#Disney's Monster University Film Clip ~ OK Initiation

Mike Wazowski's (voice of Billy Crystal) lifelong dreams of becoming a Scarer are derailed during his first semester at Monsters University when he crosses paths with hotshot James P. Sullivan, "Sulley" (voice of John Goodman), and their out-of-control competitive spirit gets them both kicked out of the University's elite Scare Program.

Internet Safety and Strategies for the Lazy Days of Summer from uKnowKids~!!

For as long as children have spent summers away from school, parents have struggled to keep them occupied and out of trouble. 

With new technologies being developed seemingly at the speed of light, fewer parents have to worry about their kids getting bored over long, hot summers. But this doesn't mean you can leave them to their own devices on those devices. 

Download this eBook and learn about some of the most prevalent digital dangers during the summer and how to prepare and protect your children from them.

You will learn:

The problem with summer
The role of technology
Striking a balance between technology during summer months
Internet Safety Month tips from experts
Download "Internet Safety and Strategies for the Lazy Days of Summer" for free and get started keeping your child safe in their digital world.

Download this FREE eBook NOW~!!

ENTER to win a year~long Premier uKnowKids account~!!

Like uKnowKids on Facebook~!!

Follow uKnowKids on Twitter~!!

Monsters University - Film Clip "ROR Material"~ !!

Mike Wazowski's (voice of Billy Crystal) lifelong dreams of becoming a Scarer are derailed during his first semester at Monsters University when he crosses paths with hotshot James P. Sullivan, "Sulley" (voice of John Goodman), and their out-of-control competitive spirit gets them both kicked out of the University's elite Scare Program.

Cool FREE Music for Children ~ Download the Wander Round the World in Summer 2013 Road Trip Playlist~!!

It’s almost time for the annual phenomenon known as the summer road trip. Whether you’ll be traveling to see grandma and grandpa or simply packing for a music festival, you will have to find creative ways to keep the kids happy and your sanity intact. SiriusXM's "Kids Place Live" Channel offers continues musical goodness 24/7, of course, and today we want to offer you something special... Free tunes!

From May 24 to June 1st, a FREE DOWNLOAD summer road trip playlist featuring 13 songs for all-ages listening. 

Simply go HERE to listen and download 39 minutes of travel-friendly music.

WOW...FREE music...and its very catchy too...I know I'm downloading the set for my kidlets...love the Train Song and Outshining Nomads...groovy tunes~!!  

Enjoy your road trips this summer~!!

Disney's Monster University Film Clip ~ "First Morning"

Mike Wazowski's (voice of Billy Crystal) lifelong dreams of becoming a Scarer are derailed during his first semester at Monsters University when he crosses paths with hotshot James P. Sullivan, "Sulley" (voice of John Goodman), and their out-of-control competitive spirit gets them both kicked out of the University's elite Scare Program.

Bounce Into Summer Bounce House Giveaway ~ US Only ~ Ends June 10th~!!

WOW...I would LOVE to win a Bounce House...um...for my children...hehe...however...only those from the US are eligible to enter...I know eh...sigh...oh well...I'll find another place to play...ya'll have fun with this one~!!  Good groovy lucks to ya'll~!!

Prize:

Playhouse Bouncers Little Sprout - All-In-One Bouncer, Slide & Pool

ARV $400

Hosted by:

A Lucky Ladybug

and

A Ladybug on the Go

This playhouse really has it all.  It is height is just low enough to be used indoors, but it has a full pool and water slide for those hot summer days.  The bounce area (6x6 feet) is a nice size for a few kids and there is a separate ball pit that holds two packs of play balls just right.

Perfect for the kids who want more then just a backyard pool, and it can be used inside when it rains or even all winter (it's just 6 feet high and will fit in most rooms or in the basement of any house).

Included with Little Sprout - All-In-One Bouncer, Slide & Pool is an over sized carry bag, patch kit for rips and tears, constant air blower w/ GFCI circut interuptor for safety, ground stakes, and of course a water hose hook up.

"Make Our Own Network" solely organized this event and I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are 100% my own and may differ from your own or even those stated in this post. Mad Moose Mama is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.

**If you are a company and would like to see your brand advertised in a M.O.O.N. event similar to this please contact ldybug1682@gmail.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monster University 3D~ In Theatres June 21st~!!

DISNEY•PIXAR

Website: www.disney.com/MonstersU

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/PixarMonstersUniversity

Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/MonstersU

Genre: Comedy/Animation

Release Date: June 21, 2013

Voice Talent: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Helen Mirren, Alfred Molina, Dave Foley, Sean P. Hayes, Joel Murray, Peter Sohn, Charlie Day, Nathan Fillion, Bobby Moynihan, Julia Sweeney, Aubrey Plaza, Tyler Labine, John Krasinski, Bonnie Hunt, Beth Behrs and John Ratzenberger.
Director: Dan Scanlon
Producer: Kori Rae
Composer: Randy Newman

Ever since college-bound Mike Wazowski (voice of Billy Crystal) was a little monster, he has dreamed of becoming a Scarer—and he knows better than anyone that the best Scarers come from Monsters University (MU). But during his first semester at MU, Mike’s plans are derailed when he crosses paths with hotshot James P. Sullivan, “Sulley” (voice of John Goodman), a natural-born Scarer. The pair’s out-of-control competitive spirit gets them both kicked out of the University’s elite Scare Program. To make matters worse, they realize they will have to work together, along with an odd bunch of misfit monsters, if they ever hope to make things right.

Screaming with laughter and oozing with heart, Disney•Pixar’s “Monsters University” is directed by Dan Scanlon (“Cars,” “Mater and the Ghostlight,” “Tracy”), produced by Kori Rae (“Up,” “The Incredibles,” “Monsters, Inc.”) and features music from Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and award-winning composer Randy Newman (“Monsters, Inc.,” “Toy Story 3”). The film opens in theatres on June 21, 2013, and will be shown in 3D in select theatres.

Mike Wazowski’s (voice of Billy Crystal) lifelong dreams of becoming a Scarer are derailed during his first semester at Monsters University when he crosses paths with hotshot James P. Sullivan, “Sulley” (voice of John Goodman), and their out-of-control competitive spirit gets them both kicked out of the University’s elite Scare Program.

Notes:
“Monsters, Inc.,” originally released on November 2, 2001, was nominated for four Oscars®: Best Animated Feature Film, Best Original Score, Best Sound Editing and Best Original Song—“If I Didn’t Have You,” for which it won.

“Monsters University” will hit theatres nearly 12 years after the original “Monsters, Inc.” theatrical debut.? Billy Crystal is known worldwide for his film roles in “When Harry Met Sally…,” “City Slickers,” “The Princess Bride” and “Analyze This”; his 2005 Tony®-winning Broadway show, “700 Sundays”; as a cast member of “Saturday Night Live”; and as the nine-time host of the Academy Awards® ceremonies.

John Goodman’s current film projects include Ben Affleck’s drama “Argo,” which premiered at the 2012 Toronto Film Festival; the Robert Zemeckis thriller “Flight,” which premiered as the closing-night film at the New York Film Festival; and Clint Eastwood’s sports drama “Trouble with the Curve.”

Helen Mirren won international recognition for her work on stage, screen and television. For her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in 2006’s “The Queen,” she received an Academy Award®, Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award® and BAFTA Award for best actress. She was also named best actress by a multitude of critic’s organizations from Los Angeles to London.

Oscar®- Grammy®- and Emmy®-winning composer/songwriter Randy Newman contributes his unique musical talents to his seventh Disney•Pixar film. The 20-time Oscar nominee’s wins include “If I Didn’t Have You” for “Monsters, Inc.” and “We Belong Together” for “Toy Story 3.” He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2013.

An Environment for Bullies~!!

An Environment for Bullies

It has become evident, now more than ever, that one of the biggest deterrent to a child learning, is the very real problem of bullying. Children cannot learn when their focus is on survival and not an upcoming spelling test. In fact, any schoolwork pales in comparison to the threat a child feels every day when he walks into the cafeteria for lunch.

The Scope of the Problem
Recent statistics reveal that nearly 3 million students every year are bullied by roughly 2 million students playing the role as bully. In fact 1 in 7 students, from the time they enter school to when they graduate some 12 years later is either a bully or has been victimized by one. Strong evidence suggest that the most common motivation behind school shootings are revenge from being bullied. A staggering 87% of school shooting and other forms of violence is believed to be because of some form of bullying! In fact murderers are twice as likely as their victims to have been bullied, and finally, an estimated 280 thousand students all across the US are bullied each and every month. You cannot draw a more direct line from bullying to the problems children’s face in the school educational system.

The New Problem of Bullying
Back when many of us were children, the problem of bullying thankfully stopped once we were safely home from school. People do not write bullying letters or throw bricks with notes attached through their victim’s bedroom windows. Unfortunately our children today are vulnerable to bullies in a much different way. Bullies now have access to our children through the internet; a practice known as cyber bullying . Children today have access to each other through various social media platforms like Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Pinterest, Google Plus, and Skype. Children also use basic webcams as well. While the prevalence of cell phones has also made our children more vulnerable to bullies, it seems that bullying pretty much skipped over that form of bullying in preference to online forms of bullying often called cyber stalking. Thanks to the advances of technology in our world today bullies have access to their victims 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can now attack their victims whenever and wherever and school administrators, teachers, parents, and police have been at a loss when it comes to preventing this enormous scourge on our society. If children cannot successfully regroup back home and get away from their tormentors, what can they do? Only 1 in 4 teachers see bullying as a real problem and therefore only report bullying a paltry 4% of the time even though a staggering 90% of children grades 4^th through 8^th grade report being bullied! Children and guns do not mix, especially when you throw bullying into the mix. Some studies even report as high as 75% of all school violence is due to bullying.

Forms of Bullying
Not everyone recognizes bullying when it is happening, and part of that is due to the fact that even though it is still very serious, not all bullying is so obvious and sticking another child’s head in the trash can in the hall. There are 4 types of bullying.

• 
  Verbal: This can be making threats, calling names, or anything designed to make another person feel intimidated and afraid.
• 
  Physical: This can be as mild as a shove in the hall or a swirly to violence with weapons or just fists. It’s the most obvious but not always the most serious form of abuse a child can be made to endure.
• 
  Social: This can be as seemingly benign as leaving someone out of games or other group activities or deliberately ignored. It can also be in the form of spreading nasty rumors about the victim. This is a very common form of bullying and can be severely damaging to the victims.
• 
  Cyber: This is using technology like chat rooms, instant messaging, instagrams, emails, and pictures to humiliate, coerce, and embarrass fellow students.

Prevention Starts in the Home
If you expect to be able to bully proof your child, you’re going to have to start before he/she begins school. The more you can do at home to create a strong independent child the better. The more you can do to build up his self-esteem the harder it will be for some bully to tear him down again. Keeping the lines of communication open between yourself and your child is important. The better a child feels about himself the less likely he will allow a bully to make him feel bad about himself. Enrolling you child in self-defense classes is a great idea. Do your research so you can find a school that shares some of your beliefs and views on handling school bullies. Any karate school you send your child too should not just teach the physical moves; that is but a part of the whole picture. Your child should be taught, and modeled respect for others and themselves. If they respect their minds and bodies the less likely they will allow others to disrespect themselves. While you cannot stop all bullying, you can lessen the damage it can do to your child.

If your child complains to you about bullying it’s important that you believe him. You can doubt all you want in your mind, but your child should only see you the protector that believes in him. Find out what is happening to your child and what he/she expects you to do about it. You may find that your child wants to handle things on his own and just wants your support. You might also find that you need to step in and exert your parental control and make sure the bullying STOPS immediately. Above all, listen to your child.

The Pain Ends Here
If you discover your child is one of the millions of victims of bullying it’s important that you send a strong message to your child. You must believe and act immediately. You can say you love and support your children all you want but you have to show it. The moment you find out, you need to make a plan of action. Many children do not want their parent’s overt involvement in their help. They do not want a knight in shining armor to swoop in and rescue them. Most kid’s school reputation could not take that much of a hit. Ask your child if he has an idea of what he would like you to do, then read between the lines. You know your child best and what he says may not exactly be what he wants. Trust your gut instinct and act on it.

Lindsay Holland is a professional blogger that provides parents and guardians with information and reviews for after school care programs and day cares. She writes for The Learning Experience, a leading after school program in Merrimack and child care center in Merrimack NH.

#HASBRO ~ The Amazing Spider~Man ~ Mega Blaster Web Shooter Product #Review

ARV $19.99

The Amazing Spider~Man Mega Blast Web Shooter

Imagine SPIDER~MAN adventures at a while new level with this incredible Mega Blaster Web Shooter set~!!

You'll be able to fire web fluid or water just like your favourite web~crawling hero when you pull on the glove and attach the Mega Blaster Web Shooter to it.

Evil doesn't stand a chance when you've got your Mega Blaster Web Shooter Set~!!

Web shooter comes with 1 can of web fluid, 1 refillable water cartridge and 1 glove.

Recommended for ages 5 and up, not suitable for younger children due to small parts that may cause a choking hazard.

It is quite simple to use, place your gloved hand into the web base holder and use your two middle fingers to trigger the shooter just like SPIDER~MAN does~!!

Please note that the web fluid is a pressurized container and adult supervision should be considered.  Please read the back panel on the cartridge before use.

It took me a while to get this review in place as all my children wanted to see it in action together, and with busy summer schedules it wasn't an easy feat...but we finally managed and boy oh boy, did they EVER have a blast...uh...no pun intended...lol

We loved how the web string came out like silly string and many giggles ensued as they chased each other around outside, blasting webs and water at each other.  I liked the fact that AFTER the web string was gone, they were able to use the other canister, fill it up with water and continue on their adventures.  

The string and water have a fair range, anywhere from 6 to 10 feet range.  

We found on the smaller children's hands, it didn't fit properly, but my 15 year old had no issues getting it to fit properly, and it is not adjustable to fit smaller hands.  The can of web fluid lasted maybe five or ten minutes and when I went to investigate the prices on refills, I promptly told my children to just use the water option.  Refill cans seem to be priced higher than the web shooter itself, which I found kind of odd.  I was thinking I was going to find them for 3 cannisters for $10.00 but the over $20 price tag for one can is a bit too much for this frugal mother.

However, the product was a huge hit and my kids agreed that they would have spent their own money on it~!!

  **  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  I was no compensated for this review other than a product in which to review with.  My opinions are 100% completely my own~!!  **

The Necessary Features and Components of A Viable Playground

How would you classify the play equipment at your local park? Is it safe? Appropriate for the age of your kids? Fun, sleek, and sturdily designed? What about the features of the park itself? Is it well thought out? Are there plenty of picnic tables, drinking fountains, waste receptacles, pathway barriers, soccer nets, and shaded benches? Are there grills for a barbeque, pleasantly flowered planter boxes, and bike racks?

So Many Different Details

It takes a lot to make a great park or playground, and the aforementioned features are just the beginning. There are so many aspects to that safe and fun experience that everyone wants, yet those in charge of the planning and execution of park and school playgrounds all too often miss the mark. This may be due to the fact that they forget what it was like to be a kid, or maybe they’re out of touch with what parents’ primary concerns are in regard to their children’s safety and enjoyment of the outdoors. Whatever the case, you may want to consider a few points yourself that you may not have thought of before. It’s never too late to start educating yourself on such topics, after all.

Is It Age Appropriate?

Foremost, when looking at different types of kids play equipment, you have to consider whether or not it’s age appropriate. The types of play equipment designed for elementary-aged kids are neither safe nor engaging in the right ways for children in the preschool age range. A small child could fall off a steep, twisted slide or be afraid of it to begin with. A jungle gym is not suitable for little children prone to losing their balance or falling. And play equipment with little whirligigs, small tunnels, and short slides is neither age appropriate or safe for a larger child. They would not be stimulated by what the equipment has to offer and their weight and height could affect the integrity of the structure and compromise their own safety.

Meeting Safety Standards

Kids play equipment for schools especially needs to be age appropriate and meet several safety standards. No principal or teacher wants a lawsuit on account of a child being injured on the playground. What they want is the safety and engagement of their students in their activities. They also want to ensure the functionality, cleanliness and overall viability of their play yard, investing in accoutrements such as lunch tables, waste receptacles, shaded benches, and drinking fountains. These things must be thought through carefully and then implemented only when all considerations have been made.

Eric Blair writes about play equipment for schools and play areas for children provided by ParknPool.

Banishing the Bullies

Whether the bully in question is a school teacher, a boss, a friend or even a member of the family, if you are on the receiving end it really can make your life a misery.

The constant and relentless barrage of verbal or physical abuse, can wear a person down so much, they can’t even see a way out.

There is no need to live in fear of a bully, and there are many different kinds of initiatives being developed for every type of bullying out there. If you are, or someone you know is being harassed, I give you some examples of how to deal with it...


Image Source

Praise them
Secondary schools in Scotland are taking a new look at what motivates bullies to behave the way they do.

They have bought in a system of secondary school rewards and praise methods, recognising good behaviour formally and publicly, so everyone knows about it.

Reward systems are not new as such, and you might be wondering what this has to do with bullying.

Well, research shows that bullies typically have very low self esteem and by teachers paying close attention to the good work and good things that the bullies do, they can be publicly rewarded for these acts and then their confidence in themselves will grow.

This results in a happy ex-bully and of course a great relief to the victims.

For it to be successful, all the teachers must be singing from the same hymn sheet, as it were. So, time spent setting up the system and explaining its function is essential. It will be regularly monitored to ensure consistency is maintained.

Essentially, the praise must be genuine in order for it to ring true with the teenagers, and in a school culture which might say that to be a “swot” or teacher’s pet is bad, and that to be cool and macho is the done thing, you need the praise to ignite some pride in them – not have it knocked back.

Face facts
Bullying in the workplace is unacceptable. No-one wants to have to face their oppressor every day, especially when it starts affecting their work standard and may result in loss of job.

Often, the put downs and intimidation is done in front of other work colleagues, therefore turning them against the victim.

It can take many forms, such as racial or sexual harassment, but can also be covert, such as being constantly harangued, blamed for other peoples mistakes, given so much work that it cannot possibly be completed, thus setting you up to fail, or physically and/or verbally abused.
Maybe these can happen on email or fax, as well as face to face.

Luckily, there are laws in place to cover discrimination and harassment in the workplace. If you feel that you, or someone you know, are suffering in this way, then first of all get advice.
This may be from a Union representative, a Human Resources member, or a manager or supervisor. (Of course, things can get difficult if it’s the manager or supervisor who is bullying you, but if necessary go above them within the company).

Your employer has a “duty of care” when your at work, and safety from bullying comes under that umbrella.

It is advised that the victim speaks to the bully, to make it clear how their behaviour makes them feel. Maybe the bully is really not aware of how bad their behaviour is. Ask them to not do it. If it continues, you will have a case. Keep all incidents written down in a dairy, with dates and details.

Then, if you wish to raise a formal complaint, you will be well armed. Ask for the company’s grievance procedure and follow it to a tee.

Have you ever been a victim of bullying? Perhaps you were the bully and wish to explain your motives. Please share here.

Elise Lévêque is an ambitious freelance translator with a passion for anything and everything social media. She can often be found sipping on a latté, and wandering the city with her Lomo camera on the hunt for the newest piece of controversial art. There are few things she loves more than her freedom, and she loves to blog for Carrot Rewards in her spare time.

#Dreamworks ~ Dragons: Riders of Berk ~ Comes to Cartoon Network this September~!!

Dreamworks ~ Dragons:  Riders of Berk, based on the hit movie, "How To Train Your Dragon", will be coming to regular television viewing this September 4th on the Cartoon Network.  

This new weekly animated television series will continue the adventures with Hiccup (voice of Jay Baruchel), his dragon Toothless, his Viking friends, Astrid (voice of America Ferrera), Fishlegs (voice of Christopher Mintz~Plasse) and Alvin the Treacherous (voice of Mark Hamill).  Each of the friends now have Dragons of their own and through their training, they develop special bonds with their dragons.  Each of the children learn their Dragons unique and special abilities while discovering new species and battling against evil as they explore new worlds none of them even dreamed existed.

Co~Executive Producers include Sandra Rabins with Art Brown and Douglas Sloan as show runners.

"How To Train Your Dragon" debuted in 2010 and went on to gross $500 million US, picked up a couple of Academy Award nominations and currently planning to release the sequel in June, 2014.

Top 5 Back-to-School Deals for This Week (August 5-11, 2012)

With Back~To~School just around the corner, its probably a good idea to begin thinking along those lines...here are some groovy great tips and sales for you to enjoy~!!

Crystal Paine, The Money Saving Mom, thought you might be interested in these great weekend deals.

Kid's Jeans for $9 From Old Navy: Old Navy has all their Kid's Famous Jeans on sale for $10 through August 15, 2012. This sale is both in-store and online. If you are planning on purchasing multiple pairs, you can sign up for Old Navy emails to get a $10 off $50 coupon. Plus, shipping is free on orders over $50. So you could potentially get five pairs of jeans for just $9 shipped each. If you're shopping in-store, you can print a $10 off $50 coupon from the Old Navy Facebook Page.  Kid's Jeans for as Low as $8.50 from The Children's Place: The Children's Place has a number of different jeans priced at $10 right now. Use coupon code RETAILMENOT82 to get an additional 15% off your order, making the jeans just $8.50 per pair after this coupon code. Shipping is free on $75+ orders or a flat-rate of $5 on orders less than $75.  Free 6-month Subscription to Shop Runner: If you do a lot of online shopping, you'll want to check this offer out! Sign up for a free Cozi account and they'll give you a coupon for a free 6-month subscription to Shop Runner. Shop Runner gives you unlimited free shipping to many different online sites -- just in time for purchasing back-to-school clothes, shoes, and electronics!  Buy One, Get One 50% Off Plus Additional 15% Off at Famous Footwear: Famous Footwear is running aBuy One, Get One Half Off Sale right now. This is a great opportunity to stock up on quality shoes for your kids at low prices. Plus, use this coupon to get an additional 15% off your order total.  Free First Day of School Printable Signs: Like to take a photo of your children on their first day of school to commemorate the occasion? Download two different free designs of First Day of School Signs. In addition, you can find some other fun free Back-to-School printables here.  Crystal Paine is a wife, mom of three, author of The Money Saving Mom®'s Budget. Visit her blog, MoneySavingMom.com, for the best back-to-school deals and for practical ideas and inspiration to get your life and finances in order.

Understanding The Different Types Of Playgrounds For Children

Most places that have kids around them for an extended period of time will have some sort of playground or other entertainment for children.  Even though there may be a playground at most places, people often fail to fully understand why there is a difference between the types.  The reality is that each place has its own purpose to serve when it comes to playgrounds, and as such they are all built differently from one another.  It is important if one has kids to know the different types so the parent does not bore the child by taking them to the same types of playgrounds over and over again.

Commercial Playgrounds
The first type is the commercial playground environment.  These are usually associated with a restaurant business such as McDonald’s or Burger King to entice parents and children to visit.  Most of these setups are contained indoors these days and are usually centered around one large play structure.  While there are sometimes a few things to do, to save space and prevent a lot of chaos they usually put them within the structures so the children can have fun on their own and the parents do not have to worry about keeping an eye on them constantly since there is only one exit point.  While these playgrounds are good for visiting for a little while, they often get boring quickly because of the lack of variety in what they offer.

Utilizing School Playgrounds
School playgrounds are another great place to bring kids, even if they do not attend the school.  These are usually laid out in a large area and have a wide-open spot for football games or other things that do not require much equipment to play.  Since children have to use these ParknPool playgrounds every day, they are often spread out and contain many different types of equipment to have fun on.  Most people like to use school ParknPool Preschool playgrounds as their most visited areas because of the security and amount of entertainment involved, but this can have downsides as well.  A lot of school playgrounds have the same or similar equipment as one another, so visiting one over another can often end up being the difference between the backdrops and location. 

Makeshift Setups
The last type consists of makeshift setups that are usually placed in parks or other public areas for use.  Most people do not visit these park areas today simply because of the news stories of adults abducting children in them so easily.  Fortunately most cities have safe areas that have good equipment, and even if it is aged somewhat, they usually do not skimp on cost initially.  Given that these are unattended areas, the quality of equipment has to remain high so it can withstand many years of use and abuse by the children and adults alike.

Eric Blair writes about playgrounds and other outdoor ParknPool commercial play equipment that parents can give their childrent access to.

ACTOR/ACTIVIST LEVAR BURTON SHARES W/ PARENTS IDEAS FOR TALKING TO THEIR KIDS ABOUT AURORA

LeVar Burton, host of READING RAINBOW, believes that parents should never shield away from tough subjects, as our focus are children.  The Aurora violence was beyond our imagination.   READING RAINBOW is much more than a television show or an APP, it is a beloved and trusted channel for us to speak to people and it is our responsibility to reach children in these powerful and terrifying times.  LeVar’s message gives families a sense of calm helping us all believe that “we can get through this.”

LeVar felt compelled to write this video and film it in central park for children and families everywhere to help them communicate to their children about this senseless act of violence that tore apart mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, children and parents.

Or visit READING RAINBOW’S FACEBOOK PAGE

http://www.facebook.com/readingrainbow

Thank you Levar for your words, your thoughts and your commitment to changing that which needs to be changed~!!  You are an inspiration to us all~!!

Barbie...My Barbie...Imaginations Soar With You ~ #SaveWithBarbie

What little girl hasn't played with a Barbie??  Her iconic presence has wrapped children's imaginations in many wondrous and delightful tales.  Her styles and character have changed over the years giving every type of child a doll in which to play with.

Originally created in March of 1959 by Ruth Handler after falling in love with Bild Lilli, a German doll which inspired her creation.  Barbie has been promoted through Mattel's ingenious marketing campaigns ever since, creating a world of wonder for children to delve into.  

Here is a little Barbie trivia for those who may not be aware that Barbie is much more than just a doll, she has history, a background story and many friends and loved ones in her life.  

Barbie's full name is, Barbara Millicent Roberts from Willows, Wisconsin.  Her parents are George and Margaret Roberts and she attends the Willows High School and Manhattan International High School in New York City.

Barbie's on~off romantic relationship with Ken Carson, who first appeared in her life in 1961 and briefly had a relationship with Blaine, an Australian surfer when her and Ken split in 2004.  Since 2006, Barbie and Ken have been working on their issues and putting the love back in their lives.

Barbie has had over 40 pets, owned a wide range of vehicles, has her pilot's license and she has been an astronaut, a veterinarian, a doctor, a Nascar driver, an Olympic swimmer, a mom and so much more~!!

She loves all races and creeds of people and has many multi~cultural friends and her relatives include Skipper, Todd & Stacie, Kelly, Krissy and Francie.  

Seriously, you couldn't ask for a more diverse toy in which to use your imaginations with.  

Barbie is every girl and all girls...she's been through it all in order to bring imagination to every child's creative abilities.  When I was a wee lassie, Barbie shared my dreams, my fears, my obsessions...she understood me and I understood her~!!  My imaginations took her to far~off places battling good and evils along our ways. Together we have laughed and cried, shared secrets and made people smile...her gift is in her beauty to be whatever we need her to be~!!

NOW, I have some really groovy great news to share with you, my beautiful readers...I'm going to be promoting this wonderful lady~friend to all of you with some awesome savings coupons via Websaver.ca ifn you are not a member...I suggest heading on over there RIGHT NOW and joining on...it costs nothing to you and the benefits are HUGE~!!  I cannot tell you how many deals I've been able to save over the years through Websaver.ca~!!

I will be sharing all these groovy great deals on my Facebook Fan Page, as well as my personal Facebook page and on my Twitter account~!!

And be sure to check out Barbie on her Facebook page too!

  **  Disclosure: I am participating in a Mom Central Consulting campaign for Barbie and receive compensation for my post. All opinions on this blog are my own...stated by me...as I see it.  **

Child's First Garden: Easy Herbs and Flowers

It is never too early to get children involved with gardening. It is suggested that not having enough contact with nature can affect their health, academic performance and overall well-being in a negative way. Not to mention, gardening teaches them to appreciate nature, and gives them a little exercise and vitamin D. Ideally, when you hire a nanny, you should make sure that they share your same passion for nature so they will be thrilled to help your child with their garden.

Herbs
Some people assume that children can only grow flowers and basic plants, but there are a few herbs that they can easily grow as well. They will love knowing that something they grow with their own two hands contributed to the delicious meal being put on the table.

• Basil – Can you really ever have too much basil in the house? It can be used for pesto, mixed in salads or used in a ton of recipes. Be sure to purchase seeds that are guaranteed to be fusarium-free.

• Thyme – This evergreen offers a lovely fragrance early in the season, and is ideal for making spice rubs.

• Chives – The great thing about chives is that they will come back year after year.

• Oregano – If you want a plant that is a little different, opt for Bristol Cross oregano; it can be placed in a hanging basket, and it grows in a unique ball shape.

• Mint – This is the perfect herb for beginners because it is one of the easiest plants to grow. If you hire a nanny without a green thumb, even they will be able to help your child grow mint.

• Others – Although not all herbs are safe  for children to handle, they can also grow dill, tarragon, sage, parsley, chervil, rosemary, coriander and savory.

Flowers

• Sunflowers – Children love sunflowers because they are so cheerful and vibrant. The seeds are large so they are easy to plant and when they ripen at the end of season, they can eat them.

• Snapdragons – These flowers are as fun to play with as they are to grow. They can easily be planted in beds or containers.

• Daisies – These are often favorites of little girls because they are simple yet pretty. There are many different varieties and some are easier to plant than others.

• Lady’s Mantle – Although not a common plant, these flowers are easy to grow and turn a child’s garden into a magical place. They have large leaves that manage to hold onto drops of morning dew, which sparkles like diamonds in the morning sunshine.

• Pansies – It is pretty much impossible to kill pansies. They come in a multitude of colors from black to purple to blue to yellow so they can mix and match and create a unique display.

Vegetables

• Cherry Tomatoes – These are a must in a child’s vegetable garden. They need full sun, a stake and a lot of compost.

• Snow Peas – This is a quick growing crop that does well in a small space. Snow peas prefer a partially shaded location.

• Potatoes – Here is a crop that is nearly guaranteed to be delivered every time. When the leaves die and the plant collapses, the potatoes are ready to harvest. These can even be grown in old garbage pails or large Rubbermaid containers too.

• Pumpkin – Every child must have a pumpkin growing in their garden so they have their very own one to cut come Halloween. Hopefully you hire a nanny that understands how to use those pumpkin stencils better than you, right? When the pumpkin feels hollow when you tap it, it is ready to harvest. This often takes up to 120 days!

Article provided by nanny.net, your #1 source for everything nanny-related.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Explode Into Action~!!

The new CG~animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series is set to premiere in October and Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products have secured over 30 UK licensees as well as, launching a new website for the upcoming show.

In what is being considered the largest number of licensing deals for any Nickelodeon property in the UK before a series has even debuted, Nick has acquired many companies to help promote the new TMNT series.

Action figures are set to be shipped for December by Flair on behalf of Playmate Toys, bedroom and outdoor play ranges from Worlds Apart, wheeled goods and arts & crafts from Sambro, outerwear from TV Mania, nightwear by Cooneen Misirli, accessories and gifts being marketed by VMC, William Lamb and Zeon, food licensing by Lightbody and Copywrite Designs, Hallmark, moonpig.com and Amscan will be distributing the stationery and back to school merchandise.  Also included as part of the deal are Charcter World and Vogue who have signed on for homewares, Egmont for annuals books and Parragon for publishing, making this an extra~ordinary promotional launch.

To further promote TMNT brands, Nick will also be launching "an immersive website", turtles.nick.co.uk and will be shared across 13 regions and 10 languages.  The new site will feature sneak previews of the series, games, quizzes and more and is set to launch on July 19th~!!

Sales will begin in the United States and will eventually trickle out to International sales by Fall.

#Scholastic ~ Clifford the Big Red Dog is Turning 50~!!!

February 14, 2013 will mark the 50th Birthday of Norman Bridwell's endearing creation, Clifford the Big Red Dog.

Starting September 24th, Scholastic will be kicking off celebrations with all new publishing, apps and even a live, classroom Birthday event.

Scholastic plans on publishing Bridwell's Clifford Collection which will include all six of the classic stories which were originally published between 1963 and 1977 as well as, an original letter from Bridwell and never~before~seen 1962 painting that inspired the Clifford series.

Also, a live classroom Birthday party from Sholastic's headquarters in New York City will be webcast to classrooms across the United States.  The event will feature activities that support the social, emotional, literacy and language skills that Clifford has been known to instill.

Three new Facebook apps are currently in the works which are slated to debut in November, December and January as well, new digital products are being launched in September for iOS and Android devices.  The app will have a Birthday~themed application that will also build literary skills.

A national sweepstakes for fans at scholastic.com/clifford will be launched and in December, PBS Kids will air a special broadcast premiere of Clifford's Really Big Movie.

Happy 50th Birthday Clifford~!!

#Disney & Marvel to Cross~Over~!!

The first crossover animated television special will see Marvel and Disney partnering to bring Spider~Man and The Avengers (Thor, The Hulk and Ironman) into the adventurous world of Phineas and Ferb.  The episode is currently in production and is slate to air some time in the Summer of 2013.

Dan Povenmire and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh, Phineas and Ferb creators, have partnered with the creative team of Marvel to create the much talked about episode, "Phineas and Ferb:  Mission Marvel", which will feature not only Marvel's Super Heroes but also Super Villians, including Red Skull, Whiplash, M.O.D.O.K and Venom.

After Dr. Doofenshmirtz uses his power~draining technology and accidently removes their powers, Phineas and Ferb and the Marvel gang must team up in order to take down Dr. Doofenshmirtz who has partnered himself with the Marvel Super Villians.  The residents of Danville won't know what hit them~!!