The Angel Forever

Disney Anniversary Dreaming Again

Posted on October 24, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

It has been almost two months since we had to cancel out 10th Anniversary trip to Walt Disney World. TechyDad and I had planned a five night stay in Orlando without the kids. When we finally decided to splurge and go to a location for our ten year anniversary, Disney just seemed natural to us. A magical honeymoon and subsequent trips back with the kids made it a quick and easy choice. We were going to bring the kids to stay with Bubbe and Grandpa while we went to Disney alone. Then, as I wrote after the case Mother Nature had other plans.

Looking back at the trip that never was makes me sad. I see people Tweet and talk about restaurants that we had advanced dining reservations for. What was harder at the time, I saw pictures from people at the parks Labor Day weekend and the Magic Kingdom was decked out in fall decorations. Each time I saw a picture, a piece of my heart crumbled more and more. Of course, as time moved past the trip, I was ok. I knew that we made the right choice. We were responsible adults. Then, as school started, there was no time to dwell on what could and should have been. I was focused on getting the boys back into the swing of things. We had to adjust to nursery school five days a week and life in third grade.

Now, it is almost November and my heart is heavy again. I long for a time to get away with TechyDad.

We are trying to see if we can figure out a time that will work for us to get away. It will probably have to wait until the kids are done with school because their crazy schedules really do complicate things. Nothing is really set in stone yet, but I think about it often. I wonder when we may finally get a chance if we will be able to get reservation to California Grill in time for the fireworks. Will we be lucky enough to snag a time to eat at other places that were on our agenda? I suppose only time will tell. Until then, I know that we were safe during the storm, and that we will one day have a magical adventure to our favorite destination again.

P.S. I am not the only one that wrote about our trip that never was. TechyDad also did a Travelogue of the Trip That Irene Canceled – Part 1 and Part 2.

Categories:
Disney dreams looking back me moments photos TechyDad weather

The Zombie and Glow Hexbug Invasion

Posted on October 23, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Bugs are not something that I typically like, but Hexbugs are a completely different story. About a year ago, these little critters entered our world when we hosted a Hexbug Party. The boys adored the Hexbugs along with our neighbors that joined us for some fun. The Hexbugs have been used a lot over the last year.

Since the kids liked the Hexbugs so much, I immediately signed up to host a Hexbug Nano Halloween party featuring their glow-in-the-dark tracks. In addition to this, we would be getting some of the Limited Edition Hexbug Nano Halloween Zombie bugs. We were thrilled to find out that we were selected and received our kit to plan a party. Keeping the boys away from the goodies while planning has been very hard.

Here is a preview of the fun:

As much fun as Hexbugs are, the new glow-in-the-dark add in a great twist. We really enjoyed putting together the HEXBUG Nano Habitat that glows-in-the-dark to watch the critters play. As the room darkened, it came alive in an exciting new way.

More video, photos, and fun coming soon!

Disclosure: This preview post for our HEXBUG Nano Halloween Party was made possible by MomSelect, Mommy Parties, and HEXBUG. They provided me with all of the items shown above to throw the ultimate HEXBUG Nano Halloween Party. The opinions are 100% mine and I received no other compensation. One product link is included to our Amazon Affiliate where we will receive a percentage of money for the sale of the Hexbug set should you opt to buy one.

Categories:
fun holidays jsl photos play time Product review

Shocking Stocking Skin

Posted on October 22, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Dear JSL,

On Friday, I decided to head to Simchat Torah services with you and Daddy. To add some fun and excitement to the morning, I fell in the shower twice. Even though I knew I was going to hurt later, I continued to get dressed. I put on my skirt, stockings, and new heels.

Toward the end of the service, you were getting a bit antsy. You sat on the floor and started to pat my leg to make sure I was not hurt after my fall. You noticed something strange. My “skin” was moving around. Then you pinched it and it pulled way up like this:

You were stunned and a bit confused. Daddy, Mimi, and Aunt S sat and laughed as you tried to figure it out. Then, we watched as you pulled up your own pant leg. You were pinching your own skin to see if you could replicate what was happening on my leg. After this, you went back to my leg and seemed to proclaim that it must have been thanks to my getting hurt.

I had to stop you at one point. You were following my stockings way up my leg. When you got to my knees, you caught sight of something in my skirt. You tried to lift my skirt to see what it was. Of course, I stopped you. You protested rather loudly, “But Mommy I see something up there!” I am pretty sure you saw my slip and it was not something you recognized. We diverted your attention and eventually made it home.

Once we got here, you watched me peel my skin off – the great stocking mystery was solved. Watching your learn and laugh was priceless.

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 family holidays jsl kid talk laughs photos

Percussion Practice

Posted on October 21, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

In third grade, kids at NHL’s school are allowed to sign up to play an instrument. When the band options came home, NHL immediately declared that he wanted to try the drums. Of course, I asked people what they thought about different instruments. I grew up taking piano lessons since we inherited the piano from my Nana and Papa. TechyDad took violin and my brother took clarinet for a short time.

NHL was the first person to sign up for percussion, so he was guaranteed a chance to try this instrument group. So far he loves it. We still need to work out a practice schedule at home, but we get it in as much as we can.

NHL is taking practice time very seriously. He loves to explain to us about the different notes, rests, and other items. Now if only we could figure out the best way to haul in his precious cargo. As I noted in another post, his percussion set is quite large and bulky.

Percussion Set Goes Home

So my question to you this week is inspired by NHL’s new music lessons:

What instrument did you learn to play as a child or adult? If you never took lessons, what would you love to try one day?

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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 #174

Categories:
Aloha Friday fun looking back Music photos school TechyDad

The Where’s Goofy Game

Posted on October 20, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

As you have probably figured out long before now, my family really likes Disney. My parents are probably the reason that I have such a love for Walt Disney World and most things related to Disney. For my Father’s Birthday, we looked for something to get him. Dad really likes the artist Jim Shore. They have some of his pieces, but did not own any of his Disney items.

While shopping online, I found something really perfect on Amazon. It was Disney Traditions designed by Jim Shore and Goofy! I will admit that we had a hard time picking between Goofy and a few others, but in the end the boys wanted to get Papa Goofy. Why a Goofy for a planter? Well, this photo will probably help to explain it. Here are Papa’s babies:

Yes, my father loves African Violets. He actually goes to a semi-local place that had an African Violet greenhouse, called Lyndon Lyon Greenhouses, to get new variations. Taking macro photos of these has been really fun, but today I am focusing on Goofy. More African Violets coming soon. Since my father got Goofy, he seems to vanish. Yes, one day Goofy will be here:

Here’s a close-up of the sneaky little Goofster:

The next day, if we happen to arrive at Nana and Papa’s house – Goofy will be in a completely different location.

Yes, “Where’s Goofy” is the name of the game. When we walk into the house, the boys love to search and find him. The funny thing is that I think my parents actually hide Goofy on each other.