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Tuesday Tales – Phineas and Ferb Edition

Posted on November 2, 2010 2:28 pm by TheAngelForever

Election Day is here. I know that I am quite ready to be done with the annoying robo-calls and nasty political commercials. It is bad when you have to tell your kids not to pay attention to them since they are on non-stop. Thanks to Election Day, NHL did not have school. Schools around here are polling places, so the kids have the day off and there are typically parent-teacher conferences.

This morning, I met with NHL’s teacher. While chatting briefly, I told her that NHL is hesitant to read chapter books. Since I am a certified reading teacher, I know that he is perfectly capable of reading them. The problem is he is comfortable with picture books and their instant start/finish gratification. There is nothing wrong with this. As I wrote before, I love picture books. Still, as a second grader NHL needs to break out of his shell. To help with this we have purchased some familiar characters that are featured in chapter book format. In addition to this, there are still some simple drawings within the story to ease the transition to more traditional chapter book format.

Today, NHL used one of his birthday giftcards to purchase a new Nintendo DS game. Here he is resting on the couch with the instruction manual. Please note the shirt that just happens to be on him:

When we bought the game, I told him that tonight we would begin one of the Phineas and Ferb chapter books. I think TechyDad is looking forward to reading them with him, since they love watching Phineas and Ferb together. Do you have any chapter book recomendations? There are so many series out there, but not all are appropriate for second graders, no less for boys. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

So what have you read recently? Please be sure to link up to your Tuesday Tales and/or leave a comment below. Include something you read on your own, with a child or someone else. Tuesday Tales are all about spreading the love for books.

Categories:
books nhl photos Tuesday Tales

2010 Halloween Memories

Posted on November 1, 2010 4:29 pm by TheAngelForever

This year, the boys had a lot of fun doing different things for Halloween. After being sick last year, anything was a huge improvement. Friday night, we went to NHL’s school for a party. The boys had a great time playing games, seeing people, and making some goodies.

Saturday, it was time to carve our first family pumpkin. Little did I know, it was also the first EVER pumpkin that TechyDad had carved. I was floored since I had so many memories of carving pumpkins with my family when I was little. Here are a few photos about this experience. TechyDad wrote more about it on his blog today.

On Halloween, we took the boys to the mall for a short time to get some trick-or-treating done. Thanks to the weather, we were not sure how much we would all want to do outside. The boys had fun, but were getting tired from walking in the crowds.

After this, we went back home and then to Nana and Papa’s house. We stayed there to play for a little while and then went to a few of their neighbors before heading back home to see some people here.

Then, it was time to head back into the warmer house, take costumes off, eat dinner, and wait for a few trick-or-treaters to come. Before we knew it, we turned out lights off and called it a night. Lots of memories made and two very happy little boys.

P.S. This is also serving as my entry in the SITs Girls Halloween Giveaway. Thanks for the fun ladies!

Categories:
fun holidays jsl milestone nhl photos weekend

Getting ready for Halloween 2010

Posted on October 30, 2010 9:05 pm by TheAngelForever

Dear NHL and JSL,

The two of you are so excited about Halloween this year. Since you were both sick a year ago, we did not have a lot of celebrating to do. Last night, we went to the school Halloween party. The two of you got dressed in your costumes and were ready to go in minutes.

When we got there, you both ran to the doors of the gym. Once inside, you were in love with all of the fun games to play. Of course, the prizes in the end were also a nice perk.

Then, after some pizza and a radioactive looking drink, you both decorated a pumpkin. JSL was so proud of his work.

Today, we decided to carve our pumpkin. When it was time to do it, only JSL was really excited. Of course, that changed you were asked to touch the pumpkin guts. This was the first pumpking that we have carved (more about that soon).

Lots more fun coming tomorrow. I can not wait to watch the two of you trick-or-treating together, the way it always should be.

Love,

Mommy

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If you want to participate in Dear Kid Saturday, head on over to Cutest Kid Ever by clicking on the button below.

Categories:
brothers Dear Kid Saturday family holidays jsl nhl photos school weekend

Favorite Halloween treats

Posted on October 29, 2010 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Last year, Halloween was quite the bust. NHL was home sick that week with H1N1. Then, just the day before, JSL had another febrile seizure. By Halloween day, NHL was feeling much better. He braved the rainy weather and went out to a few houses in his Luigi costume. Poor JSL was still not doing too well. He stayed inside with me handing out candy to trick-or-treaters.

This year, the boys are both hoping to go out. The little guy is very excited since he does not remember much from two years ago.

So with Halloween in mind I have two question for you:

What are you giving out to Trick-or-Treaters this Halloween? What was your favorite candy to receive as a child?

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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 linky there if you are participating.

Aloha #123

Categories:
fun holidays looking back nhl photos sick kid TechyDad

Tuesday Tales – Books of the Hebrew School Kind

Posted on October 26, 2010 1:19 pm by TheAngelForever

My memories of Hebrew School as a child are cloudy at best since I try to forget it. I will be the first to admit that I did not like going. When I was a child, I went Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday. Now, Hebrew School typically begins in kindergarten once a week for children. Then, when they are in second grade, it goes to twice a week. We have been very lucky. NHL loved Hebrew School the last two years as a kindergartener and first grader. This year, the addition of Wednesday had been a big change. Still, he looks forward to going and learning. Just the other day, he mentioned out of the blue that he wanted to be a Mench. I nearly choked on my dinner. This was not a word I expected to come from my seven-year old son.

So, why am I bringing this up for Tuesday Tales?

Good question. I guess this has to do with how far books for Hebrew School have come. The new books are more realistic, interweave Judaic customs and views of every day life. The books are child friendly, packed with great information, and do not intimidate children while learning about our religion and how to read/write/speak Hebrew.

Check out NHL’s books that are being used. I have to admit, I am jealous and would love to get my hands on a few of them to really read.

Now, I can completely understand where the Mench term was coming from. I was also excited to see the amazing collection of Jewish Holiday/Heritage books that NHL’s teacher has. Many of the books we have and others I have never seen. I am sure he will be especially intrigued by The Cat in the Hat and a few other familiar books all written in Hebrew.

To all of the text-book companies out there, thank you! As a teacher and parent, I applaud you for stepping up to the plate. By making books to use in the classroom that are more engaging, you are not only helping teacher, but also reaching more students.