11 of 2011

11. Favorite movie

Tintin - It was gorgeous and I loved the detail. I also loved how true they were to the characters I grew up with reading about.

10. TV Series

This one was difficuly because I actually watch a lot of TV.  I watch TV when I fold laundry, blog, make dinner, and especially when I am waiting for my hubby to come home. Castle made the top of the list because it includes two of my favorite things, murder and brilliant people. I also love Numbers, Warehouse 13, Grimm, Once Upon a Time, and Iron Chef. (Just to name a few.)

9. Restaurant

Zupas - Amazing! I will pick this over anything else. Best salads and soups I have ever had. My hubby loves their sandwiches too.

8. New thing I tried

Just Dance 1, 2 and 3! I love getting together with friends and family for a dance off. I even managed to beat Hubby and my two sisters (who have a lot more rhythm than me) on a couple of dances. :)

7. Gift I received

Disneyland at Christmastime with my husband on our anniversary. I loved the Haunted Mansion! The Nightmare before Christmas has always held a special place in my heart.

6. Pin

I need this in my home. But the OCD part of me can not stand that it doesn't begin with a capital letter on this poster.

5. Blog post

Are you sparkling? One of my favorite quotes!

4. Accomplishment

Selling a product on Teachers Pay Teachers and Teachers Notebook. I did a happy dance around the house! I promise.

3. Picture

I hate photos of my self. So finding a cute picture is quite difficult. I settled for obnoxious. Here is my handsome husband and I right before we went zip-lining. I won't judge you if you snicker.

2. Memory

Meeting some of my favorite California bloggers over winter break! I promise to post more about this, I have just been crazy busy.

1. Goals

I have too many goals to pick just one so see my previous post here.

You can join the linky party HERE. It is hosted by the two amazing women on front left side of the picture above. Now you can put a face with the awesome blogs these lovely ladies write. The Teeny Tiny Teacher is the cute blonde and Miss Kindergarten is the cute brunette sitting right behind her.

Top Three Blogposts of 2011

Fern Smith is hosting a linky party about the Top Three Posts of 2011. You may recognize her cute face from her showcase in this week's TPT newsletter.

My top three posts are all found on Pinterest, and are posted below for your viewing pleasure. Just in case you missed them.
1. Pinterest Inspired 849

 










I created a simple organizer to appease my OCD tendencies. You can grab your own copy HERE.
2. Notes from a Substitute 727

After subbing a couple of days and seeing some inspiration online, I created my own sub page to leave for teachers I had visited. There are a couple of different patterns. Get your own copy HERE.
3. A Noun is a Person, Place or Thing 305

I shared a simple anchor chart idea and posted links to more great resources about nouns. Read more HERE.
Want to join? All you need to do is go into your blogger dashboard and look at your stats. Find the posts with the highest views and reshare them in a post. Then link back up to Fern's blog. 

Resolutions

I love this time of year. A year ago I married the man of my dreams. We have accomplished a lot this year and had many learning experiences together. As the year closes I can't help but spend time to  reflect and set goals for the future. In case you have not figured it out, I love lists and goals. It must be the OCD in me.

Some ideas I have been pondering:

"The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goals to reach." ~ Benjamin Mays


A goal without a plan is just a wish

"Set daily, monthly, and long term goals and dreams. Don't ever be afraid to dream too big. Nothing is impossible. If you believe in yourself, you can achieve it." ~ Nastia Liukin

You must make SMART goals. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time Bound.

This last week I started thinking about what I wanted to see happen in the new year. Here are some of the ideas that are floating around in my head.

Teaching
1. Read five professional books
   a.) I am open to suggestions here. Anyone interested in another book study this year?

2. Create fun and educational ways for my students to reach their goals
   a.) Touch point numbers with clothespins
   b.) Sight word games
   c.) Handwriting exercises
   d.) Picture cues for common choices

Blogging
1. Blog at least three times a week
2. Create one product/unit every month
3. Create one freebie a week
4. Redesign my blog by the end of the year
5. Connect to other bloggers through comments, linky parties, and giveaways

Personal
1. Exercise at least three times a week (Hubby even promised to run with me.)
2. Try a new recipe each week
3. Save up enough money for a trip to Japan
4. Declutter my home (52 weekly goals)
5. Get outside

Interested in joining the fun? Link up with Tammy from Live Love Laugh Everyday in Kindergarten HERE.

Holly Bloggy Christmas

I was lucky to be included in the Holly Bloggy Christmas Exchange and just had to share some pictures of some of the great things I received.

My partner, Katherine from Third Grade Teacher Files, did an excellent job of wrapping my present. I love polka dots.

I received awesome recipe cards, hot cocoa mix, a cocoa cup, tissues, chocolate, and a very cute ornament. Such a cute gift idea. I also received a plethora of free digital resources. I love digital stockings. ;)

I sent my Holly Bloggy Christmas partner an owl themed present. An owl calendar, recipe book, and weekly meal planner. It was a valiant attempt at being crafty. I am quite proud of myself.