Disclosure: This photo was taken before the 2012 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration and was part of the PhotoPass CD that we received. Although we paid for our own trip to Disney World to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, we were given an incredible deal from Disney. Also note that Disney never asked us to blog about this event. As a long time Disney fan, it is my pleasure to share my experiences from the event. More about the PhotoPass coming soon!
Growing up, I remember spending a lot of time at the library. We would go there to check out new books and sign up for the summer reading program. These days, most local libraries have some kind of reading program for children of all ages to participate in. If you are unsure about programs near you, please contact your local library. In addition to these, many libraries offer enrichment activities for kids to enjoy at little or no cost during the summer months.
Last year, I wrote about going to several events including:
This year, the New York State Libraries are all working around the theme Dream Big READ. More information can be found on the Summer Reading NYS website. Here, you can find booklists, videos, games, crafts, coloring, and more items for elementary aged kids, teens, parents, educators, and even for infant to preschoolers. They also created this video as a PSA:
This summer, both of the boys will be eligible for the same program since JSL will be heading into kindergarten and NHL fourth grade. JSL and I will continue to read Magic Tree House Books together and work on his reading readiness with some picture books. Meanwhile, NHL will probably explore different genres of chapter books. I secretly hope that he will think about reading The Series of Unfortunate Events or perhaps Harry Potter. I do know that we will reinstate the “Reading Ultimatum” that eventually fizzled out some during the homework months.
So, will you be participating in a summer reading program with or without your local library? I would love to know what you do with yours, so please share in the comments below. As always, Tuesday Tales are all about spreading the love for books. What have you read recently? Please be sure to link up to your book posts in the comments below. Include something you read on your own, with a child, or someone else.
If our neighbors were looking at us funny on Father’s Day, it made sense. You see my boys were dressed up like superheroes on our front lawn for a photo shoot.
This is not something that we typically do. No, we were on a mission. A mission to help a mother. A mother who has had her life turned upside down in just over a weeks time. A family that heard the news nobody ever wants to learn, no less about the six year old member. Phyllis Sommer, aka Imabima, was told that her beautiful son Sam has Leukemia. Cancer – the “c” word that nobody wants to utter or have used in a sentence about their child was now a reality for the Sommer family.
Phillis and her husband Michael are both rabbis and started a blog to document about Superman Sam. Just after we got home from having Father’s Day brunch I noticed that Phyllis had a new blog post up: Superheroes for Sam: A Photo Project. Our plans changed and superhero items were quickly grabbed from around the house. When we explained to the boys what we were up to, they wanted to see Sam’s photo. They had heard me talk about Imabima before, but did not know Sam. They were excited to be part of Superman Sam team to help someone close to their age smile. NHL knew that this was a mitzvah. To me, it is more. It is not only making a little boy smile during a time that he never should be dealing with – it is helping a mother to grant a wish for her little boy. A mother who is trying to make sense of this life changing news. This mother who could be any one of us.
Phyllis, our thoughts, prayers, and Team Superman Sam wishes are with you from our part of New York. Let Sam know that NHL, JSL, TechyDad, and I are cheering him on. And most important know that TechyDad and I are sending you and Michael hugs and well wishes. Know that although we are not geographically close, we are with you. A package from us will be coming soon.
If you want to be part of Team Superman Sam and send him a photo, please head to the post for mailing address and other information here.
When I met TechyDad, I knew that he was going to be a great father. Even before we were married, I watched him interact with the son of a coworker. It was hilarious to see him get onto the ground and play. Almost nine years ago, when NHL was born, TechyDad’s love for kids was shining even more. He loves to spend time with the boys, to show them things from his childhood, and to be a kid at heart with them. It isn’t every father that would show their kid just how to be a Star Wars geek.
Watching all three of the boys interact is fun. The boys love running, playing, talking about Transformers, Phineas and Ferb, and other things together. I have to admit, I was selfish when I asked them to take this photo together on our trip to Disney World a little over a month ago. I knew that I wanted a photo of the three of them together. I am so glad that I did.
Of course, I also want to mention my father. He has always been there for me, TechyDad, and the boys. Just this week, he got out of bed at two in the morning to drive me to the ER with JSL. There were no questions asked, he just came over and asked if he should stay.
Watching Papa at Disney World on our trip was fascinating. There were times that he seemed to be more of a kid at heart. He was so delighted with the events and kept talking about them and still does. Papa also braved a zip line a few weeks later to do a special adventure just with NHL.
Happy Father’s Day to TechyDad, my father, my father-in-law, my brother, my uncles, and all of the other amazing men out there.
Dear JSL,
Wednesday was a great day. After your graduation from nursery school, you had a special request for a lunch out. We went there, played outside, played at home. Then, you helped me to finish writing your birthday thank you notes. When we were done, I asked you to head with me to the mail box. It was at this point that I realized that we never did buy the gift for one of NHL’s teachers. NHL also mentioned that the following day he was supposed to bring in a snack to celebrate his summer birthday.
So you and I went to Price Chopper because I knew we could get some cookies without nuts and gift cards. When we got home, we talked with our neighbor while you ran and ran and ran around the house. Then, we took things inside and went to the mailbox. At bedtime, you started coughing. No matter what we did, you were not able to stop coughing. It was time to try something to help. I assumed it was asthma kicking in.
Once the nebulizer was over, it was already pretty late. We put you back into bed and sat in the room to make sure you would settle. Suddenly, I heard Daddy try to get you out of bed fast. You were throwing up and gasping for air. You were whisked away to the bathroom, where you were shaking horribly and could not stop this from happening over and over. We eventually got you into our bed and comfortable.
I dozed off briefly until you started to toss and turn. You started to cough again. We pulled out the nebulizer for another treatment since it had been five hours. Nothing got better. Your color was getting worse and your breathing getting more labored. Your little body was clearly in distress. We called Nana and Papa to see if they could take us to the ER. I was afraid to drive you alone with your breathing the way it was.
The ER brings back some bad memories for me. Thank goodness you do not recall a lot of the times you have been there for your fevers. The nurses were really great and had a doctor come to you in triage. They immediately noted that you had croup – that barking cough echoed down the halls. I’m not sure why I thought you were too old for that. The nurse and I tackled you to start some steroids to help the cough that was still horrible. Since your lungs were clear, we were told we just had to keep the meds in you and then could head home. We were moved to an area in the hall to sit in a chair. You immediately curled up in my arms to try to sleep.
I sat there thanking my lucky stars that it was nothing more serious. Your lungs were healthy, your ears fine, and you were getting enough oxygen. A few hours after we arrived in the ER, we were sent home. You crawled into bed and managed to sleep for a few hours
I was not able to sleep. I watched you breathing and holding onto Perry who had also comforted you at the hospital. My mind was racing and I just wanted to see you rest in our home. Thank goodness you are feeling better now and soon you will be up to speed to really begin our summer vacation.
Love,
Mommy
