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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

Poor Perry the Platypus

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

Dear JSL,

This week, we had to head to the doctor to have something checked out. It was not an expected visit. Since we were tossed in right before lunch, I made sure that you took some items with us to keep busy.

I think you may have been a bit upset at waiting for the doctor. I do not remember what the story was with this set up, but Perry was not looking too happy at the time.

Once we were finished at the doctor, we went to Target to look for some presents for Daddy’s birthday. While there, we noticed some new learning games for your LeapPad. We just took it back out the other day and you love using it to really learn your letters and sounds before kindergarten. The best part, the store also had an AC adapter to use so we do not have to fuss with batteries when home.

We immediately bought the AC Adapter, but held off on the games. Later on, you and I went back out to the store to look for presents for Daddy and NHL. We eventually bought the Jake and the Never Land Pirates game for the Explorer as something for the next doctor visit.

It was definitely a splurge, but you really love Jake and need games that are better for you (some DS and Wii ones are so frustrating). This certainly fits the bill and I know it will help to take your mind off of things a bit.

I promise, we will get through this stressful time. Thank goodness, Perry was fine and managed to snuggle with you that night in bed.

Love,

Categories:
birthday Dear Kid Saturday Disney doctor Educational jsl photos shopping sleep

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.

Aloha #214

Categories:
Aloha Friday birthday Disney food glorious food looking back photos TechyDad yummy

A Fondue Filled Date

Posted on August 2, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Melted, gooey, delicious cheese with items to dip in it. I do believe there are days that I have dreamed about what it would be like to finally head to The Melting Pot. I no longer need to think about it since we went there earlier this week for an early birthday dinner for TechyDad.

We have always been curious and wanted to head there for a nice romantic dinner, but never done it. Thanks to a great Living Social deal I snagged, I asked my parents to watch the kids so we could try this new fondue experience. When we arrived, we were seated in what we later were told is the “Lovers Lane” table. It was secluded, private, and nice to be able to take photos without glaring eyes. As The Melting Pot Twitter account knows, we had fun sending Instagrams during our meal. Kuddos to their social media team for A+ interaction with people as well.

Our server Kim came to our table quickly to explain some options to us. We had originally thought we would simply do a cheese starter and then a dessert. She explained that we could share one of the vegetarian entrees as well since we were talking about ordering salads. We talked it over and thought it was a nice idea to splurge since it was a special occasion.

To begin, we selected the Spinach Artichoke Cheese Fondue. Here’s the description: “Rich Fontina and Butterkäse cheeses blend perfectly with spinach, artichoke hearts
and garlic.” All of the cheese fondue options are served with rustic artisan breads, fresh vegetables (carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower), some tortilla chips, and Granny Smith apples. When Kim arrived at our table she had all of the ingredients and made the deliciousness right in front of our eyes.

There are few words to describe how delicious this was. I think the picture may help to explain it a little more than I can.

Our Caesar Salad to share arrived next. You may think it was just a Caesar Salad. You would be very wrong. The added bonus of Parmesan-encrusted pine nuts were an amazing touch.

Next, it was time to learn something new. The fondue pot was delivered to our table to get ready. Inside was our selected entrée cooking style. TechyDad and I opted for the Court Bouillon which was a vegetable broth hand-seasoned with herbs and spices. This sat for a while filling our little area with an amazing aroma.

When Kim arrived back at our table, she had a lot of items to show us. First was our entrée plate. We selected The Vegetarian which is: “A selection of fresh vegetables including edamame or onion rings, artichoke hearts, Portobello mushrooms and asparagus served with Thai peanut-marinated tofu, spinach artichoke ravioli and our Big Night Out pasta.”

In addition to this, we were given a bowl of vegetables and potatoes, along with all of the entrée sauces to try.

Kim explained how long to let everything cook in the fondue pot before it would be ready to eat. She also recommended making our own stuffed mushroom caps by cooking up the mushrooms and putting the Green Goddess Sauce (a blend of cream cheese, sour cream, onions, chives and parsley) into them. That was beyond melt in your mouth amazing.

I wish we had taken more photos of the cooked tofu and other vegetables from the first plate, but well we were too busy enjoying our meal. Before we knew it, we had to make a selection from the dessert menu. Since we were celebrating TechyDad’s birthday, it seemed like the right thing to do.

The birthday boy selected the Flaming Turtle. Please prepare yourself for this description: “We consider it Fondue Candy. It’s an irresistible combination of milk chocolate, caramel and candied pecans flambéed tableside.” All of the chocolate fondues are served with a variety of dippers that include fresh strawberries, bananas, cheesecake, Rice Krispy treats, marshmallows, pound cake, and brownies. Are you drooling yet? If not here is what was delivered to our table with a little surprise from Kim for TechyDad’s birthday.

Our meal was delicious and we had an amazing date night out. I think this is a fantastic location for parents to head for a splurge – it is well worth it. Of course, now I am wondering why we have never tried our fondue set that we received years ago. I have a funny feeling it may be coming out of hibernation soon. First up – making vegetables in some broth ….and then perhaps some cheese and chocolate.

Have you ever been to a fondue restaurant? What is your favorite item to use for a dip or dip into it?