5 for Friday: Vegas Recap!

Happy 5 for Friday!

Thanks Kacey for linking us all up every week!

I'm also linking up this post with the best idea...

Thank you The Elementary Entourage!

I'm finally ready to share about #tptvegas15!

It was the BEST trip EVER!!

I hardly have any photos...the ones I'm sharing are the only pics we snapped quickly on our phones. Luckily, there are so many talented teacher-photographers out there who captured every awesome moment. Be sure to check out #tptvegas15!

Here's what I have...

I ♥ the term "Teacher-Authors" - that makes so much more sense than trying to explain blogging and what we actually do! 

See that cheery sign? That's how EVERYONE who worked hard to coordinate the event treated us. It made me feel even better about supporting Teachers Pay Teachers (and I already thought they were the bomb!). Such a class act.

I met Paul! 

He asked my name and I said:

 "Positively Learning! I mean...my name is Jennifer!" 

It was completely cringe-worthy. 

He was very cordial and acted like I was totally normal. 

#gratitude

Here's a recap of our visit!

We arrived Wednesday after a l-o-n-g 7 hours on the plane...

2 sitting in our seats waiting on a mechanical part (!!!) and 5 in the turbulent air. It was not my fave flight!

We checked in at the Palazzo, made sure I knew how to get to the conference at the Venetian (connecting hotel), and then ate lunch at Solaro by Wolfgang Puck (outside at the pool). It was awesome!

We checked out the gym, saw the sites, ate lunch overlooking the canal, and then I registered for the conference. 

We grabbed dinner at the Public House, where there was a huge group of TPT Top Sellers! It was the first day and I was still a tad awestruck (I actually stayed that way the whole trip).

The amazing Latoya Reed was standing next to me, so I GUSHED about how I use her monthly packets ALL the time. I went on and on and felt a bit silly afterwards, but she was the sweetest person!

I went to the Blogger Meet-Up, but I didn't stay too long. I had been up at 3:00 am and there were over 1000 people there! I did my quick perimeter walk and chatted with members of the LOVELY Ellison Education Team (Hi Melody, Laura, Saema, and Sandi!). 

They did an awesome Vegas write-up here!

We woke up Thursday WAY early, grabbed coffee, and headed out to walk the strip. We walked for about a hour and it was perfect weather. We have both been to Vegas many times, so we didn't feel a strong need to do much more. We wrapped up with a nice breakfast at the Venetian.

Thursday was a wonderful networking event and then three outstanding sessions. I met too many memorable teacher-bloggers to mention here, but the few that stand out for being SO friendly as I continued to gush... Kristin from The Teeny Tiny Teacher (hilarious!):

and Lawren from Teaching is a Royal Adventure

 (Wow! Incredibly talented!):


I took A LOT away from each session and my admiration for Blair Turner only grew stronger. I really didn't know The Science Penguin and Teaching with a Mountain View because we don't have the same age range for students, but they were AMAZING  and generously shared so much information! Thursday afternoon I also stopped in the Vendor Expo for the SDE Conference. WOW! I got to meet The Primary Techie and see Mr. Greg from Kindergarten Smorgasbord in action. My main focus was asking the staff at ESGI Software a few logistical questions (I just signed up for the year!). They were so helpful :) Thursday was dinner at Lavo and it was outstanding! We gambled a tiny bit and I won $33.00, then quickly lost it, and more :(

Up before dawn again. No adjusting to West Coast time, but excellent people watching at 4:30 am!

I hung out here every single morning and drank coffee overlooking the strip. LOVE the weather!

We were offered a wonderful breakfast before the Keynote Speaker. I got to catch up with Lawren again (♥) and met Lisa from Growing Firsties:

She is as nice as could be! I had three sessions on Friday, but still had time to meet up with the Mr. for lunch at the pool. By the way, he hung at the pool, Tao Beach, the fitness center, and the SPA while I was busy learning :) We had a delicious dinner at Buddy V's and then visited Table 10 for dessert.

We had a 9:00 am flight. BOO!

I tried to be mature, but I wasn't...I cried for 20 minutes at the airport! It was such a great trip and I was so sad it was over :(

I did read through ALL my notes on the 5-hour flight...I know this post was more about what I ate and who I met, than what I learned. It will take time (months) to digest it all and before we know it, Vegas 2016 will be here!

Are you going?!?

To thank you for reading this LONG blogpost/memoir, 

please go grab this freebie from my store! 

It's perfect for Back to School (it's coming)!

UPDATE: I'm linking up with one of my all-time faves

...I visit Babbling Abby's blog for my own PD!

Have a super weekend! Jen