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ER Visit in the Night

Posted on June 16, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Dear JSL,

Wednesday was a great day. After your graduation from nursery school, you had a special request for a lunch out. We went there, played outside, played at home. Then, you helped me to finish writing your birthday thank you notes. When we were done, I asked you to head with me to the mail box. It was at this point that I realized that we never did buy the gift for one of NHL’s teachers. NHL also mentioned that the following day he was supposed to bring in a snack to celebrate his summer birthday.

So you and I went to Price Chopper because I knew we could get some cookies without nuts and gift cards. When we got home, we talked with our neighbor while you ran and ran and ran around the house. Then, we took things inside and went to the mailbox. At bedtime, you started coughing. No matter what we did, you were not able to stop coughing. It was time to try something to help. I assumed it was asthma kicking in.

Once the nebulizer was over, it was already pretty late. We put you back into bed and sat in the room to make sure you would settle. Suddenly, I heard Daddy try to get you out of bed fast. You were throwing up and gasping for air. You were whisked away to the bathroom, where you were shaking horribly and could not stop this from happening over and over. We eventually got you into our bed and comfortable.

I dozed off briefly until you started to toss and turn. You started to cough again. We pulled out the nebulizer for another treatment since it had been five hours. Nothing got better. Your color was getting worse and your breathing getting more labored. Your little body was clearly in distress. We called Nana and Papa to see if they could take us to the ER. I was afraid to drive you alone with your breathing the way it was.

The ER brings back some bad memories for me. Thank goodness you do not recall a lot of the times you have been there for your fevers. The nurses were really great and had a doctor come to you in triage. They immediately noted that you had croup – that barking cough echoed down the halls. I’m not sure why I thought you were too old for that. The nurse and I tackled you to start some steroids to help the cough that was still horrible. Since your lungs were clear, we were told we just had to keep the meds in you and then could head home. We were moved to an area in the hall to sit in a chair. You immediately curled up in my arms to try to sleep.

I sat there thanking my lucky stars that it was nothing more serious. Your lungs were healthy, your ears fine, and you were getting enough oxygen. A few hours after we arrived in the ER, we were sent home. You crawled into bed and managed to sleep for a few hours

I was not able to sleep. I watched you breathing and holding onto Perry who had also comforted you at the hospital. My mind was racing and I just wanted to see you rest in our home. Thank goodness you are feeling better now and soon you will be up to speed to really begin our summer vacation.

Love,

Mommy

Categories:
Dear Kid Saturday doctor jsl photos sick kid sickness

My Views From Today

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

When I received my new phone Violet, I was thrilled to be able to try new and different apps with her. Early on, I found that I really liked making a collage of photos that I had taken throughout the day. I still do this and often use PhotoShake and AddWatermark to make ones like this:

I do not take specific photos for the collages, they are just randomly shot during the day. Then, at the end of the day, I can send the collage on Instagram stating it is my “Views from today” Tweet.

Once the kids are in bed, I sit with my phone for a few minutes to see what pictures I have snagged while out and about. It is interesting to see how, on some days, I have a lot of options to put into the collage. Then there are days where there are very few.

So my question to you this week:

Do you like to make photo collages? What programs do you use on your phone and/or computer to make them? I do use PhotoScape and PicMonkey (more on this soon) for blog collages and on my Facebook page.

___________________________________________________________________________

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 #207

Categories:
Aloha Friday fun me moments photos social media

My New Kindergarten Kid

Posted on June 14, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Just over five years ago, I was so busy looking at my new baby, I hardly had a moment to stop and think. Who wanted to do that when you could look into this sweet little face for hours on end.

Two years ago, I started to wonder what a certain moment was going to be like. Which moment is that? It is the time that my youngest, JSL, would graduate from nursery school. Yes, my “baby” is now officially a kindergarten kid.

For some reason, I was not very emotional when NHL hit these milestones. This time around, it seems more final. There will be no more kids going to nursery school. I will not be dropping off another child to the program that we have grown to love so much.

It goes beyond trust. I handed my baby over to these amazing people each and every day. They saved my son last year when he had a febrile seizure on the playground. They knew what to do and did not panic. With these fantastic teachers over the last two years, JSL has grown up and is ready to spread his wings.

A huge thank you to all three of JSL’s teachers from this year. E, L, and M you are all such special women who have love, nurtured, and taught JSL so much. I know he is going to miss all of you, but really so am I.

Another note of thanks to the director of JSL’s nursery school. P, you have such a wonderful program. Your hard work and dedication to the children, parents, and teachers is so obvious thanks to the level of enthusiasm that you see when you walk in the door.

Yes, I do believe that JSL is probably ready for kindergarten. Now that the time has come, I question if I am ready. Having both of my boys at school all day, every day, will be new and different. It means that we are all getting older. It means that our time together will be even more precious. I will have to make sure that we make the most of this summer with memories for all of us. September will be here too quickly and I will have to make sure a big box of tissues is ready for ME!

BTW – For any individuals that are living in the Capital District, I highly recommend the nursery school program that JSL went to. If you use my contact form, I will send you information. For the safety of my child, I have never directly named it on my blog.

Categories:
Educational jsl looking back milestone photos school

Tuesday Tales – Pinterest For Dummies

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

Alright, it’s time to confess – have you gone to the dark side yet? I am not talking about Star Wars, although a lot of pins for related items will be found there. I am referring to Pinterest. As I have mentioned before, I joined Pinterest at the end of December and have written about it multiple time.

What I never mentioned was how I was hooked. Back in September 2011, I went to SheStreams in NYC. One of my roommates happened to be Kelby Carr.

While in our hotel room one evening, we got talking about Social Media. Yes, we are geeks at heart. Kelby, @Typeamom, was trying to sell Shannan and me on Pinterest. It was just a whisper at the time. I kept saying that I just did not have time to devote to another something. I was clueless and Kelby should have slapped me.

Fast forward to Christmas Eve. I was bored and mentioned something on Facebook. Kelby immediately told me that I should just join Pinterest and go to the Dark Side already. I made an excuse about not having an invitation. Seconds later, I had one in my e-mail from my dear friend. Yes, I was the Jewish girl learning, exploring, and pinning her way through Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Kelby Carr, the evil one that hooked me on Pinterest, is now an author of a book all about Pinterest.

Why yes, Wiley knew the real deal and asked Kelby to write Pinterest For Dummies which was released May 8. I was even in Florida when she received her first copy from Ellen.

Like other books from the Dummies line, Pinterest For Dummies really does take a new user step-by-step and explain the ropes. You learn what to do to get started, including getting an invitation, linking profiles, and adding a bio. Once that is settled, you venture into creating board. I love that Kelby shows how to name, pick a category, and then walk you through how to rearrange and edit things later on. The other chapters include:

Pinning and Repinning <—Beware this can become addictive, but great to organize
Socializing on Pinterest <—Always fun to see what friends have pinned.
Using Community Features
Finding Ways to Use Pinterest <— I think it is a great tool for parents/teachers!
Going Mobile with Pinterest <—Still sad it is not Android friendly.
Understanding Pinterest Etiquette <—Hot topic within the social media world.
Controlling Privacy and Other Settings
Self-Promoting on Pinterest
Ten Companies Using Pinterest Effectively
Ten Power Pinners to Follow

What I really enjoyed while reading and browsing around Pinterest For Dummies was the Where’s Waldo effect within the book. Seriously, Kelby’s use of photos for examples in each step show cases some pretty cool people. Check this one out from page 68 in the book.

If you are new to Pinterest or really want to learn how to maximize the power behind it, I highly recommend this book. More related to the book can also be found on the Pinterest For Dummies board on Pinterest of course!

Are you a fan of Pinterest? Do you have thoughts on Pinterest For Dummies? Let me know where to find you on Pinterest and I will catch you there.

As always, Tuesday Tales are all about spreading the love for books and learning. What have you read recently? Please be sure to link up to your book posts in the comments below. Include something that you read on your own, with a child, or someone else.

Disclosure: I received Pinterest For Dummies from Wiley in order to facilitate this review. No other compensation was given. The opinions expressed in the review are my own. One Amazon Affiliate link is included in this post for the book mentioned and another is coming next. Kelby Carr’s second book Pinterest Marketing For Dummies will be coming out July 24, 2012 and you can already preorder it from Amazon. I will receive a percentage of money for the sale should you opt to buy any of the books through my links. I know I am looking forward to the next book.

Categories:
Blogging Conference bloggy friends books interesting looking back me moments photos Pinterest social media Tuesday Tales

Jake and the Never Land Pirates Birthday Fun

Posted on June 11, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

What do you do when your child asks to have another birthday party with the same theme they have already done? If it is pirates in our house, I say:

I mean, it isn’t every day that you have the supporting characters from Jake and the Never Land Pirates as inspiration. Of course, this year we were lucky and they actually had party supplies. Bubbe and Grandpa found additional items near them and made the scene perfect for our little buccaneer.

JSL asked for one item to be a repeat from last year. He wanted the same pirate cupcakes that I made. I agreed to do this and brought my supplies to finish decorating before everyone arrived.

Once everyone was done eating, we pulled out some pirate crafts to keep the kids busy. First, they made pirate hats and then colored some Jack Sparrow-esque looking pirates.

While the kids played, it was time to set up the table for cupcakes, fruit, and other goodies. We had to make sure that the pirates were ready to guard the cupcakes before we called everyone over.

Then, it was time for the birthday pirate to open his presents. He got a lot of booty and really enjoyed everything from all of the family that came. I think you will see there was a mini pattern here.

Lots more to share, but we need to decompress after our pirate party fun. Right now, I am likely off battling the sneaky guy below.

Of course, Captain Hook stands no chance thanks to Jake, Izzy, Cubby, and Scully now living with us. JSL will have a fantastic time using Bucky with his new friends to battle the sneaky pirate.