The Story Behind Mom2punkerdoo

Many have asked me about me about the origins of Mom2punkerdoo, so with the new blog face lift I figured it was a good time to share the story for those who are interested.

Did y'all have a million nicknames for your children when they were born?  We sure did. I've got a scrapbook page around here somewhere with a whole list of them.  I won't share it, as that just wouldn't be fair to Punkerdoo.

See Punkerdoo is a teenager now, and yes we do occasionally still call him that...though never in public. Hoping he doesn't read this!

Back when we was born the nickname Punkerdoo is one that really stuck.  This was in the early days of web design (before blogging even existed). I had a classroom website, so I figured why not start a website for friends and family to see pictures of our precious new bundle of joy. It was of course called Punkerdoo.

Website, e-mail addresses, the Punkerdoo Press Christmas Newsletter....Punkerdoo wasn't going away. At some point along the way I started using Mom2punkerdoo as a handle for myself. Then, in 2012 when I stuck my toe into the blogging world Mom2punkerdoo seemed fitting.

Move forward to the end of 2013 when I first opened my Teachers Pay Teachers store I needed a name.  I had the blog and the e-mail already set up and it was certainly unique. Right?  I knew it didn't scream teacher, but I wanted to get going and I thought might be memorable if not a little odd. ;-)

Since you never quite know what my show up here on my little blog, it works out that it doesn't quite tell you much beyond the fact that I am a mom. Which just happens to be my number one job!

So Mom2punkerdoo it is. It's who I am. It makes me smile.

Don't forget my blog reveal celebration is going for a few more days! Enter the giveaway today!

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Blog Reveal Celebration

Woot! I had no idea how excited I would be about my new blog design!

Way back in December I decided it was time to hire an expert and get a real blog design.  After a fair amount of research I decided to go with Megan from A Bird In Hand Designs.  Only thing was, she is so fantastically awesome there was a bit of a wait.  This actually turned out to be a blessing, as I seriously had no clue what direction I wanted to head with my design,

Luckily, Megan has homework for her clients!  Thankfully it wasn't due right away, because I did not know the answers to ANY of her questions.  I usually pride myself on getting things done early. Well, not this time.  I really did turn in my homework at the last possible minute, but I hadn't procrastinated. I just had a hard time narrowing my ideas down.

I could not be more pleased with Megan's design.  She captured what I was wanting and she was super easy to work with. I hope you like it as much as I do.  Be sure to take a look around. You can find links to some of my freebies and see some pictures of my adorable pets.

Naturally a celebration is in order! I am keeping the party planning on this one simple.  No thematic refreshments, games or party favors, BUT how about a great giveaway and a sale in my TPT Store? Let's get this party started!

Everything in my store is 20% off through Saturday!  Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a $25.00 gift certificate to Teachers Pay Teachers!


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Favorite Things Linky Party: Running Gear

I'm linking up with the Teaching Trio for another month of favorite things.  This month I decided to go with my favorite running gear. I have running on the brain as I will be running in my 2nd half marathon later this month.  Running is what keeps me sane. I don't run to go fast or win, I just need to move and get my endorphins pumping or else I am really no fun to be around.   If you are a runner or would like to become one here are a few things I really can't run without.

#1 Brooks Running Shoes

These are a MUST have for me.  I have HUGE feet and need a really wide toe box.  Brooks is hands down the best for those that need a wide toe box.  I have worn several different models of Brooks.  These hot pink beauties are Ravenna 6's and I plan to wear them for the half this month.  

#2 Arm Warmers

I will confess that when I first started seeing folks wearing arm warmers I thought it a little goofy.  I have 100% changed my opinion.  I LOVE these.  I happen to be one of those who runs hot all the time. So inevitably I am having to take off my jacket and tie it around my waist.  Ugh.  It's even more annoying since I wear and arm band with my iPhone and to take my jacket off I have to take off the arm band first.  Enter these little beauties!  Slide them on when the temps require a jacket and slide them off part way into my run when I have warmed up so much that it feels like summer even though it's only 45 degrees out!  One More Mile carries arm warmers and other gear with all sorts of fun slogans if you feel like making people smile while you run.  

#3 Runkeeper App

I first started using Runkeeper as a walker way back in June of 2010.  I wanted a GPS tracker to keep track of my miles and calories burned.  Since then I have progressed from walking to running and I have logged almost 1,500 miles with it over the years (including 2011 when I seemingly didn't move much at all according to my stats).   Did I mention it's FREE too?  I highly recommend Runkeeper for walkers and runners of all abilities. It has tons of handy features too. Maybe I'll do a post separate post on how it's helped me train.

Be sure to check out my Just Run. Pinterest Board for more of my favorite running gear.

Follow Mom2punkerdoo's board Just Run. on Pinterest.

Don't forget my blog reveal celebration is going for a few more days! Enter the giveaway today!

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The Pioneer Teacher's Thankful Celebration and Giveaway!

Come join in the celebration! Katrina from The Pioneer Teacher has hit an A.W.E.S.O.M.E. milestone and is celebrating her thankfulness with a fantastic giveaway! You have until Friday, Novemeber 14th to enter.  Don't miss out!

See this post on The Velveteen Rabbit  to get a glimpse of one of the prizes in the 2-3 Prize Pack.

K-1 Prize Pack Rafflecopter link: a Rafflecopter giveaway Grade 2-3 Prize Pack Rafflecopter link: a Rafflecopter giveaway Grade 4-5 Prize Pack Rafflecopter link: a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Velveteen Rabbit Tea Party

This has got to be my all time favorite culminating activity.  Seriously. The B.E.S.T.

One of my very first classroom tea parties.

Way back in the 90's my two fantastic teaching mentors shared with me that it was traditional for our grade level to culminate our Velveteen Rabbit unit with a formal tea party...with REAL china tea cups!  Needless to say I thought they were INSANE!

Their sanity may still be in question, but not as a result of this idea.  My Velveteen Rabbit Tea Parties have become the most cherished of classroom memories.  So much so that when we started our homeschool journey I knew I wanted to include this tradition.  For four years we held an annual Christmas tea party with my son's dearest friends and their mothers.  I had to change the theme up after the first year, but we managed to find a way to connect it to our learning and give a special gift to our friends at Christmas.  Just thinking about it makes me nostalgic...sigh.

Anyhow, for this post I will focus on The Velveteen Rabbit Tea and maybe another time I'll share the details of our Colonial Tea, Mr. Willowby's Tea and our Hot Chocolate Buffet!

Very long story short, after completing our study of The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams we would transform our classroom with table cloths, china tea cups, platters of scones, finger sandwiches, flower vases, place cards and well mannered children.  It was magical...and a I won't lie a LOT of work. Did I mention I did this for the first time as a brand new teacher?

As a part of the tea party I decided to incorporate a retelling of the story of The Velveteen Rabbit.  I went through the book and took out quotes from the entire thing that created a summary from beginning to end.  I gave each student two quotes to commit to memory over the course of our study. By the day of the tea all of the students had them down perfectly...no joke.  Every year I would start my tea with the parents sitting at elegantly set tables, and the students standing in their Sunday best reciting their quotes to share this touching story with their families.  Are you starting to see why this is my favorite event?

I could go on and on about my love for these tea parties and how they evolved over the years, but I suspect y'all would be bored to death.  Instead I have created a Pinterest board with some of my favorite recipes and ideas to help you plan your own Velveteen Rabbit Tea Party. You can check it out at the bottom of this post.

And Guess what? This week you can also win a copy of my Velveteen Rabbit Unit.  The Pioneer Teacher is having a special giveaway in celebration of hitting a big TPT milestone.  Just head on over to the Thankful for Twenty Thousand Giveaway to enter to win her 2nd-3rd grade prize pack. The quotes I mentioned are all included as bookmarks in the unit!

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You can also preview the entire unit by clicking below.

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Follow Mom2punkerdoo's board The Velveteen Rabbit. Follow Mom2punkerdoo's board The Velveteen Rabbit on Pinterest.