Today I heart The Hunger Games trilogy!!

Today I heart The Hunger Games trilogy!! Oh my goodness, it is so good...well, so far. I have read the first book and watched the amazing movie. I am currently halfway done with the second book. It's safe to say I'm obsessed and constantly on the edge of my seat (recliner chair style of course). It's hard to put the book down so I can sleep and do my job. If you haven't read the books yet, do it!

Today I heart Jordan Leigh Nelson!

Today I heart Jordan Leigh Nelson!! Jordan, or JoJo as I call her, is my youngest sister. She is currently playing college softball, which is her second college sport. She's pretty much a stud. I spent most of my weekend watching her play 5 games. I don't even care that my back hurts from all the bleachers because watching her is my favorite. I'm so proud of my little boo boo, I can hardly stand it. I love her more than life itself and will support her until the day I die.

Today I heart funny things kids say!

Today I heart funny things kids say!! I keep a journal of funny things said by students over the years. I love going back and reading them. I tend to do this when I have a rough day or am frustrated with a student. It totally helps! I will share a couple of my favorites...

"Miss Nelson, Daniel says he is intimidated by you because you look like Usher."
(Yes, that would be Usher, the black rapper)

One day I told kids that I wish I had Barbies when I was younger. A student says back, "Why? So you could learn how to fix hair?"

I gave students a night off from homework and one kids says, "Great, now what am I supposed to do to waste time until The Simpsons comes on?"

Man I love kids!

Today I heart frozen fruit!

Today I heart frozen fruit!! There's no website to check out, nothing like that. I'm just stating that I have a recent addiction to frozen fruit. I'll take peaches, grapes, mangoes, strawberries, blueberries, whatever. I love them all! My teeth hate me sometimes, but oh...my...goodness...it's so good! Just thought I would share. Try it, you may like it. I'd start with grapes, just sayin'.

Today I heart my little readers!!

Today I heart my little readers! On March 2nd, we participated in Read Across America for Dr. Seuss's birthday. My 21 students passed 214 AR quizzes during our all day read in. Their goal was ten quizzes per students. Because we accomplished that goal (using an average of course), they earned a pizza party. They are pretty pumped and their teacher is quite proud. I just love my class!

http://www.readacrossamerica.org/

Today I heart the SMART Table!!

Today I heart the SMART Table interactive learning center! I vow to you all, I will have one in my classroom before I retire. These things are amazing. They are like giant iPads. I can't wait to get my hands on one. Hopefully, I'll allow the students to use it rather than hording it myself. I gotta have it!!

http://smarttech.com/table

Today I heart the Buddy Walk!

Today I heart the Buddy Walk! This is a celebration for Down syndrome that is put on every year by the National Down Syndrome Society. It started in 1995. I have participated in the last 4 in Portland, Oregon. One of my very closest friends is a 27-year-old girl who has Downs. She's truly the most inspiring person on earth. I can only strive to live my life with as my zest, patience and love as that girl. I'm excited to walk again in September. I encourage everyone to find one near them. A warning though, you may want to train. That one mile walk around the Rose Garden can be tough!

http://www.buddywalk.org/