These are a few of my Favorite things...Fourteen in '14

14. Favorite quote:

From Bones. Dr. Brennan and Booth talking in the car about their relationship. 

Brennan: “You’re upset. You know I’d never sleep with him.”

Booth: “Well, you did tell me once that you thought that monogamy was unnatural.”

Brennan: “Yes. That’s true. Before I realized that we’re symbiotic. Like a clown fish and a sea anemone.”

Booth: “What are you talking about? Nemo? That doesn’t sound very romantic.”

Brennan: “I disagree. You and I, we’re bound to one another. So much so that I don’t feel I could survive without you. You nurture me, you protect me. You’re my home. If I were to damage that by a meaningless dalliance, it would be like killing myself. Something I would never do.”

Booth: “That sounds a little better.”

Brennan: “I would never let anything compromise the life we share, Booth. I love you.”

Booth: “Okay, that’s romantic.”

Bones isn't my favorite show, I just happened to be watching it with my mom. I paused and rewound it so I could record this conversation and show it to my boyfriend. I thought it was so cute.

13. Favorite article of clothing:

Hoodies. I absolutely love Hoodies. and Jeans. I am most comfortable in jeans, a hoodie and flip flops!

12. Favorite movie you watched:

I haven't watched a lot of movies...I have a tendency to fall asleep. However we did have a girls day and watched Divergent and Sex Tape. I laughed so hard during Sex Tape. It was SO funny. So that one can be the winner. I also showed Prancer to my kids the last week before winter break and forgot what a great movie that is.

11. Favorite TV series:

Grimm.

10. Favorite restaurant:

I love Chevys. Sadly there isn't one anywhere near us. I think Orlando is the closest one. 

9. Favorite new thing you tried:

Stand Up PaddleBoarding. Since moving to FL my boyfriend wanted to buy one for himself so we thought we better try it before investing in a board. It was so HARD but so fun! We did NOT get to paddleboard with the Sea Manatees but I am hoping swimming with them is coming soon in 2015!!

8. Favorite gift you got:

My monogrammed necklace and our home Florida sign. Both birthday presents from my sometimes very thoughtful boyfriend.

7. Favorite thing you pinned:

I wanted to make a wreath for our door. I scoured pinterest for something I thought I could make without too much training and came across this cute little guy and decided I could do that. 

 However at the time I did not realize it was an ornament...I just looked the picture and made it. Mine is a little different but I think I NAILED IT!

6. Favorite blog post:

My good friend, amazing teacher and previously my coworker, Fourth Grade Lemonade! She encouraged me to start my own blog and I am constantly asking her what to write about, post, etc. If you don't follow her you need to! 

5. Best accomplishment:

Making the move to Florida. It was a big move for me, far away from my family, moving in with my boyfriend, as well as a new school, grade level and curriculum. Big steps in my life. But I feel really good about it all in the end. Happy Six Months in Florida to me!

4. Favorite picture:

Because it is ours. 

Our first Christmas tree, creating all our holiday traditions together has been a great experience. 

3. Favorite memory:

Feeding and kissing the baby zebra at the Fair! He was so soft and such a greedy little guy he wanted all the carrots!

2. Goal for 2015:

Actually put things in my TpT store. I have tons of things that I create but I get shy about sharing them with the world. So I will try and post at least one thing to my store and blog each month!

1. One Little Word:

Happy.

 

The Not So Elf on a Shelf

Elf on a Shelf is all the rage right now! While I think it is amazing that this little toy elf can make kids behave is awesome how it works is beyond me but hey it works and that's all that matters right?! 

I don't particularly care for the elf himself, nothing personal to elves but I am more partial to reindeer and other antlered animals of the woods, winter and Christmas. 

So this year I decided to break out my reindeer. I had some reservations about him because well I teach fifth grade and I wasn't sure fifth graders would buy into it (boy was I wrong) and my previous school didn't have time nor did they really support doing things like that because of our population (mostly Hispanic and lower income families). Several of my friends this year had Elves and so we all chatted about how the kids were reacting to their Christmasy creatures!

On to my reindeer!

Day 1: He appeared with a typed letter explaining he was here to watch over my class and report back to Santa and that he needed a name because he was a secret agent and he had forgotten his. The kids voted on a name, my kids came up with quite an array of names however ended with the choice between Mooski and Sven. Sven being the obvious winner. Sven also brought reindeer games, an awesome behavior system from Second Story Window that I came across while on the search for fun activities. Again wasn't sure how it would go over in fifth grade, but needless to say they also loved the reindeer games behavior system as much as they loved Sven! Every time they received all 9 reindeer they earned a candy cane point AND got to choose one of the reindeer games to play (these were quick, max of like 10-15 minutes). I HIGHLY recommend it!
Day 2. I had a sub (of course, Day 2 of my reindeer days I would have a sub half day!) well Sven brought them a candy cane kiss estimation jar and the kids kept up the great behavior!
Day 3: Sven coined #reindeerselfie after drawing a reindeer nose and antlers on the bathroom mirror. (picture to the left)
Day 4: Sven could be found curled up with his favorite stuffed reindeer, reading books and enjoying the scents of the North Pole! (My favorite winter smell from Yankee Candle Company!)
Day 5: Sven was doing such a good job of watching over the kids he was able to try out for the Sleigh Team! He could be found soaring over the kids practicing! This is when it really hit me that they LOVED Sven and really bought into him. The minute they walked in the room they would go searching for him without stopping to drop coats, backpacks, or breakfast etc. They even kept it a secret (well most of them) until everyone had found him. So heartwarming!
Day 6: UH OH! The kids were naughty on Day 5 while Sven was practiving for the sled team so some Elves came to check in on him and make sure that he was doing what he was supposed to be doing. The Elves said that if the kids didn't start behaving and earning their reindeer/candy cane points Sven would have to leave and would not be able to try out for the sled team. Some of my kids were DEVASTATED! My favorite was one of my girls who yelled "What they can't take the sled team away from him that is his dream!" I loved it! 

Day 7: Sven could stay and he was found taking a bath and soaking his hooves and nose after being tied up by the elves.
Day 8: Sven and his friends get caught playing the reindeer Hokey Pokey under our class Christmas Tree! The kids thought this was hysterical. They just kept giggling about it all day, especially since one little guy was doing it all wrong! (He's the one with his tail in rather than his antlers!)
Day 9: Sven threw out all the votes in the estimation jar because the kids were being naughty. Luckily the elves didn't take him away.
Day 10: Sven hid in the Dallas Cowboys helmet and wrote GO COWBOYS all over the whiteboard! We are afterall a COWBOYS classroom!
Day 11: Sven was playing "Don't let the Snowman melt!" with his friends. Only Five Days Left!!
Day 12: Sven brought the makings of Reindeer Food!
Day 13: Sven and his friends are caught playing Pictureka!
Day 14: One more day but First Prancer is on his way, we watched the movie Prancer. My kids LOVED this movie. So glad it is one of my favorites!
Day 15: Sven's last day. He brought us one last gift, Santa comes to FLORIDA! He helped me read it to the class after opening our class presents.

I am looking forward to Santa Coming to Florida! 

Hope you all enjoyed hearing about the adventures of Sven!