Don't forget to get Jack Hartman's Rockin' for Reading CD. The Hound Dog Song is wonderful and will be a great transition activity for my class.  I is a fun an active song and will be a great addition to Vowel Bat from Shari Sloan.  Jack extends by including CVC an CVCC words.  Great activity for all those movers and shakers in the classroom! *wink*wink

 Shari Sloan followed her first CD with a just-as-fabulous second one.  Letter Pop is one of our favs for word wall transitional activities.  I made both of these with Cricut but you could easily use graphics or any other die-cut options.  Tick tock tick tock...the school bell will be ringing before you know it!

Re-Entry to the Real World

Wow! That was an amazing week in Vegas!  I loved getting to meet so many wonderful K teachers.  I am excited to see what God have planned for me.  As promised...I am thrilled to increase my communications with all of you this year.  I am setting up me Kindergarten space this week.  Stay tuned for classroom pictures, freebies and more BUILD info for you to start your own amazing Math instruction from Day ONE!  Thanks again new-found teacher friends!  Your warmth, encouragement and support was life-changing!

Best Teacher Hubby around!

Proud Momma...

Tonight I am so excited.  First, Elle, decided to cook dinner.  Like not just Ramen noodles or design-your-own pizzas.  Tonight it was for real!  She made the list, she shopped (Dana bought) and she prepared.  Now you must know she didn't ask me for help at all.  Was I bummed...a little but, I know that she was needing to do it on her own.  I know it will come as a surprise ;o) but, in the kitchen, I tend to be a control FREAK...so this is HUGE!  She did an amazing job! We all loved it and everything was perfect!  And for me it was great that she ask for a little help.  So why do I tell you all of this?  She is now blogging about her culinary journey!  I am so beyond proud of this moment.  I have never desired that my children followed my career path.  "I" love teaching but, found it late in life and think I have totally scared them away from being educators.  She is super smart and an outgoing fun-loving teen that loves the Lord.  The hope that there is something in her life that becomes her passion for her is a happy moment.  I know the joy I found in cooking and has become part of who I am.  As I grow older it is even more fulfilling to me.  I am so thrilled that we can spend many more years cooking together...laughing, stirring and preparing recipes in our kitchen.  Check out her new blog at confessionsofacooksdaughter.blogspot.com

Look what came in the mail today!  And you wonder why I stay in Kindergarten?  How precious...Thank you Kinli!  This didn't make the training this week any easier but, it does seem to illustrate my purpose.

It's always the first Wednesday...

It's now that I begin to think... "Where are my babies?"  I don't mean my three at home but, the 19 others that left me on Friday ready to tackle the world.  It felt good, I will be honest, on Friday.  But, now you start feeling as if you have forgotten something.  It was such an amazing year!  I saw Emma and church Sunday and she ran up and said "Mrs. Brinkley, my tooth is getting way wiggly.  I will just come by your house when I am ready for you to pull it."  That's what I miss.  The stories, the smiles and the comfort of me knowing they all came back safely to school on Monday.  I love you Mrs. Brinkley's Class of 2023!  See you in the 22nd for our Reunion!

a sad day...

That was then...this is now!