Favorite Restaurant: Kibberia

The first embarrassing thing I need to admit is that I've only been to this restaurant once...this past week...and it's a favorite now!  I had recently visited a middle-eastern restaurant with my boyfriend and his parents and tried things I've never had before.  Falafel...wow! so good!  I can't believe I've been missing out on all this for all this time.  I'm really glad that I'm trying new foods, because it makes traveling around the world a lot easier when you're open to different cuisines.

We went to Kibberia in Danbury, CT.  We sampled many different dishes, and I have to say that everything was good and fresh.  The restaurant has Panera style ordering, where you order at the counter, grab a number and choose your own table.  The food is brought out to you, and you sit and feast for as long as you'd like.  The wait staff is super friendly and accommodating.  Make sure to save room for dessert, because their bakery and coffee bar is incredible!

If you're open to trying new foods, or if you love middle eastern food and you're in the Danbury area, I suggest you check out Kibberia!

A Must-Read for Kids: WONDER and the Julian Chapter

I've blogged about the amazing story Wonder before. If you still haven't read it, please make sure it's on your to-be-read summer list. It's a story that will truly touch your life. I love this review from our favorite author, Emily Giffin:

After reading the story, many kids (and adults) asked the author, R.J. Palacio, why she didn't include a chapter on Julian's perspective (the school bully). Her response (seen on her website) is that it just didn't fit the book; the story would have went in a totally different direction. But... in May, R. J. Palacio decided to release an e-book "chapter" based on Julian's thoughts. 

Here's the Barnes & Noble overview:

Now readers will have a chance to hear from the book's most controversial character—Julian. 

From the very first day Auggie and Julian met in the pages of the #1 New York Times bestseller Wonder, it was clear they were never going to be friends, with Julian treating Auggie like he had the plague. And while Wonder told Auggie's story through six different viewpoints, Julian's perspective was never shared. Readers could only guess what he was thinking.

Until now. The Julian Chapter will finally reveal the bully's side of the story. Why is Julian so unkind to Auggie? And does he have a chance for redemption?

I downloaded it this past week and you definitely need to read it after reading Wonder. I wanted to share the "chapter" with my students this week, but ran out of time. Be sure to add this to your summer reading list! 

High Five for Friday: Oh, Hello Summer!

What a special High Five for Friday... the FIRST official Friday of Summer! The last week of school is always bittersweet. It's always chaotic, hot, and sweaty. And of course, it's always surreal. Did we really make it? Is the end of year really here?

A few highlights from my week: 

1. Last Saturday we spent the day at the Harbor. It was an unexpected visit and I felt like I was in heaven. I love being by the ocean.  The smell of salt water in the air is my favorite. Watching the boats sail by as the grass tickled my toes was pure bliss. Heaven. Absolute heaven.

2. End of Year Celebration. We spent a few hours at the bowling alley on Monday. Our kids love this end-of-year celebration. It's air conditioned, there's music and disco lights, food, and bowling! Monday was our last full day of school and we love spending it this way! 

3. Meeting Amanda for dinner. It was so great to finally catch up for a quick dinner. We're both so excited for our busy summer plans!

4. Surviving the cleaning of my classroom. I spent all week cleaning my classroom little by little. I love the idea of starting fresh in September, so I try to pack up enough stuff to make the fresh start possible. I'm excited to revamp my classroom library in September.

5. Ending the week with my family. No better way to launch the summer! :-)

Today we're linking up with Lauren Elizabeth. The ladies over at 5 on Friday are taking a summer break from their link party. I decided that I might take a break from my "High Five for Friday's" too. I'm not 100% sure yet, though. We'll see what happens! :)

High Five for Friday....SUMMER!!!

The past few weeks have been absolutely INSANE with school work, packing to move, planning our trip to Europe this summer...and planning Disney for December!  I have been working at what feels like 130% and it has definitely taken a toll on blogging each day.  I apologize to all our readers who have seen silence on here for the past week or so, but I promise, I'll be back on track soon enough!  

Here's how the week went!

1. Ancient Greek Olympics at School

Over the past few weeks, my students have been learning about Ancient Greece and Rome.  We've learned about the Gods and Goddesses, as well as what life was like in these ancient civilizations.  (Do I dare admit that this is something I liked about Common Core??? EEK!)  We had a ball, and ended the unit with a review of ELA and math skills students had learned all year.  Our literacy and math coaches helped us put on an amazing day for the kids to have fun reviewing these concepts dressed in togas!  If it wasn't for the coaches or our parent volunteers, this day wouldn't have been possible!

2. An Afternoon Out on Wednesday with Co-Workers

My assistant principal is moving up to Principal at the middle school.  Many staff members came out to support his new endeavor, and it was really nice to chat and catch up with so many people we work with day in and day out.  As busy as this week was, I'm really glad we all got together to stop and celebrate a little!

3. Meeting Dawn for Dinner

Time has been flying this year, and Dawn and I haven't been able to get together as often as we used to!  Now that summer was coming, I insisted we get together, and it was so much fun chatting and catching up.  Friends who you can just "pick right back up with" are the best kinds of friends!

4. The LAST day of school!

School ended yesterday, and It couldn't have come sooner!  We had 4 full school days this week, and the kids and the teachers were so ready for the big wave goodbye!

5. Today, I was able to sleep in and begin to pack things up! My mom came to visit and helped me pack.  We were able to have some really good conversations.  I'm really thankful that I have her in my life to see me through all these big moments in life.  I'm onto the next chapter of life with Marc, and I have to admit, I'm really excited!

Happy Weekend!

Hip, Hip Hooray! Today's the LAST DAY!

YAY! Hip, Hip Hooray! Today's the LAST DAY! It's finally here! School's out... Summer has officially arrived! 

Our last day of school is always a special one because we gather together outside (students, parents, faculty, staff) underneath a huge, white tent and watch the 8th graders graduate. The kids enjoy watching their peers graduate and teachers reminisce and get teary-eyed.  The graduation takes up most of our morning, which leaves us just a little bit of time to say our goodbyes before the buses roll in. 

This was me running out of school:

I'm welcoming summer with a busy weekend ahead, but really looking forward to:

-Lunch with my mom and sister on Friday!

-Pool day with my mom and sister on Friday! 

-Celebrating my husband's birthday on Saturday & Sunday! 

Happy Summer, Everyone! :-)

A question for teachers....

I have a question for all teachers out there: 

Do you unplug, turn the teacher in you off, and try to relax all summer, or even just a month, to recharge your brain?  

OR 

Do you begin working on next year's curriculum, plan out your classroom routines and space as soon as the kids walk out the door in June?

Marc and I had this discussion last week.  He's a high school history teacher and I'm a third grade elementary school teacher.  He stopped teaching two weeks prior to the end of school to give final exams and regents exams.  I taught up until the very last day at 3pm.  I was feeling burnt out and he was feeling excited to begin something new.  

I usually feel like I need a few weeks to clear my head and recharge a little bit before I begin thinking about September and a new school year.  I feel like I give every ounce of myself every day of the school year, usually sacrificing socialization with friends (ever feel like you only see your teacher friends in the summer?).  I feel like we all go into hibernation mode during the school year, so once school is out, I like to do things that I don't normally get to do when school is in session.  

When August usually rolls around, I feel like my head has been cleared enough to begin to prepare for a new school year that's filled with fresh ideas and new and exciting lessons.  

SO...which teacher are you? One who needs a break, or one who can't turn your brain off?!  

Comment below!

Home Base Binder

I've blogged about my love for Emily Ley before and here I go again!

Emily Ley is a designer who has created paper stationery goods. She helps women focus on what matters most by bringing joy and simplicity into their lives. She's well-known for her Simplified Planner- an amazing monthly/weekly/daily planner! Her 2015 planners will be available on September 3rd. I can't wait to order one! Click here for more information!

Besides the Simplified Planner, I"m truly in love with the Home Base Binder. This binder is perfect to manage home, family, and everything in between. Emily includes 82 pages inside, along with 6 gold foil detailed, colorful dividers for these sections: 

Section 1: Family - Perpetual calendar, Emergency information
 
Section 2: Contacts - Home & repair contacts, Family & friends contacts
 
Section 3: Projects - Planning pages (12 - one for each month)
 
Section 4: Meal Plan - Weekly meal planning / grocery shopping pages (52 - one for each week of the year)
 
Section 5: Finances - Monthly spending plan pages (12 - one for each month)
 
Section 6: Heart - Family bucket list (This is also a great section to house other special documents - including our favorite, Lara Casey's PowerSheets) 

I love the idea of keeping this in my kitchen and having shared access to everything at all times. We typically have lists and receipts everywhere. This would make life a lot easier! 

Emily explains the basics of the Home Base Binder perfectly here: 

Do you have an Emily Ley planner? If you don't, what kind of planner do you use?

Terrific Trail Mix Recipe!

My go-to snack for the longest time was trail mix. I'm drawn to how colorful and fun the mix can be, and of course, I love the sweet and salty blend. It's irresistible! 

Here are some quick and easy trail mix recipes: 

Empty the Pantry: Mix pretzels, popcorn, almonds, cashews, peanuts and raisins.

Cheery Cherry Chocolate: Mix dried cherries, dark chocolate chunks or chips, white chocolate chunks or chips and almonds.

Banana Rama: Mix dried banana chips, dried cranberries, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), chocolate chunks or chips and granola

Here's a favorite trail mix recipe from AllRecipes.com:

Mountain Trail Mix Recipe 

-1/2 cup cashews

-1/2 cup raisins

-1/4 cup almonds

-1 (1.69 ounce) bag of M&M's

Combine the cashews, peanuts, almonds, raisins and chocolate in a bowl. Store in an airtight container to store. 

It's SUMMER! All things FROZEN fun!

Happy Summer Everyone!!! I have to admit...ever since Frozen came out, I have been in love with it...especially with OLAF! He's hysterical, and now that it's summer, I can't help but laugh at him a little more because of his funny personality.  I decided to dedicate this post to all things Olaf and Summer!!

This video is great!!

A Favorite Restaurant: Rosy Tomorrow's

Since I'm moving from the area, I have been visiting some favorite restaurants lately, that I had to share with you!  One of my most favorite restaurants is called Rosy Tomorrow's!  Located in Danbury, Connecticut, just over the NY border is this gem of a restaurant.  Inside, you can find an interestingly decorated train car, with a pub attached.  The food is delicious, including salads, sandwiches and entrees.  They even have a delicious Sunday brunch.  Live music is common during busy mealtimes!  

Here's how Rosy's got started:

It began in Danbury, when Rosy was orphaned as a young girl. She was taken in to help with household chores by a family which owned the local hat factory. The head cook, sensing Rosy’s energy and determination, took Rosy under her wing. Together they catered savory fare for innumerable parties, where Rosy learned firsthand how flavorful food could bring pleasure to the table.

Having gained a wealth of culinary knowledge, and desperate to be self sufficient, she opened a booth at the Great Danbury Fair in 1915. Not being able to afford a booth in the food pavilion, a stroke of luck put her as the only booth next to the beer dispensing pavilion and her sales of food specialties soared as thirsty patrons easily found her. Her real American menu drew crowds of hungry devotees year after year and her fame increased.

When weary soldiers returned home from the war in Europe, Rosy organized a group of patriotic women to greet these heroes at the local railway station and present them with an overflowing wicker basket of roast chicken, crusty breads, homemade soups, local cheeses, fresh baked apple pies, and of course, a couple of cold bottles of frosty beer! These soldiers were desperate for a taste of home. Her fame as a patriot spread quickly to national levels and before long women volunteered to help her with baskets at other railway stations. Rosy delighted the soldiers with her radiant smile, her warmth, and her energy as she embraced them in her happiness to have them share in the abundance of home.

The booth at the Fair continued to draw devotees year after year and she kept the booth open and helped charity for the next 40 years. Although the Fair ended in 1981, Rosy is recalled as a great example of a woman of her time who overcame the difficulties of real life and truly believed in a Rosy Tomorrow.

If you ever travel through Danbury, make Rosy Tomorrow's as part of your journey through town!

I have a HUGE CRUSH on...

SAM SMITH!!

I've been hearing his music a lot on the radio lately and his name has been all over the place. If you haven't heard him yet, you're missing out! He's the newest "It boy" and has been described as the "male Adele." His album was just released on June 17th and it's almost at #1... if it isn't already!

 Last night, Z100 (New York's #1 Hit Radio Station) was replaying his iHeartRadio concert and I fell in love with a lot of his songs.

You might be familiar with Stay With Me:

I'm also really in love with Lay Me Down:



And if you click on any of these videos... PLEASE CLICK ON THIS ONE! Sam sings "How Will I Know" by Whitney Houston. Swoon!!!

Pool Party & Snacks!

Looking for quick and easy snacks to bring to your pool party? Here are some ideas that require little to no preparation. Healthy and quick snacks = a perfect summer day!

1. Cheese & Crackers: Some great cheeses for snacking outside are semi-soft to hard cheeses: mozzarella, Swiss, Gouda, cheddar, or Muenster. Easy to cut and serve with any tasty cracker!

2. Make-Your-Own Sandwiches: Get as gourmet as you'd like with a deli platter! Turkey, ham, cheese! Add lettuce, tomato, condiments. Everyone will be able to tailor them to their liking. 

3. Trail Mix: Mix up a big batch of trail mix and keep it in an airtight can or sealed bag for easy snacking. A basic trail mix recipe usually includes peanuts, raisins, and M&Ms. Try it with any dried fruit such as mango, papaya, cherries, or cranberries. Add sunflower seeds, nuts, pretzels, or yogurt covered raisins!

4. Smoothies: Smoothies provide a ton of nutrients and are very satisfying on a hot day! It's better to make smoothies and serve immediately, but you can make a big pitcher and keep refrigerated until you're ready to drink.  

5. Pasta Salad: The sky's the limit when making pasta salad! Throw in veggies! Add cubed cheese such as mozzarella or feta and chicken for protein!

6. Fruit: The best snack to keep you hydrated and energized throughout the day! Cut up slices of melon or wash a bunch of grapes and freeze them for a super cold snack! Fruit kabobs are also fun and a great way to get the kids involved!

7. Veggies & Dips: Veggies are quick and easy to prepare and store! Dips such as hummus, guacamole, and yogurt-based dips are healthy additions to your summer menu!

8. Chips & Salsa: The simplest snacks to keep poolside! Consider making your own fresh salsa! 

9. Popsicles: What's a day by the pool without a frozen treat? Make them from fruit juice, yogurt, or pudding!

10. Ice cream: I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! The best snack for summer!  

These snacks were inspired by 10 Easy Poolside Snacks - click over for more awesome stuff! 

DisneyQuestions.Com

While planning our trip to Disney World this coming December, I stumbled across disneyquestions.com, a website that publishes answers to common questions for tourists!  The site answers questions from resort options to dining plans to park planning.  Recently, my friend Angela began writing for them, too!  Check out DisneyQuestions.com for great answers to all your Disney Questions!

Citrus Basil Mojito Pops

I saw this recipe on Skinnytaste blog today and I'm really tempted to make these ice pops before we head out to the pool. I love the ingredients: orange, lemon and lime, fresh mint and basil. So refreshing! The full recipe is listed below, but head on over to Skinnytaste for more information or step-by-step directions with pictures! :-) Happy Summer!!

Citrus Basil Mojito Pops
Skinnytaste.com
Servings: 8 • Size: 1 pop • Old Points: 1 pt • Weight Watchers Points+: 1 pt
Calories: 34 • Fat: 0 g • Carb: 8 g • Fiber: 0 g • Protein: 0 g • Sugar: 7 g
Sodium: 1 mg • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups fresh squeezed orange juice
• 8 tsp raw sugar, or your favorite sweetener (raw honey for Paleo)
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 3/4 cup water
• 8 fresh mint leaves
• 8 fresh basil leaves
• 2 tbsp rum (optional)

High Five for Friday: Last Friday of the School Year!

"It's our last Friday of the school year!" -my kids screamed as they walked into my classroom Friday morning. We're all super excited that summer break is almost here. I guess it didn't help that we talked about Summer Reading & Writing all week. :-) A few highlights of my week:

1. Spending the entire weekend with family - celebrating our dad's for Father's Day! We had a very "full" weekend and I love weekends that are spent entirely with family. There's nothing better than that! The weather was absolutely gorgeous on both Saturday & Sunday and we spent the majority of our time outside. Sunday night came too quick. It was really, really hard to kiss the weekend goodbye!

2. Gorgeous weather. A common thread throughout my High Five for Friday posts is weather. Weather impacts my day greatly. If it's rainy, I want to be lazy and stay in bed. If it's sunny and warm, I want to be outside all day. If it's snowing... I'm not even gonna go there! We had a few gorgeous days this week and they just make the day that much better. High five for gorgeous days! 

3. Skirts & Dresses. That part of the year where all my wardrobe consists of are cute sun dresses or skirts has officially hit. YESSS!!! Bring it on!!!

4. Curriculum day! My colleagues and I requested a day to plan for next year. We mapped out our entire curriculum for ELA & Social Studies. It felt SO good and I'm really, really excited to launch our new units in September! 

5. Cleaning out lockers. I walked into work on Friday and there were two, very large red bins outside of my classroom. Locker clean-out day!!! Papers were flying, TONS of my library books crawled out of very dark places in lockers, and plastic bags were all over the place... ahhh, the end of the year is here! 

We are linking up with Lauren Elizabeth! Click on over for more awesome stuff!