It's CURRENTLY July!

It's July!  That's crazy!  Only 5 more weeks until school starts back here....now THAT'S crazy!!  Today I'm joining up with Farley from Oh' Boy 4th Grade for her July Currently...

Listening:  My kids discovered the movie "The Emperor's New Groove" this morning.  They missed this movie the first time around and can't get enough of it this morning.  I think they have the right idea on this dreary, rainy day!  It's a great day for snuggles, blankets, snacks and movie watching!

Loving:  For the past 3 weeks I have been teaching at Camp TLC.  This is a 3 hour camp that goes on 3 days a week during the summer.  The camp is for students in my school district that have autism.  This is my first year to work the camp and I have to say that I have had a really great time.  We have time for morning work, social skills lessons, sensory, art/crafts, gross motor play, snack (that the kids help make), and a weekly field trip.  If you follow me on Instagram you can see some of the fun we have been having at camp!  And if you don't follow...well what are you waiting for?  Go to instagram.com/mrshsresourceroom!  

Week 1: Camp Theme  

We went on a nature hike, ate smores trail mix and painted with marshmallows!

Week 2:  Beach Theme

Beach themed cupcakes and sand painting (the sand was actually made from colored salt that we made ourselves) rounded out this fun week!

Week 3:  Happy 4th of July Week

This week is all about being Star-Spangled!

Thinking:  I can't quit thinking about school.  I think working camp has kept me in the school mode this summer.  I have some really great ideas swirling around in my brain and have already created a few things for some of my students for next year that I can't wait to share with them and their parents. I also am excited about some new additions to our staff!  We will have an even more amazing special ed staff next year!!! 

Wanting:  Although, this rainy day is enjoyable, I'm ready for an all day hot, sunshin-y day!

Needing:  I need to clean the kitchen.  Meh!

All Star:  I am an all star collaborator!  :)  One of the best parts of my job is to be able to collaborate with others.  Parents, teachers, administration, and my blogging friends are all people that I get to collaborate with.  These people keep ideas flowing through my mind constantly! 

So, for now...I hope you are having a wonderful summer break!  Remember to come right back here every Sunday for the Special Ed Summer Blog Hop!!

March Currently

Linking up tonight with Farley!  Goodbye cold, snowy winter!!  Hello Spring!!!

Listening:  My kids love the Food Network.  They would rather watch cooking shows over cartoons any day.  This mama is OK with that!! We have Guy's Grocery Games, Cupcake Wars and Chopped DVRed weekly!  

Loving:  I love Sundays!  I love our church and getting filled up for the week!  Today's sermon was about being happy in your life (marriage, single life, work, health, etc, etc).  It was a great reminder to be happy and present in this season of life.  

Thinking:  I have something exciting in the works.  Actually...a couple somethings!  I can't wait to share with you all, but not quite yet!

Wanting:  Starbucks!  I think I say this every month, but I love, love skinny vanilla lattes!

Needing:  Laundry!  Boooooo!! Why are those laundry piles non-stop?  

Spring Break Plans:  We are contemplating doing an in-state stay-cation.  Kentucky has some awesome places to visit and I can't wait for my kids to see the beautiful nature of the Bluegrass!

Happy March!!!

Kim

Currently January

I'm linking up with Farley from Oh' Boy 4th Grade for the year's first Currently of 2015!

Listening:  So quiet this morning!  I'm just siting here enjoying my Starbucks from my own coffee pot and reveling in the peace.  It's not often that it is quiet around here, so a little solitude is nice.

Loving:  I love breaks!  Winter break, Fall Break, Spring Break, Summer Break...I love them all!! I never want breaks to end. :)

Thinking:  I have been so productive this break.  I have taken a huge load of toys to Goodwill, cleaned out the kids toy room, moved Barrett to a new bedroom, and purged tons of trash, yet the Christmas trees are still up and the decorations are still out.  Oh well!  I enjoy having the house decorated and it is so empty when it is gone.  It's bad luck to take down the decorations before the New Year, right?

Wanting:  A few more days off...:)  See above!

Needing:  I have plans for the room that I cleaned and emptied!  A new office/craft room!  Joe is going to build me a huge craft table.  We have the plans and measurements, now just to get the materials and get to work!

Yes:  I will stay on a budget!  I am going to miss eating out :(  I will love saving money!

Maybe:  I will meal plan.  Of course I will meal plan, I started strong with this last year, but really slacked off :(  My plan is to save money and stick to a budget...to do this, I will have to plan our meals.  Here's to starting over...

I wish:  I honestly couldn't think of something I was wishing for...

I guess I just wish that I can stay committed to what I set out to do this year.

December Currently

December's Currently with Farley is here!  The best part is that I am actually do it on December 1!  What?! It's a Christmas miracle!

Listening:  The kids are in the living room with me watching the Disney Channel.  It's not my pick of shows to watch, but I guess it is better than Spongebob!

Loving:  We have had our Christmas trees up for about 2 weeks now.  I absolutely love this time of year and sitting in the dark and just admiring the Christmas tree.  So beautiful!

Thinking:  I have a lot on my mind.  School, Christmas shopping, a packed holiday schedule,  a sick kiddo, several meetings before Christmas break...it's hard to shut my mind down right now.

Wanting:  You know that peaceful feeling of sitting and looking at the Christmas tree I mentioned earlier?  Now would be a good time for that!

Needing:  I need to get the move on with some Christmas shopping!  Nothing like waiting around!

Giving:  Just because we all need a laugh this time of year ;)

October Currently

Don't judge...but I may be 9 days late to Farley's Currently this month...
Better late than never, right?  I have been enjoying Fall Break this week.  It has been a week full of relaxing and doing nothing.  Sometimes you just need a week like that!

Here is October's Currently:

Listening:  I love all things Halloween!  This is my favorite time of year!  Halloween Wars on Food Network is something we can all watch together here and everyone loves it.  I am amazed by the food artists that make the amazing and scary sculptures out of pumpkins, sugar, and cake!  So awesome!!

Loving:  Fall Break!  This week always comes at the perfect time.  We are far enough into school now to feel the stress of the daily grind and everyone is in need of some refreshing time.  I love my job, but I needed this week just to be able to get back to being relaxed and let go of the burnout that comes at the beginning of the year! 

Thinking:  I "need" to make a Costco run.  Well, actually the hubby is telling me that he wants to, so how can I say no to that?!  

Wanting:  It is cold...I need coffee. Period! :)

Needing:  I need to prepare for next week back to school.  Hmmm...maybe later!

TREAT!

Fall Skip Counting Puzzles are now FREE!  

Click the pic to go to my TPT store

Happy October!!

September Currently

It's September...already!  Labor Day is here, we've already been in school for 3 weeks, and routines are almost established.  Wow!  Where did August go?

I'm joining Farley from Oh Boy 3rd Grade for the monthly Currently! :)

Listening:  Any moment that I get to have the TV remote to myself, you can guarantee that I will be watching the Today Show (if it is morning) or HGTV.  I love having a weekday off so I can watch the Today Show.  My favorite part is Kathie Lee and Hoda, so I better hurry and post this so I don't miss any of their segment! :)

Loving:  I love my kids and I also love that they are old enough to take care of themselves.  I enjoy that they both can get up and fix their own breakfast, find something to do to stay entertained for a while, and get themselves up and ready to go in the mornings.  Sure,  I sometimes miss their baby days and there are times (everyday) when they need their mom, but I am thankful that they can be independent and not need me every second of the day.  I am blessed with great kids!

Thinking:  You know that routine I mentioned at the beginning of this post?  Well, it is slowly starting to get back together.  The beginning of a school year is tough around this house as I learn my new schedule at school all while learning my kids new schedules too.  Football, band, running, church, academic team, doctors appointments all have to be scheduled in the after school hours again and sometimes fitting everything in after 3:00 can be tough!  So, that sort of explains why blogging takes a back burner for me.  I really do want to stay on a blogging schedule and now that after school activities are beginning to have a regular time and day, then (hopefully) blogging will too!  How do some people do it all and stay sane?  If I figure that out...I'll let you know! :)

Wanting: Coffee!  I need coffee! :)  I'm in love with McDonald's Iced Caramel Mocha right now.  They are not good for any type of diet, but they are amazing! 

Needing:  I need this weekend to not end.  Three day weekends always come at the most perfect time.  The stress of the beginning of the year really gets to me some days and I needed this weekend to unwind and get my mind back on track.  Now...do you think we can make it last for just one more day? :)

3 Trips:

1.  Smoky Mountains:  I love visiting the Smokies!  The fog rolling in over the mountains is one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen.  I enjoy going to the mountains more than the beach and since we moved to Central KY we are closer than we ever have been before.  It is a short 3(ish) hour drive to the Smokies from here and long weekend visits are my favorite.  

2.  Disney:  During Fall Break last year, I visited Disney World for the first time.  It was iconic.  It was one of my favorite vacations and those memories will last a lifetime!

3.  Home:  My "home" is in Western Kentucky and all of my family still lives there.  I miss my parents, sister, brother, nieces and nephews.  I don't get to go home as often as I would like (partly due to that busy schedule mentioned earlier and partly because it takes 4 and a half hours to get there).  It's not just a quick trip there and back...it is a trip that has to be planned.  Maybe they will read this and come to see me ;)

Happy September, friends!!!

July Currently

Hello Bloggy Friends!

I figured there is no time better to get back into regular blogging than starting off July 1 with the new Currently from Farley at Oh Boy 4th Grade!

Listening:  I have a love/hate relationship with the local news!  I love to watch the news so I feel like I am in the know, but I hate to watch the news because it is always bad news.  I can't even watch it when the kids are in the room, because some of the things reported on are inappropriate for little ears.  I think this love/hate thing stems from my childhood. :)  My dad had to watch the news every night...I mean every episode of the news...5:00 Local News, World News at 5:30, 6:00 Local News, and 10:00 Local News.  It's a habit, I guess, that can't be broken.  Plus...I only really get to watch the news in the summer...I don't have time for it during the school year.  :)  I digress...

Loving:  I love summer!  I love the pool, vacations, hanging out with my kids, exercising, blogging and creating on my schedule.  It is a wonderful time of year!!  BTW...speaking of creating...I have bundled all of my special education related products together in my TPT store.  ($15 value for $10!!!)  

Thinking: I should be cleaning or working on something.  It's hard to sit still and relax!  Do you have that problem?  The kids have their "creations" all over the place and there are piles of laundry to fold and put away, but here I am blogging to you! :)  Blogging is work...right? :)

Wanting:  Did you know that McDonald's ice coffees are only $1 right now?  I love the iced caramel mocha!  I want one so bad...but I know better!  I'm trying hard to resist temptation.  I'll have to wait until "cheat day!"

Needing:  Lunch: I'm hungry!  Lunchtime right after this post!

4th of July Plans:  We don't really go all out for the 4th.  We will probably grill some burgers, watch some fireworks, and maybe make these adorable cookies I found here:

Source: Our Best Bites
http://www.ourbestbites.com/2013/06/mocktails-munchies-how-to-create-a-stunningly-simple-patriotic-party-theme/

April Currently

So I lied yesterday!  I feel compelled to blog April's Currently before I leave for the mountains with the family.  Everyone here is still asleep, so I was just having a little quiet time when I saw the new Currently by Farley being posted on some of my favorite blogs! A girl can't miss this! :)

Listening:  I love days when I get to watch the Today Show.  During the school year, I rarely get to see the Today Show unless it is a snow day.  Well, thankfully there is no snow on the ground anymore and it is Spring Break!  This has been a long awaited spring here in the Bluegrass!  

Loving:  Two words:  Spring Break!  No explanation needed here!

Thinking:  Sticking with the Spring Break theme...we are headed to the Smokies!  I can't wait to spend time with the husband, kids, and no agenda!

Wanting:  I am craving some Starbucks this morning!!

Needing:  I need to pack :)  Nothing like waiting until the day of, right?

Hours and Days:  Our school day is from 7:40-2:55.  It usually is only until 2:35, but starting on March 24 we have added 20 minutes to the day to help make up the 19 snow days we missed this year!!  We will get out of school on June 6!  

Have a happy April!!! :)

February Currently

I'm linking up on this wonderful February morning with Farley for this month's Currently...

Listening:  It's a lazy Saturday morning here in Kentucky!  The kids are content playing, reading and being self-sufficient.  :)  YAY!!!  I really love the age my kids are now.  They still need their mommy, but are big enough to do what they want on their own.

Loving:  Recently, I have been getting to know several bloggers more personally and getting to give personal and professional advice to some of my readers.  This blog has been a blessing and keeps opening doors for me and showing me new avenues to explore.

Thinking:  The loving section really leads me into the thinking section.  I'm constantly thinking about the future.  What's next for my career?  What am I afraid of?  Can I take the next step?  Hopefully, I will be sharing some exciting news with you guys soon.

Wanting:  I want a day to relax and read or to relax and do nothing at all.  Unfortunately I have laundry to do, a house to clean, a grocery trip to make and kids to take to practice.  While I really don't mind to do any of those things, sometimes a day completely OFF would be amazing!  I see snow days in the forecast for next...maybe one of those days will be full of book reading and coffee drinking!

Needing:  Well, along with all of the things listed in wanting, I also need to meal plan for this month and make the trip to Costco.  Our monthly meal plan went really well in January and I look forward to doing it again this month.  I'll share soon about the ins and outs of the monthly meal planning.  I know it's not teaching related, but it does help this teacher make life easier!

2 Truths and a Fib:  #3 is the fib!  I did marry my high school sweetheart and I love flowers on Valentine's Day.  Those chocolate candy boxes are yuck!  I always seem to pick the grossest piece in the box! :)

Have a lovely February, friends!!!

January Currently :: 2014

January is upon us!! Happy New Year!  Here is the first Currently of 2014!

Listening ::  Full House.  I love that my kids love Full House and that Nickelodeon plays reruns at night.  It is just a "good ole show."  I can remember waiting for it to come on on ABC's TGIF on Friday nights.  It was my favorite show as a little girl.  I used to pretend that Uncle Jesse was my boyfriend! :)

Loving :: We are expecting some wintery weather tonight here in Kentucky and my school district has already called off school for tomorrow!  Tomorrow was supposed to be our first day back after Christmas break, but now it is extended!  Yay!! I {puffy heart} a snow day!  I know that we have to make them up and sometimes the first week of June means we are still in school, but nothing makes me smile more than a day of snow!

Thinking :: One part of my New Years resolution is to get organized.  I'm great at this at school, but home gets out of hand.  I really want to work on the stack of paper and mail that we have taking over the counter!

Wanting :: I want nothing! I have had an amazing Christmas and I couldn't want for anything more! :)

Needing :: I am ready for this week,  but now we are out of school tomorrow! :)  I would like to get several weeks ahead!  We shall see how that goes!

Memory/Tradition ::  On January 1 of last year, my family and I started writing down special events or something that meant something to us that day on a small pieces of paper and placing them in a jar.  Today we took out those slips of paper and read them outloud.  It was heartwarming and a great time to remember all of the wonderful things that has happened to our family this year.  We are going to do this again this year!  We didn't do it everyday and definitely slacked as the year went on, but I really want to keep it going this year.  We all said that we may not do every day, but if something really great happens that we are going to write that down.  I can't wait to see what happens in 2014!

Kim

September Currently!

September is here!  Time for a new Currently with Farley!

Listening:  My kids are playing quietly and getting along!  Miracles do happen! :)

Loving:  I spent my Labor Day doing a little shopping at Bed, Bath and Beyond.  My one main goal was to get a new Tervis mug...and I did!  I'm pretty pumped!

Thinking:  I love 3 day weekends, but they do make me want to be home longer.  I know we've only been in school a few weeks, but a Monday off always makes me happy.   I really love my new school, though, so I am anxious to get back at it tomorrow!

Wanting:  Well, of course like most teachers, one more day off would make me so happy.  I had plans to get so much accomplished this weekend and I really didn't.  I did catch up on laundry, cleaned the bathrooms, blogged, and worked on a new schedule.  When I write it out it seems like I really did get things done.  That's good, but with just one more day think of everything else I could do!!

Needing:  I would love to hire someone to do all of the meaningless tasks that I don't like to do...like laundry and cleaning bathrooms :)

Currently...July

Can you believe that it is almost July?  I can't!  This is one of my favorite times of year though.  We are knee deep in summer, the days are longer and hot, and there is still plenty of time left before school starts.

Today I am linking up with Farley at Oh Boy 4th Grade for the monthly Currently...

Listening:  The kids are playing so quietly.  We just completed a Target visit, so the kids are occupied with some new toys.  Chloe picked a 1000 piece puzzle and Barrett chose MicroChargers.  Hours of fun around here!

Loving:  I think I may have mentioned this a time or two, but I LOVE SUMMER!  Blue skies, green grass, long days, pool water, sunscreen smell, sunburns...I love it all!  

Thinking:  I'm in the mood for ice-cream.  Yes I am.  We may make a DQ run here in a minute! 

Wanting:  I want to get in my new school so bad!  I am so excited!!!!

Needing:I have lots of library books to organize for my new classroom.  This is the first time I've had to purchase new library books for my classroom.  I have inherited class books every year that I've taught and never had the need to buy many of my own.  This summer I had to change all of that.  

*SPOILER ALERT*

Classroom library posts coming soon!

Tips:  If you have an iPad, download Evernote.  This app has changed my life...well that may be a tad overdramatic!  It really has helped me to stay organized and keep all of my random thoughts in one spot.  I have been using it to plan blog posts, TPT products, and make lists for school for next year.  I can't wait to share some cool tricks with you that I have learned on Evernote! Stay tuned for that!

Kim

Currently...June!

The sights and sounds of summer vacation has overtaken our home!  I love this time of year!  The days are longer, the kids are calmer, and life is filled with sunny days and fun!  It also is allowing me some extra blogging time...I've actually posted blog posts most days this week.  :)  Today, I get to get caught up with the Currently from Oh Boy Fourth Grade!

Listening:  BBQ Pitmasters.  My husband has been watching this show all day.   I went to Target earlier and he was watching and when I came home it was still on and continues to be!  I have to admit, I kind of like the show and definitely put me in the mood for some good BBQ.  Looks like it will be Sonny's for supper! ;)

Loving:  I love summer!  This is my favorite season!  The long days of sunlight and warm weather fill me with joy.  I also really enjoy spending the day with my kids and filling our days full of memories!

Thinking:  I just can't get my new school out of my head!  I am dying to get into my new classroom and decorate and to meet my new kids.  

Wanting:  I need some new books to read this summer.  I don't have anything on my must read list right now...fiction-wise.  I am currently reading Reading Without Limits by Maddie Witter.  It is a great book and a great companion to the Daily 5 and Cafe that I read last summer.  I do want something to read though that I can take out on the deck and just get lost in.  Any suggestions, friends?

Needing:  My mom spent several days with us a few weeks ago and caught up all of my laundry one day while I was at work.  Awesome!  Now, I just have to keep up the good work she started.  I loathe laundry.  I need to get some organization in my closet and dresser drawers to make things run more efficiently in the laundry department....or I just need to have my mom come stay more often! :)

Summer Vacay Essentials:  Sunscreen.  Swimsuit.  Sandals.  These three items go together like PB&J.  I could spend every single day of the summer at the pool and never have a bad day!  

I hope you are enjoying your summer, too!