Feeling the Love

Even though I am new to this blogging world, and have only made a few new friends (thank you to my handful of followers), I am feeling so loved!

After spending too much stocking up for September Start Up, I went back to TPT for one last look. I had been over at Kindergarten: Holding Hands and Sticking Together and I knew she was having a sale on her fantastic Prezi bundles. The only reason I did not get one in my first shopping spree (or second) was I still hadn't decided which 3 bundles I wanted. I finally decided and returned for a 3rd visit (shhhh don't tell) and purchased these 3 Prezi bundles.

Carolyn has created 11 different bundles (which you can purchase on TPT, by linking here) but after two shopping sprees, I knew I had to narrow it down. She offers this Back to School Prezi (part of her Fall Bundle) for free! You should go check it out!

So here is the part that makes me feel so special, and so thankful for my new Bloggin' BFF, after e-mailing Carolyn to request a Canadian version of the Back to School prezi, she replied, created and posted a Canadian version already! It is great! It has a few versions of O'Canada, some songs about Canada (a little Stompin' Tom style) and instructions to teach O' Canada in sign language (and the entire sign alphabet) as well as all the other goodies! Whether Canadian or American, go check out these fabulous freebies (Canadian version here and American version here).

I can't wait to use this!!!

Since I am feeling so loved, here is a sneak peek at what I am working on for all of you! It should be ready for tomorrow (when I will be back to share all of my other great TPT purchases). 

Please come back tomorrow to check it out!

Yours in bloggin' love, 

Jackie (a.k.a. Ms.M)

Five for Friday! Five for Friday?

My first Five for Friday - thanks Kacey

So I figure it is still considered Friday, if I did not go to sleep yet! Right? Right! I am new to all this, so I wasn't going to join yet, but since I was able to figure out a few more things to create my blog, I thought...why not!

1) Welcome to Growing Kinders

I am now officially a blogger. I am excited about this new adventure and thought now would be as great a time as anything. If nothing else, I can document my adventures over my first year in Kindergarten, since my student teaching days! I look forward to meeting new friends and learning so much more!

2) Love of Learning

I have a SERIOUS love of learning! I feel at my best when I am learning something new, and surprisingly, this is something that I just discovered about myself. Just this week, I completed my Specialist in IT (mentioned a few times, I know) and I did well on my assignments. After completing an assignment, I was eager to share with anyone who would listen, and would even call my mom when I would receive assessment feedback. A lifelong student for sure!

Even this blog, I have been teaching myself how to make banners, and blog buttons (thanks to tutorials). Have I mentioned how much I love Goggle bloggers and YouTube? 

3) Meeting New Friends

Sidney at Teaching is a Gift

Nancy at Joy of Kindergarten
and Uniquely Yours Blog Designs

I have already made a couple of new friends in the blogging world. Thank you to Sidney at Teaching is a Gift, for being my first follower and welcoming me to the world of blogging. I am so happy I came across her blog and her page full of Canadian bloggers. I was especially excited to find Ontario bloggers in Kindergarten, who would understand my "Ontario curriculum" and "FDK" and "DECE" talk - especially as a new FDK Kindergarten teacher. Thank you Sidney!

Secondly, after finding Nancy at Joy of Kindergarten and Uniquely Yours Blog Designs and More, and discovering she was a talented blog designer and digital artist - an area I recently started to explore - I messaged her on Facebook about her tools and got feedback right away! Wow! So supportive. I am eager to learn even more! Thank you Nancy!

4) Teacher Love

At this time of year, as Back of School approaches (and have begun for so many), there is always "teacher love" - people graciously sharing with each other and having giveaways and contests, which all provide a feeling of hope and excitement, on top of the pile of freebies. 

However, I want to speak of the hope and gratification I feel from people coming together to support others. It warmed my heart, when Michelle at Fabulous in First wrote that her fund-raiser for the DeWitt family raised $10 000. With all of the negative press you hear all over the media, how reassuring it is to know that strangers will come together to help others. It isn't the first time I witnessed this wonderful teacher support, but each time it reminds you of the good in people. So, even though I played such a minor role, I want to thank everyone who donated items to Michelle's fundraisers (that I am eager to use) and to all those that took the time to help the DeWitt family.  I wish them all the best in their time of need! Also, thank you so much to My Cute Graphics for this sweet Thank You image and all your other great graphics!

5) My Cooking Skills 

First of all, I have to tell you that I do NOT cook! I mean, I can cook to survive, but I am not above turning my 4 year-old son's grilled cheese over on his plate, so he doesn't see the side I burnt. Yikes! but, now I have discovered the secret...the "magic pot."

See that rectangular stoneware pot above, with the lid. It cooks meals in record time, in the microwave! That's right, the microwave!! I can now make meals that make it look like I know what I am doing in the kitchen! If you haven't seen it in action, I highly recommend finding a consultant near you and put together a party. I went to a few before I actually got the "magic pot" and as of now, I have had fajitas, chicken parmesan soup, a lemon chicken and tomato summer salad, regular chicken breasts, bacon stuffed meatloaf, and corn on the cob! Seriously! So good! I can't wait to get more! 

and since it is definitely not Friday anymore...Happy Saturday everyone!

Yours in "Linkiness,"

Jackie