I just got back from a week in Vegas at the I Teach K Conference. I will continue this saga for a few days as I try to clean up my house and do about a bizillion loads of laundry.
We live in Southern California so my husband spent the entire morning loading the car with so much crap stuff that it's amazing that we had room for us! Somehow he packed it all in and off we went. He was super excited to get away from real life and was all about setting up the Kindergarten Crayons booth. I was chewing my nails worried that we would not sell a thing and who needed the anxiety? Right? This is what greeted us when we hit Vegas in the 108 degree weather. Why would anyone live here?
We got up at the crack of dawn (vacation?... not so much) because vendors had to set up by 7:00. The poor man brought all our stuff up by himself and set up the booth. I was busy screaming, crying and hugging my friends. I was also drinking coffee and getting the lay of the land. It was fantastic to see old blogging friends and meet a billion new friends.Some are hereos in my teaching world so I gushed all over them. Meanwhile the husband was working his buns off while I am in the middle of party central. I never even checked on him. Don't judge. I am a horrible wife. Note to self: check on the man who is slaving to make your booth at the I Teach K Conference beautiful. He deserves a break and some lunch...Let's just say I was not exactly on my game. Classes were so much fun and I filled my notebook with brilliant ideas I cannot wait to try.
When I finally decided to check on the poor man and help with the booth I ran into one of my favorite bloggers, Erin Anderson from It's Owl Good In Kindergarten. She is teaching transitional kindergarten this coming year so I sent her to Palma Lindsey's presentations. She loved them and I got a chance to hang out with her while the husband actually worked and sold packets. What can I say. I will do better next time. Check out Palma at KFundamentals if you want some adorable projects to do with your young kinders.
Once I stopped hugging and screaming I started to help in the booth and met so many amazing kindergarten teachers. Michelle was precious and I loved her personality. When she talked about her kids her whole face lit up and made me realize how magical teachers really are.
I saw lots of my Southern California girls and had to grab a few pictures of them because they are the best in the west. Here is Hadar from Miss Kindergarten and her partner in crime is Kristen from A Teeny Tiny Teacher. They are smart, talented women who are so much fun to be around. If you don't know their blogs go check them out because I love all that they do! Why wasn't I that smart at their age? I also had the pleasure of sitting in on Greg Smedley's class and had a blast listening to him. He is such a sweetheart. You would love him too. His blog is right here and is filled with great teaching ideas. I finally met Terri Izatt from Kinder Kapers. We have been internet friends for several years and I loved meeting her and chatting. It is always so much fun to meet a friend in person and hug them!
Here are some of my friends who I hang out with on FB. They are talented women with busy lives and a whole lot of skills. When we see each other we feel like old friends. I think we have been meeting in Vegas for about three years. Check out their blogs when you get a chance.
The food in Vegas was fabulous and we went to so many great restaurants. After classes and working in our booth it was nice to treat ourselves to delicious food. It was a real treat.
Here is a picture of my sweet friend Sandy Welch who sold these adorable aprons that are like mobile pocket charts. She is so talented and sold out of all her gorgeous aprons in a single day! Can you believe that? She was shocked but I was not surprised at all. This is a fantastic product and I am thrilled that she sent me one during the year. Otherwise I would be whining up a storm! Please go on her blog here and check out this apron. Do not get jealous that I already have an adorable one and now I want another one. Her principal, secretary, and teacher friend came to help her at her booth. Read that again... her principal. They believe in her and came to support her. That's what teachers do for each other.
I am going to end here for tonight with this adorable blogger Mary Amoson. I loved meeting her and attending her session. No one loves kindergarten more and Mary can make anything fun. She was one of the best parts of this trip to Vegas. Go over to her blog and tell her I sent you. I know you will fall in love with her. Sharing Kindergarten is the name of her blog and this southern mama has a lot to offer kindergarten teachers!
That's it for now. I have to fold laundry, put away groceries, and unpack my suitcase. I will add other pictures since these are just a few. If you purchased something from me I deeply appreciate your faith in my work and I hope it is useful. Thank you for coming over to my booth and I hope we chatted for a few minutes. I love the work that you do for children. I love kindergarten. It was a week filled with memories that will keep me warm until next year. Did I meet you? If not, let's promise each other we will do it in 2015!
Much love to you,
