Package Anyone??????

Would you like to receive an awesome package containing seasonal crafts made by children across the country?
 If so come join the fun!
 This is your last chance and... its oh so easy.
 Just pick one craft/craftivity that you do in December, January, February or March and have each of your children make one. It could even be something you made already this year, just have the children make another to send away. Then write one short letter that describes these months in you neck of the woods and tells a bit about what your children do during these months. Next, place 20 of the crafts and your one letter into an envelope and mail it off to me at my school. As soon as I receive all the packages, I will collate them and send your package off to you! In a week or so you will receive the best package ever! It will contain a letter and a craft from each participating school. How cool is that! Use the crafts and letters to teach your children about others around the country. Sounds fun doesn't it ~ well don't wait ~ prepare your package and send it no later than January 25!
Please comment to this post and I will send you my school address so you can mail your package.
Can't wait to hear from you!

Winter Wonderland Exchange, Book Review and a Snowball Fight!

Winter Wonderland Exchange Project:

Wow! Its time. I am very excited to see all the projects. If you would like to join us or have questions just let me know. It's easy to participate just pick a winter project or craftivity, have each student in your class make one or more. Send 20 projects to my address (this will be sent to you by email when you comment on the post) with a short letter that tells about your class, winter in your area, and/or a bit about your project. You will receive back a package with one project and letter from each participating class. As an example: My class will be making a Groundhog project. Groundhog Day, on February 2, is a big thing in Pennsylvania. We may even include some fun ideas for your class to do on Groundhog Day! Another class has chosen to make sleds, as riding them is what they do from January to March. I know those of us in cold climates would love to know what you lucky warm weather folks do in the winter! I love getting mail, and I know our children will be very excited when the package arrives at school. All projects should be in the mail by January 20. As soon as I receive them I will put them together and mail your package to you!

You Are My Wonders 

Maryann Cusimano Love
Satomi Ichikaw

My very thoughtful Sister gave me this book for Christmas this year. It is very touching and was the perfect book to read to my students on our first day back after winter break. It touches upon the relationships and bonds between a teacher and her students. It made me smile and my children giggle.

Now for the Snowball Fight:

Last night as I was looking at blogs I came upon First Grade in Foxwell Forest. She has posted a new product and offered it free to the first 2 commenters. I was lucky enough to receive a copy!!!!! Well one look at it and I knew this was exactly what I would use in school tomorrow. This week we start Dibels testing of our poor students. This game is the perfect FUN way to practice. If you like a little action and fun in your class head over to Foxwell Forest! 

Goofy Training Complete: 2012 A Year Of Running

 Sorry I have been missing, but Goofy training, holidays with my family and teaching my amazing first graders was all I could do these last few weeks. In 2010, my husband and I began our quest to run an event in each of the 50 states. The Goofy Challenge (a half marathon on Saturday followed by a full marathon on Sunday) has been on our bucket list since. In one short week we are about to attempt to conquer the Goofy! 

2012: A Year Of Running

State #6
VA Beach 14K
February 11, 2012

We went South to escape the PA winter. Yes, that is snow on the Palm trees. It was a very large, well run event. The course was flat and ended in a heated field house complete with band and food!

State #7
Long Beach Island, NJ  5K
April 14, 2012

Sprint for Life takes place on LBI a place where I spent many happy childhood vacations. It starts by the bay and runs along a nice flat course. The prizes are ceramic pieces made by local school children. Too bad I am too slow to win one.

State #8
Illinois 5K
August 9, 2012

The fun thing about this one was it was run in the early evening at a small, local fair.

States # 9 & 10
Minnesota to Wisconsin Half Marathon
August 11, 2012

Yes, I know we kind of cheated on this one, but we did run a half marathon and spent plenty of time in both states. I ran a PR this day with the help of my husband! This is an amazing run. A slightly hilly course that runs over the large bridge connecting the 2 states.

While in the Great Lakes Region we took some time to enjoy the sights. I hope to get back there again someday It is truly a beautiful place. Here are some pictures

The UP of Michigan ~ amazing I never would have believed a lake could look just like the ocean.

The highlight of our trip ~ a wildness canoe/camping trip through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota. This is a lifetime adventure if you ever get the chance grab it. It was physically demanding, but the scenery was worth all the hard work. We booked our trip through Clearwater Lake Lodge.

Another beautiful sight in the UP of Michigan ~ Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. We had scheduled to view the coast by boat, but the water was too rough so we ended up driving and hiking. Still beautiful.

The highlight of the canoe trip ~ while looking for the next portage at a beaver dam, I walked up on this moose!!!!!!!!!

Twisted my poor husband's arm really hard and he took me to see "The Mall."

State #11
Michigan 5K and 10K
Saturday, August 18, 2012

Okay so maybe we cheated a bit with Wisconsin and Minnesota, but we made up for it in Michigan. In the morning we ran the Sleepy Bear Dunes 5 Miler. Then stayed to hike and enjoy the dunes for a while. After lunch we drove across the state and ran the Panda Bear Night Run 10K. Sleepy Bear Dunes is a great place to see and visit, but I had a rough run. The 10K went great at night and I had a PR! My husband won his age class!

Sleepy Bear Dunes 5 miler

Alma College, Michigan

Sleepy Bear Dunes

                             Santarelli Memorial 5K
                              Cross-Country Race

                                                        at Lorain County Community College Ohio

                                                                                       State #12

                                                                                     Alma, Ohio

                                                                          Sunday, August, 19, 2012

This was a difficult run for me, maybe too many runs in a row. It was also run on a cross country course and most, well really all, of my running is done on roads. Couldn't believe how flat it was there. In fact it was so flat that the college added a manmade hill to the course!

On the way home from this amazing trip we drove right past Punxsutawney, PA ~ home of the famous Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil!
So once again I twisted my poor husband's arm and he kindly obliged my craziness and took me to see the real live groundhog used on Groundhog Day.

This is where Phil lives, right in the window of the town's library.

Groundhog statues are all over town!

State #13
Delaware 10K
September 30, 2012

Our final state of 2012! A nice run, but close to my favorite Delaware Beach so we did the run and headed over for a beach visit and some Grotto Pizza.

We each ran a mud run just for fun in the middle of all this. If you haven't tried one go ahead and do it they are loads of fun!

My Tough Mudder Husband!

My sister-in-law Elaine made this one a ton of fun!

There you have it a great year of running ~ 671 miles for me and 895 miles for my husband ~ our most ever!
The Goofy in Florida will be state #14. I sure hope I am ready, the training just about did me in!

Winter Wonderland Exchange Ready To Begin...just a few spots remain, come join us!!!!!!!!!

Thanks to all who have signed up! If you are sitting on the fence now is the time to jump off and join the fun. Classes from all over the country are participating and even some digitally from Canada! It's easy to participate just pick a winter project, have each student in your class make one or more. Send 20 projects to my address with a short letter that tells about your class, winter in your area, and a bit about your project. You will receive back a package with one project and letter from each participating class. I love getting mail, and I know our children will be very excited when the package arrives at school. There is some concern as to when the projects are due. I know Winter Break is fast approaching - so we could certainly have the projects due mid January. Please answer the following questions so we don't have any duplicates and I have all the information for everyone. I will email all my address this week. Thanks! ~ Maria
(I know the following people wanted to do these projects: Wendy-penguins, Kelly-Abes or Georges, Julie-Liberty, Sarah-hearts, Sharon-sleds, Claire-snowmen, Beth-Matin Luther and Kay-Cesar Chavez Day. No problem if you change your mind, just let me know.)

Be sure to post the following:

Name                 State                 Project                                 email
Maria                  PA                   Groundhogs                         firstgradecarousel@gmail.com

Winter Wonderland Exchange Revised

I am really hoping to do this, need just a few more classes to participate. Here are the simple guidelines:
1. Choose one item that relates to the months of January, February or March in your area.
2. Have each child in your class make one of that item ~ for a total of 20 items.
3. Write a short letter that tells why you choose the item and a bit about your class.
4. Contact me by commenting on the post. I will then send you the address to mail your package to.
5. The first 19 classes to respond will be included.
6. You will then receive 19 different art projects back with their info letters.
7. Decorate your classroom with the projects and teach your children about other classes.
As an example: My class will be making Groundhogs. Groundhog Day, on February 2, is a big thing in Pennsylvania. We may even include some fun ideas for your class to do on Groundhog Day! Another class has chosen to make sleds, as riding them is what they do from January to March. 
Please share this post with anyone you think might be interested. Feel free to share it on your blog!
Please come and join the fun!

The Liebster Award

I am so honored to be nominated for the Liebster Award! This award is given to new bloggers with 200 followers or less. I was nominated by Rae of Mindful Rambles. Thank you so much! You should check out her blog. She's great ~ way ahead of me. I am just learning and struggling through.

And the rules are:
1. Post 11 random things about yourself
2. Answer the questions the nominator set for you.
3. Create 11 questions for your nominees.
4. Choose 11 other blogs with fewer than 200 followers to nominate and link them to your post.
5. Leave a comment on this post if you were nominated so I can learn more about you and see who you nominate.

My 11 randoms:

1. I am married to my high school sweetheart. We are married 28 years!

2. I have 2 wonderful daughters. The oldest is married, has our first grandson, and is expecting a girl in January - she lives in South Carolina. The youngest lives in Brooklyn with her boyfriend. We had some tense moments during Sandy when we couldn't reach her. Sure wish they both lived closer.

3. Wendy is our retired greyhound. She is 10 and has been with us for 8 years.

4. I turned 50 in August! Unbelievable, starting to feel old.

5. My husband and I are on a mission to run an event in all 50 states. So far we've run in 13 states. We are going big for state #14 ~ The Goofy Challenge in Florida this January. For our 30th anniversary, and 25th state, we have planned Alaska. Hawaii is to be state #50!

6. I have my best first grade class ever this year! I think I'd like to loop with them clear through high school. Just kidding.

7. I love to be outside.

8. My favorite food is pizza. I could eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It doesn't matter what kind.

9. I do not like to be cold. I'd rather be too hot.

10. If I start reading a book I must read it without stopping. I don't hear or see anything else when reading. So I don't often start books unless I know I have time to finish.

11. Running does not come easily to me. I try to do it often because it keeps me healthy.

Rae's Questions:

1. If you could have any super power, what would it be and why?

I would like to be able to fly. Even though heights scare me, there are so many places to see and it just is too hard to get to them quickly.
2. If you weren't a teacher/educator/your current occupation, what would you be?

I can't imagine not teaching, but if I was to do something in addition to teaching it would be something with houses.
3. You had to choose: sense of smell or sense of taste.

Smell wins hands down.
4. What is your favorite genre of book?

Historical Fiction
5. What is your favorite genre of music?

I am a dud when it comes to music. I'd rather have quiet.
6. If you could visit any place in the world, and money was no object, where would it be?

New Zealand would be my first choice. It looks so beautiful.
7. What was your favorite subject in school? What was your least favorite?

My favorite subject was math. I love how the rules always worked. That leads me to my least favorite subject crazy English.
8. What is one way that you do to ensure a healthy lifestyle?

I run, usually at least 3-5 miles, three to four times a week. Preparing for Disney now so the miles are racking up quickly.
9. How many hours of sleep do you get a night?

At least 8, without sleep I am a mess.
10. What is your favorite drink, alcoholic or not?

Coke ~ its an obsession and not a good one. I try try try to stay away.
11. Do you have any hidden talents? If so, what?

My hidden talent must be making my first graders laugh.

Now, for my nominations:

1. Albuquerque Amy's First Graders

2. Coconut Cutie's Classroom

3. Autism Tank

4. A Flutter Over First Grade

5. First Grade Smiles

6. Cool School With Karen

7. Hippo Hooray for Second Grade!

8. Tiny Treasures By T

9. Simply Sprout

10. Year SIX

11. The Teaching Bug
Be sure to look at these great blogs!

For my nominees -- My questions:

1. What is your favorite thing about blogging?

2. Where is your favorite place to vacation?

3. What is your favorite children's book?

4. What do you like to do when you are not working on things for your classroom?

5. If you could spend time with anyone ~ who would you like to meet and why?

6. What food could you not do without?

7. Tell a bit about your best day ever as an educator.

8. What would you like to have more time for during the school day?

9. What scares you most?

10. What is your favorite holiday or time of the year?

11. What do you tend to buy too much of?

For all my nominees, please copy and paste the above instructions, questions, and such to your blog. And don't forget to comment on my post when you are done, so I can check out some new interesting info about you!

I am really honored to be nominated for the Liebster Award and thanks again to Rae!

Sandy In Pennsylvania

Sandy was a strange storm here. Schools were closed Monday, but it really didn't get going until the evening. We had bands of rain and wind all day long. At dinner time the winds picked up and raged all night. We were fortunate and only had bands of rain which prevented some flooding. My husband was called into work during the night, and was out in the wind, to keep the roads open for emergency vehicles. He said it was the fiercest wind he had ever encountered. Around 8 PM the nights started flickering and by 9 they were out. We were among the lucky, our power was restored the next afternoon. There are trees down all over the Lehigh Valley. Many roads are closed due to downed trees and downed wires. It is now Saturday, 5 days after the storm, and many in our area still don't have power. Schools were closed all week. The stories we see on the news are heartbreaking. We have many friends and relatives who either live or have summer homes along the coast. I am afraid the coast as we knew it may never be the same. Our daughter is close to the action in Brooklyn. She lost cell service for several days, but not her power. She works and goes to school in Manhattan. So she is anxiously awaiting the subway's service returning to normal. All in all we were lucky here in PA, but our close neighbors in NJ and NY were not nearly so lucky.  We wish them all the best. Our hopes and prayers are with them ~ especially all the little ones displaced by the storm. Please keep the Northeast in your thoughts and prayers. It is going to be a very long recovery along the coast.