Yummy! Yummy! Yummy!

This is my family's all time favorite dessert.  It is the dish that brings back all my childhood memories and was the first thing I incorporated into my family's traditions when I got married and had children. Once you try this, it will become a favorite for you too!   Yum!  My mouth is already watering.  I'm serving up some flapper pie for Thanksgiving tomorrow.  Happy turkey day to everyone!

Ingredients

Crust

2 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/2 cup butter (real butter, no margarine)

1 tbsp brown sugar

Filling

2 large and 1 small package vanilla pudding (cooked – not instant)

Evaporated milk

Whipped Cream

graham cracker crumbs for garnish

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.  Melt the butter and mix together with the graham cracker crumbs and brown sugar in a mixing bowl.  Press down into a 9 X 13 baking dish an cook in the oven for about 10 minutes or until slightly browned and set aside.  Cook pudding mixes as per package except use a half and half mix of evaporated milk and regular milk.  Make sure you do not overcook the pudding and constantly stir the pudding while cooking until thickened. Pour cooked pudding over your previously cooked crust, cool completely in the refrigerator until set, cover with a good layer of cool whip and sprinkle with graham cracker crumbs.  Place back in the refrigerator until ready to slice and serve.

Secret Tip:  The evaporated milk and regular milk combination in the pudding make this pie delicious.  Real butter in the graham cracker crust make this a butter delight.  Make sure the pie is completely cooled and before adding the cool whip. 

ENJOY!

Reading Kingdom Review

READING KINGDOM is a fully online individualized, adaptive reading and writing program for children.  It’s an online program that is kid friendly.

Initially, I was very excited to try Reading Kingdom.  I’ve tried various other online programs and have had my children test them out to get their honest feedback.  I chose to review this program myself and found that the pace of the program is quite slow.  It didn’t keep my interest.  The program has incredible graphics and cute characters, it appears to be geared for a younger audience. 

This program has the capability of working with either touchscreen or a keyboard.  I used my laptop keyboard and I felt like this may have caused a disadvantage.  If geared for younger kiddos they would have difficulty with finding the appropriate keys to enter in the given time.

After the assessment was completed, I(as the user) began using some of the program lessons.  The lessons were quite redundant, but this would help those who are at a very beginning level of reading.  For kids that are learning the basics, this program is great. 

Skills Survey-Part 1 determines the appropriate level for the user to begin the program.  In Skills Survey –Part2 the program determines their reading and writing skills.  If the user needs help with visual sequencing and memory skills and/or letter and keyboarding skills the program will guide them through lessons that are geared at improving these skills.  Additionally, the program offers  lessons on reading, writing, and comprehension that begins with basic words and phrases and builds into more complex language.

Pros:

The program has cute graphics, interactive capabilities, and is engaging for younger children.  Basic reading skills are incorporated into a game style format.  This program would make a great supplemental program for beginning readers, English Language Learners, or for struggling readers.  There’s an option to view reports that helps parents to know if their child’s making progress.  Reading Kingdom offers a free 30-day trial, so you can check it out before you buy.  There are discounts for multiple users.

Cons:

The initial assessment for the program was lengthy and quite slow.  The lessons follow the same slow pace.  I'm not sure that this program would be a good fit for 8-10 year olds, with regards to matching interests.  This program is costly, at $199 a year or $19.99 per month.

Overall, I thought this program offers a great opportunity for struggling or beginning readers. I’m not sure that the graphics or rate of interaction within the games would keep the interest of children past the age of 6.  Completion of the programs components can take more than a year or as little as 3 months. I recommend beginning with the free trial, you will know if the program is beneficial to continue.

Disclaimer:  As a member of Groovyin3rd, I received this product, at no cost to me, in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are mine. 

September Currently Blog Hop

Where has the time gone?  Wow!  It seems like yesterday that I was learning how to do my 1st Currently in August.  I am excited to have completed my 1st week back to school and to be done with Back to School Night.  Planning for that has always been just as nerve wracking, as it is exciting.  I have a wonderful group of kiddos this year and I'm looking forward to all of the great adventure that are ahead.  Below is my September Currently hosted by Farely at Oh' Boy 4th Grade. Hop on over and link up.

My favorite way to start the day is not so healthy, but oh so delicious!!! Vanilla Flavor Coffee Mate in my Donut House Coffee made in my Keurig.  Love, love, LOVE!

I began my summer vacation with the goal of getting into the best shape of my life.  My 39th Birthday is fast approaching in October and I want to spend the last year in my thirties looking my best.  Hoping that will also be the kickstart to entering my 40's.  Beginning with the INSANITY routine for 63 days I felt very alive and progress to a healthy lifestyle is upon me.  After completion I decided to take a break from the high intensity workouts with Shawn T and hop on over to Tony Horton with P90x.  Hoping to switch it up and confuse my body for progress.  I'm loving it so far!  I plan on another round of Insanity starting in October.  Until then P90x is my friend at least 5 times a week.  

I love to plan dinners on my days off from school/work.  With 4 kids and my spouse who are picky(only like typical plain food options), it can be difficult to make something that satisfies their palate and meets mine.  A taco salad below makes taco Tuesday interesting.  Not sure what tonight brings, but the fridge is telling me that it has to be either ribs or something involving hamburger.  ???? I'd love see someone host a quick bites for working moms blog hop?  Maybe that's my calling :)

Back to School Next Week

Oh My!  Where did the Summer go?  I've been "planning" for the new year all summer and can't believe its here.  I tried to get in and set up my room, but the carpets haven't been cleaned yet.  Really?  I mean they've only had the entire summer.  So instead I put up a couple new Bulletin Boards and used some cool new packing tape to split up my white boards.  I'll post some pictures soon.  In the meantime,  I just wanted to make sure you all didn't think I'd started this blog only to disappear.  I'll be back :)  For those who are already in session good luck for this next school year.  I hope it runs smoothly and everyone has the best group of kiddos ever! 
I'll write again soon!

Another Giveaway

Check out Tonya's Treats for Teachers for her Almost 500 Followers GIVEAWAY!!!  

Check out these Giveaway

Teach on a Limb has a great giveaway for reaching 100 followers.  

Please hop on over and check it out!

Here's another giveaway~ It's a 1000 follower Giveway from 3rdgradesahoot and firstgradeglitterandgiggles!  
Please hop on over and check it out!

First Day Jitters Linky Party!

Ashley over at Fierce in Fourth is hosting a First Day Jitters Blog Hop!  Although I have entered some other linky parties, I feel like this one fits my mindset at the moment.  I'm also trying to put my blog out there to find other bloggers I can connect with.  I'm still a very newbie and I guess that's another reason I have the jitters.  lol

I too love the book 'First Day Jitters' and have read this to my students on the first day of school.  Wish there was a teacher's version.  If anyone knows a book for First Day Jitters for Teachers please comment below.

I believe it's not just the kids that have the jitters, but also the teachers, parents, principals, support staff etc.  We're all excited about what will go right, but nervous about what 'MIGHT' go wrong.  

My first day will be on August 23rd with a couple days to prepare the classroom and attend meetings.  *That is not nearly enough time to prepare for an entire school year, but it is what it is. :)  Back to School night is being held during the first week of school.  I like meeting with parents early, so I can let them know how they can help their child be successful that year.  It also gives them a chance to feel comfortable with where they're sending there child and with whom for the school year.  I liked that at Ashley's school they had a "Moving Up" assembly where the kids get to meet their teacher for the next year.  That would help to calm those Back to School Jitters.  Unfortunately, my school does not let anyone know their child's teacher until the Friday before school starts.  Why?  Probably because the office staff need to input the information into the computers and adjust to any enrollment changes that happened over the summer.  I also like that at Ashley's school there is an Open House before school starts to get paperwork and supplies tackled.  This doesn't happen at my school either, and probably because teachers are not paid to work until 2 days before the kids come back and those days are allocated for teachers meetings and putting our rooms back together-minimal time for planning. :(  I wish we could do this though! 

Here's the BLOG HOP:

I hope you will link up.
Rules-when you link up, please share 3 things that make you jittery about this upcoming school year.  If you already started, list what made you jittery.  Hopefully, those that link up will find some advice or at least someone they share similar jitters with. :)  Happy First Day to everyone!

3 things that give me the jitters:
1.  The countdown to the first day 'with' students always get's me nervous.  Will I be ready?  Always am, but as the clock winds down I find more and more things I should do.  Should I start?  Will I get done?  Awwwk!  This is the time of year that I'm the most productive, because when the year begins I have too much on my plate.  I'm a full-time mommy to 4 kids and they are between the ages of 23-11.  Their activities alone keep me hopping.  Then add in my activities and household duties.  Don't forget keeping the Spouse and 2 loving doggies happy too!  ***And now my new blog :)  Wow!  Talk about the Jitters!  This is giving me more of them :)  Not really, I strive on doing more than I should and love it!
2.  Of course meeting the parents and making a good impression.  Will I measure up to their standards and the favorite teachers from the past or better yet the teacher their other child had for 3rd grade.  Love to be compared, NOT!  We're all unique and have our own interests and talents.  That's what makes us valuable tools to giving children a well rounded education.  
3.  Always Back to School night-this night stresses me out!  I want to look professional, have my room organized and have all my ducks in a row.  Atmosphere is important!  Then I want my materials to be printed, organized, labeled, and ready.  *Copy machine please do not break down and cross my fingers that when I trudge to the office with my materials that the line is not 10 deep. :)

Thanks for stopping by and hope that you were able to find some humor in my jitters!  Please link up!! :)

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