crayon pumpkins

so, i saw this several places on pinterest.  the ones i read used artificial pumpkins- which to be honest i wish we would have.  these turned out so awesome that i wish the kids could keep them!  we used the pumpkins we picked on our field trip to the pumpkin patch. 

simple craft that looks super cool!  we peeled the labels off of old crayons.  my super-duper awesome assistant and i hot glued the crayons onto the pumpkins.  we had the students decide which colors and what order they wanted them.  we used this time to review colors of course! then we discussed solids turning into liquid ....that's right, i tried to throw a little science into the mix of this craft :)  we helped the students melt the crayons with hair dryers.........it was awesome!

 side note- how cool does the inside of this box look? 

happy halloween!

f.i.v.e.

it happens so quickly.  one day you're sitting in the hospital holding your new bundle of love, the next day he's 5.  one of my very best friends welcomed her daughter, eliza into the world this week.  pictures of her sweet baby girl bring me back five years ago today- when i had will christopher.  he is silly and he is sweet.  he's shy yet confident.  he is smart and he is simply adorable.  my favorite thing about him?  he's cuddly and this kid loves his mama.  (i always like that in a kid!)

like his first birthday- we had a halloween themed party today.  his friends dressed in their costumes and bounced like crazy! 

 see what i mean about how adorable he is?

 little sister and big brother ready for will's birthday party!

annie found her daddy warbucks......sweet cole.  is this the funniest costume or what?

thank you to all of those who came out to help celebrate will's birthday.  he had the best day!  thank you to all of you who called and sang and loved my boy.  happy 5th birthday will, my sweet pumpkin.

preschool snacks

clearly i am still adjusting to the schedule of my new preschool job!  if you are one of the people i used to chat with on the phone........i'm sorry!  seriously- i leave school exhausted!  i have one short hour to snuggle my girl and eat lunch before it's time to get jack from school!  i try really hard to use the time after school to enjoy the kiddies.  this means without my phone of course!  another area i have put aside is this poor little blog.  i think i can do better......but, we shall see. 

my preschool lesson plans have been all book-based.  each week we focus on a new book and i create activities to go along with the stories.  i have been stalking pinterest of course and teachers pay teachers.  both have been SO helpful!

on fridays- we like to "make" our snack together.  i want to share a few of the things we've made!  here's to fun fridays!!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar:

 what this picture does not show is that i cut a hole (with a straw) in every item.......for 17 kids.....not my BEST idea ever :)

 Chicka Chicka Boom Boom snack:

 they used alpha bits cereal as the a,b,c's going up their trees!

 Green Eggs and Ham:

we also made Pete the Cat, I Love My White Shoes smoothies- with strawberries and blueberries.  we like to play with our food in preschool!

renee's giveaway

i am so proud of my friend renee.  when she moved to nc she was worried about how her life was going to be.  let me tell you- my girl has found her way.  she has made wonderful friends, created an awesome blog, just completed a 10K (for a girl who just started running a few years ago) and has been published....again.  all of this while being a super great mom and wife.  renee is having a giveaway- it's the perfect time to check out her new blog: barefoot walks! enjoy!!

lucky #7

i'm not sure how it happened, however my little jack turned 7 this month.  7. it just sounds old!  he is still super cute, just a little cooler.  he is kind and friendly and smart.  i could not be more proud to be his mom.  i just still can't believe he's 7!!!

he was crazy over the olympics this summer.  as he watched the swimmers with amazement we reminded him that four years ago we pulled his little three year old self out of bed to watch michael phelps swim :)  he wanted an olympic themed party at the local roller skating rink.  so- that's exactly what we did!  here is a little peek into his party:

 the cupcake toppers were free printables from mirabelle designs.  super cute!  i just mounted them on colored circles.

  jack wanted his guests to get gold medals for all of their hard work!

jack even has a REAL london olympic shirt from jasmine and dr. dan!  he was pretty proud of that too!

even little sister loved skating. 

happy birthday jack b.  xo

the new room!

 SO??!!??  what do you think?  here are the after shots of my new preschool classroom!  i decided on a super hero theme......which is working out perfectly- since the class is made up of 14 boys (yes, you read that correctly) and 3 little girls. 

 this city is what my little super heroes pass each morning to enter our room.  miss jenny was SO kind and creative to make this.  i L.O.V.E. it!! 

this face right here is the BEST thing about my new job.  i get to spend four days a week teaching this handsome boy.  it's so great seeing him with his buddies.  some days he needs an extra hug- you know it can be hard sharing your mama with everyone......but he's doing great!  i have a wonderful assistant who takes good care of mr. will. i am still adjusting to this thing called a j-o-b!  it's been seven years since i last taught.  but like i said before- those 14 boys are not taking it easy on me :)  i've had to jump right in! 

a new job

(ok, so i wrote this post a few weeks ago.....but here it is!)

i realize my posts have been very slim this summer.  while we were on our wonderful beach vacation the possibility of another job was in consideration.  after much thought and prayer i decided i would interview for a pre-k teaching position.  after several interviews i was offered the job and have accepted it!  i am so looking forward to this new chapter in our lives.  it's only part-time so i will still be able to spend lots and lots of time with my little ones.  i actually get to spend the entire day with my middle one- he's in my class:) 

my new challenge:  turn this room into a wonderful space!

i have seen this room in it's prime- full of love, artwork and giggling children.  classrooms always look sad in the summer:)  it's my goal to bring these walls back to life.  i've been working hard- with the help of some friends of course!  these are the before pictures.....i'm hoping the "after" shots will come next week!!

as for my sweet etsy shop- i believe it's the right decision to keep it closed for now.  i can't balance both jobs with enough time for my children.  i plan to continue writing blog posts- hopefully with tips for preschoolers!