High Five for Friday!! A Week of Awesome

Dawn and I particpate in the link party, High Five for Friday, from Lauren Elizabeth's blog. Head on over to Lauren Elizabeth for more "High Five for Friday." We're taking part in this fun reflection each week and hopefully you will too!

1. Two naps after school: This week was a rough one!  This was the second full work week in a row since November.  In addition, I had open house this week.  Getting home at 8:30 pm on Wednesday night really threw my schedule for a loop!  Yesterday I came home from school, put down my bags and turned the TV on.  I decided to lie down on the couch for just ten minutes...and two hours later I woke up! The same thing happened today! I guess my body is craving rest and sleep.  I love taking afternoon naps...do you?  The kids really have me going all day long, and preparing for state testing has me worn out!! 

2. Origami Owl Party Orders Arrived: They're HERE!!! Girls who ordered from my last party, your lockets have arrived and will be delivered next week!  I put everything together tonight and each piece came out so beautiful.  It's wonderful how each locket is completely personal and tells about each woman's life.  I love my job!! Check out my website to see new and exciting ideas (The spring line debuts March 17!!!): Origami Owl

3. Open House: I love Open House!  I don't love staying at work so late, but once everyone arrives, it's so nice to see the parents and the kids appreciating all the hard work we have done.  I have been teaching third grade for 5 years now, and former students are sure to stop by.  I had a few students from 5 years ago stop by, and I can't believe how grown up they look!  They're seventh graders, and most of them are taller than I am!!  

The photo above is of the take home projects students completed for the month of February.  The students researched a Civil Rights Leader, and created an informational folder on the leader of their choice.  All third grade teachers were super impressed with the final copy!  We wanted to display them, but since our school used to be a middle school and a high school, we don't have bulletin boards in the hallway!  The grade level brainstormed, and we decided to use thick string to display the projects on the lockers.  It worked out, and came out amazing!  Our hallway never looked better!  

The project came from the AMAZING Common Core units of Debbie Crockett, which can be found in her Teachers Pay Teachers Store.  If you're a third grade teacher, you must check out her units!  I'll be sure to dedicate a whole entire post to her eventually, in the meantime, if you're curious, go here: Crockett's Classroom

4. A Full Week of Squats: OMG.  Tonight was 60 squats.  I've made it through one week of squats, and I'm not giving up now.  My legs are sore, but I know it will be worth it.  I've seen some incredible before and after photos on Pinterest!  I found this Ryan Gossling photo and I had to share it with you.  He's true motivation. ;)  

5. Cooking a Meal for Marc: Last Saturday was my chance to show off my culinary skills to Marc.  As you know, he set the bar super high when he made me dinner on Valentine's Day.  I promised him that I'd make him dinner, and I think I impressed him.  I started the night off with one of my favorite appetizers, Crostini with Sun-Dried Tomato Jam, a Giada De Laurentiis recipe that is a family favorite.  He LOVED this and was telling me not to make dinner because it was so good and he could eat just that all night!  I ignored him and kept cooking!  Then I served a salad with arugula, gorgonzola cheese and walnuts with a balsamic vinegar and olive oil dressing.  Finally, I served another Giada De Laurentiis favorite, Linguine with Chicken Ragu.  Everything was SUPER delicious, and everything was served with Smith & Hook's Cabernet Sauvignon. Tomorrow night is Marc's turn to cook again...can't wait to see what he has on the menu!