Hot Dots Flash Giveaway!

I love Hot Dots. 

T loves Hot Dots.

My first graders love Hot Dots.  We have the place value set and J said, "This is the opposite of boring." Ah! As a kid who could absolutely use repeated practice, this was music to my ears! 

The pens are fun. The cards are awesome because they are durable, you can differentiate, use with partners OR independently, AND little explanation is needed. They are kid and parent friendly (yes, I've sent them home for extra practice!

Educational Insights has really improved the design, too! 

I'm a fan. They are cost effective, interactive, and fun! 

So much so in fact, that I asked my friends at Educational Insights if I could pass along a set to a friend! Up for grabs-a SIX pack of Hot Dots Pens and a set of the game cards!!! 

Want 'em?

Enter here. It COULD NOT be easier! Seriously, 3 clicks and you are done! 

Good luck! 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

It's all about ME!

As I was thinking about Slice of Life #8, I considered writing my ode to Melanie Watt or about Happify or maybe even about how awesome I think my class is. I changed my mind though. This post is all about ME!

My favorites.....

color-red. ooh, and blue. mix them together and they make purple-which I also love.

food-pizza. Make it pepperoni. Extra smiles if you throw on a little spinach.

picture book-No David! 

restaurant-OK Cafe in Atlanta, Zea in Mobile

vacation spot-anywhere with my family

recipe to cook-NONE!

dessert-gooey brownies

adult beverage-Mojito

movie-Goodwill Hunting

music-Journey, Elton John, old school rap, and 80's hair bands

Hmmmm...what else?

animal-oddly enough, I'm going to go with dog

city to visit-DC or NYC

tv show-Full House

drink at Starbucks-hot weather brings the joy of iced white mocha, nonfat, no whip. When the cool breeze blows, I go for a peppermint mocha no whip. Those are both virtually fat free. :) 

snack-I'm on a popcorn kick lately

exercise-walking

thing to do with T-snuggle

thing to do with N-travel to a new place and experience it together

Indian food-samosas

free time activity-reading professional lit, seriously-geek city!

Thanks for indulging me #SLICE friends! What are your favorites?

When Did I Get Old?

Picture it. First grade classroom. Yesterday.

One of my kids reached a HUGE reading goal. (YAY!)

I tell him we must immediately notify mom and dad. He agrees.

We proceed to the phone hanging on the wall in my classroom. I dial the number. He bounces with excitement. 

I say to mom, "We have big news! Here's __." 

I hand him the phone. It looks just like this one.

He looks at me as if I have handed him an explosive. 

Kid-How do you hold this thing?

Me-Um, what? 

Parent-Hello? Hello?

Kid-How do you hold it with this line on it? 

Me-I'm not sure if you're kidding (though obviously he is not kidding, NOT KIDDING!)

Parent-Are you there?


So I placed the receiver into the palm of his hand and showed him to how to hold the phone. He nodded as if to say, "Thank you for teaching me how to use this outdated piece of equipment that I will probably never use again. You're a sweet old lady." 

It doesn't stop there! I call my sweet mom to tell her about it and she says..........OF ALL THINGS......

"Now you know how I feel."

 One foot in the grave people, one foot in the grave. 

#SLICE2013

Silence

The older I get, the more I value quiet. 

Maybe it's the fact that being a first grade teacher and mommy to a preschooler does not allow for much quiet. 

Maybe it's the being one of four children growing up thing. 

Maybe it's the constant chatter I always have going on in my own mind....to do lists, take the high road, data, call parent, call my parents, how is my niece, am i gaining weight, is it me or her-obviously her, why did I do that, guilt, plan this, plan that, save money for, where is his backpack, where is my teacher bag, what is for dinner, do we need eggs, what was I doing.....

Ah, silence. quiet. peace. I came across this from Napoleon Dynamite, I mean, Napoleon Bonaparte.

Sounds like good advice. I've got it! More walking! Yoga! Deep breathing! Reading!

Or maybe, just maybe, I need to make time for some good ol' fashion silence. 

#Slice2013