get me out of here!

I was able to get Kirby to go shopping today! 
Like most guys, he doesn't like shopping. 
Can you tell?.. it made his hair stand up straight!

He goes a few times a year and gets anything he needs from just a few stores.  He bought himself a big pile of new school clothes today and I probably won't get him to go shopping again until next year.... seriously.  I soaked it all up and enjoyed it while I could today :)  This weekend was tax-free weekend too, so that made shopping even more exciting!

I'm not sure what came over him, but he even cleaned out his closet when we got home!  Now he has some new clothes, old clothes to take to Goodwill, and an organized closet!

This time 3 years ago

Around this time 3 years ago, our friends and family were coming into town to celebrate our wedding day.  Since almost all of our guests were out of town, we had all the pre-wedding festivities during the few days before the wedding.  Here is a glimpse back to those days.

 beachin' it

girls at the salon

bachelor/bachelorette parties

 bridal shower

rehearsal dinner

a message from my cousin on the day of our wedding

Surf's Up in 608

I'm changing things a little bit this year and having a "surfing/beach" themed classroom. I worked on making some things and even bought a few things from Teachers Touch. 

But the best part of this surfing themed classroom is going to be this...

I'm super excited for Kirby to fix it up so I can add it to my classroom.  A big thank you to Mark at Surf City, a local surf shop, for donating it. 

Summer won't have to end in our classroom when school starts... it'll feel like we're still at the beach!

Oh no...6 days!

I just had a realization that we only have 6 more days until summer is OVER...DONE!  I can't believe it!  Next Thursday, we have to be back in school!  I've gotten myself so excited about organizing and arranging my room, the end of summer just flew right past me!  Goodness gracious! 

I spent all day at school helping out the newest 1st grade teacher at NMBP!  Amanda has worked really hard to get her bare bones room set up and ready for her first graders.  Kristin, Cindy, and I helped her get quite a lot accomplished today!  Hopefully now she'll be able to enjoy her last few days of summer too.

{lunch break at Subway}

I have to say, the beginning of the school year always gets me excited!  I love this time of year!  I (with the help of Kirby's precision and creativity) have been working on a few things for my classroom.  The biggest project was my new behavior chart.

Pinterest- school edition

I'm going to try something new this Wednesday and participate in "Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesdays".  If you'd like to join, link up here.

I'm in the process of making my own version of this behavior chart. 
I'll probably post a picture of it tomorrow. 
A big "thank you" to Kirby for helping me out!

Source: sunnydaysinsecondgrade.blogspot.com via Kirby N Anna on Pinterest

Source: firstgradebest.blogspot.com via Kirby N Anna on Pinterest

Source: amazon.com via Kirby N Anna on Pinterest

I want to give the kids 1 of the next 3 ideas...

this...

Source: printable.tipjunkie.com via Kirby N Anna on Pinterest

or this...

Source: firstgradeandfancyfree.blogspot.com via Kirby N Anna on Pinterest

or this...

Source: whattheteacherwants.blogspot.com via Kirby N Anna on Pinterest

Redemption

We had registration at our school today.  So after a long day of being there, my nose is stuck in this book.  It just may be the last one of the summer too. Boo...

camera help please

With our 3 year anniversary coming up, my awesome husband told me the other day that he needed my help in order to purchase the gift he wanted to get me.... a new lens for my camera!  I am so excited!  However, I thought I knew what I wanted, but when it really comes down to making this big decision, I want to be sure I'm 100% confident with my choice.  Since I am only an amateur, I don't know enough to make this decision on my own.  Kirby and I have both researched online, I'm also going to talk to a friend of ours about their lens collection, and now I'm asking the blog world.  I know when I'm browsing the many blogs I read, several of you like photography just as much as me or are "real" photographers... so please help me out!

Here's what you should know:

1. This is what I already have.

Nikon D3000 Kit with the Nikkor 18-55mm lens

2. Like I already said... I'm just an amateur, who wishes she was a professional.  I LOVE (that's an understatement) taking pictures!

3. One reason I want a new lens now is because as you may have read in this post, we're going to start trying to add to our family soon.  I want something that's going to be great for taking pictures of our child. 

So what lens do you have?  Why do you like it?  What do you use it for?  Any advice would be helpful to me. 
Thank you in advance! :)