A few tidbits for you today...

Whew...it is definitely busy here in middle GA!  With school, scouts, soccer, and more, we are running at maximum speed in my family!  Combine that with learning to use my new SMARTboard, and I barely have a spare moment.  I did, however, want to share 2 quick tidbits with you...

I am reading the book The End of Molasses Classes by Ron Clark.  If you haven't read it, I would totally encourage you to.  These are just a few of my favorite take-aways so far from the book:
1) Teach children to believe in themselves and don't destroy the dream!
2) Push yourself to be innovative beyond your imagination!
3) Don't let opportunities pass you by, even if time, funding, and circumstances aren't completely right.  Don't give up...make it happen!
Through the pages of this book, I truly felt myself being re-energized and excited about things that lie ahead in the coming year!  This is an easy yet thought-provoking read, and I would recommend you reading it personally or with your teaching team!

Secondly, I wanted to thank all of you who have been praying for my teacher friend Amy's son, Aden, who suffered a massive brain bleed a few weeks ago.  He is truly a miracle.  Keep praying for him as they move him to a rehab facility for further treatment.

You know, life is short and time is precious!  There are so many ways we can get bogged down in the little, mundane parts of life and of teaching.  I want to challenge and encourage you this year--whether you are a teacher, administrator, or home school mom--to find the joy in every moment!  Memories are priceless, and this is the 1 life we get--let's make the most of it this school year!  Hope you have a great one!  Shannon :-)

Christmas in July Sale!

Hi, everyone!  Whew--we started back to school yesterday, and waking up early everyday is definitely going to be an adjustment!!!  As the last few days of July are ticking by, I wanted to offer you a chance to celebrate "Christmas in July."  Special Christmas holiday items are on sale for 20% off in my TpT store so drop by if you get a chance!  Shannon :-)

Click HERE to visit my TpT store!

Birthday Fun and a Special Prayer Request!

Happy 8th birthday today to our sweet boy, Tate! Sure do love that little stinker and his joyful spirit!!!! Fearless and resilient...he teaches us lots about finding fun in the everyday moments! Can't believe he is headed for 3rd grade!!!  He is such a blessing to us!!!  :-)

I would be remiss, however, even on this happy day for our family, not to mention to you that I have a good friend, Amy Floyd, with a very sick little boy.  Her son Aden suffered a brain bleed earlier this week, and he is in a very critical state.  Will you please join me in praying for Aden and also spread the word to your churches, friends, and fellow teachers?  Amy is a teacher, but this back-to-school season she is facing a lot of uncertainty and fear.  Our God is greater, stronger, and higher than any other, so we are praying for a miraculous healing for this precious little one!  Thank you all!!!  God bless you!  Shannon :-) 

Back to School Time...

Hi!  Can you believe the summer is almost behind us?!  Between scout camp, Vacation Bible School, a trip to the beach, and a few days of summer cleaning, I feel like the days have flown by.

I am so excited to offer many back to school/classroom management resources for you to aid as you head back to school this year.  There are multiple themes available to choose from including a pirate theme, bee theme, and train theme--just to name a few. 

I still have a few packets in development so be watching for those as well.  Just click the link below to view these at my TpT store.

Click Here for New Back to School Resources from Me on TpT! 

I hope you have had a wonderful summer with your families!  Shannon :-)

Parenting Tip of the Week--Don't Blink!

Tomorrow my oldest son Tucker will finish the 5th grade, marking the end of his elementary school career.  Where does the time go?  Have you had these same bittersweet moments as a parent?  It's like I see his life in memory book snapshots--at the hospital, in his walker, in a t-ball uniform, and now headed off to middle school... 

I always have a sweetly sad moment when I hear the lyrics to the song by Anna Nalick that says, "Cause we can't jump the tracks, we're like cars on a cable, And life's like an hourglass glued to a table."  Hug your kids while you can, share with them all of the love and wisdom you can, and treasure each second with them!  Take snapshots with your camera, but most importantly write these days on your heart!  They pass in a blink! 

Tucker poses with his 5th grade puppetry project.  Recognize him?  It's CS Lewis. :-)

Memorial Day Resources for You!

Hi!  After a lost flash drive and a few days of panic, my Memorial Day resource pack is now ready and available for you.  Sorry for the long wait!  Hope you enjoy these learning experiences with your students that celebrate freedom, patriotism, honor, bravery, and life in America!  Visit my TpT store to preview or purchase this resource pack.  Have a great week, everyone!!!  Shannon :-)

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Honoring-Our-Veterans-Veterans-Day-and-Memorial-Day

Let's Celebrate Memorial Day!!! Even More Resources Coming Soon...

     Hi, everyone!  Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day!!!  Just a quick note to let you know that my Memorial Day resource pack is coming soon!  I am working busily to complete it, so stay tuned...

     Also, in case you are looking for more Americana-themed resources, I do have patriotic packs which focus on Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln also available at my TpT store.  See below for links to these 3 resources.  Feel free to browse these and see if they interest you.  I feel so blessed to live in America, and count it a privilege to honor our American heroes and fallen soldiers on Memorial Day.    Have a great week!  Shannon :-)

George Washington Resource Pack

Abraham Lincoln Resource Pack

Thomas Jefferson Resource Pack