September Currently

It's been a busy few weeks. 

Thank goodness for this three day weekend to get some stuff done. 

Linking up with Oh' Boy 4th Grade

I'm sitting in the office and Kyle is watching the League Finals on his computer sans headset. 

Therefore I'm really listening to sounds of fighting. 

Once Upon a Time season 3 came out on Netflix Friday and I've basically been binge watching it ever since. Since we don't have cable I'm always waiting for my shows to come out!

I'm so ready to be at the point where I'm prepared for the week. 

Instead, I'm still in the running around trying to get everything done phase. 

Please oh please get here soon October. 

It truly takes that long to get my Kinders into a normal schedule and feel prepared. 

I always procrastinate going to the grocery store. 

It's just one of those things I wish I didn't have to do!

Three trips: 

I've never been to Europe and always have wanted to.

I love cruising, it's so nice and relaxing.

It's so stinking hot here right now all I can think about is Fall and cooler weather!

It's That Time of Year

It's time. 

Today starts my official first day back,and by official I mean paid and have to show up. 

We all know I've been in there almost every day for the last two weeks!
This year is bringing about a ton of changes for me, but I'm really excited.
First I became the K inclusion classroom teacher,
Then I moved rooms,
Next I became team leader.
If that wasn't enough my entire team from the past two years was broken up,
So it's me, 3 new to K teachers, and a para.
Plus those 8 ESE students and 10 "typically developing" students.
Whew, that's a lot.
Of course, leave it to me to decide to change up lots of stuff this year!
It's going to be a major learning and growing experience, but I'm excited for the challenge. 

To start the year off right I made some cute beginning of year gifts.

Everyone on my team is getting one of these today as first day pick me up.

Everyone got a cute patterned composition book, post-its, sharpie, and highlighter.
Not shown, Dove dark chocolate.
What teacher gift is complete without chocolate?


I love how the gift tag came out. I saw the wording somewhere on pinterest.

I just started working on my student's gifts for Open House.

I printed it on bright paper to match my theme.
I'll punch holes on top and bottom and slip a pencil in.
Click the picture to download this freebie!

 

High Five for July

This summer was going by really slowly. 

Now, July's almost over, I had to go into work yesterday, and I feel like I'm in crunch mode!

Where the heck did July go?

1// Fourth of July

My brother and his girlfriend got the cutest picture right before this, here is our best attempt...
Thanks for photo bombing mom!


We did get to watch the fireworks from the roof which was pretty cool.

2// Kyle went on his first job interview

He had an interview in the graphics department of a cosmetic company where two of his best friends work! It went really well!

3// Boender Annual Adventure!

We just got back from our week long family vacation in Colorado.
More to come!

4// I opened my TPT store and have been crafting like crazy!

I really love the things I made for my apple unit. 
Now to get it all cut, laminated, and ready to go!
Check out the apple freebie! Numbers 1-5

5// This wonderful picture!

Kyle made this for me and I absolutely love it!
It's our first dance with the lyrics behind us.
I've wanted something like this for awhile, and the free 18x20 print from Shutterfly sealed the deal!

Iced Coffee Recipe

I love coffee.

It's something I drink daily. 

Despite the heat of Florida I typically stick with regular coffee for quite awhile. 

However, as soon as school ends it's time for iced coffee.

I've been using The Pioneer Women's recipe for years now and love it!

It's perfect for summer and I love not having to make coffee every morning. 

She makes a huge batch, but I only do about half. 

Ingredients:

8oz Ground Coffee

1 Gallon Water

Bowl

Strainer

Paper towels or Cheese Cloth

1. Dump a bag of ground coffee into a bowl. I typically use 8oz.

2. Add a gallon of cold water, mixing to make sure all the grounds touch water. 

3. Cover and allow to sit at least 8 hours. I normally leave it overnight. 

4. Use a fine mesh strainer with paper towels or cheese cloth inside to catch the granules. Place over pitcher or other bowl.

5. Slowly pour coffee mixture into the strainer. 

6. Refrigerate until chilled, I normally wait till the next morning. 

7. Serve with ice and whatever you typically put in your coffee!

 

Pinterest Fails

This past week in our bible study we talked a lot about how women are the heart of the home. 

One thing we discussed was how easy it is to let household chores slide. 

With free time this summer I decided to try and get better at this. 

On pinterest, I found some great ideas for daily chore schedules. 

I love to check things off so this seemed right up my ally. 

After combining a few different ones I finally made one that I think will work well for us. 

 I found the graphic online, I honestly don't remember where, then added all the words.

So this week I've tried to do a really good deep clean.

Hopefully after this week I'll be able to only need a short time each day. 

I turned to pinterest to find some simple homemade cleaning supplies. 

First, I tried this oven cleaner. 

 Here are the before and after pictures. 

I followed the directions and then ended up scrubbing and scrubbing and there's still only a small difference!

Anyone have a better homemade cleaner?

Then, I tired this idea for the microwave. 

It didn't need to much of a cleaning, but I figured less work is always better.

Nothing "easily" wiped away. I still had to work to clean it out. 

Clearly I'm 0/2 on new pinterest cleaning tips this week. 

At least the house is looking good!

Peasant Bread

I found this bread, where else but pinterest. 

Of all the bread's I've tried this one is not only the easiest, but my favorite. 

I've made it multiple times since finding it in December.

The original recipe makes two loaves. 

I typically only make one at a time so the ingredients and directions below are what I do. 

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup lukewarm water

1/2 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon active-dry yeast

1 tablespoon butter. 

Directions:

1. In a large bowl mix flour and salt. 

2. In a smaller mixing bowl, dissolve sugar into the water. 

Sprinkle yeast on top and allow to sit for a few minutes till foamy. This ensures that the yeast is active.

Stir it up and mix it in with the dry ingredients.

 This is what your dough should look like. 

3. Cover with a tea towel and set in a warm place to rise for 1.5 - 2 hours, until the dough has doubled.

4. Using the butter, grease an over safe bowl. I use a 2L pyrex bowl. 

Using two forks, scrape the dough out of the bowl making sure to flip the dough in on itself. 

Place the dough in the grease bowl. 

Allow to rise for 30 minutes. It should be about to the top of the bowl.

In the greased bowl before rising.

5. Pre-heat oven to 425F.

Once the dough has risen, bake for 10 minutes. 

Reduce the heat to 375F and allow to cook for 22-25 more minutes.

Remove from over and turn out onto cooling rack. 

The bread should fall right out!

 Finished bread!

2 Ingredient Fudge

I don't think it's a surprise that I like simple recipes. 

This is the easiest fudge recipe ever and it still tastes just like fudge!

Last year a friend of mine made a strawberry fudge and said she found the recipe on Pinterest,

so of course I had to try!

Original Recipe

I'm not a fan of strawberry, but the recipe said you can mix and match with any flavors. 

It's so simple, 

take any flavor chocolate chips(12oz) and any flavor icing(12oz).

 

I chose semi-sweet chips and cream cheese icing. 

Make sure the icing isn't whipped.   

Dump them both into a bowl and microwave for 30 second intervals.

Stirring until smooth.

Pour into a greased 9x9 pan and allow to sit till hardened.
  This is my favorite combination because it tastes exactly like regular fudge. 

Linking up with Melissa, Amber, and Sarah

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Love Is In The Air

How long have you been married?

Me: 1 year
Kyle: A year and 1 month 
 

Where was your first date?

Me: Well, we dated twice. Plus, we were in high school. So I don't know if we ever had an official first date. The second time we dated we went on an accidental date before we were officially going out when our friends baled on us last minute. We went to Kyle's sister's wedding for our first "date" after we were dating the second time. Confusing, I know.
 

 Kyle: I would probably say my school's prom was our first real date.    

Where was your first kiss?

Me: At church
Kyle: At church, right after she had changed from some event. It was a really bad time. 
 

Who first said, "I love you"?

Me: I would guess him, but neither of us can remember the first time we said it. Whoops!
Kyle: I think it was me.
  

What were your wedding colors?

Me: Navy and Silver.
Kyle: Blue and Silver.
  

What is her most commonly used phrase?

Me: I honestly have no idea.
Kyle: I don't think she has a common phrase.   
 

Who is her celebrity crush?

Me: I've never had crushes on celebrities.
Kyle: Girl wise it would probably be Jennifer Aniston or something.
  

If she was ordering drinks for both of you what would you each get?

Me: Cokes!
Kyle: Coke.

What is the best meal she has ever cooked you?

Me: One Valentine's Day I learned how to make Chicken Parm and made it for him for dinner. 
Kyle: Valentine's Day a few years ago. She made Chicken Parm. Just because that day was memorable. The chicken was really good and then she made really good chocolate guitars. It was just an overall good meal.
  

What is the worst meal she has ever cooked you?

Me: Right after we were married I made a chicken dish in the crockpot. It had cream cheese in it and it completely burnt to the edge while I was gone. I think that was the only time we've ever had to scrap a meal. I've never cooked anything in the crockpot that requires cream cheese since. 
Kyle: There was something that she used to make really well and now she's having trouble making it just right.
  

What is the most-played song on her iPod?

Me: It changes based on my mood. Glee soundtracks and Taylor Swift songs are my go to, so one of those for sure.  
Kyle: I'd have to say a Taylor Swift song. Don't ask me which one because she listens to all of them.
  

What would she say is your most annoying habit?

Me: Timeliness!! He is never ever on time for things and it doesn't bother him at all. 
Kyle: Probably not doing the dishes right away.
  

What is the last thing she does before she goes to bed?

Me: Watch TV. I fall asleep to whatever TV show we're currently watching every night. 
Kyle: The last thing before she truly goes to bed is give me a kiss good-night. Although she kinda falls asleep while we watch Friends at night.
  

If you could throw out one item of her clothing what would it be?

Me: I really don't know if he even cares.  
Kyle: I'm going to go with a safe bet. Probably one of those sundresses because she has so many of them and doesn't want to wear them anymore.
  

What would you say is your favorite thing about her?

Me: We played a game at my bridal shower and he said then that it was the fact that he knew he could always trust me.
Kyle: It might sound dumb, but her reliability. If I need her to get something done I know she'll do it and I don't have to worry about it. And her butt :)

What's her go-to drink at Starbucks?

Me: If I'm going for basic, iced coffee with milk and sugar. Something more "fancy", java chip frap.
Kyle: She gets something basic, I want to say iced coffee. I'll say iced coffee, but when it's in season anything that has pumpkin in it. Like Pumpkin Spiced Latte.
  

What's her blog's name?!

Me: Come What May
Kyle: I think it's Come What May 

Kyle's Christmas Countdown

The longer we've been together it seems the harder it gets for me to shop for Kyle.

Oddly enough, the opposite seems true on his end.

This year I really had no idea what to get Kyle, plus he's bought himself some bigger things he wanted recently.

I had already decided to do a few little things (although I don't know what exactly), but I wanted to do something else as well. 

I was reading Rachel's post about her and her husband's Christmas countdown and thought it was such a cute idea. 

I was just having trouble thinking of what all to add to it. 

Later that same day I came across this pin from the Dating Diva's.

Both ideas focused on doing a countdown with things you could do with/for your spouse.

I didn't have a good spot, so it's squished onto my picture hanger. You can see the numbers ready to go!

 I decided to combine both ideas to make mine. 

I came up with ideas based on the five love languages.

1. Acts of Service- things I can do for Kyle. I included physical touch in this category such as a foot massage. 

2. Quality Time- things to go do together. Not all of these are Christmas related, but it's a great way to make sure we get in some of those activities.

3. Words of Affirmation- Some days are just notes about what I love or am thankful for or about him.

4. Gifts- most things in this category are small treats or desserts we don't normally have. 

Each category is typed in its own font and they are spread out so we don't have two things in the same category back to back. 

I printed it out on cardstock and then printed a simple green border with the date on the other side.

Now we just have to wait for December!
 

Kyle doesn't seem too thrilled yet, but he has no idea what the cards contain. All I've told him was that starting December 1st he gets to flip the card every morning to see what that day has. Hopefully it'll end up being something exciting for him!

Linking up with Melissa, Sarah, and Amber

Thankful Thanksgiving

I'm amazed at how quickly this month has flown by! 

Some of my kinders still tell me it's the month of October every morning. 

And no wonder, we haven't been in school for a full week all month. 

Despite all those breaks I still feel extremely behind. 

This is the first Thanksgiving in years that it just doesn't feel like Thanksgiving. 

In years past I've tried to get done with classes as quickly as possible so I could rush home. 

I would spend the holiday around my family. 

This year, I worked through Wednesday. 

I came home to my own house and spent my evening like any other. 

Until I actually see family today I don't think it'll feel like a holiday. 

Some things I'm thankful for this year:

Two amazing families who get along.

My wonderful husband who I can't imagine my life without.

A beautiful best friend who has stuck around since I was 7.

Being able to live near all of our family.

A job doing something I love.