Independence Day Wishes for 2012

 

Happy Independence Day on the beach

Wish I was back here, but I will be spending the day with family at home. I hope that everyone has a wonderful and safe 4th of July celebration. How will you be celebrating today?

It's Me

Focused on the Magic

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Tuesday Tales – Vote For Me

I rarely talk about politics on my blog or in general. The other day, I actually mentioned that I would love a filter on Facebook to get rid of the political chatter that I keep seeing from so many after the Supreme Court ruling. Reality check, this is only going to get worse on Twitter, Facebook, the news, and beyond as we head into a presidential election. Please hold me!

While at the library the other day, something caught my eye and now I do believe I may buy this book to give to adults, especially politicians.

Vote for Me - Election Day picture book

Vote for Me! by Ben Clanton (link to the author’s fun website with more of his work) is a perfect read for children and adults heading into this election year. Although the target audience is 4-8 year old children, I think it may be even better for older children who are studying elections at school. Let’s be honest here, kids hear the negativity, whether they read the newspaper, see the national news, or listen to their parents. They are taking all of this in and this book will show them in a nice way how foolish both side look, how we need to work together, and can compare read world items to Donkey and Elephant. This could lead to conversations about how they think candidates should talk about their views of the important issues, rather than simply name calling and saying what is wrong with the the other person.

Here is an extended book trailer of Vote for Me! from Kids Can Press that gives you a nice version of the story. If you are wondering, you have to read the book to find out how it ends.

 

The book is definitely a satire, but it does strike a nerve with readers that are fed up with the campaign tactics that we see these days. I highly recommend this for adults (especially politicians) to read with some younger children to see the light.  TechyDad and I both read this book with our boys and we had a lot of laughs. My guess is that NHL will appreciate it even more once they start to talk about the election in fourth grade this fall. A little bit of caution, beware your children may use some of the name calling that is “funny” in the book. Sunday, the boys were calling each other Booger Breath several times. We ignored it hoping it would fade away.

As always, Tuesday Tales are all about spreading the love for books. What have you read recently? Please be sure to link up to your book posts in the comments below. Include something you read on your own, with a child, or someone else.

It's Me

Disclosure: As mentioned, the book was taken out of the library and I am thinking of gifting it to some of my political friends this election day. One Amazon affiliate link is included and should you purchase the book mentioned I will receive a small percentage from the sale. As always, all opinions are my own.

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Finding Nemo Life Lessons

Some days you just need to try to put things into perspective. The reality of life may be hard to swallow, but sometimes transforming it into a familiar Disney story can help make you smile. Today, Finding Nemo will remind us to:

Just keep swimming - Art of Animation Resort

Sometimes, we must keep moving across a great distance to get to the other side of an obstacle. Though there are times that I wish I could forget everything like Dory, her message rings in my head over and over again. We must “Just Keep Swimming” past the tough times which will make us appreciate family and friends.

Nemo and Marlin - Art of Animation Resort

It is during those quiet times with our family that we can sit and appreciate the beauty of the world around us, even if it feels like we may be stuck in a mass of coral looking at the world beyond our reach.

Of course, there are moments that will teach us to let go. To allow ourselves to keep swimming, set new goals, seek assistance, and allow Mr. Rays in the world to show us the great beyond.

Mr Ray - Art of Animation

Although it may be easy to beat yourself up, you have to pick yourself up and get through the current of life. There is no such thing as failure if you use it as a life lesson. Not everything can go right day in and day out. We have to think like Crush because…

Crush and Dory - Art of Animation

As you can see, Nemo and friends can certainly remind you of some important life lessons. What others can you think of from Nemo or another Disney movie that help you to put things into perspective and push through a rough patch?

It's Me

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Just Keep Swimming

Sometimes a song, a quote, or other item just sticks in your head. Case in point would be the words of Dory. Yes, I mean Dory from Finding Nemo. After seeing Finding Nemo the Musical while at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in May, her words have been motivating me. Which ones?

Finding Nemo the Musical

For some reason, I often find myself singing along to the song from the musical. If you have never seen it, I highly recommend taking the time. Here is the song that has made an earworm into my head and keeps me plugging along. Thanks to YouTube, I found it posted by Ame Livingston who happens to be Dory in the video.

 

What do you think about Dory’s words of wisdom to just keep swimming? More about this and some life lessons from Finding Nemo tomorrow.

It's Me

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Faux Tattoo Fun

Dear NHL and JSL,

The summer of 2012 may be dubbed the season of faux tattoos in our house. We have bought some in the past, but neither of you were really interested in them. The Avengers ones that I bought you for Chanukah sat for months unopened. Last week, one of you asked to buy some Toy Story tattoos from Michaels while we were there for an event. I said sure. The next thing I knew, you each had three tattoos, while I had one.

Toy Story Faux Tattoos

I am not sure what changed your interest in them. I have a feeling it may be thanks to seeing your cousins wearing them at JSL’s pirate party. It has been fun watching the two of you debate between Toy Story, Avengers, and other random tattoos that we have around the house from over the years.

Faux Tattoo Time

No matter what tattoo you pick, I will love you both to infinity and beyond!

Love,

Mommy

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