Thankful for a Busy November and Delightful Beginning of December!

Hello!  I hope you had a healthy and peaceful Thanksgiving and beginning of December!  Today I am linking up with Andrea from Momfessionals and Erika from A Little Bit of Everything for their weekly Friday Favorites link-up!

New York City Visit Highlights

My sister and I went to New York City the weekend before Thanksgiving (not advisable due to large number of travelers).  We wanted to take a Peloton class together.  Due to technical difficulties, I thought I was on the waitlist for the Saturday class with Jenn Sherman.  My sister got in.  Upon arrival, I learned I was never on the waitlist, and the class was full.  My sister very gallantly gave me her spot because she knew going to a live class was a dream of mine.  

One thing I learned:  it is roasting hot in the studio.  There are lights and no fan.  I do want to go back, and I'll definitely wear shorts!  Check out the pictures of the view from my bike and of us with Jenn Sherman:

It's very exciting to take a live class in the studio.  Of course, I had to pay for the train from Boston, the class fee ($35) and a night in a hotel.  It was definitely an exciting adventure!

By the way, if you are a fellow Peloton rider, please follow me:  Mrs. Watermelon is my screen name!

Macy's Christmas Windows

The train I took went to Penn Station, and everything we went to was within walking distance, including these beautiful Christmas displays at Macy's:

Canva

If you are an educator, you can get free access to all of Canva's graphics for your personal use and your students' use.  Read here for more information about Canva for Education!  Every month I created desktop wallpaper (see above example) and other colorful designs.

As always, thank you for visiting the blog!  I'm delighted you came to visit.  Make sure to check out all blogs, too:

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Those Darn Squirrels Has 2 Sequels!

Happy November Everyone!  Today I am linking up with:

Teach Mentor Texts with Jenn Vincent and Unleashing Readers for:

Those Darn Squirrels by Adam Rubin

This week's Fountas and Pinnell books include humorous books.  One of them is Those Darn Squirrels which details Mr. Fookwire's attempts to save the bird feeder food from being eaten by one of the most intelligent animals: squirrels.   My students LOVE this book both for the writing and the delightful illustrations.

Today I went to my library's e-book selection so I could put the book up on the "big screen," when I realized that there are sequels to this book, and I can't wait to read them! (Click on the covers to read more at Amazon!)

I hope you enjoy these books as much as my students did!  Any books that make my students excited are great books indeed!

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Friday Favorites for an October Weekend!

Hello there!  In a blink of an eye, October flies by with its beautiful foliage and cooler temperatures!  Today I am linking up with Andrea from Momfessionals and Erika from A Little Bit of Everything for:

  Favorite Quote from Power of Positivity

I am one of those people who wants to get along with everyone.  I end up apologizing too much to avoid confrontation.  That is why this quote resonates with me:

Is there anyone else out there who feels the same way as me?  I would love to think that I am not alone!

Internet Library

During online learning I discovered Internet Archive Open Library which is an extensive online library.  I love to put my Fountas & Pinnell interactive read-alouds on the "big screen" so the kids can see the beautiful illustrations while I read at the front of the room during their snack.  In addition, this web site now has a dedicated K -12 section:  

Cool to be Smart Day!

Saturday, October 22nd, is Cool to be Smart Day!  Check out my Morning Message for Monday:

This is one of my favorite poems because we all need to remember this message!

Great Clipart at a Great Price!

If you're in the market for some 79 cent clipart, check out the selection at Prettygrafik!   I've bought a lot of clipart from this store, and I really love it.  The trees and the houses are courtesy of Prettygrafik in this graphic experiment:

I used to collect (and still have) many decorative houses.  I've always been fascinated by different houses in real life, too ~ which probably explains why I love this house clipart!

Peloton = Great Exercise at Home at a Great Price!

Would you like to try the Peloton app./rent a Peloton bike/buy a Peloton?  

I just had my 300th ride on my bike, and I can't imagine having to drive to the gym when I can work out right at my house!

Click here and get $100 of your purchase!  

Thank you for popping in today.  Make sure to check out other great blogs at:

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Happy Hodge Podge Link-Up = Cooler than a Moose Store and More!!

Hello there!  Thank you very much for visiting the blog today! Today I am linking up with Joyce for her weekly link-up:  

1. August 24th is National Waffle Day...what's something you've 'waffled' on recently? 

While in Quebec, I walked by a gift shop (La cinquieme saison) and fell instantly in love with a painting/collage in the window. Upon returning with my husband, we learned the one in the window was close to $300, but there were smaller ones for under $200. We chose one with sailboats. Here is the collage we bought by artist Claudette Castonguay:

2. Do you like waffles? Make your own or 'leggo my Eggo? Any favorite toppings or add-ins? Waffles or pancakes-which do you prefer? 

I am definitely a waffle person!  On Sundays, I'll treat myself to some frozen waffles with real maple syrup!

3. Do you have any mementos from this summer (or past summers)? What do you do with them? 

I always like to buy a t-shirt or sweatshirt.  In Quebec, one of my favorite stores was Cool as a Moose which has stores in the US and Canada!  Who knew?  I bought some fun tie-dye sweatpants like these:

4. One thing you'd like to do before summer ends? 

I would love to finish cleaning my classroom and organizing my classroom library.  I am in the process; it just takes a lot of time to clean and organize!

5. Life is too short to not enjoy sunny days and to not eat ice cream. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I love summer!

I hope you soak up as much summer as you can!

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Friday Favorites From Quebec City, Canada!

Bonjour!  Today I am delighted to link up with   lErika from A Little Bit of Everything and Andrea from Momfessionals for their weekly Friday Favorites Link-Up!  If you want to go somewhere in North America that feels like Europe, you will definitely want to visit Quebec City! 

IMPORTANT:  In order to visit Canada, you must provide evidence of your COVID vaccination! 

How to Get There

From Massachusetts, Quebec City is a six hour drive.  However, you can also fly there.  We drove because there was no direct flight from Logan Airport in Boston

Where We Stayed

Most people think of the Hotel Fontenac (the tall building in the picture) when they think of Quebec.  It is a beautiful hotel:

However, we stayed across the street from the Fontenac at Auberge Place d'Armes.  If I went again, I would stay at the Hotel Clarendon which is bigger than where we stayed, and it has a lobby.

All the action in the city is in Old Quebec which is a walled city.  Old Quebec is very charming and historic.  Everyone speaks French and English (usually with a French accent).  There were so many shops and restaurants.  There were a LOT of tourists!  Canada closed its borders during COVID so tourists are making up for lost time!

Most importantly, you can walk every where!  We had at least 20,000 steps every day!  In Quebec, they even have a sidewalk sweeper which almost ran me over when I was looking in a shop window!  Check out these beautiful butterflies made of flowers: 

If you want to get outside of Quebec City...

One day we took the bus to Montmorency Falls.  When you arrive, you have a choice:  walk up almost 500 steps for free OR take the gondola for $16 round trip.  I took the gondola while my husband ventured up the steps.  He was quite proud of himself but was unable to walk back down.  Cost:  $14 one way ticket down.

Anyway, this waterfall is bigger than Niagara Falls.  There is a bridge that allows you to walk on top of the waterfall.  You can even zipline across the falls or do rock climbing.  

Another beautiful place we visited was St. Anne de Beaupre.    St. Anne was Mary's mother (Jesus' grandmother).  The church is extremely ornate and beautiful.  I bought a St. Christopher medal in French and had it blessed by the priest who happened to grow up in Springfield, Massachusetts!

300th Peloton Ride!

I do love my Peloton!  I reached a huge milestone last Sunday.  My Peloton name is Mrs. Watermelon!  I am the name next to the llama with the pink blanket!

As always, thank you for visiting the blog and checking in.  If you have been to Quebec, please let me know about your trip in the comments!

Happy and healthy weekend!

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Currently July: Independence and Summer!

Hello there!  Happy July and welcome to Anne in Residence's monthly link-up:

Traveling

In August, we are planning a trip to Quebec City!  I have never been, but it has a very European feel to it.  Plus, we can drive there, and it takes a little over 6 hours!

Missing or Not!

I finished school on Friday, June 24th!  This means that I am finally on vacation, and I have time to do fun activities!  Consequently, I bought a games subscription to the New York Times for $5 a month.  I am not sure that I will have time to do the games after I go back to school in September, but the games are a fun daily diversion.  I'm amazingly loving the Tiles Game in which you need to keep matching at least one element of each tile to another:

This is an example.  I hope my eyesight improves from doing these!

Enjoying

What's not to enjoy about the summer?  Our weather has been in the 70's and low 80's!  There is usually a breeze.  I get to go in my pool and do my water aerobics.  Plus, I get to read a lot!  I just finished this book:

In this book, three women who live in 3 different time periods, struggle with similar situations.  This book was a Good Morning America Book Club selection.  If you're looking for new book recommendations, head to their site and pick out your next book!

Realizing

I just picked a new bathing suit top on Amazon Smile.  I just realized that all my old ones are stretched out.  Check it out:

A few things I love about this:

1.   It covers my chest.

2.  The geometric and colorful pattern.

3.  Tummy control.

Did you know that if you shop on Amazon Smile, a small portion of your purchase goes to a charity of your choice?  I donate my percentage to a local pet shelter, PAWS of Wakefield.

Hoping

I am hoping that author Ewa Erdman who visited our school in June, can sell lots of copies of her book:

The author adopted a three legged pitbull who became a therapy dog for amputees and other rehab patients.  In addition, Ewa donates all proceeds to animal shelters!

Here is a picture of Ewa and me when she visited our school:

As always, I appreciate that you visited my blog today!  Please let me know if you have any book recommendations or ideas for what to do in Quebec City.  

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Currently Just June ~ End of the School Year & Summer!

Happy June!  Thank you for visiting the blog today as I link up with Anne in Residence for her delightful monthly link-up as well as  Erika from A Little Bit of Everything and Andrea from Momfessionals for Friday Favorites!:

Celebrating

My daughter is getting married on Sunday, June 12th in Haydenville, Massachusetts at
Valley View Farm:

Giving

I adopted a Woburn High School senior who was a former student.  I needed to spend $50 dollars, and here is what I bought:

Portable Charger:

and a tool set:

In addition, I got him a Hydraflask at TJMaxx.  

I got these ideas from a web site about what to get 2022 high seniors for graduation.  You can check it out here!

Taking

I am taking life in my classroom one day at a time.  Currently, the kids are arguing and treating each other like siblings.  They are in school until June 24th so every day is an adventure!  

Consequently, I saw a rule on Instagram which I just found on Amazon (of course!).  

I put up this rule about three weeks ago, and the kids and I discuss these ideas frequently.  The results are mixed, but I will continue to work on everyone getting along.

Trying

Every day I try to get my Morning Message to correlate to what we are learning in class.  Amazingly, we just started learning about fossils in time for:

Wearing

Although we have had some spring and summer days here in Massachusetts, the weather has been cool.  As much as I want to wear sandals, I have mostly been wearing slip-on sneakers with socks.  I really do not like having cold feet.  Plus, my classroom has strong air conditioning!  These are my current go-to shoes!

Thank you for checking in today!  

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Fintastic Friday Favorites: Giving Sharks and Students a Voice and More!

Hello there!  Welcome to another week of Friday Favorites!  Make sure to link up or check out other great blog posts with Momfessionals or A Little Bit of Everything!

Morning Messages

I do love presenting my Morning Message every day.  My students and I read them out loud at a part of our morning exercises.  Of course, I always try to include (sneak in) educational information!

I am a huge fan of poet Doug Florian and his wry poems.  I changed the last line to read "third graders."  

Opinion Writing

Check out this student sample called "The Stupid Lunchroom" from 2019:

I love the message in this writing!  In addition, I have this student's sister in my class this year.  She is very embarrassed every time I read it.  I bet every school needs a cleaner cafeteria as well!

Of course, my students are very opinionated until they have to write their opinions!

Adapting Every Day

In Science, we are learning about plant and animal adaptations. 

I remind my students that they need to adapt every day depending on what's happening in their environment.  Soon they will be in 4th grade, and that is a huge change!

Still Searching for the Perfect Sandals...

I have tried looking for cornflower blue sandals with little luck, and now I'm looking for gold sandals to go with this dress for my daughter's wedding on June 12th:

Check out the current contenders which are currently on their way.  Part of the problem is my wide foot.  I went up a half size with these sandals and am hoping this helps with the width issue.  I would prefer the top pair because I know that I will wear them again, but I'm thinking the second pair will be more appropriate with my dress (assuming the sandals even fit).  Click on the pictures to check them out on the Nordstrom Rack site.  

As always, I appreciate you visiting my blog!  I hope you're having beautiful weather like we are finally having here in Massachusetts:  sunny and in the 80's!  They even turned the air conditioning on at school!

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