reason #429 why I teach elementary art

I feel silly saying this but I thought of you, dear blog readers, in the middle of my third grade class today.  It was one of those moments where I was having a laugh attack just knowing I had something truly great to share with you all.

Today was a studio day and most kids were coming up with amazingly creative ideas such as:

“The Tower of Doom”

Or Guitar Girl – complete with a Perrier bottle microphone.

Or how about this clever Kleenex box “rabbit catcher” or cereal box jet?

I also really liked this soup can contraption with a string attached to the lid for “blast off”.

No doubt these kids are clever and extremely creative.

So, now for the point of all this…

Behold (enter drumroll please…dddddaaaaddddaaaaddaaaaa…..)

The “fake anis sale.  —->”

(enter lame cymbals soundbite – badumbum)

Did you catch that? 

Fake anis sale!

Now, bear with me…normally I’m pretty good at sounding out their spelling mistakes but this one takes the cake.  I asked the kiddos what this was all about and they said so nonchalantly that this was about aliens – see the one in the box?  The tiny little pot belly stick figure .  It’s an alien – of course(just click on that bad boy to get a closer look!)!  So by anis they actually meant alien.  I know that the word anis is actually spelled “anus” however, how can you not read that and think of the latter.  Seriously, is this not just the funniest thing you’ve seen all day?  I tell ya, it sure made my day and still does.  I didn’t even bother correcting their spelling (they were so proud of their aliens!)

So, who needs guitars and rocket ships when you can git yur very own fake anis.  I mean…really?!

I wonder if they’re cheap?

 

sconed

Dan made me scones while I sat on the couch being Mrs. NorthCRAB since I was feeling under the weather.  Seems I have reboarded the sick train and I am not happy about it.  Only a day and half of school this week and then ressssssssssss(zzz)t is on the way.  I think I can, I think I can…  Indeed, I will conquer this sick train.

The sick train did manage to interfere with my day on Saturday wherein I pouted and griped all day long while I shot daggers at anything or anyone who looked in my general direction and managed to accomplish nothing.

However, I did not let that train stop us from going to Loveland to ski for our demo day today.  I tried out about 8 different skis and it was cold.  It was also windy.  It was also at a higher altitude than Copper and, therefore, made us huff and puff like the big bad wolf.  It was also my first long ski day and the silly fundraiser stations from Friday would not let me forget about them and they proceeded to make my quads shout “Why didn’t you go to the rec center all those days after school like you promised and even packed your bag so you had no excuse?!!”  Alas, my ski legs will show up again one of these days.  But, other than that and my annoying runny nose, it was a really great day.

My run on sentence quota has been met for today so I think I’ll quit while I’m ahead or behind – whatever.  I think the Sudafed is affecting my brain.

 

workin’ hard for the money…

Some move

and a little swing

then some twist

and some shout

and some twirl

and some super groove

Oh my gosh, did we do some serious style spins with walk-like-an-Egyptian moves, jumpin rope, hula hoop hips, and poker face jives.  Today was our Specials “Workin’ Hard for the Money” fundraiser stations day and man, did we work hard.  Seven hours of seven sessions of k-5 constant movement.  I came home and promptly fell into bed and slept for 2 1/2 hours.  I woke up hurting all over and said to Dan, “This must be what old feels like.”

 

more reasons I don’t teach high school anymore…

A few favorite things around the elementary art room today…

Favorite Quotes:

Me to fourth grade class: How was your field trip yesterday?

Fourth grade girl: It was pretty cool and a little boring.  We found gold but then they told us it was fake and I was mad because I was going to use it to buy a hundred million Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

Me: Oh, bummer.

~

Third grade girl: Look, I’m done!

Me: Hey, that looks good but now you need to do the other side.

Third Grade girl: (on her way back to her seat) CURSES!

~

Second grade boy: Mrs. Northcraft, look at my peacock.  I think he’s a Michael Jackson peacock.

Me: Absolutely.

I can totally see the MJ resemblance.

Favorite mispronunciations of my name:

Mrs. Nartcraft

Mrs. Nortcrab

Mrs. Northcrack

And yet another spelling (and a story, how thoughtful)

Jenifer  North cract

And the picture to go along with the story.

It is funny because I thought the drawing was pretty cute when they special delivered it, especially since they included some pumpkin drawings like we learned about in class.  However, i didn’t notice until just now how strategically placed the pumpkins are even though I know they had no idea.  Hi.la.ri.ous!  At least I don’t resemble Michael Jackson, right?

And one last completely random hand delivered “special drawing”.

I don’t know who Bob and Bobby are but apparently Earth has a food court.  Good to know.

 

Tim is on my side

My, how time flies. Or, maybe I should say “How Tim flies.”  I chucked at this Fed Ex truck slogan today.  I don’t know who Tim is but I wonder if he has a lot of TIME?  heeheehee….

One year ago today I wrote this post about my Daddy O’s Birthday.  Oh, happy day to you, Dad.

Three months ago I celebrated my 29th Birthday and the beginning of my first full week as an elementary art teacher.

In one week I will be celebrating a Thanksgiving day party with my old sweet kooky bunch and all the gang (YEAH J and U!).

One month from today I will be ending first semester and entering Christmas break.

In one month and a day I will be home for the holidays in Kansas City.

And between now and then you can find me at Loveland for a demo day this weekend.

On Dec. 4-5, I will definitely be at Fancy Tiger’s Holiday Handmade craft fair.  Ladies of Denver, can we please make this a date??

Also on that weekend – Birds of Prey.  So pumped to see World Cup skiing.

Such a busy bee.  So glad I’m not Tim – I think the world would be heavy.

 

freezer paper stencils

I attended a fun holiday fair this weekend and it got my mind buzzing for new Christmas gift ideas.  I’ll be sure to share as things progress but, in the meantime, let’s revisit one of last year’s winners.

Maybe you’ve seen these before but it doesn’t hurt to remind ourselves of the wonderful powers of freezer paper stencils.  There are many tutorials out there including one HERE and a new one HERE.  I like the idea of using a sponge brush instead of a regular paintbrush because I did have a tendency to try to put the paint on too thick.  It also helps to keep the design simple but, being the crazy that I am, I chose to do one with lots of curves and cut-outs.  Dumb me but I was happy with the end results.

 

Either way this is a simple way to make something personal and CHEAP!

Here are a few pics from last year that I made for my cousin Ali and her daughter Taylor.

Cut out and ironed on

Painted in – be sure to let the paint dry before pulling off the paper

and then I couldn’t stop so I made a stencil for this cute suitcase I found – you can use this idea for anything!!

The happy recipients

There are so many good ideas floating around and Flickr has a million great ones.  See some new ones HERE (love the Otis dachshund one!) or check out the Flickr group for freezer paper stencils HERE .

How about you?  What holiday projects are you working towards?

 

 

 

 

roll with it

Weeeeeeeeeeeee…

Nothing like skating in circles with a few co-workers and K-5 kiddos on a Thursday night.

So typical, right? 

and what would a skate night be without a little arcade fun?

I was tired and nearly talked myself out of going tonight.  I’m so glad I didn’t though because it is so nice to let loose and just roll with my students every now and then.  Plus, how can you not smile while skating with a second grade girl to Oops, I did It Again“?  Priceless and precious!

 

L.S.E.D.

Alright, I’m recovering from the WICkEd experience right now so I’ll share more on that later.

But I didn’t want to leave you empty handed so go enjoy the fun times at Learn Something Everyday.

Did you know that?  Neither did I!  How about this…

Good to know, right?  Now go learn some more stuff HERE.

 

such a smile :: skiing begins

It is written in the sky.

Do you see it?

The number eleven.

The parallel lines.

THIS

IS

IT!

The 2009 – 2010 ski season has finally arrived!

low blood sugar breaks and all

I have not seen…

this boy with such a

smile since we left the slopes in April.

Good to see that grin again.

Has it really been a year since 11/11?

 

 

 

 

 

getting together

*enjoying my new kicks – burlapesque texture with lime green laces and stitching, uhm…yes, please!

Time is flying lately.  Last I checked I was on my way home from school then an hour at the grocery store, dinner, downtime, and a shower later and *poof* it’s time to rock and roll again.  Phew.

In the midst of busyness, Saturday was just what the doctor ordered!  I took care of some school business, had a coffee date with my dearest Janel and then I lived it up for Andi’s girls night birthday get together.

I knew it was going to be a great night because check out this sunset on the way to girls night.

Ahhh…Maaaa…zing

Pedicures (with pUrPLe polish!) then shopping and Rock Bottom Brewery for dinner.  Where have these gals been all my life??

I know it must have been fun because I forgot to take more pictures.

Also, be sure to check out Andi’s new adventure over at The Cookie Nook.  Think Julie and Julia only with Andi and Martha’s cookies.  You can even sign up to be a taster.  What fun!

Ok, be back soon with ideas about calendars, new jet stream pics, and a recap of our first ski day!

 

Dynasty:: winter starts…NOW!

You know it is going to be a good day when the gal before you in the drive-thru line pays for your Eggnog Latte.  Don’t you just love the season of red cups?  I continued the pay it forward and bought the next car’s drink because it feels good to pass it on.

Something else that felt good today was the extra 50 minutes of plan and no kindergarten classes.  Oops, did I just say that?

And you know it was a good day when the last line of the film says, “I’m Jonny Moseley and winter starts……NOW!”

The annual Warren Miller ski film did not disappoint.  I had a few favorite parts but the best was the travel feature at the end with Chris Anthony.  They traveled to a part of China only available by two days on a horse sled where people have been skiing since the beginning of time.  Anthony has been a part of the films for 20 years and now hosts the movie nights around the country.  I’ve been a fan of his since Storm and I couldn’t resist a photo op.

Phew, I’m beat.  I’ve got a full day and a full weekend of birthday parties, a ski day, and a coffee date.  Better get to bed.

Speaking of bday’s – A very happy happy happy birthday to my Aunt Robin!

 

 

HBC the natural way

I used to think people who ate organic food were extreme and even a little silly.  Now days, after Dan’s scare with cancer a few years back, organic is a way of life for us.  We eat organic food, use natural household cleaners, and most importantly we use natural and organic health and beauty items.  It never occurred to me that what I put on my skin has almost more of an impact than what I put in my mouth.  Have you ever looked at the ingredients of your lotion? – no paragraph of unpronounceable chemicals can be good for our body to absorb!

I am a sucker for new “products” so I’ve done my fair share of testing and experimenting with products I believe to be safe.  Here are a few of my most recent favorites.  I’d love to hear if you have any you love!

1.  Origins Checks and Balances Frothy face wash.  Such an awesome minty smell and you only need a teeny tiny bit to really lather up!  I love this for the combo skin factor because it makes my skin tight but not dry and the price is nice considering how long it lasts.   (really anything Origins makes totally ROCKS!)

2.  South of France Soap Bar in Shea Butter.  Silky smooth BIG bar of soap.  I just love using large bars of soap, so gratifying!  I’m picky about body soap but this one gives moisture and lather and the scent is light but stays with you even after the shower.

3.  Burt’s Bee’s Garden Tomato Complexion soap.  I like to use this one at night in the shower for my face.  The smell is exactly like picking tomoatoes in the garden which makes me feel carefree.  It is pretty drying and super cleansing so I like to use it at night before I put on extra moisturizer.

4.  Big Sexy Hair Organics Shampoo.  I have experimented with lots of organic shampoos and found a few that I like but I spoiled myself with this once after a hair cut and could never go back to anything else because of the body and shine.  Plus, if you keep an eye out at TJMaxx/Marshalls, you can find it for $5.99 as opposed to the $24.00 price at Beauty Brands!  What a steal!

5.  Hot Tools 2inch Curling Iron.  This sucker is huge!  Tambrie introduced me to this thing and I laughed the first time I saw it because it is giant.  I love it because it give my hair a little curl/bend on the ends but it is mostly like using a flat iron  (okay, I know it has nothing to do with being organic or natural but since I cut my hair off last year, it has taken me a while to be excited about anything hair related!)

6.  Physician’s Formula Organic Wear Mascara.  This is such a cute package, I couldn’t resist and the price was nice considering it is organic.  I like it because it isn’t sticky and it doesn’t flake off too much by the end of a long day.

Is anyone else a product junkie like me?  Again, let me know if you have any favorites!

Oh, and if you are in the market for some natural baby items, check out my friend Kelly’s online store, baby, naturally.  She’s got everything from cloth diapers and natural toys to organic laundry soap!