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Category Archives looking back

It’s the little things

Posted on November 24, 2009 3:58 pm by TheAngelForever

Yesterday, the little guy and I spent the morning with my mother. She had the day off because she will be working on Thanksgiving day. We went shopping looking for some last minute Chanukah gifts before retail craziness really begins. While at one of our stops, I bumped into a former colleague of mine. I had not seen her since she retired and asked her how she was enjoying her new retired life.

On that flip side, I was asked how I liked being at home with the boys. I told her that most days I absolutely love it, but we have our moments. Let’s be honest here, I think we could all say that about any day, whether at work outside of the home or with our children. I told my friend that I loved being able to be at events for my older son, now a first grader. I did not have to worry about asking for the day off, leaving substitute plans or any of that. In addition to that, I was watching the boys grow in front of my eyes. She told me that she never once regretted staying home when her children were little. My mother has always told me the same thing and I truly do feel blessed that TechyDad and I are able to make it work for our family.

Today was a perfect example of how it is the little things in life that I love as a stay at home mom. The little guy and I got ready to head to the library. It was story hour and I thought it would be good for him to get back into the swing of things. Today, there were at least 20 children there along with parents, grandparents and other adults in their lives. It was slightly overwhelming for my shy 2 1/2 year old. JSL eventually warmed up and started to participate in the songs and dances.

During that time, I felt a twinge in my heart. This was something that I never did with NHL. He was in daycare from the time he was one until he started PreK. I missed those moments of him singing and dancing, listening to stories and interacting with his peers. So when JSL asked to jump into my lap, I hugged him just a little tighter trying to cherish these moments a bit more.

After the stories were finished, there was a craft today. The kids were all able to make little turkey puppets. This was JSL’s first real craft time. When given the glue stick to use for the items, he was clueless. He quickly learned how to dab on some glue and toss a feather onto his turkey.

Once again, my mind was racing. I never saw NHL’s first time using a glue stick or other little milestones. So many things I missed with my first born baby. I know I can not dwell on them too much, but I do feel bad. Of course, on the flip side if I go back to teaching once JSL is in school full time I will not be able to do the things that I have done for NHL. I have been a room parent for two years now. I have gone into his classroom to help teach the kids about Chanukah, read stories, and participate in parties.

In the end, I hope that both boys will know that I love each of them with all of my heart. I will always do and be there for them as much as possible. On that note, it is time to wipe my eyes. *sniffle* *sniffle*

Categories:
jsl looking back me moments nhl photos sahm

Sunday school fun

Posted on November 21, 2009 11:18 am by TheAngelForever

Dear NHL,

This is your second year of Hebrew school on Sunday mornings. Last year, you loved going. Each week, you would talk about what you had learned and would eagerly wait for Israeli Dancing. This year has been no different. You seem to really like your new teacher and classmates.

A few weeks ago, when you were getting better and having a tough time breathing, we told you that you could not do Israeli Dancing. The look on your face was priceless. It was like we told you something beyond horrible. In your six year old mind, we had taken away the best part of Hebrew School.

Last Sunday, you came home with a lot of items that you had been making with your new Hebrew School teacher. Everyone made items for Shabbat. These included decorating candle sticks, making a challah cover and Kiddish cup.

In addition to all of these, you have been amazing us with all of the songs you have been learning. Hearing Hebrew come out of your mouth floors me every time I hear it. It is hard to believe that you are almost half way toward being a Bar Mitzvah.

Please slow down NHL and enjoy this time. You are growing up way too quickly.

Love,

Mommy

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If you want to participate in Dear Kid Saturday, head on over to Cutest Kid Ever by clicking on the button below.

Categories:
Dear Kid Saturday looking back milestone nhl photos school

To chop or not to chop

Posted on November 20, 2009 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

It’s confession time here. I do not get my hair cut very often. Part of the reason is I have done hair donations several times over the years. Other reasons are that I am too cheap and never seem to have time to get it done. When I do decide to do something to my hair, it happens quickly and I just do it.

Before we went to Disney World in May, I went for a major chopping. I had 7+ inches cut off and felt fabulous. My hair was light, curly, and easy to care for. My only request when it was cut was to make sure I could still pull it back into a pony tail. This was crucial with the hot and humid temperatures in Orlando and summer coming here. The stylist was able to do just this.

Here is a photo of TechyDad and me in May. Please note when this photo was taken, it was already 90 degrees and humid that morning as we made our way into the Animal Kingdom.

I am getting antsy with my hair again. This weekend we are taking the boys to get their hair cut (I think) and I may just get mine done at the same time. Here is a photo that was just taken.

Oy! It was a no makeup kind of day here and out of control frizz issues with the hair, not a great combo. As you can see, my hair has gotten a lot longer over the last six months and could really use ~~another trip to Disney World~~ some freshening up.

So my question to you this week:

How often do you have your hair cut and do you usually go in with a plan?

BTW – Be sure to check out three giveaways that are going on right now: Softlips Winter collection, Movie Moments Prize Pack (4 movie tickets and cereal), and Sweet Ones Prize Pack.

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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 MckLinky there if you are participating.

Aloha #75

Categories:
Aloha Friday decisions Disney jl looking back me moments photos

Softlips PURE & Winter Flavors – Review & Giveaway

Posted on November 12, 2009 11:09 am by TheAngelForever

I have a confession to make. I am a 30-something adult woman and I do not wear lipstick. Wait, let me clarify that. It isn’t that I do not want to wear lipstick, I can not wear it. Around the time I was in college, I noticed that when I used lip balm, lip stick and most products of that nature that my lips had a horrible reaction. We are not talking a little rash or anything. I mean, my lips would blow up like I had cosmetic surgery on them and would tingle and hurt.

This was a horrible experience. No matter what I did, I could not narrow down the problem to a certain ingredient. I just worked from trial and error. For my wedding day, I had to carefully plan out my makeup. Obviously I wanted to wear some color on my lips. I bought some hypoallergenic lipstick from a major seller in a department store. I tried it a few times and then stopped. From previous experience, if something was going to happen it took a while. I tried the lipstick on a practice run the day before my wedding. The morning of my wedding I had my hair done. My maid of honor helped me do my make up. As I sat there my lips started to tingle. Oy vey! I was lucky they did not swell much that day, but I was a mess for my honeymoon.

One of the products that I have been able to use to protect my lips and keep them soft is Softlips brand. I once left a comment about how I loved that their line was one of the only lip products that did not cause an issue for me. Much to my surprise, I was contacted by the PR agency that works with Softlips. They asked me to review their PURE 2009 products, along with their Limited Edition Winter Flavors. Of course, I said yes!

Softlips PURE 2009 product information

Softlips PURE is the line of premium organic lip conditioners designed with skin-conditioning ingredients to help keep lips soft, supple and healthy. Available in several flavors, Softlips PURE is USDA-certified organic and 100% natural. The premium, organix ingredients provide a silky-smooth, eco-friendly lip conditioner for softer, healthier lips. The product line also contains no animal by-products and is not tested on animals.

Now available in six flavors for 2009: pomegranate, honeydew, peppermint, acai berry, papaya and chai tea.
Product is mounted on recyclable packaging
Vegetable-based ink is used on package of PURE products
Found in a slim stick to allow for easy carrying whether in a pocket, purse or make-up case
Natural and free of synthetic chemicals, it only uses pure organix oils and beeswax along with other natural ingredients like shea butter and vitamin E.
Can be used alone or under/over lipstick
Available in mass retail, supermarket and drugstores nationwide for the suggested retail price of $2.99 for the 0.07 ounce stick.

Softlips Limited Edition Winter Flavors product information

Softlips is the line of premium lip conditioner designed with skin-protecting ingredients to help keep lips soft, supple and healthy. Available in several flavors varieties, Softlips Lip Balm with SPF 20 offers superb coverage and protection from the environmental elements, as well as a healthy sheen without the heavy waxiness or stickiness of traditional lip balms.

Now available in four limited edition winter flavors beginning September 2009: winter mint, sugar cookie, sugar & spice, sugar plum berry
Combines lip protection with SPF 20 and moisturizing emollients that allow for a sheer glossing effect
Like the PURE flavors it can be used alone or under/over lipstick
Also packaged in slim cases to allow for easy transport in pockets, purses or make-up cases
They can be found in the cough and cold section nationwide for the suggested retail price of $2.99 to $3.99 for the dual-stick pack
The Softlips limited edition winter flavors (dual packs) Sugar & Spice with Vanilla and Sugar Plum Berry with Cherry will be available at Target, while the Winter Mint with Vanilla and Sugar Cookie with Cherry will be available at Walgreens.

Keep up to date on the latest from Softlips by become a fan on Facebook. You can also enter the fourth annual 2009 Softlips Picture Perfect Lips Model Search.

My Thoughts:

As I mentioned at the start, I was already buying Softlips on my own to use before this review. This opportunity allowed me to try their new PURE and Limited Edition Winter flavors.

Softlips Limited Edition Winter Flavors – I love the fact that the winter line includes the SPF protection, every little bit helps to protect my lips. The pairing of flavors in the dual packs are wonderful. The winter flavors really do work well together and allow you to test out one of the limited edition options along with one from the regular Softlips line. The scents are not overpowering, but make you think about the sweet aromas from the holiday season. My favorites were the Winter Mint and Sugar Cookie. There is just something very comforting about the Sugar Cookie flavor that reminds me of baking delicious cookies.

Softlips PURE flavors – As a person that is working hard to recycle, use more Earth friendly products and watch the products that I use with my children I love that this line is all natural and organic. The range of flavors available are amazing. Honeydew made me long for the summer and the delicious summer fruit, pomegranate of the fall harvest, and papaya of the tropical Hawaiian paradise. At the same time I was very intrigued by the acai berry and chai tea which were quite different than anything else I had ever tried. The peppermint was refreshing and had a little tingle that went with it, but not in a bad way.

I was a fan of Softlips before this review and will continue to be. I love that they are expanding their horizons, not only with new and exciting flavors, but also with more green products. Next up for me, I want to try their tinted lip conditioners. A little color on my lips would not be a bad thing, especially when I go out to something special.

Giveaway:

Thanks to Softlips one lucky reader will be able to win their own Limited Edition Winter Collection.

Rules for Giveaway:

MAIN RULE – Answer the following question: If you could have Softlips create a new flavor, what would it be and why?
1 Bonus Entry – Follow me on Twitter @TheAngelForever and Tweet about the giveaway. Be sure to include @TheAngelForever and Softlips Giveaway in the Tweet. Please leave a direct link to your Tweet in a separate comment for each daily entry. Example Tweet (feel free to use): A chance to win Softlips Limited Edition Winter collection from @TheAngelForever. Check out the review and giveaway http://bit.ly/1FcHwG
1 Bonus Entry – Let me know which winter flavor you are most excited to try and why.
1 Bonus Entry – Subscribe to my RSS feed (or let me know if you already are) in a separate comment.
~~1 Bonus Entry – Become a Fan of Softlips on Facebook and let me know you did.~~ Update 11/15 – Found out that Facebook does not allow this type of entry. All previous entries of ths type will count, but none after this point. I still hope that you will become a Fan of Softlips anyway because they are very interactive on their page.
1 Bonus Entry – Leave a comment on any of my non-giveaway posts from the month of November. Be sure to leave a comment here to let me know which one.
3 Bonus Entries – Write a post on your blog linking to my blog about the Softlips giveaway. Be sure to leave 3 comments about this to get credit for all of your extra entries

To enter, please follow the rules above within the comment section. Contest starts today November 12th and ends at 10:59 EST on November 29, 2009. You do not have to be a blogger to enter, but must leave a valid e-mail address for me to contact you for mailing address once the giveaway is over. I will select the winner using random.org and contact you via e-mail. You will have 48 hours to claim the prize. If there is no response, another winner will be selected. Open to U.S. residents only.

Disclosure: I received the Softlips PURE and Limited Edition Winter flavors complimentary of Softlips in order to facilitate this review. No other compensations was given. The opinions expressed in the review are my own feelings about the product that I tried.

Categories:
giveaway looking back me moments Product review

Kid concerts then and now

Posted on November 6, 2009 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

As a child, I remember going to quite a few shows. One of my favorite memories was seeing Rosenshontz. They were wonderful at engaging the audience, getting the kids to sing/dance and even got the parents to act silly. This was back in the day when you saw singing groups in small intimate groups and were all close to the stage. To this day, I still remember some of the catchy and fun tunes. . . they are classic! Here is the cover of one of my favorite albums:

Flash forward to the other night. We took our boys to see The Wiggles. This year, it was in a much different venue and the show style had changed. Not only did The Wiggles sing and dance, but they also showed althleticism. I kid you not, the Wiggles Go Bananas tour seemed like a hybrid of Cirque du Soleil meets The Wiggles. It was amazing watching Anthony stand on his head, do cartwheels, and fly in the air. Even Captain Feathersword got into the act. Here’s a video that we took of one of the classic Wiggles songs. At the end of the clip, you will see a little of what I mean with Jeff and Captain Feathersword (there was so much more with crazy props and things).

This weeks question is inspired by The Wiggles and my memories of Rosenshontz.

What was your favorite concert that you went to as a child? Do you take your children to concerts? If you do which ones?

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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 MckLinky there if you are participating.

Aloha #73