/control with planning/curriculum.  I have a bunch of back to school units (Julie lee, Deanna Jump, Rachelle Rosenblit, and a bunch of others).  I also have a bunch of name studies/activities, a ton of brown bear, chicka chicka boom boom and pete the cat stuff.
Part of me think go with names - BUT - will it make as much of an impression if they don't know their letters at all (very common!).  Do I start with Brown Bear/Pete to focus on colors (while integrating other stuff) than move on from there?
So many choices!  I cant imagine spending one week on a theme as I have seen on other blogs.
Thanks in advance for your input :)

What's Not Wrong Wednesdays

Hello there! :)
So here it is - Wednesday - and I am happily posting about what's not wrong. 
1. Summer VPK is going really well.  The kids are having fun and learning!  The time is flying by.  22 days done, 17 to go.  (I can hardly believe that school starts in less than 40 calendar days - YIKES!!!!!)

2. I upped my workout intensity today and yesterday (after a couple of months of majorly weak workouts due to feeling like a big pile of poop 24 hours a day).  Tomorrow I have a turbofire HIIT workout followed by Jillian Micheal's Body Revolution (wk 3).


On another note - I am bringing my new camera to work tomorrow to take some photos of my classroom. I (well,okay,  my husband) recently painted some old file cabinets ( a green one and a grey one) as well as a TV stand.  I forgot to take before pics, but I'm going to take some photos and port my pics - hopefully the crafty and creative people out there will give some thoughts/advice for  my room (planning/design/etc)

Wow - My first nomination :P

So, I have been nominated for the Lovely Blog award :)

Being my first nomination, um, I hope I do this right.

Rules:
There are 3 rules to follow when receiving this award:
1. Follow the person who gave you the award
2. Link back to the person that gave you the award
3. Pass the award on to 15 new bloggers


So number one - easy, done :)
Number two - (I'm not sure exactly how to link back - help,please!)
Number three - 15 new bloggers; I shall do my best...

Here are some of MY favorites (they may or may not be new - but definitely work looking at!)
1. Life is Sweet ... in Kindergarten
2. Kinderbabies
3. Miss Chamblees Kinderfriends
4. Sweet Life of Teaching
5. Mrs. Huffs Kinderblog
6. Kindergarten Khronicles

Okay - so 6 is nowhere near the 15 needed.  Hopefully effort counts :)  I tend to see the same blogs regularly - and I know all of those have gotten awards 10 times over.  I really like these and think you should take the time to visit - these ladies are fabulous!! 

So Sad!!

I, apparently, am one of 3 people who are NOT going to I Teach K in Vegas :(
I would love to go - but 1. I can't afford it, and 2. I work every summer teaching VPK.  I have been to I teach K - when it was on Orlando (about 4-5 years ago).  Why doesn't SDE switch coasts anymore - UGH!!!!!   I am hoping to attend the Florida K teachers conference in Nov.
Question - do you guys pay for everything yourself, or does your school help you out?? Right now, it looks like I have to fund all out of county training myself (which makes Vegas a no).  Just wondering...
To all of you going - have a great time and please blog about your favorite sessions/trainings :)