Oh my! An Award!

Ok, so this is a sure sign I've just kept myself too, too busy during the school year!  My friend, Christy, over at Crayons and Whimsy nominated me for the Liebster Award...back in December!  Oh my! I didn't even see it until she had posted about it again yesterday.  I don't know about you, but once the school year starts I can very easily lose sight of anything beyond work and family and it certainly happened to my new blog this year. :-( Well, better late than never I say!

Ok, so there are some rules to follow when you receive the Liebster award.  They are:

*You must post 11 random things about yourself
*Answer the questions the nominator set for you
*Create 11 questions for the people you nominate
*Choose 11 blogs you love (with less than 200 followers) and link them in your post
*No tag back (but it would be great if you can me a comment on this post with the URL to your liebster post so I can learn more about you!)

Last summer I had received the Versatile Blogger award and in those rules, 7 random facts were to be posted.  So I'll start by posting a link to that award then add on 3 more random facts!

11 Random facts about me:

1.-7. Versatile Blogger Award Post - In this post I talk about my husband, my year teaching abroad, my love of scuba diving, where I live, my BA, and a couple more! (including pics!)

8. I just completed the work for National Board Certification. Phew! I'll find out in November if I've passed.  Here's to hoping I wrote well!

9. My mother is from Brazil.  I still have family there but don't get a chance to see them often. :-(

10. If you've been following me on Instagram you would probably already know this...I'm just a few days away from having baby #2! My due date is July 22 but he is measuring big so we scheduled a C-section for the 17th...if I last that long!

11. Probably the most random fact about me...my husband and I are attempting to open a preschool! Our goal is to have it open by September 2013. It is a VERY ambitious undertaking and one that we hope will pay off for both of our children.

OK, now for the questions from Christy:

1. How long have you been teaching?
I am about to start my 14th year.  I can't believe how time has flown by!

2. What is your favorite thing about being a teacher?
I'd say I love when a child has that "a-ha" moment and just flourishes because they finally get it. That is the most rewarding part of teaching!

3. What is your favorite grade to teach?
My favorite grade to teach is kindergarten.  I taught 1st grade for 4 years but eventually ended up back in kinder.  I just love it!

4. What type of lesson planner do you use? (old school paper and pencil or online?)
Up until last year I used old school paper.  Now I do it all in powerpoint.  This year I want to do a visual lesson planner.  I hope to learn how to do it before the baby arrives next week!

5. Do you have any hobbies?
Well, yes I do.  But I don't get to them.  Scrapbooking, scuba diving and traveling.  I've been told I need to squeeze in more time for me...but I really love working with children so that is my stress release right now, whether it be with my class or my son.

6. What is your favorite place to travel?
London.  It's my home away from home.

7. If you were stranded on a desert island tell me 3 things you would take with you.
The 3 things I would take are things that would help me to survive the deserted island!  A toolbox full of tools, emergency medical supplies, and food.  That's boring I know!  But I'd want to be able to live long enough to figure out a way back to my family like Tom Hanks did in Castaway except my family was able to wait for me!

8. What was the last book you read and did you like it?
I usually listen to books on audible while I'm driving to and from work. I can't sit and read for pleasure anymore with a kid at home. So the last book I actually read was The Daily 5 last summer.  I liked it and implemented most of it in my class.  The kids did really well! The last book I listened to was The Host.  I loved The Host and haven't seen the movie yet.  But I'm hoping it doesn't fail my expectations.  The worst thing for me is when they cut so much from the book out to make the movie!

9. What is your favorite food?
Umm, dessert!  I love most desserts!  It's probably why I've got a few extra pounds on me but I seriously have a hard time saying no to cakes, brownies, trifles, anything sweet really!

10. Do you watch TV? If so, what is your favorite show?
I don't watch TV much...can't sit still for long.  But when I do I love to watch Yard Crashers. I don't like my landscaping much so I'm always watching to get ideas to change our yard up.  It's come A LONG way but there is still much to do!

11. What is your favorite app?
I suppose I could say Instagram because I'm always on it!  I love seeing what other bloggers post about whether it be about their lives or about work.

So now for my 11 questions to the 11 new bloggers:

1. How long have you been teaching?
2. Did you always want to be a teacher?  If not, what did you want to do?
3. What is your favorite thing about teaching?
4. How long have you been blogging for?
5. If you could travel anywhere in the world, no expense spared, where would you go?
6. Do you have a favorite techie tool or any techie advice? If yes, what is it?
7.  What is your favorite dessert? (I love dessert!)
8. What is your favorite movie of all time?
9. What is your favorite holiday?
10. Are you a dog person or a cat person?
11. What was your favorite toy or doll from childhood?

And without further ado, here are the 11 blogs I am recommending for the Liebster award!

1. Gluesticks 'N Giggles
2. Diary of a 5th Grade Teacher
3. A Kindergarten Life For Me
4. 2 Preschool Pals
5. Tailor-made Teaching
6. Owl in A Vowel Tree
7. 2 Super Teachers
8. Life in Room 24
9. Whoooo's Ready to Teach
10. History Chalk Talk
11. ~Mrs. Mathis' Homeroom~

Check these ladies out!  Lots of tremendous ideas from them!