The Angel Forever

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

Boy Halloween costume ideas

Posted on September 25, 2009 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Thursday I was out shopping with the little guy and stumbled onto some fun Halloween items. Here is a little something I bought to put on our front porch.

All of the Halloween things gave me a major reality check. With just over a month to go until Halloween, I realized that we really need to get our rear in gear. I do not think that NHL’s costume from last year will fit him again. JSL will probably recycle NHL’s costume from when he was little. Not going to ruin that, but it will be very fitting after our Disney World adventure on his birthday. Here are the boys last Halloween.

When we buy something for the boys we try to make that that we can use it not only for Halloween, but also for Purim in the spring. This can get tricky since the climate can be quite different during these times.

The biggest problem for NHL is finding something that is appropriate for a six year old boy in first grade. Nothing too cute, nothing bloody/scary/gross . . . oh and it can not cost a ton of money (JL and I draw the line there). I am creative, but do not have a sewing machine.

This week I have two quick question for you:

Do you have any suggestions for a Halloween costume for my six year old son? and What was your favorite costume 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 MckLinky there if you are participating.

Aloha #67

Categories:
Aloha Friday holidays jsl looking back nhl

Make time for CHANGE campaign

Posted on September 24, 2009 4:29 pm by TheAngelForever

Are you willing to raise your hand in order to help a child? As a teacher and parent, I have done this day in and day out. Still, I am going to pledge to do more. Here is me raising my hand with a pledge:

I pledge to read books to my children. I also will volunteer to go into my son’s school to help other children if they need assistance with reading. Nothing better than to put my expensive Master’s Degree to a good cause.

So, you are probably wondering what I am talking about. Here is more information.

Frigidaire recently announced their new partnership with celebrity mother Jennifer Garner. Jennifer and Frifidaire are kicking off their "Make Time for CHANGE" campaign to support Save the Children’s U.S. Programs.

For more than 75 years, Save the Children has been helping children survive and thrive by focusing on early childhood education, literacy and physical activity and nutrition programs.

Save the Children created the CHANGE program (Creating Healthy, Active, and Nurturing Growing-up Environments) to promote healthier lifestyles for children living in poverty by providing nutritious snacks and regular opportunities for children to be physically active.

Starting today, for everyone who goes to Frigidaire.com and raises their hand with a pledge to make time for a child, Frigidaire will donate $1 to support the CHANGE program and Save the Children’s work to help children in need in the U.S. In addition to that, everyone who pledges their time will be entered for a chance to win a new Frigidaire Professional double wall oven! For those looking for a new professional double wall oven, Frigidaire will donate $100 to Save the Children’s U.S. Programs as part of their commitment.

So what are you waiting for? Head on over now and make your pledge and help to make time for CHANGE.

Disclosure: As a member of Mom Select, I was asked to share the information about this campaign with my readers. Since I feel it is a wonderful cause I am doing this and have received nothing from Mom Select or Frigidaire. As a bonus, I am being entered into a contest to win another Frigidaire Professional Double Wall Oven.

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