Dancing with Mickey Mouse, Keynote Speaking and Eating at Epcot!
It was not only an amazing experience for me to attend the Disney Social Media Moms conference as a key note speaker, but it was such a warm and humbling experience as an attendee because Disney always wins my heart over. Even at a corporate event like this, the room was filled with love and admiration for families and children. Any time a character came into the room or a video was displayed about the creation of Disney, my eyes teared up. I now know whenever I am in a room of Disney promoters, I will need a handful of tissue to capture my emotional tears. It is such a delight for me to help moms and their blog presence via video. Having Sony there to run the Handycam contest was so thrilling because I was asked to speak on their behalf about how we use the camera at TheGoToMom.tv. After my official duties were done as a speaker, I jumped into comfy clothes and indulged myself with the many wonders of the world by going to Epcot. I was joined by my Canadian mom ambassadors, UrbanMommies and yoyomama. We giggled, we took pictures and we shared insights about our Disney experience together. I was so honored that Annmarie from yoyomama was able to grab my Handycam and capture me dancing with Mickey and Minnie at one of our dinners. She did such a great job and wasn’t even in my vlogging workshop! I want to thank the Disney World PR team in particular for always “getting it” and seeing social media moms as their #1 mouthpieces. And for always making us feel like princesses. As a social media mom, it is my honor to help preserve Walt Disney’s dream in letting everyone know that Disney World and Disneyland are “the happiest places on earth.”
Mud and Slop: Why Nature Play is Good for Kids
Did you know that by providing your child the opportunity to play outdoors increases self-reliance and cooperation with others? It also reduces stress and acting out. Children are smarter, happier and healthier if they have time for unstructured play in the great outdoors. Rocks, sand, mud, twigs, water and tree stumps are all examples that make up a great outdoor play. Being outdoors is a simple pleasure. Outdoor play enhances child development. Children can label, classify and experiment with the elements of nature. The wonderment simply never ends. I see nature as a child’s sixth sense.
I’ve been a supporter of Biophilia (which is the love of the outdoors) for years, and I make efforts to provide natural play areas in my own back yard. My older son is a Mud King and my younger child is the Mud Prince. Everyday, all year round, you can find my boys sloshing, digging and creating in their custom mud pit. Ah, the life of a child…
Adventures in nature peak enthusiasms and joy — so let kids get down and dirty where they learn, live and play.
For more great parenting tips, check out Kimberely’s book, The Go-To Mom’s Guide.
How a Dustpan Changed My Life
Have you ever tried so hard at something that it actually becomes harder? I typically put my heart and soul into everything I do. So when I want to achieve something I tackle it with gusto and gorilla-like energy. I never feel as though I’m accomplishing much unless I do things with 100% persistence — I just assume that that Type-A energy is what it takes to succeed or get the job done.
I’ve just come upon a new revelation. This particular style I’ve been operating from is a failure. It’s not the best way to work. I’ve had some recent health issues and had to take a break for a while so I’ve spent the last several weeks relaxing and getting in touch with the peaceful side of life.
During my recovery I was sweeping the cat litter from the floor into a dust pan– and I was doing it at such a slow pace because I was weak. I was surprised to see that the all the litter went into the dustpan in one gentle sweep. For the last several years every time I’ve used the dustpan I have been aggressively shoveling the litter into the pan with such force the way I take on projects. Typically the litter never gets into the pan in one sweep, it takes me 6 or 7 sweeps. Most of the time I’m so impatient that I consider getting a new pan because I believe it’s isn’t working correctly.
The lesson I have learned has been invaluable. During my time of recovery when I was tired and lethargic and could barely sweep was when all the cat litter went into the dustpan upon one sweep. Why haven’t I done this before? It’s brilliant. I wonder how much more I can accomplish with less stress? Can good things come to me if I don’t’ run after them, spear them and claim glory? I now know that not everything always requires 100% pure muscle and mental power.
Life doesn’t need a rigorous push and I certainly welcome that new perspective. I look forward to seeing more things come naturally so I’m not so physically and mentally affected. I decided not to throw out the dustpan because it has taught me such a valuable lesson. And yes, it only takes me one gentle sweep to scoop all the litter into the pan unlike the last 10 years of not figuring out why the darned thing didn’t work! Kudos to cat poop. Can you tell I’m feeling better?
