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Shocking Stocking Skin

Posted on October 22, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Dear JSL,

On Friday, I decided to head to Simchat Torah services with you and Daddy. To add some fun and excitement to the morning, I fell in the shower twice. Even though I knew I was going to hurt later, I continued to get dressed. I put on my skirt, stockings, and new heels.

Toward the end of the service, you were getting a bit antsy. You sat on the floor and started to pat my leg to make sure I was not hurt after my fall. You noticed something strange. My “skin” was moving around. Then you pinched it and it pulled way up like this:

You were stunned and a bit confused. Daddy, Mimi, and Aunt S sat and laughed as you tried to figure it out. Then, we watched as you pulled up your own pant leg. You were pinching your own skin to see if you could replicate what was happening on my leg. After this, you went back to my leg and seemed to proclaim that it must have been thanks to my getting hurt.

I had to stop you at one point. You were following my stockings way up my leg. When you got to my knees, you caught sight of something in my skirt. You tried to lift my skirt to see what it was. Of course, I stopped you. You protested rather loudly, “But Mommy I see something up there!” I am pretty sure you saw my slip and it was not something you recognized. We diverted your attention and eventually made it home.

Once we got here, you watched me peel my skin off – the great stocking mystery was solved. Watching your learn and laugh was priceless.

Love,

Mommy

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Dear Kid Saturday family holidays jsl kid talk laughs photos

Percussion Practice

Posted on October 21, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

In third grade, kids at NHL’s school are allowed to sign up to play an instrument. When the band options came home, NHL immediately declared that he wanted to try the drums. Of course, I asked people what they thought about different instruments. I grew up taking piano lessons since we inherited the piano from my Nana and Papa. TechyDad took violin and my brother took clarinet for a short time.

NHL was the first person to sign up for percussion, so he was guaranteed a chance to try this instrument group. So far he loves it. We still need to work out a practice schedule at home, but we get it in as much as we can.

NHL is taking practice time very seriously. He loves to explain to us about the different notes, rests, and other items. Now if only we could figure out the best way to haul in his precious cargo. As I noted in another post, his percussion set is quite large and bulky.

Percussion Set Goes Home

So my question to you this week is inspired by NHL’s new music lessons:

What instrument did you learn to play as a child or adult? If you never took lessons, what would you love to try one day?

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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 #174

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Aloha Friday fun looking back Music photos school TechyDad

The Where’s Goofy Game

Posted on October 20, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

As you have probably figured out long before now, my family really likes Disney. My parents are probably the reason that I have such a love for Walt Disney World and most things related to Disney. For my Father’s Birthday, we looked for something to get him. Dad really likes the artist Jim Shore. They have some of his pieces, but did not own any of his Disney items.

While shopping online, I found something really perfect on Amazon. It was Disney Traditions designed by Jim Shore and Goofy! I will admit that we had a hard time picking between Goofy and a few others, but in the end the boys wanted to get Papa Goofy. Why a Goofy for a planter? Well, this photo will probably help to explain it. Here are Papa’s babies:

Yes, my father loves African Violets. He actually goes to a semi-local place that had an African Violet greenhouse, called Lyndon Lyon Greenhouses, to get new variations. Taking macro photos of these has been really fun, but today I am focusing on Goofy. More African Violets coming soon. Since my father got Goofy, he seems to vanish. Yes, one day Goofy will be here:

Here’s a close-up of the sneaky little Goofster:

The next day, if we happen to arrive at Nana and Papa’s house – Goofy will be in a completely different location.

Yes, “Where’s Goofy” is the name of the game. When we walk into the house, the boys love to search and find him. The funny thing is that I think my parents actually hide Goofy on each other.

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Disney family flowers and plants fun interesting photos

Favorite Child Syndrome

Posted on October 19, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Let me begin by saying that this post is inspired by Rene Syler, head GEM or Good Enough Mother. I was lucky enough to meet Rene in March at Disney. In May, I had lunch with her and then saw her earlier this month at SheStreams. The woman tells it like it is and is not afraid to admit that she is not perfect. The reality is that Rene has helped countless other parents, including myself, to accept that being good enough is perfectly acceptable. Rene also reminds us to take care of ourselves so we can be the best we can for our children.

Monday night, Rene mentioned that she was going to be on a segment of Tuesday’s Anderson. The topic of the show Are Parents Playing Favorites? Rene also let all of her GEM fans know about it Tuesday morning. I set the DVR, but happened to be able to catch it and sat there with my mouth on the ground. Here is the show preview from Anderson’s website.

Leading up to the segment with Rene were two parents telling the world that they admit they have a favorite child. Then, we saw video of one mother discussing it with her six children. WHAT?! No really, I could not make this up. Next, Rene came onto the panel:

The one mother stated that she didn’t think that this was going to cause any issues for her children. In the back of my mind, I could see the future therapy bills racking up. As you can see in the clip above, Rene did NOT agree. She kept bringing up the point that we birth our kids and our role should not be to have favorites. The other mother on the panel stated that she had a favorite parent and kids often do. Once again, Rene noted that it is one thing for a child to say this about a parent, but completely different for an adult to say to their child. Amen Rene!

The odd part of this show is the timing. Driving home from school the other day, my eight year old son asked me a question. He wanted to know if I had a favorite child. I told him no I did not. Of course, then I wanted to know why he was asking this. He said he was just wondering and had asked TechyDad the same thing the day before. I told NHL that both of them were my favorite boys. I love both of them with all of my heart, and that even when they may not make the right choices, or do something that makes me upset, it does not mean that they are not a favorite or that I love them less.

I have to say that my parents did an amazing job. My brother and I often joke that one or the other is the favorite child, but neither of us is really serious. I think they knew the importance of this for our growth into the people that we would become. Thank you Mom and Dad!

TechyDad and I always tell the boys that they are our favorite 8 and 4 year olds. The reality is that at any given moment my attention may be with one child over the other, but it is not because of favoritism. Parenting is a balancing act and each day we try to make it work. I am a parent and spread myself to the kiddo that needs it at that moment. Is it perfect? Nope, but that’s the beauty of parenting. We learn from our mistakes and our kids become better humans because of it.

So, what do you think about this subject? Should parents have a favorite child?

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Blogging Conference DisneySMMoms me moments photos real world news TechyDad television

Personalized Princess Time at Disney

Posted on October 17, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Growing up, people would always ask my parents why we would go time after time to Walt Disney World. I never really understood why people would ask these questions. The reason: it was a place where our entire family could enjoy our time together. We were able to leave the real world behind, be carefree, and see/experience something new no matter how familiar we were with the parks.

As an adult, I get it. I now understand the magic of a Disney vacation on a different level. Before we go, I have everything planned. We have our entertainment built in, our resort has many options to offer, and even meals are booked and with the meal plan only tips need to be paid. By the time we arrive in Orlando, we have paid for everything except some souvenirs and ready to enjoy our time there.

Back in March, when we were planning some dining reservations I told TechyDad that I had a request. In all of my visits to Walt Disney World, I had never eaten with the princesses. Yes, this mother of two boys wanted to see Belle, Ariel, Arora, and other important ladies in Disney history. TechyDad was not entirely sure that it was the best thing to do with two boys, but I insisted. NHL and JSL were young enough to appreciate the experience without complaints about mostly girls in their princess gear being there.

We were able to snag some lunch reservations to Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Epcot. We had a magical experience. We had our photo taken with Belle before we were seated. Then, each of the princesses came around to meet and greet every table. What impressed me the most was how the characters interacted with the boys. Check out how Ariel noticed something in the autograph book and talked about pirates.

A magical moment that we captured and can show back to the boys when they are older. Of course, we can also show JSL the goofy smile that he was sporting most of the trip when it was time for photos.

While we were waiting for our dessert, I pulled out the video camera and asked NHL what he thought of the experience. I figured it would be interesting to see what a seven year old boy, with no sisters, had to say about dining with Disney Princesses. This is what he had to say in the very distracted environment.

I do believe that we made the right choice going to this restaurant on our March vacation. I know it was a magical memory that will live with us for many years to come.

If you have any magical Disney moments to share, I would love to hear them. As always, if you have any questions about Disney – just ask away.