Liebster Award Nomination

I am so excited! Michelle, over at Miss, Hey Miss!, nominated my blog for the Liebster Award!

I had never heard of this particular award before, so I did a little Googling. Liebster is German, and it means "sweetest, kindest, dearest, nicest, beloved, lovely, pleasant."

The rules for the award are as follows:

1. 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 by commenting on their blog or sending them an email to communicate the nomination.
I was nominated for the Liebster by Michelle at Miss, Hey Miss! (Thanks, Michelle!!!)

Now, for Michelle's questions for me:

1. What grade/subject do you teach?

I have been teaching first grade for the past four years, but in my twelve years in education, I have   taught Pre-K (1 year), Kindergarten (3 years), first grade (5 years), and third grade (3 years).

2. What is your favorite school supply?

Yikes. That's a tough one. I am obsessed with school supplies. I guess I'd have to say that nothing makes me happier than an unopened box of Crayola markers (I love them all). I use them to write cute little notes and "starley" faces (that's a star with a smiley face) on my firsties' papers. In fact, I have a row of cups, filled with markers, on the podium at the front of my classroom. 

3. Why did you decide to blog?

My teaching BFF, SpurDog, is the one who encouraged me to try blogging. We both got hooked on blog stalking teaching blogs last summer (around the same time that we both discovered TPT...our lives haven't been the same since), but she was the one who motivated me to start my own blog. It's an amazing way to get connected with other teachers around the country (and world!), and it also allows me to stay in touch with friends and family members who live in other states.

4. How do you decide on blog topics?

There is absolutely no method to my madness (although, I am a huge sucker for a linky party, and I can't resist linking up!). Often, I blog about the silly or incredible things that my own kiddos do and say (especially during the summer when I am lucky enough to be with them every day). I'm also inspired by what my firsties are doing in my classroom. They always surprise me with their knowledge and insight, and they remind me every day why I teach.

5. If you could go back and share one piece of advice with yourself before you began teaching, what would it be?

Simple: RELAX. Most people who become teachers enter the profession because they are natural teachers and they have an innate ability to interact with children. Just go in each day and do what you are meant to do.

6. Describe your family.

My family is amazing. I could talk about them all day (but I'll try to be brief!). I was lucky enough to meet my husband, KShaf, at work almost twelve years ago (he was hired as our school manager, and I was hired to teach Pre-K). We still work in the same county, but we are in different schools (makes life much easier, quite honestly!). We've been married for almost 8 years, and even through the ups and downs of marriage and the craziness of having kids, I can honestly say that he is my very favorite person. He also has a wicked sense of humor and a dry wit that only the people closest to him get to see, and he keeps me laughing all the time. It doesn't hurt that he is incredibly kind, calm, patient, and without a doubt, the best father two kiddos could ever ask for. Speaking of kiddos, we have two: Princess A is five and Deedle is four. They are 16 months apart, and they are the funniest kids ever. Princess A is about to start Kindergarten at the school where I teach; I can't wait to have her with me all day! She has an enormous heart, and she loves animals of every shape and size. She wants to be three things when she grows up: "an artist, a waitress, and a person who trains horses so little kids can ride them." Deedle is getting ready to enter Pre-K. He has a smile that melts my heart, and he is a chatterbox (which is especially awesome because he started speech therapy a year and a half ago, and he has made huge progress!). KShaf's family lives in northwestern Pennsylvania, and we travel to see them as often as we can. They are absolutely lovely people, and I am blessed to be part of their family. My family lives about 45 minutes north of us, and we get together with them regularly for steamed crabs and trips to the beach. All in all, I'm pretty doggone lucky!

7. What/where is your dream vacation?

I'm content to go anywhere with sand and warm water. 

8. What food do you eat most often?

I love food. I like to cook for my family, but I won't turn down a meal in a restaurant, either. I probably eat Laughing Cow cheese more than anything else these days (with pretzels, crackers, veggies...yum!).

9. What is your favorite social media site?

I just got hooked on Facebook a few months ago (I was late to the game, I know), and I am completely addicted.

10. If you had all the money and all the time in the world, what would you do?

Hm...that's a tough one. I'd probably pack up the family and head somewhere warm, sunny, and beachy for awhile. Before that, though, I'd build my husband a garage and have a pool put in.

Ok. I wonder if I can actually think of eleven random facts about myself? 

1. Even though I have my Master's in ECED, I didn't go to college to be a teacher. My undergrad degree is in Drama with a minor in Music. 

2. Speaking of music, I was obsessed with the musical, "Evita," when I was little. I have no idea why. I'm pretty sure that I still know all the words to every song.

3. I attended Quaker school from grades 4-12.

4. I can touch the tip of my nose with my tongue. Oh, and I can hang a spoon on the end of my nose, too!

5. My parents have been married for a zillion years, and they are still sickeningly in love with one another.

6. I have a Border Collie, and since we don't have sheep for him to herd, he herds my children.

7. My friends and colleagues tease me that I have OCD, but really, I just like everything to match. Is that a crime?

8. My left knee spontaneously dislocates from time to time. It's gross. Running has helped a lot, but my knee cap still slides out of place sometimes.

9. For the first year of our relationship, my husband and I lived in a one room apartment. Cozy.

10. I am 35 years old, but I still feel like I'm 23. Everyone around me is aging, but I'm not.

11. When my husband and I got married, the skirt of my wedding dress (it was a two-piece dress) had an elastic waist band, and I ate like a trucker at our reception. I highly recommend wedding dresses with elastic waist bands to all future brides.

Now I have to think of 11 questions for my nominees. Eek!

1. What grade do you teach and how long have you been teaching?

2. What is the best thing about where you live?

3. What is the last book that you read and what are your thoughts about it?

4. What technology can you not live without?

5. What is your favorite healthy treat to eat? How about your favorite guilty pleasure?

6. What is your classroom theme this year?

7. Do you have any pets? What kind? What are their names?

8. What is your favorite thing about teaching?

9. Do you have any special talents?

10. Where did you go on your last vacation?

11. If you could choose any career (other than education), what would it be?

My nominees for the Liebster Award are:

1. Caitlin from Always Sunny in a Windowless Classroom (and my teaching BFF!)

2. Karen from Adventures With Firsties

3. Christy from Crayons and Whimsy
4. LaSchu from Enchanting Elementary
5. Victoria and Tricia from 2 Super Teachers

Thanks again, Michelle, for the nomination!

It is 95 degrees here in Maryland, with a heat index of 105 (!!!!). Sounds like a great day to take two cagey kids to the movies to see "Despicable Me 2!"

Don't forget to check out my Facebook page! I posted a Fan Freebie last week that you might enjoy.