Here are the boys on their way to try a photo shooting experiment. More about it on TechyDad’s Blog.
100 Steps In Photos
Share:
- Categories:
- fun interesting jsl my boys nhl photos TechyDad Wordless Wednesday
Category Archives photos
Tuesday Tales – Picnic at Camp Shalom
As a child, I have many memories of going to camp during the summer. I went to a JCC camp, Girl Scout Camp, a local nature/crafting camp, and some others over the years. These days, the options of camps are even more extensive if you know where to look. Summer vacation in our area does not begin until the end of June. I have been so busy with other items, that I have not secured camp for the boys yet. I know; I need to get cracking on that.
While reading Picnic at Camp Shalom, a new book out from Kar-Ben Publishing, it made me think back on my camp experiences. I remember being in a summer play that was a spoof of The Wizard of Oz with a Purim theme. I dressed up and recall singing “Follow the Hamantaschen Road” with my friends. I need to dig around to find the photos to show my boys as I investigate camps for them.
More about Picnic at Camp Shalom:
When Carly makes fun of Sara’s last name at mail call, her bunkmate at Camp Shalom thinks she’s just being mean and refuses to be consoled. Little does Sara know that Carly had a reason for her outburst. When their mutual love of music brings harmony to Shabbat dinner as well as to their friendship, Carly finally gets the chance to reveal her secret.
Here is a trailer from the author about the book:
Picnic at Camp Shalom – Written by Jacqueline Jules – Illustrated by Deborah Melmon - Kar-Ben Publishing – March 2011 – ISBN 978-0-7613-6662-1 – $7.95 (paperback) – Ages 5-9
What I Thought:
Summer camp is a milestone that most children will eventually participate in. Making new friends and getting to know them is part of the excitement of the experience. Of course, when you do not know someone well, you could easily hurt their feelings. Jacqueline Jules shows us how Carly makes an honest mistake that results in Sara pulling away from her new friend. We watch as Carly learns from her mistake and explains to Sara that she is sorry for upsetting her. The beautiful illustrations from Deborah Melmon take us into the world of Camp Shalom and let us go on the flag hunt and join in Shabbat dinner with the campers. Traditions of summers at camp, being Jewish, and making new friends are strong themes in the book.
As a teacher and parent, I really like another aspect of Picnic at Camp Shalom. Children often act in an impulsive fashion. Without even thinking, they can say words that sting and hurt their friends and others in their lives. This book would be great to use with children to show them why it is so important to stop and think before saying something too quickly. Take time to discuss what happened to Carly as a result of what she said to Sara. How could she have done things differently? What would you do if you were in that situation? Do you think your feeling would be hurt if someone did that to you? As you can see there are a lot of questions you could generate from this. I can not wait to share this book with my almost eight year old son. Lots of lessons to be learned from it.
What have you read recently? Please be sure to link up to your Book Posts, 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.
Disclosure: I received this book complimentary of Kar-Ben Publishing in order to facilitate this review. No other compensation was given. The opinions expressed in the review are my own. One widget within the review is for my Amazon Affiliate where I will receive a percentage of money for the sale of the books should you opt to buy the book mentioned.
Share:
- Categories:
- books looking back me moments photos Product review Tuesday Tales
Blogging Conference Advice
Once again, there are a bounty of blogging conferences coming up. Whether you are going to TypeACon (may cry since I will not be there in a few short weeks), BlogHer, SheStreams, or another in the months ahead if this is your first experience going to one it can be nerve wracking.
In February 2010, I was heading to Disney Social Media Moms for my first conference experience. I did not know what to expect since it was the first ever at Disney, but looked to my peers for some advice. In August, I went to BlogHer 2010 in New York City. This conference scared me a lot more. It was a much larger scale, many more people, and SO many things going on all at once. I have now been to three conference, and have this bit of advice for you:
BE YOURSELF!
The weeks before a conference people will be stressing over a myriad of things. These are a few items I worried about and my thoughts.
- Clothes to wear for sessions and parties –> Take it from me, it is important to be comfortable in a professional way. No need to be too dressy if you will not be happy. People dress in jeans, others will wear cocktail dresses to some of the parties. Do what works best for you.
-
Techy gadgets to bring –> Take items that you are comfortable working with. Some people will work only on their iPad, others will have laptops, cameras, Flip Cameras, and then some. Only you know what you will use and want to have on hand for live blogging, or networking while there.
-
Business cards and what to put on them –> Give as much or as little information as you are comfortable with. Your name, blog name, Website address, FB/Twitter pages, phone number, e-mail address are all great starts. I also put my photo on mine. Along with my Angel logo, I have a small photo of myself. This helps people to put a face to my blog after chatting.
-
Making a schedule –> Do not stress over this. There is so much going on. Have a general plan, do not over book yourself, and go with the flow. As a Type A personality this is tough for me, but I learned the hard way at BlogHer that you can not be in three places at one time.
-
What sessions should you go to?! –> Only you know what your goals are. If there are a lot of choices at the same time, go to what is best for your future. Sure, your friends may be going to another location, but you will learn the most in a place where you need to be.
My biggest mistake time and time again – not taking enough photos at conferences with my friends. Each time I promise I will do better, and I forget. Do not make this mistake. Pull out your camera and capture these memories. They are well worth the moment to pause and pose.
If you are getting ready for a blogging conference, Tiny Prints would like you to know that they have business cards that you can customize. Their business card selection allow you to add photos, logos and design accents to a variety of formats.
When you go to your first, or subsequent conference enjoy the time, network, learn, have fun, and like I said be yourself! If you have been to a conference – what advice do you have? If you have never been an have any question, please feel free to leave them below.
Disclosure: I wrote this post as part of a Global Influence campaign for Tiny Prints. By sharing this information with my readers, I will receive 50 free business cards to thank me for my participation. No other compensation has been given.
Share:
Twenty Month Hiatus
Dear JSL,
Yesterday, at about noon, I sat getting some work done and finishing my lunch. Suddenly, a call came on my phone. It was a familiar number, but I was not completely sure who it was. The minute I heard the voice my heart stopped. The call that I had feared since you went to nursery school had come. The secretary said that you had fainted while out on the playground. It was a cool day and I knew you had not fainted.
I do not remember much from the time I left the house and got to your school. I was shaking and it seemed to take forever to get to you. When I arrived, you were still on the playground. Emergency vehicles crowded the parking lot as I ran over to you. You were hardly moving, up on a stretcher. I put my hand out to you and you were freezing cold. Your body was oh so white with a bit of a blue tinge to it. By now, it had been confirmed – you had your fifth febrile seizure.
The emergency personal and teachers from school were amazing. They knew exactly what was going on. They were able to tell your history, and explain what had happened. Minutes before your febrile seizure, you were running, laughing, and playing with no sign of being ill. When I asked you who I was, you responded with a very weak “Mama” that made me feel better. We rode to the hospital in the ambulance and you seemed to be worse to me. I had to remind myself that the hour after a febrile seizure is always worse. Although I should be a pro at this, it never gets easy and I always forget.
To make a long story short, Nana met us in the ER, quickly followed by Papa and Daddy. They took your temperature about 30 minutes after they had called me. At that time it was 103.8! Your color was coming back and your skin went from cold to burning up. We got you some medicine and waited to see doctors. Three doctors came in over the time we were in the ER and they asked you what hurt and you never complained about anything. They listened to me about hidden ear infections. You were not a fan of them digging in your ears, but thank goodness they did. You had a raging double ear infection. Never did you complain. The doctors seemed to be concerned that it was your fifth febrile seizure and that twenty months had gone by since your last one. I had told them it was at least fifteen months, but the reality was your last one was right before Halloween 2009.
After a few hours, we were told we could go home. We were armed with instructions on what to do. I stopped at school to pick up my car and your things. One of the other teachers was still there that had seen everything, so I learned more about what happened before and during the event that rocked our little world. Then, I picked up your medicine and made a call to your teacher. She had called worried about you and asked me to give you a hug. By the evening, everyone had checked in on you and we thanked them all. They were truly amazing in a horrible situation and I will never be able to thank them enough.
Now, I just hope that you keep down your medicine and things get to be boring for a little while.
I think we could all use a little quiet and calm time after Friday. Feel better my little guy.
Love,
Mommy
_______________________________________
If you want to participate in Dear Kid Saturday, head on over to Cutest Kid Ever by clicking on the button below.
Share:
- Categories:
- Dear Kid Saturday doctor jsl looking back photos sick kid
Fairy Godmother Wishes
The other day I was looking at one of the Vinylmations that I got on our recent trip to Walt Disney World. Here she is:
Whether or not you are a fan of princesses, the reality is that many of us have probably wished for our Fairy Godmother to come and grant our wishes with a simple Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo!
Yes, this adult woman would love for a Fairy Godmother to come in and help with a few items like:
- Getting us a new house in a different school district that would magically fix the on going issues we have been having.
- Clean my house and grant me magic storage areas.
- Make auto-laundering clothing
- Keep all of my family and friends happy and healthy
- Make all of the tough decisions that go along with being an adult.
Yes, I know I am making my Fairy Godmother more of a combination of Genie and Fairy Godmother with her magical mentoring abilities. Still, a girl can dream – no?!
Imagine that the Fairy Godmother above is here for you:
What would you ask your Fairy Godmother to do for you. Feel free to mention as many or few as you would like and explain anything that you may need to.
Pssst . . . be sure to stop by my Dove Men + Care giveaway along with TechyDad’s Dinosaur Train and Kung Fu Panda giveaways to enter for a chance to win some great items.
____________________________________________________________________________
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 #154
Share:
- Categories:
- Aloha Friday Disney dreams me moments photos
Associated With
