Baby Elephant Frolicks in Ocean for First Time - A Lesson for Us to Enjoy Simple Things in Life

Nature

Animals Inspiring Human Emotion

Here's a YouTube featuring a darling playful baby elephant in the wild frolicking in the Andaman Sea off an island along the west coast of Thailand. 

If this doesn't steal your heart away while it goes viral, I don't know what will. As an elephant lover that recently brought you the My Lucky Elephant movie review about an elephant that learns to paint masterpieces, I couldn't resist sharing another elephant focused post with Mommy Blog Expert's like-minded readers.

I think you'll enjoy it as much as I have. Spend 3 minutes watching this clip shot by amateur videogapher Nancy Belal and I can practically guarantee you that it will truly make your day.

For sure this sweet animal without a care in the world is a boost to the human soul...

Wishing that you find as much joy living in the moment as this infant pachyderm has found already.

Have a GREAT Baby Elephant kind of Day!

FTC Disclosure: I did not receive any payment or other compensation for this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Best of Father's Day Gift Guide Showcase

Celebrations

Give Dad A Present He'll Love

Ask just about anyone, young or old, Father's Day is most probably the hardest holiday to shop for. This year can be different, though, when it comes to shopping for Dear Old Dad -- especially if you consider buying one or more of the really cool and unique items featured in this gift guide each hand picked for its originality by Mommy Blog Expert.

Image from Tom and Teddy

Father Gifts for $100 or less

In the pool, on the lake or at the beach this Father's Day and throughout the summer, boys and men have a new option for trendy quality swim trunks from Tom & Teddy. The company founded by former Sydney resident husband-wife team Jelle de Jong and Michelle L'Huillier just launched in 2012 in Australia to critical success. Now they're bringing the stylish brand's same vibrant colors, contemporary designs and universally flattering fit stateside to the U.S. with their Summer Swimwear Collection. The designers have thoughtfully created this line -- with plentiful design details, all made to stand up to both ocean water and flag football -- to cater to families that seek well-made coordinating swim trunks for father-son swim wear. $60 for Boys Sizes for Ages 1-12 and $89 for Men's Sizes Small to XXL, Available online direct from TomandTeddy

txTylz will challenge the mind, MommyBlogExpert.com

Looking for a really hip engaging game to play at the picnic table at your backyard Dad's Day BBQ that is modern but not electronic? Then look no further than txTylz, a primitively modern way to say it game. Proper grammar, spelling and English are not required -- that's what makes this game involving wood tiles so engaging and creative. This game, created by model/actress Joan Severance, is not only fun, it challenges the mind so it's no surprise that it was part of the 2013 Mensa Mind Games Challenge. This will literally be a conversation piece at your Father's Day gathering as well as whenever friends and family get together. Small and compact, this would also be great to take along on vacation this summer. $45, Available online direct from txTylz

Grill Daddy HeatShield BBQ Tool Set, MommyBlogExpert.com

Speaking of barbeques, how about giving the master griller of the house something both practical and fun to use while he's flipping burgers and grilling steaks for the family? From Grill Daddy, the Heat Shield BBQ tool set isn't just another bunch of grilling tools -- these actually help keep that special father in your life safe from getting burned while he cooks for you. In fact, Grill Daddy’s patented rotating heat shield hand guard which maintains continuous protection from flare-ups, searing grill heat, and burning hot food splatters. Another thing I like about this sturdy BBQ tool collection that sets it apart is that you can mix and match tools with the included specialty attachments. Available at Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, Ace Hardware, True Value, Amazon and direct from Grill Daddy

Grill Daddy Steam Cleaning Tool, MommyBlogExpert.com

Since he'll be cleaning up too and you'll want to "help" out as much as you can, why not throw in another really functional Grill Daddy gift, one that uses steam to clean the grill? The Grill Daddy Steam Cleaner tool features replaceable heavy-gauge stainless-steel brush heads. With this product's unique steam cleaning feature all you do is pour water into the handle's reservoir and before you know it, baked on food, grease and black residue comes right off. This greatly speeds the time it takes Dad to thoroughly clean and sanitize the grill so he can spend more time enjoying himself with you and the rest of the family not only on Father's Day but whenever he's grilling.  Available at Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, Ace Hardware, True Value, Amazon and online direct from Grill Daddy

Image from Cherry Moon Farms

If Daddy has a sweet tooth this Beer Cookie Gift Basket will not only make a great dessert it can also double as a party decoration or centerpiece for this year's Father's Day celebration. It would also be a very thoughtful and memorable ready-to-give present you can either deliver in person to a beloved father or that you can have shipped directly to that special Dad across the miles that you aren't able to be with this year. This yummy non-alcoholic gift full of giant hand-decorated colorful beer theme cookies includes two beer mug cookies, two beer glass cookies and one "Cheers to Dad" cookie and comes festively packaged as pictured. Each cookie measures 4-4.5 inches tall. Available online direct from Cherry Moon Farms

FTC Disclosure: I received all the products featured in this post to facilitate review, except for the Beer Cookie Gift Basket. I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Twitter Party Calendar This Week June 9 - 15

Twitter Parties

Get all the details in this free constantly updated Twitter Party Master Calendar listing tons of family friendly parties including specifics on prizes you can win and links to RSVP and participate. Includes Twitter Parties in the U.S. and Canada. Be sure to check back often every week as new events are added on an ongoing basis -- often with new prize-winning opportunities added several times per day. You'll also get a sneak peek at Twitter parties coming up next week and in the month ahead. Now listing Facebook and Google+ parties with prizes too.

Be the first to know when the latest Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party schedule goes live by following MBE on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

THIS WEEK

Monday, June 10

White Cloud Sleep Pants Twitter Party 10:30-11 am ET with @Songberries. Prize: ONE (1) $200 Amazon gift card.

Colgate Smile Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @colgatesmile @blm03 @paulabendfeldt @cbtweetchat. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Target giftcards. #TotalSmile

Taking the Hassle Out of Home Repairs Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @techlicious @suzannekantra @c2cmom @clublocal @kikarose. Prizes: TWO (2) $250 ClubLocal credits for residents to use in San Francisco, on the Peninsula or in the South Bay Area. #CLMoms 

Tuesday, June 11

Boar's Head Twitter Party at 11:30 am -12:30 pm ET with @Boars_Head @seriouseats. Prizes: SIX (6) $20 gift cards. #BHTrust

Weekly Tech Tuesday Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @KristinaLibby of Microsoft. Prize: A different major prize to win each week. #Windows #WinChat 

Cascade My Platinum Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @Momcentral @Momcentralchat @Mycascade. Prizes: SIX (6) Amazon gift codes + Cascade Platinum product samples. Participate in party with hashtag #MyPlatinum

Oz the Great and Powerful Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @socialmoms @queenofswag4u
@DisneyOzMovie. Prizes: THIRTY (30) Blu-rayTM Combo Packs of Oz the Great and Powerful. #DisneyOzAdventure

Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @howtobeadad @Avent_US @shaveexperts and others. Prizes: TBA. 

Monstrous Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @momtalkradio. Prizes: FIVE (5) Monstrous Summer prize packs that include merchandise from Disney Parks. #MonstrousSummer 

Funky Monkey Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @FunkyMonkeySnck @MommyPR. Prizes: Funky Monkey Snacks prize packs and a $25 Amazon gift card. Participate in party with hashtag #Funkychat

I'm Having Their Baby Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @verasweeney @audreymcclellan. Prizes: TBA. #ImHavingTheirBaby

Work Like A Dog Twitter Party 8:30 - 10:00 pm ET with @Zukespets @Eventbarkers and others. Prizes: $1500 in prizes plus Grand Prize valued at $250. #WorkLikeADog

Bloggy Moms Guide to a Better Blog Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Bloggymoms. Prize: ONE (1) winner will receive a copy of Bloggy Moms Guide to a Better Blog PLUS $500 Gift Card. #BloggyGuide

Summer Travel Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Right_Start @SavvySassyMoms @Somedayilllearn @Travelmamas. Prizes: $1400 in prizes including ONE (1) Skip Hop Light & Luxe Diaper Bag + Stroller Bar Activity Toy + Grab & Go Stroller Organizer ($110); THREE (3) ErgoBaby Carrier + Travel Mamas Guide prize pkgs ($140 each); ONE (1) Joovy Moon Room ($220); ONE (1) Joovy Ultra Light Caboose Stroller + Extra Caboose Too Seat ($330) and ONE (1) Britax B-Agile Stroller and 1 B-Safe Infant Car Seat ($330) #TravelRight

Wednesday, June 12

Moms Travel Best Twitter Party at Noon ET with @themotherhood @coopermunroe @emilymckhann @suburbanmomclub. Prizes: FIVE (5) $50 Visa giftcards Participate in party with hashtag #MomsTravelBest

Foster Grant Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @verasweeney. Prizes: Sunglasses No RSVP required, participate in party by following hashtag #FosterGrant 

Go for the Gold's Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @Joyofkosher @Bitayavon @kosherfoodbloggers and others. Prizes: A subscription to Joy of Kosher or a $50 Gold's prize package. #GofortheGolds

Downy Comfort Twitter Party 8 pm ET with @Downy @KellysluckyYou @Tipjunkie @HoosierHomemade. Prizes: Downy products plus ONE (1) winner will get a year's supply of Ultra Downy April Fresh and Downy Unstoppables Spring. #Downcomfort

It's the weekly @theonlinemom Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @gameskinny. Prize: Xbox 360 w/ Kinect bundle. To be eligible to win a prize RSVP & participate in party with hashtag #GameSkinny

Rubbermaid Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @mommymomentblog @mommykatandkids @Momvstheboys @Rubbermaid. $700 in Prizes - for Canada residents only. #Rubbermaid

Thursday, June 13

Grilling is Happiness Twitter Party at 1p ET with @Sears @SearsDeals. Lots of Prizes. #GrillingisHappiness

Ziftit Art of Giving Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @Clever_Network @Ziftit. Prizes: $10,000 in Ziftit credits during party + be one of the first 500 to RSVP to receive a $20 Ziftit credit code. #Ziftit

Mike the Knight Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @resourcefulmom @miketheknightUS. Prizes: FIVE (5) winners will receive a Mike the Knight Book + DVD plus other toys and fun prizes that get progressively better throughout the party. #MiketheKnight

Puritan's Pride Summer Splash Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @puritanspride @momspark @zipporahs and others. Prizes: FOUR (4) $50 prize packages of Puritan's Pride health supplements and snacks. #PuritansPride

Friday, June 14

30 Chat National Lemonade Days Twitter Party at 11:30 am ET with @thirtymommy. #30chat #TweetorDare

Weekly Verizon Wireless Twitter Party hosted by @theonlinemom at 3 pm ET. Prizes: A Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard or a Samsung GALAXY Note II smartphone + $125 Verizon Gift Card. To be eligible to win participate in chat, use hashtag #VZWBuzz

More Twitter Parties constantly to be added for This Week to this list as soon as they're scheduled. So stay tuned for updates as they happen by following this blog.

NEXT WEEK

Sunday, June 16

Chinese Laundry Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @ChineseLaundry @Tweeparties. Prizes: TEN (10) pairs of shoes like the contestants are wearing ONE (1) Grand Prize of Two pairs of shoes + Gift Bag. #CLMissUSA

Monday, June 17

Weekly Traveling Moms Twitter Party at 9 pm ET this week talking about Travel Upgrades with @travelingmoms @kimorlando @debmomof3 @cindyrichards @techmama @techsavvymama and others. FOUR (4) Prizes: Starwood Preferred Guest Points for a free upgrade on your next Sheraton stay. #TMom

Canadian Moms Cook Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @cdnmomscook. $400 in Prizes - Canada only eligible to win. #cdnmomscook

Demster's Veggie Bread Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Dempsters @listen2lena @feistyfrugal @sassymodernmom. Prizes: EIGHT (3) $100 Veggie Bread Coupons and ONE (1) VitaMix Blender ARV $575 #VeggieBread

Tuesday, June 18

My Mariano's Twitter party at Noon ET with @blm03 @sweeptight @cbtweetchat. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Mariano's Gift Cards. #MyMarianos

Budget Disney Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @thisgirltravels. Prizes: Disney gift cards every 10 minutes. #Thisgirltravels

Weekly Tech Tuesday Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @KristinaLibby of Microsoft. Prize: A different major prize to win each week. #Windows #WinChat Details

Murphy Oil Soap Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @resourcefulmom. Prizes: FIVE (5) Branded prize packages worth $100. #MurphyOilSoap

NetZero Girls Night Out Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Netzero_4G @momitforward. This week's prize is an iPad Mini + 3 months of Platinum NetZero service. #Netzero_4G

Wednesday, June 19

Everyday Effect Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @PGEveryday @Shespeaksup @SuuperG @HaveUHeard1 and others. $1,500 in Prizes: multiple $100 Visa giftcard prizes; Grand Price is an iPad + $150 Amazon GC. #everydayeffect

It's the weekly @theonlinemom Twitter Party at 9 pm ET. Prize: TBA. To be eligible to win a prize participate in party with hashtag #TheOnlineMoms.

Summer Bright Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @jenjentrixie @Lowes @momitforward. Grand Prize: A P&G prize pack + $250 Lowe's gift card. #SummerBright

Fitcation Blogger Retreat Twitter Party at 10 pm ET with @BookieBoo @Momma_oz @Sipthegoodlife @earthfootware @NewBalance and others. Prizes: SIXTEEN (16) awesome prizes from Earth Footware, New Balance, Bob's Red Mill and others. #Fitcation13 

Thursday, June 20

Global Smurfs Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @Clever_Network. Prizes: SIX (6) copies of Smurfs 2 video game and a Smurfs toy; ONE (1) Grand Prize winner gets Smurfs Dance Party, Smurfs 2 video game and a Smurfs toy.  #GlobalSmurfsDay

Transitions Optical Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Queenofswag4u @thriftyninja @7onashoestring @Latinamomblogs @Transitions and others. Prizes: TWO (1) $100 Visa giftcard + cookbook packages and TWO (2) Transitions Lenses packages each worth up to $500 + cookbook. #TransitionsLens

Compassion Internationl Nicaragua Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Resourcefulmom @Compassion @ShaunGroves. Prizes: FOUR (4) $25 giftcards to be used at the Compassion online store. #CompassionBloggers

Friday, June 21

Rimmel Real Beauty Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @RimmellondonUS @amomsimpression @paulabendfeldt @cbtweetchat. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Walmart giftcards. #RimmelRealBeauty

Weekly Verizon Wireless Twitter Party hosted by @theonlinemom at 3 pm ET. Prizes: TBA. To be eligible to win participate in chat, use hashtag #VZWBuzz

COMING SOON

Tuesday, June 25

Kitchen Play - The Mushroom Council Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @mushroomchannel @kitchenplay. Prize: ONE (1) person will win $5,000. #TrendtoBlend

Wednesday, June 26

Flavors of Summer Twitter Party at 4:30 pm ET with @rebeccalangcook @motherthyme. Prizes: ONE (1) Grand Prize of a $50 Visa gift card and THREE (3) other prizes for other winners. #FlavorsofSummer

It's the weekly @theonlinemom Twitter Party at 9 pm ET. Prize: TBA. To be eligible to win a prize participate in party with hashtag #TheOnlineMoms.

Friday, June 28

Family Mobile Saves Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @miscfinds4u @momwithadotcom @cbtweetchat. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Walmart giftcards and ONE (1) Samsung Galaxy S4 Smartphone #Familymobilesaves

Weekly Verizon Wireless Twitter Party hosted by @theonlinemom at 3 pm ET. Prizes: TBA. To be eligible to win participate in chat, use hashtag #VZWBuzz

About this Weekly Twitter Party List

Compiled by MommyBlogExpert.com Twitter Parties are listed free of charge in this weekly schedule. However keep in mind that each party is run by a different brand and/or hosts and MommyBlogExpert, unless specified otherwise, is not responsible for any dealings readers have with these events including, but not limited to, prizing of any party on the calendar. If you'd like to add an event to the Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party Calendar email janis at janiselspas dot com with Twitter Party in the subject line including all the details and links in the body of your  message.

Also available, for a nominal fee, to host, co-host or serve as a panelist for your own brand Twitter party. To inquire, please email janis at janiselspas.com for information with Twitter Party Consulting Query in the subject line.

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert does attend some Twitter parties as a guest and also works as a host, co-host, and panelist on others. However, I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.