A is for Apples

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Florida Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Sunshine State! Enjoy yourself as you take a tour around our wonderful {and large!} state! Grab some freebies along the way, and be sure to enter to win our Bundles of Sunshine!


I am a true Florida girl, a Florida native, and I’ve never lived anywhere else! I’ve lived in 3 different Florida cities. I grew up in South Florida (Coral Springs area), went to college and stayed awhile in Gainesville, and now I’m in the Tampa area.



I know it’s kind of odd, but I’m actually not a huge beach person even though I’ve lived near the coast for most of my life. However, if you ever find yourself in the Tampa area, the beach is a must! Since the beaches on this side of the state are the Gulf, the water is very calm. Many of the beaches over here even have soft, powdery sand to sink your toes into. Just a tip, being that Florida is brutally sunny and hot year round, bring a chair and umbrella so you don’t melt!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               This picture is actually from 2 weeks ago at Indian Rocks Beach where my hubby and I spent our anniversary weekend! Gorgeous views and great sunsets!

I.love.to.eat!! Whenever we’re on a trip I’m the person to look up restaurants, read reviews, and find the best places to eat. I’ll save you some time for your trip to Tampa (because you know you want to come!) and tell you some of my favorite Tampa restaurants!

Datz is a super unique restaurant. Lots of sandwiches, comfort food, and these deliciously, amazing homemade chips with a creamy blue cheese drizzle… so good!!


 My husband and I stumbled upon Green Lemon by mistake before we had even moved to town. It is now our go to restaurant when we are in the South Tampa area. It’s Mexican-style food but in a lighter (healthier?) way.


Apparently I’m really loving the Mexican food restaurants around Tampa because Taco Son is another one of my favorites! It’s quick and fresh, no greasy and heavy food from here!

After dinner you’ll need dessert and other than yogurt shops (which I love) Cupcake Cache is my favorite! I’ve tried almost every one of their chocolate-based cupcakes and of course, I love them all! They have tons of different flavors and combinations, and oh, did I mention they are stuffed with yummy goodness on the inside?!
YUM-O!!!

I can’t reach out and give you any free samples of this yummy food through my blog, but this weekend you can stop by each of our blogs for an activity or idea to use in your classroom. We also have freebies for you to enjoy! To grab my freebie just click on the image below.

Grab these vowel pages from my newest pack and read more about it below!

{Click on the image}

This weekend I have 2 products on sale for you!

My brand new, no prep, print and go pack is on sale! The Alphabet Search & Color pack includes activities for each letter of the alphabet to help students differentiate between all the letters, uppercase and lowercase letters, and practice reading color words. It’s great for introducing the ABCs to new Kinder kiddos or reviewing with 1st graders! It’ll be 40% this weekend only!!



This Apple Numbers Matching & Sorting Game is a new addition to my store this summer. You can enter to win it in the giveaway below or grab it on sale this weekend for 40% off!

The Florida teachers below have two fantastic giveaways for you! You can enter once from each one of our pages. All you have to do is follow my blog! Hop around to all the blogs listed below, and be sure to follow them to get more entries. The more entries you have, the more likely you are to win! Each pack also includes a Starbucks gift card (because, well, a teacher’s gotta have coffee!).
a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Come find out more about the beautiful state of Florida by reading about these other sweet teachers!

An InLinkz Link-up

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Filed Under: blog hop, bloggers, florida, freebie, giveaway, sunshine state, Uncategorized 28 Comments

Comments

  1. β™₯ Owl in a Vowel Tree β™₯ says

    July 25, 2014 at 4:08 am

    Woot Woot! Go Gators! Love the little Gator logo you put on the map, too cute!!! πŸ™‚ I LOVE Mexican food…those places sound delish!!

    Reply
    • Elyse says

      July 25, 2014 at 11:52 am

      Of course I had to include my Gators somehow! Come visit anytime, I love to eat!! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  2. Creativity to the Core says

    July 25, 2014 at 11:22 am

    I love how you included restaurants! Great idea. And of course your Gator sign! lol. I can't wait to see your Gator-ized FL standards! πŸ™‚

    Meredith
    Creativity to the Core

    Reply
    • Elyse says

      July 25, 2014 at 11:53 am

      Well I love to eat so those are the places to see in Tampa, ha!! Can't wait to use my awesome orange and blue FL standards!!! You rock!!

      Reply
  3. Susan Kelleher says

    July 25, 2014 at 1:22 pm

    The cupcake cache looks like my kind of place! We have family in Tampa, so we are going to have to try out all of your restaurant suggestions!

    Susan
    PassioninPortableland

    Reply
    • Elyse says

      July 25, 2014 at 1:52 pm

      That's awesome Susan!! You won't be disappointed! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  4. Bridget Hilinski says

    July 25, 2014 at 5:01 pm

    Love your post! My boyfriend's company opens a seasonal store in the Tampa International mall so I spend a lot of time over there in the winter. DATZ is the best. food. ever.

    They aren't sure if they are going to do it this winter or not, but I will miss DATZ if they do!

    Bridget
    Hardcore Teacher Resources

    Reply
    • Elyse says

      July 25, 2014 at 5:26 pm

      So glad you agree with my Datz obsession!!! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  5. Mrs. McHaffie says

    July 25, 2014 at 5:23 pm

    I would drive 4 hours {one way} daily for some Datz!!! YUM!!! πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Elyse says

      July 25, 2014 at 5:27 pm

      HA!! Do it!! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  6. Β  says

    July 25, 2014 at 6:20 pm

    Just found your blog through the Florida Blog Hop. I am also from South Florida. I live just south of where you grew up in Coral Springs. I currently live in Tamarac. Such a small world. I can't wait to check out your blog.

    Cara
    The Teacher's Backpack

    Reply
    • Elyse says

      July 25, 2014 at 6:29 pm

      Awesome Cara!! I know Tamarac well. Thanks for stopping by!! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  7. Alison Rose says

    July 25, 2014 at 6:27 pm

    You had me at blue cheese drizzle!!! You sound like me living in different parts of Florida. I was raised in Naples. Went to college in Lakeland and now live in Panama City Beach. I have family in Tampa, Orlando, Frostproof, Bartow, Naples, Tallahassee and Quincy. We are all spread out!
    Alison
    Rockin' and Lovin' Learnin'

    Reply
    • Elyse says

      July 25, 2014 at 6:30 pm

      You let me know when you're in Tampa visiting family because there's a plate of homemade Datz chips with our name on it!! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  8. Kelly Smith says

    July 25, 2014 at 6:44 pm

    I am seriously ready to come and eat my way through Tampa!! The chips look so yummy!! Also what a great giveaway from all of you ladies! I LOVE your vowel pages from your alphabet pack too. Thank you!!

    Kelly
    Sweet Sounds of Kindergarten

    Reply
    • Elyse says

      July 25, 2014 at 6:53 pm

      You are welcome to visit anytime Kelly!! Just bring an extra stomach with you! πŸ˜‰

      Reply
  9. summer purcell says

    July 25, 2014 at 8:19 pm

    The restaurants sounds delish!!!

    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  10. Mandy Lopez says

    July 25, 2014 at 8:31 pm

    Oh Elyse, I think we have a lot in common! I'm not a huge beach person either, even though I live near Destin. I much prefer cooler, fall-like weather. I was just thinking this morning of how lovely wearing boots and a scarf would be today.. and then I stepped outside and it was a bazillion degrees. Then there's the food.. and cupcakes.. I certainly hope you're coming to Sea World so we can meet! πŸ™‚

    Mandy
    The 4th Grade Journey

    Reply
    • Elyse says

      July 26, 2014 at 1:06 am

      It's hotter than blazes out there!!!! I love hearing that we have so much in common! I'll be at Sea World…we can go find some cupcakes! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  11. Amy Labrasciano says

    July 25, 2014 at 11:45 pm

    Woot woot, another Gator Girl!!!! We are going to have to go to some of the restaurants you suggested. Is it strange that I live here and haven't heard of them?

    Reply
    • Elyse says

      July 26, 2014 at 1:08 am

      They really are some random restaurants!! I'm always up for some good food so you just say when! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  12. Melissa says

    July 26, 2014 at 12:02 am

    I'm also a native Floridian and actually lived in Tampa briefly! I attended USF for about 5 months and then moved back home, not because I didn't like Tampa… although coming from Miami it was kinda weird to see clubs closing around 1 am when South Beach clubs were open way past that. Unfortunately, I never got a chance to visit the beach while there.
    :0) Melissa
    More Time 2 Teach

    Reply
  13. Kristen Lankford says

    July 26, 2014 at 2:27 am

    I love Datz! MMMMM! You nailed it on all the delicous food options Tampa has to offer!!

    Kristen
    Loving Teaching Inspiring

    Reply
    • Elyse says

      July 28, 2014 at 1:13 am

      Thanks Kristen!! Anytime you're craving Datz you just let me know! πŸ˜‰

      Reply
  14. Miss Nelson says

    July 26, 2014 at 3:34 am

    Florida is the best state. I love Tampa and will have to check out those yummy places.

    Reply
  15. Sebrina Burke says

    July 26, 2014 at 4:16 am

    I grew up in Tampa, so it was fun to read your post. Those cupcakes look delish!
    Burke's Special Kids

    Reply
  16. Mary Hall says

    July 28, 2014 at 12:23 am

    Go GATORS!! Proud to be a UF Edugator! πŸ™‚
    I also share your love of Datz…one of the best places to eat in Tampa hands down! We always take any out of town guests there and get them hooked too! πŸ˜‰ I can't wait to try out Roux!
    So glad that I found your blog through this blog hop. Enjoy the last few weeks of summer!

    Reply
  17. Miss 27 says

    July 28, 2014 at 1:23 am

    Florida has some fantastic restaurants. You would think that with all the people trying to keep a beach body there wouldn't be such temptation!

    Reply

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A is for Apples

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A is for Apples
MEET THE TEACHER πŸŽπŸγ€‹http://bit.ly/meetteacherinvitationsWe always sent letters or postcards to our incoming students, so a few years ago I created this cute poem letter!You have the option to type in the date and time of your meet and greet OR print it and write it in.You also have the option of color or black & white, full page or half sheet.PreK through 2nd grade are included. ... See MoreSee Less

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A is for Apples

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A is for Apples
Two of my absolute FAVORITE back to school resources!! βŒšοΈβ˜† Alphabet Watchesβ˜† Number Watchesβ€’ Letter and number recognitionβ€’ Beginning sounds and countingβ€’ Fine motor and cuttingWhich one do you think your students would love more??Leave an πŸ”  or πŸ”’ if you want the links! ... See MoreSee Less

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A is for Apples

11 months ago

A is for Apples
One of my absolute favorite resources is this parts of a plant notebook activity! 🌱I always brought in the food items for my students to build all of the plant parts and then taste each part. Then they would match up and label the parts of a plant and draw/write the food for each part.Have you tried doing this with your students??bit.ly/plantsnotebook ... See MoreSee Less

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A is for Apples

1 years ago

A is for Apples
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A is for Apples

1 years ago

A is for Apples
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