Resourceful Mommy

Wordless Wednesday: The Magic Returns...

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Just a couple more weeks until we return...

Jumpstart Your Holidays with Hallmark! Twitter Party Friday

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:32:00 +0000

The holiday season is upon us! As the temperature continues to drop, the pressure beings to rise as we all want to make sure our family and friends have a holiday season to remember. With so much to do - preparing your holiday card list, sending out invites for holiday gatherings, preparing your home - getting ready for the holidays can be a challenging task. If you're feeling a little stressed out as the holidays get closer and could use a few tips on how to make this holiday season memorable for all the right reasons, let Hallmark's experts helps you get a few things checked off of your list early during Hallmark's "Jumpstart Your Holidays with Hallmark Twitter Party!" Cozy up to your computer, bring your favorite warm beverage, and get ready to breathe a collective sigh of relief with fellow moms!

#Hallmarkmom Twitter Party

When: Friday, November 13th from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. ET

What: Chat with Laurie Monsees (Editorial Creative Director), Megan Haave (Editorial Writer) and Maureen Dilger (Product Manager) of Hallmark Cards, who will be sharing tips on how you can connect in a more unique and personal level with your family and friends during the holidays. Laurie, Megan and Maureen will also take questions from the group on ways to help put your personal stamp on your holiday greetings!

How: Follow Laurie, Megan, and Maureen at @lmonse1, @MoReen, and @meghmk and your hostess, @ResourcefulMom and tweet with the hashtag #Hallmarkmom.

Hallmark wants to hear from you, too! Share those unforgettable holiday moments with us during the party, because let's face it - memories are part of what make the holidays so special. So whether it is that one holiday photo that always makes you giggle, or if your toddler wrapped the dog up in gift wrap - we want to hear about it.

And what would a holiday celebration be without a few goodies? Hallmark will be giving away $100 worth of personalized holiday cards at Hallmark.com AND a one-hour consultation with a Hallmark "Card Concierge," a Hallmark writer who will help you with any holiday card questions, to three moms who have the best holiday stories! Others who answer trivia questions will win $25 worth of personalized holiday cards at Hallmark.com they can send to friends and family!

RSVP Here: You do not need to RSVP to participate in the party; you must participate in the event to be eligible to win a prize.

Another Year of Blessings...

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:11:00 +0000

On Sunday I celebrated another birthday. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it is the perfect time to look back on my year and appreciate the blessings I have been given.

I am thankful for...

- work at a time when many are being forced to go without...
- the health of my family...
- the amazing online friends I've made in the last year...
- opportunities, opportunities, opportunities...
- the growth of my children into charming little people...
- quiet moments amid chaos...
- travel, for both work and pleasure...
- the support of my husband...
- the chance to do it all again this year.

National Adoption Month - Twitter Event

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:01:00 +0000

November is National Adoption Month, and Adopt Us Kids is helping recruit and connect foster and adoptive families with waiting children throughout the United States. Funded by the Children's Bureau of the Administration for Children and Families, the national photo listing website contains photos and information about children in foster care. This year's outreach is focusing especially on the African American community in keeping with the effort to diligently recruit from communities representative of the children in care. Thirty-one percent of the children in foster care waiting to be adopted are African American; African American children are overrepresented in the foster care population relative to their percentage in the U.S. general population. Because of this, African American children often wait longer to be adopted.

To learn more about adoption from foster care and how to help spread the word about children in care waiting for a forever family, please visit Adopt Us Kids. To search for children in your area, visit the Adopt Us Kids Child Search.

Please join us tomorrow from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. EST on Twitter for an informational chat about the benefits of adoption as well as adoption from foster care. To participate, please follow @perfectparent and @ResourcefulMom, and use the hashtag #AdoptUsKids. Facebook users may also wish to become a fan of AdoptUsKids on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/AdoptUsKids.

This campaign is brought to you by Global Influence, the former Momfluence network.

Updated Twitter Party Calendar

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:20:00 +0000

Twitter Party: Women on Their Way with MomSelect

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:16:00 +0000

The holiday season is all about togetherness and for some that means travel as they make trips to visit far-away loved ones. Whether your planned trips are for business or pleasure, MomSelect is holding a Twitter party sponsored by Wyndham and Women on Their Way to help you get the most out of your miles!

Women on Their Way is an online resource where you can find everything you need to plan and book your next trip. In honor of the newly launched community featuring popular bloggers, Jane Air Crew, we'll be sharing travel tips, experiences, and giving away some great prizes. And although we'll be talking travel, you can take part in the party right from home! I'm excited to be working on another Twitter event with MomSelect and hope that you'll be able to join us:

Women on Their Way/MomSelect Twitter Party
Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Time: 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. EST

Location: Twitter, hashtag #WOTW

Host: @MomTalkRadio (Maria Bailey, Founder of MomSelect and seasoned traveler)

Join us as we dive into all aspects of both business and leisure traveling, from mommy guilt to toddler meltdowns. And of course there will be great prizes that you can use at home or on the road - inspiring books for moms and kids, Wyndham Rewards points which can be redeemed for anything from travel to apparel, and even a week-long vacation certificate from EVRentals.com!

And before the party gets underway, you even have the chance to win an awesome Flip Video Camera, the perfect way to capture all those on-the-go travel moments! Enter to win the Flip by:

Clicking HERE to RSVP
Tweeting out the details of the #WOTW party between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on the day of the party
Joining the WomenOnTheirWay Community by this Wednesday the 11th

Do all of the above for extra entries to win this coveted prize! Be sure to follow @AlysonAdventure, @MomSelectAmy, and me - @ResourcefulMom - throughout the evening for updates, prize information and contest details.

Good luck and tweet you there!

And All That Swag: What Happens When the Party Ends?

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:00:00 +0000

<-----------I bought this e.l.f. makeup for myself today. Tomorrow is my birthday, and I wanted a little treat. I remember lip gloss in a tin with a sliding top from when I was a kid. The flavors are chocolate cupcake, sugar cookie, and peppermint patty. The entire set was $3. Three. Need I say more?

But the main reason I bought this set today was because I was introduced to e.l.f. at BlogHer.

There was a lot said about "swag" after the BlogHer Conference this summer. For those of you new to the term, swag consists of free product, coupons, discount codes, and other goodies provided by companies to bloggers at events in the hopes of forming a relationship and spreading the word about the product. I sent mine home in a box so heavy that I'm embarrassed to share the cost of shipping. And that was after I donated quite a bit of it and packed the toys into my carry-on luggage.

It has now been three months since BlogHer, and I had quite frankly stopped thinking about the swag discussion until I stopped to buy this lip gloss today. What happens after the swag? Do bloggers really connect with the companies, use the products, share their satisfaction with others? I have to say yes. I love e.l.f. and have used their make-up consistently since BlogHer. Now that I can find it in Target, it will be even easier to buy. The same thing happened with the salon line of Suave products. I've been using Suave shampoo for several years, but at BlogHer I was given shampoo and conditioner from the Suave professionals line. I am so happy with the change in my hair since the switch that I will continue to use that line from now on.

The same questions can apply to review products. Do I still love and use the products after the review? Would I still give a favorable review after months have passed? I cannot think of a single instance when I wrote a positive review and later changed my mind about that product. The review product that I have used most and am most happy with is the Kidz-Med Thermofocus 5-in-1 thermometer.

Have you ever received an item of swag or to review that led to a continued use of that product?

Public vs. Private: What is "Bloggable"

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:59:00 +0000

A woman participates in a private conversation with a friend on an instant message platform. That friend cuts and pastes portions and shares them with others.

That was a private conversation. That is wrong.

A man talks to a colleague over a series of casual e-mails about a problem he is having at work. That colleague cuts and pastes portions of the e-mails for a post on his business blog.

That was a private conversation. That is wrong.

A friend asks a question on Facebook and several of her friends, most of whom know each other, respond in the form of status update comments. That person then writes a blog post not based on the responses, but with a screenshot of her friends' responses including their pictures and full names.

Was that a private conversation? Was that wrong?

In this digital age the lines of private and public have been blurred, at times beyond recognition. Life has become a giant game of telephone, only with a much bigger audience and results that can be saved forever in screen shots and blog posts. As bloggers, where are the lines that we should not cross when it comes to choosing content? Should we walk around with t-shirts that say, "Careful. I might blog this." (They exist, by the way) Should we have multiple online personas? If we choose to blog friends' responses to questions posed on Facebook and Twitter, should we ask their permission before using their names and photographs?

I am not sure where I stand on these issues. In the last couple of weeks, responses that I have given to friends' questions on Facebook and Twitter have appeared in three blog posts. One friend recently wrote what I thought was an important and insightful post about Twitter use, and while I tweeted out the article believing it to be well-written and important, there was that little place in the pit of my stomach that felt a little, well, icky seeing myself there (not a response to the method, but a reaction rather to seeing myself). Around the same time I found a response that I wrote on Twitter about how to reach out to a friend who had just suffered a loss in another friend's post. Again, loved the post, loved the message, shared it on Twitter. Again, the screenshot (with me in it) made the little hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I knew that in reality I had tweeted several responses (even in 140 characters I can be long-winded) and thought, gee, I wonder if my other answers were better. Finally, earlier this week a friend asked me on Twitter who my favorite Muppet is. Not having any idea why she was asking, I said, "Miss Piggy. She kicks a$$." Apparently the question was for an upcoming blog post, and because of my use of a questionable word, my response was turned into this: "Miss Piggy. She kicks it!" I later thanked the author on Twitter for covering my a$$ with the word change. ;)

So here are the issues: Is it okay to blog word for word what someone says to you on Twitter and Facebook? Is it okay to change the wording of what they said without indicating that a change was made? What about using their image and full name, posting screenshots? Should you ask permission before doing any or all of these things?

How do I feel? I really am not sure. Beyond the goosebumps and stomach jump, I'm not at all bothered by those three posts. I love those ladies and thought the posts ranged from informative to poignant to fun....all things I support. ;) Has the misuse of private information become so rampant that these three innocent posts written by wonderful women gave me pause? Maybe that is the issue. Because of negative uses of our words, names, and images, some of us have become overly sensitive to this.

Would I have posted these things? No. But I am not sure that I think it is wrong for others to do so. My decision is based more on personal preferences and sensitivities. I crowdsource on Twitter all of the time, and take that information to craft a post. I would not, however, screenshot the comments - at least I don't think I would do this - because of times I have been misrepresented for a negative purpose. Also, if my specific intent is to write a post, I say that in my question and offer link love if I use the person's answer. [As I've now added in the comments - perhaps intent is a key part of this discussion - and I am not inferring that the posts mentioned above were the reason behind the questions asked on Facebook and Twitter] Twitter is public, however, and anyone can go to www.twitter.com/ResourcefulMom and see my 140 character ramblings whenever they choose. Edit: And as one comment reminds us, our tweets are indexed and easily searched via Google to name just one engine. Facebook is notably different. The circle of friends, and friends' friends is far larger than a private conversation, but it still is not publicly accessible...yet is very much not private. Again, I think if I was crowdsourcing to find information for a post, I would ask first, and I would not screenshot.

What is YOUR opinion? What is "bloggable"?

This conversation continues in the comments section, including my own feedback to readers. Please read through the comments to participate in what I hope is an open, honest, and friendly discussion!

Author's Note: The original version of this post had links to the three blog posts that inspired this conversation. I have chosen of my own accord to remove the specifics about the authors and the posts, including links, because of concern that my personal reactions to seeing myself quoted and "screenshotted" might reflect negatively on the authors who are friends that I trust implicitly. I love that we're having this conversation and feel that the discussion can continue just as easily without specifics regarding those posts.

Holiday Recommendation: Harumika by Bandai

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:36:00 +0000

Last month I wrote about the Time to Play Holiday Showcase I attended in New York City and promised to share the great toys that I had a chance to see and test. One of my favorites is Harumika by Bandai.

My daughter has always loved dress-up, creating new outfits for her dolls with blankets, playing with scraps of fabric. When I returned from my trip to New York, I knew that Harumika was the perfect gift to buy my way back into the house. ;)

Harumika is a simple concept that has led to hours of fun. You begin with a plastic form and scraps of fabric. Children can wrap the fabric around the form, tucking it in to the back of the form using a small tool. One of the best aspects of this product is how intuitive it is for children to use. My daughter needed almost no instruction, and immediately created this outfit:

Emma had only been playing with her Harumika set for a short while when she ran to her desk and came back with a pad of paper, markers, and a scissors. Her imagination was jump started by this new toy and she began to "design" new outfits.

I was shocked by what her little five year old hands could create. This "evening gown" is my personal favorite.

Although my daughter and I have not yet begun to use this feature of Harumika, there is also an online component to the product. Owners can take pictures of their creations and open online "stores." I am sure that we will eventually tap into this extra feature, but right now my daughter is completely content with the toy before her. Her stock pile of fabric has grown immensely, thanks to my mother's sewing cabinet, and other Harumika sets are near the top of her Christmas wish list.

Harumika starter sets retail for $10.99 and are recommended for kids 6 years and up. By the way....they're fun for mom, too. ;)

This product is for you if...your child is creative and loves to craft, manipulate fabrics and textures, think outside of the box.

This product is not for you if...your child is not yet ready to sit and concentrate on a task, use their fine motor skills, work on their own.

Zhu Zhu Pets Party Monday on Twitter

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:09:00 +0000

Please join me Monday on Twitter as I tweet with @MomTalkRadio (Maria Bailey, Founder of MomSelect) and other #ZhuZhuPets party-goers and their kids!

Have you heard the buzz surrounding one of this year's hottest toys - Zhu Zhu Pets? I first met these little guys at the Time to Play Holiday Showcase where these fun, interactive, zany hamsters took one of the top spots at the event, and was more than happy to say yes when asked to help out with this fun event.

Want to know the best part of this Twitter party? You can tweet with your children! We want to hear your kids' thoughts on Zhu Zhu Pets so we chose a time that is a fit for the whole family.

Zhu Zhu Pets/MomSelect Twitter Party

Date: Monday, November 9, 2009

Time: 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. EST

Location: #ZhuZhuPets (New to Twitter parties? Create an account at Twitter.com then join us at Tweetchat.com using the hashtag #zhuzhupets)

Host: @MomTalkRadio, Maria Bailey

Prizes: No kids' party is complete without a goody bag, so during the party Zhu Zhu Pets and MomSelect will be giving away 25 Zhu Zhu Pets hamsters as well as awesome habitrail pieces and accessories. You and your kids will have a great time chatting with other Zhu Zhu fans and just might win these coveted prizes!

Let MomSelect know that you're coming by clicking HERE to RSVP. Your registration will count as an additional entry to win a Zhu Zhu Pet hamster and fun accessory!

Be sure to follow me, @ResourcefulMom, throughout the evening for updates, prize information and contest details. Also, if you tweet the details of the party between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. with the hashtag #zhuzhupets on the day of the party, you'll earn additional entries!

Tweet you soon!

Letting Your Kids Grow Up...While Still Holding On

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:21:00 +0000

One of the first changes we made to our home when we moved here in the last days of 2003 was preparing the nursery. I was a few months pregnant and had suffered through a miserable start to pregnancy. Seeing the room take shape and knowing that there was a light at the end of the tunnel got me through the remaining sickness.

I had no idea that my daughter would arrive two months early and spend the first month of her life, not in the cozy Winnie-the-Pooh nursery, but in the hospital surrounded by monitors and nurses. The nursery became a refuge, a place for me to relax and pray when I was not sitting by my child's isolette at the hospital.

Thankfully, the once empty nursery became the home of millions of happy memories from time spent with my infant daughter to hours nursing my son to days of watching my kids get to know each other and eventually become close friends.

When I realized that it was time for my son to have a bedroom that reflected the kind of boy he was becoming and not my ideas of the perfect nursery, I threw myself into making bedding and pillows, finding just the right big boy room accessories. But there was that looming issue...how could I let go of my babies' nursery? I decided that I didn't have to let go entirely.

I saved four squares from the bedroom's border: a Winnie-the-Pooh, an Eeyore, a Tigger, and a Piglet. I purchased a frame from my local discount home store for $11.99 and placed one picture in each opening. Eventually I plan on breaking the squares into two smaller frames for my children to put in their own children's nurseries, but for now, I have a small piece of that nursery that meant so much to me. It is an easy way for me to let go...while still holding on.

Time to Play Party This Friday!

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:04:00 +0000

While we have had wonderfully information Twitter parties and discussions about interesting topics, we never have as much fun as on the night's that we party with the folks from Time to Play. That is why I am so excited to announce that this Friday we will be tweeting with Time to Play again!

Time to Play

TimetoPlayMag.com is a playful website where you can find all things "kid." With the holiday season upon us, there is no better source of what is hot this year than TimetoPlayMag.com, created by @JimSilver - renowned toy and family entertainment expert - and @TheToyGuy Chris Byrne - a leading expert on toys, play, and children's trends.

Join Jim and Chris at 9:00 p.m. ET as they kick off the holiday season with this Friday's #HotToys event, a Twitter party about what's hot for kids this holiday. Jim and Chris will talk toys, trends, and tips and give away fourteen of the People's Play Award nominees, selected by the Time to Play editorial team as the best and brightest playthings of 2009!

The 2009 People's Play Awards gives you a forum to select the toys and games you are hoping to receive this holiday season. Cast your vote to help create America's Holiday 2009 Wish List!

Prizes:

We've got amazing prizes this Friday thanks to Time to Play!

1. Zippity - The new learning system from LeapFrog for ages 3 to 5. Retail value: $79.99

2. Star Wars Lego Darth Vader Tie Fighter - For ages 8 years and up, this prize retails for $12.99 and up.

3. 1-2-3 Stomp - By Wild Planet, this game for kids 3 and up gets the whole family up and moving! Retail value: $34.95

4. Battle Strikers Tournament Set - This updated and fantastic version of battling tops by MEGA is for kids 6 years and up and retails for $34.99

5. Nanov0r - Collect offline and connect online! $6.99 and up

6. Bakugan 7 in 1 Maxus Helios - By Spin Master and for ages 5 and up, this member of the Bakugan series retails for $39.99

7. Elmo Tickle Hands - Kids 2 years and up can tickle and dance just like Elmo for $29.99.

8. Nerf N-Strike Raider - This Nerf blaster is for kids 6 years and up and retails for $34.99

9. Littlest Pet Shop Adoption Center - This LPS play set is jam-packed with fun and retails for $44.99 for children age 4 years and up

10. Vtech Jungle Gym Ride & Learn Giraffe Bike - Get your child moving AND learning! For children 18 months to 3 years, retails for $39.99

11. LIV Doll - The LIV fashion dolls are hot this year! They retail for $14.99 each.

12. Barbie Fashionista - Another doll on every girls' wish list, they retail for $11.99 and up.

13. Zhu Zhu Pet Hamster - From Cepia, these pets are possibly the hottest toy this season and retail for $7.99 and up.

14. Night Vision Goggles- Retailing for $59.99, the Eyeclops Night Vision Goggles are for children ages 8 years and up and husbands everywhere.

To Enter:

- Answer questions during the event Friday.

- Tweet with the hashtag #HotToys any time Friday.

- Cast your vote for America's Holiday 2009 Wishlist then leave a comment to this post.

Bonus Entries!

Complete any or all of the following steps and then leave a comment at this post.

- Subscribe to the TimetoPlayMag.com RSS feed.

- Follow @TimetoPlay on Twitter.

- Become a fan of Time to Play on Facebook.

- RSVP below

RSVP:

Twitter Party Thursday: Disney's A Christmas Carol: An IMAX 3D Experience

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:11:00 +0000

Become a fan of IMAX today at www.facebook.com/IMAX!

Follow IMAX on Twitter at www.twitter.com/IMAX!

RSVP Here:

Twitter Event Calendar: November

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:30:00 +0000

Many people have asked me for some long range Twitter party planning! RSVP's for this week's events begin tomorrow.

Tweet you soon!

Two Tales of a City: Tale Two

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:10:00 +0000

United Nations names Tinker Bell an "Honorary Ambassador of Green"

Last Sunday Kiyo Akasaka, the Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information at the UN, named Tinker Bell an Honorary Ambassador of Green during a special ceremony at the UN Headquarters in New York. Akasaka stressed to visiting members of the press the importance of engaging the world's youth in environmental causes and his hope that he and other members of the UN will be able to "seal the deal" on a global green house gas emissions agreement at their upcoming UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen this December.

The importance of sharing this green message with children was at the forefront of conversation as the movie's stars took to the "green" carpet. Mae Whitman, the voice of Tinker Bell, and Raven Symone, the voice of Iridessa both expressed their personal commitment to environmental initiatives and their pride at being a part of such an important event. The films director, Klay Hall, and producer, Sean Lurie, joined other cast members and special guests for the celebration.

Immediately following the ceremony, guests were treated to the World Premiere screening of Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure, available now on DVD and Blu-Ray disc. Tinker Bell herself was on hand to begin the festivities with, what else, Pixie Dust, which showered down on the assembly room floor covering the excited children, their parents, and members of the press. On a personal note, I am still finding Pixie Dust in my bag as well as my dryer's lint trap...

Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure

Fans of the Disney Fairies know that Tinker Bell and her friends are responsible for the gentle balancing act of the Earth's climate. Without them summer will not turn to fall, fall to winter, and winter to spring. When Tinker Bell is entrusted with the key to the start of Autumn, she finds herself in a predicament that not only puts the changing of the seasons in great peril, but also tests her closest friendship. Not only were the children on the edge of their seats during this screening, but the adults also clung to every word laughing out loud, cheering, gasping, and yes, I even saw a few tears...but I'm admitting nothing.

To learn more about Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure please visit Disney.com and to learn more about the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference please visit UN.org.

Thank you to the UN and to Walt Disney Pictures for allowing me to be their guest for the day.

Twitter Event Tomorrow: Blogger Press Conference

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:42:00 +0000

Don't forget! Join us at 2:00 p.m. EST tomorrow on Twitter with the hashtag #strollerbrigade to learn about what we can do to both spread the word about this important Children's Defense Fund campaign and to join the campaign ourselves.

For more information and to RSVP please go to:
Blogger Press Conference post.

Blogger Press Conference: Children's Defense Fund Stroller Brigade

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:10:00 +0000

Bloggers, you are all invited to an online Blogger Press Conference this Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. EST.

Where: Twitter - please tweet with the hashtag #strollerbrigade to participate in the conversation. New to hashtagged events? Try Tweetchat for ease of use.

Who: Please follow moderator @ResourcefulMom and MaryLee Allen, Director, Child Welfare & Mental Health at @ChildDefender.

What: Children's Defense Fund has been working hard to ensure a level playing field for all children for the last 35 years. The Champion's for Children's Health Stroller Brigade is working to demand that Congress and the President must support changes that provide comprehensive, affordable, accessible care for all children no matter where they live. Join us to learn more about how you can get involved in this movement, what the goals are for the Stroller Brigade, and about the Children's Defense Fund in general.

RSVP Here: You do not need to RSVP to attend, and non-bloggers are invited to come learn more about how they can participate as well.

This post is part of a Momfluence campaign and Amy Lupold Bair is acting as a consultant.

Two Tales of a City: Tale One

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:59:00 +0000

A week ago I received an e-mail invitation to attend a press event in New York City. As bloggers, we receive many invitations to go on trips (sometimes paid for, sometimes not), attend events, participate in press conferences. It is impossible to have enough time and money to attend every event that comes my way, but this invitation was so priceless that I decided to move heaven and earth to get there.

My five year old daughter Emma and I attended the World Premiere of Disney's new movie, Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure as well as an awards ceremony, all held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. I began blogging for two main reasons: to find a way to work from home with my children, and to find a source of professional and personal fulfillment outside of parenting. I hoped that blogging would give my children a better mother - I never dreamed that it would give them the world...

Emma rode her first train. She couldn't believe that there was no car seat, booster seat, or seat belt!

She used her new found freedom to stand while the train was moving and give her mother a heart attack.

Once in New York she had her first cab ride and couldn't believe that all she needed was a plain old seatbelt!

First stop - Times Square! Little girl...big city...

She couldn't quite understand what all the fuss was about until we went into Toys R Us Times Square and she rode the ferris wheel...inside...of a building. Blew her mind.

It was completely beyond her why this picture was necessary, but I'll be sure to break this one back out some day for her social studies report...

The folks at the check-in table insisted that if I was going to blog about the event, I should have a press pass and "green carpet" access. Who am I to argue? Emma knew she was one step closer to Tink and was nothing but smiles...

Once in our seats, it was time for Emma to find her world voice. "My message to the General Assembly..."

"When will the movie begin, Mom?"

After a long day of firsts, it was time for dinner and frozen hot chocolates at Serendipity. And it was serendipity that led us to be seated at the table from the hit movie of the same name!

Thank you, Disney, for a fabulous invitation. Emma and I have memories that will last a lifetime.

Resourceful Blogging: Product Provided Button and the FTC

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:45:00 +0000

In April there was a lot of noise about mommy bloggers being authentic...or not. There were arguments about who is cashing in on whom, the differences between journaling and owning a monetized site...and if there are differences. One of the best things to come out of what in the end turned into a meaningful discussion is the change in how bloggers disclose.

In the end, many bloggers beat the FTC to the punch because of the discussions in our own community. While I fully believe that online media is being scrutinized unfairly in comparison to other media, I've got nothing to hide...so why not disclose? I updated my disclosure policy and created a product provided button. Since then I've received many requests for a similar button and for permission to borrow the idea. One Twitter friend even suggested that I create other styles of buttons for other bloggers to use.

What is a Product Provided button?
While my disclosure policy states that I often receive product in exchange for review, there are also times where I may receive a set of tickets to a show, an item of "swag" while at an event, or similar non-monetary compensation. Even if I write in the body of the post that these things were given to me, that may not be clear enough. I decided that a graphic at the end of a post showing that something other than a kind word was given to me prior to the post was a very clear, visual way to remove all doubt from the readers' mind. I am not suggesting that this is necessary, nor do I believe that the FTC will suggest that bloggers use such a button. However, this is about my peace of mind, and the few moments it takes to place a little button into my post is well worth knowing that the situation is clear to anyone who may read that post.

The Situation Room
A couple of weeks ago I received an e-mail from a woman at CNN working on a piece about the FTC and blogger regulations. She had been searching, God bless her, for examples of blogs that were already disclosing according to the new guidelines if not more so. Once I finished cheering the fact that this reporter chose to look for a positive report and not for blogs breaking the rules, I realized that she was asking for permission to include this site as an example on The Situation Room on CNN.

Nobody is perfect and I am sure there are a million things I could fix about my own site, but when it comes to disclosure, I know that I'm on the right track.

If you would like a Product Provided button of your own, I suggest playing around on Picnik to create one that matches your site, or right click on some examples that I created for you below so that you can save them to your computer.

Resourceful Blogging

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:37:00 +0000

<--------- Did you notice the new button in the navigation bar? I have decided to toss out "Ask Resourceful Mommy" and instead begin a new feature: Resourceful Blogging. The fact of the matter is that most of the questions I received on "Ask" were about blogging. I also have post idea after post idea that I think of as "meta-blogging:" blogging about what I know about blogging. Then there are the conversations on Twitter that seem like they could go on, and on, and on....if only the 140 character limitations were so, well, limiting!

You can still ask me questions about blogging and I hope to find time to answer all of them. Now I ask that instead of filling out a secure form, you just leave your questions in the comments section to a Resourceful Blogging post. You can still opt to ask your question anonymously, and this will not affect the answer you receive.

Coming Next....

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 03:07:00 +0000

...Resourceful Mommy Holiday Recommendations will begin this week! And yes, Virginia, there are giveaways.

I have also been looking forward to sharing with you the experience I had with my daughter watching Tinkerbell receive an important award from the United Nations...

And finally, I hope that this will be the week that I bring you the long anticipated Resourceful Blogging. It is time for me to devote an entire section of posts to answering the questions I receive from so many of you about all things blogging. We'll be kicking off that new feature with a special blog awards!

Here's to November!

Hooked on Phonics Review - Book Week Grand Finale!

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 02:47:00 +0000

The Hooked on Phonics brand of learning products were among the first early learning purchases I made for my now nearly six year old daughter. I still remember finding the activity books in a local Barnes & Noble and the surprise I felt when I discovered HOP Math, HOP Enrichment activities, HOP Numbers workbooks. It was then that I learned that Hooked on Phonics is about so much more than the Learn to Read kits some of us grew up with and surely all of us have heard of prior to becoming parents.

With that said, the Learn to Read kits are still the cornerstone of what Hooked on Phonics provides parents and children, and they take the business of learning to read very seriously. I have had the privilege of speaking with the folks at HOP from time to time over the last few months, and they are not only interested in what research shows but also in what parents have to say. My children, ages 3 and 5, were able to preview the current Learn to Read kits in both the pre-K and kindergarten editions, and I continue to be impressed with what the kits provide. I am not suggesting that phonics alone is the way to teach a child to read. In fact, I have been impressed with the way my daughter's kindergarten teaches her words in context and asks that she learn familiar sight words. However, surely phonics are a keystone for future reading, and I feel confident that the time I spend with my kids on these activities will pay dividends in not only their reading success in the future, but also their love of reading.

My son, in particular, has really taken to this current Hooked on Phonics kit. He enjoys following the workbook suggested lesson plan, but he also asks to play matching games with the provided flashcards and read the original books included with the kit. He has begun to recognize dozens of sight words based, embarrassingly, almost exclusively on television show titles, so I know that light bulbs are going off left and right in his pre-reading world. This is the perfect time for the activities in the Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read kit because the desire to learn about words and sounds is already there, and the tools provided are fun and interesting to him.

Each kit contains story books, workbooks, DVD's, flashcards, and stickers, but we do not always follow the prescribed program when we use the kit. Regardless of whether the kids and I follow exactly what Hooked on Phonics suggests or just use one component in isolation, I feel as though it is precious one on one time that is has been well spent.

This is for you if...you have been looking for a comprehensive and fun learning kit to either begin your child's reading journey or reinforce skills they are already learning. The kits for older children are also a valuable resource for parents hoping to supplement their child's learning or provide extra work to fill in learning gaps.

This is not for you if...your child is not yet interested in sitting down with you and engaging in learning for the sake of learning. While the kits really are enjoyable, this is not a method of learning that is embedded in every day activities. For children to enjoy these kits, they must be ready to engage in a learning activity for at least several minutes at a time.

LeapFrog Learn to Read for the Tag Reading System

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:10:00 +0000

With two emerging readers in my house, I am always looking for enjoyable new products to encourage their early reading skills. While there are many products available in this particular market, I turn first to the companies I know and trust. LeapFrog is always at or near the top of that list.

My daughter has been using the Tag reading system for a year now and with the extended memory Tag now available, there is even more learning that can be done with this line of products. We were sent the Learn to Read book set 1 for short vowels and book set 2 for long vowels, silent E and Y. Not only has it been fun for my daughter to be able to use her Tag system while reviewing phonics rules, but the stories in the books are entertaining in and of themselves. As many parents know, that is not always the case with early learning tools.

What I did not anticipate when we eagerly agreed to review these book sets is that my three year old son would like them just as much. In general, we have found that he is not yet ready for the Tag system, and instead he very much enjoys the Tag, Junior. However, he has begun to recognize many sight words and is eager to learn to read. These book sets are not only re-enforcing the skills my five year old has developed, but they are also introducing my three year old to the same rules and new words.

While I am writing this review as the conclusion to Resourceful Mommy book week and not as part of a holiday gift guide, I would like to recommend these books for the holidays, especially to grandparents and other relatives who want to save the purely "fun" gifts for Santa and instead invest a little money on a product with an educational component. Early learning tools are often rather expensive, so I was blown away to find that the LeapFrog Learn to Read book sets retail for only $19.99 for a set of six books. I would not be embarrassed to put these book sets on a suggestion list for my parents or in-laws because the price point is conservative and they value is high.

This product is for you if...you are looking for a way to integrate more overt early learning into your child's use of his/her Tag reader; if you are purchasing a Tag for a child this holiday season and would like a compatible beginning readers reading system; or if your child enjoys reading that combines electronics and traditional materials.

This product is not for you if...you do not own or plan on purchasing a LeapFrog Tag reader; if you prefer your child to not use electronic learning systems; or if your child is already reading fluently.

For more information visit http://leapfrog.com.

Highlights Twitter Party Tonight!

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:38:00 +0000

Join us tonight from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. edt on Twitter as we tweet with the hashtag #Highlights for our weekly Friday night Sitewarming!

To participate, follow your hostess, @ResourcefulMom, tonight's special guest and sponsor, @Highlights, and use the event hashtag somewhere in your tweets. New to Twitter parties? Try Tweetchat! It feels very much like a chat room and is easy to use.

Tonight's Topic? Fun with a Purpose! As parents we are constantly challenged to create fun experiences for our children that sneak in a bit of learning as well. Highlights has been doing this for decades with not only their popular magazine for kids, Highlights, but also with High Five, Hidden Pictures, and more! Let's share our own tips and ideas tonight as we enjoy fun conversation and great prizes.

Did you know that Highlights has moved beyond the printed page and into new media spaces? Check out the new Highlights Hidden Pictures application on iPhone and iPod - we're "sitewarming" this fun new application!

Prizes:

- 10 winners will receive a one year subscription to Highlights or High Five and 10 winners will receive a free download of the new iPhone/iPod Touch Hidden Pictures game!

- 1 grand prize winner will also receive a four book Hidden Picture book set, perfect for a holiday gift.

To Enter:

- Follow @Highlights on Twitter and comment here.

- Tweet about the new Hidden Picture Higlights application and comment here.

- Tweet with the hashtag #Highlights any time today or this evening during the party.

- RSVP below.

- Blog about the new Hidden Picture Highlights application and comment here.

There is no limit to the amount of times one person can enter, but please be respectful of Twitter users' streams.

RSVP Here:

Disney on Ice - Special Offer for the Baltimore Area

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:46:00 +0000

Tonight my family and I are headed to First Mariner Arena to see Disney on Ice, and I have been authorized to pass along a special offer to my readers.

By using the coupon code MOM, you will have access to four tickets for $44 for Friday's show or $4 off of tickets for Saturday's show. A minimum purchase of 4 tickets is required and additional tickets above for can be purchased for $11 for Friday's show or $4 off Saturday's show.

To purchase tickets go to http://www.ticketmaster.com and enter the code MOM in "MC Promotion" box. The offer is not valid on rinkside or VIP seating and cannot be combined with any other offers. Service charges, facility & handling fees will apply.