In five days my kids and I will fly to Disney World for the Disney Social Media Moms conference. It still seems unreal even as I type this. Here’s why…
A little background:
Last year my youngest daughter was very ill. The whole year was about fear. Fear for her health. Fear of the medical bills that were overwhelming us. Fear of what would befall us next. It was very hard. Through it all my daughter remained positive. She consistently had a sparkle in her eye and light in her heart. That’s the way she’s always been, truthfully. A bundle of hopeful, creative, inquisitive energy. The illness robbed her of much of her daily energy, but she never let it take her smile, at least not completely. I ached for her because she was robbed of so much, particularly the magic of Kindergarten, which she had looked so forward to. She lost most the year to doctors visits and procedures. It was a disappointment. She is better now, though we are always watchful since the Doctor’s never did figure out what it was that she had.
Now for my story: (more…)
Saturday mornings through March 6th are a Comedy of Errors. No, not at my home, but on Navy Pier at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Now through March 6th the World famous Chicago Shakespeare Theatre is producing their wildly popular Short Shakespeare series, featuring The Comedy of Errors. This series sports family friendly 75 minute abridged versions of the bards’ famous works, easily digestible for minds as young as 8. I brought my 11, 8 and 6 year olds along. The story kept my kids’ attention fully. Eventhough the show is in verse the actors did such a beautiful job of playing the content of their dialog that my kids weren’t lost. It also helped that the show itself is filled with physical comedy that kept us all on the edge of our seats anxious for more. My 6 year old was cackling… while standing up, sitting on my lap and twirling around in front of her seat. (Yes, she had to move around a lot throughout the performance, so I suggest sitting in the balcony with younger viewers). (more…)
I started teaching when I was a teen-ager. I always loved working with children and felt that I had something special to share with them. However, I would teach for a session or two and then need to take a break for a few months. I would get burned out. Then I had children of my own and it was as if my DNA changed. (more…)
I have two major resolutions for 2010. My first is to eradicate fear in my life. My second is to regain control over my body. I am tackling both with this latest venture. With this post I am officially throwing my hat into the ring for the latest Mamavation weight-loss campaign. I am equally terrified and excited about this move. The campaign is AWESOME, and has proven results. I have not been very successful, since the birth of my third child, with regaining some balance with my weight. I have come to the realization that I need help. That is why I am reaching out to the fantastic Mamavation team to attain my goal; a happier, healthier life.
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My children and I, plus two other families, had the great fortune to go and see a pre-screening of the movie The Spy Next Door. (I received free tickets through my association with ChicagoMomsblog.com, and I also won several through MomsLikeMe.com Win It Weekend.) We had 10 kids in tow, ages 7-12, and 3 Moms. A very diverse group. First off I can tell you that we all enjoyed ourselves. No painful groans at the end of the movie. No whining wanting to know, ?Why did you drag me to see this?!? Everyone came out of the movie happy that we went in. It was kid safe, it was funny, and it was the right length.
For many parents I know that?s absolutely all you need to hear. So you don?t have to read any further. Just gather your kids and head to the theatre when the movie opens January 15. End of story.
For others of you who have an interest in an artistic review, here we go.
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My own little Christmas miracle. As I sat holding my youngest in church last night I was a little overcome with emotion. It wasn’t just the soulful music from the choir, or the spirit of the holiday, it was really about the little girl sitting in my lap, and the journey that she bravely traveled this last year. I am so in awe of her strength, her resolve and her perserverence, despite all that was hurled at her. Through it all she has remained a sparkling, vivacious spirit that lights my soul.
My daughter Jaedyn started getting ill in November of 2008. We had no idea what was happening to her. Her teachers noticed it at first, the dimming of her energy. They brought it to our attention, saying Jaedyn, just wasn’t acting like Jaedyn. If you had ever met jC before November of 2008 you would know exactly what they meant. But to those who hadn’t met her, like the new doctors we went to see, JC looked like a perfectly healthy and energetic 5 year old. They didn’t realize that they were only seeing her at half mast.
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Here’s my 4th #SMILE_ON giveaway!
I was a PBS Kid, then a PBS Parent, and now a PBS Ambassador. And I know that I owe Sesame Street big time for my early artistic awareness and sensibility. With all of that in mind I am very happy to share this next bundle with you, an Elmo plush finger puppet and a WTTW Kids Raising Readers demo DVD that includes and episode of Super Why and my favorite, Word World! My great friends at WTTW here in Chicago were kind enough to share these with me, so now I can share them with you. Perfect for the toddler or preschooler in your life. Maybe they’ll grow up and follow in my footsteps, just as I followed in Mister Rogers! Pretty cool!
To enter the fourth #SMILE_On giveaway please leave a comment on this
blog telling me how PBS in general, or Sesame Street specifically has made a difference in your life. We?re going to pay our good luck forward. So if you
win this giveaway you won?t get just one WTTW package of fun, you?ll get two! One for
your family, and one to give away. Because the chance to give is the
greatest gift of all.
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Miss Lori’s third #SMILE_ON Giveaway!
How about Moms and Dads out there. Do you need a little something too this Holiday? Well of course you do! Whether you are an entrepreneur, nine to five-er, or a stay at home parent, everyone needs office supplies and writing pads. Especially to write all of those notes to the teachers at school! (And to write the note to remind yourself to write a note to the teacher at school. LOL!) Earlier this season I had the honor of participating in a campaign to help teachers through Officemax’s A Day Made Better campaign. Now I’m giving away my personal office supply packs from the event for your benefit!
To enter the third #SMILE_On giveaway please leave a comment on this
blog telling about what you plan to do to get organized in the new year. We?re going to pay our good luck forward. So if you
win this giveaway you won?t get just one package of office supplies, you?ll get two! One for
your family, and one to give away. Because the chance to give is the
greatest gift of all.
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Here’s the second #SMILE_On! giveaway of the week
As many of you know in 2008 I was named an Ambassador for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry?s Healthy Smiles Healthy Children Foundation. Improving the overall health and wellness of children is very important to me. As you know your health starts with your mouth. For my second giveaway I have 2 Molar Mates to help children brush their teeth for the right amount of time, and to put them on a path towards a stronger brighter smile. The Molar Mate is a great addition to your family’s bathroom routine. It has toothbrush holders and a clock. Plus looking at it will make you smile.
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I am so excited about playing Santa this week. I want to start with a great, Openheimer award winning toy, that is a such an inspiration to girls. They?re called Go Go Sports Girls Dolls and I am a huge fan of the dolls ‘m not the only one. the dolls will be featured later this week on the Today Show! I’m not only a fan of the dolls but of their designer, Jodi Norgaard, too. She was generous enough to donate some dolls to an event I had earlier this year. I have some left and I want to share them with some very deserving young girls.
To enter the first #SMILE_On giveaway please leave a comment on this blog telling me why you, or someone close to you, needs a Go Go Sports Girl this holiday. We?re going to pay our good luck forward. So if you win this giveaway you won?t get just one doll, you?ll get two! One for your family, and one to give away. Because the chance to give is the greatest gift of all.
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