What a ride. WHAT A RIDE!! I know that I just wrote a short post about this, but I had to follow it up one more time. If you haven’t caught up with me in a while, I was actually down in Southern California for the BIG Kindergarten Conference this weekend. It was the best whirlwind of a two-day span and I just can’t help but shout it from the rooftops. WARNING – this is a long one 🙂
It all began with me having to get myself to Pasadena without my husband (aka Chauffeur). I am from a itty-bitty town in NorCal and city driving just ain’t for me. I can handle it, but I sweat A LOT! After stressin’ for a week on it (and grinding my teeth down to nubs), the AMAZING ladies over at Fluttering in First volunteered to go OUT OF THEIR WAY to pick me up. Yup. And, I’ve never met them in person. That’s just pretty lovely if you ask me.
On the big day, I managed to get myself into the parking structure at the Sacramento Airport. I won’t lie. I had to yell at myself as I drove in. {Let me back up for a minute so you fully understand my hostility toward myself . . . if you are supposed to turn left, I am going to turn right. And, I actually have to look at my hands to know which way is which.} So . . . upon driving in, I entered fright/flight mode and hollered, “Get it together. You’re 34!!!!!!” While there were a few other choice words in there that I omitted, that’s still not a pep talk I would use in my classroom. However, the old “crabby coach” thing worked for me and I got into the parking garage with no problems.
Fast forward a couple of hours and I landed in Burbank. It was raining and a little chaotic, but Tammy and Christy came to my rescue. It’s funny how you recognize everyone from their blogs. They even hung out the window with a sign they made just for me. We started chatting like old friends as soon as we pulled away from the curb. Not only do they have great ideas (I have been using their habitat stuff LONG before I met them), but they are downright delightful. Love me some Flutter Girls!!!
We arrived at the convention center and got to meet up with the rest of the crew. It was like a sorority alumni meet up. Hugging, squealing, smiling, and oodles of laughs. Magical moment I tell ya.
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| Michelle, Christy, Tammy, Dummy, Hadar, and Fran |
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| Teeny, Michelle, Pickle Head, Traci, Annie, Christy, and Hadar |
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| My favorite photo {Apples & ABCs + Miss Kindergarten} It just makes me smile! |
Annie’s talk was absolutely delightful.
Secret Revealed . . . I own every single packet Annie has made (shhhhhh!)
As soon as the last session ended, we all made our way to the Blogger Bash. It was such fun to share a meal with a room full of people interested in blogging and meeting people behind the ideas they use. There were oodles of prizes and raffles. I won’t make you scroll through countless pictures, but here are my two favorites from the evening . . . hands down.
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| Traci from Dragonflies in First. This woman is extraordinary . . . simply, extraordinary. |
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| Mrs. Jump was in the house. The delight on all the attendees faces said it all. I absolutely love this photo. Such a sweet and genuine gal. |
Are you still with me?? If you are, I applaud you 🙂 And, here I haven’t even talked about Day Two yet. BLARG!!! I’ll make it quick. But, as a side note, guess who my roomie was on Friday night??!! Wait for it. Wait for it . . . TEENY TINY!!!! I absolutely adore Kristin. She’s my kind of people.
Alright, Day Two. My presentation kicked off on Saturday morning. I wasn’t too nervous, I can talk to random people in the grocery store about the prices of broccoli or to large crowds and it doesn’t seem to phase me. However, this simple fact still didn’t afford me the luxury of sleeping more than four hours before my big talk.
As soon as I got that first word out and scored a laugh, I was fine. It went well and I was so grateful for the blogger support in the house!!!! The Flutter Girls even participated in my silly game 🙂 Thanks ladies!
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| Traci {Dragonflies in First} offered up so many “what a great idea” moments! |
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| Katie {Teacher to the Core} helped me find the fun hidden within fluency lessons. I didn’t manage to get a photo of Hadar + Michelle’s sesh 🙁 They were wonderful! |
That looks like so much fun!!!!! How awesome you were able to do that! Love the pictures!!! I know you did an amazing job!
Nicki
Mrs. Thigpen's Kindergarten
Thanks Nicki! It was a great adventure for sure 🙂
This post makes me miss you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Muuuuuaaaahhhhh! Love you, girl!
I drive EXACTLY like you do. I have to use my hands to tell which direction and my right hand has a freckle that helps me remember which hand it is…haha! Love all the pictures and my mouth dropped open when you talked about your roomie for Friday night! I don't think I would sleep but instead I would ask her to tell me that Halloween finger story over and over again. Looks like you had a great time!
Alyse
Keep Calm and Apple On
You make me feel better about myself. When I took my driver's test in high school I wore all of my rings on my left hand . . . and I still turned the wrong way 🙂 Teeny is da bomb! It was definitely a highlight. We talked until 1am 🙂
SERIOUSLY LOVE YOU!!! I felt like we picked right back up from the last time we got to see each other! Can not wait until this summer!!!
Big hugs, Hadar . . . I felt the same. I'm ready for some pool time with all you alls right NOW!!! XOXOXOXOXOXO.
Awwww!!!!! What a great post!!!! 🙂 And no, you are not a dummy or a pickle head, although I did laugh when reading 🙂 You write exactly how you talk! So glad you enjoyed yourself! Congrats!!!
I love that you caught that. This is why we work together . . . hehehehehe. I miss you friend. Is it time for Vegas yet??
It looks like you had a great time!!! Congrats on presenting!
Megan
Mrs. Wheeler's First Grade
Mrs. Wheeler's TPT
Thanks Megan!!! It was a good time fo shizzle 🙂
So sad you are sooooo far away! Uhmmm…. you had to find the dorkiest photo in the world of me?! (I know – they are all dorky!) LOVE YOU to pieces!
OMGosh . . . I adore you. Like, seriously. ADORE. You are one in a million Miss Traci 🙂 Oh, and I'm the queen of dorky photos. That {CUTE} picture of you and the one of Hadar/Michelle are my favorites from ALL of the photos taken this past weekend. It just makes me smile that you didn't care and were able to dink around on stage. That says so much!!! Love ya to the moon and back!!!
So much fun meeting you! 🙂 See ya in Vegas!
-Aris
Yay!!! You are delightful, Aris 🙂 Thanks for saying hello!!!
I am in Folsom and love reading everyone's blogs but it is nice to follow a blogger and presenter from Northern California. Do you present in the Sacramento area? Thanks,
Kori
Hi Kori . . . nice to meet you 🙂 I have presented in the Bay Area before. I always attend the Northern California Kindergarten Conference on MLK Weekend. I do know of some great math workshops coming up this summer in the NorCal region. Do you like Kim Sutton and Creative Math?
I wanted to let you know that I was one of the lucky teachers at your presentation. Loved all the music! I started the song book with my students and they love it! I mean we have only been doing it two days, but it is working great. They ask me when we can sing, and I have noticed them following along with their little pointer fingers. This is an idea that I will definitely keep doing. Thank you so much! It is fun for both me and my students.
Sharon . . . you made my night!!! I cannot thank you enough for coming by to tell me about this 😉 Shoot me an email when you have time . . . I have a little something for you . . . kelleydolling@gmail.com
I am seriously in awe of you! I WISH I could have gone to see all you WONDERFUL fabulous women!!! I bet you rocked it!!!