Bluebird Boxes for Malauri & a Freebie for You!

 Last August a child who I have had as a student in music and computer classes died of a brain aneurysm. It hit me pretty hard as she was a classmate and friend of my daughter since preschool.She loved nature, and the last time I saw her was when I took her on a birding hike she had bid on and won at our school auction. She was so excited to spend the morning with me in the woods looking for birds. My only regret of the day is that I didn't bring my camera.We saw some awesome birds and enjoyed a lunch together, too. Malauri was always asking me questions about birds. Her mom told me that they found sketches of birds in her room with "Ask Mrs. Reck about...." I miss her so much.

Today we built birdhouses in memory of Malauri. Each multi-aged group put together a birdhouse kit that I found on Etsy. I also found a new friend. My friend Roger put together 10 kits for our school to build together. He is an amazing woodworker and worked with me through every step of the planning. If you ever need building kits, please consider checking out Roger's store. These birdhouses went together beautifully! The only thing that was missing was Malauri. She would have loved having her parents at school, building bluebird houses with her. She would have loved the cookies they brought. She would have loved watching the bluebirds build nests in these boxes. I hope that when I see her in Heaven I'm able to wrap my arms around her and tell her how much she was loved here on earth. I know that she is flying like the bluebirds and nesting in the arms of our loving Savior.

Ready to build

Some of the completed projects!

Malauri's parents making a house together.

Each child added to the project by pounding or painting.

Click above if you would like a bluebird ten frame!

Ten Frame Freebie in my PJs!

Laurie says she's at her aunt's, but I think she came to hang out with me!

 It is almost 11:00, I am still in my pajamas, and lovin it! Tomorrow is August, and for me that means That Which Must Not Be Named! I'm going to spend the day doing some of the things I love...Blog hopping, game playing, bike riding and bird watching! My new house has a wonderful location for my feeders. The birds come right up to the window to talk to me! I think of Laurie from Chickadee Jubilee often because of all the chickadees gracing my yard!

Speaking of birds and games, look what I found at Mejier on clearance. I had to get it. I am Mo Willems number one fan! I made My 13 and 17 year old played with me last night. We had so much fun I think I'll make them play again.  they'll beg me for more tonight.

The cards are zipped inside the pigeon!

Even though I lost, I love matching games!

I spent the morning playing with my clip art. I love clip art and got started making fun ten frames and couldn't stop! I made five sets of ten frames each with a different graphic. I'm so excited to use them and plan on displaying this one in my classroom. I think this will really help students visualize each number and its relationship to ten. I would like you to grab these owls here or at TPT. The preview at TPT includes the whole owl set that I made using a familiar looking owl! If you click on the owl it will take you to Google Docs. If you click on the advertisement, which I paid myself for,  you can buy the whole package and help me send my kids to college!