Five For Friday

I'm linking up with the amazing Doodle Bugs Teaching for Five for Friday. I get the opportunity to share five random things about my week.

The end is near! I always have such mixed feelings about these final weeks/days of the school year. I feel rejuvenated by spring in the air. I also itch to be outside watching and waiting for migrants of the bird kind to pass through on their way to their nesting sites here or further north. Luckily I manage to find ways to integrate the outdoor learning with reading and math. I teach at a school that has a delightful wooded lot attached. We've used this woods to learn about insects, birds, fairy house building, environment and oh so much more. My BBF posted a picture of Birdology on her Instagram and I'm pretty sure she knew before I did that I'd have to have it. What a treasure trove of great information about birds, color photographs and activities, 30 to be exact!

We learn about nests and what materials are best for putting out for birds to use in nest building.

I've been watching birds since I was 6 months old. Crazy? My mom tells me that I used to take out all the toys in my toy box, climb in and look through a birding guide. My sister and I were out birding last weekend and had the pleasure of seeing an American Woodcock taking a stroll with her three young. I was shaking so hard from pure excitement that I couldn't get a great picture.

Aren't you glad you don't have to carry a beak like that around?!

Check out this sweet video of young eating. They have this cute little wiggle when they walk.They are just darling.

I think my little American Woodcock story counts as number 2.

I run two book fairs a year. I just finished up number two today. This  was our BOGO fair where everything was buy one get one free. I'm stocked up on books for the rest of the year and next year too! Favorite book of the fair...

This story is told by the tree and starts at its roots and grows up to the leaves introducing the reader to the delightful creatures that find shelter in its branches. Jennifer Ward hasn't written a book I don't like! I'm going to read this to my class next week outside under an oak tree! Not only do Jennifer and I have the same first name we also both have four sisters. What are the chances of that?!

I was starting to talk about the book fair when I got distracted by Jennifer Ward. Sorry about that! In December a former student of mine was hospitalized. She is still in the hospital. She's had one health crisis after another and is only 13 years old. She used to love the book fair visiting every day to pick out books and erasers! This year the book fair is going to visit her. We were able to raise enough money to send her more than a couple of books to read and to gift to other children in the hospital as she meets them. If you are a prayer warrior, please pray for my friend Sable to be returned to health. If you would like to help Sable you can read her story here and give her a helping hand. These books and assorted fun items will arrive at Sable's bedside soon!

Oh, no! I'm back on birds again. Our chicks will be three weeks old on Monday. They love to sit on the edge of their box and roost. My Owlets know they are making too much noise if they wake up and start hopping around. We started with eleven chicks. Seven have already found a forever home and these four are left...

I had so many more random thoughts to share. I guess I'll have to wait until next week . . . or tomorrow!

First StitchFix and a Winner!

I had to try it for myself. I saw so many other's cute and not so cute Fixes. I forced myself to look at every #stitchfixfail to convince myself I did not want to get sucked in. It did not work and this is what I got...I'll let you guess which ones I kept and which ones I sent back at the end!!

Most people post a nice neat shot of their box right after opening. I didn't have a camera when I opened this up. I tore right into it! I don't get new clothes often, so I was really excited!!

This sweater has 3/4 length sleeves. The shoulders are relaxed and the teal stripe has a little bit of sparkle. It covers up my booty...I like that!

I love the little keyhole on the back of the sweater. 

This tunic is so me. It might be too much white to wear to school, though. Hmmm. What do you think? Kitty seems to like it!

 This black and white maxi-skirt was just the right length for me in a high heel and I can easily roll the waistband down to shorten it when I need to put on something comfy at the end of the day. But will these stripes make me look to wide?

These black trousers fit like a dream. A little pricey for my taste, though! They looked great with a heel, but I could see myself wearing them with a variety of other shoe choices! They were the perfect length for my short self. What a dilemma! 

This long tunic blouse was pretty busy. I liked the details on the sleeves. You can roll up the long sleeves and button them with a cute tab that stays hidden until it is needed. The colors on this shirt are some of my favorites. They do go perfectly with the black trousers. 

So that's it. I tried everything on just like I was directed to do. Everything fit perfectly. I had shoes, scarves and jewelry to go with each item. This is what I decided...

The striped sweater...Kept it!

The bohemian tunic in orange and black...It has triangles so I had to keep it!!

The striped skirt matches my cat...It's a keeper!

The trousers...I'd buy another couple pair in different colors if I could. They are my favorite.

The long blouse? Yep! I kept that too. I kept it all and justified the expensive pants with having 25% off if you keep it all. 

I signed up to get my Fix quarterly. I'm thinking I may have to change that to monthly. I had so much fun being able to try everything on at home in natural light at 11:00 at night. The true test will be how well they wash up. If you are on the fence on whether to try it  or not...I say to take the leap and let me know what you think! 

CLICK HERE TO LINK TO STITCHFIX! 

I ran a giveaway a couple weeks ago. I used a random number generator and got 3! So, Betsy is the winner! I love comments!!

Teacher Appreciation Blog Hop!

Hello, May! You snuck up on me so quietly. I was expecting more of a fanfare from you. I would have enjoyed some days in the upper 60s and low 70s. A thunderstorm or two would have been nice. Since you are here, I invite you to stay and bring your beauty with you and fill my yard with flowers and birds! You are my favorite month!!

I am linking up with some new friends! Instagram has made it so easy to micro-blog. I've noticed since I started, I've kind of ignored my  blog. I was pretty excited when one of a group of teachers wondered about a blog-hop! Now I'll be able to hop along and see all my "new friends" blogs too. Come along with me and grab some fun freebies on the way! Click the picture below to get this item FREE!  I hope it is something you and your owlets will enjoy!

Don't waste any time! Click below to hop along and meet some new friends and get some great freebies!