Linky Party x3

Today is all about the linky party! 3 of them to be exact. Since I am not in the classroom currently, linky parties are the only thing keeping me blogging on the regular basis. 

First, I am linking up with Brandi from A Peach for the Teach for a New Year's Resolution party. Here are the resolutions I have for the new year. 

Personal: 
In 2013 I was definitely guilty of comparing myself to others. I wanted to make sure I was living up to everyone's expectations and as a result, I had a lot of extra unnecessary stress in my life. In 2914 I vow to be the best version of me that I can be and not worry about everyone around me. 

Professional: 
This summer I will hopefully land some teaching interviews. In order to prepare for these I want to make sure I am doing my homework by reading up on the practices in education. Any book suggestions? Let me know in the comments below!

Classroom: 
I plan on subbing a lot this semester so that I can see other teaching styles and get ideas for the future. Kayla from Meet Miss Parker shared the fabulous idea of keeping a subbing journal of ideas you loved and I can't wait to implement this soon!

Blog/TPT: 
This is straight forward. I want to post at least once a week every week all year. No excuses this time around! I will make it happen! 

Just-for-fun: 
I want to travel! I think I say this every year and yet I never go anywhere. 2014, making that change! I will explore new places this year! 

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Next up we have the fabulous Instagram linky party. Instagram is my new favorite social media. It is so easy to use. Use a fun editing app, post a picture, throw in some hashtags and you're good to go! Way easier than blog posting and I may have used Instagram as my crutch this year. 

Elizabeth from Kickin' it in Kindergarten has this fun linky to share your 3 favorite pictures from Instagram on your blog. If you want to find me my username is @thepolishedteacher. 

1. This was one of my favorite moments. I turned the page in my book and there was a pressed 4 leaf clover waiting for me. I definitely think it brought me some good luck this year! I love sharing these little moments in time with my followers. 

2. I had so much fun participating in Monday made it this year. A lot of posts on Instagram were craft related. These were probably my favorite craft of the year. I made some of those drawer labels to match my blog and loved how they turned out! 

3. In September I posted 5 of the things I learned about kindergarten thus far. It was so great tore fleet about. Y experience so far and clearly they were true because so many teachers could relate! I need to do another post student teaching list because I have learned quite a few more things about teaching kindergarten! 

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Finally, I am linking up with Jennifer from Simply Kinder for a Teaching Blog linky party. There are no real requirements except to add this picture to a new or existing post and link it to her blog post. It is simply a way to connect with other bloggers and make some new friends along the way. This blogging community is the best thing that has happened to me and I love making new friends along the way! Won't you link up too? 

See you in 2014!

{FREEBIE} Inching My Way Into The New Year

265 Days

or

8 months and 20 days

(If you prefer to think that way).

That would be the insanely long amount of time that I have neglected to share an academic freebie with you all. Shame on me!

It is a wonder that I made it onto the nice list this Christmas because I for sure would have put myself on the naughty list.

Well this freebie dry spell is not going to last in 2014, I will make sure of that! I am kicking off 2014 a step ahead of time. Today I am offering a new year's resolution freebie that hopefully you can use when you get back from break. 

(Click either image to download)

Feel free to pin this freebie!

This is a freebie used for children to write a resolution and then three steps (inch by inch) they will take to make that resolution a reality. I tried to really carry through that caterpillar theme! Thanks for the adorable clip art Krista!

It was great to be able to express myself creatively again. I have thoroughly missed that outlet! I may have downloaded hundreds of new clip art files today that inspired other ideas for freebies. I can't wait to share more with you all! 

2014 will be my year of giving back to all my fabulous followers. I have big plans to make more resources to share. Most importantly, shared more frequently! Everything I create will be free so if you are not following my blog you are going to miss out!

Hope you are all enjoying your vacation!

Twice the Fun {Christmas Linky Parties}

I figure if anything can get me in the blogging spirit again it's a good linky party! Combine that with a Christmas  theme and you had me at hello! Well, I figured go big or go home! I am doing 2 linky parties (because I know the odds are stacked against me that I will post again before Christmas). Today I am linking up with the ever fabulous Hope at 2nd Grade Shenanigans and Michelle at Fabulous in First. I hope you will head over and link up too! 

First up, the holiday wishlist with Hope!

This camera was on my Black Friday shopping list but at the last moment I chickened out. The camera intimidated me. I don't let a classroom of 20 wild kinders intimidate me, yet I let a camera. Go figure! After reading this post from Maria, I am seriously kicking myself! I need this camera in my life!

The Cameo is probably the single most amazing new piece of technology for a teacher. It can assist in creating custom desk art, personalized clipboards, or just about anything you can dream up! The possibilities for crafty creations are endless! I already have a million and one uses for it! If Santa could drop this under my tree I would be one happy teacher!

In my opinion, you can never go wrong with a gift card! Just like in the classroom, give people choice and they will love it! Now with gift card malls and e-gift cards, spreading joy has never been easier! Combine the simple gift card with an adorable tag you can find on Pinterest and you have a winner! 

I am a sucker for Christmas candy! I have a serious sweet tooth and those fun holiday candy labels get me every time! Opening a stocking and finding a treat inside always makes me smile. There is something for everyone! My favorite is Wonka candy! Such a kid at heart!

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Next, the Christmas questionnaire from Michelle!

Hot Chocolate or Eggnog? 

Hot chocolate! Never had Eggnog and won't touch it with a ten foot pole! Peppermint hot chocolate with fluff on top is where it's at. I have heard this is a New England thing. However, if you haven't had it, you aren't living! 

Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them underneath the tree?
Santa wraps presents in Santa themed wrapping paper unless it is a very large and abnormally shaped object that doesn't led itself to wrapping paper and then it just gets a big bow. 

Colored lights or white? 

White lights are my favorite. I love the classic, polished look that makes me think of a winter wonderland.

When do you decorate?
If I had my way it would be much earlier than it is in reality. We decorate the house minus the tree right after Thanksgiving. The tree usually doesn't come until closer to Christmas. We still don't have a tree yet and it is killing me! However, we do keep the tree up until weeks after Christmas so I guess it all evens out.

Real or Fake Tree?
Real tree all the way. We head to a Christmas tree farm and cut one down ourselves. It just doesn't feel like Christmas unless there is a real tree. My mom and I are both allergic but we suffer through in the spirit of Christmas. 

What Tops Your Tree?

A very old angel holding a candle has topped the tree ever year. She is falling apart but we can't bear to part with her.

Favorite Christmas Memories or Traditions?

Every Christmas Eve we get a pair of Christmas pajamas that we wear to bed and then wear to open presents on Christmas morning. It is one of my favorite traditions to date! I have quite the pajama collection which is perfect for pajama day at school!

Do you remember your favorite gift as a child?
I got a Minnie Mouse bike for Christmas and I was obsessed with it! I remember riding the bike around the kitchen table since it was too snowy to ride it outside. Pretty sure my parents regretted buying me that thing!

Do prefer giving or receiving?
Giving is my favorite part of the holidays! Although I am terrible and keeping secrets and usually end up spilling the beans in excitement before they even receive their present!

What is your favorite Christmas song?
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by the Rascal Flatts. Their version is just so beautiful. I cannot get enough of Christmas music! We have been listening to Christmas music all day long during school and it just makes me so incredibly happy!

Candy Canes. Yuck or Yum? 

Yum, yum, yum! I love candy canes! The peppermint ones that are tiny and come in individual plastic pouches like Santa used to give away are still my favorites. I will eat those all day long!

Favorite Christmas Movie?
Undeniably Elf. The best Christmas movie of all time. Cannot stop laughing the entire way through! Best movie to quote ever!

Do you shop online or at stores?

At stores all the way. I really have to go see the object in person before I buy it. Plus I don't like waiting for a package to ship. Ain't nobody got time for that during the holiday season!

Photo Cards, Letter or Store Bought Card?
I love photo cards! There are so many creative ones now that it is so rare you would ever get two that are alike. I love seeing the changes year after year. The collection is already starting to grow on the mantle! 

Thanks so much for hosting ladies! They were so much fun and got me even more in the Christmas spirit! 2 weeks from today is the best day of the year! Merry Christmas! 

 

Currently December? Say what?

It cannot be December 3rd already! I feel like this year has been the fastest year yet! Anyone else with me? I finally decided I had neglected my blog and blog stalking enough! I think I am 3 weeks behind on blog stalking. Can you imagine the holiday freebies I missed out on! I figured I could muster up a Currently post since I am all into that Christmas spirit thing and it gives me inspiration! Pretty soon I will have plenty of time to post and stalk seeing as I won't be full time teaching. (Saddity, sad, sadsville!) I don't know how some of you juggle teaching, being a mom, blogging and TPTing. I used to think I was a multi-tasker but definitely not! You are absolutely amazing and the hardest working people I know! Anyhoo, before I go on an hour rambling rant, here is my Currently! 

Listening: CMA Country Music special is on. Clearly on DVR because there was no way I was catching it on a Monday night! I love Christmas music! It just makes me so incredibly happy!

Loving: The Elf on the Shelf was clearly the best invention ever! I definitely believe I am more obsessed with the elf than the children are! I can't wait to see what he comes up with next! Be sure to follow his adventures on my Instagram! Did I mention my kids named him after their favorite brain break video? Yea, they are that cool! Which leads me to my "thinking"...

Thinking: It is unbelievable how attached you get to your students in such a short time. I think it was about 5 minutes before they stole my heart. This year has definitely been incredibly challenging behavior-wise but oh boy did I fall in love with these kiddos. I can't even bear to think that in just a few short days I will be leaving. I don't want to go! Get ready to cue the waterworks!

Wanting: I am pretty sure the calendar is missing a day. In my fantasy world it would go Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sleeperday. Just adding in that extra day completely devoted to sleep would make my life complete. My brand new Netflix addiction is not helping with the sleeping thing. Thus Sleeperday needs to be established!

Needing: Ink. Need I say more? The amount of ink that you need to keep up with all the amazing things you find on TPT in out of this world! I have been spending $60 left and right! Santa, do you hear me? I need ink! Lots and lots of ink!

Favorite Tradition: Every Christmas eve since I was a child I have opened one present. This present always contains a brand new pair of holiday PJ's that I wear to bed. It is one that I am quite fond of and am greatly looking forward to! 

I am now headed off to bed since it is clearly past my "teacher" bedtime. 

Have a wonderful Hump Day tomorrow! Oh that gives me the best idea! My elf should do a hump day antic tomorrow like in the Geico commercial! Gotta go get that sorted out! My kids are going to love it!