August 25th, 2010 by El Ed Mom

“Ready To Learn Mom” with Stacey Kannenberg Radio Show at 10 CST/11 EST every Wednesday!  Join us on 08/25/10 with Fantasy Trilogy Author of the Everland Foundation by Ricardo Amado who is not only an amazing author and dad but also a twice-deployed Iraq soldier.

“Everland Volume I:Opal’s Book of Winter” is the first installment in an all-new fantasy trilogy by fantasy author and twice deployed to Iraq soldier R.J. Amado.

Four teenage girls escape from a miserable foster home existence to a world where anything is possible.

Nadya has always dreamed of being a Nature Princess, whatever that is. Opal would settle for a castle with a moat and a matching prince to accessorize with her wardrobe, while Crystal would give anything to be a pretty knight in pink armor. And Sam would just like to be left alone.

Then one night, a genie-like being offers to whisk them away from their decrepit foster home for a whole year to a place where their most deeply treasured fantasies can come alive. No catches, no questions asked, no strings attached. Well, sort of…

Because upon arrival, nobody told these four ordinary girls that among other things they would be pursued by a mysterious Black Knight’s horsemen; imprisoned by a bad-tempered King Bear with an infestation problem in his Enchanted Forest; and going up against a Fairy Colony with militaristic ambitions.

R.J. Amado invites YOU to join Opal, Sam, Crystal and Nadya on an unforgettable one-of-a-kind fantastic journey that is quite unlike anything else you will ever experience. Because when making it through the year means no less than coming home together, nothing else matters.

“Everland Volume I: Opal’s Book of Winter”
It’s only the beginning!

And coming this Summer 2010…
“Everland Volume II: Nadya’s Book of Spring”
There’s no turning back.

Join the Everland Foundation on Facebook at:  http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58439601923

For more information, please CLICK HERE.

August 24th, 2010 by El Ed Mom

When I was asked to review the ISafeBag (www.isafebags.com); I could hardly wait to receive it.  It was invented by an entrepreneur in the Chicago area after he heard a news story about a woman walking on the street at night who was raped by four guys.  He was so upset by this story that he decided to do something to help protect women and kids from abductors, muggers and rapists…and even your run-of-the-mill school yard bullies!  I love that he was inspired to take ACTION!!!

Essentially, the ISafeBag looks like a regular backpack but underneath a flap on the right strap is a rip cord that, when pulled, activates a LOUD alarm (equivalent to a car alarm) and a strobe light.  It will sound for two hours so it’s also wonderful for campers or hikers who are lost.  It works on two nine volt batteries and the weight and price of this back pack is similar to any other back pack BUT this offers PEACE OF MIND!!

Ironically, on the day it arrived, I had received an email alert that an alleged kidnapper was on the loose in our tiny community. I am not kidding! The alert contained a picture of a man who looked very familiar as someone we had all recognized as seeing before in our small town.  I work from home so I turned on our home security alarm.  When it was time to walk down to the mailbox, our lovely babysitter and neighbor (who we all love like a family member) Amanda (Photo by Heidi Kannenberg) wore the ISafeBag Sling Bag and pulled the ripcord.  

It’s LOUD and will definitely scare away a predator and get attention!  My girls reminded me that it will also scare away the coyotes who have been getting braver and braver, and the recent black bears that have been seen in our neighborhood too!   I just reminded the girls that it was not a toy, but a tool. 

So the ISafeBag isn’t just for back to school for kids and college students; it’s perfect for traveling, hiking, camping, biking and other outdoor adventures, the zoo, the park, shopping and any place you need a little extra PEACE OF MIND! 

We all love the ISafeBag!  Please share it with your loved ones too!

Smiles – Stacey

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary ISafe Bag for this review. No other compensation was provided.

August 19th, 2010 by El Ed Mom

Now that summer is ending, many of us are thinking about the upcoming school year and how to create an atmosphere of success for our children. Regardless of age, a blank notebook, a fresh backpack, new pencils, pens, markers, and/or crayons should be joyful and yet, for many children, it elicits feelings of insecurity and fear of failure.  It is up to us, as parents and educators, to make certain that our kids are emotionally, socially, cognitively, and physically ready to meet new challenges.  Children need guidance, time, and reminders in order to successfully transition from the more carefree days of summer to the more rigorous routines of the school year. Proper manners should be reinforced, kindness acknowledged, reading, listening, and practicing skills encouraged and healthy eating and sleeping patterns enforced. Since children mimic our attitudes and behaviors, it is critical to speak in positive ways about the school year, teachers, school, and curriculum.  It is also important to set realistic expectations so that your child/children can tackle their new experiences and challenges with self confidence and with the knowledge that you will be both their cheerleader and confidant. Please note that I am not encouraging parents to make excuses for or to complete assignments for children, but rather, am advocating an environment of open dialogue, where discussions focus on both positive and negative emotions, behaviors, and experiences. 
Creating a solid foundation is critical to buildings constructed from brick and mortar as well as those more gentle structures made up of feelings, ideas, and knowledge.  Let’s work together towards building a foundation that supports a love for learning, a respect for self and others, and a dedication to excellence, diligence, and empathy.

I wish everyone a successful and lovely school year!!

Magical Educating!

Donna Mavrides
Magical Moments
www.magicalms.com

August 17th, 2010 by El Ed Mom

Heather Jack is the Founder of The Volunteer Family Org and finalist with WE TV!

Heather will be on my show this week – please vote for her amazing foundation, www.thevolunteerfamily.org to win a $10,000 grant. Her organization connects families with organizations who need additional volunteers and focuses on volunteer activities you can do with your kids to help!!

To vote, please visit http://www.wetv.com/wedogood/vote.php and to find out more about We tv, visit http://www.wetv.com/.

For more information, please CLICK HERE.

August 12th, 2010 by El Ed Mom

Choose A Character For Cynthia’s Attic: Book Five!

Want to choose a character to be in the next Cynthia’s Attic book? Here’s how!

Listed at http://cynthiasattic.blogspot.com/2010/07/choose-character-for-cynthias-attic.html are 10 Cynthia’s Attic characters the author, Mary Cunningham, is considering for a recurring role in Book Five. Leave a comment with your choice and an explanation as to why you think the character deserves to return. Mary choose one winner based on the most compelling reason.

What do you win? First is the Cynthia’s Attic book of your choice. You can wait for Book Five (title coming soon!) or you can choose one of the first four titles. Now for the really fun part. If your character and comment is chosen, you’ll also become a character in the book!

Click Here for More Information!

August 6th, 2010 by El Ed Mom

Recently, Barb was a guest on my radio show and we were discussing how her Baby Dipper would be perfect for special needs families.  Well, check out this review, by a mom of a special needs 5-year-old child: http://www.able2able.com/2010/06/review-giveaway-ends-78-increase.html

August 5th, 2010 by El Ed Mom

Rebuild a charity resale shop that supports abused women and children. 

WINGS Program, Inc.

Founded in 1985, the WINGS Program (Women in Need Growing Stronger) provides shelter and support for women and children who are escaping homelessness or domestic violence. WINGS has 24 transitional homes and an emergency domestic violence shelter in suburban Chicago.

Right now, Wings is trying to win the Pepsi Grant for $250,000 which would really help rebuild the resale store.  Could you please take a few minutes of your time to visit the link below and vote for Wings to receive the funds?  Also, please feel free to share this wonderful cause.  Thank you sooo much!!!

Vote to give this idea 250K: Rebuild a charity resale shop that supports abused women and children. http://pep.si/cL7KZ2

Together, we can make this happen!!!

August 4th, 2010 by El Ed Mom

About Chrsitine:

Christine obtained her Bachelors Degree from The University of Rhode Island in 1993.  Upon graduation, she immediately began her teaching career as a PE teacher in East Greenwich, RI.  She spent many years coaching middle school girl’s basketball and softball, and was the assistant tennis pro at Pt. Judith C.C. for eight years.  Eventually she left coaching in order to pursue her Master’s Degree in the Administration of Physical Education and Health Education.  Her entire thesis research project was based on the over-scheduling of today’s youth and how it related to future burn-out rates among athletes.  She has been married to Andrew Carr for twelve years.  They have three children Nolan (9), Jane (6), and Finley (4) and live in South Kingstown, R.I.

Mother Daze:  Tales from the Imperfect Playground

Mother Daze is a truthful account of modern motherhood, a virtual high five offered to the women of the world, written by a girl who thought she had  life well under control until kids came along… surprise!  It’s been said that motherhood should unlock a universal understanding:  same  team, same goal… happy, healthy child, but what about the happy, healthy  mommy?  Where is she in the mix?  This heartfelt story, told  through entertaining anecdotes from my own adventures as a 37 year old mother of three young children, coupled with my fifteen years of  teaching experience as a Physical Education teacher at a public elementary  school, will provide smiles and sunshine for the many women of the world who honestly question, “What happened to my life?”  It is a story written directly from my heart to every woman out there.  I am not a clinical person by any means, and my book is not a clinical diagnosis of life as a parent, and therein lies its strength… I am the woman in the audience, down in the trenches on a daily basis, and I am offering a collection of reflections from someone who exists right beside the reader.  I have taken my many years of teaching experience and put it front and center as it relates to the everyday occurrences associated with life as a parent. 

For more information, visit Christine’s website at www.Christine-Carr.com.

For more information, please CLICK HERE.

July 30th, 2010 by El Ed Mom

PBS Invention Contest

Looking for something fun to do with kids of all ages this summer?

Fenway News Online reports that Design Squad, the PBS engineering reality competition series, is offering kids a chance to get in on the action this summer.

The 2010 Trash to Treasure Competition challenges kids, ages 5-19, to recycle, reuse, and re-engineer everyday materials into out-of-the-box inventions. Three winners will win a trip to Boston to see their designs built and appear on an episode of Design Squad.

Twenty-five finalists will be featured on the series website and will receive a Design Squad t-shirt. Entries will be accepted through September 5, 2010. For more information go here.

Photo by PBS.

July 28th, 2010 by El Ed Mom

“Ready To Learn Mom” with Stacey Kannenberg Radio Show at 10 CST/11 EST every Wednesday!  Join us on 07/28/10 with the WINNER of the Business Baby Shower, Robyn Pellei of ViveVita.com.  Robyn talks about winning and how she manages her 9 kids, ages 1 to 10, while running her business!!!   Oh my, 9 kids under 10!!!

About Robyn Pellei:

Currently, I am a very busy lady with a great life!  And, I have sneaked out on to my screen porch to steal a moment to write.

My days are filled with smiles, laundry, school work, emails, business calls, diapers, snacks, hugs,  coffee and prayers (lots!).

“What am I doing?” and “How do I do it?” are questions that I ask myself and often hear from others.

I have 9 adorable children that range in age from 3 months to 9 years!  Please, pick up your jaw and stifle your laughter.  I am not a comedian, though that may be my next venture!  I started making products when the needs got so great in my home that I had to do something to make things easier.  Necessity truly is the mother of invention.   Oh, I also homeschool our kids…they are all in 4th grade this year!  And, I am the wife and life-partner to a wonderful husband.  I have friends that are amazing and a squad of cheering family members.

So, you know all about who I am now – a wife, a mom, a teacher, a CEO, and a friend.  Today’s popular term for all of that is Momprenuer.

In my prior life – the BK (before kids) one – I was a nurse, an emergency room nurse to be specific.  I also worked really, really hard and got my masters degree as a family nurse practitioner…funny, I never practiced in that role.  OK, not so funny, but I just couldn’t do it.  I had my first child just two weeks after I graduated and I was sooo tired of school and honestly…I wanted to stay home with my little guy.  So, I’ve got that in my back pocket and of course, I use what I learned everyday.  A very expensive education to be a mom!

And before all of that…

• grew up in a small town in Virginia, that qualifies me as a Southern country girl – sort-of.
• lived a “normal” faith-filled life with a fun family and many years of school and good friends.
• spent half a year in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa with a missions organization (YWAM) running a small clinic.  I lived in a real hut for 2 weeks – so cool!
• met the man of my dreams in the ER and married him a year later.  He’s the one that I look at and get pregnant!

Now that we are all caught up, I will be sharing my everyday experiences and loads of tidbits that I have and am learning.  I will try to be mostly informational, as there are lots of TV shows you can watch if seeking drama.  You will hear about how I manage to do most of this stuff and keep myself and our family together.  We adopted two of our children internationally, so I will write about that sometimes too – though not very often because I don’t want it to seem like there is a difference in our family.  Nothing so different, just a wonderful way to come together.  My faith is very strong, honestly – it is only by staying close to my Creator that I am able to be or do anything that I am today.  So, you will catch that strength running through lots of what I write.  I have nursed all of my babies, even got the chance to nurse our adopted boys for two days – so special!  And of course, you will hear lots about daily life with the kids and managing a business.  I am not politically minded, so you won’t hear much about that from me and I refuse to write anything about my marriage (except the great stuff!).  My marriage is sacred and I wouldn’t want to cause any discord – I can manage that well enough on my own!

I look forward to sharing my experiences with you and hearing about your experiences, questions and thoughts.  Please try our products and tell your friends about them!  For more information about Robyn’s products, please visit www.ViveVita.com

For more information, please CLICK HERE.