Liebster Award

Hello Ya'll!

Today, after work I wanted nothing more than to crawl right into my jammies and curl up in the warm blankets! It is in the 40s and we are in Houston, people! Don't get me wrong. I know what cold is. After all, I grew up in South Dakota for the majority of my life! 40s for Houston is super cold! Time to break out the hot cocoa and be lazy:)

I was thrilled when I was notified that Molly from XOXOKindergarten had nominated me for the Liebster Award! It means a lot to me to be noticed in any way. I started this little blog at the end of June and I have had so much fun meeting and getting to know other bloggers! This is another great way to meet great bloggers!

The Liebster Award is is awarded to new bloggers with less than 200 followers. This is a great way to recognize other bloggers with excellent ideas but have yet to be noticed! As a part of the Liebster Award, you get a chance to know me a little better by reading a little about me in 11 short questions I get to respond to! After that, I nominate 11 other blogs that I admire and love! Let's get started:)

1.) Why and how long ago did you start blogging?

I started blogging at the end of June this past summer. I had just finished my first year of teaching and loved looking at other teacher's great ideas. I decided to become a part go the blogging and TpT world and have had an absolute blast!

2. ) What one word sums up the heart of your blog and why?
Sponge. As teachers, we all have those children in our classrooms that seem to be an absolute sponge, soaking up all of the information they can get. That's the way I currently feel. I read so many blog posts and take in everything I can to add to my blog and teaching skills! Thank you for all of the ideas:)

3.) Is there something you learned late in your blog journey you wished you knew before?
Honestly, everything is still so new to me. One thing that I wish I would have started right away if I knew how to do them would be to link up to linky parties! They are so cute and fun and a great way to find other bloggers! Like I mentioned before, I've only been at this about 5 months so I am definitely still learning the ropes!

4. )What is your favorite past time other than blogging?
Other than blogging, I love to create things for TpT. I think I go through stages in which I am addicted and cannot stop. I also love to shop for new outfits (what girl doesn't!?) There is something so gratifying about finding a great deal! I love making crafts inspired by Pinterest. Lastly, I am very into any and all things organic and natural. I love to watch tutorials on how to make natural cleaners, cleansers, makeup, and love home remedies!

5. )How many hours per week do you dedicate to your blog?
I will admit, definitely not near as much time! Hopefully with the holidays coming up and having some time off school, I can get caught up! I have some photos I need to add into a post, however, it is hard to find extra spare time. Can I get an AMEN!? Right now, I probably spend only an hour a week on the blog. My goal is to spend about 3 hours a week to read great blog posts and to update you on what is going on in my first grade classroom!

6.) What category of blog posts do you enjoy the most?
My favorite category of blog posts would definitely be classroom implementation posts! I love seeing how others teach certain topics, how they organize their classrooms, and how to implement certain topics into the classroom. I also love to read home decorating blogs!

7. )Where does your blog inspiration come from?
Honestly, the first blog I ever looked at in my tons and tons of research about how to do all of this was The First Grade Parade. I was looking for other first grade bloggers, and low and behold, she has it in her blog name! As I continued to "blog-stalk" her the more I looked up to her. I know I must sound crazy because I have never met her, but I love her long, detailed posts and she relates well to her readers. I would love to one day be like her! It is hard not to compare my chapter 1 to her chapter 20 in the blogging world.

8.) Which post that you've written are you most proud of?
The blog post that I am most proud of is my classroom reveal 2014 post. As a second year teacher, I have learned and grown SO MUCH. You all don't know, but if you could see how much my classroom has changed since last year because I learned what NOT to do. I had a lot of positive buzz about that post and it made me feel great to be able to inspire others the way that I am inspired on a daily basis from all of you!

9.) Is there any post you have been planning to do, but have postponing it for a while now?
Oh boy. If you only knew! You should see all of my lists! I have a list of blog posts I would like to do about implementing guided reading groups, centers, and tons of other stuff. I also have a list of more than 50 TpT products waiting to be made! So many things…so little time!

10. ) What is your favorite aspect of blogging?
My favorite aspect of blogging would definitely be connecting with so many others with common interests. This network of people understand you more than some of your best friends because they do the exact same thing. I wish reading blog posts could count as a professional development! Sometimes I feel like I get more out of them!

11. Which recipe, project, or idea on my blog would you most likely to try yourself?
Molly fro XOXOKindergarten has a great activity called Sight Word Turkey Craft! I have some very low low babies in my class that would definitely love to do this! :)

Here are my nominees for the Liebster Award:

1.) Missing Tooth Grins

2.) A is for Apples

3.) Mrs Krishna's Little Owls

4.) Teaching in a Nutshell

5.) An Adventure in Literacy

6.) The Techie Teacher

7.) 4th Grade Funky Town

8.) Mrs. Thomas's Class

9.) Once Upon a Classroom

10.) Rocky Mountain Kinders

11.) Confessions of a Tiny Teacher

To those nominated, here are the rules:1. In your post, link back to the blogger who nominated you as a thank you and "shout out."2. Answer the 11 questions given to you (the ones I answered above).3. Nominate 11 blogs of your choice that each have less than 200 followers. Provide them with 11 questions to answer or have them answer the questions above.4. Let your nominees know that they've been nominated and provide them with a link to your post so that they can accept.5. Send your nominator a link to your post so that s/he can learn more about you as well! (You can just put your post link in the comments below!)