Yosemite National Park Closed on It’s 123rd Birthday
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Yosemite National Park Closed on It’s 123rd Birthday

October 1, 2013 Today Yosemite National Park celebrates it’s 123rd birthday. Unfortunately, park-goers won’t be able to celebrate on the premises. Today the government has shut down due to Congress’ inability to pass a new budget. Part of the governmental shut down deals with National Parks and monuments. Yosemite National Park is one of the…

Halloween Costumes: The Do’s and Don’ts of Do-It-Yourself
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Halloween Costumes: The Do’s and Don’ts of Do-It-Yourself

October 7, 2013 As calendars turn to October, kids everywhere begin planning their Halloween costume … and parents everywhere begin hoping those plans don’t involve elaborate headdresses or rare gems. For children, a costume is so much more than an outfit that gets you candy. For that day, when she dons the princess dress or…

Rielle Hunter Finally Apologizes for Being John Edwards’ Mistress
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Rielle Hunter Finally Apologizes for Being John Edwards’ Mistress

October 17, 2013 Rielle Hunter became one of the world’s most famous (and infamous) mistresses at the height of John Edwards’ popularity.  When John Kerry ran for president and chose Edwards as a running mate, it seemed almost as though people would have preferred the latter as their commander-in-chief.  He seemed to have it all…

Take a Family Technology Break #TechTimeout
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Take a Family Technology Break #TechTimeout

October 23, 2013 My family definitely loves their gadgets. Whether it’s the cell phone, iPad, Nintendo DS, or the laptop – we can often be found in the same room but completely disconnected. I’ve been wanting to implement a technology break, and the new Tech Timeout™ challenge from life insurance provider Foresters™ is the perfect place…

Jamie Dornan Tapped as Christian Grey in “Fifty Shades” Movie
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Jamie Dornan Tapped as Christian Grey in “Fifty Shades” Movie

October 24, 2013 When Fifty Shades of Grey came out, it seemed like every woman in America was reading it.  The furor over the Twilight inspired book was so comical, in fact, that it resulted in an entire skit in honor of Mother’s Day on Saturday Night Live. Now, a film adaptation is in the works and there has…

Post-Halloween Candy Dilemma: What Moms Do With the Loot
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Post-Halloween Candy Dilemma: What Moms Do With the Loot

October 28, 2013 Most kids will wake up Friday morning as CEO of a large bag of sugary temptation. They want to celebrate with indulging with the bounty, but moms know how candy negatively impacts our bodies. Doctors tell us about the effect of sugar on insulin production. Dentists warn against the potential for cavities…

The Perfect Bedtime Story #DreamAnimals
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The Perfect Bedtime Story #DreamAnimals

November 22, 2013   I love a good bedtime story. There’s something very heartwarming about laying on your stomach on the floor or in bed with your toddler, reading aloud the words, and turning the pages to view beautiful artwork. Books can transport you. Take this opening line, for instance: You only have to close…

Standardized Report Cards: The Good, Bad, and Ugly
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Standardized Report Cards: The Good, Bad, and Ugly

November 5, 2013 November typically means parent teacher conferences and the first report card of the year. Much to the chagrin of children’s pockets, the days of money for A’s and B’s have come to an end. Although many schools already switched to standardized report cards, the new Common Core shift will lead to even…

Mary Poppins Celebrates 50 Years With an Anniversary Edition #MaryPoppinsMagic
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Mary Poppins Celebrates 50 Years With an Anniversary Edition #MaryPoppinsMagic

December 10, 2013 Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down!  Oh how I love watching Mary Poppins. The songs, the dancing, the antics. It’s hard to believe that the film is 50 years old! In honor of the half-century mark, the Mary Poppins 50th Anniversary Edition is coming to Blu-ray Combo Pack…

Embrace the Season: Enjoy Fall Before It’s Gone
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Embrace the Season: Enjoy Fall Before It’s Gone

November 11, 2013 We have entered our second week of November. Which means stores have already ditched the fall season and shuffled Christmas into its place. Between school, sports, and Halloween costumes, our family nearly skipped autumn entirely. But I love fall. It’s calm. It’s colorful. It’s unique. I refuse to let it slip past…

‘Rise of the Guardians’ – Holiday Edition on Blu-ray and DVD
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‘Rise of the Guardians’ – Holiday Edition on Blu-ray and DVD

November 18, 2013 Are you looking for a great family-friendly addition to your holiday film collection?  If so, you may be in luck!  On November 5, 2013, Rise of the Guardians – Holiday Edition was released on DVD and Blu-ray and it comes with an adorable marching elf!  During the holidays, it’s the little extras that…

Online Holiday Shopping Is Even Easier With eBay Collections #FollowItFindIt
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Online Holiday Shopping Is Even Easier With eBay Collections #FollowItFindIt

November 26, 2013 I’m the first to admit that I am an avid online shopper. I love scoping out the best deals, reading reviews, and finding the perfect gift for that special someone, especially during the holidays. One of my favorite places to shop is eBay. Shopping on eBay is unlike shopping anywhere else –…

The Art of Celebrating Hanukkah and Christmas
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The Art of Celebrating Hanukkah and Christmas

November 21, 2013 Today, families are more blended than ever which is a beautiful thing – but it can present some challenges, particularly where holidays are concerned.  An interfaith marriage doesn’t necessarily have to result in a couple choosing one set of beliefs over another but, rather, they can learn to embrace and incorporate each…

Shop Bilingual Sesame Street Holiday Gifts with Oznoz #OZNOZBILINGUAL
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Shop Bilingual Sesame Street Holiday Gifts with Oznoz #OZNOZBILINGUAL

December 5, 2013 Raising a bilingual child reaps amazing benefits – everything from increased testing scores to better mental flexibility. Myrah Duque, a parent raising her daughter in a bilingual environment, feels it will extend to her child’s future as well. “It will offer her double the chances for employment and advancement when she becomes an…

Social Moms
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Protect Your CellPhones This Holiday Season #ASURIONPROTECTS

December 2, 2013 My phone gets a lot of use over the holiday season – whether I’m searching for recipes, taking photos, or researching the latest gifts. And I know I’m not alone. Asurion asked consumers the ways in which they use their smartphones, and here’s what they found: 76% use their smartphone to take photos 62% send…

Parent to Teacher Communication: What Should You Know
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Parent to Teacher Communication: What Should You Know

December 2, 2013 This week our school has parent teacher conferences. They’ve got me thinking about what exactly it means to be knowledgeable about my children’s education. The timing for fall conferences can vary significantly, so you may have already been to one this year – or you might not have one for a few…

In Theaters: Great Movies for The 2013 Holiday Season
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In Theaters: Great Movies for The 2013 Holiday Season

December 5, 2013 This holiday season, there isn’t much in the way of festive films to choose from. Fortunately, there are plenty of other movies coming out from all genres.  In fact, on Christmas day alone you will have to decide which big name flick you’ll be seeing (unless you want to stay at the…

Social Emotional Learning For You and Your Child
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Social Emotional Learning For You and Your Child

December 4, 2013 We all want the best for our children.  Whether it’s packing a healthy lunch, enrolling them in fun activities or helping with homework, as parents we work tirelessly to ensure that their needs are being met.  But all too often, we neglect something important: paying attention to our children’s emotional development. That’s…

A Plan of Attack: Surviving Winter Break
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A Plan of Attack: Surviving Winter Break

December 16, 2013 Brace yourselves. We’ve entered the third week of December. It’s coming. Winter Break. I always count down to school breaks like the kids count down to Christmas. No rigid schedule. No lunches to pack. No pick up line. But then, about four hours, fifteen snacks, and three hundred tattling sessions later, I’m…

SocialMoms Goes to the White House for the Holidays #WHHoliday
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SocialMoms Goes to the White House for the Holidays #WHHoliday

December 23, 2013 Exhilarating. Educational. Enchanting. Enriching. These are just a few words describing my experience-of-a-lifetime as a mom lifestyle blogger invited to The White House for the holidays, as a guest representing both my blog and SocialMoms. It all happened lighting fast. Last Thursday evening, I received the official White House invitation to attend…

Is Being a Submissive Wife the New Hollywood Trend?
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Is Being a Submissive Wife the New Hollywood Trend?

January 10, 2014 Over the last few decades, there has been a major focus on promoting the equality and independence of women but, recently, a number of women also seem ready to accept a more submissive role in their relationship. This past week, Candace Cameron Bure, who you may remember as DJ Tanner on Full House,…