Five for Friday (and Tell All Tuesday "Lie" Revealed)

Hello!  I am in a feeling swell kind of mood - today was my last day of school!  Woohoo!!  Well, my last student contact day to be truthful.  I have two work days next week to do report cards and close up the classroom and then two days of training for a new supplement to our current literacy program.  But, essentially, today was my last student work day - there is a difference!  Honestly, I can't quite believe it.  This year went by really fast!  I had a GREAT group of kiddos and a GREAT student teacher (who got hired at my school to teach 3rd grade next year - yahoo!!!!!).  I got a  text from my hubby today saying that I was almost there and I had to text back once my kiddos left..........

Does anyone else sing "Schools Out" by Alice Cooper at the end of the year?  It is a little tradition for me.  But, I crack up with the song b/c it is not forever............I'm not even close to retiring so school is only out until late August. :)

Since it is Friday, it is time to link up with Doodle Bugs Teaching and a Five for Friday!  The last week of school was jam packed with amazing activities.  Some I posted on my Kindergarten Planet Instagram account so I will *try* not to double up.

My husband is an organic chemistry professor at our local university and on Monday, he came into my classroom to do some chemistry experiments for the three kindergarten classes.  The kiddos LOVED it!  He kept it simple with solids, liquids, and gasses.  He brought in dry ice and balloons filled with hydrogen and helium and performed a variety of engaging experiments for the children.  It was a great learning experience for everyone and it is always one of my favorite end of the year activities.  I really enjoy when our two worlds can collide.

I loved linking up for Tell All Tuesday with Teach Talk Inspire and My Day in K.  The theme was two truths and a lie.  Here is what I said:

1. I play the ukulele.
2. I love brussels sprouts.
3. I have traveled to Australia.

Well................my two truths are...............that I love brussels sprouts and that I have traveled to Australia which means the lie is..........that I play the ukulele!  I am cracking up that so many people guessed that #2 was my lie.  

I didn't grow up with brussels spouts, but I totally dig them now!  About 7 years ago my husband and I (more me!) decided to buck our tradition of camping on Thanksgiving and we stayed home and cooked a huge vegetarian feast.  I found this recipe (below) and fell in love with sprouts after eating them and haven't looked back since.  

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/brussels-sprouts-with-parmesan-pine-nuts

I love eating brussels sprouts now.  We love them sautéed, roasted, and even raw and shredded in salads.  Mmmmm!

I went to Australia and New Zealand in the summer after my 8th grade year.   My dad retired from the navy after 25 years and my mom and dad and I celebrated with a huge trip.  My older brothers decided not to go b/c they were older and wanted to explore on their own.  My parents said this was a a family vacation and so they decided to stay at home doing there college thing.  I was most excited and it was a wonderful trip! I'd love to go back as an adult with my husband.  I have many pictures from that trip, but some of my favorite are pictures of me feeding a kangaroo - with my "Annie" haircut and all!  I should try to post a picture here.

My "lie" is that I play the ukulele.  Truth be told, I have played "Itsy Bitsy Spider" before for my class.........but that was plucking and with LOTS of practice.  I would love to play the ukulele and guitar.  It would be amazing to play in my classroom.  My kinder kiddos would love it!!!!  I want to be able to play like Gillian Welch..........but that takes time...........and I don't practice.  It is something I would like to do, but have not mastered, or even attempted to try to play since last year around this same time.

I happened to log into my IG account and noticed that I had hit the magical number of 1000 followers.  WOW!!!!  I am floored...........flattered..........honored............excited...........just overall excited.  If you are an IG follower.........thank you!

This kiddo!  LOVE HIM!  He is seriously the sweetest kiddo!  I adore him.  He is happy, and kind, and showered me with love and excitement.  He was totally happy in school (as you can see from the photo above) and decided to draw in sidewalk chalk "I love you Mrs. Cordes" on the last day of school when we went outside to do sidewalk chalk.  

He started the year crying and not wanting to leave mom........and by the end of the year constantly drew me pictures, talked about how he loved school, and loved learning, and loved me.  He was pure joy!

I received this very sweet note today from some parents on our last day of school.  That warms my heart and makes me smile.  Words mean so much and this made the end of our school year so lovely.  Don't you just love when you are given a kind end of the year/thank you note?

I hope you are having a fabulous Friday and enjoy checking out what other bloggers are up to in the Five for Friday linky!

Thanks for stopping by!