Swan Lake.

There is a road I drive on frequently in Northbrook to get to my trainer.  Along the road, their is a condo building complex that has some water out front.  One day I was driving and took a double take because I thought I saw a swan.  I know that swans are not that rare, but I do not think I have ever seen one just hanging out in front of some condos.  I had to turn around and take a closer look, thinking that it was probably fake.  I was wrong though!  Since that day, I would always look for the swan and it would always be there, just sitting around.

Last weekend, David and I drove by and saw not only the swan sitting out but another one with her!  We drove up and discovered that there were 5 babies with them.  Now it all makes sense why she was just sitting there the whole time!  I tried to take some pictures, but the dad was getting super mad at me as I walked up.  Therefore, I did not want to get so close!

Maybe you think I'm dorky...but I loved seeing this!

Mrs. Barnett : )

New Obsession.

ATTENTION TEACHERS!

I now have two new teaching obsessions with the internet!

First!  GO TO THIS WEBSITE!  www.teacherspayteachers.com.  There are soooo many great activities for you to download.  A lot are free, but many you need to pay for.  The best part is that they are super cheap (like 1.99 and 4.00) and the money goes right back to the teacher who made it.  I would much rather pay for great things through this than a publishing company.  I have been inspired by so many great units that come with everything you would ever need.  Also, sign up for their weekly e-mails and they will send you top picks including free downloads.

Second!  I have discovered the world of teacher blogging!  My current fav site is...http://lessonplansos.blogspot.com/.  Check out their blog and from there you can click on another blog that they follow.  I have around 30 blogs that I am following now just by clicking around on the different blogs.  It will totally be worth your time and you will become totally addicted!

Mrs. Barnett : )

Happy Birthday!

Happy 28th Birthday to my wonderful husband, David!  It is hard to believe we first started dating when we were 19!  The years have flown by so fast.

I love you, 

Mrs. Barnett : )

Almost There!

Summer is soo close I can taste it!  We officially finish school on June 9th (and only go for one hour!).  I can not think of another school year where I have truly connected with my class and will genuinely be sad to see them go.  However, I am of course looking forward to the best benefit of being a teacher...summer break!  I just have to make it 11 more school days...I can do it!!

 Love my kiddos...but can not wait for this!

Mrs. Barnett : )

Farm Breakfast

I wanted to share a slideshow I made for my classroom blog, http://blogs.bannockburnschool.org/sbarnett/, about a Farm Breakfast we recently had.  I did a farm unit in math which included each child building their own farm and learning about money and mapping while doing so.  To culminate the unit, we had a farm breakfast to show off for our families!

Another free picture slideshow by Smilebox

Mrs. Barnett : )

A Race a Month - May

I continued my quest to run a race a month on May 7!  I ran the "Cinco de Miler" which was obviously a 5 mile race.  The best part was, I had a friend to run it with!  A group of my friends came up the day before and we went to a Cubs game.  We had a blast!  It is always fun having friends visit.  I also did better on the race compared to my last 5 mile one, which was exciting!

 Jenny and Lauren!  We sat together, and the rest of the group sat down in the "good" seats!

 You know I had to have an outfit, too bad we didn't get better pictures!

2011 Cinco de Miler

2011 Cinco de Miler
5 Mile Run

757

5 Mile Run

Sarah Barnett

FEMALE / 28

Small Long Sleeve Tech Shirt

Your Time:

53 min 42 sec

Mrs. Barnett : )

Saturday Night Quotes.

I am feeling inspired today.  I checked a lot of things off my "to-do" list and it feels great.  I also cooked my hubby a yummy dinner in our crock-pot.  The best news is...it's only Saturday!

Mrs. Barnett : ) 

Royal Wedding Party

Last Friday was the Royal Wedding (which I am sure you know...).  I fully consider myself a princess and could not have the day just pass by without any type of celebration.  Pulling from the ideas of many parties, I decided that we needed to have a celebration at my school!  I started the celebration by sending out the following invitation...there was a picture of Kate and Wills but it did not copy...

Royal Wedding Celebration! You are hereby invited to attend a Royal Wedding Celebration on  Friday, April 29th. There will be small treats and tea in the staff lounge for you to nibble on.  Tiaras, crowns, and white gloves are optional but highly encouraged.  There will be extra crowns and jewelry for you to wear throughout the day as you wish. If you care to, you are invited to bring your own wedding album to share. In addition, please feel free to wear your wedding dress (or bridesmaid dress). Cheerio!

Next, I made a stop at my favorite store, Party City, and picked up several crowns, plastic rings, ring pops, and fairy wands (not so wedding, but you always need a fairy wand!).  I also made "tiny teacakes" at home to go along with all of the other food that everyone said they would bring.

The last job was to set it all up!  I put pictures of Wills and Kate in picture frames from my house and printed out paper Kate dolls.  Below are pictures from the set up...

My "tiny teacakes"

After the set up was done, it was time to party!  I was so happy that the staff had a blast and did not think I was crazy.  Lots of fun had by all!

Cheerio!

Mrs. Barnett : )