Cara Carroll

A New Year Freebie & Some Resolutions

So…let me just go ahead and say that I LOVE New Year’s :)  Not because I’m partyin’ it up on NYE…unless you consider sparkling cider, my sofa, and MTV a party…but I love it because it gives us a chance to start all over.  Such a great time to reflect and make resolutions and ohmiword…I’ve got a few!  I thought I’d go ahead and share those with y’all and then share a *little* freebie 🙂 This has been one of those years.  I’m sure you can tell by the lack of my blogging 🙂  Between my very spirited class, my even more spirited boys, a husband that works nights, and domestic duties, this little blog has been pushed aside.  I’m sure it doesn’t help that I’m also trying to maintain my personal blog AND my domestic blog, too.  My personal blog is my journal…the random stories of our little life…and I don’t want to slack on that one, so I’ll be keeping up with that one a lot more often!   But I also LOVE this little blog.  I love all the opportunities it’s thrown my way and all the WONDERFULLY TALENTED, AMAZING teachers/friends I’ve met through it.  And keeping up with it has really helped me stay on track in my own classroom, too! I’ve been SO blessed by so many of you in SO many different ways.  Your comments, your emails, your posts, your ideas, your funny stories, your creativity, your sharhing hearts, your vulnerability…everything!!  I’ve loved meeting some of y’all in real life and feeling like I’ve known you since forever.  I’ve loved meeting some of y’all just through comments/emails and feeling the same way.  This little blog…and ALL of you…have been such a blessing to me :)    In 2012, I plan on… *Commenting more.  I have a little over 100{ish} teaching related blogs I read through Google Reader every day.  I catch up on my phone mostly…while I’m sitting in traffic, cooking dinner, bathing my boys, etc.  The bad thing about Google Reader is that it’s made me terribly lazy.  I haven’t visited blogs in a LONG time, so I’ve been slacking in the comment department.  BUT, I’m changing that in 2012.  I’m always so appreciative and grateful when y’all comment on my blog and I definitely want y’all to know that I’m lovin’ reading what you’re posting, too!  So…I’m definitely going to get better at that.  Will somebody hold me accountable, please?!  Rachelle?!?!  Where are you?!?!  HA! *Returning emails.  I’m not even gonna get into this because my email is a sad, sad place.  So unattended.  I’m so overwhelmed by emails that I’ve been behind for a long time now.  If you’ve emailed me and haven’t heard back, I’m sorry…for real.  As you can tell, I’m extremely long winded and way to wordy, so those are the kind of emails I want to send back when you write.  If I can’t sit down and send you a “talkative” email, I keep putting it off until I can.  Now I’ve dug myself into a hole and can’t get out. I’m wiping the slate clean and starting from scratch. I just can’t get to them all, so I’m deleting my inbox.  If you email me again…starting now…I promise I’ll get back to you right away 🙂 *Updating my sidebar.   Like I said, I haven’t visited blogs in forever…mine included.  I’ve been meaning to update my sidebar with links to more blogs and I’ve just been so dang lazy. *Being more consistent with my Wandering Wednesday posts.  Darnit!  I started off so great, but then I just got so busy!!!  This year has been wild, but I’m determined to get back on track! *Post more freebies.  Starting now… Here’s a little {42 page} freebie just for you :)  I’ll need something to keep my kids busy when they come barreling through my door on the 3rd, so here are a few activities I’m using to keep them on task.  You can click the picture to download it or head on over to my TpT shop and pick it up there {for free}.  Hope this helps get your new year off to a great start!!! HappyNewYear For those of you that have asked about my Winter Math & Literacy center packs, those will be uploaded this weekend!!  I’m still visiting with my in-laws up north, so I’m knee deep in family time and trying to savor every minute of this WAY too short vacation.  Hope y’all are having a very BLESSED holiday and I’ll see y’all next year 🙂 HA!  Couldn’t resist 😉

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Comments

  2. miss m says

    you are THE best, so generous to share such a huge and FUN freebie! i've emailed you a couple of times and you've always responded and so sweetly too, feel like I'm talking to a good friend, so I can't imagine how overwhelming an inbox full can be! thanks again and happy new year!

    Reply

  10. Amanda says

    You are a saint! I'm diligently trying to finish up all of my January plans before going back (HA!) and this packet is a God-send. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

    Reply

  23. Megan's Musings says

    One of my resolutions is to comment more too! Since last spring I have been following some AMAZING bloggers, but was a little clueless how to go about the whole process and was in dire need of a new computer (is ten + years a little too old for a computer :)? Christmas came and now I can't be silent anymore! I wrote in my brand new blog(also a resolution) today how all of you fabulous blogger ladies made me "cutesy with a cause" and are helping me to make my students learning more memorable. I've been inspired and am loving it! What a blessing you have been!

    Reply

  24. Kim says

    It's a good thing I made a run for ink and paper earlier! Your freebie is AWESOME and has kept my printer humming. Love, love, love your blog! I'm gonna have to start following your others too.

    Reply

  29. A Day in the Life... says

    I always love reading your blogs! Thanks so much for the freebie! It's great! 🙂

    I can definitely relate with checking google reader on my phone and not checking out the actual blogs. Something I need to work on too!

    Happy New Year!

    Reply

  36. Katie says

    Thank you so much for sharing these free activities! You are so generous and I look forward to your all too cure posts! You have really inspired me as a teacher! Happy New Year!

    Reply

  38. Ali says

    You are too kind!! Thank you so much for sharing!! And I absolutely LOVE the picture of your boys in front of your tree!! Happy NEw Year!!

    Ali
    alischepis(at)gmail.com

    Reply

  45. Jess says

    First of all thank you for the freebie. That was very generous of you. I love your work-you are such a dedicated teacher. Don't be too hard on yourself about blogging-you still update and family always should come first! Hope you enjoy your last few days of break! Happy New Year!
    Rambling About Reading

    Reply

  46. Leslie says

    Your freebie is awesome! And so generous. I did so many of your wonderful Christmas craftivities. Your blog has helped me be more creative and added the fun back into my classroom. Happy New Year!

    Leslie
    (a fellow Texas Teacher)

    Reply

  47. Beth says

    This looks fantastic! You've hit the mark right on with these activities and they will definitely get used next week. So cute! Thanks a bunch!

    Reply

  48. Doodle Bugs Paper says

    thanks for the new years freebie :o)

    i am a terrible commenter too because i read on the go.. and those extra steps it takes to comment are hard to fit in :o(

    I too, feel bad about not letting people know that I read, download, or even appreciate their posts!!

    I need to do better in 2012!

    Reply

  51. Kristen says

    Thank you for the fabulous unit! My kids will love it when we get back to work. I'm almost sad (almost, not really!) that we don't got back to work yet. Thanks for sharing!

    Kristen

    Reply

  58. Jara says

    This is incredible Cara! I hope you had an amazing Christmas & New Year! Is it already almost over? Savor every last minute! Thanks for the HUGE freebie, heading out to get more ink- ha ha! Such good stuff!

    Reply

  59. Jara says

    Hey is it ok if I use this picture of the packet on my blog to link back to you to tell everyone about this freebie – its so incredible!!!!???? If its not ok, I will take it down!

    Reply

  66. nshade21 says

    Happy New Year Cara! 🙂

    Thanks so much for this adorable little center! It will be perfect for the upcoming week back! I have inservice all day tomorrow can you believe it? Oh well, enjoy the rest of your break!

    Reply

  72. Sarah Paul says

    Wow! What a generous freebie! I love your blog so much but I totally understand how hard it is to balance. I have 2 boys as well, but only one blog. I can't imagine having 3 blogs! That's pretty impressive. I always appreciate your posts. They are always filled with so many amazing ideas. You are definitely one of my favorites. Have a fabulous 2012!
    ~Sarah
    If you want some freebies, come visit my blog (I'd love to share some things with you since I've used so many of your wonderful ideas and freebies):

    snippetsbysarah@blogspot.com

    Reply

  73. Marnie says

    Thank you so much!! This is such a treat! I can also relate… 2 boys.. military life overseas. If only we didn't need sleep! 🙂 Happy New Year and thanks again!

    Reply

  76. Krista Wills says

    Thank you, thank you, thank you! I needed a little something to help get me back into the swing of things. Your free packet has done just that. I am now excited and will be ready to see my kidos when they enter the classroom on Wednesday. Seriously, you are my life savor!

    Reply

  86. pwright says

    Thanks so much for this! I needed something for Wednesday I have been teaching 4th grade and now I am teaching my first grade sweeties. This will be great for when they show up at the door!

    Reply

  89. Shane and Laine says

    Thanks for sharing! All of your activities/centers are adorable. I purchased diagraph kids and will be using them this week! Can't wait!!!
    I'm a texas teacher and FOR SURE want to attend the next meet up!!!
    Happy New Year:)

    Reply

  90. Anne says

    THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! You literally made my day back at school today much better than it would have been otherwise (because of this freebie)! This is a FANTASTIC packet and has so many cute ideas! And..it is contains exactly what I am teaching right now! My class worked on making words from Happy New Year today, and I copied many other items for later this week and next. Thanks so much, & Happy New Year! 🙂

    Reply

  91. amy.lemons says

    Thank you so much for this! I put the making words in my Words Center… and my kids loved it (even the ones who made words like nar, re, and more! Goofballs! Love it!

    Reply

  94. Sarah says

    Thanks a million for the freebie! I've using it this week with my kids, and they love it! It's been a great transition back into the school routine!

    Reply

  98. First Grade Newbie says

    I have been following your blog for about three months now….downloading freebies, purchasing things from TPT that you have created….etc. I just love your sight and it has really helped me make the change to first grade. I have taught second for 9 years and fourth for 3 years. It's been a bit of an adjustment. Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication to education. Your creations are amazing! I love the New Year packet. I just wish I had looked at your blog last night. I made an analog and digital clock game but yours is so much cuter. I already printed it out and will be making it tonight! Love it!

    Reply

  100. Jac says

    I too am a bit useless on commenting…. I read my blogs on reader too and then pin all the stuff I like to pinterest or star the blogpost.. and then forget to comment… so this too will be my new year blog resolution – along with making sure I blog more often!! (: U and ur blog make me smile, all the way here in NZ.

    Reply

  102. Ashley says

    I love this packet! I can't wait to have my kiddos work on it. I am on maternity leave so they might be celebrating the new year in Feb. HAHA!

    Reply

  104. Unknown says

    Wow!! That was an awesome freebie!!! Thank you so much! (Plus, I can't remember if I commented on your last post, but your Christmas pictures are adorable! That silhouette photo with the Christmas tree is the best!) Thanks again! ~Heidi V.

    Reply

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