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Looking Back at Grandparents

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

My boys are very lucky to have all four of their grandparents living relatively close to us. They typically see Nana and Papa several times a week. They have also gone with us to Walt Disney World twice. Since TechyDad’s parents live several hours away, the boys do not see Bubbe and Grandpa as much during the winter months.

Growing up, all of my grandparents lived in the same city. I have so many memories of going to my Nana and Papa’s house as a child. They had a giant in-ground pool. We would often walk to their house with neighborhood children to spend hours in the pool, eat watermelon, BBQ, or just hang out until it was time to swim again.

I really need to find some of photos that we have from the times spent there with family and friends. So many amazing memories that I want to share with all of the boys. TechyDad never met either of them and I want to let them know more about the people that they are named for.

We also spent a lot of time with my Mimi and Poppy. They lived close to us as well. I remember the swing set that was in their old house, playing with their dog Snoopy, and having countless Shabbat dinners with them. TechyDad was able to get to know Mimi and Poppy. A few months after we were married, I remember heading up to Saratoga to the track with my parents, Mimi, and Poppy. We had an amazing time in the sun. We were able to relax, enjoy the time together, and watch the horses.

When NHL was born, he had three great grandparents. Jason’s grandmother, along with Mimi and Poppy were important parts of his life. As the first great grandchild for all of them, we made sure he visited them often. NHL still recalls going to see Poppy at the nursing home where they would eat Dunkin Donuts and ice cream together. JSL met Great Grandma a few times before she passed away, but never met Poppy. Instead he proudly carries on his name. I smile each day knowing that the boys are named for Nana, Papa, Poppy, and Jason’s grandfather.

Today we will be spending time with Mimi. She is a special part of our lives. The kids adore being with her whenever possible. She honestly spoils them, but that’s what great grandparents are for. I know today we will be making more memories together that the boys and I will always cherish.

P.S. Mimi – this post was not meant to make you cry (though I am sitting here with tears in my eyes as I type). I know you read this and wanted to do something special since I just found a lot of great photos from years ago.

Categories:
Disney family jsl looking back nhl photos TechyDad

Making Wind Chimes

Posted on July 7, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Dear NHL & JSL,

This week we went to the library for one of their summer projects. They were going to make wind chimes and it was a two part project. We had to sign up for it since they only had supplies for so many people.

When we arrived, all of the supplies for the painting day were set out for project. You had paint brushes and small terra cotta pots. The librarian explained that you would be painting these on the first day. Lots of paint options were set out for people to select from. NHL, you wanted all warm colors. Your selections were red, orange, and yellow. JSL, you immediately wanted blue and then gold. The gold was not working right, so you opted for green and yellow.

It was fun watching your techniques. JSL, you wanted to cover the entire pot in one color and then add some stripes and dots of another. NHL, you were going for a more bold tie-dye effect. Both of you were done rather quickly, so we brought the clay pots to the room for them to dry over the holiday.

Since the next step was VERY time consuming, the librarians helped you out. They had baggies set up with fishing line attached to a bead and the chimes at the end. There were five of these, the clapper (which was missing a string), key ring circle, and latch to hang up your creation.

Both of you had a lot of fun creating all of your beaded sections. While you worked on those, I tied them onto the key ring.

We had to leave the clapper off since it was getting knotted up with the string they had left. Not a big deal since the chimes and beads were producing a nice sound on their own.

Now we just need to figure out where to put the wind chimes. I think we may get some hot glue to make the key ring stay in place. It was a lot of fun to make a new craft with both of you during a summer fun event at our library. I can’t wait to see what we do next time.

Love,

Categories:
arts and crafts Dear Kid Saturday fun jsl local event nhl photos summer

Making Mini Golf Memories

Posted on July 5, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

There is something extra special about going back to a place that you went to as a child with your own children. Add in going with your parents to watch them with the grandkids, and it is even more magical. On the fourth of July, TechyDad was working to move his office to a new location. Nana and Papa decided to surprise the kids by taking them to a Golden Pond Miniature Golf in Clifton Park.

The place has not changed much since I went there as a child. They have kept it clean, in good condition, and possibly even made some improvements. While walking around, I had visions of my brother and I learning to avoid the water hazards, getting a hole in one in a certain location, and bringing our neighborhood friends there to enjoy.

On the flip side, I watched my father assist the kids with holding the golf club the right way. I saw my mother smile as I recalled certain items. Then, there was the laughter, running, and smiling from my boys.

Although we missed TechyDad, we had a great time beating the heat on the shady golf course. I know the kids will definitely want to head back here again and I am sure we will. For me, it was not only about making new memories with my boys, but also reliving some special times from my childhood. It is always nice when a location from your past lives up to your expectations of years gone by.

What did you do with your family on the 4th of July?

Categories:
family fun holidays jsl Local Business looking back me moments nhl photos

Faux Tattoo Fun

Posted on June 30, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Dear NHL and JSL,

The summer of 2012 may be dubbed the season of faux tattoos in our house. We have bought some in the past, but neither of you were really interested in them. The Avengers ones that I bought you for Chanukah sat for months unopened. Last week, one of you asked to buy some Toy Story tattoos from Michaels while we were there for an event. I said sure. The next thing I knew, you each had three tattoos, while I had one.

I am not sure what changed your interest in them. I have a feeling it may be thanks to seeing your cousins wearing them at JSL’s pirate party. It has been fun watching the two of you debate between Toy Story, Avengers, and other random tattoos that we have around the house from over the years.

No matter what tattoo you pick, I will love you both to infinity and beyond!

Love,

Categories:
Dear Kid Saturday Disney fun jsl nhl photos summer

Graduating from Speech Therapy

Posted on June 28, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Early intervention is so important in helping children who require assistance with speech, fine motor, gross motor, or other areas of development. When teaching, I saw how therapists and special education teachers assisted me when working with students that had 504 plans and IEPs. Years later, it would become even more personal as both of my children required different types of therapy.

Last week was a bitter sweet time for us. On Wednesday, JSL graduated from speech.

His journey began just before he turned three years old. I noted that he was frustrated that people, including TechyDad and myself, could not understand what he was saying. There was no exact pattern to his speech. He was dropping sounds at the start of words, in the middle, and even at the end. Hearing was checked and by the time he was three I called our school district because we had been dismissed by Early Intervention. No matter what they said, I knew something was not right and JSL needed assistance from a speech pathologist.

To make a long story short, Carolyn entered our world in September 2009 when JSL started preschool three days a week. She was highly recommended by our school and district. JSL immediately fell in love with his new teacher. She was a familiar face that he trusted. She would start days with him and helped not only with his speech, but to get him acclimated to being away from me.

Carolyn fought for JSL, she knew that he needed more days once she started and quickly filled out paperwork to get him three days of intense therapy each week. At the end of that academic year, we knew that it was time to request summer therapy. Without blinking, our county agreed to continue JSL’s three day a week regimen over most of the summer months.

Thanks to working hard and extremely well together, JSL not only caught up on his speech, but surged ahead. We were lucky enough to slowly decrease his sessions and complete the school year with Carolyn. JSL is going to miss Carolyn and so am I. She knew my kiddo and how to make him work harder than he ever has. She helped JSL to have self confidence, to use his voice, and to sing, dance, and be heard. I will forever be thankful to this amazing woman for being there and making JSL ready to take on kindergarten. I know way back when he started nobody ever thought that he would be declassified before school, but clearly with a determined child and fantastic therapist it can happy.

Thank you to Carolyn and every other professional that works with children day in and day out to get them caught up. Your patience and persistence is something that is ever so special.