Mama Knows It All

Best Apps for Preschoolers Based on Television Shows

2013-02-01T18:04:00.003-05:00

Years ago, I never would have imagined that I'd be purchasing iPad apps for my preschooler. I'd always assumed that I'd be the "less technology, more creative play" type parent. Well, my little Ayva (and preschool app developers!) proved me wrong. Of course I don't want to overdo the screen time, so I was happy to discover these apps based on television shows for Ayva. It's like getting two for one. Check out these six apps that allow you to cut down your preschoolers screen time while allowing them to still enjoy their favorite television show characters!

1. Peppa Pig's Happy Mrs. Chicken

Just as silly as the British cartoon, kids earn stickers by doing crazy tasks like jumping in muddy puddles.

Get it here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/peppa-pig-happy-mrs-chicken/id388615641?mt=8

2. Team Umizoomi's Zoom Into Numbers

Perfect for preschoolers just learning math concepts like counting and sequencing, kids earn badges and unlock new games as they stroll through UmiCity.
Get it here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/team-umizoomi-math-zoom-into/id477561655?mt=8

3. Sofia the First

This app really encourages creativity, and allows kids to produce stop action "puppet shows" with music AND recorded voices.
Get it here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/sofia-the-first/id571416432?mt=11

4. Mickey Mouse's Road Rally

Really interactive, this app is actually an episode of the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with user participation!
Get it here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mickey-mouse-clubhouse-road/id526227824?mt=8

5. Minnie's Mouseke-Puzzles

Great app for quiet time or independent play, and includes puzzles that are easy to hard.
Get it here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/disney-junior-minnie-mouseke/id569670649?mt=8

6. Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood

Super simple, kids recreate scenes from Daniel Tiger's life with stickers. I thought it'd be too boring, but Ayva can play with it for blocks of time and not get bored!
Get it here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/daniel-tigers-neighborhood/id553211336?mt=8

Do you have any apps that you would recommend for preschoolers? Let me know in the comments, and I'll check them out!

Escape from Planet Earth + A GIVEAWAY #EscapePlanetEarth

2013-01-31T23:59:00.000-05:00

Is it just me, or does it seem like forever since the last family movie was released? Fortunately, "Escape From Planet Earth", a quirky 3d animated film about Gary, the nerdy head of mission control at BASA (ha!), who has to save his brother, a national hero, from a sinister alien. With actors like Brendan Fraser,Sofia Vergara, William Shatner, and Craig Robinson (my fave from "The Office"), the movie looks like it'll be a lot of fun. Here's a sneak peek:

Ayva and I are headed to San Francisco to check the movie out at a screening next weekend, but we don't want you to be left out! That's why I'm giving one of you an Escape from Planet Earth prize pack! The pack includes an activity book & crayons, tattoo sheet, backpack clip, and a $25 gift card for you to use towards a movie night to see the movie once it’s released nationwide on February 14th! How does a night of escaping the house sound? U.S. Residents only, enter in the Rafflecopter form below! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
*Disclosure: This giveaway is sponsored by the Weinstein Company. All opinions are my own.

$75 Valentine's Day Giveaway #PushLove

2013-01-30T16:46:00.002-05:00

Valentine's Day is just a few short weeks away, and Cupid that I am, I'm making it my duty to #PushLove this year! Instead of the normal gas station roses or drugstore chocolates (not that I'm hating on those chocolates. I LOVE those chocolates!), how about taking your sweetie out to a nice dinner, romancing them with some soft music, and then...go to Best Buy! Do what you want with that one! Ha!

I've teamed up with Mommy Talk Show and Still Dating My Spouse to bring you a giveaway just in time for Valentine's Day this year. One lucky lover will receive a $25 iTunes gift card, a $25 Restaurant.com gift card, and a $25 Best Buy gift card. Easy entry in the Rafflecopter below. Must be a U.S. Resident to win. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

All Children Deserve a @ShotAtLife #VaccinesWork

2013-01-28T17:49:00.000-05:00

Last week, the director of Ayva's school called me a little less than an hour after I had dropped her off. My sweet preschooler was shaking with chills, burning up with fever, and had a terrible, hacking cough. I ran right over to get her, and nursed her to health for almost an entire week. By the grace of God, she is back to her normal, rambunctious self now. I have to say, those days of her laying in the bed, lethargic and quiet, except for her asthmatic cough...they scared me. Now that I've been a mother for nearly 4 years, I don't get as worked up about Ayva getting sick as I used to, but I still feel the guilt that seems to be an inherent trait of motherhood when she's under the weather. I started thinking about all of our actions in the days before she became ill. Did she wash her hands when we came in the house? I wonder if she drank after one of her friends? What could I have done to prevent this?

Children are going are going to get sick. There are certainly things that you can do to ensure that your children don't get sick often, but unless you keep them in a controlled environment for their entire lives, they're bound to catch something at some point. Fortunately, I am able to provide my daughter with healthy food, warm shelter and clothing to help her stay well. In the event that she does get sick, we have good healthcare that includes immunizations to ensure that certain illnesses like pertussis or the measles don't take away my daughter's chance to grow up and be a healthy adult.

Not every child has the same chance. There are families that are living in complete poverty who lose their children to illnesses like whooping cough because they can't afford the $20 immunization. The United Nations Foundation program, Shot@Life, is working to give all children a chance to be healthy. As advocates and fundraisers for these families who are unable to advocate for themselves, Shot@Life is committed to saving and enhancing lives. I am super proud to share that I will be partnering with Shot@Life as a Champion for 2013! I'm going to give my voice, and my energy in order to support other moms, like myself, who just want their children to be well and happy.

I'd love for you to share this journey with me. Learn more about Shot@Life on their website, or follow them on Twitter and Facebook. This video is what sold me on the organization, and I hope it helps to clear up a few things for you, too!

*I know that vaccines are a touchy subject, and it's a very personal topic. I believe that they work, and we choose it for our family. As a Champion, my job isn't going to be to force my opinion on others, it's going to be to educate families, particularly families who don't have the means to get their children vaccinated, even if they want to. Please respect my goal, even if your choice for your family is different.

The 49ers Are Playing, And Other Things You Need To Know About the Super Bowl

2013-01-26T22:36:00.000-05:00

I'll be the first person to admit that I don't love football. Even as a cheerleader in college, I found the game to be a tad bit boring and lacking continuity. I mean, sure, there's a burst of excitement for like, thirty seconds, and then it just...stops. We wait while the refs measure yards, wait while the team takes a time out, and then we wait during commercials! Anyway, none of my feelings about the game of football matter right now because I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, and OUR TEAM IS GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL! Who cares that I somehow missed the fact that the San Francisco 49ers were division champions, and just learned that they were going to the Big Game a few days ago? It doesn't matter! Now that I know, I'm PUMPED (well, maybe not that pumped...but I'm excited that my friends and family are excited).

Since I know that there are many more folks out there like me who will be frantically trying to figure out "Who's playing in the Super Bowl?", I decided to put together a little cheat sheet for you to study before you go to a Super Bowl party, embarrass yourself, and annoy the other people who are there. No, seriously. Even as a non-football person, I can see how annoying it is when the other non-football people ask simple questions.

What is the Super Bowl?

The Super Bowl is an annual football game played between the NFC (National Football Conference) and AFC (American Football Conference) Conference Champions. The two conferences make up the NFL (National Football League). The winner of the Super Bowl is considered the NFL season champion.

Who is playing in the Super Bowl?

This year, the NFC Conference Champions, the San Francisco 49ers, and the AFC Conference Champions, the Baltimore Ravens will be competing for the champion title.

How did the teams get selected to go to the Super Bowl?

It's kind of confusing, but in a nutshell, there are a series of tournament games within each conference. The conference winners (Conference Champions) play each other in the Super Bowl. If you fancy a more detailed answer, there's a great one pager on dummies.com.

When is the Super Bowl?

This year, the Super Bowl will be on Sunday, February 3rd. Kickoff (the start of the game) is scheduled for 6:30 PM EST.

Where is the Super Bowl being played?

The Big Game will be played in New Orleans, Louisiana at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Who are the players that I need to know?

Linebacker, Ray Lewis from the Baltimore Ravens is probably the main player that folks are watching from that team. He'll be retiring this year after 17 colorful seasons in the NFL, and it'll be a pretty big deal if he leaves with the Super Bowl ring. On the other side, Frank Gore, running back for the 49ers is who San Francisco fans will be rooting for. Apparently, he is the polar opposite of Ray Lewis, humble and quiet, but motivating and inspiring nonetheless. I'm sure there are other folks you need to know, but these two are a good start and give you something to talk about.

Who is performing at half time?

Beyoncé. As if you didn't already know.

So, I hope this helps. At the very least, you'll know when to show up for the Super Bowl party that you've been invited to because now you know when the Super Bowl is. Now, go out, buy some 49ers gear, and cheer our team to victory!

How To Get An Awesome Job (Spoiler Alert: It Doesn't Happen Overnight)

2013-01-23T20:19:00.002-05:00

Way back in June of 2011, I sent this message to Courtney, the VP, Community Relations for Collective Bias. Back then, Courtney was the Community Manager for Collective Bias' Social Fabric community:

Courtney responded right back to me, gave me some tips, and let me know that she would keep me in mind to run a campaign in the future. It wasn't until early February 2012 that Kim reached out to me with an opportunity to be a Campaign Leader, running a small Florida OJ campaign. It was a lot of work, but I was glad to have it, and loved every minute of learning how to support bloggers while making sure the clients were happy and well represented. From there, I ran several other campaigns, discovering more along the way.

In August 2012, I started contracting with Collective Bias. It was a 3 month, 30 hour/week contract, and honestly, it felt like I had won the lottery. I was working side by side (virtually, anyway) with some of my favorite bloggers, Courtney, Kim, Mel, and Sandy who selected me for my first ever big campaign!!! I KNOW y'all remember Ayva and me in this Lean Cuisine / Skinny Cow video:

Well, 30 hours turned into 40 hours, and that turned into FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE! Yes! Today, I was officially hired as a Community Relations Manager for Collective Bias. That dream I had of a new career that allowed me to do all of the things that I love, especially encouraging and supporting bloggers, came true. It didn't happen overnight, but it happened, and I couldn't be happier. I mean, I could NOT have asked for a better job. I get to work from home most of the time, which allows me to spend a lot of time with Ayva, and I work with the sweetest, smartest, most tech-savvy and hilarious team of folks in the world! I am so in awe of this tremendous blessing that I've been alternating between crying, praising God, smiling, and (literally) jumping up and pumping my fists around the room all day. Like, really...all day long.

So, I guess I'd better address the title of this post. How do you get an awesome job? You ask. You work. Be open to learning. Be humble. Be kind. Be supportive. And most importantly, be patient. And...there go more tears! Off I go to celebrate!

Step Aside: Moving Out Of Your Own Way.

2013-01-13T22:06:00.000-05:00

While hosting a Twitter chat with my Pushing Lovely friends, recently, we asked the question, "What is holding you back?" For the majority of folks, the response was, "Me." So many brilliant, creative women not going after their greatest dreams, not because their enemy is trying to sabotage them, or because they don't have the proper tools, but because they (we) were holding themselves back from reaching and exceeding their full potential. Things like fear, shame, lack of energy, lack of time, disorganization, being unfocused, are all damaging to the self-esteem, and completely detrimental to a dream.

This week, I want to encourage you to step aside of yourself. Move out of the path of the awesome adventures and opportunities that await you. I know, super kumba yah-ish, right? It's true, though! Just last week, I facilitated a Google+ Hangout sharing all that I know about SEO. Me. ME! Teaching folks about search engine optimization. Like, who am I? I don't know anything about anything. But, there I was, giving instructions and motivating other women about something that is going to be a tool for helping them to reach their goals. I stepped out of my way, and it not only benefitted me, but it helped others, too.

What great things are you holding yourself back from?

Teaching Preschoolers About Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

2013-01-09T09:17:00.000-05:00

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a great man. After experiencing racism as a young boy, he devoted his entire life to seeking equality for others. Dr. King was filled with hope for the future, particularly for children. With MLK Day coming in a couple of weeks, it's a great time to introduce your preschooler to the man who cared about the world they are now growing up in.

The principles that Dr. King stood and fought for can be quite complex, especially for preschool aged children. Introduce them to simple concepts such as the beauty of diversity, being inclusive (or even, simply, nice) to others, and non-violence. Also, remember that Dr. King was actually a real man. We often romanticize him, but focusing on how he was hurt when he was a boy and relating it to present day experiences will help preschoolers to comprehend a lot more about Dr. King.

Here are few activities that will help teach preschoolers about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:

Books To Read:

The Story of Martin Luther King Jr.

by Johnny Ray Moore, illustrated by Amy Wummer

This board book is a great introduction to Dr. King for young children. Using simple language, it gives an account of Dr. King's life. While the watercolor photos are beautiful, I found this book to be challenging to use with a group of preschoolers because the pictures don't quite stand out. It worked wonderfully reading with a child one on one, though.

A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Picture Book Biography).

by David A. Adler, illustrated by Robert Casilla

The best part about this book is that preschoolers get a glimpse into the boy who eventually became Dr. King. They will see that he had been left out, and had his feelings hurt, but that he channeled that pain into making sure no other children had to experience it. Be prepared for deep conversations with this book.

Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Bryan Collier

Although this book may seem to mature for preschoolers, it is definitely one that they can grow up with. The book uses actual words from Dr. King to tell the story of his life. If you skip the prose, and stick to the quotes from Dr. King, you can use the gorgeous photos and MLK's words to start some amazing conversations with your little one.

Activities to Do:

Look through magazines together and find pictures of children of all nationalities. Help your preschooler cut the pictures out, and create a multicultural collage. Alternately, you could create a collage that illustrates some of the principles that Dr. King believed in, such as love and peace.

Help preschoolers relate to Dr. King as a boy by completing this simple Dr. King and Me booklet. Just print it out and fold it in fours. Have your young learner draw pictures that relate to each fact about Dr. King. If you're having trouble downloading the booklet from this site, use this link to get a printable PDF: http://bit.ly/VIEi2w

Create a simple chart that has the names of each of your family members on the top. Label the sides with Hair Color, Eye Color, Favorite Food, and other categories. Fill in the chart with information from the entire family. Compare the differences and similarities, and discuss how the differences don't make you love each other any less...it just makes you that much cooler of a family!

Teach your preschooler the lyrics to the song, "We Shall Overcome". Talk about the word "overcome". Discuss how Dr. King was working to help others overcome being mistreated. Change the lyrics with your preschooler to reflect something that is important to them (i.e. "I'll be a good friend, I'll be a good friend, I'll be a good friend each day...")

Talk to your preschooler about how Dr. King dreamed of peace for the world. Have them share their dream, and then illustrate it on two pieces of felt. Glue three sides of the felt together to make a pillow. Use cotton balls to stuff the pillow, and then glue the last side closed. Encourage your preschooler to take their dream pillow to bed with them. Alternately, your preschooler can draw on a pillowcase, or you can sew a pillow case together.

Complete this MLK Find-A-Word with your older preschoolers. Although I'm typically NOT a worksheet person, this word search can be a good introduction to new vocabulary, and a conversation starter. If you are having trouble downloading the sheet from this site, check out this link to get a printable PDF version: http://bit.ly/VhqfzQ

Make this super adorable Freedom Bell Craft. You can certainly use any cup if you don't want to use styrofoam. You could also make the bell out of an egg carton.

Freedom Bell source: http://www.twigglemagazine.com/January-activities/Martin-Luther-King-craft.html

For most children, learning about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is their first history lesson. It's important to spark the interest of preschoolers and plant the seeds of knowledge so that as they get older, true understanding can grow. Whether you make MLK Day a day of service, a day of learning, or a day of love, take a moment to thank Dr. King for the work that he did back then so that our children could thrive now.

*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Packed Bags - A Haiku

2013-01-08T06:30:00.000-05:00

It's another year

New adventures await us

We have our bags packed.

Gone Fishing: Taking the Time to Turn Off

2013-01-06T04:05:00.000-05:00

Every couple of months or so, after a period of feeling like I have everything under control, things kind of start to fall apart. It's like I'm swimming in the ocean, and all is well. Then comes a little fish. That's not a problem, though, I can just swim around it. Then comes another, and then two, then three, and all of a sudden, I'm surrounded by fish and it's not so easy to just swim around them. Every way I turn, I'm running into these darn fish! When I finally do get around the fish, and finish swimming to my destination, all of that maneuvering and dodging has me flat out exhausted.

Does that make sense?

So, what are the fish in my life right now? Well, there are lots of little commitments that I've accepted, work, church, personal and professional relationships, and as much as I hate to admit it, social media. Trying to balance all of those things with my number one priority, being a Mom, is proving to be quite a challenge lately. Of course, when my parenting starts to suffer (and my health, too, actually), it's time to regroup and put a different plan in place.

It's humbling to admit (yet again) that I can't do everything. Humbling, but freeing. It frees me from being a slave to my ego, and it frees up my time to do things that are important...like having a tea party with Ayva, or snuggling up and watching movies with my family. I feel like it's time for us to all go fishing. Not literally, of course, but figuratively. Ayva, Terrence and I need to all just take a break together.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, and like you might need a break, here are some of the things that I'm going to be doing to eliminate some of the "fish" in my life:

Scale back on social media - I work online, so I need to be on a lot, but by late afternoon/early evening, I'm signing off.
More planning - From meal plans to blog posts to errands and other tasks, taking a little time to plan ahead will save me time in the long run.
Watch less television - Since we moved in with Terrence, I've been watching TONS of T.V. It has a lot to do with his televisions being so much bigger than mine were in Philly, but that's no excuse. It has to go.
Stay organized - Searching around for things takes up so much time. If I keep my things organized, I can keep my sanity!
Eat good food and get good sleep - When I'm tired and sluggish, I make bad decisions.
Just say no - I can't take anything else on at this time. The answer is no. Simply.

What do you do when you feel like your ocean is getting too crowded (yes, I'm reaching with this metaphor. Just humor me, y'all)? Seriously, I would love any tips that you have!

"The Sisterhood" on TLC: Here's Why I Like It

2013-01-02T23:30:00.000-05:00

The cast of TLC's reality show, "The Sisterhood"

It's no secret that I am a huge reality show junkie. If the word "reality" is even mildly implied in the description of a television show, I'm on it. Yup, I'm the lady that watches all of the Real Housewives shows, Storage Wars, Parking Wars, Teen Mom, Gallery Girls, Amish Mafia, and the list goes on and on (and on). I'm naturally ~~nosey~~ interested in learning more about other folks' lives, and I'm ~~nosey~~ a people person, so reality shows just make sense for me. Well, most of them anyway. I really have no excuse for watching the show about tryouts for the next Coyote Ugly bartender. That was just...wrong.

Anyway, my buddy Ryan from high school let everyone know that his producer wife had a new reality show coming out and encouraged us to check it out. The show, "The Sisterhood" is about the First Ladies, or Pastor's wives, at a few churches in Atlanta. In this first episode, the viewers are introduced the cast of five women who are serving in the church with their husbands (in most instances). One thing that these women have in common is that they all love the Lord. Actually, they have two things in common...they are all outspoken, too! In the first episode, we saw one Pastor gift his wife with handcuffs for their anniversary, another minister show his teenage daughters how to put a condom on using a banana, and one First Lady get checked for trying to pontificate in the middle of a discussion. Of course, once she got checked...it was on. Teasers for upcoming episodes show a rocky marriage, a past shady life, and financial difficulties being shared. Basically, some of the stuff that happens every day in all types of families, these just happen to be church folk.

As I watched the show with my social media peeps (because that's what we do), it was interesting to see how divided people were about it. Some folks, like myself, thought it was entertaining, and were planning to watch it again. Other folks weren't so pleased with it. Many of the women that I know online who are married to ministers, shared that they were unhappy with how pastor's wives were depicted, and were concerned that it would make it seem like some of the less than holy behavior displayed on the show was typical of people in church, and turn people away from the church. I understand where they're coming from. Look, I'm a single mother, and I'm Black. I get it.

Here's my thing. If a reality show on TLC makes someone turn away from the church, we (Christians) have a lot of work to do. Here's my other thing. We, as Christians, have a lot of work to do. I was turned off by church for a time, too. I didn't really talk about it much, wasn't ever "anti-church", I was just unhappy with a lot of the behaviors that I was seeing and experiencing and I stopped going. I know, I know, the chick that gets pregnant out of wedlock has the nerve to be unhappy with the church. Crazy, right? But I was. There was just a rampant arrogance that seemed to be present, and it didn't go along with the Word that I was studying, so I left.

I grew up in the church. I sang in the choir, led youth worship as a teenager, and was considered one of the youth leaders. My grandmother was ULTIMATE church folk! Listen, Sister Jeter was the church soloist and was sharp every single Sunday, hat and all! If someone like me, who had been immersed in the Word since birth, who was being brought up in, was disenchanted, what's keeping someone who doesn't know Jesus from turning away from the church?

We (myself included) have to be careful of creating a church culture that feels inclusive. He is not my God. He is our God. Sometimes, for some folks, church can feel like a special club filled with perfect people with its own secret language and rules. Shoot, 95% of this blog post probably makes no sense to non-Believers, or people who didn't grow up in the Baptist church culture like me. What "The Sisterhood" does, in my opinion, is give people who feel that way a look inside of the homes of those Believers so that they can see that they are just like them. The show is not about "The Church". The show is not about God. The show is about those individual families. Just like those girls on Teen Mom don't represent me (not that I was a teen mom, but you get my point), the women on that show don't represent anyone but themselves.

Look, I know First Ladies. My aunt's husband is a Pastor. My First Lady aunt is gentle and funny and sassy, and she KNOWS the Word...she's multifaceted. We have three married Pastors at our church, and while I've never heard anyone refer to their wives as "First Lady", that's what they are. One of them works in the nursery during Sunday School. Another serves on the music ministry, singing and playing the keyboard. The last wife runs the kid's bible study group each week, and is responsible for Ayva knowing (almost completely) all of the books of the Old Testament. They are amazing. And, regardless of the (edited) antics that was shown on "The Sisterhood", those First Ladies seemed to love Christ and their husbands, and were doing some pretty amazing stuff as well.

I don't know if it's the church girl in me, or the reality television addict, but I appreciate getting a glimpse into the imperfect world of those families. If nothing else, I'll see some things in them that I need to work on, and I might even learn something. The show is not for everyone, but I'll be tuning in again.

Did you get a chance to see it? What did you think?

Let's Get Cultivating!

2013-01-01T23:49:00.001-05:00

Last year, I did something different for the new year. Instead of a whole list of resolutions, I chose one action, innovate, to focus on. Being aware of doing things differently than I had done them previously, and looking for ways to step out of the box served me quite well in 2012. New opportunities in both my personal and professional life came because I was intentional about innovating and creating something out of the ordinary.

This year, I'm going to be focusing on cultivating. To cultivate means to "foster the growth of". Sowing into the lives of others, nurturing my family and myself, and preparing everyone around me for greatness...all of those are the actions that I'll be focusing on for 2013. I anticipate it being a lot of work, and I'm prepared for it. Bountiful work for bountiful blessings, right?

2013...let's go!

The Many Blessings of 2012

2012-12-31T20:15:00.000-05:00

So, this family happened in 2012.

This year was simply bananas. I mean, there is no way I could have predicted the adventures that I had in 2012. Who knew back on December 31st of 2011 that Ayva and I would have relocated from Philadelphia to California? There was no hint that a new career would be waiting in the wings, and I'd love it more than I could imagine. I had no clue that I would meet new people who would become new friends, who would become GREAT friends this year.

While the year wasn't without trials, I feel like even the hard parts served a purpose to make me stronger, more humble, and less dependent on myself. My challenging times this year also helped me to put the rest of the world into perspective, and to be more aware of the help that I can be to others in need. All in all, it was a very, very good year.

More than anything this year, I really feel like I am learning to channel my past hurt and pain into something productive for myself, and for others. I feel like I was able to find some closure to some things that had been holding me back, and I'm starting to feel real effects of healing in areas of my life where I'd been broken.

My heart is opening up. I am blooming.

I'm not going to leave you with a list of the many blessings of this year (because I did that on my birthday!), but I do want to share a song that sums up what I'm feeling as we move forward into 2013. Happy New Year, y'all!!

{@iVillage #iVoices} Resolutions from Kids = More Sweets!

2012-12-28T23:47:00.003-05:00

Are you starting to think about your goals for the new year, yet? Well, I don't necessarily have resolutions, but I do have a word that I focus on and let direct my actions throughout the year. This year, my word is CULTIVATE. Isn't that a great word? I'll share more about the type of things that I'm going to be working to cultivate in 2013 later, but I wanted to share this fun video from iVillage where the iVoices' kids get to share what they think us moms should try to do differently for the new year!

How @FollowPiggy Can Help You Teach Your Kids The Value of Money

2012-12-26T12:42:00.000-05:00

In just a few days, the new year will be here, and it'll be time to put all of those resolutions that we all seem to make into action. For many folks, the beginning of the year is a good time to start a budget and get their finances in order. Whether it's taking your lunch to work instead of buying it, or making a vow to aggressively save, there's a lot you can do to make better financial decisions. One area that seems to get left out, though, is including your children in your plans.

I recently learned about Virtual Piggy, a new payment option that lets you set parameters for your child's spending, but still allows them the freedom to make choices about purchases that they want to make. Using Virtual Piggy is a good way to teach the value of money through practical application, instead of just telling them. Like the saying goes, if you give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day, if you teach him to fish, he'll eat forever. The same goes for teaching kids about money. If you only tell them how they can be responsible spenders, but they never get the chance to practice being responsible spenders, how can you be sure they'll be able to go out in the world and make good decisions with their money?

Virtual Piggy is simple to use. Parents sign up first, and set the parameters for what their child is able to buy. You decide on a budget, and can even pick and choose the retailers you want your child to shop at. Whenever your young shopper makes a purchase, you get a notification. The parent stays in the know, and the child is able to practice being independent and making choices about what to buy on their own. There are over 80 merchants working with Virtual Piggy, and you'll definitely want to check out their MVP promotion that's happening right now to get savings from their retailers.

Find out more about Virtual Piggy on their site, or on Facebook or Twitter. Also, check out my video review of their service to learn more about how the payment option works. I'd love to hear any other tips you have about teaching children about the value of money!

Disclosure: This video is sponsored by Splash Creative Media on behalf of Virtual Piggy.

Thanks for Being Obedient, Mary

2012-12-25T23:57:00.000-05:00

As Christmas 2012 winds down to a close, I'm feeling very reflective about the reason for the season. I've known the story of Jesus' birth for as long as I could remember, but this year, I can't stop thinking about His mother, Mary. So, for those who don't know, Mary was a virgin who was visited in a dream by an angel who told her that she would give birth to a son. She was told that the child should be named Jesus, and that He would be the great and might Son of God. Fortunately, Mary's fiancee, Joseph, was also visited by an angel, who relayed the same message to him. Seriously, it's a good thing, because I don't care how good a man is, if he finds out that his wife to be comes up pregnant and he knows he hasn't ever, you know, somebody might be calling a wedding off!

In thinking about all that happened to Mary, and how she and Joseph both trusted the angels, and were obedient to God, I'm inspired to be a more faithful mother. Look, I'll be honest. The reality is, had I been in Mary's position back in the day, there's a huge chance that we'd all be in a heap of trouble right now. I can just see me with my big mouth getting all sassy with the angel:

ANGEL OF THE LORD

(enters wearing all white...of course) Rejoice highly favored one, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.

BRANDI

(sits up in bed. Fixes her headscarf) Wait. Hold up, hold up, HOLD UP! I know you ain't just going to come up in here, interrupt my sleep, and start talking all complicated.

ANGEL OF THE LORD

Do not be afraid, Brandi, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David

BRANDI

Uh, say what now? I'm going to have a baby by who? Oh, uh uh. I'm saving myself until marriage, anyway, honey. Come back and see me after I drag Joseph down that aisle.

ANGEL OF THE LORD

The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

BRANDI

The Holy Spirit's going to do what??? Oh, no! Ain't nobody got time for that!

BLACKOUT

I realized, in reflecting on Mary's life, how easy it is for me to obey when I know and understand what it is that God is commanding me to do. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not kill. I get those. I can follow those instructions, no problem. It's the directions that don't make sense to me in the moment that are a lot more challenging to accept. "But, God, why do you want me to show love to this person?", "Lord, why are you telling me to stay here?", "Father, why do I need to give this thing up?" Those things, the calls that we don't understand, the ones that are not in the plans that we've designed for ourselves...they're hard to follow.

That's where faith comes in. Trusting that God has a blueprint for our lives, and that our steps are ordered can help us save a lot of the heartbreak that we feel when we disobey God's will for us and try to trek our own way. In my life, I can think of specific instances when I know good and well I was being told to do something, but instead I did what I wanted to do. Well, not only did things turn out to be disastrous, but eventually, I ended up doing exactly what He had told me to do anyway!

I thank God for Mary and Joseph's obedience. We were given the greatest gift ever thanks to them following God's call on their lives. I mean, Mary was a VIRGIN! She and Joseph weren't even married, yet! And yet, still, they did exactly as they were told. Whoo, now that is some sho' nuff obedience right there! What about you? Have you ever been called to do something that you didn't understand? Were you obedient to that call? How did it turn out?

How Do You Handle Sticky Situations?

2012-12-20T11:17:00.000-05:00

When your preschooler’s standard answer to the question, “What do you like to do?” is, “I like to splash in muddy puddles!”, you might find yourself in a sticky situation or two! Instead of ruining all of her fun, I have learned to be prepared for my daughter’s messy merriment. One of our stickiest situations comes after she’s been splashing in muddy puddles, and then has to get in the car. Now, what we do on rainy days is place a plastic bag on the floor of the car, and take her rain boots off as soon as she gets in. I keep an extra pair of shoes in the car, and she puts those on while her dirty boots stay on the floor (instead of the back of my car seat!) Sticky situations have nothing on a thinkin’ mama!

How do you deal with sticky situations with your little one? Wet Ones wants to know! They've launched a Facebook contest where sharing your tip can win you an iPad Mini, or tickets to Six Flags! Here is the link to enter by December 28th: https://www.facebook.com/momcentral/app_248884015238315 Good luck!

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Wet Ones. I received a promotional item to thank me for participating.

How To Demonstrate God's Love Online

2012-12-17T02:33:00.000-05:00

Our country is in the midst of mourning. This crisis is so terrible, so unthinkable, that in our quest to find something, anything to make sense of it all, we sometimes end up alienating one another at just the time when we should be coming together. There's a lot that we need to take action on, much that we need to discuss, but right now, please, can we show a little love?

Christ Believers, we especially should be demonstrating empathy and love. After all, isn't that why we go to church every week to learn how to do? Isn't that why we study the Bible? Isn't that what God has said we are to do in His Word? In 2 Corinthians 5:20, it says that we are "ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us." Since we are representing Christ, should we not strive to portray Him in our actions, even those that are online? I'll admit, since Friday, I have been judgmental. I have been righteous. And now, it's time to decrease myself, increase Him, and let my life reflect God's grace.

Here are a few ideas for ways that you can demonstrate God's love online:

This Hair Is All That

2012-12-13T17:20:00.002-05:00

Last night was shampoo night in our house. Ayva has a dance recital today, so in preparation, I wanted to braid her hair up nice and pretty. Well, as usual, there were lots of tears, a ton of frustration, and a lollipop to bribe her to sit still. Despite the battle, though, the one thing I'm very conscience of is making sure I'm not complaining about her hair. It's hard enough being a little Black girl in the world, tough enough to feel comfortable in your own skin, without your own mother disparaging something about you that is natural and beautiful.

I'm also careful the type of relationship with my own hair that I'm portraying to Ayva. It wasn't too long ago that I was going to the Dominican salon to get my hair straightened once a week. Although I didn't have a relaxer, I liked to wear my hair straight. I'd go in and let them fry my hair until there was no signs of a kink anywhere. It wasn't that I didn't like my hair in its natural state, I just didn't want to take the time and energy into making it look good. A blow out was the easy way out. Eventually, I couldn't get my afro back, and one day this summer, in a moment of frustration, I took scissors to my hair. I cut out the parts that had been damaged by the hot blowdryer and flat iron, and got back to my roots.

Just like with everything I do, Ayva is looking at me to learn how to be. She's observing to find out whether this hair is "thick" with a frowned up face, or "thick" with an exclamation mark and tone filled with admiration. She is looking to see if our tresses are "kinky" with a look of disgust, or "kinky" with hands on our hips and a sassy smirk. It's up to me to demonstrate that nappy isn't an insult, but rather a key into a beautiful, natural world filled with super fly women with super fly hair.

The next time it's shampoo day at your house, and you want to give your thick-haired princess a pop on the hand with the comb because she keeps touching her hair while you're braiding it, try to remember one thing. That hair that you're struggling with, it's one of God's many gifts to little Black girls. Make sure your little one knows that, and recognizes that her crowning glory is truly all that and then some.

Thanks for the #StyleSurprise, @SearsStyle!

2012-12-12T18:34:00.001-05:00

My Grandmother used to love Sears. Whenever it was back to school time, or holiday time, or really, anytime (she didn't really need a reason to shop!), she'd have my Pop-Pop drive us to Sears in the suburbs to load up on cute clothes. As I grew older, and my taste changed, I rarely stepped foot inside my grandmother's favorite retailer. A few months ago, though, I learned that the clothing at Sears had a whole new look, so I went in to see what SearsStyle was all about.

Not my Grandmother's Sears!

Well, honey...I loved it! SearsStyle is fresh and stylish, and most importantly, age appropriate. From their French Connection line to the Kardashian Kollection, to everything in between, I was able to find new items to add to my wardrobe that made me look and feel like a woman...of a certain age. Alright, I'll just put it out there. I'm in my 30's, so I'm not going to buy clothes from the Juniors section. Those clothes are too young and too tight, and will make me look like I'm trying too hard. I also don't want clothes from the same section that my Grandmother used to shop at for herself. Not that she wasn't fashionable, because she totally was, but she was my Grandmom!

Hot, right? THIS is SearsStyle!

Being in the know about SearsStyle, I knew that Sears would be the perfect place to shop for a wedding reception that Ayva, Terrence and I are going to this weekend. I couldn't wait to see what kind of #StyleSurprise I'd find. I also enlisted the help of the Instagram community to help me choose an outfit to wear. It's a good thing they were there, too, because there were so many lovely pieces, I was having a tough time making a decision!

I tried on 4 outfits that were totally different styles:

Outfit #1 was in my typical Chic Urban Natural Mama fashion, a red blazer with a sequined top underneath. I really liked this, but was worried that it was a bit too casual for a wedding affair.
Elegant is the best description for Outfit #2. A form fitting black and white dress with lovely pearls at the collar, this was, unexpectedly, one of my favorite choices.
Outfit #3 was, as @malleryschuplin said on Instagram, "Va va voom!" I loved the way I looked in in, and the color was great.
Red is a great color, especially this time of the year, so Outfit #4, with it's beaded top was also at the top of my list.

So, you see why I needed folks to help me choose? After final tally of all of the votes on Instagram and Facebook, there was a clear winner. Ladies and Gentleman, introducing my SearsStyle winning outfit. Oh, and the pictures were taken by my 3 year old preschooler. Yeah, she's pretty amazing!

Double trouble!

Like the shoes? They were only $19.99!

Umm...and then I also bought the red blazer, sequined top, a pair of pumps, a necklace, earrings, and a shirt with sweet little gold detailing that I just couldn't pass up. Altogether I spent $138. Can you believe the dress was on sale for $29.99?!! Oh, but that's not even the best part. I also received 16,000 worth of Shop Your Way rewards points! That's $16.00 to spend on more clothes! Whoo!

This top was $19.99. It adds some nice color to my wardrobe!

How would you like to win $5000 to discover your own #StyleSurprise at Sears? Check out the Holiday #StyleSurprise Sweepstakes, and enter to win. While you're waiting to find out if you win, you can start shopping with this 20% off coupon from SearsStyle. Also, it might be a good idea to start practicing what you're going to tell folks when they ask about your great new outfits! Good luck, and many thanks to all of you who helped me choose my SearsStyle!

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias® and Sears. #CBias #ad #searsStyle

Yo Gabba Gabba Music is Awesome...Volume 4 and A Giveaway!

2012-12-12T02:08:00.002-05:00

Last year, I attended the best concert of my life. The music was slamming, the crowd was hype, and Ayva and I were jamming in the aisles, singing every song at the top of our lungs the entire time. Oh, yeah...my 2 year old (at the time) was with me. That's not unusual since it was a Yo Gabba Gabba concert. Yes, it's true, Yo Gabba Gabba, from the popular children's television show, was my most favorite concert ever!

I discovered Yo Gabba Gabba when I was at home on maternity leave. I immediately fell in love with their clever lyrics and super catchy tunes. Although I didn't "get" the characters at first, the music was really amazing, and eventually, I grew to adore all of the inhabitants of Gabba Land, too! As Ayva grew older, it became her favorite show, and I knew that I could put her in the playpen, turn an episode of Yo Gabba Gabba on, and I had 24 whole minutes to myself!

We have moved away from the watching the show on television for the most part, but Ayva and I listen to the Yo Gabba Gabba channel on Pandora, and often watch videos of our favorite songs on YouTube. Needless to say, we were very excited to receive Yo Gabba Gabba: Music is Awesome...Volume 4 in the mail to review!

Although there were a lot of songs on the CD that we hadn't heard before, after just one listening, we were able to (kind of) sing a long to most of the tunes. There was a great version of "Balloons" on the CD, which is one of our absolute favorites, and another favorite, "Summertime". George Clinton makes an appearance, too, with "Atomic Frogs", a funky jam that had Ayva and I dancing around like maniacs!

This is a fun CD. Ayva, Terrence and I had an amazing dance party the first night we opened it up, and I want your family to get up and get dancing, too! I'm giving away a copy of Yo Gabba Gabba: Music is Awesome...Volume 4. It comes with a little book and stickers, so it'd make a great stocking stuffer! The disc is ready to be mailed out, so if you'd like a chance at winning it, make sure you enter below in the Rafflecopter form by next Monday, and I'll get it to you before Christmas!

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*Disclosure: This post contains an affiliate link.

The Motherhood Balance #marymary

2012-12-11T00:39:00.000-05:00

As a new single mom three years ago, I mistakenly thought that I had to do everything for Ayva. I was never away her. She went to daycare in the same building that I worked in, so they called me when she was hungry and I went down to nurse her. I don't think she ever really had to drink from a bottle. Besides being a human food truck, I didn't go anywhere without her. Having a party after 6 PM? Sorry, I can't make it...I have a baby. The thought of a babysitter never even crossed my mind. If I couldn't strap her on me and take her with me, it wasn't happening. As time passed and Ayva grew older (and too big for the baby carrier!), it started to become obvious that I would need to find a way to balance being her mother with being myself.

That transition wasn't easy, and I'll admit, the idea wasn't my own. Family and friends were (correctly) concerned that I was losing myself completely, and they insisted that I take time off from being "Mommy". They offered to babysit, gave me gifts of money with very specific instructions about how I was to spend it to do something for myself. Most importantly, they reminded me of the other things in life that I was passionate about besides my Ayva.

Slowly, slowly, I started coming back to myself, and began to learn how to balance motherhood with womanhood. Sharing the responsibility of parenting Ayva with other responsible adults in her life, accepting that I can't do it all, and asking for help when I need it are just a few of the things that I had to learn how to do in order to achieve harmony in my life.

Also, recognizing that life shifts daily, so my efforts and attention will need to adjust accordingly, has been very beneficial to me as I work towards a balanced life. Maybe I'm not doing everything anymore, but I think everyone benefits from a more balanced me...especially me!

How do you balance motherhood with womanhood? Or work with home? Or awake with asleep? Ha!

Three-time Grammy® award-winning gospel duo Erica and Tina Campbell are always seeking balance, and share their journey in Season 2 of WE tv’s hit series Mary Mary. MARY MARY premieres Thursday, December 6 at 10|9c and moves to its regular timeslot on Thursdays at 9|8c, beginning December 13. Watch a sneak peek here!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of WE tv. The opinions and text are all mine.

California Love

2012-12-06T22:00:00.000-05:00

Three months ago, life was a blur. Seriously.

It's crazy how time flies. It's true that the more fun you're having, the faster it goes. Apparently, I've been in California for 3 months already. Yup, 3 months, yesterday. Life has changed so much since I've moved here. I'm surprised at how comfortable I feel already. A big part of that definitely has to do with Terrence, his family, and our friends at church. The other thing is that California is so different than Philly. So, so, sooooo different!

The energy in California is so much more relaxed compared to Philly. The people seem less tense, and while the South still reigns in the niceness category, California folks aren't that far behind. Except that, well, it's not so much that people are nice, it's just that they're...chill. And cordial. And chill. (Yeah, they're that chill that I had to say it twice.)

I don't want to turn into one of those folks that move away from a place and start bashing it. I'll never forget all that I gained from my time in Philadelphia. I learned plenty of life lessons, and met lots of forever friends, for sure. More importantly, I gained street smarts, common sense, and a fighting spirit. I'll forever be grateful for that. The thing about Philly, or any urban city, I'm sure, is that when things get tough, things get really tough.

Working in the inner-city, and living almost in the inner-city, I was so used to being stressed, that I didn't even realize how overwhelmed I was. The way I feel today compared to the way I felt 3 months ago when I first stepped foot into California is like the way a feather feels compared to a rock. That's not an exaggeration, either. Looking back at how tense I was then, I'm really surprised that I didn't have a heart attack or a psychological breakdown. I survived 9 years in Philadelphia, the last 3 being the most challenging years of my life. I think I had about two more weeks before I would have come completely apart. It was time for me to go.

Coming here, leaving the place where I felt comfortable (though I wasn't really comfortable), was a challenge. Even up until the very end, I wasn't sure if I was making the right decision. But, the way that California has been opening up to Ayva and me, and the way the details just came together (i.e. Ayva getting into a great preschool well after the enrollment deadline, me getting an amazing job working from home)...it's clear that California was the right decision.

So now, the fog is lifting in my life (Figuratively. I live in Northern California). Every day isn't always sunny (again, Northern Cal) but it's definitely a better life for me. My environment is breathing fresh life into me, which is giving me what I need to continue to sow into Ayva's life. It's been 3 months, and I know that seems kind of soon to say this, but I'll say it anyway:

California, I think I love you.

{Saturday Sights} The Opening of the 8000th Walgreens

2012-12-01T22:49:00.000-05:00

Me on the Walgreens red carpet at the opening of the 8000th store!

This year continues to be full of new and interesting experiences. The most recent experience happened just this weekend. I traveled to Los Angeles with my team from Collective Bias to support and celebrate Walgreens as they opened their 8000th store. This store, located at the iconic Hollywood intersection, Sunset & Vine, is absolutely NOT just a drugstore. It features a Look Boutique with carefully selected high-end cosmetics, an eyebrow bar, and well-trained Beauty Advisors. There are several "bars": sushi, frozen yogurt (complete with toppings!), coffee, and a smoothie and juice bar. As if that wasn't enough, there is also an extensive wine section complete with a virtual bartender to help customers with their wine selection!

On Friday, I was able to tour Walgreens with one of the company's executives who showed our team (which included some outstanding bloggers!) every inch of the breathtaking new store. That night, we celebrated with a party in the store where various brand ambassadors/celebrities like Fergie, Mark McGrath, Terry Bradshaw, The Manzos and Lauritas from BLKWater and "The Real Housewives of NJ", Quinton Aaron from "The Blind Side", Tim Gunn, and more came to congratulate Walgreens on their huge accomplishment (including the creation of more jobs, yay!)This morning (Saturday) was the ribbon cutting, and I was able to be one of the first 100 customers at the 8000th Walgreens store! Check out a few pictures from these awesome events!

The Look Boutique features cosmetics from all over the world, including lots of natural products.

What do you think is happening here?

If you guessed sushi making...you're right!

Walgreens made it to Hollywood!

The Walgreens flagship store has TONS of affordable, fresh options to choose from.

Delicious toppings at the fro-yo bar.

Walgreens Executive, Joe Magnacca, discusses the choice to add the fro-yo bar to the flagship store.

Did I mention the fresh bakery goods that are brought in from local bakers daily?

The incredible wine section at Walgreens in Hollywood.

Me with Jacqueline and Chris Laurita, two of my faves from the "Real Housewives" franchise.

Have you ever been to anything like a store grand opening? If so, share what it was like! If not, let me know if you'd want to!

{Book Review} Being A Girl, and Other Important Lessons from Papersalt

2012-11-26T16:34:00.001-05:00

What's not to love about the holiday season? Folks are friendly, the mocha is peppermint, and the amount of time we have to spend with our friends and family seems to double. This is the time of the year that traditions are made, and extra energy is spent solidifying family bonds. It's also the time of the year that my heart feels like it could burst with joy, and I'm prone to tears of happiness at any moment. What can I say? I'm a Christmas softie!

Since family is such an integral part of this season for many people, I'm excited to share some books that I recently discovered that encourage family togetherness. Papersalt is a company based in Seattle, Washington that creates "content to inspire and influence people". If you know me even a little bit, you know they're speaking my language right there! Everything about the company, from their products to their tagline, "Simple tools for families" promotes unity and love.

Papersalt's books are different. They're absolutely not your typical "coffee table" books. These are like interactive journals that inspire thoughtful conversation. Titles like "Dinner Table Manners: So That Kids Know Wherever They Have A Meal", and "Take the Stairs: And 34 Other Ways To Be Healthy Every Day", are great for the entire family or for individuals.

I had the opportunity to check out two of Papersalt's books, We Do (Things the Family Stands For) and Being a Girl (The Things Mom Wants You to Remember). I was really impressed by both of them. In We Do, each of the pages reads like a mantra:"We do communication. We talk it out. We try again.", "We do togetherness. We nurture our family structure.", and, my favorite, "We do forced family fun...when we find we're just sitting there." The entire family could go through this book together, one page at a time, and discuss how they feel about each of the statements. There's plenty of room to write reflections down, and the book is sturdy enough to keep coming back to in order to check in on the family's progress.

Being a Girl is fabulous! Each page offers realistic advice that, quite frankly, is relevant to even older girls like myself. For example, "When someone tells you that you are beautiful, say thank you. Don't roll your eyes, or say "no I'm not". You truly are." Whoa. I know, right? I have been able to find some great conversation starters for my own little girl from this book. Of course, the conversations will evolve as she gets older...and I'm looking forward to reading and re-reading this book with her throughout the years.

Check out more about Papersalt on their site, or follow them on Facebook or Twitter. If you hurry, you can use the code PSBlackFri to get 40% of off orders of $50 or more through the end of today. Don't worry if you miss the sale, though, their products are very affordable at a range of $12.95 - $14.95. These books would make EXCELLENT gifts, especially for a family!

What are some of the ways that you engage YOUR family? Do you read books together? Eat dinner at the table every night? Share some of your family traditions in the comments! Oh, and the folks at Papersalt has offered a Mama Knows It All reader the chance to win 2 books! You win, you choose! Enter below in the Rafflecopter form! US Residents only. Winner will be selected on 12/5! Good luck!
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*Disclosure - I received complimentary copies of books from Papersalt. I was not required to review them. All opinions are my own!