Farley's Currently July

It's just about two weeks since summer vacation officially began. During these past few weeks, I haven't done a thing related to school. I love to teach, but every year, I take a few weeks of vacation to do other things and just relax. 

As you probably already know, Google Reader will be gone on July 1st. I, like so many of you, joined Bloglovin'. I absolutely love it. Now, every night, I get a blog update in one email. It's great. So, if you didn't already sign-up, head on over. Just click on the link above. It's free and very easy to do. 
And, now onto Farley's Currently for July (click the link to join the fun)...

Listening: It's therapeutic to listen to birds chirp (at least I think so).

Loving: Last year, we started a family tradition of having a campout for friends/family in honor of our son's birthday. It's awesome...around sundown, everyone sets up their tent in the yard. Then, we have s'mores over the fire, pop Jiffypop, catch fireflies and watch a movie (it started to rain a bit, so it was an inside movie). We had the party yesterday/last night. Our youngest son is 2 (the birthday party was for him).

Here is a picture of the fam here:

Thinking: I just painted our red (deep, dark red) dining room to a very light, neutral tannish/beige (color is Rice Grain from SW). I love it, but now I need curtains. After doing a search for "cheap, no-sew DIY curtains on Pinterest, I found out I could make curtains from canvas drop cloths! Who would have thought? I bought two of them for around $10 each, some acrylic paint and medium, Frog Tape, a roller and curtain hooks. I'm just about ready to roll, but I need to think it through a bit more before starting. I will definitely post a picture when done. 

Wanting: My sister runs half-marathons and 5Ks all the time. I have only ever run in one 5K. I am crazy, but I want to do this before I am 40 (in 2 years...). My sister said she'd do it with me.

Needing: My little old 2001 Jetta is getting up there in age. Not like there is anything wrong with it, but I was just randomly thinking about it when I was filling out this Currently. Isn't it crazy how many random thoughts fill your mind at any one time? By the way, it comfortably fits ALL 3 boys in the back (2 car seats, and the oldest son in the middle). Hey, we all fit in my parents' little Subaru, back in the 80s! 

Tips: Simplify! You have to be careful not to get overwhelmed with teaching. Live your life outside of school. You DO NOT have to laminate everything (card stock works very well). Kids will play the games/activities you make even if they are not colored. Spend your time making simple games/activities that support what you are teaching. Do not spend your time on things that will be used one time or on things to fill time. 

Last Day of School....Finally!!! On to Home Organization 101!

Yeah!!! I walked out of my school a few hours ago...felt SO good!!! I love teaching, but nothing beats the first second of summer vacation. 

I spend 3 of the last 4 inservice days working in my classroom. Never in my career have I been blessed with so much time to spend in my room. Everything was cleaned out...everything....even those old laminated math games that I spend hours on....gone! Anything that I haven't used in the past 2 years was pitched. A lot of other teachers were able to take some books, borders, etc. that I put out in the hallway. Cleaning my classroom like that felt SO damn good.

So, my next project is my house. It currently looks like a cross between a daycare center and a junkyard-I'm not kidding. It's embarrassing! I was looking for great organizing blogs to give me some tips and help get me started. I found one called I Heart Organizing, and I think this will be a great one to light the fire under my butt. Do you have any home organization tips or blogs to share? I need all the help I can get.

Before I forget, here is a picture of the end of year pillowcases my kiddos made. They turned out great.

I am off to make a piña colada. My plan this summer is to take it slow...enjoy my family, friends and freedom. 

Quick Writing Prompt Freebie

Just popping in quick to link up my freebie to the Manic Monday Linky, but I'm having technical difficulties this week with the url code? 

Anyway... I use these monthly writing prompts in the writing center. My first graders use them all the time, and they are never sitting there with nothing to write about! Just click on the image below to get it. 

My firsties are done next Tuesday, but I'm not done till the 17th! If you are on your summer break, I am so jealous! If you are still in school, hang in there!

Farley's Currently June

Busy time has set in!!! 

We had our 4th Annual Poetry Party in my classroom on Friday. Parents came to see what their children learned about poetry. The children published two poems each, and they read them. They then were presented with a book with our published poems to read and keep. It was great! One of my favorite poems one of my students published was about reading (see below). This shows that CAFE really pays off!

This week is our field trip, and we're continuing our camping theme. Busy, busy, but also fun!

I'll be posting the pillowcase project I'm doing with my kids, in a few days. You don't want to miss this keepsake! What do you make for/give to your kids at the end of the year?

Here is the June Currently by Farley at Oh' Boy Fourth Grade:

1. By the time I typed this part, they were separated in different rooms (oh, well).

2. We finally got a Vitamix. My DH and I have wanted one of these for quite some time. This machine is awesome! Quick smoothies, ice cream, and best of all....kick butt Piña Coladas!

3. I love summertime!
4. I don't think anyone will be using my room, but it still needs to be cleaned up and organized. If I had an extra set of hands, it would be so much easier!!!
5. The dreaded trip to the store...enough said!
6. I live in Fit Flops during the summer. I have bunions (gross, I know), and these sandals make my feet feel amazing! I can walk around a park with kids all day, and no pain! 

Sunscreen-I've had precancerous cells removed from my nose. My sis is a dermatologist who does skin cancer surgery on a daily basis. The sun is nothing to screw around with!!!

Hot Wheels  keep my kids busy for a long time. They are small enough to fit in my purse/beach bag or their pockets. They are great for restaurants, the resort room, the beach, the car, etc. They use their imagination and use them in all kinds of ways (races, car lot, mechanic, car accidents, police chases, etc.). Highly recommend them.

Check back tomorrow for Charity Preston's Manic Monday Freebie Linky. I'll be posting an end of year goodie bag idea/paper for your kiddos.