The MamaZone

Summer Fun with K'nex

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 02:03:00 +0000

Can you believe how close we are to summer vacation? I have friends with kids who are already out of school! It's hard to believe how quickly the school year seemed to pass. With summer vacation comes the need for summer activities. If you're looking for some activities to pass the time while they're indoors, our recent discovery just might help.

Here's my little guy enjoying one of the K'nex Classics Building Sets. The Strike Force Bomber set comes with 130 pieces, including 2 dart missiles. It can be used to create a fighter jet, bomber or drone. It retails for about $13.99.

Below, he (and his older sister) are putting together the Grave Digger 30th Anniversary Monster Jam Building Set. It comes with 40 pieces and the box doubles as a ramp (don't throw it away!). There's also a cute little driver inside (at least I thought he was cute) and it retails for $9.99.

Of course, K'nex building sets are great year round, but I especially love having them around when the kids are home for the summer. Now that my son is older, they're also great for road trips, provided you can handle the occasional plea for help when they fall under the seats.

You can find K'nex in major retailers and they are on sale for 50% at Zulily this week. Hurry before they're all gone!

Don’t forget, you can earn rewards for sharing the content you enjoy on The MamaZone.

I received a sample product to review but was not compensated in any other way. My opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Idea Zone is where you'll find clever ideas to enrich your life and make things a little easier. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

éclos Anti-Aging Skin Care #EclosBeauty

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Thu, 31 May 2012 10:17:00 +0000

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of éclos Skin Care for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Every now and then, I put it all on the line and show my bare unmade-up face just for you. This time, I'm make-up free to share éclos Anti-Aging Skin Care products with you. I also have an opportunity for you to sample the products as well. Read on to find out how.

Here's the scoop on éclos Skin Care:

I was drawn to the product line because it features Apple Stem Cells extracted from a rare Swiss apple. These stem cells have been shown to stimulate skin stem cells, "encouraging aging skin to behave like younger skin."

éclos is the first brand to bring this active ingredient to mainstream stores (I've seen it at Target!). It also includes plant extracts, vitamins and anti-oxidants, which combine with the Apple Stem Cell technology to help minimize the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and tired skin.

This is my skin before and after using éclos products for a week. There were no dramatic results but I'll continue to use the products for a while. I love that the line is made without synthetic fragrances or dyes or sulfates and parabens. You know chemical-free is high on my list when it comes to skin care, and since the products are also quite affordable, that ranks it even higher.

One of you will have a chance to sample the same kit I used. Inside you'll find:

Facial Cleanser Skin Prep. It cleanses, refreshes and balances the skin's pH level.
Cellular Activator Face Serum. Helps visibly reduce appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and protects against environmental damage.
Moisture Therapy Regenerative Cream. It helps skin repair itself and protects against free radicals.
Restorative Eye Cream. It visibly reduces fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes.
Instant Radiance Facial Scrub. Exfoliates and evens out skin tone.
Skin Renewal Clay Mask. Cleanses skin and unclogs and tightens pores (my favorite of the bunch--I really like how clean it makes my skin feel).
éclos Terry Cloth Head Band

While I understand the importance of layering products, I found this regimen to be a bit too hard for this busy mama to follow. Cleansing, moisturizing and occasionally exfoliating is about all I can reasonably maintain. I would definitely consider keeping up the Face Serum and Clay Mask and possibly the Moisture Therapy (I tend to only use a moisturizer in the summer). I do, however, recommend that you mama's try the products, especially if you have a real concern about aging skin.

If you'd like to enter to win a starter pack, simply use the Rafflecopter form below. All that's required is that you be a reader, follower or fan then tell me which of the products you're most interested in trying. If you've used éclos before, I'd love to hear about it. Leave a comment and let us know about your experience!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Creative Costumes for Kids & Adults (For You!)

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Tue, 29 May 2012 17:51:00 +0000

My daughter is an inch taller than me.

Allow me to pause and grieve over that for a moment.

She's only 11, but she's already the size of this adult. When I look at her, I'm reminded that she will be all grown up sooner than I expect, and I'm also reminded of the importance of letting her be a kid while she's still a kid.

One of the ways I do that is by letting her indulge in the things she really enjoys. She loves to create, she loves history, she loves to read and she will still play dress-up!

Anyone with a very tall daughter knows two things: finding kid-sized clothes that fit is often problematic and moving to the adult or junior section often leaves you with clothes that are flat out inappropriate. What's true for clothes is just as true for costumes. And, when you have a kid as imaginative as mine, finding costumes is a must.

Recently, we discovered Wholesale Costume Club where we found great adult costumes that fit her but were still appropriate for her age group. They had the right costume and size for a recent 50s Sock Hop at school and we found a prairie costume that was close enough to appease her obsession with the Victorian era. At just over $35, it was priced reasonably enough to purchase for play, Halloween or school projects. This particular costume was one-size up to size 14, so she was quick to point out that I could wear it too :-).

In terms of quality, the costume seems surprisingly durable. We've purchased costumes in the past that we knew would clearly not last beyond one or two wears. I questioned whether or not this particular costume would actually fit up to a size 14. It did, however, give us exactly what we were looking for, and with a little steaming, she'll be on her way.

Of course, they also have costumes in children's sizes and a wide variety to choose from. If you visit and find something you or your kids like, I'd love to help you shop with a $25 gift certificate! If you're a reader, follower, fan or friend of The MamaZone, you can win right here using the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don’t forget, you can earn rewards for sharing the content you enjoy on The MamaZone.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Discovery Zone is where I share exciting products and services. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

Free Custom Banners in Time For Father's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Mon, 28 May 2012 16:59:00 +0000

June is a busy party season around our here. With Father's Day, graduations, my Nanny's 90th and my Mother-in-law's birthday, there are plenty of reasons to celebrate and you know I'm on the hunt for bargains on all our party supplies.

One thing we've been searching for a deal on is vinyl banners. We're especially wanting one to celebrate my grandmother, and thanks to the Father's Day promotion at Banners On The Cheap, we've found one!

Through June 7th, you can pick up a free 2'x5' custom banner when you pay for shipping--just $10.99. Order through this link to access the deal.

Here are a few things to note: If you don't use the above promo link, you won't find the promo on the website. To receive your banner by Father's Day with standard shipping, order by May 30, 2012 at 4 pm CDT. Offer ends June 7, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. CDT and cannot be used retroactively. Orders placed after 4pm on May 30, 2012 will require an upgraded shipping option for Father's Day delivery.

Don’t forget, you can earn rewards for sharing the content you enjoy on The MamaZone.

I received a sample product in consideration of this post, but was not compensated in any other way. My opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Bargain Zone is where you'll find great deals on useful products. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

As Seen on PocketChange

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Mon, 28 May 2012 16:05:00 +0000

PocketChange Lifestyle Blog

I've added another link to my "As Seen On" page! PocketChange included The MamaZone in their most recent edition of "Best of the Web," and I'm pleased to be listed among some other very clever blogs.

I hope you'll visit and maybe even give me a little "shout out" in the comments. While you're there, you might also want to check out their Tips section. I'm sure you'll find some great ideas to make life just a bit easier!

Don’t forget, you can earn rewards for sharing the content you enjoy on The MamaZone.

What Do You Blog About?

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Sat, 26 May 2012 16:12:00 +0000

I cannot count the number of times I'm asked this question. When people find out I blog, they inevitably want to know where I blog and what I blog about. In the three years that I've nurtured my little space on the web, I've managed to drill my answer down to a couple of sentences, followed by a business card. This is known in the business world as an elevator pitch, but I prefer to call it my blog-brag :-). It’s my 30 second what, why and where? Have you crafted yours? If not, here are few things to consider

Keep it brief. It’s called an elevator pitch for a reason. Be sure you can spit it out in the time it would take to ride from one floor to the next.
Share your what. This is the same as your blog’s motto or tagline. It’s a quick one liner explaining the focus of your blog.
Share your where. Remember to give your blog’s web address. Have a funny title or spelling? Toss that in too (or change it to something easier!).
Show your passion. Give them a reason to want to follow up with a visit!

Looking for an example? Here’s the gist of what I say…

I’m a resource blogger. I share useful tidbits to help make mom’s life a little easier. Visit me at TheMamaZone.com sometime.

It’s concise, it’s exact and usually leads to some very interesting conversations and the occasional lead. It might not be easy to widdle your blog down to a few words, but you’ll find soon enough, that it comes in handy. Be prepared to follow up with specifics, including a recent or favorite post if time allows. Next week, we'll talk business cards! If you need some help with this or have some clever ideas to add, leave a comment and let’s chat a bit. Until next week…

Don’t forget, you can earn rewards for sharing the content you enjoy on The MamaZone.

Saturdays are all about Blog Boosts around here. Have a blogging question? Leave a comment!

Harlem Globetrotters Summer Skills Clinics

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Fri, 25 May 2012 21:31:00 +0000

Here's another exciting idea for you as you plan your Summer activities (and it comes with a promo code!)...

For the first time, the Harlem Globetrotters are conducting summer skills clinics to bring boys and girls ages 6-14 behind the curtain to see the Globetrotters’ electrifying skills and tricks, while also having fun staying active.

Each participant receives:

A free ticket voucher (valued up to $40) to see the Globetrotters during their 2013 World Tour
Autographs and photos with the stars!
3-day trial pass to 24 Hour Fitness

Clinics are located in the following cities:

Phoenix
Houston
San Francisco
New Jersey
Denver
Dallas
Los Angeles
Seattle
St. Louis
Miami
Las Vegas

Save $10 on registration!
Registration is just $59, but you can save $10 with the Coupon Code USFAMILY. Enter the code on the cart page after completing your registration or mention when calling 1-800-641-HOOP (4667).

This is a wonderful opportunity for your kids to participate in something new and exciting. If you sign up, be sure to come back and tell us all about it. I wish they were hosting one in our city! Maybe next year...

Don’t forget, you can earn rewards for sharing the content you enjoy on The MamaZone.

I will receive a voucher in consideration for this post but was not compensated in any other way. My opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Bargain Zone is where you'll find great deals on useful products. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

Wordless Friends-day Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Thu, 24 May 2012 03:56:00 +0000

You may have noticed that I didn't get my normal Wednesday posts up. Here's why:

Yep, that’s me rocking my hot new accessory! I managed to fracture my collar bone on Monday, so I’m operating at about 50%. Hopefully, I’ll be back to full capacity soon! Happy Wednesday.

Don’t forget, you can earn rewards for sharing the content you enjoy on The MamaZone.

A Gift for Your Daughter: WinShape Camps for Girls

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Thu, 24 May 2012 01:46:00 +0000

There she is—my sweet little girl-baby. She’s been brightening our world since the moment we laid eyes on her, and, although she’s really not little anymore (at 11, she’s taller than me!), she’ll always be my baby.

As anyone with daughters knows, watching her grow into a young lady is often bittersweet. Of course we want them to grow, but there’s that little piece of us that wants them to be small forever. There’s something so conflicting about preparing them to face the world, when what we really want to do is keep them close. We know, however, that we do have to let them go, and when it comes to equipping them to do that, we often need a little bit of help.

If you can relate to that, you’ll understand why I’m excited about WinShape Camps for Girls. My daughter will be spending a week at Winshape at Young Harris this summer, and we’re anticipating an amazing experience as she participates in their character building, faith deepening camp activities. We’ve only recently learned about WinShape Camps, and I knew from first glance that I wanted her there. If you’re hearing about it for the first time also, here’s why I’m such a fan:

The WinShape Camps experience was created by Chick-fil-A founder, S. Truett Cathy.
There are overnight and day camp experiences for girls and boys of all ages.
Programs are designed to sharpen their character, deepen their faith, and grow in their relationships with others.
WinShape Camps for Girls offers a one-week overnight camp at Young Harris and a two-week overnight camp at Mt. Berry where girls participate in a variety of sports and skills while making new friends and growing in their Christian faith.

Of course, I couldn’t write a post sharing my excitement about WinShape Camps without giving you a chance to experience it for yourselves. If you have a special girl in your life who has completed grades 1-7, here’s an opportunity for you to send her to WinShape at Young Harris in July for 50% off the regular price of $660.

A little about Young Harris College:

Young Harris College is located at the base of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in North Georgia and will serve as the perfect location for our one-week overnight camp for girls. Campers, counselors and parents alike will all be blessed by the pristine surroundings and the unique opportunities Young Harris offers to play, learn, grow and fellowship throughout each week.

I am so thrilled that 10 of you, yes TEN, will have a chance to save 50% OFF the cost of camp at Young Harris during the month of July. I’ll choose 10 readers randomly.

To be eligible, you must be a friend, follower or fan on Twitter, Facebook or one of my blogs (The MamaZone, If Mama Ain’t… or Daily Fast Fuel). I’ll choose the 10 readers on May 30th and you’ll have to use the code by June 10, 2012. I’m so happy to have a hand in the memories your daughters will make and the lessons they’ll learn at summer camp. My hope is that this will in fact be “the summer of a lifetime” for them. To enter, follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter form below (give it a moment to load).

*You do not have to complete all of the entries below to enter. Simply choose one or more that interest you, but make sure you've chosen to follow, like or friend in at least one way to be eligible to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Up to $50 of personalized Pexagon Technology products for $25

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Mon, 21 May 2012 17:25:00 +0000

I'm an affiliate and appreciate you shopping through my links. My opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

Don’t forget, you can earn rewards for sharing the content you enjoy on The MamaZone.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Tech Zone is where you'll find tech reviews and more. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

Monitoring Your Credit with Credit Sesame

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Mon, 21 May 2012 17:15:00 +0000

If you're interested in improving your financial situation and becoming a better money manager, monitoring your credit is a must. I recently discovered Credit Sesame and definitely thought I'd share it with you.

Here's what Credit Sesame offers:

It's a 100% free personal finance credit and debt management tool.
It makes managing personal credit online, owing less in interest and saving on mortgage, loan & credit card payments easier.
Access an instant view of your credit, including Experian credit score.
Credit Sesame’s patent pending analytics engine, developed by scientists at Stanford University, automatically and securely reviews consumers’ debt, home loans, credit score and credit profile. Then, it analyzes their current debts and looks for alternative mortgages and loans which will help consumers save money.
No credit card required or trial period.
CreditSesame.com is always free and secure.

I'm an affiliate and appreciate you using my links. My opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

Don’t forget, you can earn rewards for sharing the content you enjoy on The MamaZone.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Savings Zone is where you'll find ideas on how to save, earn and manage your money. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

Crank it Up with Lenovo Speakers

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Sun, 20 May 2012 05:12:00 +0000

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Lenovo for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

One way I manage to get things done is to keep my music blasting. If you're a busy mom like me, you know sometimes your favorite song is the only thing that can boost your energy enough to get you through. The M0520 from Lenovo is a small speaker that packs a big sound. If you're looking for a speaker to help you crank up your music and keep yourself going, it just might do the trick.

This Lenovo speaker is a 2.0 speaker system, which includes a main speaker with built-in amplifiers and a sub-speaker. Attach it to your laptop or desktop and even your smartphone or MP3/MP4 player for a sound that's big and bold. Here's what you can expect:

4 watts of power for high-quality full sound
Convenient USB-powered connection with energy saving function
Speaker wire spools for easy storage
Plug and play connectivity

I love that they're red (cute enough for mom's eyes and loud enough for mom's ears). Don't be surprised if your kids are "borrowing" it from time time and begging you to pick one up from them.

You can grab the speakers on sale for just $11.99 until May 21st. This is a great price, especially if you plan to pick up a spare for the kids. Visit the website to order and don't forget to come by and let me know what you think. If you miss the sale, the regular retail price is $29.99.

Coffee-Mate Natural Bliss

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Sun, 20 May 2012 04:13:00 +0000

I’m waking up a little more naturally these days, and it’s not because I’ve given up coffee. In fact, I’m drinking coffee more often during the week, thanks to a new staple in the house: new Natural Bliss Creamers from Coffee-Mate.

If you’ve been around awhile, you know I love trying new things and I do my best to keep things natural when I can. I think it’s extremely important to choose healthier options when they’re available, but I also look very closely at the cost associated with making that decision. I have to tell you that in this case, Coffee-Mate has not let me down. At just over $2 and with no artificial ingredients, Natural Bliss has earned it’s place in our fridge and the only trouble I’ve had was choosing a favorite flavor.

I picked up Natural Bliss at Wal-mart a few weeks ago. I was surprised to notice the little sign announcing Natural Bliss, as sometimes new natural products can be hard to find. If stores haven’t received them, they’re usually out of stock by the time I get there. Fortunately I was able to find both the Vanilla and Carmel flavors in good supply.

I was already a Coffee-Mate user, so I decided to compare the all-natural version to the original. Notice the difference in the ingredients--just 4 in the Natural Bliss! It’s so exciting that I can remain loyal to the brand while maintaining my commitment to more natural choices. I don’t even mind paying a little extra for the new version. It’s definitely worth it and it’s delicious.

Of course, you have to try it, and you can do it for $1 off when you print this coupon. Take it to Wal-Mart or your favorite grocery store and choose from Sweet Cream, Carmel, Vanilla or the Low-Fat Vanilla. Experience my shopping fun and find out the flavor I chose as my favorite, when you visit my Google+ Story. You can find out more about the new natural coffee creamer on the Natural Bliss Coffee-Mate site and on Facebook, and you can follow the fun on twitter at #NaturalBlissWM. Try it and let me know what you think. Gotta go…coffee’s brewing!

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. #CBias. My opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

Don’t forget, you can earn rewards for sharing the content you enjoy on The MamaZone.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Trial Zone is my place to tell you about the new and unique products I'm reviewing. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

How Do We Develop Young People to Become Innovators?

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Sun, 20 May 2012 02:24:00 +0000

Every now and then, I come across a book that I know will be on my shelf for years to come. These are the books that help shape my thinking and influence my ideals in massive ways. I'm reading a book like that right now, " Creating Innovators by Tony Wagner.

Now, you know I love sharing things with you, so keep your eyes open for a giveaway. In the meantime, enjoy this excerpt from the book and see just why I consider this one a keeper!

How Do We Develop Young People to Become Innovators?
By Tony Wagner,
Author of Creating Innovators: The Making of Young People Who Will Change the World

In the past, our country has produced innovators more by accident than by design. Rarely do entrepreneurs or innovators talk about how their schooling or their places of work -- or even their parents -- developed their talents or encouraged their aspirations. Three of the most innovative entrepreneurs of the last half century -- Edwin Land, the inventor of the Polaroid instant camera; Bill Gates; and Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Facebook -- had to drop out of Harvard to pursue their ideas. Apple's Steve Jobs; Michael Dell of Dell Computer; Larry Ellison, founder of the software giant Oracle; and the inventor Dean Kamen are other famous high-tech college dropouts.

So what would it mean if we were to intentionally develop the entrepreneurial and innovative talents of all young people -- to nurture their initiative, curiosity, imagination, creativity, and collaborative skills, as well as their analytical abilities -- along with essential qualities of character such as persistence, empathy, and a strong moral foundation? What can parents do to nurture these qualities? What do the most effective teachers and college professors do, and what can they -- and the young people themselves -- tell us about how schools and colleges need to change to teach these qualities? Finally, what can we learn from those who successfully mentor aspiring entrepreneurial innovators? These are the driving questions in this book.

How Do We Develop Young People to Become Innovators?
If we agree on the need to develop the capabilities of many more youth to be innovators, and if we agree that many of the qualities of an innovator can be nurtured and learned, the question now becomes, what do we do? Where do we start as parents, teachers, mentors, and employers?

Encourage Play

Research shows that human beings are born with an innate desire to explore, experiment, and imagine new possibilities -- to innovate.

How do children learn such skills? In a word -- through play.

And it's not just infants and children who learn through play. Joost Bonsen, who is an alumnus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and currently serves as a lecturer in the world-famous MIT Media Lab, talked about the importance of the famous tradition of pranks at the university.

"Being innovative is central to being human." Bonsen told me. "We're curious and playful animals, until it's pounded out of us. Look at the tradition of pranks here at MIT. What did it take to put a police car on a dome that was fifteen stories high [one of most famous MIT student pranks], with a locked trapdoor being the only access? It was an incredible engineering feat. To pull that off was a systems problem, and it took tremendous leadership and teamwork.

"Pranks reinforce the cultural ethos of creative joy." Joost added. "Getting something done in a short period of time with no budget, and challenging circumstances. It's glorious and epic. They didn't ask for permission. Not even forgiveness."

These students were playing -- just doing something for the fun of it. Play, then, is part of our human nature and an intrinsic motivation.

Encourage Passion

Passion is familiar to all of us as an intrinsic motivation for doing things. The passion to explore, to learn something new, to understand something more deeply; to master something difficult. We see these passions all around us and have likely experienced them for ourselves.

In more than one hundred and fifty interviews for this book -- lengthy conversations with innovators and their parents, teachers, and mentors -- passion was the most frequently recurring word.

Encourage Purpose

Pure passion, by itself, is not enough to sustain the motivation to do difficult things and to persevere -- in love or in work! In my research, I observe that young innovators almost invariably develop a passion to learn or do something as adolescents, but their passions evolve through learning and exploration into something far deeper, more sustainable, and trustworthy -- purpose.

The sense of purpose can take many forms. But the one that emerged most frequently in my interviews and in the interviews by the authors of "the Innovator's DNA" is the desire to somehow "make a difference"

In the lives of young innovators whom I interviewed, I discovered a consistent link and developmental arc in their progression from play to passion to purpose. They played a great deal -- but their play was frequently far less structured than most children's, and they had opportunities to explore, experiment, and discover through trial and error -- to take risks and to fall down. Through this kind of more creative play as children, these young innovators discovered a passion. As they pursued their passions, their interests changed and took surprising turns. They developed new passions, which, over time, evolved into a deeper and more mature sense of purpose -- a kind of shared adult play.

These young innovators did not learn these things alone. They received help from parents, teachers, and mentors along the way. Their evolution as innovators was almost invariably facilitated by at least one adult -- and often several. What these parents, teachers, and mentors did that was so helpful may surprise you. Each, in his or her own quiet way, is often following a different, less conventional path in his or her role as a parent, teacher, or mentor. They acted differently so that the young people with whom they interacted could think differently.

The above is an adapted excerpt from the book Creating Innovators: The Making of Young People Who Will Change the World by Tony Wagner. The above excerpt is a digitally scanned reproduction of text from print. Excerpted with permission by Scribner, a Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc. Although this excerpt has been proofread, occasional errors may appear due to the scanning process. Please refer to the finished book for accuracy.

Copyright © 2012 Tony Wagner, author of Creating Innovators: The Making of Young People Who Will Change the World

Author Bio: Tony Wagner, author of Creating Innovators: The Making of Young People Who Will Change the World, is the first innovation education fellow at the Technology and Entrepreneurship Center at Harvard and the founder and former co-director of the Change Leadership Group at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Wagner consults widely to public and independent schools and foundations around the country and has served as senior advisor to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. A former high school teacher, K-8 principal, and university professor in teacher education, Wagner is a highly sought-after speaker and the author of four books, including The Global Achievement Gap.

For more information about Tony Wagner please visit http://www.tonywagner.com and follow the author on Facebook and Twitter.

For more information about the book please visit http://www.creatinginnovators.com, and follow on Facebook and Twitter.

Don’t forget, you can earn rewards for sharing the content you enjoy on The MamaZone.

I received a sample product to review but was not compensated in any other way. My opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Idea Zone is where you'll find clever ideas to enrich your life and make things a little easier. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

Read Your Favorite Magazines For Free Online

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Sun, 20 May 2012 00:43:00 +0000

Zinio gives you access to digital copies of your favorite magazines. Right now, when you register for a new account, you'll receive one mini-subscription FREE and a $5 credit in your account within 5 days.

3 issues Food Network
3 Issues Spin
3 issues Nylon
2 issues Shape
2 issues Esquire
2 Issues Mens Fitness
1 issue Cosmopolitan
1 issue One Icon

Once you receive your $5 credit, use it for these great deals and more:

Every Day with Rachael Ray: $10.00 for 10 issues. Get it for $5.00 with the $5.00 credit.
Taste Of Home: $10.00 for 8 issues. Get it for only $5.00 with the $5.00 credit.
Money Today: $8.99 for 12 issues. Get it for only $3.99 with the $5.00 credit.
Automobile: $11.99 for 12 issues. Get it for only $6.99 with the $5.00 credit.

This is a great opportunity if you prefer keeping things green by reading your magazines online. Take advantage of this great deal and don't forget to let me know your thoughts once you do. Enjoy!

Don’t forget, you can earn rewards for sharing the content you enjoy on The MamaZone.

I'm an affiliate and appreciate you using my links. My opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Bargain Zone is where you'll find great deals on useful products. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

Bloggers Wanted: Father's Day Giveaway Event

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Fri, 18 May 2012 21:42:00 +0000

It is a perfect time to find what gifts you would like to give to your father. Makobi Scribe is proud to present Father’s Day Gift Ideas Giveaway Event from June 10 12:01 PM EST to June 18 at midnight EST and is accepting signups now.

This week's blog boost is especially for those of you who are interested in growing your blog's following. I've mentioned a number of times that multi-blog hops are a great way to do that, and I'm participating in another one I'd like to invite you to join.

Makobi Scribe is hosting the event, which spotlights great gifts for dads. To enter, simply write a post or pay a $5 admin fee and have a prize available worth at least $25. You can visit her blog to find the details and I'd love to hear about it if you decide to participate.

Hurry, there are lots of bloggers already participating and you don't want to miss this opportunity to join in the fun!

Saturdays are all about Blog Boosts around here. Have a blogging question? Leave a comment!

Don’t forget, you can earn rewards for sharing the content you enjoy on The MamaZone.

Just my little way of saying thanks!!

Friends-day Wednesday 5/16

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:24:00 +0000

Welcome to Friends-Day! The goal of this hop is to give you a quick glimpse into some other great blogs and to give you an opportunity to share a glimpse of yours. Feel free to grab the button and blog hop code to add it to your site as well! Here's how it works:

It's not mandatory, but I'd love to have you follow me at The MamaZone, If Mama Ain't or at Daily Fast Fuel. If you follow me and leave a comment, I'll definitely follow you too!
Add your blog name and a short description. For example, "The MamaZone: great t.i.d.bi.t.s. for mamas!" Feel free to link directly to your blog, or to your favorite post.
FOLLOW AT LEAST ONE PERSON and as many other blogs as you'd like to have follow back. This is what makes FriendsDay work, so if you're not willing to follow, please don't link up.
Remember to leave a comment on the blogs you follow to let them know you found them here at The MamaZone, and if someone follows you, be sure to follow back.
(Optional) Take the WednesDay is FriendsDay button, and if you want to put the blog hop on your blog, click the "get the code here" link under the blog listings. Feel free to tailor your post to your blog rather than copying mine verbatim.
Tweet, blog and yell at your friends about this so it can grow more and more each week.

I'll repost every week, so be sure to return and link up with some new folks and if you're not listed on my Mama'z Friends page, make sure you add yourself now. Enjoy...

PLEASE REMEMBER TO LEAVE A QUICK DESCRIPTION OF YOUR BLOG

Don’t forget, you can earn rewards for sharing the content you enjoy on The MamaZone.

Just my little way of saying thanks!!

Summer Reading with New Releases from Margaret Wise Brown

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:00:00 +0000

If you are a fan of the classic, “Goodnight Moon,” you’ll be thrilled with our recent discovery. Parragon Books has released two “lost” titles by the wonderful Margaret Wise Brown and we’re delighted to share our thoughts on “Count to 10 With A Mouse” and “Goodnight Little One.”

Can you believe that kids have been devouring Goodnight Moon since 1947? Over 16 million copies of the book have been sold internationally since its first publication! I’m certain that children will take to these two new titles just as enthusiastically as they took to that one. Each of the books is beautifully illustrated and perfect for bedtime and story time for beginning readers.

My son and I each had our separate favorites. He was drawn to Goodnight Little One…

Little pig that squeals about,
Make no noises with your snout.
No more squealing to the skies,
Little pig now close your eyes.

And I thought Count to 10 With a Mouse was the cutest book I’ve read in a while…

Then the mouse ran through the book,
The mouse ran through the book.
He ran onto the next page
To take a little look.

Both books contain vibrant images of the the most adorable animals. The illustrators, Kirsten Richards and Rebecca Elliot do an incredible job bringing Wise Brown’s words to life. Children will love engaging these little animals as they fall asleep and count with them all. We enjoyed the opportunity to share these books together and I hope you and your children have the opportunity to do the same.

You can purchase Count to 10 With A Mouse and Goodnight Little One for $7.99 each, online at Amazon.com and in stores at Barnes and Noble, Indigo, Walmart, Kroger, and many other retailers in the United States and Canada. Three more Margaret Wise Brown titles, including Around the World We Go, The Sleepy Bears, and Sleep Little Child, will be released in August 2012.

Don’t forget, you can earn rewards for sharing the content you enjoy on The MamaZone.

Just my little way of saying thanks!!

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Trial Zone is my place to tell you about the new and unique products I'm reviewing. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

Building Traffic by Sharing Your Audience

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Sat, 12 May 2012 14:12:00 +0000

A major component of blogging is building traffic. You work hard on your blog, you create great content and you want it to be seen. There are so many strategies out there for building traffic that it often makes my head spin. There is one strategy, however, that is actually a great deal of fun and pretty easy to do.

I like to call it “sharing your audience”. We put a lot of emphasis on sharing things with our audience (and we must do that), but sharing our audience with other bloggers can go a long way toward building traffic and finding new fans.

In order to do that, simply visit other blogs and give that blogger access to your audience by “liking” their posts, tweeting their links, stumbling their content and pinning their photos. Do this regularly and you’ll see some fun results…

Your followers and fans will discover great new content—this has an effect on your credibility and influence in their eyes.
The blogger you’re visiting will get new eyes on their content.
You’ll gain a new friend and grow your audience as that blogger returns the favor by visiting and doing the same.

When you share your audience, everyone wins. The problem is we typically place all our energy on keeping our audiences to ourselves. Hoarding is never productive, but sharing always brings results. Imagine how the blogosphere would change if we lived by that rule.

There's a proverb that says if you want to make friends, you have to be friendly. I’m certain this simple concept has brought in a substantial portion of my traffic, friends, followers and fans. It’s counter-intuitive, but helping others reach their goals goes a long way toward helping you reach yours. Give it a try this week and see if you notice a difference.

Saturdays are all about Blog Boosts around here. Have a blogging question? Leave a comment!

Don’t forget, you can earn rewards for sharing the content you enjoy on The MamaZone.

Just my little way of saying thanks!!

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Moms

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Fri, 11 May 2012 15:54:00 +0000

Mamas, you do a lot (sometimes too much), and you don't get nearly enough credit for all your hard work. If I had a magic wand, I'd give you a reward in proportion to your efforts and then I'd make you take a nap! My hope is that as I'm sharing these t.i.d.b.i.t.s., it really is making your life a little easier. I have a real interest in seeing you do all you do with less stress, and my mission in life is to help you learn how to do just that.

Every now and then, something comes along that I know will go a long way toward helping me achieve that mission. It happened earlier this week with the fun and inspirational mom video I shared and again recently with the amazing new book, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Moms.

The original "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff...and it's all small stuff" is one of my absolute favorite books, so picking up a copy of "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Moms" was a no-brainer. I knew the same wise advice that started the series would be present in this edition, and I was looking foward to the bite-sized chunks of motivation the books are known for. Don't Sweat for Moms definitely did not disappoint. It's teeming with tips for how we can become moms who live life a little lighter and I'm thrilled to be giving away a copy right here at The MamaZone.

To enter, simply follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter form below, then cross your fingers and anticipate discovering how to...

abandon the idea of "the perfect mom"

move through PMS

become a healthier you

be a guilt-free working mom

...and 94 other mom-motivating lessons. Don't miss #73: Choosing Optimal Health as a Lifelong Study. It hit me harder than most as I was reminded that taking care of my health is essential if I'm to take care of my family long term.

If you've read it, I'd love to hear your thoughts. I'm considering how we can interact and walk through the book together--perhaps we need a 100 days meme!? I'll keep you posted on that. Until then, enter to win or grab a copy and do your best to start mom-ing with less stress. You can read the first chapter for FREE and enjoy quite a few gifts after you purchase. Of course, I've given Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Moms the coveted 5 Mamas, and once you read it, you'll know exactly why.

Enter below. There is no mandatory entry, so choose your own adventure. The contest will end Sunday, May 20th at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don’t forget, you can earn rewards for sharing the content you enjoy on The MamaZone.

Just my little way of saying thanks!!

I received a sample product to review but was not compensated in any other way. My opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Insight Zone where you'll find insight and inspiration to keep you going. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

Get Ready for WinShape Camps Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A!

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:48:00 +0000

Hey local mamas, this one is for you! If you live near the Raleigh-Durham area, here's the perfect opportunity for us to meet up IRL (in real life!) and have a little fun with the kids.

Next Tuesday, May 15th Chick-fil-A is hosting a spirit night to celebrate their Winshape Camps. I've only recently discovered the camps, and I can't wait to have our kids participate. You know I'm always looking for things that will enrich their lives and help them grow into little humans that make mama proud! Winshape Camps are all about developing character and teaching kids how to live out the lessons they learn at camp and I couldn't be more excited about signing my kids up.

You can find out more about Winshape Camps on their website. There are week-long community camps being hosted around the country and one and two-week overnight camps as well. We're most excited about the camp taking place June 25-29 at King's Park International Church in Durham (my home away from home). The kids are looking forward to the fun activities and I'm looking forward to the enrichment they'll experience. Come hear more about it next Tuesday from 5:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. at Chick-fil-A at Renaissance Village. Find all the details in the poster below (including how to win a FREE week), and don't forget to say "hi" if you spot me in the crowd!

Don’t forget, you can earn rewards for sharing the content you enjoy on The MamaZone.

Just my little way of saying thanks!!

I have not been compensated for this post. My opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Discovery Zone is where I share exciting products and services. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

A Musical Wordful Wednesday for Moms

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:04:00 +0000

I had a very quiet, rule-following post prepared for Wordless Wednesdays when some great friends released the most incredible mom song and video you've ever seen. I just had to share it, so here it is. Enjoy...

Don’t forget, you can earn rewards for sharing the content you enjoy on The MamaZone.

Just my little way of saying thanks!!

Friends-day Wednesday 5/9

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:15:00 +0000

It's not mandatory, but I'd love to have you follow me at The MamaZone, If Mama Ain't or at Daily Fast Fuel. If you follow me and leave a comment, I'll definitely follow you too!
Add your blog name and a short description. For example, "The MamaZone: great t.i.d.bi.t.s. for mamas!" Feel free to link directly to your blog, or to your favorite post.
FOLLOW AT LEAST ONE PERSON and as many other blogs as you'd like to have follow back. This is what makes FriendsDay work, so if you're not willing to follow, please don't link up.
Remember to leave a comment on the blogs you follow to let them know you found them here at The MamaZone, and if someone follows you, be sure to follow back.
(Optional) Take the WednesDay is FriendsDay button, and if you want to put the blog hop on your blog, click the "get the code here" link under the blog listings. Feel free to tailor your post to your blog rather than copying mine verbatim.
Tweet, blog and yell at your friends about this so it can grow more and more each week.

I'll repost every week, so be sure to return and link up with some new folks and if you're not listed on my Mama'z Friends page, make sure you add yourself now. Enjoy...

PLEASE REMEMBER TO LEAVE A QUICK DESCRIPTION OF YOUR BLOG

A Magical Mother's Day (For You!)

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Mon, 07 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the Magical Mother's Day Giveaway Hop sponsored by Planet Weidknecht and Going Crazy!! Wanna Go??!!

Dozens of blogs have joined together to offer you bunches of prizes!

After you enter my giveaway here, be sure to visit

each participating blog below to enter all the giveaways!
The giveaway begins at 12:01 a.m. on May 7, 2012 and
ends at 11:59 p.m. on May 14, 2012.

I'm giving away:

ONE THOUSAND GIFTS GRATITUDE JOURNAL

by Ann Voskamp

This is another great product from Dayspring and Blessings Unlimited. It's the perfect gift to help mom journal life's gifts.

There are 1,000 numbered spaces, pages filled with Scriptures and photos and conversation starters to help mom keep track of family memories. There are also pockets throughout for notes, photos and keepsakes. It measures 8 3/8"x1 3/8"x8" and retails for $24. Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don’t forget, you can earn rewards for sharing the content you enjoy on The MamaZone.
Just my little way of saying thanks!!

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Insight Zone where you'll find insight and inspiration to keep you going. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

Creating A Feed & Email Subscription for Your Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra Elmore) — Sun, 06 May 2012 00:35:00 +0000

I'm feeling a little lazy today, but wanted to still get a quick blog boost up before the day ended. I have a friend who recently started a blog this week. She and I were talking about setting up a blog so that readers can receive your posts by email. I will likely do a video with step by step instructions at some point, but for now, I'll point you towards Google's great instructions.

In order to allow your readers to subscribe by email, you'll first want to set up a feed. A feed simply syndicates your blog--giving readers access to your posts without actually visiting your blog. Readers typically have a collection of feeds that they access through a feed reader. The feed makes email updates possible, so it's the first step you need to complete.

My feed is set up using Feedburner. There are other places to create feeds, but this is one of the more popular options. Visit Feedburner.com and follow these instructions for setting up your blog's feed. There are a few steps, but it's pretty simple to do. After your feed is complete, follow these instructions for setting up an email subscription. The instructions are pretty straight forward, but I'm here if you have questions. Just leave a comment and I'll get back to you.

Saturdays are all about Blog Boosts around here. Have a blogging question? Leave a comment!

Don’t forget, you can earn rewards for sharing the content you enjoy on The MamaZone.

Just my little way of saying thanks!!