First Tooth lost and Tooth Fairy Thoughts

Look who lost a tooth......You guessed it.... Houston did! He lost his first tooth on February 26, 2011. He is 5 1/2 years old and has been waiting on this day his whole life!
His tooth began hurting and I noticed it was loose about 5 weeks ago. His friend ate an apple and swallowed hers, so he has been scared of eating apples. I actually cut one up yesterday and he ate it. I was getting ready to go out last night and was telling him bye as he was eating a McDonald's hamburger. I heard him chewing and then a crunch noise. I immediately asked, "What was that?" As soon as he opened his mouth, I noticed his tooth was gone. We ran to the kitchen and spit it on a paper plate and there it was, his tiny tooth. He kept squealing "EEEK, I can't believe I really lost my tooth mommy!"It was so exciting to experience this with him. I am so happy it happened before I went out to the gala because if I would have missed this, I would have been so sad.

So, on the weekends, he is allowed to sleep in our room with us, because we stay up late, etc. I told him, he would have to sleep in his own bed or the tooth fairy may not come. When I got home around midnight, he had been asleep in his own bed since 9 p.m. That NEVER happens! The child is a NIGHT OWL.

The Tooth Fairy brought him $5, Tim's dad gave him $5 and Tim's mom told him the Tooth Fairy came to her house and left $5. Then his great aunt gave him $1. That is $16!
How do these kids rack up all this money these days? When I was a kid, I think I got 2 quarters and maybe $1 later on.

How much money does the tooth Fairy bring your child?

An unwanted back porch visitor.......

Yep, you guessed it right. We had a possum on our back porch the other night eating dog food. Paws was laying on the floor in the living room and was just watching that THING eat her dog food. GROSS! He was so creepy and not scared of anything. I turned on the light and hit the glass door a few times and he just kept on getting his grub on. Hopefully, he will not return any time soon.

Wild Wild West Wednesday

Today my cute little class dressed like they were from the Wild West in honor of letter Ww. We had 1/2 the class participate in the fun and we had such a good time. Check em out!

Of course, I couldn't get away without taking a picture of Houston and Tabby. Can you tell, he wasn't too impressed?
Hope your week is going by fast! My sure seems to be. I can't believe it is Wednesday already! Let's just say after the day I had today, I am so looking forward to the weekend. I think I hear a strawberry margarita calling my name right now.............

Blue Lights Flashing...uuttt ooohh...........

Today was President's Day and I had a date at the park with the cutest 5 year old in town. We slept in, picked up around the house, packed a picnic lunch, then headed to the park to eat, bike, play and feed the ducks. It wasn't sunny out, but it was pelasant weather. We enjoyed our day together just having a little fun.

After we fed the ducks, Houston biked and I walked 4 laps around the lake. There were so many people fishing, walking and playing at the park today.

This morning I met up with this sweet girl to pick up my neckalce she made. Isn't she talented? I love it!

Speaking of the word blessed. Guess what happened to me today?

While on the way to the park, I was kinda speeding (42 in 30) through Cville and what do I see? Yep, a cop hiding in the fire station paking lot. Of course I slow down and he comes after me. We stop at a stop sign, then he waits until I get on the 4 lane to pull me over. The entire time, Houston is turning around trying to see his lights and I am digging through my purse to have my liscense ready. He comes to the window and asks me if I knew why he pulled me over. Of course I do, but just smile and after he explains my violation, I admit, "my dad is a fireman and is always warning me to drive safely". "I was just on the way to the park right over here to enjoy the day with my son." He peeks in the back and starts waving at Houston. I tell him that my son was very interested in him pulling me over. He laughs and walks back to his car to run my info. Houston and I had been singing and blarring the radio to KLOVE. I had turmed it down, and told Houston to please pray and ask Jesus to help us not get this ticket. We are praying and the gentleman walks up to me car and tells me, "Have a good day Ms. Collins and slow it down" *wink*.

You don't know how relieved I was and my foot came off the pedal big time for the rest of the day.

Thank you, thank you very much........

I am so happy to announce that Katie over at Katie Lately gave me my very first award and it is The Stylish Blogger Award! Thanks so much Katie! If you don't follow her, you should. She is an amazing 5th grade teacher.

Here are the rules:

1. Link back and thank the person that gave you the award.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Award 5 recently discovered blogs. (Some of mine are not recently discovered)

4. Contact them and tell them about their award.

1.I have taught Kindergarten for four years and First Grade for one year. Kindergarten is my heart!

2. I have lost 59 pounds in the past 14 months due to consistent working out and healthier eating.

3. I have been with my hubby for 16 years! We have been married almost 9. I think I love him more now than I did 16 years ago. We also have a 5 year old son who melts my heart and has his daddy wrapped around his little finger.

4. I have discovered so many amazing teacher blogs over the past year. I now stalk almost 250 blogs and they are almost ALL teachers. I actually had to cut back and unfollow some this weekend, due to my blog lists being too long to stay up and read all night :)

5. I love love love Dr. Pepper and Diet Dr. Pepper, but have done so good cutting out the caffeine to only once a week. Don't temp me though, it is my weakness.

6. I absolutely LOVE monogrammed things. I think I have more monogrammed teacher bags, purses and shirts than I do shoes. If Houston was a girl, I think I might have been in trouble and broke.

7. I LOVE to take pictures. My camera goes EVERYWHERE with me. To school, church, or wherever. It is always in my teacher bag or purse or car!

Now to pass this award to 5 Stylish blogs

Babbling Abby

First Grade Learning Stars

Stephanie at First Grade Fabulous Fish

Heather at Greers Gossip

Abby at Snyder Stories

There are so many stylish blogs that I follow, but I tried to pass it on to teacher blogs that I enjoy following that have not received awards yet. Check out these girl's blogs!

Dear Stomach Bug,

Dear Stomach Bug,

Please go away for a long time. You have definitely worn out your welcome at my house and in my classroom.

Thanks, Mrs. Collins

Luckily, we went out last weekend to celebrate Valentine's day, because I got sick Sunday night and was sick until Wednesday, then got sick again on Thursday night. Then poor Hou Boo got sick Friday night, but seems to be better now.

That darn stomach bug must be going around because Monday as I was barely alive at work (I just had to go for Hou's Valentine party, he had grandparents coming and I didn't want to miss out on the fun). I had 3 hours of sleep and felt awful! I had two parents come in and tell me their kids had been throwing up all weekend.

How can a virus spread so quickly. I had 6 kids out one day and 7 the next and sent 2 home for throwing up on the bus and in the bathroom.

Then at parent/teacher conferences Friday, I had 4 parents tell me, their kids have been sick during the night throwing up that never missed school. I think that about 15 out of 21 kids in my class got this junk! UGH,

Anyway, check out my Valentine present from my awesome hubby! Her name is Chloe and we bought her a few weeks ago from a farm out in Fayette County. The man owned 80 head of horses and passed away over Christmas break. His son has been trying to sell all his horses and mules from his estate. We actually went last month to pick up a mule and I fell in love with her. The hubby kept asking if I really wanted her and one day he called the guy in charge and told him we were coming out. We took a friend and rode her and I fell in love!! Now we have 7 horses and ponies. This time last year, we had 16 but have cut down the herd big time. She is a quarter horse and Tim's horses are saddle horses. I grew up riding Quarter horses and Tim grew up on Saddle horses.

I have always loved paints and since Houston has gotten older, I have been wanting to get another horse so we can ride together. She hasn't been ridden in a long time and needs alot of work, but I am so excited to have her. We have wormed her and she has already gained a little weight. She was in a barn lot with about 80 horses, so she was beat up and a little poor. I started her out riding in the round pen for a few days. My dad came over to help me with Chloe and watch Houston ride Lightning and she did so good!

Check her out and be prepared for more pics to show her improvement!

What I'm Loving Wednesday.....

Spending time with my son doing the same things I did while growing up Girl's Night Out, mexican and strawberry margaritas

(Who's counting calories, right?)

How caring my kindergarten class has been since I have been sick. Seeing these cards made me feel so much better. (Although my loving son went into my art cabinet, counted out 21 sheets of paper and pretty much made the sub request that the class make me get well cards) I know, right? God love that boy!

All my Valentine's goodies from my sweet students!

How precious this birthday boy is! This was the cutest party ever! I can't get the photobooth pics to load in the right order, ugh :(

How I enjoyed my 2 snow days plus 2 half snow days at home with this little man

and doing this with my boys until we ran out of gas.....

and how much fun I've had with these three on my snow break

OK, I could on and on, but I am sure you have better things to do than listen to me ramble!

Yall have a great week! Now that I am better, I will try to get on the ball again.

My recent blog giveaway I won!

How perfect was it being the week before Valentine's and I won these adorable heart crayons? They are courtesy of PlumDoodles and we are lovin them already! What a great way for a teacher to recycle old crayons!

ID: 54489-75-FDDC749C95445899B6F77C238F4ADFDA

Giveaway!

Michelle over at Fabulous in First is having a fabulous giveaway that ends soon! Check her out!

ID: 54489-75-FDDC749C95445899B6F77C238F4ADFDA

Snow day

Today was another snow day at home with my boys. Once again, we just had to get the fourwheelers and sled out.

It looks like we will be out again tomorrow too, due to the icy back roads :)

I think I could get use to this, Snow Day #7 with pay, but I am definaletly ready for some warmer weather.

After reading and researching the groundhog last week. Houston tells me, "Mom, I think that groundhog lied and tricked us this time". "Son, I hope you are wrong"!

Some people are So Mean

How can people be so cruel?

Today, we got out and drive around to see how bad the roads really were. As we were driving home on an off backroad from ours, Tim noticed a pet carrier in the grass of a field. He said, "look, I think I saw something we could use for Paws". He turned the car around and we pulled into the driveway of the field usually used for hunting. I got out and walked to the carrier and what I saw, I will never forget. At first I thought some hunters had lost it off the trailor or the back of their fourwheeler.
I found a Large sized pet carrier that was upside down, as I got closer, I saw something brown in it. At first I thought it was a wild animal, but then knew it was a dog. My next thought was, "is it going to bite me? or is it dead?" I called Tim over to look and we found a dead dog in this pet carrier. His body was in the carrier and his head was out laying halfway on the ground/carrier and his entire head was covered in snow. The carrier had water in it. (not sure if it was urine or melted snow) And his leather dog collar was laying beside him on the ground. I literally got sick at my stomach when I saw this. Tim seems to think he was starved and just died, but I think different. I think he was deserted and left to die and was trying to get out when he passed. My question is, why was his collar off? It had to have happened yesterday, b/c he was covered in snow. I just can't believe someone would treat animals this way.
Yall, I am an animal lover and this just upsets me terribly. I pray these people experience the same abuse they put this poor dog through.
Please take a few minutes to pray for all the stray and abandoned animals this winter trying to survive.

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I am loving the way Houston comes and wakes me up every morning and the first thing he wants to do is read a Bible Story from his Bible. He is so interested in Bible stories and loves to ask questions about what Bible times were like. As I have my quiet time, he sits patiently and looks through his Bible, that was actually mine when I was little. So Sweet

I am loving that today on my 2nd weigh in for Biggest Loser at work, I lost..................4 pounds! Whoo Hooo! That makes 11.5 total so far.

I am loving that we got out of school early twice this week for snow days and it wasn't counted against us, plus we get another snow day tomorrow. We have 11 snow days built in due to going to school 30 extra minutes per day. Tomorrow will be our 6th day used due to the 5 1/2 inches of snow that fell this afternoon.

I am loving the family time spent in our house tonight. Tim grilled steaks (yes, in the 20 degree temp) and I cooked corn, buttered toast, baked potatos, salad with brownies and jello with cool whip for my parents to celebrate my dad's birthday. This may not be a biggie to you, but if you know me, you know I DO NOT COOK very often. Since we got out of school early, I took advantage to prepare the meal. We also made some good ole Snow Cream. YUMMY!

I am loving the girl's night outs and fun times and parties with friends we have been having so far this year.


I am loving my Denise Austin workout video. I know, you may think I am crazy, but I have a VHS workout tape that will tone ALL muscles and Abs. This video was produced like in 1988 and will give you a killer workout. I mean, she may be tougher than Jillian. I can't help but laugh at her hair and awful leotard though.

I won another blog giveaway!

Head on over to this awesome teacher blog called Once Upon a Time in First Grade and this one too at Primary Perspectives. They have amazing giveaways and just this week I won the Penguin Unit from one of the giveaways!
Thanks Gladys and Brooke! I love it!

Flashback Friday

Gosh, this seems like yesterday! Houston had just turned ONE in this picture! He was so in love with "SEEPPYY" his little people sheep.

Check out this giveaway!

Check out this blog to see this adorable apron giveaway. Every teacher needs an apron, right?

What I am Loving Wednesday!

#1-KLOVE
I am so in love with KLOVE Christian radio station right now. I started listening to it last fall, but lately, it is all I listen to and always seems to be what I need to hear. So blessed to have access to a wonderful Christian radio station. I don't even think about flippin through the stations anymore.

#2- My Kinder Garden sign
My new sign made by the hubby and painted by my friend Amy. I think it turned out wonderful and as soon as it warms up, I can't wait to take a picture of my class in front of the garden they planted.

#3. My baby boy's loose tooth.
Houston was complaining Sunday on the way to church about his teeth hurting. I told him I would give him Tylenol when we got back home. I forgot and he started complaining again. When I looked in his mouth and noticed his tooth was blue. I touched it and it is definitely loose. The funny thing is, I was scared he would swallow it and I would have to "DIG" it out. ON the way home from school, a friend called me to tell me her daughter, who also had a loose tooth, was eating an apple and accidentally swallowed hers this afternoon. Whoops, now she thinks I jinxed her. He is growing up so fast. I mean seriously, he will be graduating high school in a minute :(


#4. My new COACH purse
For no reason at all, my great aunt brought me this beautiful purse. Oh my gosh, I literally started crying, I was so excited! I mentioned last week how much I liked hers and would never go out and buy myself a real one. My fake ones are both worn out, I love them so much. I had no idea, she was going to get me one.



#5. The gorgeous weather last weekend
Seriously, the weather was in the high 60's and today it was like 20 with a wind chill of negative something. UGH

We had so much fun enjoying the weather and playing in it.

Houston after a loooong ride with mommy and daddy on our four wheelers too. I will have to remember to remind him that 3 four wheelers side by side going fast are not always a good choice. The child made me so nervous riding up behind me fast. Now wonder I have so many gray hairs. lol

Future Bull Rider (he is practicing early)

#6. Buck

Houston on his young pony Buck (he is not really broke enough for me to let Hou Boo go on his own, but did a wonderful job with Hou) but we had a hard time catching Lightning after some little boy chased him on the four wheeler.

#7. New friends

Wow, I mean, seriously. We had so much fun Sunday grilling out and the chef sent us home with about 4 porkchops, 2 steaks, 2 burgers and 4 hot dogs. Me and Hou have been eating leftovers everyday for lunch and dinner. The man can cook I tell ya.

Houston playing and waiting on the food to be ready

#8. GNO

Tomorrow night is GNO with some fab ladies at Olive Garden. So looking forward to it :)

#9. My early Valentine's day present

My Valentine's present from the hubby. It is a BIGGIE and is worth a blog post itself. I think I may save it until closer to Valentine's Day. He got it this weekend and AHHHHHHH is all I have to say............

#10. Memories

I spent some time with a dear friend this week. Please cherish the moments you have with the ones you love. You never know when it is your time to go. After going to a special memorial service for a friend last night, I was reminded how happy and wonderful Heaven is going to be. It is so sad to lose a loved one, and so hard at first, but wow, what an amazing time they are having up there right now, rejoicing and spending time with the Lord as we are stuck on this evil and sinful earth. It makes me jealous of passed loved ones. The song "I Can Only Imagine"by Mercy Me was played and I sat there with tears in my eyes thinking about the beauty and powerful things that are going on in Heaven. I know the picture I paint is full of beauty, but I am sure God's picture is much more beautiful than mine will ever be.

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

#11. Biggest Loser

Our school's county got together to form a Biggest Loser Competition. Our first weigh in was last week and I LOST 6.5 pounds. Yahoo! I was so nervous b/c the nurse was late and I had just ate lunch. I was so worried after drinking a Bubba Keg FULL of water and eating lunch, that I would not do well. After loosing 59 pounds last year, I kinda gained about 5 around Christmas break. So happy to learn my hard work is paying off. All the participants form my school did well with a loss of 2 to 6.5 pounds. Way to go CES!

I am never able to link up for what I Love Wednesday, due to lack of computer skills. But I like to blog to kinda keep up with dates and keep track of different things going on in my life.

Hope you have a blessed week!

I will praise God's name in song and glorify him in Thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30

Meet the Teacher

I am linking up with Cara on Meet the Teacher from the First Grade Parade. Love love love her blog. She has amazing ideas, so check her out!
My name is Mandy Collins and I am 30 years old kindergarten teacher. I have taught kindergarten for 4 years and I taught First Grade for one year. I love kindergarten and have wanted to be a K teacher since I was 5. I use to play school with my neighbors and stuffed animals out in our barn and I was ALWAYS the teacher. I love watching their little minds work and it is so rewarding to see my struggling students take off and begin reading. I love stalking other teacher blogs and borrowing ideas from you fabulous bloggers. I have a 5 year old son who is actually in my kindergarten class this year and I LOVE it! He is one of my youngest students and I am so proud of my smart boy! My husband and i have been together for almost 16 years and we have been married almost 9. Wow! That makes me sound so old. haha
I graduated from the University of Memphis (Go Tigers) and I love going and watching Tiger Basketball when I can with my boys.

Here I am taking a break at school on Book Character Day for letter Bb. Can you guess who I was?

A: Fancy Nancy

Q: What would you be doing if you weren't a teacher?

A: Not sure, teaching is my dream, but I love love love to take pictures. My camera goes EVERYWHERE with me. So, maybe photography?

Q:What are your hobbies?

A: horse back riding, working out, having Mexican with my girls and riding 4 wheelers with my boys.

Q:When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A: Easy, a teacher and that is all. I was 5 years old and that was what I set my mind on. Maybe, b/c I like to be bossy. lol

Q:What are your guilty pleasures?

A: um, rotel cheese dip, the Bachelor, Private Practice, Goodwill shopping, teacher blog stalking and Facebook

Q: What is your biggest fear?

A: SNAKES, need I say more

Q: When you're on vacation, where do you like to go?

A: To my family's beach condo in Destin, Florida

Q: What's your best advice you've ever received?

A: Always be yourself and don't worry about what others think or say.

Q: What do you value most in others?

A: Honesty and true friendships

Q:If you could pass down on of your personality traits to your kids, what would it be?

A: Not sure, maybe my outgoing personality. I try to be fun and outgoing. Love a good laugh!

Q: If you could have lunch with anyone in the world.....living or dead.... who would it be?

A: My mammaw and I would love to have a sit down dinner with the Lord. How amazing would that be? I would not even know where to start or what to say.

Now tell us one random thing about yourself:

I went to the same school K-12th grade. It was a small private school where there was only one class per grade level and everybody knew everybody! There were only 4 13 year seniors. Miss those days, but still keep in touch with alumni.

Link up with The First Grade Parade!