Ericas Ed-Ventures

Primary Education Ideas

SHOES & PUPPIES and Back to School Purchases.

I know I have your attention with that title!   Here goes, get ready to drool over shoes, puppies, and purchases!

Yes, the photo below is of MOST of my shoes!  I did not photograph the 23 pairs I am giving away, my Uggs, sneakers, boots, or flip-flops.  I really did not even realize my problem was that bad. I paid my little cousin to come over and help me organize my shoes and she could not get over the sheer number of shoes.  Since we were taking photos for the shoe boxes, she made me pose for a picture.  I posted the photo onto my Facebook fan page and you ladies went wild!  I am so happy that you can now say “I’m not that bad…that Erica Bohrer has over 100 pairs of shoes.”  Yes, I know I have a problem and I am OK with it.  I do have to say, now that they are organized, I am less likely to buy two of the same type of shoe.  I said LESS likely.  Acceptance is the first step for realizing that you have a problem, right?  *Target has a great deal on bright lid shoe box sized bins or you can get ones like these from Big Lots.

PS-I am so embarrassed that I am not wearing make-up in this picture.
My shoes in their “Shoe Closet.”  I need to get my dad to add some shelves 🙂
Puppies!!!

I signed up to be a foster mom to Lab puppies for the Save-a-Lab rescue group.  My friend Donna Glynn had fostered puppies for them and it seemed like a great thing to do.  As many of you know I am really into animal rescue.  In the past, I fostered a kitten and a duckling.  I have the summer off and through TpT and my lovely customers, I have the money to spend on their vet bills.  *As a foster you normally don’t have to pay for the vet bills, but I volunteered to pay their’s to help the rescue group out.

Welcome Stella and Phoebe!  They are two adorable, smart, and sweet lab mix puppies.  I will foster them until they get adopted and it looks like that will be happening soon.  I am so attached already, but they are a ton of work!  I don’t think I could keep this up when school starts (Sept. 4th).  Right now, I have two dogs, two puppies, two cats, and two guinea pigs living in my barn…I mean house.  If you are interested in fostering, adopting, or donating, please click here to check out Save-a-Lab or go to their fan page here.  They are East Coast based.

The HUGE BACK TO SCHOOL TPT SALE!!!
I am linking up with Blog Hoppin’ to share my back to school purchases.  As you can tell from the shoes, I have a shopping problem, which is not limited to just shoes!  Click the image above to link up with your purchases and check out other’s.  Click on the covers below to check out these products on TpT!
This packet is by Made for First Grade and I think it is perfect for morning job!
This is from my sweet friend Michelle!  I love the colors and graphics in these adorable centers.
I loved Randi‘s The Duckling Gets a Cookie Unit so much that I had to buy this one, too.  I just love Mo Willems!!!

This is by Teri of A Cup Cake for the Teacher.  I had the pleasure of meeting her in NYC two weeks ago and I just love all her craftivities. 
The fabulous Abby never disappoints.  I love this packet and cannot wait to make Jitter Juice!

I always have a hard time finding things to teach final -le…not anymore thanks to Sarah!  Sarah is super cute, super sweet, and super talented.  
I am getting a head start on double digit addition by my ever-so talented friend, Lindsey!  Love it!!!  BTW, I am over the moon that she bought my Bright Polka Classroom Library Labels!!!!
Last year, my school did the big switch to Common Core Math and this year we are focusing on literacy. I already have Anna and Deanna‘s Common Core packets and I thought this would go well.   So, I snagged this packet by Rachelle,  the only person I allow to make fun of me publicly for my love of cats!  Love Ya, Rachelle!!! 
So now you see that my shopping problem knows no boundaries!  Now, who wants to help me find a large classroom Book Nook carpet in black or bright colors?  You know I have to match!
Don’t forget to link up over at Blog Hoppin’!!!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. I love how you have organized your shoes! So clever:) I am not sure if it's large enough for the area you are looking for but Big Lots has a beautiful colorful chevron rug. I know a lot of different people have posted pictures of it on their blogs! I bought one for my classroom and am in love. For $19 it's a great deal!

  5. I think you have your 100's collection covered!! I dont have that many shoes, but I have a girl friend and her young daughter might ea have 100 shoes!! Awesome!! I too love that they are organized–

    I love seeing what others bought!! I totally went crazy!! I LOVE TPT! And I LOVE supporting other teachers!!

    Thanks for sharing!!
    Sarah
    shetrick@gmail.com

  7. Hey, thanks for stopping by my blog! When I got the email I had a brief moment of that feeling you''d get at a celebrity sighting. 🙂

    I completely support your shoe loving lifestyle choice. I looove that you have pictures on the front of the boxes. I don't have nearly as many shoes as you do but I sometimes forget which ones I have because of my shoe storage.

    Those labs are adorable. I fear if I fostered puppies I'd end up adopting them..all of them…But you're doing a great thing for them. Kudos!

    Brenda
    You Might Be a First Grader…

  9. I have been following you for a very long time now (I've lost track). I even have your Scholastic book of graphic organizers. You are fantastic! Since I have been following so many blogs for so long, I've decided to start my own. Would you please check it out? Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. I am still trying to figure out all of the gadgets and stuff 🙂
    http://proudtobea1stgradeteacher.blogspot.com/

  10. I am so glad to see I am not the only person with a closet dedicated just to SHOES!! How awesome that your fostering the puppies too- they are adorable!! Hopefully, they find forever homes shortly! Hope your enjoying the end of summer!! September 4th seems like it is just around the bend!

    🙂 Erin

  11. This is too funny!! I love everything about this post – the shoes, the puppies, and all the fun purchases.

    P.S. Do you really buy the same pair of shoes twice??!!

    • Awe, thanks Natalie!! I do buy a shoe that I like in multiple colors on purpose. I have bought three different pairs of black ballet slippers because I forgot I had a plain pair. So I am giving one pair away…hehe!

  13. I'm glad someone else has a love of buying shoes like I do. 🙂 My husband was amazed at how many shoe tubs I brought when I moved in with him after our wedding. I just said, "you want me to look cute, right? Then find a place for the shoes, because the shoes make the outfit!" hehe. 🙂

    I would LOVE to organize my shoes in those individual tubs with pictures on the outside like you did! I'm afraid my husband might have a conniption about the amount of money it would take to buy boxes for each of my 100+ pairs of shoes. :-/ So for now, I'll just admire YOUR closet from afar. 🙂

    ~Mrs. K. from The Teacher Garden Blog

  14. Wow, Erica! The next time my husband says I have too many pairs of shoes, I'm going to show him this picture, lol! You may have just given me an idea about what to do with the guest room closet though! Hehehe…more room for more shoes! Ha! =)

    ~Tanya
    Mrs. Dwyer’s A+ Firsties

  15. Hello…. Do you ever do product review's or give-aways to your readers? If so, I have some fantastic products for you to see that I think you and your readers would love!

    Denise
    Boost Promotions
    Home of the BRAG TAGS

  17. I love how you love animals sooo much! My house has many adopted pets, and it too, feels like a farm sometimes. We have (between my sister and I) 3 cats and 3 dogs. Our room mate upstairs has 2 rats. Animals are soo precious. Thank you for fostering those puppies! I could never give them up once I had them 🙂