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Making Dream Pillows

Posted on August 9, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

It is no surprise that I love our library. I write about them, the amazing librarians, and the programs they schedule often. Last year, I fell in love with one particular day when the Tang Museum came to make Story Towers inspired by the artwork of Josh Dorman. This year, I knew that we HAD to head to the afternoon when Tang was again reaching out to the local libraries to do projects.

They started off talking to the kids about three dimensional art and what it means. Then they showed a poster of one of Oliver Herring’s sculptures. What I didn’t realize until I went to their website at home is that the Me US Them, Queen Size Bed with Coat is huge. I knew they said it would take up the space the kids were sitting in. It is actually a sculpture made of Knit silver Mylar and 12 x 57 x 88 inches. As a knitter, I am intrigued to learn more about this type of sculpture. They showed this to the kids and asked them what they saw. Many mentioned a pillow, shining objects, and more. Then they saw another piece before it was time to learn about their projects.

Since the theme of New York State Libraries summer program is Dream Big READ, the Tang Museum decided to make Dream Pillows. As you can see above, the supplies needed were on the table for the kids. Foam pieces, scissors, bubble wrap, double sided tape, and their imagination. The only additional item needed was some colored tape to make a frame around their art when the top layer of bubble wrap was added. Before the kids were sent to the table to be creative, they were shown a few examples. Here are two that I took photos of to share.

As soon as NHL and JSL sat down, they seemed to have an idea and got started. While I was chatting with a friend who came in to surprise me, the women from the Tang Museum helped the boys to find items that they needed (thank you). By the time I arrived, they were already taking shape.

NHL decided to make a scene from Back to the Future (he’s been watching those with TechyDad lately). JSL opted to make a fun robot. Here are the boys holding their finished dream pillows.

Thank you again to our wonderful library and the Tang Museum for bringing more art education into the lives of children in our community. My boys have been asking to visit the museum soon and I hope to be able to do that. I would love to know, have your children done craft projects while learning about a new artist or style of art work? Art mixed with education is a powerful tool and I would love to know. Please share in the comments below.

Categories:
arts and crafts Educational fun jsl local event looking back nhl photos summer

Parading Around Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

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

Walking around Epcot can often feel like parading around from country to country. This week, the theme of the Disney Wordless Wednesday is Parade. Come on a special parade around parts of the 2012 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.

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 Wordless Wednesday

2012 School Supply List – Kindergarten

Posted on August 6, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

If you have looked at your Sunday paper these days, it is filled with ads for back to school like this:

Although a lot of places around the country head back this month, those of us in New York (and some other locations) are in a holding pattern until Labor Day. When NHL finished third grade at the end of June, he came home with his report card, new teacher for next year, and a supply list. I wrote about his big list earlier.

JSL has been itching to get some items for kindergarten. This list had not been sent home yet, but the other day I found it online. Something must have told me to look because there it was waiting for us.

So what does a kindergarten list look like for us? Here it is:

A pack of primary pencils
A large book bag or backpack
5 glue sticks
1/2” or 1” plain black binder
One package large dry erase markers (multi-color)
A 100-pack of pocket protectors
1 Primary Journal (black and white – can be purchased in the Art Section)
1 bottle of liquid glue
3 plastic pocket folders (pockets at the bottom): 1 blue, 1 red, 1 orange

The list welcomes parents and students to Kindergarten and mentions that the list of supplies will be needed and shared throughout the school year. At the end, it starts that a sign-up sheet for parents to bring in additional items like tissues, paper towels, baby wipes, and other community items may be needed. The list seems a lot different than the one that NHL had for kindergarten in another school. I remember we had to buy him many more glue sticks, crayons, and scissors. I suppose they must have sets for the classroom.

So if you did not chime in earlier, what is on your back-to-school supply list this year?

Categories:
Educational looking back photos school shopping

Photos on the Go – Take 1

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

Although I almost always have my point and shoot camera with me, I often do not have enough time to get it ready. Thanks to my new cell phone, I am able to capture some very nice images that capture memories that will last. Let’s take a glance at some of the items that I did not blog about yet.

Super JSL Buzz Lightyear received a cool new present. He thought it was hilarious that he was wearing his Buzz Lightyear shirt and wanted a photo. This was his idea for the pose.

While watching the Summer Olympics, I was able to get some knitting done. After a few days, I had accomplished quite a lot and was ready for some more yarn.

We went to a CSI style event at the library. The boys learned how to be animal detectives. More about this will be coming soon.

For TechyDad’s birthday, we bought him a few packages of the LEGO mini figures. They are in series and are randomly inserted. Much to our surprise, two that he really wanted were in the ones we got, along with an Olympic swimmer.

The boys went with me to bring something to my old college campus. We parked a distance away and walked in the court yard area. The boys were amazed with how beautiful it was and how I knew my way around. They also had fun seeing tour groups of incoming freshman walking around.

It was just too warm to bake in the house, so the boys helped me to pick out a cookie cake for TechyDad’s birthday. He requested one and the boys had fun selecting the colors and what it should have written on top. It was delicious in case you were wondering.

Nana and Papa’s Goofy now has a friend. He must have been lonely hanging upside down by the plants, so Dopey is hanging around with him

While at Nana and Papa’s house checking on Goofy and Dopey, JSL and I took some time to just relax together. One of the activities we did was make some maps and pictures with the crayons. It was fun to play with 120 Crayola Crayons and watch the little guy color.

On Friday, the Capital Region finally got our first Trader Joe’s. We braved the crowds and went to get some items that you can not get at other locations. Had the crowds been a little less I would have taken more photos of the unique store that others already cherish.

What photos have you taken while out and about this week? I would love to know and hear more about how you capture those unique moments while on the go.

Categories:
animals birthday Disney family jsl looking back photos shopping TechyDad weekend

Celebrating a Special Birthday

Posted on August 3, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Today is an extra special day in our house. This is the day that TechyDad was born in a galaxy far far away.

Alright, so it was not another galaxy – that part of NY can just feel like another planet at times. During the day, TechyDad be working. I know I wish we had been able to swing a trip to our favorite destination for his special day, but we were there earlier this year.

The boys and I may meet up with him for lunch (unless we’re too busy baking a cake). I do know that we will be heading out to dinner together. The other evening, TechyDad and I went out for an early birthday celebration and a fondue date night.

His big present is on hold because he may require a new computer (he’s written about that recently). I told him that I was thinking about a few items, but didn’t do it without talking to him. Of course, the kids will be surprising him with a few goodies that they picked out at the store.

So my question to you this week:

What do you do to celebrate your spouse or significant others birthday?

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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 linky there if you are participating.