Beach Bum Frog Themed Name Plates

Here is a new freebie to my TPT store today! I am preparing for a week long "Wild Water Week" at Summer camp next week. Tonight, I created these name plates for my kiddos. Unfortunately, I do not know how to create a editable pdf so I wasn't able to insert a text box to the saved document. (Due to copyright agreements, I cannot send the file any other way but pdf) However, I am sure they will be just as cute with handwritten names!  If anyone can explain to me how to save to a pdf with an editable document I would be happy to go back and do it! 

                                                                                                                      Kindly,

Summer Nights

     

 The boys in their  "smocks". I made Noah's last year before preschool because he was obsessed with Cars and I couldn't find any kind of Cars paint smocks.

As the school year quickly approaches, I find myself reflecting on how much we enjoy Summer evenings at our home! A later bedtime and relaxed routine put me at ease. Tonight while the kids were painting, I was cutting out laminated things for my preschool classroom and thinking about how immensely grateful I am for such an incredible God! I am so thankful for the opportunity to teach in a part time position (I taught 1st/2nd grade for 7 years) after deciding to take two years off to stay at home with my small children. My heart is overflowing with gratitude tonight as I think about the way He knows the deepest desires of our hearts!

A Quick Trip to Ohio!

 From chasing ducks ....

 to feeding llamas on the farm...

 we had a wonderful time in Ohio! Here Noah is talking to our Amish tour guide, named Noah!

 There is nothing quite like ice cream on a hot summer day ...especially if your Nana is with you!

 Papa took us to his favorite childhood store, "The Peanut Shop". We found several goodies we couldn't live without :)

 We enjoyed surprising our precious
Aunt Frances for her 91st birthday and spending time with extended family! The boys especially LOVE time with their cousin Miah!

                                                  We had a blast at the Akron Zoo!

 and...enjoyed seeing very special friends!

Our time went by too quickly as it always does!

Ahoy Matey!

We just finished a week long Princess/Pirate Summer Camp at preschool. My own boys really enjoyed the week in their own classrooms. For me, it was an especially exciting week because it was my first time back in the classroom after taking two years out of the classroom to be a stay at home mom with my children. I am again reminded of God's faithfulness as I count my blessings for a way to do what I love in a more balanced way! God has opened doors for me to be able to teach part time 3 days a week and continue to stay at home the other two. I am overjoyed with this opportunity.

                                               

       My own "matey" was called up to sword fight with the pirate. His facial expression in this photo         cracks me up!

 Aye, Me sword is stuck!

Our class had a wonderful, silly time pretending to be princesses and pirates this week. But, what has touched my heart is that parents have given Ms. Britton and I feedback that their children memorized or really grasped the idea that earthly treasures are not our greatest treasures! As our little ones could tell you, Matthew 6:21 says, "For where your heart is, there your treasure will be also."

I am so thankful to serve a living God who has given me my greatest treasure through the blood of his son Jesus Christ! 

To see a small glimpse of some of our fun activities this week, please visit this past Pirate post here.

School Supply List - Let's Get Organized!

It is hard to believe that some stores already have started advertising "Back to School" supplies this early in July! But, it did get me thinking that I should throw my kids' lists in my purse so I have them with me when I find things on sale. I remembered seeing this organizational tool on Pinterest awhile back and think it is a great resource for multiple supply lists! This list is only a small preview of this organizational Diva's creativity! Check out her blog or her TPT store for this free download, here.

Happy 4th of July!!

                            My little helpers and I made a Pinterest inspired 4th of July cake!

We hope you have a wonderful 4th of July!

Math Action Baskets from Lesson Plan Diva

This morning I wanted to share a quick Pinterest find! The Lesson Plan Diva has put together a great resource for math manipulative baskets (Unifix Cubes, Pattern Blocks and Base Ten Blocks) that we are always trying to find more uses for besides an occasional lesson here and there!  Her Math Action Cards are designed for K-2 and also 3-5. I think there is also a great need for Preschool Picture cards! I will e-mail her about creating them! But, I wanted to share her great idea with you all!

To visit The Lesson Plan Diva's Teacher's Pay Teacher's store, visit here. For a free download from the Lesson Plan Diva, please visit her website here.