FANTASY CHILDREN'S BOOK - ANNI MOON & THE ELEMENTAL ARTIFACT

Have your kids been reading this summer?  Do they complain there are never any good books to read?  If your kids are anything like mine, they always have their head in an electronic gadget. It is so frustrating how they are always using an iPad or iPhone. I know it's out own fault but it's a whole new world of technology.  However, my husband, who is "old school" is always trying to get our kids to read and I always tell him, the problem is that they can never find a great book they love.  Well, now I have found one for them!  It is Anni Moon & The Elemental Artifact,  a Fantasy Adventure for kids, probably best for middle-school aged children, by author, Melanie Abed.

It is a beautifully-written fantasy adventure book about Elementals, Funk, Zephyrs, excited talking Bat-Rat creatures, Dragons and a girl named, Anni.   When her best friend, Lexi is kidnapped, both she and her friend are pulled into the Elemental world where all this is normal. In a race against time, Anni must master this new world and save Lexi, all while knowing there’s no return to her old life. But saving her friend could cost Anni more than she’s bargained for.

Anni must uncover secrets and discover the unofficial truth behind an Elemental legend, while confronted by a dragon intent on testing her nerve and strength, not to mention an occasional monster and human generated Funk! Funk? Yes, Funk, the sticky, invisible slimy stuff that you humans cannot see!

(GETTY IMAGES)

Anni Moon & The Elemental Artifact  - if your kids love adventure, they are sure to love this book.

Transport your kids into a magical world and take advantage of the free download from iTunes!






Anni Moon & The Elemental Artifact: An Elemental Fantasy Adventure: Anni Moon Series Book For Kids Ages 9-12



VISIT: MELANIE ABED

iPAD, COVER & HEADPHONES FOR YOUR CHILD - READY TO TRAVEL

"LIKE A BOSS"

If you have to go on an airplane or long car ride with your little one, like many moms, you probably take your iPad and/or iPhone to entertain your child on the long ride. Here is a great cover that you can purchase that is very child-friendly for your iPad and your child can hold it himself/herself.  

The HDE Kids Light Weight Shock Proof Handle Case for Apple iPad 2/3/4 (Green) is a soft-protective carrying case that is made from high-quality, non-toxic EVA foam material with rugged surface for a firm grip.  You can find it on Amazon on sale for only $17.95. You can also purchase the LilGadgets Connect+ Volume Limited Wired Headphones for Children (Green.) 

The headphones include a a microfiber carrying pouch to hold your fold-able Connect+ headphones and a detachable 52" 3.5mm audio cable to allow for greater range between your children and their device. The cable is covered in a nylon braided fabric to increase durability and decrease tangles!  


According to Amazon,  these LilGadgets Wired Headphones "also have our brand new SharePort feature which sets them apart from other wired headphones available on the market. With a 3.5mm port on each ear, your child can use one port to plug into their device and the other to share their sound! A friend can simply connect their own headphones into the port on the other side to immediately start listening in. No need to purchase or carry an extra splitter! The Connect+ is a stylish, practical, rugged, and comfortable pair of headphones for children ages 2+. Through some nifty engineering and rigorous testing, you can rest assured the ear pads won't fall off through the inevitable pulling, throwing, and dropping. Finally, the speakers in the headphones are as high quality as you'll find in most top of the line adult headphones. Every headphone comes with a matching 3.5mm cable, a microfiber travel pouch, a detailed instruction manual and user guide, our 100% LilGadgets Satisfaction Guarantee, and a 1 year limited warranty."

So, whether you are going on an airplane ride or just taking a long road trip, the combination of this cover, which allows your child to easily hold the iPad, together with the headphones, makes for a perfectly quietly car ride.  Now it's up to you to provide something child-friendly to watch or play.

Enjoy!

(affiliate links)

A MUSICAL COMPANION FOR YOUR KIDS - LULLAPETS

Do your children loved stuffed animals? I know my little ones love them. Recently, my youngest daughter saw the commercial on TV for her new favorite stuffed animal/toy, a LullaPets and begged me for her own.  If you haven't seen the commercial on TV you are probably wondering, what in the world is a LullaPet?

No, it is not a real pet.  It is the cutest stuffed animal/toy that talks. LullaPets come in a variety of different characters (animals) and each one comes with an MP3 Player/Voice Recorder, Remote Control and a Voice Recording App. Your child can save their favorite recordings to their LullaPets MP3 player  (which is removable.) The MP3 that comes with the LullaPets can hold up to 300 songs. It is great "musical companion" for your kids.

Kids love them because they are cute and cuddly and they can record their own personal messages and even record their silly voices and keep it in their "pet."

One of the best things about the LullaPets toy is that family members can record special messages for your child. For example, grandma (nana, meemaw, grandpa etc...) or any other loved one can record a few words or a special song that your child  listen to and enjoy over and over.

Whether they choose the monkey, dog, bunny or any other of the adorable characters, this musical companion can help your kids fall fast asleep by listening to their favorite song or favorite story via their LullaPets.

Check for yourself as seen on TV:

ALMOST TIME TO GO BACK TO "WORK."

So my time is getting closer - closer to going back to the "real world" that is.  The world of working 9-5p.m, which I absolutely dread! It's been a wonderful year and half on hiatus (actually, closer to two years!)  I never went back to work after my brain surgery (craniotomy)  in November 2013.  I mean, I still write/blog and do some social media work from home on the side, but I have not been back in the "real" (corporate) world for a while, and I have to tell you, I do not miss it one little bit!  But times are tough, the economy is rough, and "you gotta do what you gotta do."



I will tell you though, if I could just stay home writing and taking care of my family, I'd be a very happy camper!  During my hiatus, I have written tons of blog entries, designed many items on my MiaMoon Designs website, done social media work for a few companies and I have even created a new blog/website in the hopes of it developing into a book some day.  (A girl can dream, right?)

But with all that being said, sitting at home is still not cutting it in the middle class suburbs in today's economic turmoil.  It is a luxury to stay home with the kids, one that I am infinitely grateful for but I know the time has come to do more on my part to help the family financially.  So until, I get that big book deal or write a ground-breaking blog entry, or sell thousands of my adorable designed t-shirts or mugs, the reality is that I must get ready to go back to "work."  It's not going to be easy!

I had an initial phone interview today for a marketing job with the possibility of a face-to-face interview next week, so it is beginning to look a lot more realistic now.  I have been holding out for that "perfect job" with great hours, maybe even a part-time but, now-a-days, getting any job is a blessing!  I have to appreciate the good offers that come my way and stop passing them up.

As I write this blog entry I realize, once I get a job out in the real world, I will not have the luxury of writing at 11 o' clock in the morning in my pajamas or picking up my little guy in the school car line at 2:00p.m., or running to the grocery store on a whim or driving my daughter to theater camp during the summer.  Those are the "little things," that I will truly miss, that I do not take for granted!  It will be back to fighting early morning traffic, listening to the morning radio shows and watching the clock tick down to 5:29p.m.

Hmm, I know more and more now this is not what I want to do for the rest of my life!  The finding a job, just to make ends meet.  No!  I want to write and blog and do social media and spend time with my kids and drive them to hockey and theater camp and be active in their daily lives, not just after 6p.m. during homework and bath time.  I know it won't kill them if I go off to work again, but it might kill me, from unhappiness. A little dramatic, I know but the last time I spent 4 years at a job I did not like, I ended up with a brain tumor!  (Yikes!)  Related or not, I do not know.  What I have learned from my experiences is that life is too short to be unhappy.

How does one find the balance between doing what you really love to do in your career, make money and balance your life as a mom?  I guess I will continue my search for something I will really enjoy doing for a living! If you have any great suggestions, please share!

For now, I am off to take my rink-rat to hockey practice!

I know in the end, everything is going to be alright. It might not be the same, but it will be alright!

WHEN HE STARTED TALKING ABOUT HIS MOM, I BROKE DOWN

Beautiful speech by ex-WWE wrestler, Marc Mero, as he gives kids a speech about life and loving your mom.

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BREAK OUT THE TISSUES - Johnny Depp Visits Children's Hospital Dressed as Jack Sparrow

What an amazing display of compassion and empathy! Johnny Depp, went into full character mode as 'Captain Jack Sparrow' as he took time off from filming the latest "Pirates Of The Caribbean" to visit a children's hospital ( The Lady Cilento Children's Hospital) in costume. The children, who were mainly pediatric cancer patients, were beyond happy!

He hugged and even took selfies with the kids.

"One of the children, who got to meet Depp, Max Bennet, 7, was having dinner with his mother Rachel when a black helicopter landed at the hospital, according to ABC.net in Australia.

"He was going from room to room seeing all the kids who couldn't get out of bed," Rachel told the outlet. "We waited out of the front of one of the rooms, and he came up to us and had a really good chat to Max."

WATCH: Capt. Jack Sparrow himself takes a break from filming to surprise children at this children's hospital -- http://abcn.ws/1gm0DAr
Posted by ABC News on Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Thumbs up for Johnny Depp, who is not only a wonderful actor, but with this gesture, he is up there in the category of wonderful human being, according to this Mommy Warrior!  Wish we had more people like him in the world!

(Ref. abcnews.go.com)

WHY HUSBANDS DO WHAT THEY DO & WHAT TO DO WHEN THEY DO IT

Need a professional to help you deal with your husband?  Well, now there is an app that will help you with that!

Women often wonder why husbands do what they do and how they should react when they do it.  Are you currently married to a man and not known either what to say in a difficult situation or wondered why your husband acted the way that he did? Well, millions of wives feel the same way but do not have the opportunity or resources to seek professional advice. This new  app available on iTunes, Why Husbands Do What They Do and What to Do When They Do It, offers sound advice on many common crises, situations, conflicts and interactions that wives encounter every day in their marriages with their husbands.

Advice on dealing with lack of confidence, sex, assertiveness, hostility or shyness, aggressive husbands, husbands who constantly need to be the center of attention, and much, much, more is included in this app.

Check it out today:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/practical-therapist-why-husbands/id980743665?mt=8

(Sponsored post)

3 KIDS LOCKED UP FOR REFUSING TO HAVE LUNCH WITH THE DAD

Is this REALLY happening?! Is this the United States of America?  How can this be true? How can these innocent children have been sentenced to "juvie" simply for not associating with their father.  Oakland Circuit Judge, Lisa Gorcyca, declared the three children of Maya Tsimhoni in "contempt of court" last month and ordered them held at Oakland County Children’s Village until they attempt to have a relationship with their father or they turn 18!  Gorcyca ordered the siblings from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, to apologize and have a nice lunch with their dad. The children refused.

The three — ages 9, 10, and 15 — have been incarcerated for more than two weeks.

The children’s parents, Maya Eibschitz-Tsimhoni and Omer Tsimhoni, have been involved in a bitter divorce battle for six years. The Bloomfield Hills couple, who married in 1995, have made dozens of court appearances concerning parenting time, therapy, schooling and other issues — but have never reached a common ground.

Our court system and judges are expected to uphold the law, not be a moral compass for children caught in a nasty divorce.  What the hell is wrong with the world today?  This is wrong in EVERY way.  How in the world could anyone possibly think that sending innocent children to juvenile detention would benefit them in any way?  Stubborn or not, these children are going to be deeply affected by their sentence.  In my opinion, this  judge, Lisa Gorcyca, totally and completely over-stepped her bounds and took advantage of her power with her actions and snide comments to these children, especially to the older boy.  I mean really, she even compared the kids to cult leader Charles Manson.  It does not matter if she feels the kids were brain-washed, she is not a doctor, nor the moral police!  She is confused by her authority.  

As you read the details of the story http://www.dailytribune.com/general-news/20150708/judge-compares-bloomfield-hills-children-to-charles-manson-sends-them-to-childrens-village-for-refusing-to-speak-with-father  and read the actual comments made by this judge you will see that this story seems like it came right out of a bad fiction novel.  Sadly, it came right out of a court room in the U.S.A.

I pray that this enormous wrong-doing will be corrected, for the sake and sanity of the children.


(ref.  www.theoaklandpress.com
http://detroit.cbslocal.com
www.opposingviews.com) 

A CHILD SEAT CONCEPT CAR

Volvo just debuted the “Excellence Child Seat Concept” for their 2016 XC90 SUV.  The company has removed the front passenger seat and placed a raised platform that holds a swiveling infant and toddler car seat in its place. Parents can turn the car seat counterclockwise to place their child in the seat and then lock it in place in the rear-facing position. The concept allows children to make eye contact with passengers in the backseat of the car, as well as the driver.

“Being able to maintain eye contact with your child from the rear seat… would go a long way towards making life easier for parents taking their small child on a trip," says Tisha Johnson, Volvo’s Chief Designer of Interiors.

Volvo cites three main benefits for the new child seat:

1)The automaker says it allows parents to get their children in and out of the car more easily, while opening up more storage space for diapers, bottles, and other essentials. 

2)It also allows for eye contact between the child and either the driver or rear passenger. 

3)When placing the child in the seat, the parent can swivel it counter-clockwise for better access, as well as lock it in a rear-facing position.

(Note: The seat is designed so children can safely lean back and go to sleep.

Read more: http://wot.motortrend.com/1507_volvo_debuts_child_seat_concept_on_2016_xc90.html#ixzz3fLZqZWir

I think this is all very innovative and trendy-looking but honestly, I am not at all comfortable with this idea, of an infant being placed that close to the front of the vehicle and what happens if you have twins or for that matter, what happens if you have more kids?  Where will they sit?

The whole concept is a big surprise to me, especially with what parents have always been taught about the safety of car seats and their placement.  I feel like this goes against all of it.

What I also find surprising is how this idea could possibly have been passed and accepted by the U.S. and International safety standards given the fact the children are banned from riding in the front seat of cars due to safety issues with air bags. But according to Volvo, “from a safety perspective there is no difference between the rear seat or front seat, given that the airbag is disconnected.”

I know Volvo is one of the safest cars on the market but would you buy a car with this concept and place your infant in the front?

In my opinion, ultimately, the public and the actual sales, of the 2016 XC90 SUV (if manufactured)   will be the determining factor of the success of this vehicle.

(PERSONAL NOTE:  Independent of the child seat concept I LOVE the 2016 Volvo XC90! Check it out:  http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/1502-2016-volvo-xc90-review/)

MONSTER MATH - A MATH APP FOR KIDS

If your children are anything like mine, they can always use some extra Math help.  This great new app called MONSTER MATH is the perfect tool to help your kids with the basics of math. 
Take your kids on a wonderful math-filled adventure and learn common core math standards with Maxx, the mighty monster in Monster Math!  Have your child be the best in their grade and practice addition, subtraction, multiplication or division with this fun free math game. Help Maxx save his friend Dextra, explore new worlds, battle enemies and find allies.

 Monster Math is available via iTunes and features:

- Tons of Adventure

- Common Core Math Standards

-Multi-player Mode

- Practice Mode

- Challenging Gameplay

By using Monster Math your child can learn the following:

 Addition & Subtraction
- Addition up to 5, 10 and 20
- Subtraction up to 5, 10 and 20
- Two-digit addition without carry over
- Two-digit subtraction without borrowing

Multiplication & Division
- Tables of 1 through 10
- Divide by numbers 1 to 10
- Multiply single-digit numbers by multiples of 10

Feed your child’s imagination with Monster Math, the best fun free math game available for children.

Download now for free and watch your child practice arithmetic for the 1st, 2nd or 3rd grades in a simple and engaging game!

Mommy Warrior gives "Monster Math" a thumbs up!

BE A LEADER, NOT A SHEEP

It is amazing to me that every time the media harps on a topic, then everyone jumps on the "bandwagon" and has to follow like a herd of sheep, who are just being pushed and directed towards the path that the sheperd wants !  Stop being followers people, and letting the government and media dictate how you feel and think!  I don't give a crap if they fly the confederate flag or not, but something as STUPID as removing re-runs of a TV program that has been airing for 36 years because of the "confederate flag hoopla" is just plain stupidity!!!!

Quote: Because of the Confederate flag painted atop the General Lee from "Dukes of Hazzard," TV Land has decided to pull the show from airing on its network. Over 100,000-strong have signed a petition in the show’s defense." 

I am not upset about the damn show, it is about how EASILY people are influenced and how easily rights and tradition are taken away!  No I do not like slavery, or anything that flag literally stands for, but let's get real. People are upset because the media tells them to be!

As we celebrate Independence Day today, July 4th, let us not forget the key word, INDEPENDENCE, which = freedom!!! Let us not lose either one because the media and government dictates it is so. It is not really, about Democrats, Republicans or Liberals, it is about being smart enough to make choices and stand up for what is right, even if you are standing alone.  It is about not letting the media, dictate what is right and wrong now.  Come to your OWN educated conclusions.  Just like Facebook had everyone change their profile pic colors to support marriage equality, well guess what people, they were doing a survey to see how many people would follow and change their profile pic and then surveyed to see how quickly they would change it back.  I am ALL for equality, not for being a sheep. Show your support in your OWN way! 

Learn to lead, not follow. And if you are going to follow, do not be apathetic or complacent. Be smart enough to have a voice and be heard!

This meme sums up all you need to know…

STRANGER DANGER - WOULD YOUR KID DO THE RIGHT THING?

This video I saw on Facebook is just another reminder of the huge dangers are children face every day.  Yes, child abductions have always happened, I guess now that social media is so prevalent, we hear about it more an more every day.  I talk to my child ALL the time about safety strangers but sadly, after watching this video, I am afraid, that they too, would walk away with the guy and the puppy!

It never hurts to have another conversation with your kids about "Stranger Danger," even if you think they are old enough to know better, or would never walk away with a stranger! A cute puppy and a handsome friendly guy can equal just as much danger to your innocent and vulnerable child!

Child Abduction Social Experiment (One Share Can Save a Life)
Posted by Joeysalads on Saturday, May 2, 2015

CAN CELL PHONE USE CAUSE CANCER?

Be aware of the possible harmful effects of cell phone usage. 

I am a middle-aged mom who was diagnosed 2 year ago with a brain tumor.  They do not know what caused it or how long it had been growing, only that it was the size of a lemon and was causing massive swelling in my brain. The doctors did not know how I had been walking around with this lemon-sized tumor for so long.  I may never know what actually caused, but I can share some tips with you and this video is one of them. 

If you can do something to avoid unnecessary exposure, do it!  Especially with your kids!  Personally, I have to get my kid an earpiece, although, with teens it's all about texting.  We won't know the true harmful effects of cell phone usage until years from now.  Just be aware.

WOULD YOU PULL YOUR KID OUT OF SCHOOL FOR REAL LIFE EXPERIENCES?

This Is What Happens When A 13-Yr Old Kid Leaves School And Gets Proper Education

This kid has more experience and knowledge in his 13 years than most of us have in our entire lifetime!!!!  At a TEDx talk in 2013, Logan LaPlante discussed how hacking his education is helping him achieve his goal of being happy, healthy, and fulfilled. The results so far are amazing.

A MUST WATCH!!! 

‪

What if education was not only based on knowledge, but was also based on lifestyle, happiness, and health?

Here 8 therapeutic lifestyle changes that Dr. Robert Walsch, a scientist who studies human happiness, recommends be included within our education system:

1. Exercise
2. Diet & Nutrition
3. Time in nature
4. Contributing to others and community service
5. Relationships
6. Recreation
7. Relaxation and stress management
8. Spirituality

CUBAN MANIA - IT'S TIME

Whether you agree or not, the "Cuban Mania" is coming! If you are not Cuban, or for that matter Hispanic, this particular article may be completely irrelevant to you, but for the hundreds of thousands of  Cubans and Cuban-Americans, what is happening on a tiny island 90-miles away from Miami is a huge deal!

Those who have lived in Exile and who have studied some US-Cuban history know the Castro dictators (Fidel & Raul) are "villains" and have undoubtedly destroyed what was once a beautiful country.  Little by little, year by year, they oppressed the Cuban people and took away their food, their cars, their homes, their streets, their buildings, their rights, their freedom.  Yet, despite, our willingness to hold them accountable and to continue the Embargo, the time has come for a change, especially for their PEOPLE.

Personally, for the sake of the memory of my grandfathers, Bello & Rodriguez, who lost it all in their country, of Cuba, I have always maintained the belief that we should not deal with Cuba until the Castro regime is gone, but honestly, after watching for almost 40 + years, I have seen that absolutely nothing was accomplished.  Only pain & suffering for the people, who perhaps, granted, did not have the courage or tools to fight back, but for how long should we allow this continue?  What are "we" going to say when Castro is dead (Raul or Fidel?)  Are we going to say "We won?" NO, we cannot. Sadly, they won!

How did they "win?" Well, for over 50+ years in power, by outliving many U.S. presidents, by keeping AM radio stations in Miami in business, by talking about Cuba day in and day out, by keeping the Cuban Exiles talking about Fidel Castro all these years.  Don't get me wrong, I would like to see them both rot in hell for the harm they caused the Cuban people, my family and otherwise, but it is time or change.  Without change, we do not grow, as people, as a country, or as human beings.

Perhaps, my change of heart is for selfish reasons, because I would like to visit and get to know the land of my parents, of my grandparents before I die. I agree, whole-heartedly, that they are evil, but keep in mind, we have many enemies who have done far worse harm, and we have U.S. relations with them.  Of course, it hits a nerve, a place in the hearts, that only Cubans can understand.  The rest of the world could give a crap.  But regardless, of our personal feelings and/or grudges, the time has come for the change. It is here, whether you fight it emotionally or not.  This does not mean that I agree with our President's decisions, nor that I magically think the Castro's have changed their ways. NEVER.

However, I do hope that life will get better for those people on the Island, those who really had no choice. Those who were born into a country of Communism and oppression without asking for it. 

Even as child I always wondered why no one had the courage to go in there and fight those "sons of bitches."  I use to dream about being the one who would take down Castro and be the hero. Yea, I was that obsessed because I could never comprehend how one individual could convince masses of people to do what he wanted,  And now here we are in the USA, headed to a path that nobody likes. Even into adulthood, I always asked, why has this gone on for so long?

If I thought for a minute, that the Embargo had any positive results, then by all means, let it continue but is has NOT.  So, reluctantly, whether we are in agreement or not, the time has come to embrace the fact, that we will have relations with Cuba again, in our lifetimes.

I look forward to the day when I can take my children and myself for the first time, to walk the beaches of Varadero, to have  a Cuban Mojito and savor a lechon asado at a "real" Cuban restaurant and enjoy my culture up close in the land of my father, of my mother and of my grandparents, who all worked so hard in this country to make a good life for me and future generations to come.


It's time!


CUBAN MANIA by Lissette Rozenblat