Monday Made It..Successes and an oops..

Hey y'all! I'm linking up again for Monday Made It with 4th Grade Frolics. There were a few fails this week, but still lots of fun!

So I've seen all kinds of DIY coffee mugs floating around Pinterest. I decided that I needed to turn this coffee mug from this....

to this...

I LOVE how it turned out! The funny thing is is that the mug fits me perfectly. I've been told by many people that I'm very grumpy in the morning without coffee. I know this is true as well..at least I admit it! I definitely cannot function without a cup or two of coffee!

I don't know why I've never used washi tape!! It's my new favorite thing. 

I finally gave in and got a Kindle last Thanksgiving. I've gotten really tired of my plain red cover but I didn't want to spend a ton of money on a new cover. So, this is how I discovered the wonders of washi tape!

Ta-da!! I'm not sure how long I'll want to keep the cover but for now it's perfect! :)

You know those adorable pom poms that are hanging in so many classrooms? Yeah, I love them! I had lanterns hanging in my room last year but decided I wanted a change this year. Instead of buying them I took to making them myself. Well, this became very frustrating and I couldn't get them to look anything like I wanted. So after much research and many youtube videos it finally happened! 

Yes I was that exctied!!

One wonderful thing about Texas is the amazing chips and salsa you can find almost anywhere. I could seriously eat this stuff for a meal. Before I came back home my brother decided that we should make salsa. Well, where the recipe calls for ONE SEEDED jalapeno he added two and didn't take any seeds out. Yeah, it was a little hot. (I'm sad I didn't even think to take any pictures of us making it.)

Once I got home I decided that I needed to try my hand at homemade salsa. I must say...it was a success!!

Y'all it is amazing and so very addicting! It made so much so I will be eating it for days, which is fine by me! (Again, not sure why I didn't think to take any other pictures of the process.)

If you want to make it you can find the recipe HERE. Now I didn't follow it exactly, just used it for inspiration. If you make it let me know how it turns out!

I did mention that there were some "made it" fails. My dad and I attempted to make homemade bread. Wellll....let's just say it didn't turn out good at all. Here are some outakes from the process though. Enjoy!

I think we had more fun making it than anything else!!

That's it..all my activities from last week! Don't forget to check out everyone elses great ideas! 

Live, love, learn

Rachel :)

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

Hey y'all! I'm excited about doing another link up! This time it is with Covered in Glitter and Glue and "What I'm Loving Wednesday"! Check it out...

During the school year I NEVER get to watch any of the daytime TV shows. So I'm totally loving that I can watch them. I especially love the concert series on the Today Show!

Again my dad is excited to share with you in my new blog post. Yes, that's his goofy smile. He actually used this picture to rub it in my brothers face that we were at one of his favorite lunch spots. 

So for #2 I'm totally loving this thai place in East Texas. It's one the places that you can only get from here and you crave it. It's a little hole in the wall place but oh so amazing!

It's very small and only has about 7 tables inside so it's usually a race to grab the next open table. They are only open from 11-2 and they are always packed!! 

Pad Thai! Seriously, y'all...if you're ever in the area you have to go check it out!

I am very much a morning person but I absolutely hate...HATE...doing my hair in the morning. I let it grow out but have you ever been in Texas during the summer? It's HOT!! 

Hot + not wanting to spend a lot of time on my hair = haircut

I am totally loving it! It is seriously so much easier and so much quicker to get done. I was very nervous getting it done, but I am so glad I did!

Head over to Covered in Glitter and Glue to check out other fun posts on "What I'm Loving Wednesday"!

Live, love, learn

Rachel :)

Monday made it!

Ok I am so excited to start linking up with fellow bloggers, get new ideas, and share my own! I've seen all the #mondaymadeit posts and I'm finally ready to participate! I'm linking up with 4th Grade Frolics for this post. I am only sharing one project this week because I am still out of town. I'm slowly getting back into the groove of school work. Enjoy!

I love the idea of taking a picture of my students with a "first day of..." sign or paper. While I've been enjoying my summer break I have been browsing various blogs and of course Pinterest for various ideas. While looking around I came across a super cute idea over at Apples and ABC's. Her blog gives you step by step instructions. I did make a few of my own changes though. Here's what I started with...

Of course it all had to be green and zebra!! The letters I got are the thicker cardboard ones. Because I'm a little OCD about things I decided to paint the whole letter before I put the paper on.

After I was done painting, I applied the paper with modge podge.

And here is what I ended up with...

Originally I was going to add the zebra ribbon along the edges, but I didn't like the way it looked. I may add some jewels or something later on. Either way I love the way it turned out! I plan to use it to take first day and last day pictures with my kiddos. Plus after pictures it will match my classroom decor perfectly!

I asked my dad to model the letters and here's what happened...

Yes he couldn't take the picture seriously..

Success!!

I think the kiddos will love getting to pose with the letters however they want!

I loved doing this craft and I can't wait for my next project! Have a great week everyone!

Live, love, learn

Rachel :)

A new beginning!

Welcome to my first blog post! I orginially started my blog on a different site, but decided to change it up. I hope that I'm able to use this blog to connect/network with other fabulous educators, share ideas, find new ideas, and just have fun!

I'm on my second week of summer vacation and I'm loving it! For the first time this week I had this happen to me....

I opened up my planner to make an appointment and I just stared at it. I, for the life of me, couldn't figure out what the day or date was. I was a little embarrased but I'm glad my brain is finally on summer break! I've occupied myself with family time, reading, relaxing, shopping, Netflix, and all the daytime shows I never watch during the school year. I've even finally started sleeping in past 7!

Here is some random information (and pictures!) to get to know me a little better....

• I am starting on my 3rd year of teaching and I still love it!
• I have previous experience teaching 1st grade but I'm now on year 2 of Pre-K. I've been told I'm crazy but I wouldn't want to be anywhere else!
• I am in love with anything green, animal print, or polka dots.
• I'm a Texas girl through and through. I was born and raised here and I don't plan on leaving anytime soon!
• Coffee is my main addiction...with a side of sweet tea and diet coke.
• Pinterest and Instagram are where I spend a lot of my free time.
• I love, love, love reading. I always enjoy catching up during the summer.

 I have a wonderful family that I love and adore. We completed our first 5k!

We love baseball! Go Rangers!!

My mom and I. This was when I graduated with my masters. 

We are hardly ever serious.

Sums it all up!

I have friends with pretty cool kids. 

I am so thankful for my team. We always have fun together! 

That's it..that's me in a nutshell! I'm very exciting to begin this new journey with blogging. 

I hope you will continue reading, follow along, share with friends, and most of all....ENJOY!

Live, love, and learn

Rachel :)