December, 2011 | The Angel Forever

Monthly Archives December 2011

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Catch Me There – Mickey Mouse and Schools Collide

Posted on December 6, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

What, you ask, is controversial about Mickey Mouse and education? I know many of you are telling yourself that there is so much that Disney, Mickey Mouse, and the rest of the gang can teach your children. You do not have to sell me on that. As NDM183, I write about the world of education in The Disney Driven Life. I have used Disney within my past classroom, with my own children, and beyond.

I have been on a bit of a hiatus with my post on The Disney Driven Life. Then, I had an idea for a topic. Always on the minds of parents is whether or not it is “ok” to take a child out of school for a vacation. Being an educator who once thought a certain way, and now a parent that has slightly altered her theory – this seemed like a great topic to pick up.

What I did not expect was the controversy to hit so quickly. When I posted a question to my teacher friends on Facebook, it got heated quickly. Parents of children came in to defend their views. People talked about what they did as children and now as parents. It made me wonder if I should continue on.

In the end, this heated commenting sparked an idea. My almost finished post morphed before my eyes. It quickly became at least a three post series.

My latest post on The Disney Driven Life: The Mickey Mouse Over School Dilemma – Part 1 is all about how the need to talk about this topic came to fruition. Please stop by to say hello and check out the other magical posts from my Disney Drive Life friends. My other posts there can be found under NDM183 – that’s me!

Categories:
Disney DisneyDrivenLife Educational EduMICKation looking back My Other Projects photos school

Fortune Cookie Wisdom

Posted on December 5, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

I sit here in my blogging spot and HAD to type as the kids finish up their dinner. You see, we decided to have some take out Chinese Food. Lots going on today and no time to prepare anything. Of course, it was the Chinese dinner that changed when TechyDad cut into what should have been his steamed vegetable dumplings to find pork. Ooops! Guess who ended up with that? OINK!

Then, it was fortune cookie time. I opened up my fortunes and just ignored what was inside. Then, TechyDad read my first one aloud followed by an even more interesting second one.

I could not make this up! It seriously made me smile after some rough patches this weekend. I smiled and immediately asked TechyDad to get me my camera. I wanted to document these and use them as a blog post. Yes, perhaps they mean nothing. Of course, they could just be the little spark that lights the spark in me and keeps me going on some big projects.

Then, as NHL opened his I had to wonder as well. This was one of the fortunes:

Pretty deep for a third grader, but it certainly could give us a lot to talk about. As a child who has been through so much in this last year, it will be a nice reminder for him to keep his head up, never give up, and to believe in himself.

So what do you think about these fortune cookie notes of wisdom? Would love to hear any interesting ones that you have had over the years, or more recent.

Categories:
food glorious food interesting looking back me moments nhl TechyDad

Memories of Muppets Music

Posted on December 4, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Growing up with the Muppets, I remember playing my Muppet Show album on my old Fisher-Price record player. Actually, I think my father also had it on an old eight track as well. Man do I feel old and, with my birthday coming, this hurts even more. Anyway, I have always loved listening to the Muppets sing.

Last week, TechyDad bought the The Muppets Original Soundtrack MP3. The boys have been listening to it a lot with him. I had not really had a chance to listen to it. So when we went yesterday to see The Muppets, I was not jumping in my seat and singing along like the boys. Of course, I fell in love with it as I watched the movie come to life.

To say that I enjoyed the movie would be an understatement. I will just say that I can NOT wait to buy it on DVD and watch it over and over again. More on the movie coming later. One of the items that I really liked about the movie was it was old-school Muppets. It brought us back to the days when the Muppets really did a lot of singing and dancing. The songs were classic and fun for all ages.

When I got home, I found a fun video on YouTube about the soundtrack. It is a bit longer, but worth it. They had a lot of fun mixing The Muppets and their humor with would be YouTube comments.

Yes, the Muppets are back and I thank Disney for making it right. I do think Jim Henson is smiling down watching the next generation of Muppet addicts like my children.

Categories:
fun laughs looking back me moments Movies Music TechyDad weekend

Kid Who Loves Pottery

Posted on December 3, 2011 9:06 am by TheAngelForever

Dear NHL,

Last year, when you started at your new school, you were reunited with the art teacher you knew. She is an amazing inspiration and really seems to have gotten you excited about art. At the end of last year, you made a fish during a pottery project with her.

You kept talking about pottery for a while. Then, the summer came and went. Now, three months of third grade are behind us. Once again, you love to talk about art. Something that once was not a favorite is a hobby that you adore.

On Thursday, you came home with a package all wrapped up and you wanted to share it immediately. I asked you to wait until we got inside the house to make sure nothing was broken. We rushed inside and you ran to the table.

Within seconds you had carefully uncovered the precious pottery project that you had been talking about. Yes, this cute little owl now had a home with us.

I loved it and you knew that I was going to take photos immediately. Thank goodness you are good about that and helped me to prop it up. Then, we talked about how I used to take pottery in high school. Yes, even while taking upper level science classes, I loved to de-stress and enjoy my art classes. Perhaps this is something that you will enjoy as well.

I can not wait to see more of the beautiful creations that you make over the years ahead.

Love,

Mommy

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If you want to participate in Dear Kid Saturday, head on over to Cutest Kid Ever by clicking on the button below.

Categories:
arts and crafts Dear Kid Saturday Educational nhl photos school

Muppets Mania

Posted on December 2, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

I am a child of the 80’s and grew up sitting down with my family to watch The Muppet Show. I adored Miss Piggy and have written about it before. It should not be a shock that my boys love to watch old episodes from our The Muppet Show Season 1 DVD set. What may be a surprise is that we have not had a chance to see The Muppets that came out last Wednesday. I know, I know – tsk, tsk, tsk!

We were going to see it on Sunday, but a migraine had other plans for our family. We are hoping to see it this weekend. Of course, we are still in Muppets spirit here. Check out my two Muppets.

Why yes, Chanukah has come early and the boys have Muppets hats, Muppets shirts, and of course Muppets pajamas. NHL appears to really like Animal. I think it’s because Animal plays the drums and he’s in band learning that. Not too sure why JSL like Kermit, but he’s cute asking for Miss Piggy things as well.

My question to you is inspired by my long time love of all things Muppets:

Have you seem The Muppets yet? Would love to know what you think. Oh and while we are at it, who is your favorite character from The Muppet Show?

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Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the linky there if you are participating.