Vegas 2015 Recap!

Whew! I'm sure you've seen a ton of #tptvegas15 pictures by now, so I'm just stopping by to give you a quick recap of my trip!

This was my second annual trip to Las Vegas for "teacher week." 

You can read about last year's trip {here} and {here}. 

This year we arrived later in the week, so I missed the I Teach 1st conference this time around. I would have LOVED to see some of the presentations, though, and I heard they were great!

After we got settled, I went up to the Exhibit Hall to explore and ended up in a GoNoodle dance party with some of my favorites! #onlyinVegas 

I know I talk about GoNoodle all the time, but I seriously love it. I'm already looking forward to introducing my new class of STARS to some Koo Koo Kanga Roo!

That first day was also my 8th wedding anniversary #070707, so my husband and I had to go out and celebrate. And what better way to celebrate than with amazing food?!

So so so SO good. 

And how sweet were they to give us that little (super delicious) dessert!?

Wednesday night was the highly-anticipated Vegas Teacher Meet Up! 

I have to tell you that I was so terribly nervous about this meet up as the event approached. The thought of walking into a room filled with over 1000 teachers and bloggers by myself was causing me major anxiety. Finally I just decided to reach out and email an Instagram friend that I had virtually connected with to see if we could go together. 

Best. 

Decision. 

Ever.

Sarah from Mrs. B's First Grade is one of my new favorite people. We became instant real life friends, and I'm so glad I was brave enough to put myself out there. 

We had such a great time meeting and talking to so many amazing teachers! 

This is only half the room. There were teachers everywhere!

I met so many people but only remembered to take a few pictures! 

I always love seeing my fellow Hoosier, Jodi Southard from Fun In First, and I was so excited to finally meet my talented blog designer, Megan Favre from A Bird in Hand Designs! 

Plus, we received this AMAZING teacher swag bag! 

Thank you GoNoodle, Scentos, Ellison Education, Creative Teaching Press, Carson Dellosa, Creative Clips, and any and all other sponsors of this awesome event! 

AND I WON an Erin Condren Teacher Planner!! 

After the meet up, I was starving, so I went and had my first-ever Chipotle (and yes there is one in my city…I've just never made it over there) experience with the always stylish Elizabeth from Kickin It In Kindergarten and another new fabulous friend, Danielle Ann from DanielleAnn.com. I have never met a sweeter person, and I am so so happy we were able to get to know each other! 

Seeing old friends and making new ones was by far the best part of the trip. 

That, and I could wear my hair straight in July without it becoming three times the size and frizzing out like I just rolled out of bed. 

Just sayin.

The TPT Conference: Come Together, Go Further started the next day. 

Apparently I didn't take any pictures during the day, but that night I went with my husband and our friends who came to Vegas with us to see Rock of Ages. 

It was SO fun! 

Flash photography was not allowed, so that bottom pic was the best I could do. Still, it was an awesome show. A little on the raunchy side, but very talented performers and amazing music!

Friday was the full day of TPT conferences, and I was able to meet, connect with, and learn from even more of my favorite teacher bloggers! 

I have followed Jennifer White from First Grade Blue Skies for years. She was just as wonderful in person as I had pictured, and her session was great! The quote from Zig Zigler (pictured) was my biggest takeaway from her. 

These women are amazing! Holly Ehle, Danielle Ann, Hope King, Cara Carroll, Erin Klein, and Sarah Barnett are all incredibly talented, inspiring, and NICE people. 

Overall, it was a wonderful trip! 

My biggest takeaways:

1. Focus on the task at hand - turn off all other distractions (this one is especially tough for me).

2. Keep your to-do list for the day to a minimum so you can actually accomplish what is on it. 

3. Be Brave. Reach out. Make connections.  

These lessons can apply to all areas of my life, especially the third one. 

I absolutely adore all of the friends I've made through this blogging journey, and it only happened because I was brave enough to reach out and was willing to open myself up to new and wonderful friendships. I have learned so much from them and am inspired by them daily.

I'm linking up with Elementary Entourage for this post. Click the button below to read about other Vegas experiences!

Vegas: Teacher Edition

So when I said I'd be back later this week to post about the teacher side of Vegas, I really didn't think it would be Saturday before I got to it! 

My husband has been working crazy hours since we've been back, so I've basically been a single parent all week. Props to those of you who parent on your own full-time. I don't know how you do it.

It's been a crazy week. 

This is what my kids' playroom looks like. 

Right.

Now. 

How one and a half children can make this much of a mess is beyond me, but I show you this because this was the first lesson I learned in Vegas: 

1. You don't have to be perfect, and you don't have to have it all together all the time.

If you're like me, you subscribe to a ton of blogs and follow all of your favorite teacher bloggers on every form of social media. As you scroll through your newsfeeds, you are bombarded with images of colorful new ideas you HAVE to implement RIGHT NOW in your class, teachers who are perfectly dressed and coiffed, and students who are all engaged, happy, and eating up every word their perfect teachers say. Every lesson appears to run smoothly, no child is left behind, and everyone is happy. 

Right??

What I was THRILLED to learn on the first day of I Teach 1st is that we all tend to show the highlight reel. Our favorite new outfit, great hair day, a lesson where we really nailed it with the kids. This doesn't mean those teachers we all know and love have it all together every day, but they are still amazing and are doing great work with kids, and THAT'S WHAT MATTERS. 

Enter one said teacher, the fabulous Mrs. Cara Carroll from The First Grade Parade. 

Now this woman really does have perfect hair and looked gorgeous every time I saw her, and it's impossible not to be happy when you're around her. Her infectious smile and warm hugs (just call her Olaf) make you want to be her best friend. She is a wealth of knowledge about all things primary and the best practices to use with kids, but she also isn't afraid to admit that she doesn't have it all together all the time.

I went to three of her sessions about her math, sight words, and vocabulary instruction, where she shared GREAT ideas that I can take back and use this year with my own kids.

But my biggest takeaway - as she talked about some of her kiddos who "ride the bus down Struggle Street," worried about tripping over the microphone cord, and apologized to the line of eager teachers waiting to take a picture with her for being sweaty - is that it's all ok.  

When my desk is a disaster, my Promethean board pen has grown legs for the one millionth time, I have to run to the copy machine last minute, or one of my kids just DOESN'T GET IT, I will take a breath and remember that it won't always be perfect. It won't always work. And that's ok.  

I'll learn from my mistakes with a smile on my face. 

And I'll go back and try again tomorrow. 

2. READ!

This is a little out of order since I actually saw him first, but Marc Brown (author of the Arthur series) was the keynote that first day at I Teach 1st, and he was fabulous! 

He was funny and engaging, and he truly respects the work of teachers. 

One thing he said hit home for me. He said, "Our kids don't read books because their parents aren't reading books." I realized that not only do I want the parents of my students to set a positive example for their children when it comes to reading, but I need to put my money where my mouth is and do the same thing at home. I read to my kids, but I don't read with them. 

I need to make a concerted effort to put down the laptop/phone/stackofpaperstograde and get out a book. My four year old loves to "read" now, but she may not always. 

Now is the time to create new habits.

3. There are countless amazing apps and tech tools available, but you don't have to try to use them all at once.

I have been following Erin Klein from Kleinspiration for years, too, and she is an absolute pro. I happened to be in the room already when she and her husband walked in. It was clearly not their first presentation rodeo. She started hooking up her macbook while he opened the suitcase full of samples from her classroom and spread them out on the tables. They were up and running in three minutes flat.

Her presentations were no different - flawless from start to finish and overflowing with amazing ideas.

While she truly did seem to have it all together, her advice was exactly what I needed to hear.

Don't try to do it all at once. Instead of trying out EVERY new app, choose one, use it, and then try another one.

The one (ok two) that I want to try this year are Aurasma and ColAR. I'm especially excited about the latter and hope to use it during the first week of school if I can get my hands on some iPads! 

4. Inspire kids to be passionate about learning.

Even more than her knowledge of all things tech, I was especially impressed by Erin Klein's desire to make connections with kids and help them to achieve greatness. She included several videos in her presentations, but one entitled Caine's Arcade had people in tears. If you've never seen it, click the link to watch.

You will be inspired.

Inspired to let your kids pursue their passions and see how far they can go.

I've already talked to my principal about starting #geniushour in my class, and I can't wait to see what my kids are passionate about.

And finally,

5. Make friends.

Let's face it: our job is tough, and we can't do it alone. More than just connections, it's important to build relationships. I'm blessed to have taught (and currently teach) in buildings where I've made lasting friendships. Without them, I would not have been able to do this job.

I've also been fortunate enough in my short time as a teacher blogger to connect with amazing teachers from all over the country through social media such as Instagram, but it's been even more important to me to be able to meet some of them and call them friends.

I was so excited to get to spend more time with Holly from Mrs. Ehle's Kindergarten Connections and Krea from Learning in Progress. We met this past March at the Spring Teacher Blogger Meet Up, and seeing them again was definitely a highlight of the trip!

I've also connected with other Indiana teacher bloggers, who are always there to answer questions and help a sister out!

Bottom line: We're all in this together. Let's be friends. :)

I learned so much in a few short days.
I can't wait to see what this next school year brings and to head back to Vegas next summer to do it all again!

My Vegas Trip - Tourist Style!

I decided to split my Vegas experience into two blog posts since I went for two different reasons. So if you're only interested in my teacher experience, stay tuned for that post later this week! This one is a recap of my time spent outside the conferences. 

When I found out that the SDE National Conferences were in Vegas last week, I mentioned it to my husband, who had been trying to convince me to take a trip without the kids for our anniversary for a while. He thought it was a great idea, of course. We hemmed and hawed over it for a couple of weeks and finally decided to go for it. We were both so glad we did! 

 It took everything I had not to burst into tears in the airport. I don't even think I told my dad I loved him when he dropped us off because I could already feel my voice cracking. 

Thankfully, my girls stayed home with my stepmom, where they were happily playing when we left. Otherwise, my husband would have had to peel me off of them to get me out the door.

 

It's unreal how the city of Las Vegas just appears in the middle of the desert! 

WE MADE IT!! Whew, now we just have to make it back! 

Spoiler Alert: we did. :) 

We made it to the Venetian, which is clearly GORGEOUS, and set off in search of a buffet! 

Nailed it. 

There isn't a buffet restaurant in the Venetian, so we walked next door to The Wynn, and voila. The picture says it all. If you're wishing you had "taste-o-vision" on your screen right now, you're not alone. 

We found some video craps (his back doesn't show it, but he was super excited) and then called it a night. He spent my conference days exploring this and other casinos. I'm not a gambler, so it worked out well.  

On Sunday we spent the morning at the pool then explored the hotel a little bit more. 

Then this happened. 

Carlo's Bake Shop (Cake Boss, anyone??) opened recently in The Venetian, and OMG. 

That big box was mine. 

We needed to walk off some of that deliciousness, so we headed down the strip, bought some surprises for our girls, and decided to ride the High Roller.

Um it's amazing. 

If you're ever in Vegas, do it! And go during the day, when you can have the whole cabin to yourself (plus it's cheaper)! 

Note: I told myself I would not be photographed with my hair in a ponytail while in Vegas. I literally NEVER do my hair in real life, so I vowed to actually fix it every day while we were there. 

Newsflash, Marissa: it's HOT in Vegas. Like too hot for long, thick hair in the middle of the afternoon on the strip. 

So there went that goal. 

 Sunday night we ate at Buddy V's to make it an all Buddy Valastro day (delish!) and then walked down the strip again to the Eiffel Tower at the Paris hotel. We watched the Bellagio fountains from the top. 

Best seats in the house! 

Monday was the 7th anniversary of 7-7-07 (you'd think we would've been lucky in the casinos, too, but not so much), and we found that super thoughtful gift from my dad and stepmom waiting in our room! After spending the day at I Teach 1st! (more on that later), the husband and I took a cab down to the Stratosphere to have our 7th anniversary dinner at Top of the World! 

As if the incredible views from this rotating restaurant weren't enough, the food was AMAZING. 

 Tuesday was our last day. After the Differentiated Instruction conference (and a nap!), we went to B&B Burger & Beer and then tried to leave with a little extra moolah in our pockets. I'm sure some people left Vegas richer than when they arrived, but not these two. Oh well. We had a great time!! And our first trip away was a success! 

When we got back to our home airport, my mother-in-law was there waiting with our daughters. Even some of the onlookers were crying when my four year old ran up to me yelling, "Mommy!" She did the same thing for her daddy (I didn't wait for him lol) and then insisted on pulling the suitcase to the van. Love that girl. :) 

Be sure to check back again later in the week for the teacher version of the trip!