Monthly Archives January 2012

Making Today Matter

Today both of my boys are home from school. My oldest son is in third grade and has learned about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. over the years. His four year old brother is still too young to really understand. Of course, in the back of my head, I know that NHL is aware of who Dr. King Jr. is, but does he understand just how he helped to change life for so many in our country? I am not sure he does since he is only eight and only knows life where he and his friends see no difference in skin color. Something so simple in that statement makes me know that my kiddo is learning so much.

In honor of this day, I wanted to share some great projects that would be fun to do with children today or in February in honor of Black History Month. When I was teaching, I had a lot of great projects that we did for this day and to celebrate the month of February, but I wanted to check what others were doing. Of course, I went to Pinterest and searched for the holiday.

Yes, I have a board just for MLK Jr. Day, but I thought I would share a few of the items here. I could just imagine these wreaths being made in a classroom, homeschool, or at home with kids. They would be great to display and remember the person behind the holiday.

 

Source: littlegiraffes.com via TheAngelForever on Pinterest

 

 

These freedom bells look perfect to do with younger children.

Source: funfamilycrafts.com via TheAngelForever on Pinterest

 

 

When I went to the website that hosted the original idea, it also had a song called Freedom, Freedom, Let it Ring that you sing to Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and I think my oldest son may have heard this years ago.

Freedom, Freedom, let it ring,

"Let it ring, " said Dr King.

Let us live in harmony,

Peace and love for you and me.

Freedom, freedom, let it ring,

"Let it ring," said Dr King.

For older children, I love the idea of taking a trade book and mixing it up with the holiday theme. The Crayon Box That Talked is about a group of crayons that do not like each other because the colors do not like each other. They learn a valuable lesson that worked nicely into a classroom crayon box of tolerance and accepting different crayons from a group.

Source: mrsbrownart.com via TheAngelForever on Pinterest

 

 

So how do you celebrate this day with your family? I know that we are hoping to go out and make a difference today within our community. My kids will see that today is not just a day off from school, but a day to remember the importance of a man who changed the world.

It's Me

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Perry the Platypus for President

We are a Phineas and Ferb family. NHL had a birthday party with them as the theme, the kids have pajamas, shirts, special Disney World Perry shirts, toys and more. It is one of a few programs that we can all sit on the couch to watch, laugh, and enjoy together. Of course, as I type this at the dining room table, the boys are watching one of the new episodes and I hear the new song called Zubada.

 

This song will now be stuck in my head until the next one plays which is going to be shortly. No doubt, Way of the Platypus will be a song that the boys keep singing over and over.

 

Sure, we love all of the characters from Phineas and Ferb, but there is something extra special about Perry. Not every pet could be a secret special agent and fight evil. Yes, even Perry got me the other night. After the boys had gone to bed, I was avoiding work. I pulled out NHL’s drawing book and made this to surprise the boys with in the morning. I know it needs work, but not too shabby for a first attempt.

 Perry For President

Next, I think I should draw up some Perry for President signs – what do you think?

It's Me

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Transportation Time Fun

Dear JSL,

Two weeks ago, your class started a transportation theme. During this time, you made your own blue car, played with boats, washed cars in a car wash, designed your own train, and many other items.

  The blue car

There was also a giant class project. Last week, your teacher called one night to ask that you go to school in clothing for some major painting. We had that set, but forgot about your brand new white sneakers. Thank goodness your teacher from last year had rain boots that you could use for painting. When we got into school, there was a giant cardboard box on a plastic tarp. As soon as I saw the box, I had a feeling I knew what it was about to become.

This Tuesday, we walked into your classroom to see the finished project. It was an amazing creation. It had windshield wipers, wheels, headlights, the stop sign for cars, a door, and more.

The bus is finished

When we looked closer there was even a steering wheel and a seat for the bus driver. I have a feeling all of you must have had a great time going inside the bus together to sing The Wheels on the Bus as a group.

Another view of the bus

Of course, once I had the camera out to capture these photos, I had to get one with you next to the bus.

Ready to ride the bus

I know you loved this unit because of all of the fun items and you learned so much. I was so surprised to hear that you went on a real bus to check it out. You have grown up and I keep trying to forget that soon you will be heading off to kindergarten. Keep learning, growing, and sharing all that you do each day with me.

Love,

Mommy

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Not My Hair in the Food

The title pretty much explains it all. Last week, TechyDad stopped on his way home from work to pick up some dinner because it was one of those nights. We opted for some subs. I was really in the mood for some grilled chicken and ordered that. As we were eating our dinner, I noticed a medium length hair of a color that is not mine sticking out of my sandwich.

 Sub Sandwich - using sub from OpenClipArt.org

Insert gagging noises, expressions of horror, and rage.

That was the end of my meal since there was no way I was eating something that was served to me with an unknown hair within it. TechyDad called the store and was told he could go back in for a new sandwich and see the manager. Oh sure, just what we want to do so late on one of the coldest nights of the year with two kids that need to go to bed soon. NOPE, I was not taking that as an answer. I decided to call and ask to talk to the manager. The manager came onto the phone and blew me away with the cluelessness. She did not get how bad this situation was, offered no solution, and certainly NEVER said she was sorry. The next morning, I went to the website of the main company since I did not have a way to get in touch with the local owner. This is what I wrote to them:

My husband decided to stop on his way home to get subs for dinner to take home. He ordered a roasted chicken and veggie patty. As I was eating mine, something caught my eye. A hair was embedded in my sandwich that was clearly NOT mine. That was it, I was done eating. I was disgusted with this. What I was not ready for was what happened when we called the store. First, my husband called. He was told to go back to the store to talk with the manager. He hung up and told me. It was dinner time, we have two young children, and it was freezing. He was NOT going back to the store at that point in time. I picked up the phone and asked to talk to the manager. It was a little after 6:00 at this point. I did not get the managers name. She was less than helpful at best. The manager clearly did not get the gravity of the situation. She stated "Oh you are upset and don’t want your food?"  No kidding I was upset, disgusted, and appalled with how she had no clue how to handle this. I told her I was finished and was going to contact corporate. This is when she suddenly seemed to care and wanted to know what she could do. I told her no thank you and hung up the phone. Your Twitter feed helped me to located this page to report the incident. I would like to know what is the proper protocol for  avoiding hairs into customer food and what is supposed to be done when a customer finds one within their meal.

Thank you in advance for your assistance with this matter.

After some time, an e-mail from the owner of the store arrived. It was 2-3 sentences long and did not really apologize, state what happened, or anything else. They may have thought it was a sorry, but it was not. Stating that you are “sorry that your experience at my store was not satisfactory” and telling me to print out the e-mail for a free sub next visit does not cut it. Nope, my business will now be going to a new location and I will make my own sandwiches at home without feeding my family hairs.

So my question to you this week:

Have you ever gotten a hair in your food at a restaurant? What did you say and what did they do in response to the situation?

It's Me

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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.

Aloha Friday by Kailani at An<br<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
    /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
    Island<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
    Life

Aloha #186

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Winter Means Pinning Lots of Soup

Yes, I do mean I am pinning lots of soup this winter. If you don’t know what I mean come on over to Pinterest to find me.

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Thanks to a sweet four year old that shared his cold, nothing sounds good to eat. I am craving my mother’s chicken soup, but that isn’t going to happen. So while trying to clear the congestion in my head, I went to Pinterest. I wanted to find soups for my family to enjoy, keep warm, and devour the rest of this winter. It may not have been THAT cold yet, but there are many more months where Mother Nature will likely have her last laugh.

I sent a call out to my friend on Twitter to see if they had any soup recipes to share. @Kimberaka who writes at From My Corner of Saratoga sent me three items on her blog. She shared how to make soup into dinner, a great New England Clam Chowder recipe, and the one below for Corn Chowder. Thanks Kim!

Source: frommycornerofsaratoga.com via TheAngelForever on Pinterest

 

 

Then, I started to do random searches on Pinterest for soup. Something I have also been craving is Pho. Since TechyDad does not like to eat meat when out, we have not been able to locate a place to get Pho for him. Thanks to this pin, we just may be able to make some at home soon.

Source: keepitskinny.wordpress.com via TheAngelForever on Pinterest

 

 

It was hard to decide what to and what not to pin, but I was selective at this point. My love of cauliflower and the fact that my oldest son also likes it made a recipe for Caramelized Cauliflower Soup jump out. This sounds really delicious and different to me.

Source: sproutedkitchen.com via TheAngelForever on Pinterest

 

 

Since we keep a kosher kitchen, we often make vegetarian soups. I do miss the hearty meaty soups, but love when I find alternatives. Plus with “burger crumbles” from companies like Morning Star, you can easily revamp a great recipe. Here is one for Morning Star Vegetarian Tortilla Soup.

Source: morningstarfarms.com via TheAngelForever on Pinterest

 

 

Of course, a girl can also dream of a soup that looks like a major splurge. I wonder if this one from the Disney Parks Blog for Loaded Baked Potato Soup can be tweaked into a kosher variety (hello soy bacon in a pinch).

Source: disneyparks.disney.go.com via TheAngelForever on Pinterest

 

 

Do you have a favorite soup recipe to share? I would love to know about it. Please let me know about it in the comments. Feel free to leave a link to a post or the recipe online. My need for soup thanks you and I will add it to my soups pins on Pinterest.

It's Me

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