Survey Says {Blog Questionnaire Results}

First off, thank you so much for taking the time to do my blog questionnaire! I have been in a bit of a creative slump so reading your feedback has been so refreshing! And a little surprising...

Question One:

What do you like to read about?

1. Book Reviews

2. DIYs

3. Fashion

4. Preschool Activities/education

5. Product Reviews

6. Recipes

There was a tie- Book reviews and Fashion got the most votes. And I have to say that really makes me happy. You can most definitely see more book reviews with What We're Reading Wednesday and I will be adding more style posts.

Question Two:

What could you do without?

Now this was where things got interesting. I had several people say "no book reviews and no DIYs" a couple "Day In The Life posts", a "no DITL posts" and a "no guest posts" with some saying they couldn't think of anything they didn't like (bless you) and a "no preschool posts as their kids were past that age."

Let me be super honest- I'm not a DITL type of girl. It takes a long time to document, I will forget to take pictures and I'm not a very exciting person. I may do one just to see how it goes but don't expect more than that. Thanks :)

Question Three:

What do you want to see more of?

I was surprised to see that my Preschool classroom was a hot topic. I swear my education posts get the least pageviews and yet, that's what everyone seems to want to see more of(?) Which is also a bit confusing lol. And that was also one of the first things I was ready to drop so I will compromise and do a few seasonal class tours. And the preschool activities are pretty much a cornerstone of this blog so those won't be going anywhere.

Question Four:

I recently started sharing fashion posts. What do you want to see?

1. How-to style

2. Flat lays

3. Roundup collages

4. Collaborations with other bloggers

5. Every day style  

And Every day style was the winner! Which completely tickles me as I am not a fashion blogger by any means, nor do I spend lots of $$$ on my clothes. But I do feel like I finally know exactly how to dress my body and am having fun playing with my personal style. And I love being able to share that with you!

Question Five:

And how often?

Responses ranged from "once a week" to "once a month". I think once or twice a month is my sweet spot- it actually takes a lot of coordinating photographing clothes (who knew, right?)

Question Six:

I don't get them often but, Sponsored content- how much is too much? What frequency is "acceptable"?

Now I asked this because I do not want to turn off people with too many sponsored posts. I never had intentions of being a for-profit blogger and actually find it a bit tacky when people start blogging just to make money. So rest assured, if I do make sponsored content it is because I really believe in the product. Getting paid is just a bonus.

Question Seven:

Any thoughts/ideas/concerns? I'm all ears!

This was my favorite category to read through! There was no negative feedback and everyone was so sweet! Thank you!

Question Eight:

Care to Share? Leave your name, how long you've been reading my blog, and a fun fact about yourself.

Well, the funny thing is, I'm horrible at fun facts so I was hoping you could inspire me! But turns out no one is good at naming a random fact without warning, haha.

This was so fun! Thanks again for the inspiration!

Linking up here.

   

   

Children's Book Club // Snow Paint {Snowmen at Night}

I'm joining Jess to host Children's Book Club and have Amy's big shoes to fill so wish me luck! 

For those of you who don't know the premise of Children's Book Club it is a monthly link up where we share a book and some ideas for crafts, snacks, art, math etc to fully engage with your child(ren) and then we come back here and  share what we did! Then the next month's book is announced and we do it all over again! There is no set activity and the additional activities are just ideas to spark creativity and learning. Let's get started!

January's book is Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner and illustrated by Mark Beuhner. This was a new-to-me author and I love that it is a husband and wife team (reminded me of James and Audrey Woods when they were together.) The neat thing about Snowmen was the hidden pictures in each page- a Santa Face, a cat, a dinosaur and a bunny camouflaged throughout the story! Did you see them?

After spending way too much time searching every page for the hidden pictures I whipped up some Snow Paint for the girls.

This paint uses only three ingredients- salt, flour and water in equal parts. It looks like thick pancake batter but when it dries it looks like glittering snow! Er, I could be wrong about it since the last time I saw snow was in 2006 but it  is a neat sensory experience. And clean up is easy too.

Next month we'll be reading Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond (of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie fame) Below is some inspiration. Come back here on Tuesday, February 21st  to share your activity! Now it's your turn to link up.

Alphabet Matching // Name Puzzle // Heart Letter Practice // Compliment Cards

Cupid's Arrow Toss // Cupcakes & Counting // Roll to Fill // Heart Rocket

Heart Sorting // Lacing // Lego Hearts // Counting

S'mores snack // Heart Pizza // Fruit Hearts

Heart Hopscotch

We hope to see you next month for February's Children's Book Club!

Linking up here.

   

   

Tiny Letters // January

Can I say how excited I am to participate in Kristin's Little Letters link up today?! We all know how much I adore her (hello, best blog designer ever) and these mini letters to anyone/anything are just too fun. So let's get going... 

Dear Kinsey,

You've been in such a hurry to turn six and it's caused such grief, "why am I the last one to have a birthday?!" And, "I'm never going to turn 6!" Sadly, every day you are older and rushing through childhood is breaking mama's heart. Stay young and carefree as long as you can! Because before you know it you'll be sixteen and though you act like a teen now there is no going back.

Dear Brielana,

Why are you growing up so fast? How have you been with us for 2.5 years and I still feel like I have so much to learn about you? Keep your sweet and sensitive soul forever, people will try to make you feel like that's a negative trait but they are wrong; compassion for others and kindness will always be important.

Dear Work Commute,

It's not me, its you. An hour round trip out of my day is not what it used to be; I once relished that time to think and plan and listen to audio books, now I'm cursing the time spent away from my family. And don't get me started on other drivers- everyone has somewhere to be, stop being jerks. Which leads me to my next letter...

Dear Morning drivers,

Why are you driving crazy? It's too early for this crap. I am the first to admit I'm a "grandma driver" but doing 75 in a 65 zone is not going slow. 

Dear "Butterscotch",

You, dear pony, are the highlight of my commute. I don't know your real name but your coat is the color of Butterscotch and I have an affinity for naming things. Please live forever.

Dear Chevy Blazer,

I hate you. I've actually gotten to the point of hating you and that is so low. But you're costing more than you're worth and it's bumming me out. We've had 3 good years together and 2 not so good, lets part ways as amicably as possible. Thank you.

Dear Netflix,

Thank you for announcing Season 3 of Fuller House. It is an asinine show but I love it. Nostalgia is a winner. And Candace Cameron Bure is awesome.

Dear GAP,

I know I have $50 in GAPcash thank you for all the reminders but I'm not biting until you give me some better sales than 20% off. Says the lady who opened her email and found a 40% off sale...

Dear January,

You sure are a rainy month. That is in no way a complaint. I love the sound of the rain and seeing green earth is so refreshing! Perhaps it's now time to seriously consider buying rain boots? Oh, and a rain coat.

Dear Blog Questionnaire,

I'm having way too much fun looking at responses. Thank you friends, for taking the time to fill it out, it really means the world to me. I'll leave it open another week or so and report back my "findings" :)

Linking up here.

   

   

The Girls Behind the Blog // January

I have been looking forward to this Kid's Behind the Blog link up since last month! Why, you ask? Well, Brielana was finally included in the interview! I will make note to ask the girls at separate times going forward since Kinsey kept trying to lean over and whisper answers in Brielana's ear ;)

What’s your favorite thing to do or play inside?

Kinsey: Play with my Magic Clips! I like my plastic toys in the house. 
Brielana: Ummmm toys.

Have you ever seen or played in snow?  If so, what’s your favorite snow activity? 
Kinsey: No
Brielana: nods her head yes (haha)

What was your favorite Christmas or holiday gift you received?
Kinsey: Who got us the lip balm?
Me: mommy.
Kinsey: Ok, the lip balm.
**It should be noted that she was all about her lightsaber so I'm including it below.
Brielana: Something that's mine, the lipstick (not to be confused with the lip balm that Kinsey is talking about, but a small Finding Dory lip gloss from her great gramma.) 

What’s your favorite winter vacation you went on? Why?
Kinsey: Um home! We stayed home.
Brielana: uh, Halloween!
In her defense, I had said "holiday" by mistake, haha.

Would you rather live where it’s warm all year round or have the seasons? 
Kinsey: Season's because it's fun sometimes. (says the girl whose never seen snow.)
Brielana: Uh, I want a 'nack. 
Me: Ok, but first, sun or seasons?
Brielana: Sun all da time.
**Growing up in California we know no season's except that is rains a little in the winter and spring. But this winter it has actually gotten pretty cold (in the 40's) and a few times last week I had to scrape ice off my window shields with a Macy's gift card, no less. This question about "seasons" is very elusive for us!

Have you filled out my Blog Questionnaire yet?

Linking up here.