Read All About It!

It's the end of October and the start of a holiday season that begins with the 2008 Presidential Election. Whether you're looking for ways to explain the election process to a child, or want to learn more about the candidates' positions from a non-partisan source, ePals will have the answers you need. You can also use this resource as a way to connect children with a PenPal from another country and introduce them to another culture or community.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting is pleased to share with you an opportunity for growth and possibility for the New Year. 2009 is right around the corner and I want to thank you for being so supportive of one another and yourselves as a parent, business owner, or whatever role you choose to define yourself with.

Our community has grown over the last year, allowing me to evolve into the new technology of this new email program. This will allow me to better serve you and will provide you with the opportunity to customize the information you receive from me.

Please take a moment to manage your preferences or unsubscribe if you should no longer wish to receive correspondence from me. I do hope you prefer to continue to receive blog posts, Parenting News and event announcements directly to your Inbox each and every week.

In the next few weeks I will be sending out a Holiday Gift Guide as well as an invitation to an annual Happy Healthy Hip Holiday Party which I hope you will each be able to support by either attending or sponsoring.

If you attended the Parenting Party in May then you'll know that these events are a great way to meet and mingle with other parents, along with the chance to walk away with some great prizes. It would be great to have a sell-out event which would send a message to San Diego that the parents in our community work together and play together! Tickets will go on sale soon.

Have a safe and wonderful Halloween weekend and let me know what I can do to support you.

Blog Day 2008

Blog Day 2008 is two weeks away. Are you prepared?

Participate by adding a badge to your site and research at least 5 blogs to share with others. Instructions are simple:

1. Find 5 new Blogs that you find interesting
2. Notify the 5 bloggers that you are recommending them as part of BlogDay 2008
3. Write a short description of the Blogs and place a link to the recommended Blogs
4. Post the BlogDay Post (on August 31st)
   
5. Add the BlogDay tag using this link:
   http://technorati.com/tag/BlogDay2008 and a link to the BlogDay web site: http://www.blogday.org

Robot Mom

My son is into robots lately. I brought him into the office with me today where he made a giant robot (his size) out of paper and Scotch® tape. He's quite the little inventor.

Today - perfect timing - we also received a copy of a book I bought for him called Mama Robot, written by Davide Cali and illustrated by AnnaLaura Cantone. Originally written in Italian, the text was translated by Marcel Danesi (published by Tundra Books).

The artwork is the first thing that captured my attention. A combination of sketches and digital images leap from the page and require a second look (there's a small key carried by the narrator on the first page and real silverware on the table setting).

There are also subtle details in the drawings that most readers won't think twice about but those that have keen observation skills will giggle over (the coffee mugs as the robot mom's breasts and the small grommets falling from the robot dog's behind on the last page).

As a single, working mom, I can imagine that my son has a lot in common with the little boy in the story. His mom is always working, always at her desk and he's continuously bored and wanting her attention.

He decides to make a new mom - Mama Robot - and talks about all the great things that would come of it: Mama Robot would never be too busy to spend time with me! She would never make me brush my teeth. She'd let me stay up late to watch scary movies and would never make me tidy up my room.

Our young protagonist finally realizes that he can't quite cuddle with Mama Robot and she doesn't smell quite the same as his real mom and so, he decides to take her apart and create a new companion. Moms are, after all, irreplaceable.

This is a wonderful book for parents and children, as it serves as a powerful reminder of what's important: quality time which truly is priceless.

Parenting Party Sponsor - KANE/MILLER BOOK PUBLISHERS

Kane/Miller Book Publishers publishes award-winning children's books from around the world. They represent over twenty different countries and have translated their books into English from over a dozen languages.

They have some exciting series' for readers of all ages, including the Toddler Tales, On My Way, Little Princess, My Body Science, Jack Russell: Dog Detective and The Team. Their Spanish-language line, Libros del mundo, contains picture books that will appeal to many.

They are based in La Jolla and have kindly offered some books to be given away Thursday, May 22nd at the 1st Annual Happy Healthy Hip Parenting Party. We hope to see you there!