Five for Friday!! My Faves!!

Here are a few of my favorite things!! 

I wanted to highlight my friend Courtney because she is so sweet!  She is so talented as a curriculum developer (go take a look at her store and you will see that, too!) and she is just an all around good person.  I have been so impressed with her want to help those around her and to make their lives a better place.  Here is to you, Courtney!!

I have used her Anchor Chart pack ALL YEAR LONG!  I recommend that you grab it so that it takes some of the stress off of you in that area.  I make my charts and 'lead' the kids where I need them <aka verbally leading them so that her chart magically summarizes all that they have said>!!

I couldn't list this at 5 because although I had a great time with Little Bit, we have had so many snow days that I have no idea what I am supposed to teach anymore!  Here is a picture of one of the hills in our neighborhood (and the 7 inches of snow we got!!) and my huggy buddy eating a 7up Biscuit that he had just made!  We had some dough left that wouldn't fit it in the pan so we put it in a bread pan and mixed it with some garlic powder and cheese and it was soooo good!!!

Most of you know that my mom died the day after Thanksgiving from complications of chemotherapy.  Her cancer was pretty much gone, but the last bout of chemo was just too much for her.  About the time I think I am doing ok with it, some little something will set me back.  But, a friend sent this to me the other day without even knowing I was having a bad day (Thanks, Debbie!)  and it was what kept me going when all I wanted to do was climb up in my mama's lap and cry.  I had to share it with you.

And here is Queen GiGi herself, my mom's dog.  GiGi has taken up residence with us and although I'm not partial to lap dogs (I either like them big or give me a cat) I am growing to love Gigi.  She was always with my mom and slept with her.  So, GiGi has taken to sleeping with us and is glued to my leg every night.  I'm not sure if it is due to the warmth factor or the security....but it does me good to know that a pet that loved my mom so much loves me too.  She is a trip!  Her favorite thing is to greet us at the door every day when we get home with her stuffed caterpillar.  After we play catch for a few minutes she is satisfied and she goes back to snoring!

I am thrilled that I found a whole bunch of these colored plates at Oriental Trading at such a good price!  Beats Hobby Lobby!!

I am really excited about the unit I am working on for the NEW CALDECOTT WINNER The Noisy Paintbox which his a historical fiction picture book about the live of Wassily Kandinsky and his art work.  I am not a real artsy person (I can't draw and have the hardest times making covers for my units) but this book inspired me and my 10 year old LOVED it.  Can't beat that!  So, look for it to come soon.  If you are artsy or even a non-artsy person, then you will be successful with it!  Your kids will think you are the coolest 'art teacher' ever!!