August, 2013 | The Angel Forever

Monthly Archives August 2013

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Weddings from a Distance

Posted on August 30, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Twelve years ago when TechyDad and I were married, we were blessed that almost all of our cousins from near and far were able to make it to our wedding. Looking back at the pictures, it is hard to believe how everyone has changed.

Now, we are all adults. Not only do TechyDad and I have two children, my brother is also married with two kids of his own. Two of my California cousins have also gotten married and have their own children. Then last year, the first cousin on my paternal side of the family was married and we were not able to make it to his wedding. Then news came that another cousin would be getting married and his wedding would be in Israel. It’s hard to admit that I knew immediately that we would not be able to go. Not only is the trip a long one, it is a very expensive one. In addition to this, the wedding will be right before the start of the school year. Right now I sit at home thinking about my family in Israel getting ready to celebrate with Cousin H.

Mazel Tov to Cousin H and your beautiful bride. May your wedding day be the start of many years of wonderful memories in your life together.

Categories:
family looking back

Special Moments with Your Children

Posted on August 29, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

As the summer winds down, I am getting a little sentimental. My boys are growing up. I think it hit me last night when JSL woke up out of the blue early in the evening. He came over to the couch where I was sitting and getting some work done. The next thing I knew, he was curled up in my arms and fell fast asleep.

My heart melted at that moment. I immediately took a photo to capture this moment because you never know if a six year old will do something like this again. It left me wondering how many more moments like this I would be able to experience with my boys. They truly are growing up too quickly.

It has been a great summer. Each of the boys went to camp one week and loved their experience where I signed them up. While one went to camp, the other kiddo and I did special things together. JSL and I went to lunch, saw the new shows at the planetarium that we are members at, and kept cool in the crazy hot week by playing at Nana and Papa’s house. NHL and I went to Menchie’s to try it before everyone else in our family. We also were able to see Smurfs 2 and Turbo. I was able to get to know each of them a little better without the other being there. While our summer as a group has been nice, being able to give one child all of your attention and not worrying about the other was refreshing.

These moments made me think that while TechyDad and I need to have special moments with the boys together, I think we need to add another item. Perhaps we will set a time each month where we do something special with one of the boys alone. They could use this time and it would be interesting to see if we go for a hike, make a craft, read a book, or something else like that. We do not have to spend money, just make memories before the kids are grown up.

Do you ever have special “dates” with just one of your children at a time? I would love to know some of the things that you have done or what you would like to do if you tried something like this.

Categories:
family milestone parenting summer

Disney Letter N

Posted on August 28, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Think about the Disney alphabet and most of the time you immediately go to characters. With the letter N, Nemo is prominent thanks to his adventures in Epcot and entire area at the Art of Animation Resort. This week I decided to mostly head outside of the traditional box when gathering photos for the theme. Of course, that also made me go back a few years and see just how much my boys have grown. So many magical memories and hoping to have lots more in the years to come.

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

Categories:
Disney looking back travel vacation

Tuesday Tales – Rufus Goes to School

Posted on August 27, 2013 7:00 am by TheAngelForever

Back to school in our house means more reading, especially for the boys. While we have read over the summer, it was not nearly as focused. As we get ready for going back to school in September, first grader JSL and I have been gearing up on books related to school. Last year, he really latched onto The Kissing Hand to give him comfort when going to a new school and entering Kindergarten. This year, I was looking for books that would give him self confidence and remind him about the amazing things he can do and learn in school. The timing of an email from Sterling Publishing about a new book called Rufus Goes to School was perfect. I immediately asked JSL if he wanted to help me to review it.

While the cute little pig named Rufus was a selling point in the email that I received, the book trailer sealed the deal. JSL wanted could not wait to read the book and kept asking when it would arrive.

As you can see in the video, the illustrations by Valerie Gorbachev are beautiful and really make Rufus and his tale come to life. Author Kim T. Griswell introduces us to Rufus and we watch him problem solve a way to go to school. He is a very determined pig and has to figure out a plan to get Principal Lipid to listen to him. Needless to say, JSL thought that the principal was not being nice to Rufus. Each time he would say he could not go to school, we would cheer on our little hero and wonder what he would think of next.

What impresses me most about this book is the message. Children that read this will see that the small little pig does not give up. He is determined to follow his dream and pursues this in a polite way no matter how others have tried to stop him. This charming picture book will inspire young children heading back to school to keep believing and use their words to be self advocates for what they want. JSL and I highly recommend this book for kids as they go back to school this year. He has already asked me to share it with his teacher and I think we will ask if it can go in for read aloud.

What books do you enjoy reading with your children for back to school? I would love for you to share them below. As always, Tuesday Tales is all about sharing our love of books. Please let me know what you have read recently. 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.

Disclosure: As noted above, I received this book from Sterling Publishing to review. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

Categories:
books school Tuesday Tales

Security Changes and the NFL All Clear Bag Policy

Posted on August 26, 2013 7:30 pm by TheAngelForever

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I have been asked to share information about the new All Clear policy at NFL Stadiums. As a long time sports fan, I have seen changes and wanted to share the NFL’s concern and how they are addressing it with new clear bag options. All opinions are my own.

Sports were a big part of my life growing up. Traveling to different parts of the country would typically include going to a major sporting event. Then, when I was in college, I bought season tickets of my own for several years to our minor league hockey team. I still have the backpack that I used to tote everything that I needed to these games. Inside my bag, I had my purse, camera, autographed game-worn jersey, cow bell, and depending on the weather some gloves. This was back in the day when security was never a thought in the world, you just entered places. The world changed drastically on September 11, 2001. From that day on, bags would be searched, TSA would require clear bags with liquids in them, and many venues would alter their rules. Did I have a problem letting them search my bags? NO! In fact, I would often laugh in my head when a poor gentleman at security would look inside and hit feminine hygiene products and squirm. Hey, it’s a fact of life….move on.

It was after this time that my brother and his friends bought season tickets to the Buffalo Bills. Insert your jokes here, they have probably heard all of them in the Buffalo area. Yes, they were diehards and would tailgate before the games and sit there cheering on the team that never seems to catch a break. Watching my brother prepare for a game in Buffalo was fascinating. He had to layer clothing just right, often prepare for snow, and make sure everything was set for the pre-game festivities. These men cooked amazing items to share with each other. There were rules they followed about items that could and could not be brought into the stadium. The NFL had already banned coolers and backpacks into stadiums in 2001 for all fans.

Then, in an instant, more changes happened on April 15, 2012. The horrific events at the Boston Marathon meant that people questioned permitting bags/purses and how to safely allow people to carry items into events. The NFL decided that they were not going to take any chances after the tragic events that happened in Boston. They got to work on the #NFLAllClear policy. Like other pro leagues and college stadiums had already done, they would not be allowing purses, diaper bags, and other large totes into their facilities. Season ticket holders were notified before the pre-season, and to assist fans, they have a video explaining the changes along with more details on their NFL All Clear page. Here, you will be able to locate the sizes of bags allowed. In addition to this, the NFL released the video below over a month ago to explain more about the new security policy.

While the NFL hopes that fans will leave their bags at home, they have outlined what is permissible to carry if they need to head into a game. Also note that medically necessary items are permitted they explain in the FAQs more about that. In addition to this, the Buffalo Bills have their own website with information about their stadium at the bottom of their website. This also includes a page on permitted/prohibited items and lists more information about the bag policy.

While I admit that, when I first heard this on the news, I wondered how it would work for families and women that need to bring more than the items into their pockets to a game. After reading the information on the website, I realized it was less that you can not bring things just a change in how it will be done. As you can see from three of the example NFL bags above, the sizes are not bad and would work for fans to tote in any necessities that would go inside a purse, diaper bag, or beyond. So try not to worry about the changes, it is for your safety. It will take time to adjust, but go with the flow and focus on the important part…cheering on your team. Let’s Go Buffalo!

What do you think about the new NFL security measures? How will this alter the way you pack items to head to cheer on your favorite team?

Please join @TheOnlineMom and other #NFLAllClear ambassadors to share your thoughts on the new policy this Wednesday evening on Twitter. Join in on the conversation from 9-10 PM ET.

It's Me

Disclosure: As stated above I am working with the NFL to spread the word about the new policy. This relationship and compensation does not influence my thoughts and opinions as a long time sports fan.