Five on Friday

Well, it's been a lllloooonnnggg week! I feel like I've been away from blogland and all of my teacher friends for age because lately I haven't even had time to blog stalk! Things have been all kinds of busy with me.

So I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching to show you what I've been up to.

1) Yosemite 
Last weekend I was lucky enough to spend time in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

(SOURCE) 

I didn't take this picture but I did stand in this exact spot. Such a beautiful view! 

We spent the three days in these great little cabins with 3 of my childhood friends and their husbands/boyfriends. The cabins were inside the park and pretty amazing. We had a full kitchen, cable TV and a fireplace. Now that's my kind of roughing it!

I did brave the elements and hiked around the valley floor and drove up the hill to play in the snow. It was my first time snowshoeing! So fun! 

Lots of beautiful scenery, good food, good wine and good friends! Couldn't ask for anything more! 

2) Giveaways 

While I was away in the woods, some of my favorite bloggers posted about giveaways for their big milestones. I was so excited to donate prizes to these amazing ladies! 

Donna of Hokie Teach is hosting her 100 follower giveaway. There are a whole bunch of gems in her giveaway including my Frindle Novel Study. 

Amanda and Stacia from Collaborative Cuties , are also having a giveaway!

 So many amazing products in this one too, including my Graphic Organizers for Any Novel. 

If you haven't entered already, GO! Enter now before it's too late! 

On the school front.........

3) Fact Trackers 

We are knee deep in science everywhere you look! I'm trying to cover EVERYTHING before our state science test in April. I've been integrating like crazy so that I can sneak it all in.


I just used this book as we continued our weather unit this week. I love the American Revolution one too!  These are so kid-friendly and make tough subjects much easier to understand. They are a third grade reading level  but still full of great content which is really helpful since I have so many students reading below grade level this year.

4) Really Good Stuff

I got a package this week! Guess what was inside?!?!?

This:  

And THIS: 

 

I am loving both of my new goodies! And I am also very proud of myself for only ordering two items. That is a first! 

5) Starbucks to the Rescue 

(Get this adorable sign HERE) 

I normally stick with chai tea lattes but this week I had to up the ante a little bit and go for old stand by.  I don't know what it is about this week (maybe it was being away for the weekend, or the IEP meeting, or the  2 hour common core meeting on Thursday or the 2 hour  committee meeting I had on today...yes on a Friday until 6:00 pm!) but lots of Starbucks got me through!

Well, I am finally off to catch up on my blogs and then it's straight to bed for me.

Happy weekend, my sweet friends! :)