14 in '14 Linky Party

Miss Kindergarten, A Teeny Tiny Teacher and Dragonflies in first have created a fun linky party to sum up 2014.  You can come up with your own 14 moments or use their suggested ones.  I am going to try and use their...here we go!

Family
It's been a rough end to 2014 for my family.  We've suffered an unexpected loss of my uncle, another uncle is sick and working on getting better, and my mom and dad have suffered some health set backs.  We are working together to overcome these obstacles and I need to make a better effort on spending quality time with my family.

Healthier Choices
My mom is currently going through her 2nd round of radiation treatments.  She is wanting to make healthier choices, so I have decided to join her on this journey.  Tried my first spinach, banana, blueberry, and raspberry juice on Christmas day...wasn't as bad as I thought.

My Niece and Nephew
I am very lucky to be able to watch my niece and nephew grow into their own fun person.  They are sweet, kind, loving, funny, and smart kiddos.  My sister and brother in law are doing a pretty awesome job.

I have watched my niece grow through her participation with her halau.  She has grown so much and has shared her love of hula just like my Grandma Oda.

My niece has been our "photographer" for our holiday cards since she was 3...she will be in 9 in January.  I've been playing and learning more about Photoshop and loving the idea of creating my own photo cards.  Here's our 2014 holiday photo...lucky to be married to this man for 11 years today (12/30/03)

Teaching for 16 years and still going.  Yes it's gotten more stressful, but the rewards of watching my students grow each year is priceless.

I've enjoyed my journey in the blogging world and I feel I am still fairly new.  I'm just happy that I've been able to blog more often.  

I love Pinterest!!  I've found great pins for my classroom and baking.  

I love directed drawings and this has been my favorite one so far.  I got the idea from ARTventurous

My favorite dessert to bake during Christmas is Santa Hat Brownies!!  Here's a photo that I made for my sister.  I got the recipe from Gourmet Day Today.

A mother in my class makes beautiful jewelry from shells and beach glass that she finds here in Hawaii.  I was fortunate to be given this beautiful key chain.  It is my new key chain for my classroom keys.  If you'd like to check out her website go to Sea Kissed By Kris.

Nothing really new for me this year that has become a favorite.  

Since I am not a cook...my husband only gets desserts...lol!  Couldn't narrow it down to just one so here's our favorites:

 Calfornia Pizza Kitchen, Ruby Tuesdays, Macaroni Grill and Paesano's.  

I couldn't narrow it down to just one, so here's my favorites :)

Hawaii 5-O, Revenge, and Blue Bloods. 

I loved the Christmas Movie Marathons on The Hallmark Channel!!

Jeans and a comfy blouse/t-shirt.

I found this one on Facebook and it sums up my family right now.  

Phew, I did it!!!  It was fun going through my pictures and remembering the important parts of 2014.  Here's hoping for a fabulous, healthy and fun 2015 to all you!!

Xoxo,

Julie

It was a busy December!

Mele Kalikimaka!!  I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas  and made some wonderful memories with family and friends.  It was a busy 3 weeks in December that flew by.  Our school had our Winter Program on December 19th.  Our music teacher taught our kinders 3 songs...I'm a Little Snowflake, It's Wintertime, and Must Be Santa.  They did fabulous!  We also created Christmas Trees using sugar cones...it was a success and a fun time with all 77 kinders working in our school cafeteria.  

I came across a fabulous and cute reindeer directed drawing from ARTventurous.  It was fun activity to do with my kindergarten students.  We love directed drawings.  I love the collage apps on my phone, but didn't use my phone to take these pictures...so I created it on picmonkey  

Sheri and I braved the crowds and went to see Christmas Lights in a neighborhood in Waikele.  She brought her 3 daughters and I brought my niece and nephew.  They had about 8 house synchronized to music that ran for an 1 hour.  I fell in love with this hedgehog and the peacock was beautiful.

This was one of the houses that was synchronized.

There was also another street nearby that had all houses decorated.  My nephew was over the crowds so my husband took him back to their house...which was in walking distance from the madness.

Here's to another great year for everyone.  Hoping 2015 will be an even better year.  Hau'oli Makahiki Hou...Happy New Year!!

XOXO,

Julie

It's already December...Currently Time!!

It's my favorite time of the month.  I truly love doing and reading everyone's monthly Currently.  Stop by Farley's to join in the fun!

Listening..."The Voice" is one of my favorite shows to watch.  I don't have a favorite this season, but they are pretty awesome.

Loving...I bought some wonderful resources from this sale...not so sure my credit card loves it, but I sure do!!

Thinking...Lots to do in the 3 weeks that I have left with my kinders.  I have to finish our end of quarter assessments as well as fit in as much Winter crafts that I can.

Wanting...I love Starbucks!!  Iced Chai Tea is my favorite drink to get.  The Green Tea Latte is a close 2nd!

Needing...Pictures for our yearly Christmas Card...not my husband's favorite thing, but I do love to send them out to our families and friends near and far.

Giving...We sometimes forget the special people because we get so caught up in our busy schedules and lives.   I lost 1 uncle and another is sick.  My dad needs oxygen pretty much the whole time and my mom was just diagnosed with 1st stage breast cancer.   It's been a rough month or so for my family and I truly cherish and love them.

I want to wish all of you the merriest of holidays this season!!

Xoxo,
Julie