Meet the Teacher {Linky}

I thought I'd link up with Stephanie over at Falling Into First for her Meet the Teacher linky. What a great way to get back into the new school year by meeting some awesome teachers!

Hey everyone! My name is Nicki. I'm 33 (just turned! ;), a wife, mom to a fur baby, and a southern gal! This will be my 12th year teaching, with the last 11 years being in Kindergarten! 

I married this guy 9 1/2 years ago!! (He hates his picture taken and we were at an 80s party here! So this is the best smile I can get! LOL) It's just us two with our fur baby for now...but God's got a plan....one day we will have that little miracle. 

Here is our crazy pup. He's 3 now. Still into everything. His name is Raylan (ever seen the TV show Justified....yep my hubs named him after a character on that show!) 


  

 THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...

 

Chocolate (terrible weakness). Books. The smell of the ocean (beach bum). Funny animal videos. Comfy pants. Naps. Music. Revenge (the show ;). Concerts. Blogging (aka stalking). Creating.

 IF YOU WEREN'T A TEACHER, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO BE?

I always wanted to be a fashion designer or someone that worked at a zoo. But no snakes please. I wanted to be what Jack Hanna does on tv (with all of the animals and talks about them, etc.) No blood, no snakes, no big words...lol...just be with the animals. Hmm.....teaching....wasn't that far off... ;)

THREE LITTLE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOU.

Faithful. Strong. Loved.

FINISH THE SENTENCE, "________,  SAID NO TEACHER EVER!!"

"I think those in government know exactly what teachers do!", said no teacher ever!

Q: IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY AND YOU CAN INVITE ANYONE {DEAD OR ALIVE} TO THE PARTY. WHO ARE YOU INVITING?    

My birthday was yesterday (the 10th--the big 33!!) but no party...but I would have invited...hmm...Matchbox Twenty to play all of the jams. 

Bradley Cooper.

Q: IF SOMEONE WROTE A BOOK ABOUT YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD BE THE TITLE? 

Strong

 Q:YOU GET TO PICK ONE SUPERPOWER. WHAT IS IT?

 

Snap---cleaning is done! Especially laundry!! Ugh. Does it multiply at your house? It seems to at mine....

 

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE OR SAYING? 

 

I have so many...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q: IF YOU HAD TO SING ONE SONG ON AMERICAN IDOL, WHAT WOULD IT BE? 

"Hangin' Tough..."----it was the first thing that came to my mind (I have no idea why) 

Any other NKOTB fans out there? 

 

I'd be on the bloopers..nope wait. They wouldn't even let me past the first table (before the cameras) or whatever they do during auditions! 

 

 

 Q: ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON OR A NIGHT OWL?

 

Neither...I fall out at night before 9 (especially during school) and don't try to hold a convo with me in the morning....ugh....

 

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE RESOURCE THAT YOU'VE CREATED IN YOUR TPT SHOP? 

 

My Sight Word Packs and Beginning and Middle Sound Packs!

  

 

  Q: SHARE SOMETHING WE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU! 

I'm a Jamberry consultant now and LOVE it!! Wanna host a party and earn free stuff---let me know! :)

 

And we went on another mission trip this summer and passed out over 1000 book bags!!

And I know how to rock out at an 80s party!!!

 

Sunday Smash-Up & Currently

It's definitely been a while since I've blogged. The good 'ole wrist doesn't seem to want to hold up to computer work and I've been trying to "save" it since school will start back soon. And then it's on! :)

I'm a little late with the Currently but I try to never miss it----thanks Farley for always doing this!

 

Listening---Well Tin Cup is over now so it's commercials, but my hubs loves watching movies so I'm usually listening to whatever he has on.

Loving--That we had an awesome trip to Kentucky for our mission trip. It's great to be back home though (see below for some pictures!)

Thinking--Ok, terrible teacher here...I've barely prepped for this upcoming year...and I have to start back in two weeks (the kiddos come the 25th). Ugh...sometimes my creative juices just completely stop and I just don't know what to do!

Wanting--A few more weeks of summer (not just two!) I have a lot to do and little time to do it.....I'll enjoy it while I can though!

Needing--To finish laundry....being gone a week with no washer and dryer....ugh....catch up time!

1st day with kids--Will be exhausting...but we stagger our kids the first 4 days in Kindergarten (meaning we will only have 5-7 each day the first 4 days and then that 5th day they ALL show up)  August 18th for me----the 25th for the kiddos!

As I mentioned before, we went to Kentucky on a mission trip. This is our 4th summer going and we LOVE every minute of it. If you follow me on InstaGram, then you've seen some pictures of what we've been up to. If you don't....then follow me @mrsthigpenskindergarten :)

We usually have around 45-55 people that go and there are many jobs that are completed during the week. One big job we had this week was to hand out 1050 FILLED book bags to schools/students in need. We started off with only 3 schools but God opened up the doors for us to bless 5 schools as well as partner with local missionaries to allow students/parents to try on and get brand-new shoes at one-particular school.

Our first day there---this was taken after church. 

 These are just some of the book bags we packed before heading to KY.

 My friend Robin and I packing one of the trailers for the first school---yes

I'm that short (LOL only 5'2) and she's that tall! :) This was a joke all week.

The third school---it was the biggest day yet. I'm in the pink hat and blue shirt. We are

picking out various shoes to fit the students and parents that need them.

My most favorite place in all of KY. It was our last night there and this was the sun

setting behind the mountain.

We had a blast as always....and it's always a reminder of how blessed I am. 

Don't forget that Teachers Pay Teachers is having their back to school sale starting TOMORROW!!! My whole store will be 20% off plus the extra that TPT throws in!!

 
                       

I'm also LOVING this new exclusive for August---how appropriate for ALL teachers. Let me know if you would like to Host a Party in August or September to earn free stuff. (I'll also give a free 1/2 sheet of wraps to someone who books a party with me in August!)  http://nickithigpen.jamberrynails.net/host/

                                

Giveaway News!

I'm teaming up with My Carolina Classroom for her giveaway! She has TWO giveaways going and it started today!! Make sure you head over there to enter!

You can win an Amazon gift card and products from her store in the first giveaway and in the 2nd you can win over $100 in products from some awesome bloggers!!

GO ENTER! :)

 

 

Happy 4th of July Sale!!

 

 Everything is 20% this weekend at my TPT store!

Happy 4th of July everyone!! Enjoy your day with your family and be safe!!! 

Currently July

Ugh...it's July 1st already? Where has my summer gone? This month will be crazy busy and I PROMISE to be a better blogger this month...offer up some freebies and more goodies. 

Farley is rockin' again......

 

Everyone is knocked out around here but me.....so all I hear is snoring!!

I'm definitely enjoying my summer this year (first summer in two that I haven't had grad school)---so it's been nice to do what I want when I want....which hasn't been a lot of anything!!

I have definitely been thinking about creating new products!!! I have a couple of things I want to update for the coming year. Any suggestions about what you might want to see?

I would love to be able to meet all of my bloggy peeps in Vegas---but it's a no go....maybe one day!

Productivity---??? Teacher off for the summer??? Hmm....we shall see.

I'm in eastern NC and that little 'ole storm out there that is named Arthur is trying to show up on Thursday and Friday. So not sure how the 4th will turn out weather wise.......