Summer Bucket List

Hi all!  So, I found the neatest little linky:  Summer Bucket List by Natalie from What the Teacher Wants.  How fun is that?  I'm a little late to the party, but summer is not over yet, right?  There are so many things on my list, and it seems that the list always keeps growing and growing.  But here are my main goals for the summer:

School:
I wish, just for a moment, that those people who claim that teachers are "off for 3 months" could just take a peek into our lives...just for a moment.  I'd be willing to bet that a GREAT majority of teachers A.  do not have 3 months off , but B. do a LOT of work for the classroom:  organizing, collecting, revamping, creating, etc. over the summer months to make life a little less chaotic during the school year.  Ok, I'm off my soap box but that really, really gets me!  So, for school, I want to gather, collect, organize areas that I feel need it most in my classroom.  For me, it is guided reading.  There are so many targeted skills you can incorporate with those groups and I would like to find a good way to organize it all.  
Also, it is bird theme this year!  I am keeping the same color scheme this year, but adding birds to the decor! I love this part.  I love to decorate the classroom and make decor items.  It's the HGTV in me I guess! :) ...and Pinterest helps me out quite a bit, too.  Look at this cute picture I found from SchoolgirlStyle--her stuff is soooooo stinkin' adorable!!  

Next, my class did really well with our new classroom management system we tried this year.  I am carrying it on to next year as well, but need to make new behavior calendars with the current years dates on them.  It is not done yet, but here is a sample:

Personal:  

There are so many times throughout the year when I come across a project I'd like to do at my house but think, "that's a summer project."  Well, now's the time.  On my list is organizing closets, and kitchen cabinets, and you name it, it's getting organized this summer!  :)  I also painted my son's room, and I'm doing little revamping projects throughout the house.  

This year, I feel like I took back the reins of my life a little bit and said "Ok, time to work on YOU a little bit".  It is so easy to give all you have to your kids, and then your job, but I realized I was neglecting working on me.  So in January, my friends, and my husband and I, made a pact that we would try and lose weight together, and just try and be healthier in general.  I am happy to report we were all successful.  Every single one of us are now at our desired weight, and more importantly, have changed our lives to a more active lifestyle.  My friend and I ran our first 5K together in May, (with our daughters), and are since both working on signing up for our first 1/2 marathon.  I am up to 8 miles.  This summer, I'd like to at least get to 10 before I sign myself up for a half.  I never thought I'd say "sign myself up for a half", it's crazy.  It's definitely been baby steps to get to this point, b/c I started out not being able to run 5 minutes straight.  I assure anyone out there thinking about running:  If I can do it, you can do it!!!!! :)

I like this blogging thing! :)  I would like to create a family blog that my friends and family can stop by to see what the Lowe's are up to.  My husband's family are from out of state, so it is nice to use modern day technology to keep in touch.  

FUN!

We have a couple trips planned this year and I am going to force myself (ha ha) to enjoy them both!

First, we have found a nice, little hideaway in Florida, called Navarre Beach.  It is very quiet, but in the middle of Destin, or Pensacola Beach on the other sides. We are going back in 11 days!! 

This little boy had no fear!

My little Gabe was our shell collector!

Grace is my fish!

We will also be going to visit my brother and his family in Myrtle Beach this summer!  We are bringing my mom with us so she can see them too.   We have been working hard at checking off as many things as we can on our family summer list.  So far, we have been to Six Flags, the waterpark, Grant's Farm, camped outside, etc.  

Whatever you do this summer, just make those lasting memories and ENJOY your break!!  

If you want to join this fin link up, go to What the Teacher Wants and add your link.