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40th Anniversary Wishes

Posted on March 25, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

40 years ago today, two very important people in my life got married. Yes, my parents are celebrating their 40th anniversary today. The two of them are such an important part of our lives.

The two of them have always been there for me. They listened to me when I made a change in careers during college to follow my dreams. My parents have also been there with TechyDad and I since we were dating, planning our wedding, and started our family. No matter what time of day or night, I know they will be there for us. Nana and Papa have been with us for the birth of the kids, met and or taken us to the emergency room when a kiddo was sick, and celebrated magical memories at Walt Disney World with us twice.

It only seems fitting that the people that started my love for all things Mickey Mouse and Disney got to be with the boys for their first trip. Then, last year, it made me the happiest to be able to invite my parents with us to a special event in Orlando. They never blinked about taking the boys into the parks alone so TechyDad and I could go to the conference. Instead, they were like kids themselves watching in wonder at the events unfold. I saw just how amazing and magical Walt Disney World is for my parents.

The two of them enjoyed time with all of us, just the kids, and they walked miles exploring all of the parks as a couple. It did not surprise us when they started to look at a destination to go for their 40th Anniversary Celebration. Of course, it will be Walt Disney World in the not too distant future.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad. May there be many more happy and healthy years together making magical memories together.

Categories:
Disney family milestone

Reading in Kindergarten

Posted on March 8, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

When NHL started kindergarten, all he wanted to do was learn to read. He was focused and had a major goal. We knew that he really wanted to do this skill and prove it quickly. JSL is the second child and was certainly ready and able to learn to read a while ago, but there was something different. My stubborn little fellow did not want to do it. He was still clinging to the special time reading together. He did not want to read shorter books to me, he wanted to read longer chapter books and see where Jack and Annie would go next.

JSL eventually realized that even if he could read, I would still read to him. Over the last month or so, my kindergarten kiddo has exploded with his literacy skills. The sounds are all there, the decoding is amazing, and his confidence is growing each and every day. Now, we are working on fluency.

Reading has always been a part of our daily routine, but there is something new to our homework. Each week, JSL’s teachers send home some mini-books that work on high frequency words, decoding, and other early reading skills. As a teacher, it always amazes me to see a child go from barely knowing their alphabet, learning their phonics skills, to reading. Now, I sit in amazement as another child, my baby, is able to read.

What I learned this year, just like with potty training, was not to push too hard. I knew that JSL would read once he started school. I also knew that there were reasons why he was holding out. He showed me that patience pays off and it makes it even more special.

What do you love to read with an emergent reader? We have a lot of books, but always looking for new ideas.

It's Me

Categories:
books milestone school

Magical Disney Coaster Moments

Posted on January 7, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

You either love roller coasters or you do not. I grew up going on them at a lot of amusement parks across the country with my father and brother. I fell in love with the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney’s Hollywood Studios the first time I rode it. Back in May 2009, I went on it with my father while the boys and my mother waited for us. It was Mother’s Day and it was fun to go on a coaster with my dad.

It really was love at first ride. The music, the lights, and the darkness make it an experience. It truly is the smoothest coaster that I have been on and I hoped to share it with others in my family one day.

Fast forward to this past April. My almost nine year old son was finally tall enough to go on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and even TechyDad was interested in facing some fears at Disney World. TechyDad, NHL, Papa, and I went on together while JSL and Nana wandered around waiting for us. TechyDad and NHL did not know that the photo is taken at the start of the ride. As you can see, one had his eyes closed, one is feeling the force of the blast off, and even I blinked.

Definitely a magical memory and I was SO proud of TechyDad and NHL for trying the ride. Needless to say, when we were finished and the line wasn’t too bad – only two of us went right back on. Yes, it was father and daughter time with Aerosmith once again.

Dad had me laughing the entire time, as you can see above. It really was a magical end to our vacation.

Do you have a time when you rode with your parent or child that was special and captured by a photo?

Mondays-Magical-Moments

This post is part of the fun over at Super Jenn and her Monday’s Magical Moments Meme. To join in the fun and link up, head on over to the linky there.

It's Me

Categories:
Disney milestone travel

Kindergarten Learning

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

Dear JSL,

You have been a kindergarten kid for just about a month now. Mornings are still a bit rough. You say you are nervous and do not want to leave me. Still, the smile on your face at the end of the day tells me a different story. I can see that you are enjoying the time with your teachers, classmates, and learning.

What I love is watching you after school each day. You pull our your Doodle Pro and teach me things that you have learned. You recite the letters and their sounds. You tell me words that begin with the letters. Even on the way into school, you like to rattle off things that you have learned. You are in love with centers. This time seems to be your favorite, especially when there are science activities. You have already learned about the five senses and it made a big impression on you. Just the other day, you were explaining to me how the eyeball has an image that is turned upside down as it is carried to the brain. The science teacher in me was so very proud.

I have also watched you talking to your big brother about math. I knew that you were talking about shapes (which you already knew) in class. What I did not realize until I was looking at your sheets that I had heard you say another word.

$Kindergarten math - learning about vertices$

Yes, you know how to identify a vertex on a shape. You can count them and the side and record the numbers. I was definitely impressed and you love sharing this information with me. The other item that you have been talking about a lot are apples. Since you are going to an orchard soon, you have been learning about how they grow. I can not wait to hear more about this subject over the weekend and next week. Thank you for taking me on this learning journey with you.

Love,

Categories:
Dear Kid Saturday jsl milestone photos school

Rosh Hashanah Art and The Kissing Hand

Posted on September 15, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Dear JSL,

The Kissing Hand project still seems to be working. After your first full week of kindergarten, things seem to be getting better. You still do not want to let go of my hand in the morning. By Friday, you were no longer crying when I left. Now, I just have to hope that will continue after four days off for Rosh Hashanah.

Last Sunday, you had your first official day of Hebrew School. It was a bitter sweet moment for me. You and I always had fun on Sunday mornings when NHL went off. Now it is your turn to join this tradition and learn about our Jewish faith, along with Hebrew.

When it was time to go to class on Sunday, you did not want to let me go. You did not really know anyone in your class. You were in a new location and the teacher was not who we had thought it would be. Still, I reminded you about The Kissing Hand. Then when I saw the aid in the hall later on, I told her to remind you that we had “powered up” when I left and it would help you out. Much to my surprise, this showed up on your Rosh Hashanah project.

You did all of the fantastic apple prints, but you asked someone to help you make a kissing hand. In addition to this, they helped to draw little JSL. It was the sweetest thing to see, it make me smile. I truly hope that this will be the start of many amazing and wonderful years ahead of you in school and learning about our faith.

Love,