Category Archives holidays

Tuesday Tales – Today Is the Birthday of the World

Tuesday Tales

Next week begins the High Holidays for Jewish families. Growing up, I remember going to synagogue with my family and listening to the shofars being blown. What I do not recall is reading childrens books about the holidays. I am sure if they were in existance.  If they were, my mother would have bought them for us since we did have our token Chanukah stories that were around.

The PJ Library

My children are very lucky. These days, there are many more books about Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah and holidays the rest of the year. I always look in stores for new Jewish holiday books and buy anything that I see from the Scholastic book flyers and/or fairs. We are also lucky that The PJ Library exists. A few years ago, we received a book in the mail introducing us to The PJ Library and inviting us to sign our children up. Here is a little about the fabulous program from their website:

The PJ Library

Jewish Bedtime Stories & Songs for Families

The PJ Library® program supports families in their Jewish journey by sending Jewish-content books and music on a monthly basis to children from age six months to five, six, seven or eight years depending on the community. Created by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, The PJ Library is funded nationally in partnership with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, local philanthropists, and Jewish organizations.

Browse this site to:

At this time, The PJ Library is available in more than 100 communities across the United States. Each community is sponsored by a local Jewish organization and local donors who share a passion for vibrant Jewish life.

Each month, the boys receive a book about an upcoming holiday, relating to Jewish heritage or a CD filled with Jewish music. Here are just a few of the books that have arrived in recent months:

Just a few of the books

Just in time for Rosh Hashanah, JSL received Today Is the Birthday of the World by Linda Heller (Amazon affiliate link).

Book for Rosh Hashanah

Today is a special day: the birthday of the world, when God and all God’s creatures celebrate the beauty of life. As God asks each dear creature in turn whether it has been the best that it can be, this simple affirmation of life and goodness applauds the contribution that each and every one of us— from the mightiest elephant to the smallest child— can make. The whimsical animals in Alison Jay’s perfectly composed crackled paintings will make this a favorite book on the family shelf.

The book was published by Dutton Children’s Books in April 2009. For children ages 4-8 and 32 pages. ISBN 978-0525479055

As a parent, I love that The PJ Library also includes ideas and information for the adults. This is the note inside the book from the PJ Library. Note how they really help to explain the connection of the book to the holiday.

Rosh Hashanah – Jewish New Year.    During Elul, the final month of the Hebrew year, the shofar (ram’s horn) sounds in synagogues around the world to announce the approaching year, Rosh Hashanah, which begins on the first of Tishrei. At this time in the annual cycle we are reminded of the world’s formation – the birthday of the world! – and the six days of creation as expressed in the first book of the Torah, Bereshit (Genesis).

Children everywhere look forward to birthdays and, naturally, some of the anticipation involves presents. Here is an opportunity to celebrate the world’s birthday while teaching a lesson in "price-less" gift giving. We can all observe the brithday of the world, in part, by giving back to the earth. Get creative as your family takes part in the now-more-than-ever critical work of tikkum olam (repairing the world). Involve everyone as you increase efforts at recycling, have your little ones decorate signs to remind everyone to turn off the water when brushing teeth, walk rather than use the car when possible, or plant a tree in your yard (or your neighnor’s). Allow imagination to soar!

Throughout Today Is the Birthday of the World we see God’s creatures performing acts that only they can carry out, a reminder that there is no one correct way to offer the world our best. As the child paints, plants, or shares with others we can only imagine that this is what is intended for us all: life interwoven with mitzvot – sacred deeds performed out of responsibility and care – that help make the world the best it can be. The culmination of each of this book’s creatures "doing what comes naturally" is the child who, we are told, is able to "life the world’s spirit."

How can your children list the world’s spirit? As you encourage inclinations to sing, draw, bake, read, week, share, smile, respect, conside and love, you foster the world’s best.

What we thought:

The boys and I read this book to get ready for the High Holidays. I think a lot of it went WAY over JSL’s head. He is only three and liked the pictures, but I do not think he truly got the message of the book. NHL is seven and definitely got it. When we were done reading, we talked about ways that we could all be the best and help to lift the spirit’s of the world. We brain stormed for a while and are going to work on a few arts and craft projects to express this and share with other family friends in the upcoming weeks.

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.

TheAngelForever

Disclosure: My son received this book as part of our membership to The PJ Library. We were never asked to write about the book or PJ Library. I just wanted to share this information and a good book with my readers. The opinions expressed in the review are my own and no compensation was given.

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Toy Story 3 as first movie

Memories of my first times going to see a movie in a theater and at a drive in still are strong. How about you, do you recall what the first movie you saw in a theater was or your child’s?

When NHL was three, we went to visit Aunt M and Uncle I, along with Nana and . Nana and Papa came along for an extra special visit. It was winter break, December 2006, and we were there for a long weekend. Since it was Christmas, there was not a lot going on. We decided to all take NHL to see his first movie in a theater. We saw Happy Feet. NHL was so excited, but he also wanted to see the potty several times during the show. I started blogging just months after this, and apparently we did not take photos at the movie (bad us – sorry NHL). Here is one from that trip of NHL baking cookies with Aunt M.

NHL making cookies with Aunt M - Dec 2006

Fast forward to July 4th. We decided to take JSL to see his first movie in a theater. He is a HUGE Toy Story fan. He has been in love with them since our trip to Disney in February when he met Buzz and Woody and rode on the Toy Story Midway Mania ride at Hollywood Studios. Sad to admit, I have not been to see a movie in a theater since Twilight was out (not even New Moon – nor Eclipse). The last movie I saw with NHL was Happy Feet, but he saw Horton Hears a Who and Up with Nana and Papa.

Sunday morning, we decided to go and see Toy Story 3 with the boys. We settled on a 1:50 start time and did not go to the 3D version. I had never been to the new theaters and thought the party room that was there was too cute (made me think of things to do for NHL’s B-day).

Party room at movies

Then, JSL modeled his Buzz Lightyear attire. Yes, he insisted on taking one of his Buzz figures with us.

Can you tell his favorite Toy Story character?

We walked down the hall to the theater. I received a few looks from people working at the theater as I took photos. I looked at one and said "I blog – therefore I take photos of my son’s first movie experience!"  He gave me a thumbs up and kept walking.

Heading to Toy Story 3

At first, JSL did not want to walk in. The darkness inside scared him a bit. We reassured him that it was not bad and he would see Buzz Lightyear, Woody and Friends inside.

Not too sure about this

There was hardly anyone inside when we got there (this would change as time went by). We opted to sit in the front row of the stadium seating area. We also went to the side near an escape area, just in case we needed it. This would prove to be a great place later on when JSL was antsy during an intense scene of the movie and wanted to stand up. JSL sat really well waiting for the movie to begin.

Is it show time yet?

After a few previews, he was getting a little upset and asked JL where Buzz Lightyear and Woody were. Luckily, they came on soon and he was very happy.

When we made it back to the car, JSL showed his age. My sweet little three year old passed out in the carseat on the way home. Note his Buzz Lightyear hat, shirt and Buzz toy firmly gripped in his hand.

My tired little Toy Story fan

If you have not seen Toy Story 3, we highly recommend it. Loved the way that Pixar has improved on this series with each sequel. Way to go Disney and thank you for all of the Toys Story Memories that we have from JSL’s first movie!

The boys did so well, I am thinking about taking them to the free movie tomorrow solo. Someone please hold me!

TheAngelForever

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Bowling with TechyDad on Father’s Day

Let me begin by wishing all of the Dads out there a wonderful Father’s Day. Remember, if you influence the lives of children and are a part of their world you are a Father. A special thank you to TechyDad for being such a wonderful father to our boys. A girl never could have dreamed for such a wonderful man to be the Dad in our family. It has been amazing watching you over the years with the boys teaching them all things geeky, techy and beyond. I also hope that Papa, my brother, all of my uncles and my Cousin D had an extra special day.

This weekend, we spent a lot of family time together doing fun things. On Saturday, we left in the early afternoon and went to Six Flags. This morning, we thought about going strawberry picking, but, thanks to a storm last night, we thought it may be too muddy and buggy. TechyDad decided that he would like to go out to lunch and then bowling. He thought it would be fun, cool inside and interesting since JSL has never been bowling before.

After lunch out, we decided to try a new bowling place. For some strange reason, most of the bowling alleys in our area are closed on Sunday.  Here are some photos of the boys bowling together.

My boys bowling

More about Six Flags, bowling and what we signed up for this summer coming soon.

Again, Happy Father’s Day to TechyDad and all of the other dads out there!

TheAngelForever

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Frosty for a good cause on Father’s Day 2010

Last year, I heard about the Wendy’s Father’s Day Frosty Weekend thanks to a blog tour that I was a part of. I also wrote about it to let all of you know about this fun and delicious event that goes to a wonderful cause.

Frosty

With Father’s Day weekend just around the corner, Wendy’s is trying to get the word out that they are doing it again. Here is more information:

Over the past four years, Wendy’s has started a tradition on Father’s Day weekend. They have what they call Father’s Day Frosty Weekend where they donate 50 cents from each Frosty sale to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. Once again, this Father’s Day weekend (June 19-20), they will be holding this event at all Wendy’s. The money that is raised will go to the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program. This fund assists full-time adoption recruiters at local agencies across the United States. These recruiters them help to pair up parents with foster care children that need loving homes. 

Dave Thomas Foundation For Adoption

Other ways you can help:

  • Make your own Frosty Card here and for every FREE card created, Wendy’s will donate 50¢ to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption (DTFA).  NHL and I created one that we will share below. It was a lot of fun and we will make more to send to other specials Fathers in our family. 
  • From now until June 20, you can also help with Twitter. Each time a user tweets from the Treat it Forward application found at www.facebook.com/frosty (Treat it Fwd tab), or uses the hashtag #TreatItFwd a donation will also be made to DTFA.
  • For those on Facebook, you can also send users a Virtual Frosty as a gift and help to spread the word via the Treat it Fwd tab on the Frosty page above.
  •  Anyone that uses Foursquare and ‘check-in’ to a Wendy’s restaurant during Father’s Day weekend (June 19-20) will also have a donation made to DTFA. 

 Here is NHL’s card to my hubby:

Wendy's Card to TechyDad

With any luck, we will head to Wendy’s this weekend and I will certainly be sharing the information via Social Media. Always nice to get a tasty treat and have a donation go to a wonderful cause.

Will you be doing any of these? Let me know what you plan on doing.

TheAngelForever

Disclosure: I was reminded about this great cause by an e-mail from a PR representative and decided to share the information with my readers. All opinions are mine from previous experience with the Father’s Day Frosty Weekend.

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