Because French Lick means Teacher Blogger Meet-Up and Teacher Blogger Meet-Up means seeing old friends and making new friends which means one heck of a good time!
French Lick is a 6 hour drive from my hometown, so I hopped in my car bright and early. I was a little excited. Can you tell?
I mean why wouldn't I be excited. This was truly a life-changing event for me in 2014. Last year I attended as a blog-stalker. I had blogs I followed regularly and had given blogging a few passing thoughts, but never thought I could be a blogger. But just look at me now!
This year's Spring Blogger Meet-Up was equally exciting and life-changing, but best of all, it was so much FUN!
Holly Ehle and Brittany Banister did a wonderful job organizing this event. It's professional development meets weekend getaway. From the festive decorations to the food to the camaraderie, this weekend had it all! The theme of the weekend was "inspiration." As a warm-up to meet new bloggers and blog-followers each table was given a letter to decorate with your name, favorite subject to teach, your blog, and a few more things. Our table was the letter S. When it was put all together, it truly was inspiring.
The teacher swag bags were out of this world thanks to the generous donations of so many companies! Look at all the goodies that were included.
The gifts from these companies were amazing!I have found that I am quickly becoming addicted to Scentos products. I had to restrain myself from opening the smelly gel pens until I could get this picture taken. Smelling will commence soon! My daughter took one look at my Erin Condren planner - that I am saving for next school year - and wants me to find out if she makes one for college students. Thanks goes out to Vera Bradley, Lakeshore, Creative Teaching Press, Origami Owl, Scentsy and even more who will get their shout outs later in this post.
On Saturday afternoon we were able to pick three mini sessions to attend on a variety of topics. This was new to the meet-up and I so hope that they do it again next year. I learned so much! I attended sessions on selling on TPT (my next goal after getting my blog started), using iPads in the classroom, and social media for teachers.
And then, there were the raffle prizes. Each attendee received 5 tickets to place in the 5 bags of items that they would like to win. It was really hard deciding. The bag I dropped my last ticket in was for a free registration fee at an SDE National Conference. I want to go to iTeach K in Las Vegas so badly, but with college tuition payments, it was just not happening, until......
...my ticket was picked out of the bag. You should have heard my whoop of joy. Vegas here I come! I cannot wait.
After all of the afternoon events, teachers went off and grabbed dinner in large groups. It was at here that I got to chat and develop more teacher blogger friendships. It was very relaxing.
And then...
the event...
the event that made this blogger meet-up into the coolest thing ever...
The Pajama Party to end all Pajama Parties.
A huge shout out to GoNoodle and TeachersPayTeachers for sponsoring this event! I had a blast from the moment I walked in and was given a GoNoodle Lanyard to the moment I left exhausted and ready for bed. There were adorable PJ cookies, pizza, snacks, drinks, design-your-own pillow cases, a photo booth, and dancing to GoNoodle! Lots of chatting, more prizes including three teacher lanyards from Origami Owl, more inspiration, and a send-off that will not be forgotten. Here are a few pics of the fun that was had!
Finally, I want to tell you about my two favorite parts of the Meet-Up.
First up - meeting some of my favorite bloggers - I admit to being a little starstruck. I felt like such a dork asking for a picture with them - but how many chances might I get - I would kick myself if I didn't ask. Here's a little photo collage - an app I learned about at the iPads in the classroom session I attended. From left to right, top to bottom - Crystal Radke, Kim Adsit, Deanna Jump, DeeDee Wills, Amy and Lisa from All Y'All Need, and my first blog-crush, Greg Smedley-Warren.
My second favorite part - catching up in person with blogging friends I met last year and making new blogging friends. This is my favorite picture from the Meet-Up.
So I want to leave you with one last thought - never, ever forget to have fun in life - because you never know when a 6-hour car ride might change your life.
And to prove I practice what I preach, have a laugh at this picture taken by Cierra Harris - I wanted to be one of those people that photo bombs just their head - I think I nailed it.
Want a chance to win your very own swag bag? Here's a link to a rafflecopter. Good Luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Want to see and learn more about the Spring Teacher Blogger Meet-Up - choose any of the blogs in this linky.
