Parties Galore at BlogHer 11 - What's the Hottest Ticket This Year?

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BlogHer 11  Tips

Ocean Sunset

iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

The invitations are out and many of the BlogHer parties have been completely booked for weeks and months.  In fact, most are only accepting people for their wait lists.  Had this not been my first BlogHer I've ever attended, I would have been all the wiser to RSVP a lot sooner.  I had no idea how competitive getting party invitations could be, but have now learned my lesson for next year.

At last count, I'd say there are more than 20 unofficial and official scheduled parties outside of the conference during a little over two days from Thursday nite - Saturday nite, August 4-6.  Those events, BTW,  are only the ones that I've heard about on Twitter and Facebook that I've been sharing with my followers and by looking at the BlogHer site and checking Mom Spark's BlogHer party list which is constantly being updated.

Most events, due to space limitations, have a maximum capacity.  Some parties are by invitation only.  Others are first-come first-served via EventBrite ticketing, while still others, like for the Dove Ice Cream Yacht Party, BlogHer attendees are asked to submit their information directly to the brand's representative and then await confirmation of an invitation.

My own humble schedule is just beginning to shape up.  First and foremost I look forward to the conference itself both as a first-time mommy blogger attendee and as a speaker and panel moderator on Saturday for the session Minding Your Own Business - Your Blog Can Make You a Local Hero.

Party-wise, I know I'll be attending several of the no-RSVP-required official events such as Evening at the Expo Hall on Thurs night and a variety of other official BlogHer after hours get togethers.

I also feel very fortunate to be confirmed to attend the Life Well Lived event hosted by Procter & Gamble all day on Thursday.  In addition, I plan on going to several other parties over the weekend, but details haven't been finalized yet.  I may even be volunteering at one party that's very popular this year, too.  Then there's all the events that I'm on the wait list for that I'm hoping I'll get to go to.

How about you? How many parties are you confirmed to attend as of now? Which ones? How many others are you wait listed on that you really want to be at? Which events do you think are the hottest tickets this year?  And the biggest question of all, is anyone planning on going to all or almost all of these soirees.

FTC Disclosure:  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.

5 Great Back to School Ideas for Parents & Kids to Survive Another Year - PLUS Daily Sweepstakes

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Education

My kids on the first day of school some years ago

Vintage Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Surviving with kids and school is my specialty.  Having triplets plus one more all born within a year that are now all teens certainly has qualified me for learning from the trenches.  I've written plenty of posts about how to manage through another school year.  These stories have included everything from  how I home school 4 kids to ideas I've tried and tested myself for dealing with kid cabin fever.

Here are my top 5 Strategies for School Survival that will keep both kids and mom happy!

1. Shop for school supplies as far ahead of the start of school as possible.  Go shopping early and you'll not only have a wider selection to choose from, but everyone will feel less stressed than trying to find everything that you need at the last minute. Whatever you do, if you are shopping for multiple kids, don't pick out lunch boxes or back packs ahead of time.  Bring the kids to the store and avoid sibling rivalry.

2. Don't overschedule extra activities for your kids.  If they are older and already planning their own extra curriculars, then try to be available to help them decide how much they should take on so they don't find themselves overloaded later.

3. Be your child's best friend by being there for him or her to tell you about their day, every day when they come home from school.  Our family has mandatory sit down dinners during the week as frequently as possible so that we can all keep up on each others' experiences. 

4. Find out at the start of the school year what all the days off will be for you and your child.  Then, so everyone is on the same page, mark these dates right away on a centrally located calendar in the kitchen.  Many schools provide the entire school year calendar up front, so definitely take advantage of that information.

5. Lastly, but probably most important, be as involved with your child's school and extra outside activities as you possibly can.  Get to know the teachers that will be teaching your family at the beginning of the year, and don't wait for any surprises when it's time for those parent-teacher conferences in late fall.

The common theme here is that you can actually support your child and his schooling quite actively all the way through high school.  Kids do want to know they have an adult that they can always rely on to help them when they need it -- with all the paperwork that school involves from doing homework to college applications, and even dealing with sticky social situations with friends -- they'll be plenty of opportunities for you to provide support. 

Master Lock Humor on You Tube


As long as you stay tuned in to when your child wants you at arm's length and when they need a hug or kind words of encouragement, both parents and kids are likely to have the best school year ever! 

Image provided by Master Lock

Master Lock Daily Sweepstakes

Parents and students are invited to submit their own questions for the Master Mind and participate in daily sweepstakes for a chance to win back-to-school must-haves, including popular Master Lock school and campus security products.  More information about the back-to-school video series and sweepstakes, as well as the newest and coolest Master Lock back-to-school accessories, can be found at http://mwne.ws/pELmnK.  You can also find Master Lock on Facebook.

FTC Disclosure:  As a participant in its MomBloggersClub campaign, I will receive a gift card and product from Master Lock in exchange for writing this story to spread the word about the brand's back to school security products and sweepstakes promotion.   I did not receive any 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. 

Staples Back to School Modern Family Event

Community

As a mom who blogs I often write about topics such as education and community service.  Readers might recall some of my more popular posts related to school, like how to stay sane while home schooling and solutions to fighting kid cabin fever with preschoolers and elementary age kids, among others.

MBE partnered with Staples for this story

I also am big on teaching kids how to give back to the community.  So, when Staples gave me the opportunity to blend back to school and community service into a single post, I couldn't say no to the invitation.

It's inevitable, once we've hit the halfway mark of summer.  Parents like you and me have no choice.  It's time to start thinking about the coming school year and all the shopping it entails to get our kids ready for fall.

   

Staples, the office and school supply superstore, in some ways is like most of the other big brands, having just launched their back to school sales promotion over the weekend.  But Staples it turns out isn't just offering great deals on school supplies to those of us who are fortunate enough to be able to afford to buy everything our children need.   

To kick off the back to school shopping season Staples has done something truly extraordinary, that is worthy of mention.  Today, they gave away back packs filled with many of the things required for a successful school year to 75 needy kids from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Burbank and the Greater East Valley.

This community event was staged, appropriately enough, at the Staples store in Burbank in the shadow of the big studios that dot this part of Southern California.   On hand to charm the audience, debut his new commercials, and gift backpacks to these deserving young people was Rico Rodriquez, the star of Staples new back to school TV campaign.  

The 12 year-old, a Young Artist Award Winner, is quite a seasoned young actor.  For the past two seasons he's been adored by fans playing Manny Delgado on the ABC TV Emmy Award-winning Prime Time series Modern Family.   This is a show that I bet many of the kids attending watch regularly.  Rico told us today that he returns from hiatus on August 1 to begin work on Season 3.  I'm sure the show's entire following can't wait to see what Manny's character will be up to next!

Rico, BTW, was totally in his element as Staples official spokeskid.  He is amazingly upbeat, mature beyond his years, overflowing with warmth and confidence.  Ask anyone in that small crowd today, this young man was definitely the life of the party and he had us hanging on his every word.

For sure, many of the boys and girls were noticeably tickled to see a real live tween TV star in person up close for the first time as well as on the TV monitors on each side of the stage.  From my vantage point as a mommy blogger covering the event -- along with two of my 14 year-old triplets -- everyone seemed to be taking it all in, having a wonderful time, and especially appreciated the backpacks, too.   

Among the Staples brand products stuffed into the Extreme Access Bag n' Packs the kids received were

• 1 inch, 3-ring binder
• Spiral notebook
• Bound notebook
• Clear report presentation folder
• A 120 page ream of lined filler paper
• A box of 12 retractable mechanical pencils
• A pack of 4 ballpoint pens
• A fun calculator with maze game on reverse

As mommy of triplets plus one more all born within a year, I've had more than my share of experience with kids wanting the same thing, so I did notice one tiny glitch at the event.  Staples did have more than enough school bags for all the well-behaved Boys & Girls Club kids as well as the children of the mommy bloggers who attended and there were four different, really cool backpack styles to choose from.

Several of the choices were more popular than others, though, so not all the kids were able to get exactly what they wanted.  Some of the youngsters who had their eye on the Hot Pink Hawaiian pattern, for example, had to choose another style.  It's a minor point and just me speaking as a mom who's been around the block a few times, but it might be a good idea for a future event like this to either have enough of all the options available for the kids to choose from or even just have the same giveaway for everyone.

  

This brings me to an important point for all parents shopping at Staples and other stores this fall, though, that I think you'll find helpful.  When you shop for your school backpacks (and other major items) instead of buying 4 of a kind for your 4 kids and bringing them home, definitely take the kids along to the store.  That way you can avoid sibling rivalry by letting everyone pick their own.  Take this advice and chances are that you and your children will all end up a whole lot happier!

In summary, this Staples event is an exemplary show of caring and it should be lauded. Other brands have a lot to learn from community outreach affairs such as this -- because the reality is that there are too many kids who won't be able to afford all the school supplies they need this fall. 

About Staples

Founded in 1986 and headquartered in Boston, Staples today is the world's largest office products company along with providing a variety of related services.  The company has annual sales of $25 billion and ranks second in the world in eCommerce sales.  Staples -- which prides itself on corporate responsibility and community involvement -- has a presence online and/or in-store throughout the world in more than 26 countries.

My kids want laptops. What is the number thing that your own children want for back to school this year?  I remember covering my school books with paper bags in the 1960s. What memories do you have of back to school as a child yourself?

FTC Disclosure:  I attended the Back to School launch event Staples hosted to cover this story.  Also, two of my children attended with me and each received a backpack at the affair.  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. 

Celebrate National Ice Cream Day Review

Good Food

Did you know that the entire month of July is officially National Ice Cream Month and that today, July 17, is designated as National Ice Cream Day and tha tthe entire month of July is officially National Ice Cream Month?  

MBE partnered with Dove Ice Cream, post contains affiliate links

Celebrating National Ice Cream Day With Dove Ice Cream

I know I sure didn't, until I was invited to the California Milk Advisory Board's  Not So Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social on the first day of summer this past June. 

Just in time to celebrate the most ice cream centric day of the year I am happy to share this taste and review that's all about Dove Ice Cream.  In the spotlight are the recently reformulated -- with more chocolate -- Dove Vanilla Ice Cream with Dark Chocolate Bars.

These delights come three to a box, are certified kosher and are only 250 calories each and yes they really taste as good as they look.  Actually, it's hard to believe the calorie count is so low because the ice cream is really creamy and the chocolate is so rich tasting and thick it cracks when you bite into the bar.

I still remember the first Dove Bar I ever had around 20 years ago.  At the time this was the richest, most decadent ice cream bar I'd ever had.   Soon after, I had four children in the space of a year -- triplets plus one more. And shortly after that, I stopped buying Dove Bars because I was into making only home made ice cream. 

Guess what? I was just re-introduced to this delicious product which I'd all but forgotten about.  Dove's campaign slogan on the box was right: "Crack into an Unforgettable Dove Chocolate Experience." The Dove Bars my son and I just enjoyed today were just as wonderfully rich, maybe even better than the ones I first had many years ago.  

Dove's ice cream is really unforgettable, I can't stop thinking about it.  Makes me want to go to a different market right now to see if I can find the other varieties to try, since my store only carried a couple of the Dove ice cream novelties to choose from.

Dove Ice Cream treats come in Dark Chocolate and Milk Chocolate over-sized 3-bar packs and Raspberry Sorbet with Dark Chocolate Sticks 6-bar pack, and ice cream miniatures, all of which are scrumptious. Dove Chocolate Candy is another line the company makes that I think I'd really enjoy tasting, especially the Dove Dark Chocolate Candy Bars.

Dove Ice Cream, BTW, is an official sponsor of the BlogHer 11 so I look forward to interacting with the brand in San Diego. I know quite a few other women and moms who blog who will be attending and all of us are looking forward to Dove's participation in our upcoming conference, too. 

Mommy Blog Expert discloses I participate in the Amazon Affiliate program and that I will recieve a bit of compensation, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through the links in this post.

FTC Disclosure: I received Dove Ice Cream Bars to facilitate this review. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom f MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the ottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Rocket Town - A New Board Book for Toddlers - Just as the NASA Shuttle Programs Winds Down

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Book Review

Rocket Town by Bob Logan
iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Rocket Town by illustrator/author Bob Logan, $7.99, Sourcebooks.  What a perfect book to be reviewing, just as the U.S. space shuttle program is coming to a close with the return of the Atlantis Space Shuttle. 

By way of introduction, Bob Logan is a Southern California illustrator and artist.  Recently he appeared and read Rocket Town live at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books an event my own family loves attending each spring.  Logan is also the author of another cute young children's title called The Sea of Bath.

From a mom perspective, I know this book is really meant for today's toddler.  But I have to admit it's got magnetic old-fashioned appeal to baby boomers like me, too, because of the retro pop art style and storyline.  In fact, it seems to bridge time.  It's a celebration of the pre-shuttle days, ala The Jetsons family, the TV cartoon series from the 1960s that I grew up with, as it is much in tune with the modern times we live in today.

In this tale an astronaut, along with his doggie friend, venture off in a bright yellow pickup truck that might have time traveled right out of the mid 1950s.   Their destination is Rocket Town and along the way they'll pass every imaginable kind of rocket and space craft in search of the one they like most.  The different rockets are big and small, in all kinds of shapes. Care for a shark-shaped rocket?  That is only the beginning of all you will see in this book.  For sure, you never know what you'll find on the next page!

Finally, this unlikely duo finds the perfect rocket ship for their journey into space.  You and your child will laugh together as you discover that this rocket actually looks just like their pickup. Then, together you'll count down and blast off at the end of this charming story.

The colorful pictures throughout this sturdy board book are sure to inspire little kids' imaginations to reach for the stars -- figuratively and literally.  Whether Dad, Mom, Grandma or even Great Grandpa is reading this to a lucky child, it will certainly delight multiple generations.

Rocket Town by Bob Logan and published by Sourcebooks, Board Book $7.99,  is also available for the Kindle for $6.39

FTC Disclosure:  I received a copy of the book to facilitate this review.  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.