Winter Wonderland So Cal Blog Hop

Hi!  I am so excited to be a part of my very first blog hop!  I’ve linked up with a bunch of amazing Southern California teachers, and we’re sharing a ton of awesome freebies…and a giveaway, too!

California winters are pretty much what you’d expect.  When it gets in the 60’s, I pull out my Uggs.  {I realize you’re probably laughing at that, and I’m aware that it’s pretty sad.}  But this winter, I found it HILAROUS that it was colder on Christmas than some east coast states!  It’s about time!

 

{Photo courtesy of my iPhone.}

 

Southern California will always hold a special place in my heart.  What I love most about living here is how close I am to my family, but since they aren’t really relevant to you, I’ll share some other things.  I love LOVE the beach.  We have some really pretty beaches here!  I’m lucky enough to drive past it on my way to work, so I get a nice view every morning.  Huntington Beach is one of my favorites, but when I was little, I loved the fancy shmancy Balboa Bay Club {We had friends who were members, and the only thing I cared about was that it had a boardwalk with shaved ice.  #priorities.}  Laguna Beach is also gorgeous.  And yes, that whole area looks just like it did on the TV show!  Another place I've loved to visit is Crystal Cove.  It's a pretty popular place for weddings.  It's also the location where they filmed the beach house scene in Beaches! 

 

I live in a pretty amazing location, because I’m no more than two hours away from Los Angeles, San Diego, lots of awesome beaches, and snowy mountains.  I love that we have so much to do here, and there are all kinds of museums, shopping centers, and fun places to visit.   Also, we have In n Out.  In the winter, when I was little, I used to love driving around to see all the lights in my neighborhood.  Now, as an adult, I really love seeing all the Christmas decorations at the mall.  {Any mall, really.  Let’s be clear, I just like shopping.}  Another one of my winter faves is going to Disneyland!  Once upon a time, I had an annual pass and I would visit all the time.  Those guys are basically a million dollars now, so I haven’t been there in forever.  My favorite time to go is between Halloween and Christmas, because it is super decked out for the holidays, and they turn the Haunted Mansion into a Nightmare Before Christmas theme!  So fun! 

 

Now, it's freebie time! 

 

 

One of my favorite things to do in the winter with my students is read alouds.  We're usually stuck inside when it rains, so I read aloud like crazy this time of year.  Winter and holiday books are so much fun!  Some years, I’ve even wrapped up books for the kids to have a surprise read aloud…I'll do anything to keep the reading excitement going, I tell you!  One book that I love to read is Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner.  This book lends itself to so much creativity!  I’ve used it for writing and oral storytelling with students from kindergarten to second grade.  I created some story starters with writing paper for your students!  {Stay tuned: These writing pages will soon be a part of a TpT pack of writing pages, graphic organizers, and task cards that I am currently creating!}  Click on the photo below for your freebie! 

 

And now, for even more winter fun and another freebie, click on the photo below to hop on over to Anchors Away in First Grade! 

 

 

Be sure to enter the Rafflecopter below by January 26th for a chance to win an Amazon gift card! Good luck, friends!  Happy Teaching!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway