Red, White, and Blue! 2nd Grade is Nautical for you!

Hello world!!!!

So today I am sharing my new 2015 classroom make-over. This theme has been my dream since May 2014 so over a year now! I'm pretty sure all my co-workers are soooooo tired of hearing me talk about my Nautical themed room for over a year now! I know they were probably like, "woman stop talking about it and start decorating!!!!!"

Obviously being a teacher on a teacher's salary it takes TIME to save up to redo a classroom. So for over a year I have been gathering items to turn 2nd grade into a Nautical Oasis! 

You can check out what my jungle themed room looked like here and here. Good Bye Jungle.......you have been fabulous the past 5 years! 

As you can see I'm a HUGE theme person! I love a good theme and when people walk into my room I want them to know instantly what I'm trying to convey.

So first things first. My super sweet Granny helped me sew 30 curtains for my classroom bookshelves. It took us over 6.5 hours but the look was completely worth it! Not to mention the AWESOME quality time we got to spend together. 

Granny sewing on her 60+ year old sewing machine. It was her mother's machine. 

My sewing machine. I tackled the nautical fabric. 

So here it is finally!!! 

How fabulous did the curtains turn out?!?!? I LOVE ruffles (especially ruffle pants!!! Matilda Jane addict right here) so I am obsessed with the ruffle affect the curtains give the bookshelves. 

I am also in love with lanterns! They just add a touch like nothing else! I added the large anchors with hot glue to give it an extra nautical touch.  I found the lanterns on sale 50% off at a local paper shack that was going out of business. 

Here are my mostly bare bulletin boards. No worries they will soon be filled with all kinds of goodness. In between my bullention boards is my Super Improver system I am implementing with Whole Brain teaching! I didn't get a close up of it but it's nautical themed as well, created by me and will soon be on my TpT store for free! 

 This bookshelve holds my AR book, my birthday box, my small goodies (I have not been able to 100% cut out the treasure chest...maybe one day sooner than later) 

Prints from the fabulous School Girl Style Nautical collection! One of my main inspirations for nautical theme came from this classroom set she created! I found the frames which are actually certificate holders in the clearance section of Wal -Mart! The red one was originally black and I spray painted it red. Super easy and cheap!  

Alphabet Line across the front of the room. This is also from the School Girl Style nautical pack. To the left of the SmartBoard is the fabulous 5 rules from whole brain teaching. I found those for free on TpT from Adventure in Whole Brain Teaching. 

Up close of curtains.....and yes I know one nautical print is running opposite of the rest! It will be changed soon!!! They are also getting steamed ASAP!

Here is my window section/cozy corner. I originally planned on hanging a curtain above the pennants but decided it would be a little too many curtains. Instead I went with a simple fabric banner. I used scraps of the material from the curtains along with a solid white and yellow I had laying around the house. I think it turned out so cute! The pennants are another fabulous download from School Girl Style I put together in less than 5 minutes. 

Last showcase of the classroom are these red, white, and blue patio lights with star light bulbs inside them. I found  these gems on sale for $2 at Walmart in the clearance 4th of July section. I grabbed them up not exactly sure where I was going to put them. In my first jungle theme room I had plant vines coming out of the ceiling to create a real jungle atmosphere. I used a similar concept and strung these zigzag across the room. They have turned out to be my FAVORITE touch in the room. They don't shine very bright but they give off an awesome glow when the lights are off for SmartBoard use! I honestly feel like they are the icing on the cake to my red, white and blue nautical themed room! 

You can see the soft glow a little in this pic! 

So how's your classroom coming along??? Let me know in the comments below! I would love to see pics too! I know it's hard work, but once it's done the kids will absolutely love it!!! You can do it!! 

Love~A

I'm a Break Blogger

WelI I admit it, I'm a break blogger. I seem to only find time to blog during my school year breaks: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring, and Summer.  Can you guess which break I'm in now???? Yes, School's out for Summer!!!

So what have I been up to? Well let's just take a look and see:

We had a snow day back in February! . That was an unexpected surprise. 

Rob got a Harley and he LOVES it! 

We made food cars to learn about assembly lines in social studies class. 

I attended a southern spring soirée with a club I'm in. 

We took a field trip to see Cinderella. 

I turned 27 in March!!! 

Went to Costa Rica over Easter to visit my in-laws. 

Attended Relay for Life!!! 

Flew kites on the playground on sunny spring days. 

Enjoyed the roses that I planted last year ,and this year they came back bigger and better than ever! 

Threw my co-worker a surprise baby shower from our 2nd graders! 

My class won a Pop See Ko Instagram video contest!

Found out that my amazing co-teacher Jenna is having a baby BOY!!! 

Went to a Fashion Show at Tech with my mom and sister!

Ended the school year with some of my favorite 2nd graders.

Spent a long weekend in Baton Rouge and New Orleans celebrating my mother in laws birthday.

Worked a few rainy days in my flower garden with my grandmother.

And most importantly spent tons of time with this cutie!!! My snuggle buddy and my go to car rider.

Long time no blogging but will def try to do better these next few weeks!!

-A-

Christmas 2014

It came rushing in like never before at whirlwind speeds.......


What might I be describing you might ask?   oh Just Christmas 2014


To say that it arrived overnight is an understatement.  I contribute the rush of Christmas this year to Thanksgiving being so late.  Normally, I have a lull week in November to get my brain wrapped around what is going on before BANG December is upon us.

OH NO! 2014 did not offer that luxury.  It was Turkey day and then BAM December hit with full force.  I did get all my Christmas shopping done relatively early and without the craziness of dealing with the chaos of shopping centers.  Thank the good Lord for online shopping!


So despite its quick arrival.  Christmas was a huge success.  The lights, decorations, and family time is just one of my favorite things.  I love to curl up on the couch at night and stare at the glow of the Christmas tree while drinking hot chocolate watching a Hallmark movie.  AHHH doesn't that just sound perfect???

So we celebrated our Hay Christmas first.  It also happened to fall on Rob's birthday. So it was like a double celebration except Rob had to work so he missed out on part of his own party (yes, it was sad).  On a happy note, we did get to enjoy great snack food including my aunts amazing seafood puffs (not sure of the exact name). Let's just say they are to die for delicious.

The next celebration was Christmas Eve with my parents.  That consists of opening presents in a circle one person at a time. Yes it takes awhile but its tradition.  Then we head off to candlelight service.  This year we went to the church Rob and I attend in Arcadia.  This is my absolute MOST favorite thing I do during Christmas.  There is just magic, awe and an indescribable feeling that comes over me as I sit in a pew and listen to the story of Jesus's birth.  If you have never been to a candlelight service, I HIGHLY recommend attending one.  It will change your life for the better.

So after the service I headed back to my parents house to stay the night.  Rob had to work Christmas Eve and Christmas night (bummer right?!?)  So we all go to bed and then the worse case scenario happens! What might that be you ask??? Oh you know just throwing up all night Christmas Eve.  Yes, it happened.  I'm just saying it was a blessing in disguise because I never stay at my parents house and I would have been home alone, so if I was going to be sick that was the night for it happen. I'm pretty sure it was caused by the strong antibiotics that I have been taking for a sinus infection. I am much better thanks to the TLC of my dear mother and sister and father!

So Christmas day was kind of low key after the eventful night we had.  We woke up and Santa had delivered presents to the living room.  (Yes Santa still and forever will deliver to the Hill house!)  Then we headed to my grandmother Hill's house to eat breakfast and open presents.  After that we went to my other grandmother Hay's house and gave her presents.  Then we went back to my grandmother Hill's house and ate lunch.  Afterwards I drove home to my house and Rob was awake from working the night before.  We opened presents and then I napped like I have never napped before! After I woke up I felt a MILLION times better. It never seizes to amaze me what the power of sleep can do.

After waking up I started packing for Dallas where Rob and I along with my family attended the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl to cheer on our LA Tech Dawgs on for a WIN!!!


Whew! No wonder I slept until 10:30 today.  I'm still recovering from my whirlwind weekend and busy Monday.  Hoping the rest of break will be SLOW.  


Can't wait to see what 2015 brings!!!!

Recap

I find myself with barely anytime during the week so with that being said here's a brief recap of what going on in the McGill Casa.

The cutest dog on the planet sleeps in the most uncomfortable  positions ever (and yet I take pictures of it bc it's so dang adorable and I'm obessed!)

We are safety experts in 2nd grade after visiting good old Safety Town!

We were lazy this past weekend! The lazy bum bug hit us and hard! 

This sassy lady joined the best sorority ever~Kappa Delta! Sisters forever!

And lastly I joined a teacher sorority~Delta Kappa Gamma! Thanks to this gem of a lady Mrs Ellen Butler for nominating and mentoring me. 

Within the week we are going to start on our painting expedition! Kitchen and bathroom redo coming soon with pics!

A

Labor Day Weekend

I had such a great Labor Day weekend! I feel so rested despite the busy start to the weekend.

Friday my grandmother turned 80 years old. So after school I drove to pick her up for dinner at Longhorns. Rob was working so it was just the 2 of us. We had such a great time and I was so thankful I got to spend some quality time with her on her special day!

Saturday morning I got up and went to Kappa Delta mock recruitment. It was so good to see the slide show and oz skit. I was able to see a few familar faces but it was great to see a whole new group of enthuastic girls.  I'm so excited for rush this year as my sis Lori Allie Kay is going through this week starting Thursday! 

Saturday night was the big surprise party for my grandmother. It was so much fun and she was completely unaware about what was happening. It was so good to have all the people who love her in one place. 

Sunday and Monday was a day of rest! I picked up the house and yard. Rob and I picked up and burned the MASSIVE amount of sticks/pine cones that overtook our yard this past wknd with the wind and rain. 

I also got to hang out with this precious little10 month old and her family. She's the most precious little girl on the planet and is growing up WAY to quickly. I feel like she was just born. 

                   We love to read!

Tomorrow is our field trip to Sheriff Safety Town. Prayers needed! I'll have to blog an update on how that goes!  

Happy Labor Day bloggers and readers!

-A

What a week!

Well it has been an eventful week! Monday,  I started my 5th year teaching! I just can't believe I've been teaching for that long!

Wednesday, we celebrated my little brother's (by another mother and father) birthday!

This is another life memento that makes me feel OLD! I remember this little kid being born! 

Thursday I got to meet my sweet kiddos for the year! I can already tell it's going to be an awesome, magnificent, fabulous, (insert other adjectives that describe greatness here) year! 

Saturday, mom and I went to see a dinner play at Northwestern State University! It was titled, A PROM TO DIE FOR!!!  Spooky huh?!?! We had a blast trying to catch the killer and enjoying dinner. 

This week has started off great! Now just trying to get everything in order for a couples shower I'm throwing with a friend this Friday!! 

Off to plan, clean, relax! 

-A

P.S. I have never missed a gas station as much as I missed Clayborn's this summer! I'm SOOOOOOO thankful it's opened back up! It's the little things in life that make me happy :) 

P.S.S.  If you see me rocking these shoes, I have an obsession! They are cute and oh so comfy!!! Get you a pair at Twisted Sisters Boutique! Find them in Zwolle or like them on Facebook-twisted sisters boutique, LLC