Dollar Tree Center

I am always searching for easy center ideas that will keep my kinders engaged. I have seen several games on Pinterest where students "feed" some kind of animal made from recycled detergent containers, tupperware, etc. When I found this little trash can at the Dollar Tree, I knew he would be perfect! I added some googly eyes, wrote some sight words on index cards, and instantly had a new center.

  

We call it "Feed the Monster".  I had the little monster sitting out and the students were immediately interested when they entered the classroom. The students take turns drawing a card and reading the sight word on it. If they read they word correctly, they get to feed the card to the monster. We will add more sight words to the pile as the year progresses.

Not only do I like this center because it reinforces sight words, the kinders really got a kick out of feeding the monster. I love hearing, "Ms. Harlan, I like this game!" when we are learning. 

Frozen Friday

So I meant to post this on Friday. Then we had a water pipe bust and chaos ensued. Friday was Frozen Day at our school. It was originally planned for before Christmas Break; however, we ended up being closed due to sickness. These holiday party ideas are a little late for this year, but you can keep them in mind for next year.

All of the kiddos and staff wore pajamas and watched Frozen. Then we made these cute gingerbread houses from paper bags. It was the ending to our gingerbread man unit.

  

We spelled out sight words in shaving cream. This activity was a lot messier than I predicted. Most of the kids enjoyed it, but of course I had a couple that got the shaving cream EVERYWHERE!

We also played some Frozen games. The first picture is our snowball toss. Super easy! We just used Styrofoam cups and cotton balls. 

 

This game was "Do you wanna build a snowman?". The kiddos worked in teams to wrap their snowman up in toilet paper as quickly as they could. I think I had just as much fun watching this one as they did playing.

 

Finally, we were able to enjoy a snack and watch the Curious George Christmas movie (they have been begging me for a month!) Overall, I think it was a fun day but it left this teacher pretty tired. I'm using this weekend to rest from that first week back. 

Winter Decorating

School started back this week so I have been busy getting my kinders back into the routine. However, during the break I had some extra time for crafting. My mom had been wanting me to make something with these empty wine bottles and I love how they turned out! 

To clean them, I peeled the labels off and soaked the bottles in warm water for a couple of minutes. The sticky residue then came off easily. I just peeled it off and wiped the bottles down with a towel.

The letters and snowflakes are cut from white vinyl using my amazing Silhouette Portrait. Look for a tutorial on that in the near future! 

I added some $3 glittery branches from Walmart and set the bottles out as a table centerpiece. Overall, the whole project only took about 30 minutes. Plus, they would work for Christmas or Winter decorations. 

The snowflakes are definitely appropriate for our 12 degree high today! You can use this easy project to beat cabin fever and being a little glitter into your house this winter. 

4 Ingredient Dessert

I would like to start sharing at least one recipe each month that I have tried. Mainly because I have a board on Pinterest titled "When I Learn to Cook" and there's no time like the present right?  Maybe the problem is that I'm a picky eater. And when I see a recipe that has 10 ingredients I'm immediately looking for something simpler. 

I'm actually a pretty good baker so I decided to start with a super simple recipe that I got from my Mom. I needed a dessert for a New Year's get together and this one only has 4 ingredients! All of which we already had in the pantry. Yet, I still managed to mess something up. Opps...learn from my mistakes.

Wasp Nest Cake 

You will need:

1 3oz. Cook and Serve Vanilla Pudding

2 cups milk

1 box of yellow cake mix

1 package of butterscotch morsels

Preheat your oven to 350.

 

Step One:

Mix the milk and pudding mix. Bring it to a boil. Be sure to do this slowly and remember to stir or you will end up with a scorched pot like me. 

 

Step Two:

Remove from the heat and stir in the dry cake mix. 

 

Step Three: 

Pour into a greased 9x13 pan and sprinkle the butterscotch morsels evenly over the top.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes and you are done!

This is what it will look like when you take it out of the oven. It is supposed to resemble a wasp's nest, hence the name. Let it cool and enjoy!

2015 Resolutions

Ok, typical new year blog post right? But I've never been more excited for my resolutions before. I debated about making any resolutions this year since I am the average person that gives up in February. However, I think I might actually be able to keep up with these.

Instead of choosing things I thought I needed to improve on, I chose things to make me happy. 2014 was pretty stressful so I'm focusing on treating myself right, relaxing, and being thankful for the good things in my life. 

As you are making resolutions and setting goals for the new year, I encourage you to think about simple things that make you happy.

Here's to what I hope is a peaceful and positive year! Welcome 2015! 

Best of Birchbox 2014

I have been interested in Birchbox for awhile, but just started subscribing this past September. You may have started to see their commercials recently. Basically, I filled out a beauty and preference profile, get billed $10 each month, and have a box of 4-5 samples delivered to me. I then try the products and review them to earn points. 

I think the biggest question people have is, "Is it worth it?". I say yes! It brightens up my day whenever my Birchbox comes and even my mom wants to see what is inside. I've been happy with the sample sizes and have found some products I really love. So far, I have not been disappointed with any of my boxes. 

That being said, I wanted to share my favorite products that I have discovered through Birchbox this year. These are the samples that I loved and actually went out and bought the full size to use. 

Chapstick Hydration Lock $2.99

Being a Chapstick addict, there are many reasons I love this one. It is double-sided with sunscreen for the day and replenishing oils for night. It is affordable and can be found at drugstores. 

Eyeko London Fat Eye Stick Trio $15.00
This comes in a trio of eye colors that are awesome. I use the "Satin" finish for everyday use and "Gilt" or "Smoke" for night and special occasions. I love that I don't have to use an eyeshadow brush. I just swipe, smudge a little with my finger, and I'm ready to go. 

Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox Beauty Balm $36.00
This is the most expensive product but it is worth it! I have spent so much time trying to find the right foundation or cream to wear.This BB Cream gives the coverage I want without feeling heavy on my skin. Plus, it has SPF and blemish soothers. I think I have finally found the perfect cream!

I don't know why my eyebrow is doing that weird arching thing, but seriously, LOVE this stuff!
In the picture I am wearing only Birchbox products, including those listed above. The pictures are with all natural light and have no photo filters added. 

In addition to my favorites, I am also wearing Forever Noir Long-Wear Eyeliner and Mirenesse iCurl Secret Weapon 24Hr Mascara. They were my runner-up Birchbox winners.
Visit birchbox.com to purchase any of these products or use my personal referall link to subscribe:
https://www.birchbox.com/invite/kwvgl 

Good-Bye 2014

The beginning of a new year always makes me want to get back into blogging for some reason. I guess its the positive vibes that come from starting fresh and new. I can't believe it has already been a year since I was graduating college and wondering what life had in store for me. A lot of things have happened since then, but I'm still putting my trust in God and wondering what my life will hold this year.

Since last year, I started my first teaching position as a kindergarten teacher in my hometown. I returned to the dance studio as a teacher. I bought my own car for the first time. I'm applying for graduate school. I am also single for the first time in a very long time.

 I re-read my bucket list from my 21 at 21 post and was surprised to see how many things I have already marked off. 

1.Graduate with my Bachelor's Degree.
2. Marry my other half.
3.Buy my own car.
4.Travel out of the country.
5.Learn basic sign language.
6. Beat my 5K time.
7.Have a Harry Potter marathon.
8.Visit Harry Potter Studios.
9.Earn my Master's Degree.
10. Start a family.
11.Learn to make pasta from scratch.
12. Visit every stop on the Bourbon Trail.
13.Camp for at least one night.
14. Serve as a Delta Gamma officer advisor.
15. Take a road trip with my DG Big.
16. Ride in a hot air balloon.
17.Own a puppy.
18.See the Princess Diana exhibit.
19. Bet on a horse.
20. Make a pie.
21. Buy a house.

Good-bye 2014. You were one emotional roller coaster. I am looking forward to 2015 and all the surprises it will bring. 

"Have patience, God isn't finished yet." Philippians 1:6