The First Five for Friday of 2016!

Linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for my very first 5 for Friday post for 2016! It's been a wonderful few weeks filled with family fun. I am rested, relaxed, and ready to take the new year by storm.

First of all Merry Christmas! We had a wonderful holiday with my family at home in Michigan. We did our usual christmas cookies, ugly sweater pictures, and Chinese dinner. We are all very blessed and it was hard to leave to come back. 

December 19th I FINALLY graduated! I now have a Masters in Reading Instruction, and I am one step closer to becoming a literacy coach. It was such a wonderful feeling to finally submit that last assignment, and walk across the stage! My husband also has his masters now, in Elementary Education Curriculum and Instruction. 

My youngest sister and her boyfriend came back with us to enjoy the second half of break in the Florida sunshine. I couldn't be happier! We have been enjoying living the Florida life the last few days. Yesterday we ended 2015 going paddle boarding with manatees at a beautiful spring on the gulf. Such a wonderful experience! 

I received Ron Clark's book Move Your Bus for Christmas and was so excited! I have already started reading it and LOVE IT!!!! So far this is one of my favorite quotes...

"It is okay to allow yourself to make a mistake. Give yourself permission to forgive yourself and move on. You can't run with a mistake on your heart. Let it go." 

I'm not sure where this is originally from. It's only the image on Pinterest. But I have begun prepping and getting things ready for our return on Monday. I have another round of new teachers and instructional coaches coming in my room when we get back from break so I need to make sure I give them something awesome to take away!