currently november

I'm late to the party friends, but it was because I was having an excellent birthday this last weekend. I turned the big 3-5 and celebrated with friends on a trolley in our costumes! More to come on that later though!

So I'm back for Currently, the fun first-of-the-month party sponsored by Farley. Check out her link-up and write with us if you want to!

Without further ado...

Listening to Hello by Adele

Most downloaded song in one week - just broke records, I'm guessing on iTunes. It's so good. Can't wait for the rest of the album!

Loving the birthday party!

Halloween costumes plus 35 friends on a trolley, a scenic view of the skyline and fun music - such a win!

Check out some costumes:

Morton Salt Girl and Love Potion #9:

Carl and Russel from Up:

Farmer and a Cow:

And lots more...here are all of us over by Adler Planetarium for a group shot:

What amazing memories to carry with me from this birthday!

One more, the skyline for realsies:

Seriously, love this view!

Thinking about my sister's visit!

My sister is coming on Thursday and bringing my new little nephew Jack and I can't wait! We're going to have some time to hang out, go see the city, visit family, and I get to cuddle with that cute baby boy! Stay tuned here, or on IG, for pics of the baby!

Wanting to have it all together

I wish I had it all together - at work, in my personal life - everywhere. Let's dish about work first... Like, I wish I have read all the new Calkins curriculums so I could coach them better (or at least read the orientations to each unit). I wish I had a binder per grade level with all my important docs - like those orientations to the units, and a calendar where I keep a curriculum map of what we've done, and I keep reflections about teaching and learning as we talk about student work. I'm kinda doing all of this, but I need a system in place to get it all organized. So that's on my radar.

As far as my personal life, I mean, do we ever have it all together? Being that it's November, and a time for thinking about gratitude, I guess I'll just go with that...

• Thankful for amazing friends and family who are always there for me, via facetime or a phone call or on my doorstep
• Thankful that I really put 100% into everything I do, and I have no regrets when things don't work out
• Thankful for my apartment that I love so much in a city that is mostly awesome.
• Thankful that I stay positive almost always, even when things are crappy, because that's life, sometimes it just is.
• Thankful for the Peppermint Mocha that is sitting right next to me in a red cup, and time to sit in a Starbucks and write. And thankful for writing!

Anyways, life is never perfect, but it's mostly amazing, so just gotta focus on that, right?

Needing a new couch

I've had my couch since like 2006 maybe? It's super feathery and I love it but it's out of shape and just needs to be replaced. I've been thinking about it for awhile now, but just need to make it happen. 

Yummy

Pretty much all of it - the whole traditional thanksgiving dinner, especially when I'm making it. A few years ago I went to Phoenix and a few friends and I made the whole dinner ourselves, and it was so awesome. I can't wait for Thanksgiving!

That's all for me this month! I hope you have a fabulous November and I hope to be back with some literacy content - for sure over the break when I have time to slow down!

xxoo,