Remember When I Taught 3rd Grade?

ABC and 1, 2, 3. . . All the kids around here started back to school last week! It is

hard to believe that a whole year has passed since I taught my last little class. There are times when it seems like it was just yesterday and other times when it feels like a lifetime has passed since I signed

a F.I.S.H Folder or graded a paper.

Looking back I feel so blessed to have had four wonderful years at a school that I loved. Of course there were difficult moments, especially early on...I don't think any college program, no matter how great, can truly prepare you for your first year of teaching!  Can I get an amen?  But even that first year and every year after that, I had a room full of students that captured my heart and still hold a place there.  I am so thankful for all of the kids and the parents and the teachers that came into my lives during my four years.  Okay.  Whew.  Now I am tearing up a little, so let's move on!

*I LOVE the beginning of school*

I am really thankful to be staying home with my sweet baby girl, and I wouldn't want it any other way, but I missed the excitement of the beginning of school a little this year for sure.  I always loved decorating bulletin boards, organizing my classroom, the anticipation of getting my class list, and new school supplies.  Oh my.  I don't think there are many things I love more than school supplies... folders and pens and pencils and notebooks and on and on and on. When I was a kid, I even had a pencil collection.  I know, right?  So cool.  If you are thinking that I must have been the coolest kid at my elementary school, you are definitely right. HA :) Anyways, here is my first day of school (taken after school) picture my third and fourth year of teaching.  So happy and SO tired!

Now I said that there are only a few things that I love more than school supplies, and one of those things would definitely have to be...

Making decorations out of butcher paper! 

As you can see, my coolness continued into adulthood.  I am not kidding, though, I really, really love making things out of butcher paper, so in honor of the first day of school around here, I thought I would share some of my past creations!

We did a 50s theme my third year of teaching so TA DA...

Here is my Rock N Roll Diner.

The fourth year I taught I decided to do a Circus theme!

I just LOVED my little tiger.

Here was something I did for the fall months one year.

Those little ghosts had such sweet hearts. :)

The first year I taught I thought it would be fun to make a gingerbread house for the winter months...

and here is a picnic theme for spring! :)

I had thought my hallway days were over, but a few weeks ago I was excited to find out that they weren't... One of my good friends is teaching 2nd grade, and she let me do her hallway for her.  I was so excited!  Her school is doing an ocean theme, so I got to create some fun little sea creatures.  This is the fish version of the teacher.  Isn't she cute? :)

Here is the whole thing! 

It is hard to get a good picture because the hallway is really narrow, but I love how it turned out!

I don't know when I will teach again, but I sure hope I get to do some more hallway decorations this year!  If anyone wants to hire me, I am available! :)  I just love it so much.  I have already looked around my house for a place to do a mini bulletin board... I am thinking maybe the laundry room. :) In conclusion, I am so thankful for my time as a teacher, and I praying for all the teachers out there as this new school year gets started!  Happy Days and Happy Hallways to you all!