Monday Made It -Christmas Edition

I can't believe it's already December!  This is a super busy month, but add in the twins birthday and it is non-stop from the beginning of the month.  I have two fun things to share for Monday Made it.  I love linking up with Tara :)

At the beginning of November, I was asked if I wanted to participate in an advent ornament exchange.  It is based off the devotion, A Meaningful Christmas.

The way it works is you get 24 people who are each willing to make an ornament that represents a specific scripture reference.  After getting your scripture, you then make 24 of the same ornament.  Before December begins you have a fun get together with lots of treats.  We had a sweet and savory side and even had a hot chocolate bar!  Then everyone puts out their ornaments and you put them in your box.  

 My ornament I made.  I call him 
Don-ke-hotey

To create this cute guy, start with two clothespins.  Paint one brown completely, the other one leave a little white at the bottom.  Then glue them together and attach googly eyes.  I used a scripture I found online to make his little sack.  Wrap raffia around him to complete the look.

 Here are all 24 of my donkeys!  I painted them in the hospital while Raegan was recovering!

My second 'Made it' isn't Christmas related, but for my twins December birthday.  They are in love with Sesame Street, so that is our theme!  I created this cute pinspired invite.

Check back for updates on the party and all things Christmas!

Christmas is Over, but here's a freebie!

It doesn't seem like Christmas should already be over!  I just got finished wrapping presents and now there are no presents under my tree.  The twins racked up this Christmas and shouldn't want/need ANYTHING for sometime.

This isn't everything either!  They also got baby dolls, strollers, and a ball pit.

Christmas Morning

Taken at 4 days old

Its very hard for me to believe that last year at this time, I was a new mother to twin girls and was passing out every chance I could just to sleep a few minutes at a time.  They are so active now and are just learning how to stand and cruise around furniture.

Between playing with the twins, and eating (we all know that's what the holidays are really for!) I have been working on Reading Comprehension Strategy Posters.  I am happy to say they are finally done!  I have put all 6 together in my TPT store.  Check out this preview of them!

If you like these make sure you head over to my TPT store and pick up your set! 

And as promised for all my loyal followers, I am giving the Making Connections poster away as a freebie!!!  If you would like to get yours, click here!

Hope you are enjoying your break!  Now time to snuggle up with my new Kindle and read, read, read!!!!

How is it Already Christmas Eve!?!?!?!?!

Last year at this time I was still in the hospital getting ready to bring my sweet twin girls home for the first time and now they are 1 year old and we are getting ready to celebrate their 2nd Christmas!  This year has flown by and I have mixed emotions watching it go.  I have the BEST class I have ever had in my entire 8 year career and I am already getting sad about them moving on.  I also have watched my adorable twins grow from small 6lbs 2oz Kenley to 24lbs 1oz, 6lbs 9oz Raegan to 22lbs 9oz now.  At this time last year I was snuggling them and praying for sleep.  Now they don't want to be snuggled and I can sleep whenever basically.  I am excited to see them grow and continuing learning, but I wish they could be my little babies just a little longer!  I am almost done wrapping presents FINALLY, and then its on to make a birthday cake for Jesus with my girls.  I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy it with those you love!

I was stalking several blogs this morning and came across Oh' Boy 4th Grade She was doing this awesome Currently December linky party thing.  Check out her page and get your own to link up with other bloggers!

Check out all the Currently December lists 

For those workaholics (like me!) I did want to share an awesome blog from one of my dear teacher friends.




She is a third grade teacher as well and has lots of great ideas.  Check her site out over break!!!

Happy Holidays, Victorian Style!

This week has been a little crazy and I will admit that I was a little jealous of those that didn't have to go these 2 little days, but today was an awesome day in my class. We have been studying Christmas Around the World the past week and have visited many different countries. My students made crafts from each country and even learned how to say "Merry Christmas" in various languages. We made cute little suitcases complete with stickers from each country we visited. My students decided they wanted to live in Italy because children there get gifts from 3 different people.

When we began planning field trips at the beginning of the year, my team decided to plan them for weeks that are basically considered "wasted" anyway (I know we're not supposed to "waste" instructional time but you know what I mean!). Today we went on our field trip to a local museum that used to be a historic hotel. The did a program about the holidays during the Victorian era which tied perfectly with our study of Christmas Around the World. It gave my students a look into how Christmas was celebrated back in the 19th century. They looked at toys, decorations, and foods. Each student also got to make an ornament that a child would have made during that time. We finished our visit with a treat of animal crackers and apple juice. I had no idea that animal crackers had been around for so long! Our study of the different countries Christmas customs paid off as well. My students were able to answer where the Christmas tree originated from (Germany) and asked several questions based on what we had been learning in class. Our group was also paid a very high complement. The staff told us that we were the best behaved group they had all holiday season! They were nervous about having a group so close to Christmas break, but told us we were great!

My Third Graders

Making their Victorian Ornament

Finished Ornament

When we got back to school I had more ornaments planned for my students to make. It went along with the Victorian era when children would make their Christmas gifts, rather than buy them. Each student made a little nut bear, a Santa spoon, and the classic Rudolph candy cane. They had the best time working on them. I actually made the nut bear when I was in 2nd grade and mine still hangs on my mom's tree to this day. I have made it with my students each year I have been teaching. I am hoping that my students will look back at their ornaments when they are older and remember their crazy third grade teacher!

Santa Spoons

Candy Cane Rudolphs

Little Nut Bears

It was a busy, but perfect day! I can't wait to see what 2012 holds with these students.

Photo Card

I know I usually post "teaching" stuff, but I HAD to post this awesome Christmas card I made to pass out this year. If you follow my blog, you know I have twin girls who are the light of my life. They are already 10 months and while last Christmas was technically their first (their bday is the 22nd) we are pretending that this is the first. We had minimal decorations last year with labor expected any day and we both knew neither of us would feel like taking down a whole bunch of stuff with newborn twins here.

Neadless to say, we have all survived the first year (almost!) and are all alive and doing well. My whole family is looking forward to celebrating Christmas and their 1st birthday this year and I'm sure that my house will look like ToysRUs threw up in my living room! I'm sure as I take more holiday pics, I'll post here. Who would mind looking at 2 cuties though!?!?!?!?

Candy Canes Frame Christmas

Personalize your Christmas card at Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.