Does the President's hair feel like mine?

How incredible is this picture! I received this email and had to share it with you. So simple yet so profound. Enjoy!

Obama bends over so the son of a White House staff member can pat his head during a family visit to the Oval Office May 8, 2009. The youngster wanted to see if the President's haircut felt like his own. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

This little boy wanted to see if the President's hair felt like his.

Perhaps at the beautiful demonstration of a child's curiosity when we don't "shush" them.

Perhaps at the thought that this young boy could see part of himself in the President of the United States, for the very first time.

Perhaps at the humble way President Obama bent down. Perhaps all of the above.

A Night at the Museum

My family LOVED Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian!


What if your child could have their own night at the museum? Sounds impossible? Well they can! You can schedule a nocturnal expedition/sleepover at New York City's American Museum of Natural History!




Let's be clear upfront, this is NOT a recession friendly activity, but it is something to look forward to :)


Here's an excerpt from their website:

Imagine yourself traveling as a paleontologist on an expedition while watching Dinosaurs Alive! in the LeFrak IMAX Theater, exploring our live-animal exhibitions with knowledgeable Museum explainers, and challenging yourself with one of our fun Museum Quests. End your night by falling asleep in the darkened halls of one of the world's most famous museums.

As the doors close and the lights dim, you and your group will head out with flashlights in search of adventure. Find yourselves in the Hall of North American Mammals, staring down a herd of wild buffalo. Climb the stairs and you're in the Age of Dinosaurs, standing beneath a 65-million-year-old T. rex. Then, as the night comes to a magical close, settle down beneath the 94-foot-long blue whale, next to the Alaskan brown bear, or at the base of a volcanic formation.

Cost: $129 per person (Members: $119 per person)

Admission Price includes:
Evening snack and light breakfast
Cots for all participants
IMAX film
Take-home activities
Fossil exploration by flashlight
Live-animal special exhibition (seasonal)
Time: 5:45 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Open to: 8-12 year olds

http://www.amnh.org/kids/sleepovers/

Parents Do You Want to Manage Your Money Wisely?

New York Urban League

and the

Greater Hudson Valley Chapter of the LINKS

collaborate to host the

Citigroup Financial Connections Certificate Series for Adults
at the
Mount Vernon Central Library
28 South First Avenue Mount Vernon, NY 10550

2009 Westchester certificate Series

SATURDAYS June 6th, 13th, 20th 27th

10:00am-1:00pm (Refreshments Served (9:30am - 10:00am)

Workshops are Free!!

However You MUST Be Registered!

Call or Email
Diana B. Coleman with your contact information (212) 926-8000 ext. 147–

(Email) dcoleman@nyul.org

WORKSHOP TOPICS
I. Banking and Money Management
¨ Money in our Lives and how toMaximize use of Financial Services
¨ Checking Account Maintenance
¨ Identify Goals to Create a Realistic Financial Plan
II. $$ Mgmt: Saving and Investing
¨ Difference between Saving and Investing
¨ Understanding various Saving and Investing Products
¨ Introduction to Investments and Financial Planning
Important: We will not accept any new participants in the credit workshops. PRIOR to attending any CREDIT workshop you MUST attend session I or II (preferably both). By attending all sessions you get the most out of the series.
III. Spending and Credit
¨ ABCs of Spending and Credit
¨ Establishing Credit
¨ Maintaining Credit
¨ Credit Scores
¨ Identity Theft
IV. The Credit Landscape
¨ Expenses & Budgets
¨ Managing Credit Challenges
¨ Prime and Sub-prime Lending
¨ Predatory Lending / Practices
¨Bankruptcy – Updates

All Hail Princess Tiana!

If you ventured out to see "UP" this weekend, you were one of the first to see the trailer for Disney's "The Princess and the Frog" coming to theatres near you during the Holiday season (NY/LA limited release 11/25/09, nationwide 12/11/09).



When I first saw her brown face on the screen, I squealed with excitement for the unveiling of Disney's first Black princess!!! My heart DID drop when she quickly turned into a frog after kissing the frog prince, but I stopped myself from passing judgement and decided to wait optimistically for the movie's release in 4th quarter. My 5 year is already looking forward to her Princess and the Frog themed 6th birthday party in Feb 2010. I anticipate that Tiana will become her favorite Disney princess, much like her favorite Cheetah girl is the one who looks like her.



I've allowed my daughter to enjoy all things Disney as I did as a child, but the preview of Princess Tiana really made me feel like it's a new day. Clearly a movie like this won't come without its challenges. The cover story of NY Times Sunday Styles section on 5/31/09 highlights the critiques ranging from excitement to skepticism. Should the setting be New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina? Will it dispel or emphasize old stereotypes? Why isn't Prince Naveen Black? Or will we simply fall in love with and embrace Tiana as we have other Disney characters throughout the ages?

Despite Disney's efforts to get feedback from consultants such as Oprah and the NAACP, my BIGGEST problem is the absence of African Americans at the table in the creative process at Disney. It's heart breaking that in 2009, African Americans still don't have the power to green light projects or influence content to ensure that Disney gets this movie RIGHT. What a SHAME!

Below are links to the Disney website, the full movie trailer on YouTube and the NY Times article.

Come on parents! Post your comments and lend your voices to this discussion. We want to hear what you think.

http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/princessandthefrog


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6DmEgtibOg

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/31/fashion/31disney.html?_r=1

Westchester Children's Museum Explore-a-thon- June 7, 2009

Did you know that Westchester County, NY will soon have it's own Children's Museum?

The Westchester Children's Museum is slated to open in 2010 at the Boathouse in Rye Playland!

WCM will be hosting it's 3rd Annual Explore-a-thon on Sunday June 7, 2009 from 9am-12noon at the Boardwalk at Rye Playland. Come out for an educational, fun-filled day which will help make the museum a reality!

Families: $75

Sponsor a child: $100

Sponsor a group: $1,000

To participate and/or donate go to http://www.discoverwcm.org/exploreathon/

See you there!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Wishing you Mother's Day greetings from Chocolate Chip!

You love and nurture your children and kiss boo boo's to make them feel better
You chauffer little people from place to place all because you want the best for them
A mother's job is NEVER done!!
YOU deserve all the praise!!

Check out the link below.  Although my name is included in the piece, insert yours becasue we've all earned this special recognition:)
  
http://news.cnnbcvideo.com/?nid=RRxRKegC1FcOBanHljEdDTMzNTY5ODM-&referred_by=16766193-WdEsK0x

Could your child be the next Rudy Huxtable or top child model?

Come see what everyone is buzzing about…

OPENING NIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

IN CONJUNCTION WITH

PRODUCT MODEL MANAGEMENT PRESENTS:

SUMMER 2009 MODEL FORUM FRIDAY

June 19TH, 2009 5:00-7:00 PM

Due to an overwhelming response from our 4 most recent sold-out workshops, Product has decided to do it one more time! Throughout the years, parents have called asking us hundreds of questions about the industry. What kind of photo's to take? Where to submit? How to submit? What are the steps? What does the commitment truly entail? And so forth...Whether in the business or not, we realize that there is still so much that parents wish to learn, to help their child develop and grow as a model or actor. While we realize that parents are the glue to this business, unfortunately, we do not have enough time in a work day to give you the answers that you truly deserve.

So with that in mind, and due to overwhelming interest and popular demand, PRODUCT model management has decided to participate in a series of informational workshops helping to educate aspiring models and performers. The 4th of our workshops will consist of: A one hour intensive crash course on the ins and outs of the world of baby/child and teen modeling - Learn about how to get started in the business, how to find the right agent, how to put together a portfolio, photos, comp card/headshot printing, what to expect at go-sees and auditions, and how to ultimately land that first job. The 2nd hour will be an open Q & A forum allowing models, performers and their parents to ask any and all entertainment related questions and have them answered by any of our 3 agents. Feel free to ask anything! This is your chance to learn all you've always wanted to know but were afraid to ask!

PRODUCT MODEL MANAGEMENT and its agents have over 20 years experience in the industry. Family owned and operated, our agency has placed models and talent in top magazines like PARENTS, VOGUE BAMBINI, and VANITY FAIR, our kids can be seen in the latest campaigns for GAP, CHILDREN'S PLACE, LIMITED TOO and BENETTON. A select few have also had the pleasure of walking the runways at NY FASHION WEEK, at the Javits Center for Vogue Bambini’s Children’s Club show and much more.

Now is the time to take advantage of our knowledge and gather all of the informational tools necessary to start marketing your child in time for the upcoming high season. PLEASE NOTE**These workshops will be limited to a select number of respondents, so if you are interested, please get back to us right away! The cost of our workshop is only $125/per 1 PARENT & CHILD, and whether you’re new to the business or a veteran, this is a GREAT – and incredibly affordable investment - and an opportunity to find financial success in the industry, and jump start your child's career in 2009!!

All in attendance will receive a mini model gift bag with a model information packet, discount coupons, and more. One lucky winner will receive a PRODUCT GRAND prize package: A go-see bag: including a free portfolio, model planner, a free photo shoot, 100 free composite cards, and many more goodies. PLEASE e-mail us at productworkshops@yahoo.com to secure your seat for June 19th, 2009!