Setting up my classroom { the move in}

Before I could actually start moving in I did some work at my apartment, specifically on the lawn. I bought a cheap rug from Menards- the indoor/outdoor type. And a few colors of spray paint. Because new teachers are b-r-o-k-e.

 

I used painters tape to mark the lines using a super scientific magazine as a measuring device. To vary the size of the lines I just used the magazine either horizontal or vertical. 

 

Since the ground is not perfectly flat I had to be sure to press down my tape lines to reduce the amount of overspray.

 

I thought that I could just throw some newspapers down on the sidewalk and spray paint my millions of tubs and then got real and realized that was going to be way more work and decided to grab some painter's plastic and go that way. (see below)

 

Two coats of spray paint and my rug was looking decent of a $19.99 friend. 

 

In between rounds of spray painting I was running things through the laminator as fast as I could. I ran full sheet things I wanted to be a little thicker myself, at home, and sent everything else to our AEA to be laminated on the big machine.

Here is what I ended up doing with my tubs, this was way easier and allowed me to just keep moving on to the next thing. I used dish tubs from Walmart and my stool was $4 at Goodwill.

When I was finally given the go ahead to move into my room we gathered a whole car-full of things and headed out! After everything was brought in, here's what we had:

 

This doesn't really seem all that much better than when it was a library, but we were hopefull :)

Next up: the classroom starts taking shape.

Setting up my classroom {the beginning}

We last left you with the news that I got a job...and then the blog came to a crashing halt because well, life got in the way. And so now like  a school year and a half later we're bring you the transformation of my TK classroom. From library to classroom in 3 days.
Here's what it looked like when I walked in the first day:

 

Holy Hot Mess, right? And top it all off I couldn't even start doing anything until after the library moved out! I was in complete panic mode. All I could do was print and laminate. everything.

Next up: 3 days of classroom madness.

How we put together my classroom in one weekend.

Spring cleaning on a snow day

We had a snow day not too long ago and I decided to spend it doing a little spring cleaning. Yeah, I know spring cleaning a snowday? I sound insane. But it's Iowa, deal with it.

 

Icky things like plungers and trash cans got a scrub with bleach water.

 

Cute new rubber gloves and a sticky clip from Walmart (from the same section as the 3M hooks) found a new home on the back of the cabinet door below the sink.

 

My running supplies (inhaler, Polar, "fanny pack"- it's for runners - similar to a flip belt, but let's call it what it is, earphones, headbands) all found a home in a cute gray basket from the Target dollar spot.

 

And finally everything came out of the fridge so it could all be sanitized and wiped down and everything went back in, nice and neat. I give it a week before it looks like a disaster again. 

How do you spend your snow days? 

 

What we've been up to lately...

We apologize for dropping off the face of the planet. Again. We've been crazy busy lately!

Our BFF Amanda came to town! It was so great to see her. She lives on Cape Cod which is way cooler than Iowa. Right? Anyway, we miss her like crazy so we love when she comes back home! 

Here's a snapshot of her and Niki at the wedding they went to.

Oh! We're so cute!

Also, Niki and I have both committed to going back to school this fall, October to be exact. We are getting our Sped and Early Childhood endorsements! Woot. I think.

From Shannon:
I have been swamped with Etsy orders! I love creating things to help people's lives run smoother! But it got a little bit crazy this week.

In other news, I GOT MY FIRST TEACHING JOB! I am over the moon excited! I will be teaching transitional kindergarten in the same district that I've been in the past two years. Did I mention that I am like ridiculously giddy? My classroom was formerly the elementary library which is still currently residing in my room. So I cannot even begin to move in until the library moves out. It makes my OCD self a little bit twitchy but it gives me more time to spend on Pinterest.

From Niki:

The kids have had swimming lessons, sports camps, birthday parties and just all around busyness. I just got their school supplies list and am starting the master list and scoping out the sales.

Tim has been working nonstop so the kids and I have to entertain ourselves and no fun vacation :(
Now I'm working on getting ready for back to school (for me and the kids). Get ready for some organization and decluttering.
Tim and I are also embarking on a remodeling project for our house. We remodeling the living areas a few years ago and are now remodeling the sleeping areas. We have a crazy old farmhouse and it is not ready for all of the business we have. :)