Make your own digital scrapbook

Disclosure: We attended the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration at our own cost. Lodging, park tickets, and other amenities were included in the registration fee at a significantly reduced rate.

Related posts:

1. We’re Going to Disney World for Disney Social Media Moms
2. Disney Social Media Moms – My Recap
3. Social Media and the Myth of the Perfect Parent

We held off telling the kids until I was just too excited to wait another moment. It was Easter afternoon and we had just enjoyed dinner together. We had started with a really nice day and everyone was in a good mood…

I don’t know what I expected, but that wasn’t it. And if you were busy watching Bug try to figure out when we were going and how long we’d be there, watch it again with an eye on LadyBug.

Disclosure: We are attending the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration at our own cost. Lodging, park tickets, and other amenities are included in the registration fee at a significantly reduced rate.

Related posts:

1. Disney Social Media Moms Celebration 2012 Family Highlights
2. Disney Social Media Moms – My Recap
3. Social Media and the Myth of the Perfect Parent

I promised LadyBug that we could make Pinkalicious cupcakes so one afternoon, I pulled out some cake mix (no from-scratch baking with kids involved – I’ve drawn the line there) and we set to work. I usually don’t use my Kitchen Aid mixer for cake mix, but I thought it would help mixing in the food coloring. By the way, use the gel food coloring as it doesn’t add a lot of moisture to your batter. Not a huge deal for a few drops, but just a good tip to remember for when you want deeper colors.

We ended up with this lovely shade of pink. I didn’t want to get too red, but also needed to counteract the yellow of the cake mix (yes, I could have chosen white, but the yellow is a better flavor!).

LadyBug was a big help doling out the cupcake liners. We used bright pink and some with a funky pattern in pink and other fun colors.

After the cupcakes baked, we went to the bus stop to get Bug. LadyBug told him that we had baked pink cupcakes and he stopped in the street and burst into tears. All the way home he whined and cried that we had selfishly made pink cupcakes and not red, which is his favorite. He insisted that he never ever gets anything special (despite a trip with me to Chuck E. Cheese the day before without his sister). He howled about the HORROR of pink cupcakes. I suggested that he might just not get to eat one anyway.

Eventually, Bug came around. I mean, he’s not one to turn down a cupcake of any color. I offered to frost his cupcake with chocolate or plain white vanilla, but his anti-pink protest was over and he decided that it would be fun to have pink, too. He even used pink sprinkles (with some red ones thrown in).

The Pinkalicious cupcakes were a big hit. I might have even had one or two (or more).

Related posts:

1. Sugar and Spice and Everything Pink
2. Pink and Purple Guns
3. In Which LadyBug Turns Two

For full information you can visit Toyota Cars for Good on Facebook.

Disclosure: Although this is not a compensated post, I am a member of the Toyota Women’s Influencers Network and receive certain benefits from that membership. The opinions contained in this post are my own.

Related posts:

1. I’m a TWIN! Toyota Women’s Influencer Network
2. Highlights from the Toyota USA Automobile Museum
3. TogetherGreen Invites You to do Some Spring Greening

I want to put a call out today to stop the cycle. To my female friends and cohorts, enough is enough. We have the power to be positive. Let’s stop attacking ourselves and each other and start being champions for female empowerment. It’s one thing to support an organization for kids, or a women’s group around the world, but it really needs to start at home. End the jealous attacks, the snide remarks, the judging looks and comments, the scheming, the backstabbing, and the nasty gossip. And work on stopping the internal negativity… you are good enough, smart enough, and worthy of wonderful things. We ALL are.

So, thank you to the strong women in my life who have shown me how to celebrate being a woman. And thanks to those who have stood by my side even when it was difficult. Thanks to those who have risen above their own internal issues (jealousy, anxiety, etc.) to be supportive and caring. And a special thank you to those who see past my personal imperfections (we’ve all got them) to see the person I strive to be. That takes generosity of spirit. If more of us had that, the world would be a much richer and happier place for everyone.

Happy International Women’s Day! Take a moment to give support to a woman in your life today, whether through kind words or kind actions.

Related posts:

1. International Women’s Day 2009

While the star-quality of bloggers runs a wide spectrum, we fall into three main categories:

A-Listers – It’s a short list, but these folks get more invitations than they know what to do with. They are ambassadors for so many brands it’s surprising they can keep track. If you’re at an event, you expect that at least some of them will be, too. I don’t know if these sought-after bloggers deal with the highs and lows so much, given how busy they are, but it’s likely that even they are sad to miss out on a choice experience. Keep in mind that although A-Listers are almost always talented and hardworking, sometimes it’s mere circumstance that has catapulted them to ultimate stardom. They may just have “the look,” a compelling backstory, or the good fortune to be in the right place at the right time. It doesn’t mean they are better than you are.

Starlets – These are the new bloggers, those that blog occasionally as a hobby or for personal expression, or those who haven’t figured out that you generally have to look further than your own blog to get noticed. Since they don’t ever get invited, they aren’t as obsessively checking their email. A invitation is a surprise and a large treat. Starlets may have less experience – or less interest – in the glamorous aspects of blogging, but don’t count them out. Some of them are the best writers out there.

B-Listers – This is the rest of us and we are a diverse group. We have big blogs and little blogs, we span all ages, ethnicities, and socio-economic backgrounds. The only thing we have in common (other than our blogging) is that some opportunities will come our way, and some won’t. This is probably the most difficult space to be in. You know that you’ve got enough influence or built enough relationships or done some other thing right to catch the attention of the powers that be, but that doesn’t make it any less frustrating when a dry spell hits or when you miss out on the most amazing opportunity ever. It’s even harder when we’re surrounded by the seemingly never-ended good fortune of our social media friends [here's a tip… most likely, unless they are A-List, they're going through the exact same feelings you are!].

Day after day I watch my fellow bloggers struggle with the ebb and flow of attention that comes with an established blog. A blogger may one day be announcing a fantastic ambassadorship, and just weeks later lament about how no one knows they exist. Just after an amazing trip where they were pampered, they talk about not being a “cool kid” or liken themselves to “redheaded stepchildren” [to which I must comment that this is offensive to redheads and to stepfamilies, many of whom are as loving and supportive as any other family type. AHEM.]. There are days when your mailbox is filled with goodies galore, and those where there are only bills. And as much as I am occasionally inclined to slap people upside the head for complaining, I get it. The highs are addictive, and the lows can make you question everything you’re doing.

I’ve put together some tips for holding onto the highs and riding out the lows:

1. Remember that each opportunity is limited in scope. If there are tens of thousands of bloggers who could possibly be included and only 25, 50 or 100 spots, you can’t always get in. Remind yourself that it’s good to spread the love!
2. Try not to take it personally. Your blogging talent isn’t necessarily what they’re looking for. You may just not meet the demographic, numbers, style, or vibe they are looking for. It could be that your blog is pink and the person reviewing blogs has something against pink. There’s not always a lot of science going on here.
3. Stay true to yourself and your message. Do NOT start adding topics to your blog simply to try hook more opportunities – it dilutes your message/voice and can make you look flighty. Instead, find ways to broaden your coverage while still holding onto your niche. For example, if you blog about travel, but want to integrate more technology, make it a point to highlight the technology in hotels, airports, and tourist destinations. If you blog about your kids, but want to start covering fashion, talk about outfits that are great for moms who are short on time (and possibly money). You’re still maintaining expertise in a particular area, but you’re showing versatility as well.
4. Don’t beg, whine, or gripe in public. Trust me when I say that you are not the only one who is disappointed. See point #1. Handling it with grace at the very least keeps you from looking childish or unprofessional. You’ll keep your bridges intact and be in the running for another opportunity.
5. If something comes about that you are truly passionate about, send a short note to the person coordinating it. Let them know (briefly) why you think you’re a good match, how you think you’d benefit the company, and that you’d love to be considered for future opportunities. Don’t beg for an invite as it puts that person in a difficult position.
6. Throw your energy into your blog. Rather than moping around, sit down and write a fantastic post for your blog. It’s healthier and it brings you one step closer to the success you’re looking for.
7. Create a “Keep the Highs” poster, folder, binder, or bulletin board. Every time you get a great opportunity or a cool gift in the mail, print out or create a visual representation and place it somewhere you can see it. I think it’s most powerful as a poster or a dedicated bulletin board, but a binder works if you don’t have wall space. This is your reminder of all of the great things that have come your way, and just a hint of those to come.

My biggest tip of all deserves its own paragraph: Do not let the whims of PR and marketing teams impact your self-esteem. A red carpet event is not the measure of a person or even a blog. At some point, you have to take control over your own destiny and not let the offers and opportunities drag you this way and that. Create your own magic, in whatever way you can!

Related posts:

1. Blogging for LGBT Families Day
2. Blissdom: PR and Marketing 101 – Review Blogging Templates and Prompts

LadyBug loved the bread (which I made from scratch) and the kielbasa. She wanted nothing to do with the cheese!

Bug tried the cheese and decided that he wanted “just a little” on his food. In other words, he’d just touch the food to the cheese and enjoy it like that. I insisted that he wasn’t actually getting any cheese, but it made him happy. Here’s an early shot with lots of cheese:

Don’t even ask about our dinner attire. Or lack thereof.

Related posts:

1. LadyBug, Vomit and Christmas Cheer
2. The Great HEXBUG Nano Party
3. In Which LadyBug Turns Two

Dr. Susan Niebur, also known to her social media friends as WhyMommy, is one of those people I grew to care about. I did meet her once in person, but mainly know her from her activities online. She blogged at Toddler Planet about her family and, more increasingly, her own health. When I learned that she passed away yesterday, I was heartbroken. She had been fighting inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) for nearly five years and they had recently brought in hospice. I knew it was just a matter of time, but I guess you’re never really prepared for this sort of thing. My heart goes out to her husband and two young kids, who are very close in age to my own children.

The truth is that there are other bloggers who knew Susan better than I did. I’ve decided to leave the loving tributes to them and instead, pass along Susan’s message. In addition to being a wife and mother, Susan was an astrophysicist, activist, and crusader against IBC.  Since Inflammatory Breast Cancer isn’t discussed very often, I want to share it with readers and ask you to pass the information along. You could save a life. I’m sure that Susan has saved, or at least prolonged, numerous lives through her honest blogging and tireless community education.

We have always been taught to search for a lump in the breast, but Inflammatory Breast Cancer doesn’t always present as a lump. Instead, it can cause a redness, pain, heat, swelling, pitting (similar to the skin of an orange) and inverted nipples. It often presents in younger woman than other breast cancers and is highly aggressive. It can quickly spread to other organs. Susan had a wonderful IBC page with basic info, as well as links to other sources for information. Please take a moment to read more.

Susan’s message was a simple one. If you see any changes in your breast, if anything seems “not quite right,” get it checked out. She was diagnosed in June, 2007. According to her website, only 25-50% of women diagnosed with IBC live past 5 years. You may have seen my recent post about catching up on my own health concerns, and I want to reiterate how important it is to take care of yourself. I’ll repeat what I said there:

…please take a moment to make the call for yourself. Call your doctor. Call a local clinic. Just call and get yourself checked out. It is scary to think that something might be wrong. On the other hand, if you can stay on top of your health, you significantly increase their ability to fix anything that does go wrong.

In honor of Susan, please share information about IBC with your friends.

Related posts:

1. Stamp Out Breast Cancer with Martha Stewart & Ford Cares
2. The Perfect Man? A Toy Fair Love Story

Having worked for some (very) small non-profits, I can attest first-hand to the kind of impact a smaller donation can make on their ability to further their mission. That “every bit helps” mentality is part of the impetus behind an innovative new online bank, ableBanking. ableBanking isn’t open yet, but their plan is to offer customers better interest rates, smaller account minimums, and the opportunity to help out a local charitable organization of their choice just by signing up. To help kick things off, ableBanking is asking you to nominate your favorite Massachusetts 501c3 charity to be eligible for a $1000 gift. The top five nominated organizations will win.

You may not be familiar with online banking, but ableBanking will provide savings accounts (Money Market and CD) for consumers. Because they have no brick-and-mortar establishments to maintain, and due to their commitment on using marketing dollars for good rather than simple self-promotion, they will be able to donate $25 for each account opened to the account holder’s choice of charity. On top of that, on the account-holder’s anniversary with the bank, ableBanking will donate an additional 0.25% of their average balance to a charity of choice. It doesn’t cost you anything. If the math is making your head swim, here’s an excerpt from ableBanking’s website:

You won’t see big ableBanking billboards, or signs in stadiums, or tv ads. Instead, with our customers, we are going to redirect significant corporate dollars to help our communities. How much? Approximately $2.5 million for every $1 billion in deposits in our bank will go to charities. If you’re interested in the math, if a community bank has $10 billion in deposits (and many do), then our customers would be giving $25 million to charities each year – and they’d STILL be getting much better rates than traditional banks offer.

If you’re wondering what the catch is, you’re not alone. I thought the same thing. But the cool thing is that there is no catch. The idea is that consumers should be excited about their bank, and thrilled to be able to support local organizations. That’s it. Instead of ads, ableBanking hopes word of mouth will spread organically because of the benefits. In fact, your organization may choose to have a fundraiser by encouraging people to sign up with ableBanking and taking in the $25 per person donation. ableBanking has already partnered with 6 local organizations (Rosie’s Place, Greater Boston Food Bank, MSPC-Angell, Teach for America, JVS Boston, and Boston Children’s Chorus) to help tell their stories. You can learn more about each of these partner organizations as well as ableBanking through some wonderful videos on their YouTube channel.

If you’re not quite ready to move your savings account over, that’s OK. ableBanking isn’t quite ready for you to do that, either. Instead, they’re asking for something simple. Head over to the ableGiving site and take just a minute to nominate a local organization. Tell your friends to do the same. The 5 groups that receive the most nominations by January 31, 2012, will win a $1000 grant from ableBanking. It’s super easy. If you’re concerned about entering in your email address, ableBanking has assured us that they won’t be spamming you every other day. They will let you know when they launch, at which point you can feel free to unsubscribe if you’d like.

Nominations are open to all 501c3 non-profits who serve Massachusetts communities. One nomination per person, please!

Disclosure: I am being compensated by ableBanking to help spread the facts about this kick-off program. The opinions contained in this post are my own.

No related posts.

I thought we left the house with plenty of time, but traffic getting into the parking garage was sloooow. By the time we got inside, picked up our tickets, and made our way to our seats, the opening music was starting. I zipped out to pick up food because there is no bigger disaster for LadyBug than to be underfed. Plus, she lives for popcorn. In all of the hurry, I dropped the ball as a mom. It was the day after a very busy Christmas. We didn’t arrive early enough for the kids to acclimate. I didn’t bring earplugs or a hat or anything for Bug. I had no idea where our seats would be and I simply didn’t prepare. And then I left right as the fanfare began.  By the time I got back, Bug was curled up in his aunt’s lap and tears were still streaming down his face. In the midst of my attempt to have a fun day with the kids, I managed a big parenting fail.

The show itself was wonderful, at least what I saw of it. It was a celebration of Disney animation from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (or the “Seven Doors” according to Bug when he was younger) all the way to the 50th animated feature, Tangled. There were so many different characters… Peter Pan, the Tick-Tock Croc, Captain Hook, Smee, Tiana, Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, Simba, Nala, Scar, Rafiki, Jasmine, Aladdin, the Genie, Tinker Bell… and the list goes on. There was flying, stunts, humor, music, and plenty of magical surprises. LadyBug was captivated. She couldn’t take her eyes off the ice and the look on her face when Tinkerbell arrived was priceless. She would have stayed all day. If you have the chance to see this show, I highly recommend it. It was one of my favorites.

I’d like to say that Bug recovered, but that’s not really the case. He had dealt with a stomach bug the week before and his stomach was hurting him off and on throughout the holiday. He wasn’t really sick, but I think all of the excitement and anxiety and running around was keeping him from getting back to 100%. That, combined with the noise (or perhaps it was caused by the noise) really kept him from really enjoying himself. It’s too bad, because  I think he otherwise would have loved it.

We’ve been invited to Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream over February break. I, of course, wouldn’t miss it. But this time, I’ll be armed with earplugs for my little guy who apparently hasn’t totally outgrown his sound sensitivity. Then again, I have threatened to bump him for one of his female cousins since he complained loudest over the princesses…

P.S. I’ll have a giveaway coming up for that very, very soon!

Disclosure: We received complimentary tickets to Disney On Ice Presents Treasure Trove for review purposes. There was no promise of a positive review and the opinions contained in this post are my own.

Related posts:

1. Disney on Ice Presents Dare to Dream
2. You are NOT the Fun Police
3. Jiko – Grown-Up Food at Disney World