The Angel Forever

Time For a Little Chuck E

Posted on January 29, 2011 5:49 pm by TheAngelForever

Dear NHL & JSL,

This afternoon we went to Chuck E. Cheese. It has been a long time since we went there. As a family, we tried to go there when visiting Bubbe and Grandpa (January 2008), but it did not go too well. JSL’s last visit to the one near here was in April 2009, before he turned two. You are quite a lot bigger now:

Since JSL was invited to a friend’s fourth birthday party, we asked NHL if he wanted to go and play. Much to our surprise, you said yes, so we all went. It can be a bit overwhelming there, but you both had a great time. NHL, you went off and played with Daddy and had a blast winning tickets. You loved surprising me with your mega win. JSL kept clapping every time he got a ticket. It was so cute to watch. JSL, you are still not a fan of the Chuck E Cheese character, but you coped when he was around.

My favorite part of the day is the drawings that each of you had made with Daddy. Here they are:

Thank you for a day of fun and happy memories together.

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 fun jl jsl looking back my boys nhl photos weekend

The Fine Art of Selecting New Glasses

Posted on January 28, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Early in December, we realized that we still had a lot of Flex Spending money left for 2010. We had put in extra hoping that it would be there at the end of the year for TechyDad and me to get new glasses.

Our wish came true, or was it a nightmare? Last time I had an eye exam, I opted to keep my glasses because I could not find anything else that I liked. Well, that isn’t entirely true. There were plenty of options out there, but I could not get them. I am allergic to one of the items in most metal frames. It makes my skin turn green and I have a bad reaction. Not good at all. Thanks to this, if I get metal frames, I have to get titanium glasses. Titanium frames are a lot more expensive. As I started to shop, I soon realized that most places did not stock titanium options because of this cost issue.

On my birthday, I happened to be in JC Penney with my mother and JSL. I stopped and looked at the frames in their optical department. No titanium, but the woman was able to point me to some smaller plastic frames. I started wearing glasses in ninth grade and had never bought plastic before. I was a little hesitant, but found a pair that I really liked. Before I knew it, I had selected a pair of glasses and new prescription sunglasses! Of course, I had to take a photo that day and explained that it was for blogging purposes.

A week or so later, TechyDad went for an eye exam and picked out some new glasses to use up the rest of our 2010 money. We are both getting used to them and I am having fun with my sassy new shades.

So my question to you this week:

Do you wear contacts or glasses? Do you like to pick out new glasses or do you find it daunting?

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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 #136

Categories:
Aloha Friday me moments photos

No More Kiddo Belt Blues Thanks to Dapper Snappers

Posted on January 27, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Have you ever tried to find a belt for a young child? We have had to do this many times. If you can find kids belts, there are very few to pick from. Typically, the ones that are available are tough even for an adult to use. Imagine how this will work with a toddler that is recently potty trained? It is an accident just waiting to happen.

A while ago, I heard about a product called Dapper Snappers that helps to solve the kids belt dilemma. I was very intrigued about it. It seemed like a great product to assist my newly potty trained three year old, along with my older son that has some fine motor trouble with belt buckles. Thanks to Family Review Network, I recently had the opportunity to test out one of their boys belts.

More About the Dapper Snapper:

The best way to understand Dapper Snappers is to see one in action. Here is their video showing how to use this product:

As you can see, the Dapper Snapper attaches to the back of pants, so children will not have another item to contend with when nature calls. Even if pants do not have belt loops, there are Dapper Snapper Clips that help to alleviate droopy drawers. Some additional facts:

Made in the USA
Invented by a Mom
Recommended for ages 9 months to 5 years
One Size Fits All
Adjustable and affordable starting at $10.95
Available in a wide range of colors for girls belts and boys belts
Help when in between sizes and give more life out of hand-me-downs
No need to remove when using the potty or changing a diaper
Also available for adults, including maternity use
Compliant with CPSIA regulations

What We Thought:

The other day, JSL (3) came running across the house and nearly tripped over his own two feet. TechyDad noticed that his pants were around his ankles. When I went to take a closer look, I saw his underpants. These nice pants, that had once been NHL’s, were not going to work. Normally when that happens, I change to another pair since we can not use a kids belt with him. He is too little to maneuver them on his own, and they really don’t make many.

This time I had another choice. Two days earlier, my complimentary review sample from Dapper Snappers arrived. I barely managed to hold JSL still long enough to snap a before and after photo. He’s a three year old that is constantly on the go and not into photos these days.

For the rest of the day, we never had any issues with JSL’s pants. He was able to use the facilities without a problem. We pretty much forgot that the Dapper Snappers were there until the end of the day (not a bad thing mind you). I seriously wish that I had purchased some Dapper Snappers when they first came out and I heard about them. They would have been fabulous to use when NHL was receiving occupational therapy. Oh well, at least we have them now to help with the little guy when we need them to give more life to a pair of otherwise too baggy pants.

Thank you Dapper Snappers for helping to cure the droopy drawers within our lives!

Disclosure: This post was written for Family Review Network & Dapper Snappers who provided the complimentary product in exchange for my honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are 100% mine.

Categories:
photos Product review shopping video

Winter Fun at the Library

Posted on January 26, 2011 9:36 am by TheAngelForever

Categories:
fun jsl sahm winter Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tales – Brownie Groundhog and the February Fox

Posted on January 25, 2011 10:43 am by TheAngelForever

Do you know the importance of next Wednesday, February 2? Well, it is the day that eyes all over the United States will be watching a little critter named Phil. Actually his full name is Punxsutawney Phil and he lives in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

Each February 2, the town of Punxsutawney has a celebration. In the early morning, Phil emerges and we all wait and watch to see what he sees. According to the legend, if Phil sees his shadow and returns to his hole, the US will have six more “lovely” weeks of winter (please note the extreme sarcasm). If Phil does not see his shadow, spring will arrive early. Anyone want to get the word out now and bribe Phil?!

In our large book library we have a lot of books for various holidays. Last year I noticed that we did not have any for Groundhog Day and wished that we had. The other day we received a copy of a new book from Sterling Children’s Books called Brownie Groundhog and the February Fox. I read the book, but am saving it to read with the kids for the holiday since it will be special on that day.

About Brownie Groundhog and the February Fox:

In Brownie Groundhog and the February Fox, author Susan Blackaby elevates the familiar story of Groundhog Day to that of a delightful tale about two mismatched characters and the start of their beautiful friendship.

Brownie Groundhog wakes herself on February 2nd to see if spring might soon be arriving. But when Brownie steps outside, there’s not even the slightest sign of spring – just her shadow, a frosty field, and a very hungry fox. Like the familiar trickster tales of old, Brownie cleverly and consistently delays the fox’s anticipated lunch. Using all her wiles – and some delicious hot cocoa and cinnamon toast – Brownie finds a tasty way to sate Fox’s appetite and find a new friend in the process. Together, Brownie and Fox enjoy a friendship that helps to make the wait for winter’s end a little warmer.

Susan Blackaby’s deliciously witty writing and Carmen Segovia’s adorable animals and stunning landscapes combine to create a picture book filled with warmth and joy.

Brownie Groundhog and the February Fox – Written by Susan Blackaby – Illustrated by Carmen Segovia – Sterling Children’s Books – On sale January 2011 – ISBN 978-1-4027-4336-8 – $14.95 – Ages 3 and up

What I Thought:

The tale of Brownie Groundhog and Fox is unique. It begins with both Brownie and Fox wanting something that they can not have. Together, they learn about patience, passing time while waiting for something that they want, and working together. The two are unlikely friends, we read along and see how Brownie works in a clever way not to be lunch and keep Fox busy. When Brownie outsmarts Fox and tries to leave, we realize that a friendship is forming. The two bond over a snack and learn to trust one another. In the end, they learn that is is best to wait for what they want together than alone.

I really enjoyed this book and like the lessons that it teaches. Problem solving, tolerance, and friendship are all seen throughout the story. I am looking forward to sharing this book with my boys next week. I think I will even see if their teachers would like to have it to share with their classmates.

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.

Disclosure: I received this book complimentary of Sterling 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.