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Tuesday Tales – Walt Disney World Books for Kids

Posted on March 27, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

As I have mentioned before, my oldest son can sometimes be a reluctant reader. It took him a long time to accept chapter books and not be intimidated by lack of pictures. NHL is a third grader and loves to read about science, people, and places. If we have tour books around the house for an upcoming vacation he will read them. I have absolutely no complaints about this. As a reading teacher, I applaud almost any type of reading a child will do.

Last year, while at Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, I briefly met Tracie A. Cook. Tracie, who runs Vacation Field Guides, is a veteran teacher and Disney fan who is also an author.

When these books arrived the other day, the boys were so excited. I explained to them that both were books about Walt Disney World that were made just for kids.

Vacation Field Guides – Kids Tips for Walt Disney World

Kid Tips for Walt Disney World: Touring Advice by Kids for Kids is just that. The book contains thoughts, via quotes, from children ages 7-15 about Walt Disney World.

There were things to know before you go, specific items to see/do while in each of the parks (with specifics about some rides), dining suggestions, and many other items. NHL enjoyed reading these and weighing in on what his views were since he has been to Walt Disney World multiple times now. I also know he’s excited to possibly help Tracie by filling out a survey for upcoming books. I think the kid connection will help get kids involved in planning your upcoming trip.

WDW Adventure: A Field Guide & Activity Book for Explorers

Walt Disney World Adventure: A Field Guide and Activity Book for Explorers is an interactive book for kids to learn while exploring the magic that is Walt Disney World. As an educator, Tracie has packed this book with a lot of items to make children think while completing their exploration. As I have said forever, there are so many EduMICKational experiences within Disney World if you take the time to look for them.

The book begins with a letter to the explorers, key to navigation symbols used in the book, and some tips before they head into the parks. From this point, there are pages filled with items to complete, locate, find, and research in fun ways while touring. Yes, you will want a pencil to write down items as they are located. Here is one of the pages that caught my son’s attention when looking at it.

I have to admit, I am a little jealous of this book. I want to head into the parks and try these out. The teacher in me thinks that it looks like a great hands on learning exercise while having a lot of fun. NHL will definitely be reviewing this after he tests it out on our upcoming trip to Walt Disney World.

I would love to know if your children (or you) have tried either of these books and you have any tips for children testing out the adventure. As always, please share what you have read recently. Be sure to link up to your book posts in the comments below. Include something you read on your own, with a child, or someone else. Tuesday Tales are all about spreading the love for books.

Disclosure: We received these books from @WDWFieldGuide in order to facilitate this review. No other compensation was given. The opinions expressed in the review are my own. Two Amazon Affiliate links are included in this post for the books mentioned. I will receive a percentage of money for the sale should you opt to buy the books through these links.

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bloggy friends books Disney DisneySMMoms Educational EduMICKation photos Product review travel vacation

Memories from July 2000

Posted on March 26, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Saturday night, I sat in front of my computer searching our hard drive. I was on a mission to find photos of my parents. Yesterday, they celebrated their 39th anniversary and I had to find some pictures of them for the post. In my quest, I was side tracked a bit. Suddenly, I was sifting through photos from before I was married to TechyDad and WAY before we had the boys.

Just after TechyDad and I were engaged, we were invited to a celebration for Uncle M’s father’s 80th birthday. Here is a photo of TechyDad and I. This is just about two weeks after we were engaged.

My Mimi and Poppy were also there. Here is a photo of the four of us while at this dinner.

One other photo caught my eye. It was the two of us with three of my cousins. Hard to believe how we have all grown up. Everyone is out of college, on their own, and cousin AW was just married earlier this year.

Less than a year after these photos were taken, everyone was gathered again at our wedding. Hard to believe that it has been so long and some of these special people, like my Poppy are no longer with us. Thank goodness we captured these moments to remember and share with our kids.

These are just some of the pictures I came across the other night. Do you ever find yourself just sifting through old photos in books or digital ones on your computer?

It's Me

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cousins family looking back me moments photos TechyDad

39 Years of Marriage

Posted on March 25, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Dear Mom and Dad,

I hope the two of you understand why the title of this post includes a number. As the shorter and older of your two children, I wanted to write something to the two of you. I think that number is amazing and shows something special. I am proud of that number and being your daughter.

While digging through old photos, it was fun looking back on some amazing family memories. I will say, it was not easy locating photos with the two of you in them. If you are together these days, there is typically a grandchild, two, three, or four with you. Still, I found some fun items from over the years.

Here is one taken at a family event soon after TechyDad and I were engaged. Interesting to note, it was where my bridal shower would be less than a year later.

Of course, the day when I would join the married world had to be included. At this point, you had been married 28 years. You made our special day extra magical by helping with everything leading up to the chuppah. This photo happens to be while walking me down the aisle. Note the smile on Dad’s face. I do believe that was him telling everyone that I had a wedgie and needed to pee. Ah, we are a classy group.

Since that day, you have watched both of your children get married (to two amazing additions to our family), and become Nana and Papa to four fantastic kiddos. Although I have a feeling that number will not change, I am sure that we will add many more memories together for years to come.

Wishing both of you a wonderful 39th Anniversary and many more happy and healthy ones to come. Thank you for being an inspiration and showing that long term marriage commitments do in fact happen.

Love,

Beth

BTW – A big Happy Birthday to Uncle M today as well. Definitely a major celebratory day in our family.

Categories:
family looking back photos

My Little Workout Buddy

Posted on March 24, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Dear JSL,

Thank you for being my workout buddy. This week, you have really helped me to exercise and make sure that I got my workouts in. Although I like to get things done while you and NHL are at school, it did not happen two of the days. Wednesday, you came home from school and I asked if you wanted to do a special exercise DVD with me. You were so excited. I even let you pick which one that we got to do.

Much to my horror, you picked the Leslie Sansone DVD that has the jogging within the miles. You liked the blue case out of her five that I own. You stood next to me walking, kicking, and smiling. The kick-backs confused you a bit, but you kept with it. The sweetest part was you wanted to hold my hand as we did the parts that went forward and back. As the second mile was winding down, you were starting to get cranky. I would have tried to push in another mile, but I knew it was getting late and we had to get ready to pick up NHL.

Thursday, I was so busy with laundry and a few projects that I never had a chance to get my workout in. You told me that was ok that you would cheer me on. So I got out my Walk Booster to do some resistance work while walking. Since our living room was so warm and your nose drippy, you did not want to participate. You made sure I had water and watched. You were mesmerized by the item I was wearing. So much that Friday afternoon you greeted me and begged to test them out. I had to take a photo since you were so proud.

Thank you for keeping me going and cheering me on. Watching you with all of your energy keeps me inspired to walk, kick, and sweat up a storm!

Love,

Mommy

BTW – In case you are curious about the DVD’s that I used. These are the two that I tried with JSL this week. They are linked to an Amazon Affiliate where I will receive a percentage of the sale should you purchase them when shopping. I bought these and three other Leslie Sansone DVDs with my own money over the years.

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Dear Kid Saturday exercise jsl me moments photos

Spring or Summer

Posted on March 23, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Winter turning into Spring is a pretty big event in our neck of the woods. It typically means that the snow fall amounts will lessen, and the bone chilling temperatures fade away some. What you do not expect is to see temperatures well into the upper 70’s on the last official day of winter. Remember, I live in New York State, not Florida.

Flowers are not typically something that we see quite this early. Normal highs for this time are in the upper 40’s. So when you walk out your front door to the following, you stop to take a photo.

When I took JSL to nursery school the other day, I noticed that they had a lot of daffodils already out of the ground and open. When I pulled into the driveway, I spotted yellow by the fence. I pulled my camera out to capture these beauties before the bunnies and birds get to them.

The weather is gorgeous, but it is HOT in the house. We went from trying to stay warm with the heat on at 63, to the living room reading 79 last night. So my question to you this week is inspired by the warmer than usual temperatures.

Assuming you have air conditioning units, or central AC, when is the earliest you will use them and why?

We do not have our window AC units in yet. Kind of early since the temperatures are likely going to shift. For now, fans are working really well since the house is warm, but not sticky like it gets in the summer. The cooler temperatures should arrive back this weekend and I will enjoy wearing my sweatshirt outside when taking walks.

It's Me

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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.