Pinkalicious

I was looking back through some pictures of last year and this post is another flashback from last school year. To kick off our school's book fair, each teacher selected a book. The teachers decorated their classroom door to represent their selected book. My class choose the book, Pinkalicious, by Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann. Some parents asked my why I selected this book (I know they thought that the boys would have never liked this book). To tell the truth ALL of my students loved this book and there is a little brother in the book too. : ) 

In the book the little girl eats too many pink cupcakes and turns pink. Then she must eat green vegetables to return back to normal. I also used this book to incorporate good eating and nutrition activities, which was perfect because it was the week of Halloween. 

For our craft my students made pink cupcakes. The paint was puffy paint I made from equal parts shaving cream and Elmer's glue. Then I added a touch of red paint. The students sprinkled on real sprinkles!! This craft was a hit!

If You Take A Mouse to the Movies

This post is of an activity from last year. At my last school, each month the whole school participated in a writing contest and the winner's writing piece was displayed in the hallway outside the office (needless to say, it was a BIG deal!). My class read Laura Numeroff's book, If You Take a Mouse to the Movies. Then the students completed the writing prompt and added their mouse to hold their writing. 

Adding Machine

During one of my daily visits to Pinterest, I found a very neat Adding Machine from the blog: Mothering With Creativity. I had some extra room on my Calendar bulletin board and decided to give it a whirl. I created mine using clear plastic cups, which I cut the bottom out of, red paper for the tubing, and push pins. Instead of marbles, I use my counting bears. I added a ten frame and dots that can be attached with velcro, so my students could add using the ten frame. I also decided to create addition problems using sentence strips and velcro on the bulletin board. I think it turned out pretty well and the students really love it. 

My Adding Machine is on the left. 

September: Time for Apples!

It seems that I always have a theme to go along with each month's crafts and activities. For the month of September the theme is apples. My class studies the parts of the apple, sequencing the life cycle of an apple, seasons of the apple tree, Johnny Appleseed, apple tasting, and we even made applesauce. 

I love using my students' artwork as seasonal decorations in my classroom. Last year, I really enjoyed coming up with a new craft for my windows each season. For September we created sun catcher apples. I created a red apple frame and using contact paper, my students created these fabulous apples with tissue paper squares. 

After tasting three different kinds of apples, my students created an apple tasting graph, selecting their favorite apple.

I brought in my Crocpot and we created our very own applesauce. The students loved reading the recipe and measuring all of the ingredients. I must say it was delicious!!

No David- Classroom Rules

For the first week of school we went over our classroom rules. I read the No David book, which the students loved. After reading the books we described the traits of a good student. I got this idea from the Blog: Welcome to Room 36. Then the class made their own Davids to hang in the classroom with our Good Student Poster. I loved this activity so much, I left them up till October. 

10 Baby Items a New Mom cannot Live Without

Well, it has been awhile since I have had a post. I was busy having a baby and taking care of the little man. What a wonderful, life changing experience it is becoming a mother. Over the past two months there have been several items that I could not live without. Having several friends who are also expecting new little blessings soon, who have asked what would be the best items to register for, I decided there might be other moms asking this too. I thought I would make a list of items that have made life with a new baby much easier. 

1. Graco Pack 'n Play Napper Elite
   
   
   
   This playpen is not your ordinary pack 'n play. This model has great features that will grow with baby, including a changing table, bassinet, side storage, vibration, and it will also adjust into the traditional pack 'n play. We decided to keep this pack 'n play downstairs so we would not be running up and down the steps for naps and diaper changes. For the first few weeks this napper was a lifesaver. This bassinet was the only place my little man would sleep. I think he liked to be cozy and snuggled tight. It is also very helpful to have a changing station handy for late night diaper changes.
   
   
   The Napper can be found on Amazon, here. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Graco UrbanLite Classic Connect Travel System 
   
   
                     
   After three weeks of sitting at home, I was trying so hard to abide by the doctor's orders and not take Liam out and about, but I was going crazy. This travel system was a lifesaver. We started taking a walk just about everyday (sometimes twice a day). I not only love the look of the stroller and carseat, but it is super functional too. 
   
   
   The travel system can be found on Amazon, here. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Boppy Pillow 
   
   
   
   This Boppy pillow is a vital necessity for a nursing mother. It helps me ergonomically position   baby during feedings, allowing both baby and mommy to be comfortable (which is essential since you spend about 8 hrs a day feeding). This pillow also is great to prop up baby after feedings. I bought an extra slipcover to have an extra on hand for the unforeseeable accidents and spills. 
   
   
   It can be found at Target, here. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Carter's Swaddle Blankets 
   
   
    
   Since everyone says that babies have to be swaddled when sleeping, we tried every swaddle blanket possible. We found out that good old fashion receiving blankets were the best for our little man. These particular blankets are Carter's swaddle blankets and have been our favorite. 
   Also helpful is mastering the art of swaddling. Here is a video that might be worthwhile to watch.  
   
   
   These blankets can be found at Kohls, here. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Medela Pump and Style Breast Pump 
   
   
   
   Not much needs to be said about this breast pump, it is simply the best. The lactation specialists at the hospital said that this was the pump to get and I agree that it has been very helpful and super easy to use. 
   (I also had some trouble with my pump's plug not working. I called the costumer service department and they replaced my plug at no cost to me and it was at my house in one day) 
   
   
   This pump can be bought at Medela, here.
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Infantino Go GaGa Deluxe Twist and Fold Gym 
   
   
    
   My little guy loves laying under this fun and interactive play gym. It has a musical Mobile, mirror, plush animals, and is super cute. 
   
   
   This play yard can be bought at Target, here. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. Graco Duo 2 in 1 Swing 
   
   
    
   What I love about this swing is that it also turns into a bouncy chair, saving me space in my house (which is much needed when your home is taken over by baby gear). The swing has different speeds, music, and a timer. By just the squeezing the handles, the chair lifts out and can be used as a bouncy chair with 3 vibrating speeds. 
   
   
   This swing can be found here. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
8. Zip-up Sleepers 
   
   
   
   
   
   At first I was not a fan of the zipper, but I quickly found out that these are the most convenient sleepers (especially for midnight diaper changes). 
   
   
   These Carter's zip-up sleep and play sleepers can be found here. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
9. Sound Machine 
   
   
   
   This little sound machine is very helpful for getting our little man to sleep at night. It plays three soothing nature sounds and three gentle lullabies, as well as a rotating projector that includes three image disks that can be adjusted to project on the ceiling or wall. 
   
   
   The MyBaby by Homedics Sound Spa-Lullaby Relaxation Machine is sold at Target, here.
   
   
   
   
   
   
10. Boppy Changing Pad Covers 
    
    
     
    A friend introduced me to these changing pad liners and at first, I thought that they were not necessary, but I soon began to see the usefulness of these liners. Instead of having to take off your changing pad cover every time you baby has an accident (which will happen often, especially if you have a little boy), you can just take the liner and throw it in the wash. I would suggest buying at least two packages of these pad liners, which will still save you money because you won't need numerous changing pad covers. 
    
    
    The Boppy Changing Pad Covers are sold at Wal-Mart, here. 

My new discovery: Project Life

 I know that my little guy is already a month old, but I have still not found "the" baby book. (I know, "how could I have waited so longIt is not that I have not looked. I have searched everywhere looking for the perfect baby book for my new little man.  Since I am such a perfectionist I kept waiting for the ideal book and have just been placing his keepsakes, paperwork, and notes into a box. While searching Pinterset I found Ali Edward's Baby Book, which can be viewed here. I just fell in love with Ali's book because she was able to place all of her little girl's keepsakes into one book, including her first onesie, hat, and hospital wrist band. Ali used a new type of scrapbooking called Project Life. I have noticed this new trend in scrapbooking all over Pinterset. So, of course I had to research and find out everything I could about this new simplified approach to scrapbooking. Project Life allows you to let go of the guilt of keeping track of each picture, memeory, and page completion. It is a easier approach to scrapbooking that was created to simplify the process in order to allow you more time to enjoy life. It requires no glue, no scissors, no tools, and can be completed in half the time of traditional scrapbooking. You can always add your own twist on each layout and incorporate some traditional scrapbooking elements, but they are not required. Basically, the pages are designed like a photo album with pre-arranged photo pockets for you to place pictures, journaling cards, and other bits of life. 

I finally decided that this was the perfect baby book for Liam and I ordered everything from Amazon. I was so excited today when I had an Amazon box on the front porch! 

Here is what I ordered:

Project Life Starter Kit

Project Life Core Kit- Baby Edition for Him

Project Life Pack of Photo Pocket Pages and Month Dividers -Baby Edition for Him

Project Life Photo Album Binder- Seafoam Edition

Now I can't wait to get started on Liam's baby book. (I need to get going before I forget things)

Hopefully I will have future posts of my progress. : )