I've been Nominated…5x Yowza!

It's a great feeling when you have been nominated for an award…but even better when you have been nominated FIVE times for the same award.  How sweet it is to be recognized not only by one fellow blogger but by 5 fellow bloggers for the Liebster Award.  WOW!!! But, before I begin first I'd like to give a big thank you to 

Bren over at 

and

The Realistic Teacher

Stephanie Ann at 

Amy at

and

Karen at

for nominating me.  So here goes…

Rules to follow:

1. You must post 11 random things about yourself.

2. Answer the questions that the nominator set for you.

3. Create 11 questions for the people you nominate.

4. Choose 11 other blogs with fewer than 200 followers to nominate and link them in your post.

5. You cannot “tag back” the other blog, but leave a comment on this post with the URL of your Liebster post so I can learn more about you & see who you nominate.

My 11 Random things about me:

1.  I {heart} cooking shows.

2.  I always wanted to take a week long trip on a train and travel through Europe.

3.  I cheat at Monopoly EVERY time I play.

4.  I cry like a baby when I watch Despicable Me.

5.  I enter Publisher Clearing House Sweepstakes every year…still never won.

6.  I'm really good at procrastinating…stellar actually! :)

7.  I hold grudges for years…I finally just got over one from college and I friended her on fb. 

     I thought 22 years was long enough.

8.  I live dangerously by eating raw cookie dough.

9.  I love spending a day at the races…I keep spending $ in one pocket and winning $ in another pocket.

10.  I love high heels but rarely wear them.

11.  I'm able to crank out a dozen chocolate chip cookies in nothing flat.

Bren's questions:
1. What lead you to decide you wanted to be an educator?
Long story but I met someone in college…his entire family were educators…that's when I changed majors and never looked back.
2. What is your all time favorite book? (Children's books don't count! lol)
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
3. What is your current ringtone?
I am a Rock
4. How did you come up with your blog name?
It just kind of happened. I was trying to think of something that clever and then the lightbulb went off…and voila!
5. If you could time travel to any place or time, where would you go?
I have absolutely no idea.
6. You have the chance to appear on your favorite show, currently on air or past, what show would I see you on?
Criminal Minds…I'd be Derek's (Shemar's) "baby girl" Penelope :)
7. What is your favorite childhood memory?
Hanging out with my brother ordering room service at the Fairmont Hotel while my parents went out to dinner. We didn't know it was $$. :)
8. Who is your celebrity crush?
Shemar Moore & Daniel Craig
9. If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, which would it be?
Do they Know it's Christmas
10. Where do you live?
Southern California
11. I'm hoping to get a full-time teaching job soon, got any advice?
Never give up…everything will fall into place…have faith.

The Realistic Teacher's questions:

1. What is your favorite smell?
That smell that only a fresh Christmas tree can give at during the holidays.
2. If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy?
A vacation home in Maui with a never ending supply of airline tickets to get there.
3. Do you have and what is your end of the day routine? At school & at home?
At school…leave after I clean my desk for the next day.
At home…brush my teeth and crawl into bed to flip channels.
4. What is your favorite TV show?
Criminal Minds…Love my Shemar Moore!
5. Do you have pets?
Two labs…Bruin & Harley
6. When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried?
Probably just the other week at dinner…that's when those things tend to happen.
7. What is your favorite book to read to your students?
Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock, I never get tired of seeing the kids when they discover Little Bush Deer hiding in the pictures.
8. Why did you start blogging?
I decided to start blogging after I was inspired by so many other incredible bloggers.
9. What is your favorite type of weather?
If I'm inside for the day…a cold rainy day.
If I'm out for the day…light sweat weather.
10. Are you a “list maker”?
Nope…but I'm sure it would help.
11. Do you workout, go to the gym, or exercise in general?
I started running last May and I enjoy like well, …I go to the gym every now and then.

Stephanie Ann's questions:
1. How long have you been teaching and what grades have you taught?

21+ yrs…k,1,2,2/3,3,4,5,7, & 8 Whew!
2. What do you usually do on a Friday or Saturday night?

I love staying home just relaxing.
3. What do you like the most about the school that you teach at? 

Our staff is small and everyone gets along…and I like the kids too. :)
4. What do you like best about being a teacher?

Seeing their brains go to work. I love it when I see their "ahh ha" moments.
5. If you hadn't become a teacher, what would you have been and why? 

Most likely a pre-natal nurse.
6. What is your best teaching memory? 

"Den Dooper" He was on of my kinders way back when I started…He wanted to be a firefighter. He wore his"firefighter" uniform to school each day…I let him hang up his coat and change his boots. He wrote me a letter not to long ago saying thank you for letting him be a fireman. :)
7. What is your worst teaching memory? 

My first year of teaching with two students: Pablo & Pierro! That was a doozy of a year.
8. Who or what is your inspiration for being a good teacher? 

Mr. Warner…SO happy he keeps in touch with so many of us through Facebook.
9. Chocolate or fruity? 

Chocolate.
10. In the spirit of cyber Monday, what is your favorite store to shop online? 

I really can't decide…
11. What blog was your biggest inspiration when you decided to start your blog and why? Kindergarten Crayons…A Teeny Tiny Teacher. Both because I loved what they both had to say…ideas and humor.

Amy's questions:
What is your favorite season and why?

Winter…I love sweater and Ugg weather.
If you hit the lottery, what would you do and why?

Vacation home in Maui and a lifetime membership to Lynda.com
How long have you been teaching and what grades have you taught?

21+ yrs.  Every grade K-8 except 6th.
What do you want for Christmas?

A really pretty purse.
Do you believe in fate?

I absolutely believe in fate & destiny.
Why did you choose teaching as your profession?

A boyfriend in college entire family were teachers…destiny.
Do you like the new evaluation process?

Not sure...
What do you like the most about the school you teach at?

My staff and the kiddos.
What is your favorite subject to teach?

I love teaching writing with Kindergarteners.
Tables or desk? Which would you rather have in your classroom?

I have big round tables…my teammate has large square tables…I WANT hers!
What is the most memorable moment in your life so far?

Far too many to choose from to pick just one.

Karen's questions:

1. Sweet or salty?

Salty
2. Beach or mountain house?

Beach
3. What is your favorite season? Why?

Winter…Sweater and Ugg weather.
4. What kinds of things do you collect?

Dusty bunnies…lol.
5. Coffee or tea? Hot or cold?

Skinny Vanilla Latte hot…2 pumps classic passion tea cold.
6. What would your ideal vacation be?

Fiji
7. What's the most recent book you have read?

50 Shades…all three :)
8. Target or Walmart?

Target
9. Funniest thing that ever happened in your class?

The time when the hermit crab grabbed hold of me and pinched me for a LONG LONG time…I had to calmly say to one of my students to go get help as tried to maintain calm in the class.  After the little bugger let go I just started laughing and so did the kiddos.
10. Early riser or like to sleep in?

M-F early riser…S/S…a little later riser.
11. Favorite sweet to make during the Christmas holidays?

Cookies

Here's my 11 questions for my nominees:

1.  Favorite food item to bring to a potluck?

2.  What are your three most played songs on your iTunes?

3.  Do you prefer a Real book or an electronic reader?

4.  Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall?

5.  Favorite animals to see at the zoo?

6.  Favorite James Bond movie?

7.  Breakfast cereal of choice?

8.  To iron or not to iron?

9.  How many things are in your TpT wish list?

10. Guilty snack you eat while at the movie theater?

11. Mac or PC?

Here are my nominees:

1.  Krazy About Kindy
2.  Owl Righty Then
3.  Mrs. Pauley's Kindergaten

4.  The Juggling Teacher
5.  Watters' Wharf
6.  The Happy Teacher
7.  Closing the Gap…In a cute outfit
8.  First Grade Frenzy
9.  Once Upon a Time in 2nd & 3rd Grade
10.  Yay Third Grade
11.  Groovy in 3rd

UnStuff your Wallet Linky…Cha Ching

Hi Everyone, I hope you are recovering well from your Turkey day comas and from your shopping.  Personally speaking, the only shopping I'm doing is online and from my TpT wish list and from my favorite clip art shops.  

Shuna at A Pocket Full of Kinders is having a linky party {CLICK} and what better way to get a peek into what we all are stuffing in our carts.  Jump on over to her blog and join the party.  But for now, here's a look into my top three things…oh boy, I can't wait. 

Here's my first grab of the day come Monday…I just adore anything Gingerbread.  Jennifer over at Herding Kats in Kindergarten has this fantastic unit.  I know the kids will have so much fun learning with this…well me too!  Here's the link {HERE}

Next up is...

Deanna Jump's Reindeer Unit…Who can resist this during the month of December?  Not me!  It's in the cart.  Click {HERE} to add it to your cart too.

And finally last up is... 

Mel D's Seusstastic Classroom Inspirations Elf creation.  OMWord…I'm already planning on what to do each day…I can hardly wait to start this Tuesday! I'm already picturing their faces.

{HERE} is the link for her ADORABLE Elf unit

Have fun hitting the "check out" button come Monday…and Tuesday.  

Stuffed with thankful thoughts linky party...

Want to have some fun tonight?  Then hop on over to Lyndsey blog A Year of Many Firsts for her stuffed with thankful thoughts linky party.   

{Here's the linky link}

1
I am incredibly thankful for these beauties each and every day for moments
 like this...

and this!

2
I am thankful for the blogging world that I stumbled upon last year that dazzled up my love for teaching again.  The very first blog I ever discovered was Fran's Kindergarten Crayons.  I'm even more thankful for being lucky enough to sit next to Fran at lunch for our SoCal not to long ago. 

3
I'm thankful for Spicy Tuna Rice Crispies…YUM! I'd eat them daily if I could.

4
I'm thankful for these two ladies who are forever my besties.  I find strength in their words and encouragement in their smiles.

5

I'm thankful for these wacky and lovable creatures named "The Bru" & Har Har…Love them to pieces.

6

…and I most thankful for my incredible parents who are continually there to guide and support me through thick and thin. {I'd upload a picture of them but my mom would be on the phone in two seconds…but oh well sometimes you have to live dangerously and I love this pic of them so I'm uploading it anyways.}  Shhh…don't tell her.

Now it's your turn…time to get a little linky.

Happy Stuffed with Thankful Thoughts...

Thanksgiving & A Pilgrim Story

 The month of November is my most fave of faves.  I just don't really know if it because we have so many days off? Or if it's the feeling in the air and being thankful but whatever it is…

I LOVE IT!!! 

How about you…are you in full swing Thanksgiving mode?  I am…or at least my students and I are.  We've been having learning about Pilgrims, Indians, turkeys, cornucopias, corn, fish, The First Thanksgiving, you name it and we've been learning about it. And…we still have next week too (Monday & Tuesday) that is.

How do you all celebrate?  My girls and I are for fortunate that my family lives all but five minutes from one another and my brother hosts Thanksgiving. YAY!! But what excites me the most every year is that my dad always cooks a turkey with all the fix-ins' just for for leftovers and delivers it Thanksgiving day.  Double Yay!! Bring on turkey leftovers.

So for those of you who have 2 or 3 days left of school…I've posted a new quick and simple Thanksgiving book called Pilgrim, Pilgrim - A Thanksgiving Story in my store.  I've included a color and b&w version so your students will have a booklet to read to their families at Thanksgiving.  Here is a quick sample.  You can find it in my store by clicking
{HERE}

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours !!

Gobble Gobble

Election Fun

Just thought I'd share a little of the fun we had today in class.  We spent the last several days reading storybooks about becoming President, learning how to cast a vote, practicing voting by deciding which is better Cats vs. Dogs (DOGS!) and then today before lunch, we held our own classroom election.  The little kinderoos could hardly wait for lunch to be over because they were SO SO SO excited to know the results.  Well finally, after the bell rang (way to soon in my book) we gathered around the back cabinet and read the ballots…ohhhh the excitement!!!  Here's a few pics of our day…

Our Voting Booth

Long lines at the polls today :)

Decisions…Decisions

More decisions...

Ballot reading...

Room 14's Elections Results

I'm so proud of my Little Kinderoos…they did a great job today.  Oh, and a BIG shout out thank you to Mr. Greg over at Smedley's Smorgasboard of Kindergarten for the fabulous Election unit…we had a blast!

Report Cards, Conferences & Currently::November

First up:

Parent Conferences: My how fast the month can pass by seeing how it's already the 4th day of the new month.  Any of you in the middle of assessments and writing report cards.  I finally finished assessments last week and I just finished entering all the kiddo's grades.  Now, it's time to add the "optional" comments.  I'm curious, are you required to write comments on your report cards or do you write them as you hold your conferences?  We are pretty much required to write "optional" comments, which I really don't mind because I feel it is important to give parents a good sense of what their child is learning.  However, thinking about comments leads me to another question…How do your parent conferences work?  Do you get any days off to hold them or do you have to schedule them after a long day of teaching?  Luckily, our district gives us one day in the fall at the beginning of conference week to get as many done as possible.  This year, we have the Monday after Thanksgiving off and I'm not sure about you but I can certainly see the writing on the wall…families will take an extra long Thanksgiving break and be out of town so I'll have a ton of no-shows I'm sure.   In the spring, we don't get that extra conference day so all of ours need to be held after school.  That my bloggy friends makes for a very long week (which you know)…but that's a long way away so I'm not going to fret about it any time soon.  

Next up: 

Currently…YAY!!!  Thank you Farley at Oh Boy 4th Grade for your monthly linky.  Head on over to her blog to grab you Currently to get started.  For now, here's mine. 

   * I'm not afraid to admit that The Long Island Medium is one of my all time favorite shows.  My girls and I can sit and watch her for hours.  We are total believers!!!!  I swear…what I would do to be "read" by her.  Better start saving my funds and book the appointment, I hear the wait list is a year long and seeing how I live in Cali…this is going to take some planning.

*The Holiday season…need I say more.  This is the best time of year…if only the weather would really start feeling like fall though.

*Time Change…really, this morning was fabulous but tomorrow isn't going to be so pretty when it's time to get out of bed…waaaaaaaaaaaa

*Report Cards…grades are entered but the comments…that's another story.  

*Dinner…Tonight's dinner will be chicken with gravy followed up with stuffing and salad.  Simple yet it still requires me to actually cook.  Hmmm, can't remember the last time that happened. 

*Itunes Shuffle…it's always a guess as to what is going to pop up.  Maybe I'll throw it into the genius mode and see what happens.  I know I know that's living dangerously.  

Well, off to cook and finish laundry.  Enjoy your Sunday night and see you in a few days with a new Thanksgiving treat.