Monthly Archives July 2013

Disney in the Details

Staying at a Walt Disney World Resort adds to the magic of going to Orlando. Not only are you immersed in beautiful Disney items in their parks, but also where you will be sleeping and dreaming of your next adventure. Over the years, I have stayed at many different resorts on Disney grounds. During our last visit, TechyDad and I were able to stay in two sections of the Art of Animation Resort. Whether inside or outside, the details were stunning from the giant characters surrounding the buildings, the plants that made you feel under the sea, to the amazing rooms that made us feel like we were a part of The Lion King and The Little Mermaid while in our rooms.

Lion King at Art of Animation Resort

The Little Mermaid at Art of Animation Resort

Focused on the Magic

Be sure to stop by Focused on the Magic by clicking on the button above to join in the Disney magic this week.

It's Me

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Kids and Knitting Looms

My youngest son adores arts and crafts of all kinds. If there is the opportunity to create something, he will jump at it. JSL also likes to sit and watch me knit or crochet. He helped me with my fist big crochet project that I was working on many times. He was my model to help me share how big it was getting and then determine which pattern to connect the granny squares in. JSL wants to learn how to knit or crochet, but I thought just six is a bit young for this. Since the coordination needed is high, I did not want him to be too frustrated. So, for his birthday in May, I bought him a knitting loom to try.

When I gave JSL the present, part of the deal was we would go to a store and purchase yarn together. We did this and then we never had the chance to really try the loom together. The heat wave changed this. While trying to keep cool inside, I took the loom and yarn out and we got started.

Learning to use the knitting loom

Yes, that is the color that the kiddo wanted when we went to the store. He wanted rainbow style and so we bought some to get started. The instructions for the Boye knitting loom was really easy to follow. I started the process by weaving the yarn around the first time. Then, I showed JSL how to move the circle around. What we both really liked was the top of the loom that had an area to catch the yarn as you were pulling the other strand over. This was missing on another loom that I had at home and it was frustrating to him when the yarn would pop off. There was also a ridge down the middle to help grab the yarn to pull over with the loom hook.

Boye's Knitting Loom

At first, JSL had a hard time figuring out how to hold the loom, the yarn, and the loom hook to work. With some trial and error, we found something that worked well for him. While it may look a little awkward, it was working quite nicely for JSL.

Practice time with the knitting zoom

After a little while, JSL had gone around the loom and was ready to take a break. Insert silly six year old knitting loom humor. I do believe this photo pretty much sums it up.

Knitting Loom Crown

More updates coming as JSL continues with his knitting loom learning. If you have used a knitting loom with kids, I would love to hear advice or project suggestions to do with my little guy.

It's Me

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Project Understanding Autism

Autism Ribbon

Almost ten years ago, I knew that my life was going to change. I was very pregnant at the time and awaiting for the arrival of our first born. TechyDad and I spent a lot of time going places and doing things that we knew would be more difficult with a baby. We knew that our wants would often have to be put on hold because of the needs of our child.

For nine of my years as a parent, I pulled my son along to events even if he was upset and worried about items. I figured he had to learn to cope, adjust, and go with the flow. Then, just over a year ago, we finally realized that something I suspected over five years before was true. Our son has Asperger’s Syndrome. While some may say they are sorry, I am not. My son is not deathly ill, he is simply wired differently. As I have written before, I am very thankful for answers so we can assist NHL in his journey. His Asperger’s makes him who he is and I would not change him. His quirks means that he adores simple things, but is fascinated with all complex mathematical and scientific  theories.

Of course, that same wiring that has so many positive items that go along with it has draw backs. He gets overloaded more easily and often does not know how to express this in what society has deemed a socially acceptable way. These are items we are working on with him at home and in school. With time, he will gradually get better with this and already has come a long way. When we are home, he simply shuffles off to his bedroom for a safe place to cocoon. When with adults that understand, they are able to redirect him to calm down and refocus. Last week, he went to camp and it was an amazing experience. They got NHL and I can not say enough amazing things about the camp director and her staff. They helped him, and he thrived. It proves once again to me that environment is huge in how most kids will autism will react. If there is caring and understanding, they can thrive. If there is yelling, screaming, and refusal to be flexible, they won’t.

What I desperately would like to change is how people perceive individuals like my son who are on the Autism Spectrum. My child is not a spoiled brat trying to get his way. He is not fidgety because he ate too much candy. No, my son is doing the best he can trying to deal with constant sensory input that is bombarding him 24/7 and 365 days a year. Imagine this happening to you all the time. No doubt it would make you anxious, upset, and afraid of people, places, and things. Of course, NHL knows nothing different. This is the way he likely believes that everyone sees the world.

My new goal is to try to help NHL’s peers, our family, and other adults in his life to understand autism. Not only is this to help my child, but others as well. The more we educate society the better things will get for others that come along this path. This blog post is therapeutic in a way. I am venting because I am flustered with some people that refuse to understand. We are not trying to ruin your plans if we say we have to cancel. We are trying to prevent what may be a meltdown at something. We are not being rude and constantly refusing something, we are doing what is best for our child. With NHL’s diagnosis, I promised myself that I would not feel guilty about what I had forced him to do in the past. I can not do that. Instead, I am going to listen, watch him, and do what he needs at a given time. If someone refuses to understand, we will move on and stay away from that in the future.

Someday, I hope that everyone will understand autism. The reality is that if you do not educate yourself on the facts and listen to myths without getting to know the amazing kids and adults, you are the one missing out.

It's Me

Disclosure:  The Autism Awareness ribbon icon above was created by Melesse and comes from Wikimedia Commons.

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Smartphone Typing Options

In my pre-Smartphone world, I was a firm believer that I had to have a cell phone with a keyboard. In my defense, it helped me to text, Tweet, and update Facebook via SMS capabilities. The prices were similar and it saved me from using the alternative method of multi-key alphabet . My world changed when I got my first smartphone. Suddenly, I was thrust into the world of predominately touch screen phones. I have to admit, I never looked back once I was there.

Of course, there are many long time smartphone users that really like their keyboard option when using the phone. The options for this type of phone are very limited these days. Several months ago, BlackBerry announced their newest phone the Z10 and long time users gasped at a BlackBerry device without the keyboard. As a Verizon Lifestyle Blogger, I received the Z10 and it was a great phone. I actually had a difficult time understanding the need for the alternative typing space. Of course, I was not accustomed to a BlackBerry device with said keyboard and was used to a larger screen for viewing items on my phone.

PicsArt_1371753127178_wm

Nobody should have been surprised when shortly after the release of the Z10, BlackBerry introduced the world to the Q10. My husband uses a BlackBerry for work and agreed to help me test out the Q10 (link to phone specs on Verizon Wireless website). As you can see, it looks a lot like his previous BlackBerry device and will make hardcore fans happy with the brand favorite QWERTY Keyboard. I have to admit, I am intrigued by the Q10 and am itching to see how it compares to the Z10.

BlackBerry Bold vs Q10

In addition to this, the Q10 has the new BlackBerry Hub, BBM Chat, BlackBerry Remember, and other features. There is a lot more to share about the Q10 and that will be coming soon. For now, I leave you with my Aloha Friday question of the week:

If you were to create your perfect smartphone, would it have a keyboard or touchscreen and why?

It's Me

Disclosure: As a member of the Verizon Lifestyle Bloggers, I receive different devices to check out in my life. There is no other compensation. I am a long time Verizon customer, and all opinions are my own.


Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this Friday fun. These days, Pamela at A Renaissance Woman is reviving the fun Friday Meme. Head over there to link up and join in the fun.

Aloha Friday by Kailani at An Island Life

Aloha #247

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The Great 2013 School Supply List

It seems like the boys just finished up school and yet I am already focused on securing school supplies for the 2013-2014 academic year. When the boys left school on the last day, they already had their school supply lists tucked away with their report cards. While I could just push the lists to the side, I know right now is the time to find bargains on the items that we need at retailers. As a teacher, and now as a parent, I watch and wait for the items that we need and get them during our travels. Our collection officially started to grow on Independence Day weekend thanks to some nice sales at Target and Staples. Then, the other day, I stumbled upon some crayons on sale at Toys R Us. Since it is a tradition since NHL started school, I always share our lists and am curious what other people need to buy for their children.

Gathering School Supplies

This represents some items for both of the boys with a lot of additional items already in our house and some more that need to be bought. So what does our second full year of both boys in school look like for lists? Check out below to see what our classrooms are requiring this year. Past lists can be seen by clicking here.

1st Grade Supply List

  • Two composition notebooks (black & white)
  • A book bag or backpack
  • Pencils (Ticonderoga are great)
  • Scissors
  • 1 large pink eraser
  • 1 box of crayons (24 or less)
  • Markers (10 count box)
  • 2 boxes of tissues (to be shared with the class)
  • 5 glue sticks
  • A small plastic supply box
  • Three folders with pockets on the bottom
  • One container of baby wipes (to be shared with the class)
  • One box of dry erase markers
  • Paper towels

This list seems pretty standard in my mind. NHL’s list from grade one is here and was in another school and quite similar.

5th Grade Supply List

  • One pack of 16 colored pencils <— Does anyone know what brand since we can not find these in any searches?
  • Two packages of loose-leaf composition paper (wide ruled)
  • Money for the School organizer/assignment book
  • A pack of dry erase markers
  • A good handheld sharpener
  • 2 dozen #2 pencils
  • A small paperback dictionary
  • 1 roll of paper towels
  • 2 large boxes of tissues
  • 1 package of Hi-liters (4)
  • 7 two-pocket folders: Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, Purple, White, Orange, and any color for music
  • 1 package of black or blue pens
  • 1 package of baby wipes
  • 5 black composition notebooks <— Thank you no color coding with these this year!
  • 1 package of 3×5 index cards
  • Elmer’s or Scotch brand glue sticks
  • Scissors

The list seems reasonable given what we have had in previous years. As noted, we can not find a 16 pack of colored pencils, white plastic folders do not exist (I do not buy the paper ones so they last with NHL), and I can’t believe my kiddo needs pens this year. *GULP*  – reality is that NHL will be in middle school in a year.

So what items are on your school supply lists? Have you found any really great sales yet? Please share below. I really am a school supply geek, I think it’s the teacher in me.

It's Me

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