No "Him or Her" Non Gender parenting...

So...as we continue to work on our app for toddlers...Bedtime Bunny Tales I'm wondering if we are being too "gender specific" with Grandpa Bunny and all...

Just in case you didn't know...I'm kidding. I love both genders...male and female and I think both bring a lot to the table.

As I continue to research what mommies and daddies are talking about when it comes to their toddlers I've noticed this is a topic that's on the minds of many. My husband just sent me this article about how one Swedish Preschool is trying to eliminate any use of feminine or masculine in their vocabulary, steering clear of the typical dolls for girls, trucks for boys, etc...etc.
Here's the link to the article http://beta.news.yahoo.com/no-him-her-preschool-fights-gender-bias-122541829.html

This, to me...will never work.

Number one...fighting gender bias isn't helped when you eliminate it altogether. Men and women, boys and girls are different, plain and simple. At this preschool they want all the boys and girls to play with the same toys, the little oven right alongside the building blocks. That's fine...but let me warn you...it's only a matter of time until one of those little guys picks up one of the cooking utensils and turns it into a sword! I don't think you can program kids into doing anything...their natural inclination will win every time.

Yes...some girls would rather climb trees while some little boys would rather play with dolls...but you can't make any of them do what they don't naturally gravitate toward. That's the art of playing. It's make believe and regardless of what toy you give them their imagination will take over and make it into whatever they want it to be!!

If you don't know me...I've been a warrior for breaking down stereotypes my whole life. I love to do things that people don't expect a woman to do...but these things aren't "for women only" or "for men only"...they are just things I wanted to do. I think too often we buy into cultural stereotypes instead of God given talents and abilities.

I grew up playing with Barbies...I loved Barbies and my biggest dream was to have the Barbie Mansion and convertible. I also climbed trees, played football and later joined the Army Reserve. In fact...I was the first woman from my unit to graduate Drill Sgt. School. I also placed first in an Army obstacle course beating out about 30 other male competitors. OH...did I mention I love a good main-pedi and I am a sucker for all things beautiful?!?!

Inspire your kids...love them and help them to grow. What do you think?

The Tree of Life Movie Screening...

Last night I had the privilege of attending a screening of the movie The Tree of Life.
It was moving...powerful, dramatic and sometimes very confusing. OH...before I go on, I do want to note that our logo above is a giant tree! If you haven't watched our little promo video that explains the tree take a look below...ok, now back to the movie.



We watched the movie...then a panel of experts weighed in. Erwin McManus...who is a pastor, speaker, author and film maker moderated the discussion and asked the panelist a series of questions about the meaning of life, the meaning of the film etc. They discussed life on earth and the life here after. It was fascinating.

Sister Rose Pacatte from the Pauline Center for Media Studies was the only female, yet she definitely held her own amongst the other male clergy members. She was able to give a perspective that no one else could give...because in the beginning of the film a nun is quoted and it's something about nature versus grace.

Sister Rose explained that she was a child of the 50's...the era in which the film was set...so she could relate on not only a spiritual level but a pure visceral one too. She could remember playing with her brothers...running through the grass and wondering what they'd do the next day. I wish I could remember how she explained the quote above...but I just can't do it justice. She is also a film critic so if you are looking for a review check her out at http://sisterrose.wordpress.com/



This film isn't your typical movie...it takes on a completely new perspective. About 30 minutes into it there's a montage of images of when the earth was first formed, the solar system...pre-historic plants and animals...it's a crazy ride that leaves you utterly confused or completely in awe. I have to admit I was a little of both. Regardless...you should see it. I think it is a wonderfully new kind of film...void of aliens, robots and violence...things I didn't miss a bit.

First Day of Summer...

Today marks the first day of summer. We know that most of you have been enjoying some super hot temps already...while we here in Los Angeles are enduring the dreaded June Gloom. Yes, June gloom is real...but not as bad as it sounds. From early morning to mid-day it is overcast but the sun usually peaks its head out in the afternoon. The temps are moderate and there aren't too many days you'd pick to go swimming.

Growing up in Ohio was a different story. The first day of sun meant bathing suits and pool parties. After the long winter...everyone is ready for any kind of relief so regardless of how cold the water is...it isn't optional-you're taking a dip!

So how does technology play a part in your summer break? Do you have rules about how much time you allow your little one to be on the computer...phone, iPad, etc.? Is it harder to keep them away from the t.v. now that they have more free time? According to one study...75 percent of mothers hand their smartphone's to their kids. Setting clear limitations on using devices is critical in keeping your children well balanced and off the couch! Technology is great...but over use can be damaging!

Here are some good tips on avoiding media overload!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Father's Day is over but many of the memories remain. Most of us choose to capture those little bits of time by snapping a photograph...while others write, some fight and well, many of us just look at the pictures and remember. Yesterday our family got together at my dad's favorite pizza joint. Yes, it's a pizza "joint", an Ohio bar with pie as heavenly as you can find...at least that's what papa thinks (and I happen to agree). I of course missed the celebration...being I'm in Los Angeles and the rest of the gang is back home...but thanks to my sissy's handy dandy iPhone she keeps me well supplied with good pics!

Anyway...while I was perusing Facebook yesterday I was amazed, perplexed, vexed and downright angered at some of the posts regarding dear ol' dad. Some people posted their thoughts as if they were sending a message to their long lost fathers, while others celebrated their one and only while others asked for supernatural abilities to help them...this is the one that really irked me. In my opinion...and in the opinion of one poll my priest quoted in service yesterday...there is nothing super natural about just showing up. According to the poll I mentioned the number one response to the question...["what do you think of when someone says
"dad" the overwhelming answer was "absent"]. Really? Absent? Like I said before, there's nothing supernatural about just being there. Kids need their dads and even if you don't have any money, power or fame they will appreciate the time you carve out to spend with them...believe me-time is love.

Grandpa Bunny...the main character in our app for kids is the father figure many kids are lacking. It's a shame that such an app needs to be made but more and more children are being raised by single parents...so we hope our character can give just a little comfort to a little guy or gal who misses his papa. For a sweet little story about becoming a father check out this article...

http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/17/becoming-a-father/#more-23401

Father's Day...are dads more involved today than in the past?

In honor of dear ol' dad...this post's for you!

Father's Day, Mother's Day...pretty much all of the holidays conjure up emotions, whether they be good or bad, sweet or sour, something stirs inside us.

For me...this is a good one. Actually, I hold dear every holiday and it's not just because of the presents or food or any of that good stuff, I think I like them so much because I have fond memories of our family being together. I'm the only sibling of 4 to venture from home so I have to rely on technology to keep me close while all of the rest of the gang hangs out at someone's house. Since the dawn of summer that respective house is usually my sisters. She has a pool and if any of you grew up in the south or the mid west you know how important a nice cool dip can be after a long day in the sweltering heat. She provides that respite for many a family member as well as scores of neighbors friends and associates. Alas, I digress...back to dear ol' dad.

According to http://pewsocialtrends.org/2011/06/15/a-tale-of-two-fathers/

More dads are involved in the everyday raising of children while there are more fathers who are separated from their kids. In other words, the dads who are around are involved...while those who don't live with their kids are simply absent. Good news and sad news. Do you know a father who is around? A guy who is invested in his child's life?

When I sat down to write today I was thinking of all the apps for kids that involve a father figure. Maybe an eBook or a game...but I decided to focus on the real-the true and the HUMAN! Ha!
Since working on Bedtime Bunny Tales I can get pretty focused on stories and technology but I think we can all agree there's no replacing papa! Thus...I picked a guy to highlight that is a real and present father. I introduced his son a couple of days ago...but today is dedicated to him and all the other dads out there who are spending their time, money and resources on the most important thing in the world...their babies!

The guy is Tommy Heath. He and my sister Holly were high school sweet hearts and Christian is their son, my nephew. He is the little dare devil I described in my previous post. He and Tommy go hunting together, ride four wheelers, swim and anything and everything else you could dream of. They are like two peas in a pod...a relationship I would have loved to have had with my papa. My dad is a good guy and he was a great provider...but we didn't "hang out" together. I think it was his generation and the notion that mothers raised kids and dads just went to work. I'm glad that worn out belief is fading away. Fathers are soooooo important and I'm still hoping I can get my dad to ride a roller coaster with me! I'm just thankful that he's still around and I still have the opportunity to talk him into some things! Tell me about your dad...

Happy Father's Day....

Cute kids and bunnies!

This morning I opened my email to find a link to a 3 sec. video of a little girl yelling "Hop 2 It". If for some reason this is your first time hearing about this app for kids, well-it was our first endeavor...and it has been so much fun hearing the feedback....especially when it's from a 2 year old! I can't seem to figure out how to attach her video...so go to our Facebook page to take a look...she is darling!

When we started this venture we had no idea we'd make a game. We only thought of our book, Bedtime Bunny Tales, but our friend, Jill Jones, gave us the idea and we ran with it! It's been awesome. We learned so much about building an app as well as how to market it, what works and what doesn't and just the in's and outs of it all.

It has also been really fun connecting with old friends...who now have kids. Just yesterday I noticed that a very sweet girl from my home town in Ohio had posted her blog on Facebook. I went to check it out and low and behold...there she was with the cutest little baby you could imagine! He's so adorable he's up for Parents Magazine's cutest baby contest. Vote for him here...
http://www.parents.com/photos/photo-contests-1/2011-parents-cover-contest/4309200004/?photoId=4305300009

You can also check out her blog here http://www.sweetteadarlin.blogspot.com/

I can't mention all of this cuteness without talking about our sweet little guy Christian. Christian is my sister Holly and brother in-law Tommy's son. He'll turn 5 in August but he acts like he's 13. He swims like a fish, rides a three wheeler and is just an all around love! I have a mouse pad with his smiling face on it...so I look at it often-but boy do I wish I was with him eating ice cream at our favorite place...Dairy Queen! He should have been mine the way he can tear into a chocolate sundae...but alas, I only get to hang out with him when I visit...:(.

Send me some photos of your cutie pies playing Hop 2 It...I'd love to see them having fun...it gives us such joy!!

Giving instead of Advertising....

Yesterday I thought to myself...why are we doing this? I know why...but what does the bigger picture look like? I've always wanted to make money so I could have the freedom to help whomever I'd like, but maybe we could build a company that is helping others in the midst of the construction?!? Apps for kids...apps for learning, apps for cheap gas-what does it all mean? This new frontier we are embarking upon is about ease. Things that make us more comfortable...constant entertainment...everyone and everything competing for your attention all the time! So why not use it for good? All of our stories and games are good. They teach lessons or educate in some way...but what if we took it a step further?

Toms Shoes is a perfect example. Every pair of shoes he sells, he gives one away. So here's my idea. For every download of our eBook, we give part of the proceeds to a charity...instead of spending money on advertising...we give money away...while getting free advertising from said charity's data base.

Don't get me wrong. We tithe. We give gifts, so that's a given...but to give/while getting sounds like a win-win to me?!?!

We are big animal lovers. We've been rescuing dogs since we were married and we also have a heart for orphans. We want to make a schedule for our promotions...maybe focus on five different charities. We're thinking...ASPCA, Free To Smile, Autism Speaks and probably a local rescue organization. How do you make a difference? We'd love to hear.