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A big bloggy milestone coming up

Posted on September 27, 2009 3:27 pm by TheAngelForever

In February 2007, I started blogging. It was something therapeutic for me to do at the time. So much has changed during the last two and half years. Back then I was 6-7 months pregnant with my second son, teaching full time and exploring the blogging world. Now I am a stay-at-home mother, blogging is more than therapuetic, and I am looking forward to spreading my wings with new opportunities. In addition to this, I have met so many fabulous people through the Blogosphere and Twitter. With BlogHer ’10 coming up, I am looking to get to my first ever blogging convention, unless I squeeze one in before that (sadly Type-A Mom this weekend did not happen).

The other day, as I was about to post something new, I noticed that I am getting closer and closer to my 1000th post! This is a huge milestone. So many bloggers burn out before they get to this point. Yes, I am a "Mommy Blogger," but I consider myself to be so much more. I write about life at home with my boys, our adventures to Disney World and beyond, the shows we have seen, products that we like, and on and on.

With that said I would love to do something special for my readers to celebrate my 1000th blog post. If anyone is interested in working on something please let me know. You can read more about me here and here. Feel free to e-mail me: the_angel_forever[at]yahoo[dot]com I am also on Twitter at TheAngelForever.

To my reader, this accomplishment is also thanks to you. Sure I love writing, but I also adore comments from you. When I hear from those of you reading along here or in an RSS feed, it keeps me going and I know there is a purpose to my blogging fun. If you have any suggestions on things you would like to see, please let me know as well.

Categories:
looking back me moments milestone photos web fun

First ever spelling test = success

Posted on September 26, 2009 8:46 pm by TheAngelForever

Dear NHL,

Daddy and I are sorry that we got caught up in everything that happened to JSL yesterday. We hope that you know how proud we are of you. You had an amazing week in first grade. You had real homework for the first time Monday to Thursday nights. Every day you were so sweet about coming right into the house, finishing it up quick and then reading to us later in the night. Thanks to the summer reading program, you have already read over 80 books toward your 100 for the school year. Not too shabby since you have not been back to school for a month!

In addition to all of this, you had your first ever spelling word list. Each day you did a little something to get ready. You were so proud of your work. This year you color carefully, write slow and steady. . . you have come so far my big kid! The best part of everything was how confident you were about it when you went into school on Friday. You knew the ten words and three bonus ones as well. I hope this means that you will not develop test anxiety.

When we got back from the ER I went right to your folder from school. I immediately saw your paper with the "Spelling Test" label on it. Not only did you get all of the regular words correct, you also had +2 for two bonus words. Today I asked you to take a photo with your paper since I wanted to record this special day.

Keep up the great work kiddo. . . we know you can do it and are so proud of you!

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:
Dear Kid Saturday milestone nhl photos school

Head + concrete = trip to ER

Posted on September 26, 2009 4:09 pm by TheAngelForever

Dear JSL,

Yesterday afternoon was filled with a lot of crying, panic and rushing about. We were having a great day. We spent time with Nana and Papa. After a while we went to BJ’s to do some shopping. You slept while we shopped. Then you woke up in time to have some potato chips for lunch. Soon it was time to head to school to pick up your big brother. I was excited to hear how he did on his first ever spelling test. You were still pretty tired, but I could not take the stroller out of the trunk.

NHL came out of school and we were walking back to my car. Another teacher stopped us to ask a question. You and NHL were right next to me, my back was turned ever so slightly. Then I heard a sound that haunted me in my sleep. It was a horrifying THUD and it echoed like nothing I have ever heard before. There was a pause, time seemed to stop. . . and then I heard you scream. My heart sank as I quickly realized that terrible noise was your forehead making a B-line for the cement.

NHL’s kindergarten teacher saw the entire thing. You just slipped on your own feet and went down hard. I knew we had to go into the building. I rushed right into the nurses office. When we arrived in there you were screaming even louder. I moved your hair back and saw blood and started to freak. I imagined the worse. You never passed out, but were quite woozy. All I can say is thank goodness the nurse was right there. The nurse kept an ice pack on your head and kept you focused and listening to her. Meanwhile I called Nana and Papa to come quick. Then I put a call in for the doctor and called Daddy to meet us at the ER.

When Nana and Papa arrived we quickly moved out of the school to the car and went to the ER. I had to stop myself from recalling the past visits there, but it was not easy. After what seemed like forever they took us back and two doctors looked at you. By the time I took the first photo in the ER the swelling had gone down a little. The second is when we were finally back home.

After a while they said that you seemed fine. They did not think that you had a concussion, but we were to keep a close eye on you. We went back home and you ate a little dinner and some chocolate seemed to make you a happy little guy. Then it was time for bed. You fell asleep quickly, but were fussy several times during the night. No doubt you had nightmares of what had happened like I did.

I hope that the rest of the weekend goes more smoothly. I am not sure we can handle much more excitement. As it is, Daddy and I are seriously starting to think about buying you full hockey goalie gear to protect you.

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:
bad news Dear Kid Saturday doctor jsl ouchie pain photos school

Lego mania at Disney World

Posted on September 24, 2009 9:29 am by TheAngelForever

It is hard for me to believe that it has been almost four months since our family vacation to Disney World in May. To say that I would jump at a chance to go back is an understatement. Sad to also admit that I never finished blogging about our Disney vacation. Something today made me think of the trip.

Both of our boys love to build. We have lots of Lego items in our house and at Nana and Papa’s. We started with quatro blocks, moved up to duplo sets and NHL received a set of regular legos for his birthday over a year ago. NHL is intrigued with building bigger and more recognizable items now. I think some of this has to do with our visit to Disney World.

When we went to Downtown Disney on JSL’s birthday we wanted to get each of the boys their own stuffed friend. A trip to Disney World, especially their first, would not be complete without this. Here are the boys with the friends that they picked.

NHL wanted Dumbo since he was enchanted by the ride at the Magic Kingdom.

Meanwhile JSL fell head over heels for Pluto, or as he calls him "Pup-pup" on this trip.

Both of the boys were happy and excited to hug their new friends on the way out of the Disney store.

After this we decided to go to the next store over which is all Lego products. It is absolutely amazing. Here are the boys outside with some of the Lego statues. JSL had to do a double take because he was not sure about the dogs. Eventually they both checked everything out.

Once we were able to pull the boys away from the Lego people and dogs, we went into the store. They both immediately ran to the first display they saw. Here it is:

We looked around at everything for a little while. Then we spotted an area outside where the boys would build with Legos and go on a nice sized playground. Looked like the perfect place for them to get some energy out before going to lunch.

While the boys played here I went to look at another store to see something. When I came back I saw that our now two year old was quite the daredevil – Oy! He kept doing this over and over again.

Soon it was time to find a place for lunch. As we wandered back toward a few places we stopped to check out more of the Lego creations. First up were the underwater creatures.

Check out this intimidating looking guy:

Next up is the dinosaur that was a big favorite of our boys.

And last, but certainly not least was the sea creature that is in the Lagoon. We have photos of this one from our honeymoon as well. Love this one as a sentimental favorite from my many trips to Disney World over the years.

It was a beautiful day for JSL’s 2nd birthday and we enjoyed strolling around Downtown Disney before swimming at Pop Century and going to the Magic Kingdom for dinner at the Crystal Palace.

So, let me ask you. . . .

IF you had unlimited Lego opportunities (no cost) and the time, what would you build with them?

I know I can not wait to see all that our boys will make as they grow older and learn to love Legos even more!

Categories:
birthday Disney fun jsl nhl photos play time vacation

Challah, apples and lots of honey – Rosh Hashana 2009/5770

Posted on September 22, 2009 10:32 am by TheAngelForever

The boys and I went to my parents house for dinner Saturday evening to celebrate Rosh Hashana together. Shhh. . . don’t tell anyone that I took photos, but I did.

Before we sat down the eat, the boys played for a little while. They had fun running around. The little guy was not as thanks to a nap after his meltdown at temple. NHL and JSL had a lot of jump tackling Daddy on the ground.

Soon it was time to sit down at the table to eat. Here is a look at everything that we had from start to finish:

1. Almost ready to eat, 2. Round challah with raisins, 3. Delicious chicken, 4. Green beans, 5. Corn and couscous, 6. Apple turnover Not pictured are the rainbow cookies that I splurged and bought. They were eaten rather quickly.

The boys both had fun dipping their apples in honey. JSL was a little confused about the sticky "dip-dip" as he calls it.

NHL was enjoying his honey so much, that he opted to have some challah with the sweetness on top as well.

We all enjoyed our meal, dessert and then it was time to head home. Nana requested a photo of the two boys with the shorts that they had given them. Do you think the boys were willing subjects? Here are two photos to answer this question.

Exhibit 1:

Exhibit 2:

Did you really expect anything different?! Oh well, we tried.

Next up is Yom Kippur on Monday. We will have to see whether the little guy and I head to services. These long days in temple are tough for him with nap time and not being able to settle there.