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Off to a wedding we go

Posted on June 13, 2010 3:59 pm by TheAngelForever

Yesterday morning, we packed up the car. In the back seat was a very excited three year old singing his own little song. In a sweet little voice, he was saying, "I goin’ to a wedding – a wedding!" – over and over. He really had no clue what to expect. To be honest, neither did NHL since the only wedding he has been to was my brother’s just over five years ago.

When I was little, I remember heading out to western NY for long weekends. We would stay at a hotel and go to visit my mother’s first cousin MB and her family. As the only girl in the group of kids, I learned to play with the boys. Here I am in the middle of RB and JB. Not sure where my brother was at this moment (probably too little for the swings).

Fast forward 20+ years and we are all grown up now. I was the first of the bunch married almost nine years ago. Here I am today with my husband, you know TechyDad.

JB was married in December to LB (another teacher in the family). Sadly, we were not able to go to their wedding across the country. I had a nice time chatting with LB several times and look forward to seeing them again soon.

Yesterday, it was RB’s wedding that we went to. He and KB are now husband and wife. Here is a photo of the newly married couple just before they cut their wedding cake.

We had a fabulous time and there is so much to share. Here is one photo of my little guys having a blast at the wedding festivities.

Thank you again to cousins MB and LB for inviting our entire family to be party of this special occasion. Mazel tov again on both of your boys being married!

Categories:
cousins family fun jl jsl looking back milestone nhl photos road trip TechyDad weekend

Free ice cream & Happy B-day Nana

Posted on June 5, 2010 9:50 pm by TheAngelForever

Dear NHL & JSL,

Today, we had a very busy day. We started off going to get both of you new shoes for the wedding that we are going to. Of course, they did not have the right size in stock for NHL. Thanks to this, we went to the mall where another store was holding a pair for us. After we picked them up, tried them on and paid for them we decided to wander around for a little while. As we were walking, I remembered that Friendly’s was having free ice cream today from 12-5. I asked Daddy if he wanted to do it and he said yes. Since it was only 12:30, there was hardly a line and we got our ice cream fast. The two of you were very surprised with the treat and enjoyed it.

NHL, you decided that you wanted strawberry ice cream in a cone. JSL, you wanted chocolate, but we opted to do it in a cup to make it easier. Daddy had Apple Pie a La Mode, and I went for my usual Cookie Dough. We all enjoyed it and then went to several more stores and had a quick lunch.

After the mall, we went to BJ’s to get a few things for the house and for the picnic for NHL’s class. By the time we were finished, everyone was really tired. We went home for a little while and then met Nana, Papa and Mimi at the diner for Nana’s birthday dinner. Things were a bit shaky at times since everyone was cranky, but we made it through.

We went back to Nana and Papa’s house to play for a while and celebrate Nana’s birthday with a little cheesecake. It was fun watching JSL playing dominoes with Mimi. Before we knew it, the sky was getting dark and it was time to go home. We had a busy day and hope to be able to run around and have some fun around the house or at the park tomrorow.

Love,

Mommy

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Categories:
birthday Dear Kid Saturday family jl jsl nhl photos shopping weekend yummy

Our Curious George Live Adventure

Posted on June 3, 2010 10:06 am by TheAngelForever

Ten years ago, I used to travel all around the northeast going near and far to hockey games. One of the places that we frequented a lot was Glens Falls. Their AHL hockey team and ours had a HUGE rivalry. Friends and I would go to see the hockey games there since it was so close and a fun, intense experience. Glens Falls is a small town and the Civic Center reminds me of old style arenas before the giant monsters were built. This building was made to house a hockey team and games and it shows.

Last night, the boys and I went back to the Glens Falls Civic Center to see Curious George Live. This was not only my first trip back since getting married/having two children, it was the first time I have gone there for something aside from hockey. When we walked into the front doors, I knew it would be different.

The boys were so excited to be able to go and see Curious George. JSL and I watched Curious George 2 early in the morning to get ready. Two Curious George stuffed friends also accompanied us on our adventure to see the live show.

What I had forgotten about the Civic Center is how steep the incline is and that there are NO railings to hold onto. This is no problem for most adults. TechyDad picked JSL up and carried him down the stairs to our front row seats. NHL and I walked slowly down together since neither of us wanted to accidentally knock the other off balance on the way down. When we arrived at our seats, we realized we had done well. We were not on the floor, but the area in front of us (by the hockey boards) was huge. The kids would be able to stand up and not disturb anyone throughout the show – SCORE!

Before the show started, we looked at the Curious George merchandise. The kids did not really need a hat or shirt (which were reasonably priced for a kids show). We toyed with a program, but knew NHL and JSL would fight to look at it. We said we would watch the first half of the show and see if we liked the music and possibly get the soundtrack from the production.

When the show started, both of the boys were ready. JSL stood up clutching his Curious George and did not move a muscle. He was leaned up against TechyDad’s leg and smiling away. It was funny listening to the audience react as familiar characters, like the Doorman, arrived on stage. Everyone cheered when The Man in the Yellow Hat came onto stage. I am sure they were excited to see him, but we all knew who would be coming soon afterward. Speaking of that, NHL cheered when the mischief making monkey made his way onto the stage!

TechyDad and I immediately noted to each other that we really liked the catchy tunes from the show. The people that created the show did a fabulous job in several areas.

They used the narrator’s voice from the PBS show. It was like we were watching a giant, in-person episode of Curious George.
The dance choreography was great. Thanks to the actors and their bright costumes and props, it was nonstop fun for the entire audience.
Lots of subtle jokes/one liners tossed in that would go over kids head, but were definitely appreciated by adults paying attention.

When the first act was over, the boys all went up to buy the CD soundtrack. JSL was so excited about it, he would not let go of it and demanded to hold it the entire second act.

The second act was a great wrap up of the adventure that George went on to Rome for the meatball contest. With a quick change of curtains, we went from the back of an airplane to the streets of Italy, and then into the meatball contest.

The fun costumes really were distinct in the second half. There was a Japanese style chef – a la Iron Chef, along with an Irish inspired one. Of course, Frankie and The Meatball Girls were hilarious. Nothing like an announcer with slick backed hair and dancing plates with spaghetti and meatballs.

The show ended just before 8:30. It was just under a 90 minute show and perfect length for the kids. NHL and JSL were both exhausted when we arrived into the car. Both slept for part of the ride home as they fell asleep listening to our new Curious George Live Soundtrack. Thank you to Curious George Live for a fun filled family evening out!

Disclaimer: Last week I read about a giveaway on Albany Mommy’s website. I entered to win 4 free tickets and found out Saturday that I had won. A huge thank you to her for meeting up with me to get the tickets. No review of this was expected, we just wanted to share the fun family night that we had.

Categories:
fun jsl looking back Music nhl photos show TechyDad

Brothers 2006 and 2010

Posted on June 2, 2010 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

No denying the boys are brothers. One solo shot is NHL in May 2006 (2 1/2 months shy of 3), the other JSL in June 2010 (just 3). The one in the middle was taken of the boys this past weekend.

Categories:
brothers jsl looking back nhl photos

Fun with Play-Doh

Posted on May 28, 2010 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Thanks to only using one snow day this winter, NHL was home on Thursday. The minute he woke up he begged to play with Play-Doh. I have fond memories of using Play-Doh as a child. I remember my salon kit, where I could make the Play-Doh people have hair and then chop it off using special scissors or a razor. We also had a Sesame Street kit and others that I can not recall right now.

For some reason, I remember loving Play-Doh until I used it in the classroom and had my own kids. Don’t get me wrong – I still think it is a fabulous item that really helps kids imagination and fine motor skills, but man the clean up is the pits. Just the thought of this bucket of items can bring shivers down my spine.

Thursday morning, I was nice. I let the boys play with the Play-Doh, but I some rules:

That purple octopus, that the kids lovingly call Henry, was not coming out of the box. Picking all of the Play-Doh out of his parts with a toothpick was not on my agenda today (did it last week). Eventually, I did cave and let them use his six removable arms.
The Fun Factory extruder also a no-go. Yes, it is a great toy to help the boys with their muscle building and fine motor. On the flip side, the little guy got Play-Doh stuck in places last week that I had a tough time with. I needed one turn without it.
The Play-Doh sprinkle maker would also remain in the box. Last week the Play-Doh sprinkles that were made wound up all over the table, hard wood floors, carpet, shoes and more.

This may sound harsh, but it still left a lot of options. The kids could use the rollers, scissors, cookie cutters, and other items that mold/shape/cut or help create items, along with their own hands. Thankfully, the boys did not protest my rules too much. They were too happy to use the Play-Doh.

So my question to you this week:

If you have kids, do they like to use Play-Doh? Kids or not, what are some of your current or past favorite sets to use when playing with Play-Doh?

Thanks for any suggestions. I am always looking for new Play-Doh items that are kid tested and adult approved. . . especially when it comes to clean up.

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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 MckLinky there if you are participating.