#AtoZChallenge REFLECTION

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I did it! I survived the Blogging from A to Z Challenge - and I wear my badge (on my blog) with pride! I honestly didn't think I would make it through to the end and there were times that I considered pulling the plug, however the teacher/mother in me said "Don't Give Up" "You CAN DO THIS!" and I did. I'm not going to lie, it took a lot of hard work, determination and time to get these posts written, edited and published - plus sharing them on social media, on top of my regular blogging schedule. Phew. I often stayed up until midnight (sometimes later) finishing posts or getting a head start on some of the more detailed posts. On top of all of this, I had to find time to comment on other blogs, something I wish I could have done more of, but towards the end of the month - I just wanted to make sure I got my posts published on time. Next time, I will choose 5 blogs to follow and stick with them through to the end, creating a mini blogging community - with saying that, I would probably choose blogs which have a similar niche to mine. 

On a positive note, I thoroughly enjoyed sharing extra tidbits of my life, home and family with you all! My posts got a lot more exposure from around the world and I welcome each and every one of you to Teacher by trade - Mother by nature. Thank you for stopping by and leaving me a comment! It put a smile on my face :).

Massive Congratulations to those who completed (and survived) the challenge! I do hope you have a had a little break from your blogs! I will be having one soon! To all the Co-Hosts of Blogging from A to Z Challenge - THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! You're commitment and dedication to this challenge is outstanding! I was honoured to have several of you comment on my blog, THANK YOU very much. 

Here are my TOP 5 Most Popular posts and the full list of my #AtoZChallenge 



Top 5 Most Popular Posts of the #AtoZChallenge
#AtoZChallenge: THE LIST


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Z is for Zodiac

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What is your Zodiac sign? 
I'm a Sagittarius
Inquisitive and energetic, the Sagittarian is the traveler of the zodiac.

ABOUT SAGITTARIUS
- Extroverted, optimistic and enthusiastic.
- Change is essential for this sign to feel their best.
- They're a ton of fun, and downright wacky at times.
- Love to laugh and get everyone around them going. 
- Make friends from around the globe, enjoying various takes on life and culture. 
- Generous and not ones to hold a grudge. 
- Dedicated and willing to do just about anything for their family, very loyal. 
- Freedom and independence are extremely important to a Sagittarian. 
- They'll work night and day to reach a goal.
- When they see something as possible in their minds, they will go to great lengths and rally people to make it happen. 
- Enjoy making and spending money
- Risk takers, highly optimistic, trusting in the Universe to provide what is needed. 

SAGITTARIUS TIDBITS
HEALTH: Anatomical areas: hips, thighs and upper legs 
RULING PLANET: Jupiter
COLOUR: Rich Purple
GEMSTONE: Topaz
LUCKY NUMBERS: 3, 5 & 8
COMPATIBILITY: Leo & Aries
OPPOSITE SIGN: Gemini
PERFECT GIFT: Pet-related items or something for the outdoors
LIKES: Travel, being outdoors, freedom, philosophy
DISLIKES: Details, being constrained, off-the-wall theories, clingy people
FAMOUS SAGITTARIANS: Steven Spielberg, Mark Twain, Tina Turner, Jimi Hendrix, Tyra Banks, Brad Pitt, Christina Aguilera, Taylor Swift, Britney Spears, Lucy Liu, Woody Allen, and Winston Churchill. 


What does your Zodiac say about YOU? 





SOURCE: The Zodiac City

And here's a FUN one for all the Mamas!

This post is part of
#AtoZChallenge
1

Y is for Year: My Goals for 2015 ***UPDATED***

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At the beginning of the year I shared My Goals for 2015, and seen as am notorious for forgetting them, I have decided to do a bit of an update of where I'm at. (Inspired by Lisa at The Golden Spoons). 

My motto for 2015 is #MakeitHappen - Make it Memorable. We are heading into our 5th month...so let's see how I'm getting on with my goals...

Personal Goals
1. Be more Organised! B
***UPDATE***
I have returned to work. Teaching a Year 2/3 class and I absolutely love it. I enjoy being back in the classroom. I have to be super organised on Tuesday mornings, because I have two kids to drop off (my son goes to home-based childcare and my daughter goes to her friends house, then school). There have been times that I have turned up to work 10 minutes before the bell, eek...(I have to travel 20 minutes to work)...however I am getting better - time management is improving each week.  I have decluttered and organised MOST of my containers, have 2 more to do! So I am on the right track. Going to start on my photos next month! (wish me luck) 

2. Find a new home! A+ (for selling our house) 
***UPDATE***
We sold our house quite quickly and now we are on the hunt for a new house - so this goal will be ticked off VERY SOON!

3. Learn more about Photography B
***UPDATE***
Continuing to learn new things about my camera and photography...I have definitely improved in the past 4 months and I know I am only going to get better. I love photography.

4. Walk up/Climb Mt Manaia F
***UPDATE***
I was actually thinking about this one the other day...I need to walk up Parahaki (3 times to catch up) :( I will get up there...one day!

5. Organise TWO Milestone birthday parties A+
***UPDATE***
I did it!!! I actually pulled off TWO  no THREE parties in ONE weekend...Check them out...
A Little Golden Book themed First Birthday
Miss B's Paris themed 10th Birthday
Source

Blogging Goals

I have been blogging officially since September 2014 (I created my Facebook page in May 2014). I have really enjoyed my blogging journey so far and am really excited about what 2015 has to offer! Here are my five blogging goals...

1. Reach milestones B
***UPDATE***
FACEBOOK: 674 (Milestones 500 & 600) A 
TWITTER: 97 (only 3 more to reach milestone 100 followers) B
INSTAGRAM: 221 (Milestone 200 - CHECK) A 
PINTEREST: 87 (would LOVE more followers) C

2. Guest Post on other blogs C - Work in Progress
***UPDATE***
I will be guest blogging on a couple of blogs in the next month or so (Watch this space) 
GUEST POSTS/BLOGS --> I have had one lovely guest blogger on TTMN to date (Thanks Lydia) and I have a couple in the pipeline - coming soon. I still have spaces available if YOU would like to be a guest blogger on my blog. Send me a message via Facebook or Contact Form found on the left sidebar.
1. Q is for Q&A with Always Made With Love
2. COMING SOON
3. COMING SOON
4. THIS COULD BE YOU!
5. THIS COULD BE YOU!
6. THIS COULD BE YOU!

3. Be a more Organised blogger! B

***UPDATE***
This is a work in progress kind of goal - I have had days when I have been super organised and other days, where I have stayed up really late finishing off blogposts...When you have an idea...you just have to run with it!!
I am really proud of myself for sticking to the Blogging from A to Z Challenge!! ONE MORE DAY and I have completed a whole month of blogging every day (plus on top of my other blogposts)! Go ME!

4. Meet some Blogging friends C (It will happen)
***UPDATE***
All my blogging friends get an A+ :) I have yet to meet them face to face but there is still plenty of time for that aye Ladies (Courtney, Lydia  & Claire)

5. Enjoy it! A
***UPDATE***
I LOVE my little blog. I am enjoying every minute of it! 

 So there you have it - my goals for 2015! ***UPDATED*** - I think I am doing pretty good, don't you think? 
How are you getting on with your goals this year? 
This post is part of
#AtoZChallenge
2

X is for 'X' tables (Times tables)

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"Times tables are the alphabet of maths" (Kev & Belinda)
I have had students in my class, even my daughter, struggle with their maths, especially when it comes to learning the x (times) tables. There are many ways to help children to instantly recall their x tables, however it really comes down to practice, practice, and more practice. 

I found these eXcellent individual posters that you can download, print and display in your classroom or kid's bedroom. A useful tool to help students or your own children to gain confidence in learning and recalling their times tables. Click on the link or image below. Have fun, Mathematicians!
image source

Do you have any tips, tricks or songs you used to learn/teach X (times) tables? 
This post is part of
#AtoZChallenge
6

W is for Wacky Wigs

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There are so many W words that I could blog about, however I wanted to share something about me and what I love. 

I have a bit of a confession: I LOVE WIGS!
A few years back, my Mum and I went to a theme party every month (yes I partied with my Mum and I am proud to say it!). We would make our own costumes, with a bit of help from the Op-shops. I decided to wear a wig to each party - and it kind of became a signature part of my costumes. I ended up collecting A LOT of wigs and wore them for theme parties, school dress up days, any chance I could really. The wigs (wackier the better) totally completed my outfit. I found myself being more confident and always had a big smile on face because I was so comfortable - it was like I was a different person, but still ME! 

Here is a collage of some (yes, some) of the wigs that I have worn over the years...
Row 1. L-R: Retro, Prom Night, Mid Winter Beach Party, Pirate Day (School)
Row 2. L-R: Rugby World Cup - All Blacks (School), Halloween, Kiwiana, Super Heroes
Row 3. L-R: Bad Taste, Stars & Stripes, Olympics Day (School), Fairy Tale Night
Row 4. L-R: Book Day (Camilla Cream), Rugby World Cup - England (School), Halloween, Retro 

Do you like wearing wigs? 
Got a photo? I would love to see it.
Please head over to my Facebook and SHARE your WACKY WIG photo(s)?

This post is part of
#AtoZChallenge
4

V is for Various Artists - My Favourite Songs

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There are so many great songs being played at the moment, too many to name in one blogpost, so I am going to share a few of my favourite songs from Various Artists. These are the songs that no matter where I am (home or in the car), I will turn it up and sing along - even Master M is a fan of these songs, nodding his head and doing a bit of a dance (it's so cute).  Oh and I love buying compilation CDs with Various Artists too - they are the best! (yes, I still buy CDs). 
Tell me, what songs/artists are you loving RIGHT NOW? 

See You Again - Wiz Khalifa
(Fast & Furious 7)

Lay Me Down - Sam Smith & John Legend
 (Red Nose Day 2015)

Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran

Meghan Trainor - All About That Bass

FourFiveSeconds - Rihanna, Kanye West & Paul McCartney 

Uptown Funk - Mark Ronson ft Bruno Mars

Come Home With Me - Guy Sebastian


(#AtoZChallenge)
8

U is for Ultimate List of Blogs I Love

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Today I am sharing an 'Ultimate List of Blogs I Love', 50+ in fact, because I love Sharing the Blog Love! Grab a cuppa and check out these amazing blogs - created by the most inspiring & wonderful women I have 'met'. I also recently shared 10 Women Bloggers I Admire. Do you recognise some of these bloggers? I would love to follow some more blogs that have a similar niche to mine. Leave your blog link in the comments and I will be sure to check it out. 
P.S You're Welcome.

A-F

G-L

M-R

S-Z
Zamamabakes

**Please note: I will be adding to this list so feel free to check back in
or PIN it for future reference (Thanks for Sharing)

Share the BLOG Love today! 
46

Taking Stock - April 2015

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Each month I am inspired by Pip from Meet Me At Mikes to write a blogpost about "Taking Stock". I really enjoy reflecting on the things that are happening in my life. I can't believe April is almost done and dusted - it's ridiculous = time sure does fly when you're having fun. 
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