eBook and a Giveaway

Wow!  Has it really been over a week since I blogged?  In my defense, I haven't had a blog for quite a year.  I didn't start until I was into my school year last year.  Friends, I love blogging and I love teaching, but I can't figure out how to do both at the beginning of the school year.  I'm seeing all the cute pictures of classrooms and all the little details and I'm a little jealous because when it comes down to blogging or knocking out my school to do list, I go for the school to do list.   I've done my best to remember to take pictures and I have SO many cute ones, but I forget the obvious ones, like the bags and apples I did for my students and parents or the first day of school frame that I managed to forget on the first and second day of school.  Maybe I should pop off that first and put third.  Of course, by the time I remember to do the pictures, it could very well be the fifteenth day.

Oh, and to give you a little laugh, have I mentioned yet that some teacher (me) had her plugged up cell phone some how randomly turn off in the middle of the night (I hate my Droid)?  Well, after going to bed at midnight and having a summer schedule my internal clock is way off.  I literally sat straight up in bed and thought, "Something doesn't feel right!"  I looked at my iPad to check the time and it was 6:15, the first day of school.  I needed to be at school by 7:00 and I live 20 minutes away from my school.  So, that meant I had 25 minutes to get ready.  Impossible for a girl, right?  Not this girl!  I walked out of my house at 6:32 fully dressed, makeup, and not stinky (Thank goodness for a bath the night before).

So, here are my two messages.  First, if you are a follower and not a blogger, I love you and I'm sorry that you haven't seen freebies lately, cute pictures, new products, or ideas, but give me a little time and I promise I will catch up with you soon.  I have all of them, but to blog how I want to blog, it usually takes me an hour or two and right now, I'm so tired that it would take longer because I see a picture of a cow and I think, "Mmmm... a milkshake would taste good."  Yes, sad I know, but that's a teacher's brain for you.

Second if you are a follower and a blogger, I love you too and I'm going to give you a little piece of advice.  Let yourself off the hook a little.  It is okay to miss something and to prioritize your list.  Yes, it is very hard to let go and I want perfection, but who wants to read about the perfect blogger?  Just be real.  Real is funny and entertaining.  Plus, once you post it is out there for a lifetime, so I may be behind on classroom pictures this year, but I'm ahead for next year.  At least, that's what I'm telling myself.

Okay, now that you've listened to me ramble a little, I am completely humbled that I got this INCREDIBLE opportunity to be in an eBook put together by the marvelous April (A Modern Teacher) and Melanie (Schoolgirl Style).  It has a list of what teachers consider "Must Haves" in their classrooms!  I have looked through it and I have to say, these are definitely my must haves.  I have around 90% of these items in my own classroom.  So, click on the picture below to see the eBook. Each item is even linked to a site so that you can go buy the items if you want them and you don't have them.  April and Melanie also included links to our stores or our blogs.  To go to those sites, click on the little arrows in the middle of each picture.

Last of all, one of my closest blogger friends, Lisa at Growing Firsties is doing a giveaway.  She's got tons of AWESOME products that she's giving away and on top of that GIFT CARDS!!!  Seriously, friends!!!  Who doesn't want to win a gift card.  So, click on her button and go check her out.  You won't be disappointed!

Hope you guys enjoy!  I will definitely try to get some freebies ready for you this weekend.  Oh, and did I mention that I am five pages away from having morning work ready to go?  I can't wait!