How Sweet!

Awww! Look what I got from one of my new followers! Kristin from Adventures of a Betty Crocker Wannabe awarded me with this "Sweet" Award.

Thanks, Kristin!





I passed it along to 10 sweet bloggers- some are new treasures that I've recently found and others I've been reading for years.

Congrats friendly bloggers!

Christy at Superheroes and Princesses
http://superheroesandprincesses.blogspot.com/

Valerie at Frugal Family Fun Blog
http://www.frugalfamilyfunblog.com/

Jen at Delicious Ambiguity
http://www.mydeliciousambiguity.com/

Jenn at Ramblings of a Crazy Woman
http://jennwa.blogspot.com/

Nicole at Activity Mom
http://activitymom.blogspot.com/

Chels at Fantastic Finds
http://fantasticfind.blogspot.com/

Bobbi at Casa Camacho
http://bobbicamacho.blogspot.com/

Erin at Letter Soup
http://lettersoupblog.blogspot.com/

Trish at Preschool Playbook
http://www.preschoolplaybook.com/

Vanessa at Silly Eagle Books
http://www.sillyeaglebooks.com/

Sweet Blog Award Rules:
*Give this award to 10 sweet and friendly bloggers.
*Make a post about the award including the picture and mention the
person who gave it to you.
*Put the award on your blog.
*Let your nominated 10 know you've awarded them by leaving
a comment.



Have a great day! :)
Jen

What a Beautiful Award!

Inspire and encourage- this is what positive mommy bloggers do and how wonderful! Recently, I was awarded with a this Kreativ Blogger Award from Activity Mom and I am happy to pass it along.

I chose a few blogs that I've frequented before and then searched the web for a few new creative blogs.

Here are my winners:

The Creative (work at home) Mom

Filth Wizardry

Kid's Art Projects and Lessons at Ms. Julie's Place

Her Cup Overfloweth

Moments of Mommyhood

The Mom Creative

Today's Creative Blog

To accept this award, I am to write 7 things about me that others may not know, so here goes:

1. Baby boy due 12/25/2009. Christmas Blessing!
2. High School Sweetheart- Hubby. Shared over 20 years of life together!
3. Waitress on weekends even with this big belly.
4. Pets- 2 frogs.
5. Guilty pleasure- Grey's Anatomy
6. Life long struggle- organization and clutter
7. High School Job- Tastee-Freeze- cause of icecream addiction


Enjoy your day. Hope it is filled with many blessings!

Jen

Awards and Apologies

If you've been stopping by Creative and Curious Kids this week, I'm so sorry that I haven't been around lately! Computer issues, again! So I have all of these ideas in my brain and pics on my camera that I'm just am not able to share- boy is that frustrating! Anyways, I'm mooching off of my older sis at the moment and using her wonderful computer that works so beautifully. Isn't family wonderful? Speaking of wonderful, I have the most wonderful bloggy friends who appreciate the hard work that I put into my blog! This week I received two award from two of my faithful readers! Thank you so much for thinking of me!

The "Smart Blogger" award was given to me by Preschool Playbook. Thanks, Trish! You are a pretty smart cookie yourself, I must say!


Accordingly, The recipient of this award is not your everyday blogger. If you visit their blog, one thing is for sure, you will learn something (but most of the time, a lot) that is really worth the time you spend reading their post. Their post is always well-written, with good grammar, very insightful, inspiring, and thought provoking. Their posts leave you wishing that you’ve written it. They always have great stories to tell, either about life, about themselves, or about their family. Once you read their blog, there’s one thing that will stick in your head; that they are absolutely, no doubt, a Smart Blogger!

Link the one who gave this award and let them know you posted it.
Pass this to as many Smart Bloggers as you can think of and make sure to write something about them (like why you think they are a Smart Blogger).
Let them know they have an award by dropping them a comment on their blog.

Okay, here are the smarty-pants blogs that I love to read!!
Parenting Pink- one of the very first blogs that I discovered-written by a very intelligent momma of three little girls. She is also the editor of the Parenting Pink Website- wonderful resource.

Jiggity Jigg - very well written and quirky blog. Makes me smile often and think about things that I normally might not think about! Thanks Jen for your "smart" writing!

I also received this creative award from Acorn Alcove- Thanks a bunch!



The rules for this award is to pass it on to 5 other great blogs and let them know.

Here are my five great blog selections for the Kreative Blogger Award:

The Ramblings of a Crazy Woman Take a peek at all of the creativity going on over here!
The Masked Mommy This is one of my new favorite blogs- she inspires a clutter queen like myself to get my act together!
Kiddio Love all of the creativity at this site. Lots of craft and website suggestions!
A Duck in her Pond This blog is written by a very creative young gal- funny and full of energy!
The Snail's Trail Recently came across this creative momma of two snails! Values education and real-life learning!

Congratulation to all of the above recipients! Thank you for sharing all of your wonderful ideas. I enjoy reading and learning from your blogs!


Take Care!

Jen

Noblesse Oblige Award

Recently, I received this unique and wonderful award. Thank you, Preschool Playbook! I am honored that you nominated Creative and Curious Kids.





This Award is presented to bloggers who display consistency in any one or a combination of these conditions:


1. The Blogger manifests exemplary attitude, respecting the nuances that pervades amongst different cultures and beliefs.
2. The Blog contents inspire; strives to encourage and offers solutions.
3. There is a clear purpose at the Blog; one that fosters a better understanding on Social, Political, Economic, the Arts, Culture and Sciences and Beliefs.
4. The Blog is refreshing and creative.
5. The Blogger promotes friendship and positive thinking.

The Blogger who receives this award will need to perform the following steps:

1. Create a Post with a mention and link to the person who presented the Noblesse Oblige Award.
2. The Award Conditions must be displayed at the Post.
3. Write a short article about what the Blog has thus far achieved – preferably citing one or more older Post to support.
4. The Blogger must present the Noblesse Oblige Award in concurrence with the Award conditions.
5. The Blogger must display the Award at any location at the Blog.

I nominate the following bloggers who I feel demonstrate the characteristics listed above:

Tara at Kidz- I read just a few posts on her blog Too Much Information and was inspired by the love that Tara shares with her family and friends. On her new blog, Kidz,she is an encouragement to others.

Masked Mommy- This is a new blog that I came across that is inspirational in a very creative way. She isn't afraid to share her weaknesses to help others. I can relate to her posts and am inspired by her honesty! The Masked Mommy will motivate you to get organized, too!

My honest answer to #3-
Before created Curious and Creative Kids!, I didn't know much about blogging. (I actually still have a lot to learn!) I came across the opportunity one day while I was researching opportunities for Stay-at-Home moms. I ordered an e-book titled Make Money Blogging. Yes, I was hoping that if I had something valuable to share, I could make money doing something that I thought I'd enjoy. For greed- no. To be home with my children more- yes.

Well, I haven't made much money blogging, but here I am with over 100 posts. I've come across some opportunities, but I wanted to stay true to my blog- if it didn't relate to my overall purpose,I didn't want to write about it. To my surprise, I found a love for writing, a desire to share ideas with others, a network of amazing Moms who support each other, and so much more. Oh yeah, and I've won a few great prizes on blogs, too!

I'm still learning about blogging and who knows if this will turn into an opportunity for me, but if not, it's okay- I'm rich in other ways and I'm still finding ways to be home with my kids! And the best part is, I'm journaling our creative adventures for us to keep forever and being inspired by others on the way.

Have a wonderful day!

Jen

2009 Best Mommy Blogger Awards

Awwwwww! How sweet! Scholastic, Home of Parent and Child Magazine, is sponsoring a Contest to honor the Best Mommy Bloggers! And you know how us Mommy bloggers love our awards and this prestigious award would be just awesome! If your lovin' Creative and Curious Kids and/or have other Mommy blogs that you read, get on over and get a nominating!!

February 13th closes out the nomination period. The nominees will be narrowed down and finalists will be chosen by February 23rd.

Click here: 2009 Mommy Blogger Awards

Guess who I voted for???
Keeper of the Cheerios
Parenting Pink
Way Up High In the Monkey Bread Tree

Take Care and Have fun voting!
Lots of luck Mommy Bloggers!

Jen

Marie Antoinette - A Real Person, A Real Award

Amy Short, artist and friend, recently awarded me with the Marie Antoinette - A Real Person, A Real Award. She wrote: "Jen, keep up the great work because little artists become big ones one day!"
Visit Amy's blog and website to check out her work. She is very talented! http://www.amyshortart.com/

Thank you so much! I am honored to recieve such a unique award!!
Marie Antoinette- very interesting lady! I think I'm going to have to check out a biography from the library. For some quick reading, check out this awesome link that I found-
http://www.marie-antoinette.org/Welcome.html

Take Care!!
Jen

I'm Lovin' Your Blog Awards!!

So sorry! The award ceremony had to be postponed until today due to a future Diva in action!! My six year old was in a talent show Bop Bop Bopping and doing gymnastics in this frilly feathery pink outfit her friend let her borrow. I stepped back while she choreographed her entire routine herself. My little independent 6 yr. old! I'm very proud of her. See Mom wanted her to sing, but she stood strong and did what her heart desired!!
Now for the award ceremony!! I proudly received this award last week from the writer of Too Much Information and am very excited to pass it along to the following five recipients whose blogs I'm lovin'!!!!


Mom's Marbles is the creation of the Stay At Home Mom sister team, Mary Ellen and Sarah. They both have a background in working with children- Elementary Education and Childcare. They have children ranging in ages 1 - 5. Alexa is the newest team member of Mom's Marbles and shares tons of great ideas while homeschooling her little ones. I'm lovin' their blog because it is jammed packed with fun and creative ideas that we can use as parents so that we don't "lose our marbles". Be sure to check out their very creative blog!!



Simple Mom. Stop by her site and you'll see why I'm lovin' this blog! It is filled with tips on how to live life simply. From organizing, money management, taking care of ourselves and our kids, this blog has a little bit of everything.
Recently, I've been working on living life more simply- just slowing down and enjoying my home and others and focusing less on things and busyness. If this is a goal for you, be sure to check out Simple Mom!



Parenting Pink, created by a Mother of three girls, is one of my favorite blogs that I visit almost daily. If you've read my blog in the past, I've mentioned her awesome blog before. I just love her honesty, humor, and her professional advice on raising girls! Although a lot of time is put into her blog, her main passion is her Parenting Pink website- be sure to check it out!


Art Projects for Kids!
I'm so glad that I came across this blog due to my daughters' new found interest in art and artists. After reading our new Art book, the girls are fascinated. This blog, created by an Art teacher, is wonderful. I love the projects that she shares with detailed instructions and photos of the finished product.(see photo above) You can clearly see her passion for inspiring creativity in others in her posts. I can't wait to try some of the projects with my girls! If you'd like to explore art more with your children, you'll have to go and check out Art Projects for Kids!



Keep the Way
Keep the Way is written by a homeschooling mother of two Preschool Princesses. She has passion for instilling a love of learning in her children, creating fun unit studies and encouraging Moms to experience Joy in the Ministry of Motherhood! Look at the photo above of her wonderful unit table that is filled with books relating to her topic of study. I'm so glad that I came across her site because of her inspiration and her many wonderful links and resources.



Congratulations to the above recipients- I'm lovin' your blogs!!! Here is your award!! Feel free to pass this along to five blogs that you love. Also, be sure to post five of your own loves! Here are my loves!



1. I love... my Lord, my God! He came a knocking when I was just a little girl. I'm glad that I opened the door and let him in my heart!!

2. I love... my husband! Met him in a grocery store when I was just 14 years old. I was assertive, somewhat,- I had my brother-in-law ask him for his phone number for me. Good thing I did!! That was 22 years ago! I'm so blessed to have shared over 1/2 of a lifetime with him!

3. I love....my children! Love watching them change and grow. They make me laugh, cry, smile, yell- yes sometimes, dance, and praise God daily!!!

4. I love...my family! I'm so lucky to have a family that would do anything for me and my children!

5. I love...my friends! I have old friends(some friendships that have lasted since Elementary School) and new friends(that are only a few years old) who continue to bless my life!

Have a wonderful Saturday!! Be creative, curious, and most importantly think about everything you love today!!!

Jen

Love It!!

I received this adorable award from a very sweet lady over at Too Much Information! Be sure to check out her very inspirational blog- filled with warmth and appreciation for family and life!

I will have my own award ceremony this evening and pass this along to five blogs that I love. I will be sure to follow the award rules and post 5 things that I love as well.

Enjoy your Thursday!
Jen

Yeah- What a way to start the day!!

I am honored to receive this "fabulous" (as my girls would say) award today!!



Presented to Creative and Curious Kids! by Pink and Green Mama







Now, here are the six things that make me happy!
1. Being social- family fun and time with friends!
2. Husband's smile.
3. Being creative!
4. God's creation- nature and my beautiful children.
5. Chocolate and more chocolate!!
6. Coffee!!

Now, I present the award to the following awesome blogs:
1. Mom's Marbles
2. Dawn's Cakes
3. Small World at Home
4. Keeper of the Cheerios

Congrats!! Share your happiness and feel free to be generous and pass this award to your favorite creative blogs!

Jen

Blog Award! For Me??

Over the past couple of months, it has been fun observing some of my new blogging friends receiving different awards, such as the I love your blog! award. Yes, I secretly was hoping that I could someday join the ranks of some of the finest bloggers and someday receive one of these really cool awards. Well, my day of fame has arrived!! My blogger buddy over at ParentingPink awarded me with this amazing international award.

Translation of the award:“This blog invests and believes, the proximity”(meaning, that blogging makes us ‘close’ -being close through proxy) I have taken this to mean a feeling of community.”

She recently received this award and I'm honored to be a part of her community. Okay, my speech is over. Well, not yet- I need to thank my husband, my kids, my family, my best friends, my teaching colleagues, my neighbors, my pet frogs, my past students......Ha, Ha!! Now, I'm going to spread the LOVE!! Here are my recipients of this prestigious Portuguese "community" award:

Preschool Playbook
Way Up High in the Monkey Bread Tree
Razor Family Farms
Artwork by Amy Short
Stay at Home Mom Sisters

Congratulations, ladies!!! Feel free to pass this along, just be sure to include the translation with the award. Have a great day!!