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About Melissa

Melissa Northway, M.S. is a mom, founder of dandelion moms, and a children’s book author. Her award-winning book Penelope the Purple Pirate was inspired by her little tomboy. Penelope is a modern-day Pippi Longstocking who teaches girls and boys the importance of having fun while at the same time teaching them to be kind and respectful of others and their differences. You can reach Melissa at: info@dandelionmoms.com and follow her @melissanorthway and @dandelionmoms. Check out her author web site at: www.melissanorthway.com, as she hands out loads of goodies from the treasure chest.

Community :: How We Can Help the Families in Oklahoma

May 21, 2013 by Leave a Comment
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  It is so upsetting to watch the news and see the damage Monday's tornado left behind in the community of Moore, Oklahoma. The Associated Press is reporting that 51 people - including at least 20 children - lost their lives yesterday.  As parents, keeping our children safe is one of our major concerns and it is events like the Newton shootings and natural disasters that makes us feel one so vulnerable to forces out of our control.  This morning I had several conversations (with myself) about whether or not I should take my … [Read more...]

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Disney’s Monsters University Storybook Review & Giveaway

May 19, 2013 by 8 Comments
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  We have watched the movie Monster's Inc. no less than 20 times together as a family. I just love Sulley and Mike and especially Boo!  This is such great movie that we are really looking forward to the sequel, Monster's University, that showcases Sulley and Mike in college.  What a funny premise! Well, in anticipation of this summer’s release of the Monsters, Inc. movie prequel, Monster’s University, Disney Publishing has a released a brand new app – Monsters University Storybook Deluxe! The fully animated interactive … [Read more...]

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Dove’s “Let’s Make Girls Unstoppable” Initiative

May 18, 2013 by Leave a Comment
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A few weeks back I attended the Mom 2.0 Summit at The Ritz Carlton Hotel in Laguna Niguel.  The setting was amazing with the ocean views and salt-watered breeze, but what impressed me the most about the event was the Dove's "Let's Make Girls Unstoppable" campaign.   You might have seen the Dove commercials showcasing women of all sizes to stress the importance of women accepting themselves as they are.  Well, their Dove Self-Esteem Project aims to start teaching this important message to our young girls and will focus on self-esteem … [Read more...]

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Dwell :: Home Decor Ideas That Welcome Summer

May 18, 2013 by Leave a Comment
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  Décor Ideas for Summer: Summer is finally around the corner, and what better way to celebrate the warmer weather than brightening up your home with some summery decorating ideas. While winter calls for darker, cozy tones, summer is a great excuse to add bright splashes and floral patterns to your home. Changing your décor doesn’t necessarily mean doing a complete overhaul—these few small changes can make a big difference to a room. Here are a few simple ideas to welcome summer into your home.   Brighten Up … [Read more...]

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Instagram of the Week:: Spot Paintings by Damien Hirst

May 18, 2013 by Leave a Comment
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  Last week I had the opportunity to attend the PBS Kids annual meeting in Miami as part of their Mom Blogger Ambassador Program.  It was a great experience and I loved to meet the people who are responsible for the great PBS Kids programs my daughter enjoys.  The hotel we stayed in had this painting in the hallway and it literally stopped me in my tracks.  Some of you might know I am obsessed with polka dots (I named my company Polka Dots Publishing) and I fell in love with this huge (42 x 42) art piece immediately.  For me, polka … [Read more...]

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Fashion :: Your Own Online Shopper at ShoeDazzle

May 17, 2013 by Leave a Comment
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  Prior to having my daughter I would say shopping was a hobby of mine.  I found it to be relaxing and I enjoyed checking out the new styles for the seasons.  One of my favorite things was to try to find bargains at Loehmans or Marshalls as I liked the hunt.  It felt a bit like treasure hunting to me!  Fast forward to present day, and it is sad but true, that I don't have the time - or make the time - to shop much except for basics.  But recently, I have felt it was time to put some effort into my day-to-day wardrobe and … [Read more...]

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Introducing the new Sesame Street Character :: Mando!

May 17, 2013 by 2 Comments
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©2013 Sesame Workshop. All rights reserved.   Many of us grew up watching Grover, Cookie Monster and Big Bird and have fond memories of Sesame Street.  I love that my daughter enjoys watching this quality and educational program and we can laugh together at Cookie Monster's antics!  Sesame Street was conceived in 1966, and was first aired on public broadcasting television stations November 10, 1969, and will celebrate it's 44th season this coming September.  The history of Sesame Street has reflected changing attitudes to … [Read more...]

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Kids :: Enjoy Summer with the BabbaBox

May 16, 2013 by Leave a Comment
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  Have you ever woken up on summer morning, and asked "What am I going to do with my kids today"?  Summer break is an amazing time of exploration, growth and bonding for you and yours.  But it can also be taxing (ok, even maddening) for parents as we are faced with keeping our kids occupied all day with fun, enriching activities and picking up where school left off.  As my daughter is still in kindergarten and only goes to school a few hours each day - there are some days when  I ask myself what am I going to do today?  My … [Read more...]

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Musings :: How Becoming a Mother Changed Me

May 12, 2013 by Leave a Comment
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  The journey to become a mom was not an easy one for my husband and I.  It wasn't until the 9/11 tragedy that I woke up and realized how life can be so uncertain and that not only did I want to get married (had been with my now-husband for 7 years), but I also wanted to have children.  Yes, it was 9/11 as well as a quote I read in an article that completely altered my life.  I was reading a magazine article that was written by a playwright who talked about all these experiences she had in life, traveling the world, dinners at … [Read more...]

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PBS Kids WordGirl vs. The Energy Monster Review and Giveaway

May 11, 2013 by 7 Comments
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We are big fans of the PBS Kids Emmy Award-Winning WordGirl and just love her side kick, Huggy Face.  My daughter and I will watch it together and I like that she will learn new words and is taught how to use them in sentences.  She is always asking me the meaning of words and I think part of this curiosity can be traced back to this program.  PBS Kids is releasing “WORDGIRL VS. THE ENERGY MONSTER” on DVD May 14th.  “WordGirl®”  follows the life and super hero adventures of WordGirl as she fights crime and enriches vocabulary … [Read more...]

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