July, 2015 | The Angel Forever

Monthly Archives July 2015

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Goodbye My Friend

Posted on July 31, 2015 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Who knew that it would be so hard to say goodbye? Yes, I am talking about our old couch in the photo above. Thursday evening we set it outside on the curb and much to my surprise I stood there with tears rolling down my cheeks. While it may seem just just an old couch, it apparently means a lot more to me than I expected.

You see that couch with the squishy cushions and spring that had sprung was more to me than a piece of furniture. It was filled with memories of years gone by.

This couch was something that TechyDad and I picked out right before we got married. It was our first purchase together. Little known fact, I used money my Nana and Papa left me to buy this and other items that we got when we started our life together.
I was sitting on this couch reading the sixth Harry Potter book when I was nine months pregnant with NHL. I stood up because I was uncomfortable and felt a pop and whoosh! Yes, my water broke and the big kiddo was on his way into the world almost twelve years ago.
Countless hours were spent on this couch nursing both of my babies. My rear went numb at times, but those snuggles made the couch my happy place.
Over the years, I watched the boys grow up on this couch before my eyes. They would nap, snuggle, bond, and yes even wrestle each other in this very location.
Almost every year, we would scramble to take photos of the kids for our New Years cards on this couch. We would often dress up the area with a blanket, stuffed buddies, or something else.

In the end, I know it was time to say goodbye to my old friend, but I will miss her. Of course, I am also excited about our new couch coming this weekend and making new memories. Now, who wants to help me alphabetize the list of rules for the kids?

Categories:
looking back me moments

Coloring Books for Adults

Posted on July 29, 2015 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Do you like to color and do you have your own coloring book? Yes, I am talking to the adults out there that are reading this.

When I was in elementary school, my fourth grade teacher used to give us coloring sheets to do when we finished our work. She had markers and colored pencils for everyone to add our own touch to beautiful geometric designs and tessellations. My love for these books carried over to my own classroom many years later. I had them for my middle school students to use when they wanted to decompress.

In recent months, the art of adult coloring has become popular. I watched friend after friend post articles about how helpful coloring can be for adults. Taking time for yourself with a design to color has been proven to help relax individuals and reduce stress for some time.

Stress could be my middle name and I was waiting for the right time to get my own new book. The other night, JSL went with me to the book store where I picked up one of the Creative Haven Find Your True Colors books by Dover Publications. This publisher made many of my favorites when I was growing up. After spending time debating several books, I selected the Mandalas Coloring Book.

That night I had to color. The book was calling my name and my Sharpies were sitting there looking for a project. I started before getting the boys into bed and went back to my design later. I was in love with coloring all over again.

Since that day, I finished coloring a few more designs.

Little things about coloring amuse me and make me smile. I even adore the design that shows up on the back when the markers bleed through the paper. Do you see anything hidden in this college below? JSL sure thinks that he sees something.

I adore this book and hope to take it on our cruise. I can just imagine sitting on a deck of the ship coloring while listening to the ocean.

So tell me, have you picked up a coloring book as an adult? I would love to know what books are your favorites and what medium you prefer to use when coloring.

Categories:
arts and crafts books me moments

Tuesday Tales: Animal Gas, A Farty Farce

Posted on July 21, 2015 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

We all know that everyone poops, thanks to the infamous tale. While many of us would like to pretend that we don’t toot, everybody certainly does pass gas. As the mother of two boys and a fan of potty humor from time to time, Animal Gas, A Farty Farce was right up our alley to review. We received a copy of this book written and illustrated by Bryan Ballinger from Sterling Children’s Books.

Animal Gas: A Farty Farce – Written and Illustrated by Bryan Ballinger – Published by Sterling Children’s Books – ISBN 9781454916161 – $12.95 – Ages 3-7

The basics behind (no pun intended) this book are that the group of animals think their farts don’t stink. They seriously think they their toots smell amazing. Through a fun rhyming text, Ballinger tells each animal’s tale followed by another one replying. The illustrations are phenomenal and really make the point of the opposing animals opinion. I greatly appreciate the variety of ways to talk about cutting the cheese. I mean who knew that one book could incorporate so many in a silly story that will entertain young and old. There is also an Animal Gas website that has extras like more illustrations and songs. Here’s fun book trailer that I had to share.

Warning, this is probably not a book that you will want to send into school with your child. Have mercy on their teacher. As someone who first met Captain Underpants and Professor Poopypants via a read aloud, keep this outside of school. Of course, I highly suggest sending it along with your kids when they visit Nana and Papa. Now please pass me a tissue to wipe my tears of laughter from the Animal Gas songs that we will probably be singing all summer long. We can’t wait to see what Bryan Ballinger has in store with his new emissions!

Who would you like to read Animal Gas with? Come on fess up, you know you need a good laugh. As always, Tuesday Tales is all about sharing our love of books. Please let me know what you have read recently. 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 gaseous tale from Sterling Children’s Books to review. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

Categories:
books

School Supplies for 2015

Posted on July 17, 2015 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

If you have been in a retail store lately, chances are you have noticed all of the Back-To-School signs up all over the store. There truly are great deals out there, but for some of us we are just getting into the groove of summer break. Of course, there’s something special about getting bargains and new schools supplies. Perhaps it’s the teacher in me, but I find it fun going to get the boys their new supplies.

The tradition on my blog has been to share our school supply list each year as the boys have gotten older. It’s pretty interesting to see it change and to compare what JSL needs several years after NHL was that age. So let’s get started.

3rd Grade List

5 black and white composition notebooks
5 folders – red, yellow, purple, blue, and green
Plastic take home folder
24 pencils
Erasers
Scissors
Markers or 24 crayons or colored pencils
Post-It Notes
Pencil Pouch
5 of the 1.4 oz or larger glue sticks
2 boxes of tissues
Ziplock sandwich bags (boys bring this – girls bring wipes)
1 roll of paper towels
10 Expo dry erase markers
Old sock that’s clean to use with the dry erase boards
Money for planner and Time For Kids

We will go shopping for some of these items at home. I know I had extras and things like the pouch and scissors are still in great shape.

7th Grade List

ELA

1 1/2” binder
dividers
loose leaf paper
folder

Social Studies

1 1/2” binder
loose leaf paper (2 packages)
folder
index cards
dividers
sheet protectors

Science

1” binder
dividers
loose leaf paper
green folder

Math

1” binder
loose leaf paper

French/Spanish

2 folders
2 composition notebooks
box of pens
box of pencils
tissues
loose leaf paper
glue stick
clear tape
2 high lighters
index cards
Pocket dictionary

Technology

Folder

In addition to this, all areas note more loose leaf paper (clearly we eat it in middle school), along with pencils, pens, and highlighters. I’m assuming there will also be some novels that we need to purchase for ELA, but none are mentioned yet.

So what items are on your school supply lists? Have you found any really great sales this year? Please share below. As I have said before, I really am a school supply geek.

Categories:
school shopping

Planning a Last Minute Family Cruise

Posted on July 10, 2015 10:28 am by TheAngelForever

I am a planner. The teacher in me makes lists, compares options, and goes a little Type A when it comes to vacations. Right now we are looking at a very last minute family cruise. Why you ask? Well, it’s been several years since we have really gone away. Stress and lack of location change is grating on the adults here. We have gone to visit family within the state, but as wonderful as it is to be with them – it’s not a vacation.

The BIG reason I want to really do something special. TechyDad has a BIG birthday coming in August. We need something as a family to do that will not be stressful. While we adore going to Walt Disney World, *gasp* that is not an option this year. 2016 will be our time with Mickey and friends.

We have talked about going to Boston, DC, Montreal, Chicago, and other destinations that have so much to offer. What is stopping us? It’s SO expensive and makes my head spin trying to figure everything out. Where do we stay? Do we need a rental car? How much will lodging, food, and entertainment cost us? How will we get there? As you add up everything, it’s a lot to do in a short amount of time and is going to cost us a lot in the end.

For years we have watched others go on cruises. They rave about it being the perfect option if you want a low stress vacation. You book and go. Little planning is needed unless you want to pre-book excursions at specific ports that your ship will stop in.

If you have been on a cruise, I would love to know any tips and tricks you have. We will probably be making our final decision this weekend. I’m still a planner and making this decision last minute is hard for me. My mind automatically goes to how much we have to get ready to go and what we will need on the ship. Of course, I also think about the four of us sharing a small cabin and it worries me.