Summer's Just a Stone's Throw Away

I am linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for their weekly Linky Party. We have made it to Friday! I can almost see summer in my future . . .

With April flying by and summer on the horizon (we get out of school May 22nd), we have been working our tails off during guided reading. Most of my groups are becoming *rock star* readers, thinkers, and questioners. It is so exciting to see (I really owe it to their consistent hard work)!

I just love seeing their faces light up when they *finally* get something that they have been working so hard on. It's magic, I tell ya!

I have been using my literature and nonfiction packets with some of my guided reading groups. When we first started using them, the children were challenged and didn't quite have the stamina for them. However, we pushed through (with lots of support, scaffolding, and encouragement).

Recently, I have been amazed how they are able to close read and pull things from the text to support their answers (all with minimal support). They independently conduct literature circles like a pro. I have been able to release the responsibility. They have proven their accountability and as a teacher, it has allowed me to work more closely with the kiddos that still need me by their side.

I have added Poppleton Everday - Small Group Literature Packet to my TPT shop. The preview includes the entire packet so you may see exactly what you're purchasing.

I also bundled all of my Scholastic True or False Nonfiction packets for a savings of 20%. The preview includes all of the packets so that you may see exactly what you're purchasing.



A few co-workers and I went to see Glennon Doyle Melton, author of Carry On, Warrior and the Momastery blog, on Wednesday evening in downtown Kansas City. I have written about her on my blog before and find her to be inspiring, genuine, and passionate.

She mentioned some incredible things that I have been thinking about since Wednesday evening.

One of those things was about BALANCE. She said to create balance we must have tension. To have a balanced life one must experience tension and have tension and know how to handle tension.

She also talked about how no one is living their life AT us. I love this thought! Check out what she says about this here.

She also spoke about mommy guilt. Check out watch she says about that here.

Okay, one more . . .

She spoke about the importance of being tested and having to struggle . . . the importance of letting our kids struggle . . . how it makes them stronger, more resilient. I would have liked to bottle this portion of her presentation to keep in my pocket.

I would listen to it when I needed advice about how to help Maeve & Gibson.

I would also play it during parent/teacher conferences.

 

All in all, she is just really cool and real and inspiring.

I also won a raffle to a great restaurant in Kansas City! That was a huge plus. Mr. T and I get to have a date night soon. Thank you Rainy Day Books!


We have less than 2 weeks until Easter. I love all things sugary and sweet and have craved Peeps, Cadbury Eggs, and Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs in the past.

However . . .

I gave up all kinds of sugar (real and fake) as well as processed foods for Lent. I have a serious sweet tooth so quitting sugar and processed foods have been a challenge. I didn't do this as a weight loss thing. I chose to do this because I want to be healthy . . . really healthy. Not "low-fat this" and "sugar-free that" healthy. 

Since Lent began, I have eaten more fat than I ever have in my entire life. My diet has basically consisted of organic chicken, fish, and beef as well as a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. I have enjoyed Alpen No Sugar Added Museli with full fat plain yogurt, coconut oil, legumes, coconut milk, Ezekial bread, rice bran oil, and RAW Protein in vanilla.

I've followed a few wonderful blogs and read a few books to get recipe ideas and how I should deal with cravings. This Easter, instead of eating sweet after sweet of processed candy, I am looking forward to making these two delectable treats and indulging in a small piece.


Chocolate Covered Coconut Bars from Food Sweet


One Bowl Vegan Chocolate Cake from Minimalist Baker

In the future, I do plan to continue this healthy lifestyle. However, I will allow myself small indulgences on special occasions.


I attempted to create a few gallery walls in our house. I also attempted to take a few pictures of them (photography skills need some work).

What do you think? Obviously, I need to find prints and pictures for the frames.

Maeve and Gibson also wanted to be part of the photo shoot.


Here's the latest from Maeve and Gibson. Where did these big kids come from?

Happy Friday!