Make a Difference Monday...

A dear friend of mine {and fellow blogger} started something new on her blog today.  She's doing "Make a Difference Monday" {check out her post if you like!} She is challenging her readers to join her in trying to make a difference in the world with simple little things that can easily be done in the midst of busy schedule.

I decided, not only to join her challenge, but to pass it along to all of my readers as well.  Every Monday she will post a new challenge, and I will do my best to pass it along to you {Be sure to follow my blog so you don't miss a challenge!}.  I would love it if you would join the challenge too and leave a comment telling me what you do each week and how it goes! 

Challenge #1: Take a dollar bill. or if you're feeling really crazy, more than one or a five... or ten... or twenty!  Stick a post-it note to it with something encouraging written on it.  Then drop it in a public place!  

Her note said "You are worth dying for. In fact, someone already did. Romans 5:8... But God showed His love to us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

What a great challenge!  And a great way I can be an echo of my Creator in a world that so desperately needs HIM!

Friday Funnies

"Kids Say the Darnedest Things"

Anyone ever seen this show? I remember watching this show with my mom several times and it always made me laugh.  Well, the kids I know also say the "darnedest things".  As a teacher and having a husband as a children's ministry director, I am around kids a lot and hear some pretty funny things. 

On Fridays, I will share with you all the funny things I hear throughout the week. I'm going to call them my "Friday Funnies". :)

Here goes nothin'!

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One of my girls was telling me about her video games, and I asked what she plays them on.  

She told me her "xbox 350" which sounds alot like xbox "free fit tee" coming from a 3 yr old.

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I was helping a student open a juice box and told her she needed to say thank you before I would give it to her.  

She told me, "my mom doesn't let me say thank you"

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To a 3 yr old Chocoate pudding is called "chocolate 'ogurt" :)

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At AWANA we will be doing a food drive.  The leader announcing it was telling the kids who we are donating to.

leader: "it's called the Baptist Children's..."

kids: "church!"

leader: "no, not church. The Baptist Children's Home.  Who do you think lives there?"

kids: "JESUS!" 

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I could probably go on and on with all the funny things I hear, but this is enough for now {I have to get dinner started soon ;)}  Hope it can put a smile on your face.  

Happy Friday!

Photo Update

Here are a few things to keep you updated on my life...

Passion 2012 in Atlanta, GA

My new bulletin board 
The snow flakes say "{Child's name} loves _____"  They had the best answers when I asked them what they loved about preschool. :)

My husband and his {very} early birthday present... our first TV!

Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Bites

So I was in the mood to bake something tonight, and I just happened to have two wonderful things on hand.

  

1. A bag of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (a christmas gift of course because I'm 

too cheap to buy them)

2. A box of brownie mix (Aldi brand. Seriously the best brownies in the world.)

I also have mini muffin tins and a working oven. :)  Here's what you do. 

Mix up the brownies according to package directions. Preheat your oven to 350.  Spray the mini muffin tins with non-stick spray.  Fill the cups 2/3 full with brownie batter (my small cookie scoop was the perfect amount).  Gently push an unwrapped peanut butter cup into each cup.  Bake them for 10-14 min.  

They are delicious and bite size!

And a picture of mine fresh out of the oven...MMMMmmmm!

An underestimated letter...

Letters... I have been teaching through the alphabet with my students and we've done some pretty fun things so far.  When I realized that yesterday was going to be the letter V I thought "oh great. Worst letter ever! What in the world can you do with that letter?" 

As a first year teacher, I am always searching for ideas and this day was no different.  I began my search thinking about how "un-fun" I expected this day to be.  But, Praise the LORD there are some wonderful websites and blogs out there that help keep my classroom fun!  One of my favorite sites for ideas is the Preschool Express (especially the "individual letter activities" in "Alphabet Station").  

Anyway, after looking through several different sites, blogs, and pinterest (of course) I came up with a plan.  

We made Vampire Bats (we use Zoo Phonics and this is the animal for this letter)

We talked about Volcanoes and how they "erupt".  We made a big volcano out of play dough and (with some baking soda and vinegar) witnessed an eruption!  

We also talked about Vegetables. We played a game where one student would look at the picture of a vegetable and describe it to the class trying to get them to guess it.  

It turned out to be one of my favorite days!  The kids had a BLAST! 

Now I know, I LOVE the letter V! :)

 

You'll have to forgive my pictures... I forgot my camera and had to take them on my phone and I don't have a fancy phone with a nice camera. :)

An Award?!?! for me?

It is Christmas break for me, and I am loving every minute of it.  I have also been out of town for most of it! My husband and I visited my parents for Christmas (in Normal, IL... Believe it. I really grew up there.) Then we headed down to Atlanta, Georgia for the Passion 2012.  It's a HUGE christian conference for 18-25 year olds and I felt so refreshed afterward! 

So anyway, this brings me back to today.  I was checking through all my emails and things (since I haven't in a while) and found out I have been nominated for an award... TWICE!  

Apparently there are some lovely ladies out there, who found my blog and think it's worth reading.

There are 3 things that I am supposed to do since I have accepted this award.

#1. Thank the person that nominated you with a link back to them. 

Well, I am so very thankful to Julie at Loving and Learning in Pre-K and Tessa at Spotlight on Kindergarten. They have some great stuff on their blogs, so please check them out!

#2. Tell 7 things about yourself.

Here goes nothing...

1. I have been married for almost 8 months now... and yes, I love married life.

2. We moved to Michigan last May. I was a little nervous about Michigan winters, but have yet to see much snow. :) Can't complain.

3. I teach pre-k to my small but wonderful group of 7! Love them.

4. My husband is the Children's Ministry Director at our church which means I get to work with kids on Sundays and Wednesdays too!  I love it!

5. I love ice cream and there is always room for it in my stomach.

6. I am a HUGE fan of dark chocolate.

7. I love my new Cricut and sewing machine and wish I could craft all the time!

#3. Pass this award on to 15 newly discovered blogs and let them know that they've received an award!

Wow!  15?!?!  hmmmm.... how about some new and then some of my old favorites.

1. 2 Teaching Mommies

2. From Kindergarten with Love

3. Mrs. Karen's Preschool Ideas

4. Always Keep HeART

5. an aroma of my Savior

6. Melyssa with a "Y"

7. My Front Porch Looking In

8. Kindergarten Korner