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Walt Disney World Honeymoon Memories

Posted on June 4, 2014 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

TechyDad and I were married in June 2001 and we went to Walt Disney World for a ten day honeymoon. It was simply magical. It was his first visit and he quickly fell in love with the parks. We stayed at the Beach Club Resort which was a fantastic location. We splurged and got the dining plan that also included behind the scene tours. So many memories and some scanned photos because these were pre-digital camera days. When I think of June and Disney, I automatically go back to that special time in my life as a newlywed at Walt Disney World.

Be sure to stop by Focused on the Magic by clicking on the button above to join in the Disney magic this week.

Categories:
Disney looking back travel vacation

Autism Cover for Let it Go

Posted on May 30, 2014 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Some days you see something in your social media stream that catches your eye. Yesterday afternoon, just a few hours after my son’s IEP meeting, this happened. Someone shared a video of a young woman named Sarah-Jill Rush. This talented individual person wrote a cover of Let It Go from Frozen for people with autism. As I sat there watching the video, I had tears in my eyes.

Happy tears because…

I am hopeful for next year after our meeting and all of the supports that are in place for a major move into middle school.
I am thankful that our team tries to listen to feedback and are working with us to help my son.
I am grateful for brave people like Sarah for sharing the inner story of autism with others.
This song really hit a nerve with me and I can see my son doing something beautiful like this one day.
Social media is helping to get the word out about autism awareness.

Please take a moment and watch this video of Sarah, AKA ZebraGal, singing her version of the song.

The words of her song are powerful. A few of the lines that I really adore are:

My meltdowns illustrate this swirling storm inside
Couldn’t keep it in, heaven knows I’ve tried

Let it go, let it go, can’t hold it back anymore
Let it go, let it go, stand up straight and tell them more
I don’t care what they’re going to say
Let this girl stim on
The stares never bothered me anyway

It’s funny how support makes ignorance seem small
And the fears that once controlled me can’t get to me at all

When you listen to the video, read the words. See what Sarah is saying. She not only has accepted her autism, but she wants others to be proud of who they are and being on the autism spectrum. Sarah tells us that letting it go a la stimming and meltdowns is just part of who you are and no reason to be ashamed.

Once again, knowledge is power and so is the need to educate others about those individuals living on the autism spectrum.

Some of my other posts about autism:

Categories:
parenting PSA Special Needs

Disney Apps for the Entire Family

Posted on May 29, 2014 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

I am a child of the 80s and grew up with video games as part of my life. I remember the first time I played Pac-Man and other classic games. Back in the day, all games cost a quarter and if you were good that quarter could last a long time. As I got older, my parents purchased our first gaming system. There were many game options on those 8-bit wonders. Then, my friend introduced me to Super Mario brothers and I was hooked. I saved money to get my own Nintendo. Later, we purchased Game Boys so it was possible to game on the road. It opened up a whole new world. As I got older, my love would shift to games like Tetris and Dr. Mario. Puzzle games that require problem solving have always been a favorite

Of course, once a gamer always a gamer. These days I still enjoy some down time to use games. The world of smartphones and apps have changed how I play. I no longer need a game system because it is built right into whatever phone I have with me. There are just days when you need to decompress on the go and that little folder with MY games is crucial. Yes, I can get a little selfish because I want to test my skill and see if I can get to the end of Frozen Free Fall on my own without my kids’ assistance.

It should be no surprise that many of the apps on my phone and on devices in our home are Disney. As a Disney Geek, I love the fact that so many of the popular apps are available for iOS, Windows, and Android. Oh and did I mention that most of them are FREE?!

Right after I received my Samsung Galaxy S5, Maleficent Free Fall was released. I was extremely curious about this game because I fell head over heels in love with it’s sister game Frozen Free Fall. I mean, what’s not to love about a game where you see Anna, Elsa, Sven, Olaf, and other familiar faces.

While I like the new twists in Maleficent, I think I will appreciate the game even more after I see the new movie.

Several of the other Disney apps that we enjoy include:

My Muppets Show – TechyDad actually wrote about this one because all of the boys in our house were addicted to this when it came out. I can still hear the sounds and Muppets talking in my sleep at times.
Where’s My Water? & Where’s My Water? 2 – Swampy is a fan favorite and kids of all ages will like helping him to guide water through his broken showers.
Where’s My Perry? – Phineas and Ferb fans will love this one since Agent P and Dr. Doofenshmirtz are part of this puzzle game that is similar to the popular Where’s My Water games.

There are a lot of Disney apps for different age groups and interests. Younger children will love being able to spend time with familiar Disney Junior characters, while Star Wars geeks will enjoy many galactic options with The Force. To see what is available for your specific mobile device, head to the app store and search for Disney. One word of caution as with many games there are often in app purchases that can be made. If children will be using your phone or tablet, be sure to secure them so they are unable to go on a shopping spree.

Are you a Disney game app geek? I would love to know what your favorite game is and why.

Disclosure: As a member of the Verizon Lifestyle Bloggers, I receive devices like the Samsung Galaxy S5 to test out and share ways that I use it in my life (can not wait to explore this gorgeous phone). I am a long time Verizon customer, and all opinions are my own.

Categories:
Disney Technology

Disney Letter W

Posted on May 28, 2014 9:56 am by TheAngelForever

Today it is time to celebrate the alphabet with our Disney Side. This week the letter “W” had me hopping from park to park and at a few special events to recall magical memories. What are some of your favorite Disney Letter W items?

Be sure to stop by Focused on the Magic by clicking on the button above to join in the Disney magic this week.

Categories:
Disney travel vacation

Tuesday Tales – Grossology Exhibit

Posted on May 27, 2014 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

As a science teacher at heart, I love to read books that promote fun learning. I have shared many books that the boys and I have read over the years that fall into this category. The other day, while visiting the Museum of Innovation and Science, I realized that we missed a biology related book series. Thanks to the Grossology exhibit which will be at miSci until September 1, I know a series of books that the kids and I will have to explore this summer.

Grossology definitely captured the interest of my two boys for several hours. In addition to this, TechyDad and I wanted more time to spend reading and trying everything that was new to us. Seriously, it isn’t every day that you walk into an exhibit via a mouth, only to head toward a climbing wall where you learn about the skin.

After looking around a bit, JSL and TechyDad decided to pick the nose to explore (pun intended). The two of them spent a bunch of time in there looking around at things that both have or will be having surgery on.

Meanwhile, NHL was off operating on a patient. This giant body was filled with organs and bones that had to be carefully removed. This was a fun and interactive area for older children.

JSL’s favorite area had to be the small playground section that was a mock up of the digestive system. He loved going into the mouth, sliding down the esophagus, and crawling through the intestine, and out the end onto the poop mat. Yes, they keep it classy here to teach kids. As he says, “First I was chewed and swallowed. Then I slid down into the belly, and was pooped out!”

As the boys played, I captured a few Instagram videos and photos along the way. The burp and flatulence makers were clearly favorites of my boys because of the music they made. My favorite spot was Gas Attack. I mean what’s not to love about cheese, cabbage, pigs, and pinball machines?

Lots more to share from Grossology, but I will do that another day. I know the boys and I will be heading back to miSci to explore the exhibit another day because we just renewed our membership for another year. Until that time, I will be getting the books that inspired this fantastic exhibit that is now only in the Capital Region, but other locations in the United States right now. I can not wait to check out more from Sylvia Branzei and illustrator Jack Keely.

Have you ever been to a Grossology exhibit or read one of the books? As always, Tuesday Tales is all about sharing our love of books. Please let me know what you have read recently. Be sure to link up to your book posts in the comments below. Include something you read on your own, with a child, or someone else.