Liebster Blog Nominations and Another Fun Day on Vacation

We had a wonderful time this morning in downtown historic Charleston.  We went on a private Civil War carriage ride through town and enjoyed learning more about the history of the war from Charleston.  We also enjoyed shopping in the market and a delicious lunch before heading back to the beach.  Below is a picture of my hubby and little girl before the carriage ride today.

Last night I mentioned my nomination for the Liebster Blog Award which I am so proud to be nominated!  I always wondered how people got nominated for blog awards.  I also hoped at one point in my blogging experience to be nominated.  I never thought the day would come so soon.

The Liebster Award is given to up and coming blogs with less than 200 followers.  The Liebster Award nomination works like this: 

1. In a post about your nomination, link back to the blog that nominated you.

2. Nominate 5-11 blogs with fewer than 200 followers

3. Answer the questions posted for you by your nominator

4. Share 11 random facts about yourself

5. Create 11 questions for your nominees

6. Contact your nominees and let them know you nominated them.

That's all there is to it.  So, lets get this party started!!

My nominations for the Liebster Award are:

There are sooooo many fabulous bloggers out there and after several hours between things last night and today I'm unable to nominate anyone.  The reason I'm unable to nominate any blogs/bloggers is because I simply can't find any!  Every blog I follow either has too many followers or has been nominated at least one time!  Some blogs have been nominated three times!  If you know of a blog/blogger please let me know where I can find them and nominate them.  I'm looking forward to more upper grade bloggers to nominate ASAP!

Questions from Kris at thepoolepages.blogspot.com

1.  What is your favorite teaching memory?  

My favorite teaching memory is when my 5th graders this past year were having a polite impromptu discussion about presidents and the national debt at their seats on the last day of school.  I just listened quietly without being noticed.  It was such a proud moment for me that my students cared about government issues long after we had a formal unit on it.  

2.  How long have you been teaching, and what grades have you taught?

This will be my 5th year teaching. I've taught kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and now 5th.  This school year will be my 2nd year in 5th grade and I'm loving every minute of it!!

3.  Where are your favorite places to shop?

I love The Loft, The Limited, Old Navy, and Target for clothes!  I enjoy Pottery Barn, Pier 1, and Hobby Lobby for the home.  My favorite teaching store is Lakeshore Learning!

4.  What is your favorite movie?

My favorite movies are Down to You and Serendipity.  Both movies are romantic/love stories that remind me of different parts of my life.

5.  What's your favorite kind of cookie?

I love all cookies!  If I have to pick just one cookie I would choose a classic snickerdoodle.  My mom used to make these for my lunch every week as a kid.

6.  What's the best gift you ever received?

The best gift I've ever received is my little girl Lillian.  God was right on point with blessing us with such an awesome, kind, loving, and hilarious kiddo!  She is the best thing to ever happen to me!  I'm loving every minute of being her mom!

7.  What is hanging on your living room walls?

Family is very important to me.  On our living room walls are three large pictures.  Two of the pictures are on canvas from our newborn photo shoot.  The third picture is from our engagement photo shoot that has our wedding guest signatures on the matting.

8.  What's your favorite area in your classroom?

This is a hard question or me.  I love every part of my classroom because its where magic happens each and every day. Currently, I've been giving my classroom a little makeover.  My themes are Dr. Seuss and technology.  After I put my room back together I should have a more specific answer. :)

9.  Your classroom runs on love, laughter, and lots of _________?

Chocolate!  Every day I take a Dove moment for myself to reflect on how the day is going and how to make it better. 

10.  What would your 'perfect' Saturday look like?

My perfect Saturday looks like going to my Aquasize class (water exercise class) in the morning; family breakfast when I get home; family time doing something fun (pool, park, or Discovery Place Kids); and relaxing with a good book or craft while baby naps; ending with grilling out in the backyard enjoying the  evening as a family.

11.  What's the one thing in your classroom you can't live without?

Honestly, I don't think I could live without technology in my classroom.  I love creating tasks/centers for my students to complete/participate in using iPads, SMART board, and computers.  We are very blessed with technology at my school! :)))

11 Random Facts About Me:

1.  I used to be a Sr. Regional Training Coordinator for a major restaurant chain in several states.

2.  My undergraduate degree is in Political Science with a minor in English from the University of North Florida.

3.  I was born in Wyoming, but grew up in Oklahoma.

4.  Before becoming a teacher I was an IT recruiter for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in Washington DC.

5.  I'm the first person on both sides of my family to go to college as well as earn a Master's degree 

6.  Before finding out the gender of our baby we called her "baby Dale".

7.  I've taught at a Charter School before landing my dream teaching gig in a rural county.

8.  My graduate degree is a Master's of Arts in Teaching with a focus in Elementary Education from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.

9.  My husband and I dated for only 4 months before moving in together.

10.  I'm going to do my national boards next school year.

11.  I ran my first 10k in April at the Cooper River Bridge Run in Charleston and will run my first half marathon this January in Charleston.

My Questions For Nominees: (I borrowed some of Kris' questions because they were so good)

1.  How long have you been teaching, and what grades have you taught?

2.  Are you a beach or mountain person?

3.  Where are your favorite places to shop?

4.  What is your favorite teaching memory?  

5.  What's the best gift you ever received?

6.  Are you an Apple or PC kind of person?

7.  What is your favorite morning drink and why?

8.  What's the one thing in your classroom you can't live without?

9.  What is your favorite day of the week and why?

10.  What book are you currently reading?

11.  If you weren't a teacher what would your dream job be?