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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.

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decisions Disney food glorious food fun interesting jsl looking back milestone nhl photos TechyDad travel vacation video yummy

A Sweet Cupcake Surprise

Posted on October 15, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Dear NHL,

When I picked you up from school yesterday, I mentioned that we really had to go to the grocery store. You were not too thrilled about it. Then, I told you that we were going to head to the bigger Price Chopper and you agreed to help me out. When we got there, you asked if we could get a special snack. As we passed by the bakery, I had an idea.

Lately, I have heard a lot of people talking about the new Price Chopper Decadent Desserts collection of cupcakes. I also knew their new flavor and your love for pumpkin and cheesecake. So I showed you the in store sign. You immediately said we had to get these to taste test and share together. We stood there and picked out four cupcakes to split and try together.

First, we both selected one of the Pumpkin Spice & Everything nice.

Then, you thought JSL would like the Peanut Butter Twist Brownie, so we put one of those into our cart.

From here, you noticed the one with marshmallows on top, so a Gimme Smore joined our collection.

Last, but certainly not least, we thought the little guy and Daddy would adore the Cookie Cupcake.

When we got home, Daddy and JSL were so surprised and excited to test out the goodies. We will write another post about that later, but we did learn a valuable lesson. When we pick up more of the Decadent Dessert cupcakes from Price Chopper, we will split two of them because that will be more than enough. This was the first time I have ever seen you walk away and not finish – and it was not because you didn’t like them

Thank you NHL for going with me to get the things we needed and picking up something to help us all smile after a rough week.

Love,

Mommy

__________________

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Rosh Hashanah 5772 Celebrations

Posted on October 2, 2011 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

At nursery school, JSL has been creating a lot of items especially for Rosh Hashanah. The class has a display in their room of shofars that each of the kids made. I can not recall which of the ones was his. My guess is that it was one of the predominantly blue ones.

The kids got to see a shofar up close and even heard the rabbi practice the blasts before the holiday. Earlier in the week, a bee keeper came in to visit the classes. At the end of the day, the kids were allowed to take a piece of bees wax home with them.

As we walked out of the building, I noticed that most of the kids had their noses to the wax. Silly me, I had no idea what it was all about. Even JSL got in on the act when we got to the car.

Of course, when we arrived home I had to check it out myself. OMG – it was sweet like honey and smelled amazing. I was most definitely in love with this scent and so were all of the kids.

Since apples and honey are big for the holidays, the kids were making a lot of apple art. JSL arrived early one day and jumped right into his. I have to say, if they had allowed blue, his apple may have been that color.

Wednesday night, we went to celebrate the start of Rosh Hashanah with Nana and Papa. JSL and I picked out some of the apples that we got on his field trip the week before. They were perfect and ready to go with the honey that Nana got from a coworker.

We also had round challah with raisins on the Halloween table cloth (kind of funny no?!) and both of the boys helped to say the blessing.

Now I look forward to seeing how JSL learns about Sukkot and the rest of the holidays this year. He gets so excited and I can not wait to watch as he learns about our traditions.

How do your children embrace your holiday traditions? Feel free to share some of what your family does for any holiday that you celebrate.

Categories:
arts and crafts family food glorious food holidays jsl photos school yummy

Apple Picking Field Trip

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

Living in New York State, we are lucky that we have a lot of apple orchards around us. Not only can we get fresh apples during the right season, but in many instances we can go and pick our own. Last year, JSL’s school was supposed to go on a trip. Thanks to the weather, it was canceled. This year, we hoped that the weather would behave and the kids would be able to go apple picking at Indian Ladder Farms.

When we got up Wednesday morning, the fog was thick and it was pretty wet outside. A light drizzle was in the air, but nothing too bad. Thanks to this, the ground was not very nice, but it could have been a lot worse. JSL wore his boots and was all set to go.

I had worried that we may arrive late since we had to travel a bit after dropping NHL off to school, but we made it in time and were able to wait with the other kids and families there for the fun morning. While we were waiting for everyone else to arrive, we decided to buy a bag to pick some extra apples for home.

The main reason we opted to do this is thanks to the selection that would be picked today. The Jonagold are a favorite and we hoped to find some of these to share with TechyDad and NHL.

The little guy was very excited to get into the fields to pick some apples. We quickly realized that he was smart to keep his hood up. Thanks to the damp morning, you were rained on as you pulled the apples off the branches. Not to worry though, JSL thought this was pretty funny and got into the apple picking.

Some of the trees were not in the best of shape. I’m not sure if this is because they were already picked over, or if Hurricane Irene had something to do with it. JSL and I still managed to move a few rows into the trees and found lots of apples to take home.

Going alone with the little guy was special. He was so proud to pick apples on his own and put them into our big bag. At one point, I made sure to stop him for a photo with an apple that he had plucked off a tree.

Before too long, our bag was filled and it was time to head to our car.

Yes, we have a good amount of apples to hold us over until we are able to go apple picking with the entire family. The little guy was so upset that he could not lift the bag, but I told him it just meant that we did a really good job.

After moving the car, the classes took turns going on a hayride around the fields behind the big store/barn.

Even at about 10:15, it was still really foggy. The fog lifting off over the mountains was gorgeous. Here’s a quick shot I was able to snag:

Then, we had snacks under a tent – JSL enjoyed the donuts that the nursery school brought (I promised to buy cider donuts to take home).

The kids were given money to buy food to feed the animals. I wish I had gotten a shot of JSL – he was brave and tried it, but I was helping him with the machine. The goats ate it too quickly.

Of course, there were even more animals down a bit from the first group.

Then, it was time to say goodbye to everyone from nursery school and head into the Indian Ladder Farms store. Here, we picked up from cider donuts and a bread for home. Of course, JSL was able to have one of the donuts in the car since that is a tradition after going here.

Despite the rain that greeted us in the morning, we had a fantastic time at the apple picking location. I know that JSL and I will have fun thinking of ways to use all of the apples we picked and heading back with the rest of our family to get more apples soon.

Have you gone apple picking this year? If you have what are your plans for all of your apples?

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Tuesday Tales – It’s Challah Time!

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

Tuesday Tales

Have you ever had challah? You may not have had it plain, but chances are that you may have been served challah french toast. Here’s a slice of challah that we had while on the road the other day.

Each Friday at nursery school, JSL and his classmates celebrate Shabbat. We bring in money to donate to others, food for the food pantry, and they have a Shabbat table. Last week, JSL’s new class made a new tablecloth to place with each of their handprints and names for this year. In addition to this, a girl and boy are selected to be the Ima (mother) and Abba (father) to help do the Shabbat duties. On the first Friday, JSL was Abba and so thrilled to do this special task. This is what the table looked like last year:

Shabbat is special and thanks to this, we have a book that JSL received last year from Kar Ben Publishing.

It’s Challah Time! uses photos of preschool aged children in a classroom setting. Together, the children (with adult supervision) are making challah for their Shabbat celebration. The easy to follow steps and large clear photos take you along the journey of making a delicious challah of your own. As a child, my favorite part of making challah was getting the chance to braid the dough before it was baked in the oven.

The book also shows the kids participating in traditional Shabbat activities. They read stories together, sing with the Cantor, and set the Shabbat table to get ready for their weekly celebration. Then, they show the challah cover over their special bread, candles, and grape juice. When it is time to light the candles, all of the kids participate together and share the experience.

Celebrating Shabbat is important to keeping our Jewish traditions alive. It’s Challah Time! does a fantastic time of keeping this alive with kids and also shares a recipe at the end so you can make challah making memories at home with your children. I know this is a book that JSL and NHL will both enjoy and remember thanks to the fantastic preschool times they have had in their own classrooms and at home with our family.

Of course, since this is Tuesday Tales, I must ask the usual question. What have you read recently? Please be sure to link up to your Book Posts, and/or leave a comment 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: I received this book complimentary of Kar-Ben Publishing in order to facilitate this review. No other compensation was given. The opinions expressed in the review are my own.