Trying to get back on the posting wagon!

Alright, so I'm going to use this post to catch up on things a bit including February Currently, my Liebster Nomination, and some happenings in my classroom.

Listening: My husband is watching It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia on Netflix while I am spending some time blogging.

Loving:  While I love my students, it has been very busy since we got back from Winter break and I can't wait for mid-winter break!!

Thinking: This one is obvious...

Wanting: It to stop snowing- It's been snowing on and off here in Michigan for days now and I'm ready for it to stop!

Needing: A haircut- I keep procrastinating making an appointment but I need to get on it.

Pet Peeve: This was something that happened today. I quickly asked a teacher a yes/no questions and in front of other students the teacher gave a very offensive response.  I understand if not all teachers fully understand my students but regardless of their understanding they should be considerate of the affect that their words might have on their students.

Here is a peek at our winter wonderland.  We had a door decorating contest in our building.  Ours didn't win but I'm enjoying leaving it up until Spring:)  The idea is of course from Pinterest and my students helped with painting the snowman and they made the snowflakes. 

I decorated my tree this year with books and wrote on the star "Reading- a gift to treasure forever."  I used a color copier and minimized the size of the books, laminated them then hot glued a hook into them.  I also added these Peppermint lights that I got at Target last year.

And this is our bulletin board.  I've put our tree away and sent the snow globes home but I keep switching out what is in the snow.

And now for the Liebster Award!  I am very excited and I hope it will help keep me blogging!  I was nominated by Erin over at Autism and Awesomeness. Erin is another newer blogger and fellow teacher of kiddos with Autism.  

The Rules:1. Post 11 random things about yourself.
2. Answer the questions the nominator set for you.
3. Create 11 questions for your nominees.
4. Choose 11 other blogs with fewer than 200 followers to nominate and link them to your post.
5. Leave a comment on this post if you were nominated so I can learn more about you and see who you nominate.
11 Random Things about Me:
1. My husband and I just went on an amazing trip to Hawaii for our honeymoon over Christmas break.  We went on a doors off helicopter ride and took surfing lessons!!

2. My friend Katie and I are training for our 1st 1/2 marathon .  I never thought I would be saying that because just 2 years ago I was afraid of running a 5k.

3. I am a vegetarian.

4. I have 1 brother and 1 sister.

5. I taught 1st grade for one very challenging year in Detroit at a poorly organized Charter before receiving my position that I currently have teaching students with Autism.
6. Every year my friend and I plan a Double Dare themed party.  This years will be the 5th annual.  

7. I am taking my students on an awesome field trip this month to Weinberg Village.  It's a community center's basement that has been renovated to look just like a real town.  The kids get to go through the town and purchase items at a drugstore, see a movie, ride a bike, get their nails painted, and so many other fun things. 

8. I eat out way too much.  I love cooking but always make excuses for why not to cook.

9. I have been to 4 European countries: Sweden, Germany, France, & Spain!

10. I'm a night owl.

11.  I decided to get my Special Ed Master's after doing a long term in a resource room and loving it!

Nominators Questions:

1.  What made you decide to work in the field of Special Education? While working a 6 month long term subbing position in a Resource room I fell in love with the Special Ed world and immediately changed Master's programs.
2.  What is your favorite animal and why? I always find favorite questions to be really hard to answer because I usually don't have a favorite.  I do like cats though and I have two.
3.  How do you like your eggs cooked? Over medium
4.  What is your favorite childhood memory? Another hard one...I used to enjoy being silly with my friends, dancing, and making home videos.
5. What was your favorite subject in school? English
6.  What is your favorite drink? Red wine
7.  What genre of book do you like most? I like a lot of genres but lately I've been reading a lot of historical fiction.
8.  If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Freezing time
9.  If you were able to travel anywhere in the world, money and safety are guaranteed, where would it be? I would love to visit New Zealand and Australia.
10.  Where is the furthest you've traveled from home? Hawaii11.  Sweet or Salty?  Sweet

Nominations:

This is really hard to do!  I searched and searched and almost every blog I clicked on did not fit the rules.  I even tried just googling it!  Here's who I found but I could not find 11 (if I come across more I will nominate them but I want to post and it's time to get to bed).

1. Miss Allison's Class

2. Diary of a First Grade Teacher

Questions:

1. Why did you decide to become a teacher?

2. Why did you decide to start blogging?

3. Do you find it hard to keep up your blog?  Any tips and trick that are helping you keep with it?

4. If you could travel anywhere in the world where would it be?

5. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

6. What is a funny story you will always remember from your teaching career?

7. Teaching tool you cannot live without?

8. Name one thing that is on your 'bucket list' and why?

9. Are you teaching in your dream grade?  If no where would you like to end up?

10. What do you like about Valentine's Day?

11. Favorite Teacher Resource Book?