8.31.2011

What I'm loving Wednesday

Here goes the bandwagon...but I'm loving a lot of things right now! 
1. The upcoming long weekend! Ready to have a day off from work although I have no real plans.
 2. EKKKKKKKKKKK.... I love the pens Mary got for her birthday today. They talk! I want one, ten especially a Pauly D and a Ronnie.  I can't help it. (whoa, just saw the price...not loving that)
 3. I love this outfit although it wouldn't look good if I wore it. I love everything about it especially the shoes.


5. At this exact moment, this quote applies to my life.


6. BIRTHDAYS! All my birthday babies (Mary, Sarah, Caron, baby G, Natalie, Esther) that are coming up in the next 2 months are keeping me on my toes!

Cheers...

to one of my best friends because today is her birthday!

 And in honor of her birthday we will discuss all the silly names she is mistaken for as a teacher.  Her name is Horncastle <--that is the correct way.  Over the years we've giggled at the following references; hornYcastle, hornbuckle, corncasserole, corncastle, and this year HornScastle.  Heck, a few years ago one of her kids asked her if, and quote, "were yo born?" so we've heard it all.  

Here we are 3 years ago celebrating in Nashville at SATCO. 
 
Happy, happy, birthday Mary!

8.29.2011

Happy Monday!

Yeah, I may have laid on my bedroom floor to pose with my sleepy-headed-popo-G-Jo-stinky-wa- Zanie-Wanie.

8.26.2011

Flash Back Friday

In 2003 my sister and I went to the computer lab (we were in college) and booked a cruise for ourselves.  Yep, very random and spontaneous. We also hauled our luggage from the New Orleans airport alllllllllllllll the way to the port so we could save the 20 dollar baggage fee.  Ha, we were poor.  Here we are at muster station 7! We had a great trip!

8.25.2011

Three for Thursday!

Favorite Font
My sweet friend LOMA used to download our fun fonts.  This is my all time favorite! It's called:

Black Boys on Mopeds

Favorite Blogs
I do not read teacher blogs. I do "school" all day. I prefer to read for fun, leisure and to get away while I am at home. My favorites are without a doubt my girlfriends near and far!

Favorite Online Resources
Hands down I heart-

8.24.2011

Celebrate!

 On Tuesday my parents celebrated 36 years of marriage! What an accomplishment. I hope to hit that milestone someday.  They have been together since they were juniors in High School and got married on my moms 20th birthday. It was the only weekend free in my dads busy out-of-state college break/internship between Michigan and NYC that he was free. If you do the math that means  my momma turned  56 on the same day. (She looks good, huh?)

 My little brother lives out of state, South Carolina to be exact, so that means the plans were left to me. I took my parents out to dinner to celebrate. We sat next to some Titan player and his family. Of course the joke was dad and I paid the football player to sit by our table because my mom is a huge fan.  We did some shopping at the mall--ran into another Titan player.  (again, same joke)  Needless to say, we opened presents and enjoyed a nice meal.  I'm sending my parents to Arrington Vineyards for Jazz on the lawn, yummy wine and appetizers one night. 
Me and my mom with our infamous 'open window' pose. 

Teacher Tuesday & Wednesday Combined

Sharing teacher Words of Wisdom for all the newbies

*Get to know your team it will make a world of difference.
*Work smarter not harder. 
*Use all the resources you can get--there are millions of great ideas out there! Use blogs, Pinterest, ask teammates, subscribe to all the free magazines and get a free account and read the teacher message boards.
* Have fun.  If you think it's boring the kids will think it's boring and you will not get the results you wanted.
* Drink coffee.
* Make a point to get to know each child, they will work for your love and praise! (most of them)
* Don't be afraid to get silly! 

Where it all goes down Wednesday!
Welcome to Mrs. Hicks' Monsters Inc.  
August 2011 (my sweet friend Angie's daughter is in my class)
I kept the same classroom theme as last year.
My Monster Helpers
 Monster Manners-making good choices. We move our stick kids using a stoplight system. This hangs on the back of my cubby door so it is not out for everyone to gawk at!
 My walls are painted blue and I have a 2 foot Monster hanging out at my word wall.


 Last years door.
 Monster border (it's called Furry Friends if you go to the parent teacher store)
 My  birthday chart.
You get the idea....

8.22.2011

Meet the Teacher

It's teacher week, so I'm following my sister and linking up.  

Tell us a little something about you...
To get to know me, check my profile on the right! However, I'm here to tell you I am a teacher and I do not, repeat, do not like apples, bears,or  A+ signs.  GASP! I like to live on the wild side and prefer a colorful classroom, wearing clothes of my CHOICE rather than teacher sweaters, you won't see me in Keds, or hanging around school late at night. That's how I roll.

How long have you been teaching?

I've been teaching since 2004--yikes!! I've taught Kindergarten and First grade, First being my favorite.I kept my Monster theme again this year!

You might not know...

I wanted to be a teacher because I loved making my little brother work addition problems. (ha, and math is my least favorite) I also enjoyed writing on the chalk board, using stamps, grading papers and being the boss!! In reality, I just love reaching kids on their level and making a difference.

What are you looking most forward to this school year?
That's me in the blue dress!
Definitely hanging those fun "I can" statements. Do you have to use these in your classroom?  In all honesty, I've got a super close team so I'm looking forward to enjoying their company at work for business and outside of work for pleasure.

What do you need to improve?
I need to incorporate the Daily 5...and work on my filing skills, or lack there of!

What teaching supplies can you *not* live without?
Smelly Markers!!  
...and I also can not live without my cubby mate and morning coffee.




8.21.2011

If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen!

...because I am back to cooking. I like the structure of planning my meals, outfits, school lunches, etc. Tonight I'm taking my parents out for their 36th wedding anniversary and my moms birthday. I have to personally do it early because I am not free this week.  

So, in no particular order here are my meals:

*Panko crusted chicken breasts and  grilled asparagus
*Parmesan tilapia, brussel sprouts (I make them oh-so-good), and if I have it in me I will quarter red potatoes, drizzle with olive oil and bake them.
*vegetarian spaghetti (I don't like noodles but I love these veggie noodles and meat sauce)
* BLT on rye and chips
All that will last me the week!!

I also have to tell you about my new love. If you know me, you know I love veggies but have always had a hard time eating fruit. It just tastes oddly sweet to me.  Anyways, earlier this week I bought Edy's natural pineapple fruit bars. They are delish, packed with real pineapple chunks and only 80 calories a bar. I'm excited because I just saw an add for pomegranate coming soon! Try them, you'll thank me later. This is what the box looks like.

Accessories I Adore!

Antique gold filligree bangles from FROSTED WILLOW.  I love both of these sets!  You can find her on Etsy. 



Next up, the ever popular BFrend (yes, that is how you spell it) bracelets. I am in love with the front white one with the etched gold. I love them.
And lastly, these are a daily staple in my wardrobe. Simple, tear drop gold earrings.

8.20.2011

Powerful Stuff...if you give yourself a minute to think about it!

Let me be patient
Let me be kind
Make me unselfish without being blind
I may have faith to make mountains fall
but if I lack love then I'm nothing at all
-R&B singer  Lauryn Hill

8.14.2011

The Help

Saturday night the girls and I went out for Greek food and then to see...
It's SO good! I highly recommend it.  Emma Stone was fabulous! (Mae Mobley was beyond cute too) I don't think it's a chick flick. There were lots of guys/husbands in the theater!

8.09.2011

Dear Summer

Dear Summer,
It's no lie, you were kind of a pain this year. No consistency...and let's face it, I hate change and adjustment.    When one door closes another opens (or so they say). I don't even know who the people I'm referencing are, but if the saying is true I am so ready for some open doors. So adios summer, here's a recap of some good days! 

Thursday, pool day with Rice and Beans!
Ignore me and look at the cute girls!


 A healthy addition to the P family--baby Brody!
Found a gem at the flea market....this dresser, but wood, that I am re-purposing as a TV stand!  Oh, I got it for twenty bucks!!  

I did a lot more that I don't have pictures for! In no specific order....
*Karaoke with friends!
*Found a historic house in Franklin (before it went on the market) connected with the home owner and  found a buyer for it all in the same day.  woo-woo that was  big step for me! Sadly, I can not buy it, but my new flipping friend did.  So, now I'm psyched to see the renovations.
*Redecorate her living room in aquas and lime greens for only 100 bucks, but for some reason she hasn't blogged about it!
* Reconnected with lost friends of the past.
So, those were some highlights just to name a few. I'm ready to start class on Thursday!

8.08.2011

Back to school!

Every.single.teacher. on Pinterest has pinned this too. It's nice to know the feeling is mutual around the world!

8.07.2011

B is for baby

B is also for Bill, Beth, and baby Brody who I went to meet this weekend. He was soooo tiny and handsome! You know how some babies are ugly? Let's be real, they are! Well, he had the most perfect little head with dark hair, tiny little nose, and great skin complexion/coloring. He's going to be a cutie! Beth was also so calm and we passed him around like a hot potato.

I still want my 3 boys...and I'm taking applications for surrogates.


His little pacifier is bigger than he is!

Yes, we are wearing the exact same dress. It's the same thing that happens at school with my teacher friends. 
Great minds think alike? It was not planned.

Can't wait to watch you grow and reach your milestones Brody!!

8.06.2011

Two weeks of recaps!

Look who bought a replacement camera cord...woo-hoo! 

Now, we're playing blog catch up. Last weekend was eventful! Those of us who were in town on Friday went to Big Bang, a dueling piano bar in Nashville. Have you been? It was a mellow crowd, but fun!




On Saturday, Avonlea, a.k.a. Beans turned 2!  She had a pool party.

 Ahhh, it was hot!
 The Eddy family

Someone liked her cupcake!
What does she say when you tell her to smile for the camera? She yells "Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeese!" 
Happy 2nd birthday sweet girl!