Splatter and Friends Children's Book Giveaway Encouraging Summer Reading!

Splatter and Friends Children's Book Giveaway!

Splatter and Friends

Encourage summer reading by ENTERING Splatter and Friends children's picture book giveaway!

This month I'm offering three FREE ebook copies of Red Light! Green Light! Splat!, the first children's picture book in the Splatter and Friends series. Splatter and Friends are the Guardians of the Prism. Without them the world will be dark, dreary and colorless. And ugly villain Tar will take over the universe bringing doom and gloom.
 

Next time there is a rainbow, look close because you may just get a glimpse of seven colorful, friendly creatures and their dog sneaking a peak at you! And if you are lucky-SPLAT!-you may even get to meet one.

Swish! Swoosh! Splat-a-tat-tat! Splatter and Friends set off on another adventure splatting from a rare upside down rainbow inches from where Lionar, the King of Chimney Rock, was sitting. Lionar not only made new friends, but he also discovered that everyone and everything has color.

 

Red Light! Green Light! Splat! also includes three games your children can play at home.

 

Splatter and Friends is an educational children's book series that promotes creative learning, self-awareness, and the secret recipe for silliness. The color of Splatter and each of his friends symbolizes personality and behavioral traits. As you read each story, encourage your child to express their full splaterrific color! 

Red Light Green Light Splat's target age is preschool to kindergarten; however, Splatter and Friends characters is for everyone of all ages.

ENTER HERE!

Three people will win a FREE eBook copy of Red Light Green Light Splat!

 

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Parent Coaches Strike Their Kids Out On Purpose Losing More Than The Game

Last night, at my daughters All Star softball tournament, the parent coaches should have been thrown out of the game for doing what they did to their team of 8U girls.

The game started off great, where both teams were playing their hearts out to be one of the final two to make it to the All Star Championship. You could see it in every players eyes and action that they were giving more than 110%. What should have been a proud moment for both teams turned out to be a heartwrenching ending.

It was the bottom of the fourth with only four minutes left in the game and the opposing team was up at bat. The opposing teams coaches knew if they could finish the inning in four minutes, they would be able to play another inning, which is the inning that allows for unlimited runs.

Our team was in softball ready position, eager to stop every hit that came their way and make the out. We watched the opposing coach walk out onto the field. This was the inning where coaches only pitched, giving the players a better opportunity to hit the ball if their coach was a good pitcher.

I took a deep breath, having some relief that it was the bottom of their batting order. But these were All Star girls, which meant that all could hit, keeping every one of our fielders on their toes. I watched the opposing coach pitch his first pitch. It was super high. So high that his batter had to leap off the ground to try to even tip it. None of us thought anything of it, because every coach has pitched a bad pitch. But then the second pitch was high and the third. At first, I thought, "There is no way a parent would ever try to strike their own batter out, especially an All Star player in an All Star game; and for that matter, to an eight year old child!" It was when he pitched an unreachable high pitch to his second batter that my body became numb, realizing he was purposely striking his players out. The fans started to boo. Everyone knew what he was doing was unethical and unforgivable.

I can't even explain the sadness I felt for the opposing teams girls who were struck out. You could see it in their eyes that they were doing everything possible to try to hit every pitch their self-centered, cruel coach pitched to them. They had no idea that their coach was purposely striking them out.

Winning is such a wonderful feeling. But losing, knowing that you gave it your all is just as great of a feeling. This coach took that away from those girls. He was trying to win for his own personal selfish needs. These girls were out there to learn the game, develop skills and to be taught what sportsmanship is. Winning at all costs will never make you a winner.

In hindsight, I think the umpire should have stopped the game and asked the opposing coach to be replaced. Those girls deserved better. We as parents and volunteer coaches have an obligation to not only teach our children appreciation, responsibility, respect and ethics, but also to be the best role models in the process. This father, this coach, failed his child and team, and now he has to live with his actions.

We won the game. And we won it fairly. I hope that the above story helps you stop and think about how your actions and words affect your child. Kids need parents to teach them that it's okay to win and lose. But cheating and doing things unethically will never make you a winner.

ASTROLOGY NEWS: Firework Explosion In July When Saturn Goes Direct, Uranus Goes Retrograde and Mercury Goes Direct

July is the month filled with "Ah ha" and "Uh oh" moments! Saturn going direct (July 7th), Uranus going retrograde (July 17th), and Mercury finally turning direct (July 18th) will create an energy flow to teach us that nothing in life is perfect, that your past and present choices will affect your future, and that anything and everything is possible. But the most important thing is to realize that not everything can be planned for and to be open to the unexpected.

This is a month where freedom, structure and personal responsibility will be highlighted. And even if these transits are not aspecting one of your planets directly in your astrology chart, they will touch each and every one of our lives through friends, business decisions and governmental choices.

With Mercury already in retrograde going into July, Saturn will add to the communicative craziness by bringing those secrets out in the open as well as your successes. And when you add Uranus going retrograde to the equation, you will get a mixture of astonishing successes and unexpected misfortunes.

On a personal level, these planetary combinations will take what you have been working on the past six months and shake it up enough that you have to say and do something about it. You will get rid of things that aren't working and move forward with things that are. You will say things that need to be said, and some words will definitely strike the heart. This could be a time period of significant status change for you such as marriage, divorce, and career change.

On a global level, war, innovative discoveries, and unexpected weather conditions will make the news. With Saturn and Uranus, we need to watch out for power struggles and ego. Does it really matter who wins in the end, if no one is left to enjoy it?

What to expect:

• A huge discovery, major progress and/or possibly even a cure around something involving cancer, the nervous system and/or the mind, like Alzheimer's.
• Guns and war hot topics and possible events. Watch out for anyone unstable with access to destructive devices.
• Important relationships and partnership encounters. I actually met my husband with a Uranus change in direction which affected my astrology chart. And bad relationships and partnerships ending.
• Electrical storms, power outages and even an unexpected earthquake.
• Watch out for fires, accidental in nature to. They could get out of control.
• Delays and even tragic accidents around travel.
• Secrets being revealed.
• Speaking your mind and sharing your feelings.
• Job promotions, projects getting off the ground and status change (like marriage or divorce).
• Pregnancy. I got pregnant when Saturn changed direction, creating an entirely new identity for myself--mom!

What to be cautious of, especially because Mercury is still in retrograde:

• Saying something you later regret.
• Not realizing your true potential.
• Being careless and reckless on the road.
• Not locking your belongings up, causing theft.
• Leaving important documentation around where it ends up being revealed.
• Anything involving electricity and power.
• Regarding health, always watch out for high blood pressure, anxiety and stress when Mercury and Uranus are involved. Not too mention, anything dealing with the mind or head such as concussions.

In a nutshell, power, freedom, and perseverance will flow steady and strong in the the independent month of July. Be ready to stay on your toes because anything and everything can happen with three major planets fighting for the spotlight. Like I said, these planets are going to stir the energy for explosive communicative events, where some will definitely make the news.

With Saturn in Scorpio, look within because that is where you will find the answers and the strength to persevere. Honesty is key during this time period, especially being honest to yourself. And take your time. Taking risks can be fun and rewarding. And the timing for taking risks couldn't be better. However, remember that with Saturn being the planet that teaches lessons and Uranus creating the unexpected, those risks may not play out in the exact way you had planned. If you have already learned your lesson, then you should be smiling in the end!

I hope you'll check out my website and follow my blog! I really want to leverage all of this exciting astrological energy and would love your help in helping me succeed. This fall is the time that I'll be expanding my product offerings and sharing more information on who the Wunderkind Family is!

Please visit and follow....
http://www.melissaproduction.com
http://www.facebook.com/melissaproductions
http://www.facebook.com/thewunderkindfamily
http://www.facebook.com/splatterandfriends


Get 20% off all orders with coupon code 20OFF! This offer is valid from 6/25 through 7/8.

Meet Jaws The Most Time Devouring Plant

How hard can it be taking care of a plant, right? That's what I thought until Jaws entered my life.

Jaws, the most human demanding Venus Fly Trap that I've ever met, is turning my brown hair, gray.

It all started on Sunday late afternoon. Jaws wasn't even a thought in any of our minds. But then, somewhere in between me chasing Isabella around the Nature Museum and Jake waiting near the exit, his eyes connected with a Venus Fly Trap on sale, which he named Jaws. As soon as he showed me the plant, I knew there was no way we were exiting the building without it. He had been asking for a Venus Fly Trap for over three years. How on Earth could I say no?

So we took Jaws home with an understanding that the plant was 100% Jake's responsibility. I was so nervous taking this darn plant home, because I truly am not blessed with a green thumb. Over the past four years, I've tried growing tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, blueberries and even simply a flower and everything has died or been eaten up on me by some wild bird or gross slimy wormy creature. But Jake, on the other hand, has the greenest thumb you have ever seen. And he's interested in planting. So this was the perfect opportunity for him to bring something into our home that I am not good.

The first night went kind of well. Jake asked me a few questions, like what should I feed Jaws. I replied, "An ant." So Jake captured lots of ants and fed three of the traps. Then he put it in his bedroom for the night. I told him that I thought the plant would be better off outside where it can get natural sunlight. Jake disagreed and said the plant needs to be with him, because he can give it lots of love. It was so darn sweet! And he truly has always been more knowledgeable in this area, so I let it be.

Yesterday was when my time and energy began being devoured by Jaws. As soon as Jake woke up, I was bombarded by question after question. (I have to reiterate that I know nothing about plants or gardening or anything green that requires watering. I'm not even good with taking care of a bouquet of flowers. And here I was faced with having to help my son in a subject area that I kept failing at.) Jake asked, "Mom, can you help me catch more bugs for Jaws?" "Mom, can you look online to see what Jaws should eat?" "Mom, can you watch Jaws for me?" "Mom, do you think Jaws needs more water?" "Mom, should we replant Jaws?" and finally when he went to bed, he asked me, "Mom, is Jaws dieing?"

I looked at Jaws and realized it didn't look healthy. It's leaves and traps were wilting; and a couple had already began turning yellow. My heart filled with sadness and my eyes felt heavy. That's when it hit me. I am getting attached to the most ugly time devouring plant on this planet. I really am liking this plant, all because of my son. My son has made this plant so special and so pet-like. And when I looked at how wilted Jaws was, I almost cried. He looked like he was dieing. I let Jake sleep with him by his bedside one more night.

This morning, when Jake woke up, I put my foot down and said, "Jaws needs sun. He needs to live outside." Jake realized that he didn't know how to take care of Jaws; and with a sad expression on his face, he got dressed and brought Jaws downstairs. I then took Jaws from Jake and placed him in the sun on top of a table on our screened-in porch. I thought that was it, but then Jake begged me to go online and read up on how much sunlight Jaws needed and how much he should eat and what he should eat and if we should play music for it and if dogs eat Venus Fly Traps. I'm sure you are getting the picture.

The last thing I need right now is another to do or pet. Yet for some reason this plant is now in my life and I'm attached to it. So today, while Jake was at camp, I began learning all I could about Venus Fly Traps. Did you know that you only have to feed one trap a week and that's enough for the entire plant? Funny what a mom learns and does for the love of her child.

When Jake came home from camp, he immediately ran out to the screened-in porch, pulled up a chair and just sat there staring at his newest responsibility, Jaws. As you can see from the picture above, Jaws is already looking better.

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ASTROLOGY NEWS: Mercury Retrograde Poses a Problem for July Holiday Vacation Travelers

Mercury retrograde is back and it's gaining energy to disrupt your 4th of July travel plans.

Mercury turns retrograde in the sign of Cancer on June 26, 2013 for three weeks. During this time period, expect delays and hiccups around your travel plans, especially if you are heading to the beach.

But that isn't the only area that Mercury will toy with. It also will play games with technology, making your computer unexpectedly crash or your cell phone to mysteriously disappear. Emails somehow get deleted. Contracts get delayed or may never even come through. Letters mailed end up at someone elses house. That phone call that you've been waiting for ends up recorded on someone elses voice mail. When Mercury goes retrograde, it's like having a toddler touching and messing with your computer, cell phone and mail.

With Mercury in the sign of Cancer, watch out that you don't drop your cell phone in the toilet or spill a cup of coffee all over your computer. And expect weather delays when traveling.

From personal experience, be aware and be prepared. Below are my suggestions to get through this time period:

• Call the airport ahead of time to check on your flight
• Make sure you have lots of fun games and snacks when traveling to help fill in the gaps of delays and disruptions
• Watch talking on your phone close to water
• Keep all drinks and liquids away from your computer
• Follow-up on any emails or calls you expected to receive, because they may have gotten lost or forgotten
• Drive carefully on the road, stopping at all red lights

Also, Uranus and Mars will be in close aspect around June 17th - 25th, giving you the impression that Mercury retrograde has started early. This is only the beginning of what these planets will do over the next four weeks.

So in the end, have fun and laugh at the craziness that Mercury most likely will bring into your life during this time period. And get ready, because Mercury isn't the only planet that will impact you in July. Saturn finally turns direct on July 7th and Uranus goes retrograde on July 17th. The power of these two planets will create a big bang effect, especially in some people's career and status. I'll be sharing more soon!