holidays | The Angel Forever

Category Archives holidays

Merry Moments Ahead

Posted on December 24, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Twas the day before Christmas and all through the land, people were prepping for St. Nicholas to land.

These words do not fit into our household since we are Jewish. Still, I enjoy looking at photos from friends baking cookies, wrapping presents, and enjoying their beautifully decorated Christmas trees.

Back at our house, focus has been on getting the boys to feel better. Both started off their winter break with different symptoms that have not been pleasant. JSL has a cough that has kept many of us up for several nights. NHL had a fever and took a three hour nap followed by a request for more resting. Now, as I get ready to wish everyone a very merry Christmas with their families I look forward to healthy kiddos gracing my house so we can enjoy the week off of school together. Crafts to attempt, adventures to go on, and friends/family to visit.

On Christmas morning, we will watch the Disney Christmas parade and it will bring back memories of seeing Walt Disney World all dressed up for the holidays. After that, we will have a nice and relaxing day before dinner with TechyDad later in the evening.

So to all that are gearing up for time with your families this is for you:

Categories:
Disney holidays

Lots of Holiday Joy at Disney

Posted on December 19, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Although I have been to Walt Disney World countless times in my life, I had never experienced a major holiday season while visiting. This all changed with our trip for the official opening of New Fantasyland. The holiday magic is in every resort and park and really highlights the location that they are in. Although I do not celebrate Christmas, it was a joy to wander around looking at all of the festive decorations and lights. Sharing some of these seemed the perfect way to channel the theme of *Joy* this week.

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

Disclosure: TechyDad was invited to the New Fantasyland media event December 5-7. Disney paid for his travel, our park tickets, room, along with some extra surprises. I was his guest and invited to special events, but paid for my travel and an extra night at the resort.

Categories:
Disney holidays travel

Festival of Lights with Music

Posted on December 11, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Chanukah started Saturday night. Each night, we light the candles with the boys. This year, they each have a new menorah from Uncle J and Aunt A. We say the prayers together and then watch the candles slowly burn.

As the candles are flickering, we often put on Chanukah music. We have songs from Barenaked Ladies, Susan Egan, The Mama Doni Band, and others. This year, we also added a new song from Laurie Berkner’s holiday album called Candle Chase. Yes, I bought the song and it is a great addition to our collection.

Of course, more music is available in video form. The Maccabeats have a new original song for the Festival of Lights that they wrote called Shine. Here is the video below:

In addition to this, four of the original Maccabeats alumni moved on to start a group called StandFour and they have a song new video out called Eight Nights – Hanukkah Mashup.

Do you have a favorite song for Chanukah? I would love to know so we can add new titles into our song collection.

Happy Chanukah to all that celebrate the festival of lights.

Disclosure: An Amazon Affiliate link is included in this post for the song mentioned. I will receive a percentage of money for the sale should you opt to purchase it through that link.

Categories:
holidays Music

Family Chanukah Banner

Posted on December 8, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Dear JSL,

Your kindergarten class had to make a family banner. The banner was to express how we celebrate Chanukah. Each member had to trace their own hand, write their name, and draw their favorite part of the holiday inside. As we got started, you helped me to gather Chanukah glitter, markers, foam stickers, and more. As we tried to figure out how to fit all of our hands on, you instructed me that Daddy and I had to use our real names. We could not put Mommy and Daddy inside our hands.

You told me to do my hand first. I traced mine with my favorite color and then drew musical items. I love Chanukah songs and being able to sing them every night when we light our menorah. Daddy did his next and put potato latkes and jelly donuts. Then, NHL put presents and Chanukah gelt into his part of the project. When it was your turn you wanted to put lighting the candles and gifts. Then, it was your time to put things all around the banner. You had a lot of fun with this.

I know you are going to have fun telling everyone all about your banner in school. You already enjoy doing Chanukah crafts during centers and telling everyone about the holiday you celebrate. I can not wait to begin the Festival of Lights with you and the rest of our family tonight.

Love,

Categories:
arts and crafts Dear Kid Saturday holidays

Tuesday Tales – How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah?

Posted on December 4, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

While walking around the Scholastic Book Fair at school with my children, a book on the holiday table caught my eye. It was How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah? by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Mark Teague. As long time fans who own many of the dinosaur books, the boys were very intrigued. I have to admit, I was as well. We decided to get some other books and wait to get the book out of the library before making the purchase. (FYI – I now wish I had bought it to support our school.)

This book came out in September, along with How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas? and keeps the twelve year tradition of the series alive while teaching children about Chanukah. NHL and I have been reading the books since he was an infant. The first thing he immediately pointed out was the names of the dinosaurs were on each page, skillfully placed along side of them by Teague. Jane Yolen introduces readers to Chanukah traditions like the blessings over the menorah, chocolate Chanukah gelt, and playing dreidels. As always, Mark Teague’s illustrations with the popular dinosaurs are perfect and make the experience complete. Here is a quick look inside the book:

We will definitely be buying a copy of this book for the boys for Chanukah. It will make a great addition to our holiday collection. I also hope to share this with JSL’s kindergarten class because I think they will appreciate the items in the book and I hope to bring in some things mentioned to share during Chanukah.

In case you were curious about the Christmas book, I have not read that one yet, but did see a book trailer for it from Scholastic and thought I would share.

Are you a fan of the How Do Dinosaurs book series? I would love to know your thoughts. As always, please share 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. Tuesday Tales are all about spreading the love for books.

Disclosure: Two Amazon Affiliate link are included in this post for the books mentioned. I will receive a percentage of money for the sale should you opt to buy the book through that link.