Random Randomness

I have a long list of things that I have been meaning to post about, but December is just flying by and when in the world am I supposed to find time to write blog posts??!?  But, I miss sharing with my bloggy friends, so here is a super random post full of all sorts of things from the past couple weeks!

Have you seen these little guys?  

Are they not just downright adorable???  I found these little monsters in the Target Dollar Spot (where else?!?) and knew that they would be perfect for guided reading.  I'll be pulling these out after we return to school in January to provide a little fresh motivation for my budding readers!  Not sure if they're still there, but if you're in Target anytime soon, you may want to check for them!

I love love love this Christmas book.  Every year, it's the first one I read in December.  This year, I pulled it out on December 1st.  Right away in the morning.  We have read it several times because my students love love love it too!  The story is silly and sweet and the illustrations are so fun!

Sadly, it's REALLY expensive on Amazon and at Barnes and Noble.  But, maybe you can find it at a library?  Or maybe you already have it?  Such a great one.

 To say that Jingle Joy has been a hit with my students would be the understatement of the year.  They. love. him. so. much.  They can't wait to find him every morning and read the notes that he writes us.  And they love writing him notes during Choice Time too.  It's been so much fun and a wonderful way for us to talk about kindness and love every single day.  

I even made this special stationary because my kids were so nuts over writing letters to Jingle Joy every day!  The other day, Jingle Joy asked the class to write him notes about how they could be kind at home.  

Love.

These directed drawings are sooooo cute.  You might know that I love doing directed drawings with my students.  These elves have gotten so many comments from teachers and parents that come into my classroom.  They are simply adorable!!

 Head over here to find the directed drawing instructions from Mrs. Parker!

Look what I got in the mail yesterday!!  

On Thursday morning, I happened to click into an e-mail I had received from Amazon....which I normally would have just deleted, but it must have been meant to be because this laminator was on sale for $16.99!!  I have secretly had this on my mental wish list for a long time but kept talking myself out of getting it.  After I saw it, I quickly posted something on Instagram asking for input because I knew my IG friends wouldn't steer me wrong!  The reviews were awesome (I knew they would be), so I had this all ordered before school began!  And, yesterday, I heard that magical knock at the door and knew it was here!  

Only my teacher friends could understand such excitement over having a laminator of my very own!  I'm way too excited about it, and I kind-of want to laminate everything in sight. ;)

 We're close to being done with the reindeer ornaments we make for dads and moms each year.  I love these simple and sweet parent gifts.  The last step this week is to add eyes and a red nose.  Then, we'll be able to get them wrapped up and sent home to put under the tree.

I'll be sure to share when we finish them!

Five more days of festive holiday classroom fun.  I love this time of year in the classroom!