Waiting

She can't wait to be just like her big sister.

Hollywood!

Roo is becoming such a distinctive character.

She loves to sing and play pretend.

She also loves to wear my accessories, especially my shoes and sunglasses.

She is a true one of a kind girl.

Wordless Wednesday: Run

It's that time, again!

When the warmer weather sets in I tend to get a little restless.

Especially when it comes time to sit down at a desk and pound out blog posts.

All I want to do is lounge outside with my girls while they splash around in their pool or water my garden.

Or go to the park.

Or plan out my summer vacation.

Anything that involves us being out in the sun, not chained to a desk.

And I know it's not fair to my readers but it's so damn pretty outside.

And the thing is that I have to enjoy it now because, honestly, in a month it will be boiling hot outside and I'll have no choice but to hide inside with the air conditioning on!

So please, be patient with me while I soak up the sun and relax.

2011 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid Review

Last week I gave you a peek at the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid I got to review.

Today, I am going to give you the details of that review.

This review came about because my BFF and I can never go anywhere together with our children.

Well, we can. But we always have to take two cars, pay for two tanks of gas, two parking spots...

We are not fans of this.

So when Chevrolet asked me what kind of vehicle I would be interested in reviewing, I said "Give me the biggest you've got."

I got the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid.

And yes, it was big.

But oddly, not big enough.

Don't get me wrong, the truck was beautiful.

It was luxurious and made me feel oh-so out of place. My daily ride is a tiny four door compact and being in the Tahoe was beautiful.

The Tahoe (from its website): "Tahoe Hybrid(5), America's first full-size SUV, offers better fuel economy than the competition with an EPA estimated 20 MPG city, 23 highway(4). That's mileage you'll appreciate during trips to soccer games, family functions and more. And even with this fuel efficiency, it's still powerful with 332 horsepower, 367 lb.-ft. of torque and up to 6,200 lbs.(8) of towing capacity. And it's backed by a 100,000 mile/8-year limited warranty(3) on certain hybrid components."

The interior is very spacious for people to sit. It has huge leather seats that mold to your tush. There is a massive console along with a glove box to store things away. The console has a USB plug so you can plug in your iPod (which I loved loved loved!).  There are tons of adapter plugs in the truck, including a standard electric plug in the back which came in handy to use Roo's DVD player. Speaking of DVD player, this Tahoe did not come with an entertainment system in the truck and for the price (54K) I would expect it to have a beautiful one.

The Hybrid allows you to get decent gas mileage (21 City/22 Highway) which works out to about 450 (give or take some) miles per tank.

Plus it has a handy economy gauge in your dash that tells you if your driving economically or not

The dash is well designed with all of your instruments to see. I loved seeing how much gas I had left in the tank and how much tire pressure each tire had. There is a navigation system included in the truck and it was a tad difficult to figure out how to use (my advice, use the On-Star and have them download directions for you).

Speaking of On-Star, I love this feature from Chevrolet.

I used the On-Star to find a 7-11 in Tampa, find an exit number for the Brevard Zoo and get directions to Mims. I also used the hands free calling feature multiple times and it made it really easy especially while on the highway.

The seating in the Tahoe is capable of holding four car seats and two adults so my BFF and I were able to ride around town (in comfort) with all our babes.

The downside to the Tahoe is the storage.

The issue about it is that there really isn't any.

Behind the third row was the tiniest sliver of space for strollers (single umbrella only, no doubles or travel strollers allowed). For a recent trip to a theme park we had to shove one stroller in the back and quickly slam down the gate and pray. For the double stroller we had to push the two front seats forward and cram it before the second row.

I even had issues getting my groceries tucked away.

With such a beautiful vehicle you don't really want your baby gear on the floor boards and rolling around all over the place. I, personally, like being able to store it all away out of sight.

Overall, the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid is a really nice vehicle. It is a smooth drive, is not difficult to park and it's pretty to look at. 

Plus it has cup holders everywhere!! (This one is in the passenger door).

I would recommend that if you want storage, don't go for the third row option.

I reviewed a 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid for a week in exchange for my review. All opinions in this post are 100% my own. Please see my full disclosure policy for more information.

Oral Habits: Part Two

My last post spoke of my oral habits before using Crest Pro-Health Invigorating Clean Multi-Protection Rinse (wow, that's a mouthful).

Today's post is about life after Crest Pro-Health Invigorating Clean Multi-Protection Rinse.

Honestly, I'm not a big fan of the sting that comes along with using mouthwash, thirty seconds into the stuff my eyes are watering and my mouth is burning.

Using Crest Pro-Health Invigorating Clean Multi-Protection Rinse did give me a burn but it was only after twenty five seconds, not the entire thirty seconds of use. I liked this.

I also liked the really squeaky clean feeling it left me with.

Plus if I was rushing in and out throughout the day, I could swipe a capful of the stuff, spit it out and continue on with my business and I felt like my teeth were clean.

The downside of the Crest Pro-Health Invigorating Clean Multi-Protection Rinse is that after using it, it made my mouth water... a lot. Which meant that I was spitting a lot after using it.

Another wonderful fact to know about me huh?

Overall, I was really happy with using Crest Pro-Health Invigorating Clean Multi-Protection Rinse.

It made my teeth feel great, my breath was fabulous and the effects lasted more than an hour so that was great in my book.

So go out and get yourself some and spend your days with squeaky clean teeth.


I wrote this review while participating in a test drive campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Crest and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central Consulting sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate

Oral Habits

Don't let the title fool you, there is no dirty stuff in this post.. just germs in your mouth.

I am not a mouthwash kinda gal.

Never really have been.

My husband, on the other hand, is a religious user of the stuff.

I figured brushing my teeth two times a day was good enough, besides, I'm a busy Mom and one more item in the morning routine was more than I wanted.

But the fine folks at Crest asked me to test out their new product, the Crest Pro-Health Invigorating Clean Multi-Protection Rinse.

I thought, why not!

What's the harm? 

My next post will dive into this more, lucky you, huh? 

I wrote this review while participating in a test drive campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Crest and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central Consulting sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

HEXBUG Nano Easter Egg Party!

My daughter got a HexBug for Christmas this past year and fell in love with the thing.

A hexbug is a tiny robotic bug thing that runs all over your floors.

So when I was asked to host a HEXBUG Nano Easter Egg party, I jumped at the chance.

Especially because I could involve my nephews who are ga-ga over hexbugs as well.

I decorated with Easter gear and we went to town playing with the bugs, which came with adorable Easter bunny ears.



The bugs were a huge hit. They spent days playing with the bugs and I find them all over the house.

This HEXBUG Nano Easter Egg party was a success! You can find the HEXBUG Nano Easter Eggs on sale in stores now.

I participated in a Mommy Party with BSM Media  and received a party kit. All opinions in this post are 100% my own. Please see my full disclosure policy for more information.

Busch Garden's Sesame Street's Safari of Fun

Check out Roo riding Air Grover... I love her face right before the drop! :)

Busch Gardens Sesame Street's Safari of Fun

This past month, Busch Gardens celebrated one year of Sesame Street's Safari of Fun.

And to honor this anniversary, the family and I loaded up and headed on down to Tampa Bay to party along with Elmo and his friends.

Now, if you've never been to Busch Gardens, be prepared: It rocks.

And I don't say that much.

But it does.

The whole park is packed full of amazing exhibits, animals and rides.

As a Mommy to two little ones, Sesame Street's Safari of Fun was the most important thing to me.

I had high expectations of the Safari of Fun and they did not disappoint me. The whole area is tucked away with one entrance in and one exit out. From the moment you step into the Safari of Fun, you are immersed in nothing but Sesame Street characters.

There's a stage where Elmo and friends perform. There is a meet and greet area where you can take pictures.

There's rides... oh, the rides.

Roo loved Air Grover, a kiddie roller coaster and Zoe-patra & the Hippos of the Nile, a small water log ride with one tiny drop.

Turtle loved the splash area (there are two!) and she spent an hour exploring all the nooks and crannies of it.

She also loved getting to see her favorite character: Cookie Monster!

 If you have kids under five (but I will say there were kids of all ages enjoying the place), you have to take your kids to the Safari of Fun. It is well worth the trip!

Remember to bring your swimsuits and tons of sunscreen!

I received tickets to review Busch Garden's Sesame Street's Safari of Fun. All opinions in this post are 100% my own. Please see my full disclosure policy for more information.

Chevy Tahoe Hybrid Review in Pictures

This past week I've been a very typical Mommy.

This past week I gave up my tiny little car to test out the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid.

And let me just say: Wow.

The full review will be up this week. For now, enjoy some photos and try not to drool on your keyboard. 

 Nice, huh?

I am a fan of big tires...

And fuel economy.

So clean.

Yes, it runs on electric. Darn thing is so quiet you don't even know it's on!

It's very roomy... here's my husband testing out the roominess of the passenger seat.

This fascinated me. You can see when it switches from electric to gas (and feel it).

This is the roomy front of the truck. Spacious!

She was in heaven. She kept asking to sleep in it.

I participated in a review with Chevrolet to test out the Tahoe Hybrid. All opinions in this post are 100% my own. Please see my full disclosure policy for more information.

Wordless Wednesday- Sunset

Review & Giveaway: Wubbzy's Egg-Cellent Easter DVD

Easter is a great holiday.

You get to dye eggs cute colors, hide prizes in plastic ones in the yard and you get to sit down with family and eat a huge yummy meal.

All because of a bunny!

Wubbzy and the gang also love Easter and in the latest DVD from Anchor Bay Entertainment, you get a DVD packed with adorable Wow Wow Wubbzy episodes.

From the press release: "All the kooky action of Easter in Wuzzleburg comes to life in six “egg-ceptional” episodes featured on the debut DVD.  In “Wubbzy’s Egg-Cellent Easter,” Wubbzy and his pals celebrate the first day of spring with a game of kickity-kick ball and discover new ways to decorate eggs for the annual Easter Egg Hunt.  And when the holiday is suddenly cancelled, it’s up to Wubbzy to save the day!"

Roo and I snuggled up on the couch the other day to watch this DVD (Turtle was napping) and we watched the whole thing while giggling and talking about Easter eggs. It is a cute DVD that you won't mind your child watching.

And lucky you, I've got a copy to giveaway!

Yay!
All I need you to do is tell me (if) how you celebrate Easter. Egg hunts? Giant hams?  Spill!

Giveaway ends April 17th, 2011 at noon.

Make sure you leave me a comment with an email that I can reach you at.

Also, tweeting can earn you extra entries but make sure you @ me in your tweet so I can keep track.



I received a copy of this DVD to review. All opinions in this post are 100% my own. Please see my full disclosure policy for more information.

Review: Color Blanks

Art is huge in our house.

Big.

I make sure that Roo and I (Turtle tries to help out but she ends of making more of a mess than anything else) spend a little bit of time every day doing something that involves glitter or markers.

The fab folks at Rose Art sent us a Color Blanks to try out for craft time.

Color Blanks are these adorable blank figurines that come with three markers and a selection of stickers for your kid to decorate however their hearts desire.

Roo loved it.

She spent about thirty minutes picking out stickers and coloring it just right.

The end result: Fabulous!

You can check out their Facebook page for a gallery of adorable Color Blank designs and get more product information.

GoGo Squeez & Epcot's International Flower & Garden Festival

Ever heard of GoGo Squeez?

I stumbled upon them while at the grocery store on my hunt for a nifty way to get my girls to eat more fruit.

"GoGo Squeez is the first squeezable, re-sealable, 100% fruit, applesauce snack in the U.S."

And GoGo Squeez is sponsoring the GoGo on the Go Challenge at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival through May 15, 2011.

What the challenge consists of is an opportunity for families to test their skills at jump rope, hula hoops and more while learning about the nutritional benefits of GoGo Squeez.

An added bonus is that on the weekends of April 22 and May 13, the yummy snack will be available to sample!

The goal of the GoGo on the Go Challenge is to show families that healthy eating on the go is possible.

Stop by Epcot's International Flower & Garden Festival to check out GoGo Squeez... or if you can't make it to Florida, check out the GoGo Squeez Facebook page for a chance to win online!



I received samples in exchange for my post. All opinions in this post are 100% my own. Please see my full disclosure policy for more information.

My Girl

I cannot believe how much I love this child... It blows me away sometimes. It leaves me breathless...

And I feel so lucky to be her Mommy.

Spring has sprung

The thing about Florida is that is goes from cold to hot in a second.

You blink, and it's on your doorstep.

This past weekend was a doozy.

But it was perfect bathing suit weather and we took full advantage.

Saturday Night Out

My husband goes out every Saturday night to hang out with his friends.

A bunch of his artsy fartsy (my favorite word ever!) friends all get together, throw pottery on the wheel, listen to music, discuss politics, whatever... things I don't participate in.

And he goes and has a ball.

I stay home and have a ball as well.

Saturday night, after the kids have gone to bed, is my favorite time because I am alone.

I get to sit in my room with my laptop or iPod and just be quiet.

I don't have to answer to anyone.

I don't have to wipe any butts.

I can just sit here and get lost in a book or a movie (right now I'm watching Pride and Prejudice) and not speak.

It's wonderful.

Not that I don't love my husband, because you know I do.

But it's nice to have a moment or two to myself where I can just be.

Do you have a moment like this?

Disney's African Cat

Straight from a press release:

"As the April 22 opening of the awe-inspiring “African Cats” approaches, Disneynature is tapping into the true power of social media by building awareness of its “See ‘African Cats,’ Save the Savanna” program. During the film’s opening week (April 22-28), a portion of the proceeds from that week’s ticket sales will be donated to AWF through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund to protect the Amboseli Wildlife Corridor, a passage between the Amboseli, Tsavo West and Chyulu Hills National Parks that is frequently used by lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, giraffes and a host of other animals in the African savanna.




A host of compelling and unique social initiatives allows participants to make a difference, giving them the power to pledge their intent to see the film, support the cause and spread the word to others.



Like Disneynature on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/Disneynature

By becoming a fan of Disneynature on Facebook, participants have the ability to interact with “African Cats” content daily. Furthermore, liking, commenting on and sharing the content with friends spreads the viral reach of the film's message and philanthropic mission exponentially.



Pledge to see “African Cats” on Eventful:

http://eventful.com/africancats

Fans pledge to see “African Cats” opening week by logging onto http://eventful.com/africancats. Participants can watch how honoring that pledge can effectively save the savanna. A real-time counter will show how many people have participated, and there will also be a graphical map representing the number of acres across the savanna that are being conserved based upon the number of pledges received. Upon arriving at the theater, fans can check in via their mobile device to win special prizes.



Join the “African Cats” grassroots community and donate to the African Wildlife Foundation on Causes:

http://www.causes.com/africancats

Fans can join the “African Cats” grassroots community on Causes by signing the pledge to help Africa's lions and other imperiled wildlife survive and thrive for generations to come. Additionally, users are given the opportunity to enhance Disneynature’s commitment by donating directly to the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) via the platform.



Buy tickets through Disney Tickets Together, invite friends and Disneynature will double its donation:

http://www.DisneyTicketsTogether.com

Disney Tickets Together, Facebook's first social ticketing application, allows fans to engage with the film by inviting friends to see "African Cats" and purchase tickets for local theaters without ever leaving Facebook. For all "African Cats" events created in Tickets Together, Disney will increase the donation to the Save the Savanna fund for every "Yes" RSVP that the events receive. The application launches during the week of April 18.





“African Cats,” which will be released in theaters worldwide, opens in North America on April 22, 2011. Tickets for groups of 20 or more are available in the United States by calling 1-888-DISNEY6.



ABOUT THE MOVIE

An epic true story set against the backdrop of one of the wildest places on Earth, “African Cats” captures the real-life love, humor and determination of the majestic kings of the savanna. Narrated by Oscar®-nominated actor Samuel L. Jackson, the story features Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mother’s strength, spirit and wisdom; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a rival lion and his sons. Disneynature brings “The Lion King” to life on the big screen in this True Life Adventure directed by Keith Scholey and Alastair Fothergill (“Earth”). An awe-inspiring adventure blending family bonds with the power and cunning of the wild, “African Cats” leaps into theatres on Earth Day, April 22, 2011.For more information about the movie and the “See ‘African Cats,’ Save the Savanna” initiative, check out Disney.com/AfricanCats.



ABOUT “SEE ‘AFRICAN CATS,’ SAVE THE SAVANNA

During the film’s opening week (April 22-28), a portion of the proceeds from that week’s ticket sales will be donated to the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund to ensure the future of lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, giraffes and a host of other animals in the vibrant African savanna. The AWF will be working to protect the Amboseli Wildlife Corridor, a passage between the Amboseli, Tsavo West and Chyulu National Parks that is frequently used by a variety of wildlife.



“See ‘African Cats,’ Save the Savanna” continues Disneynature’s conservation efforts, which began with its first release, “Earth” (2009), for which three million trees were planted in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. “Oceans” (2010) audiences helped establish 40,000 acres of marine protected areas in The Bahamas, which contain miles of vital coral reef.



ABOUT EVENTFUL, INC.

Eventful is the leading digital media company connecting consumers with live entertainment, movies, and local events. More than 20 million people use Eventful to find out what’s happening and decide what to do. Eventful works with leading brands and entertainment properties to reach consumers and drive commerce through a unique and targeted blend of digital, social media, and direct marketing. Visit Eventful at http://eventful.com.



ABOUT CAUSES

Causes is the world’s largest platform for activism and philanthropy, empowering individuals to create grassroots communities called “causes” that take action on behalf of a specific issue or nonprofit organization. Since launching in 2007, Causes has brought together: 140 million users, over $30 million raised for over 25,000 nonprofits, and over 500,000 user-created causes.



ABOUT DISNEY’S TICKETS TOGETHER

Developed in 2010 for Disney Pixar's “Toy Story 3,” Disney Tickets Together is the first social ticketing application that allows Disney Facebook fans to view movie times at their local cinemas, create viewing events, invite their friends and buy tickets. Tickets Together is an innovative and interactive destination that bridges the social experience of going to the movies with the capabilities of social networking.



ABOUT AWF

Founded in 1961, the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is a leading conservation organization focused solely on the African continent. AWF’s programs and conservation strategies are based on sound science and designed to protect both the wild lands and wildlife of Africa and ensure a more sustainable future for Africa’s people. Since its inception AWF has protected endangered species and land, promoted public and private sector partnerships, created unique conservation tourism enterprises that benefit local African communities as a means to improve livelihoods, and trained hundreds of African nationals in conservation—all to ensure the survival of Africa’s unparalleled wildlife heritage. AWF is a non-profit organization currently operating in 14 countries across the continent. AWF is a registered 501(c)(3) in the United States. Visit www.awf.org.



ABOUT DISNEYNATURE

Disneynature, the first new Disney-branded film label from The Walt Disney Studios in more than 60 years, was launched in April 2008 to bring the world’s top nature filmmakers together to share a wide variety of wildlife subjects and stories with theatrical audiences. “Earth” (opening Earth Day 2009) was the first film to premiere domestically under the new label, and garnered a record-breaking opening weekend for a nature documentary. Its “Buy a Ticket, Plant a Tree” initiative led to the planting of 2.7 million trees in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. Hitting theaters on April 22, 2010, “Oceans” was the third highest grossing feature-length nature film in history. Its “See ‘Oceans,’ Save Oceans” initiative helped establish 40,000 acres of marine protected area in The Bahamas, preserving essential coral reefs. Walt Disney was a pioneer in wildlife documentary filmmaking, producing 13 True-Life Adventure motion pictures between 1949 and 1960, which earned eight Academy Awards®. For more information about Disneynature, check out disneynature.com like us on Facebook: facebook.com/Disneynature, and follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/Disneynature. For more information about the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, please visit Disney.com/conservation. "

Understanding the W2

Tax Day is on April 18th this year and that date is looming in the very near future.

If you are anything like me, a W2 looks like gibbirish to you and you really have no clue what all those boxes mean.

A friend recently recommended a site to me that helped me understand exactly what a W2 means.

The site has a mock W2 and if you hover your mouse over the boxes, a pop up will appear and tell you everything you need to know.

So, if you need some help, check out the website and figure all this gibbirish out and get those taxes done!




I was compensated for this post, however all opinions in it are 100% my own. Please see my full disclosure policy for more information.

Disney: From Disneyland to the Big Screen - Pirates of the ...

I have to admit, I love love love the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. I watch them whenever they are on TV and own all of them on DVD. Plus, I adore the ride at the Magic Kingdom. So I thought I would share this video with you so maybe you'll fall in love with the latest addition that is due out this summer.

Wordless Wednesday: a Day of Fun

Learned Behavior

I'm a firm believer that kids picked up bad habits from other kids.

Who cares if I let a curse word slip if the kid at the playground has a complete and utter meltdown because his Mom told him no.

My kid won't remember the f bomb or repeat it but she will repeat a nuclear temper tantrum.

Especially lately.

Normally, Roo is a great child.

Angelic even!

Okay, maybe not angelic... but she is a great kid. She knows her manners, is polite and sleeps like a champ.

But she's never had these type of meltdowns until she started hanging around her cousin.

Her cousin is princess of all epic bad behavior.

And Roo is picking up all these bad habits and it's turning my wonderful child into a demon.

And since this kid is Roo's cousin, I can't exactly keep them apart.

I'm not really sure what to do about the situation.

I scold Roo. I wag my finger at her. I give her positive encouragement. I take her away from her cousin when she starts screaming.

It's so frustrating and exhausting at the same time.

She doesn't act out all day long, it's not that dramatic but when it does happen: watch out.

I want my sweet girl to come back.

Any suggestions on how I can prevent more foot stomping from occurring?

UBP 2011 Giveaway, Baby!

This giveaway is closed and the winners have been notified.


It's that time of year again, the Ultimate Blog Party (2011!) hosted by the gals over at 5 Minutes for Mom,

It's a great week-long party where you can meet new bloggers and wins great prizes.

I'm participating this year by doing a giveaway!

Yay!

To start off this party, I'm going to give you a little info on me to all the newcomers to my blog: Hey Y'All!

Obviously by the "Hey Y'all!" I'm a Southern Girl. And I live on a farm with too many horses, a few cats, two dogs, some pigs, countless amounts of chickens and lots of family members... too many family members actually.

But that's not the point.

The point is I'm a Mommy to two girls with a wonderful husband and I love my blog.

I love writing and everything that comes with it.

I love running as well and all things Disney. I also love old skool cartoons, reading, classic black and white films, traveling and laying on my bed motionless.

Okay, now to the fun stuff: the giveaway!

I'm giving away a $55 Gift Certificate to CSN Stores and all you have to do is leave me a comment below saying Hey! Easy peasy, huh?

Also, check out 5 Minutes For Mom and all the other ladies (and gents!) participating in the Ultimate Blog Party 2011.

Seriously, GO!

But comment first!

Giveaway ends on April 8th, 2011. Contest is open to all!

Disney: Winnie the Pooh "So Long" Preview

My oldest is really excited that Winnie the Pooh is coming to the big screen this summer... and honestly, so am I. As a girl (and an older girl), Winnie the Pooh was my favorite Disney character. I had picture frames with him on it, I got the stuffed animals that had him dressed up as flowers and bees. And when my husband and I started dating, he took me to see the Tiger movie in the movie theatres. If that isn't love, I don't know what is?! Here is some info from the latest press release from Disney about Winnie the Pooh: "Actress/Musician/Singer/Songwriter Zooey Deschanel Performs Three Songs for the Philosophical Bear’s New Big-Screen Endeavor BURBANK, Calif. (March 31, 2011) – He’s a bear of very little brain. She’s half of the acclaimed band She & Him. This year, they come together on the big screen in “Winnie the Pooh,” which hits theatres on July 15, 2011. Actress/Musician/Singer/Songwriter Zooey Deschanel (“Almost Famous,” “(500) Days of Summer”) joins Winnie the Pooh and all of his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood, performing three songs for the film, including her own take on the classic “Winnie the Pooh” theme song, “A Very Important Thing to Do” and the original end-credit song “So Long,” which was written by Deschanel and performed with She & Him bandmate M. Ward. “This has been one of the most fun experiences I’ve ever had,” says Deschanel. “And I’ve just been thanking my lucky stars that I was able to work on this movie, because it’s delightful.” Filmmakers were drawn to Deschanel’s signature style. “She was the perfect choice to do the ‘Winnie the Pooh’ song—a classic theme from the Sherman Brothers,” says director Don Hall. “Her music actually embodies the underlying spirit of the movie. We’re taking something that has vintage roots in the sixties, but spinning it in our own way and updating it. If you listen to Zooey’s music with She & Him—that’s their sound to a tee.” Adds director Stephen Anderson, “It’s a perfect way to start the movie, letting the audience know right off the bat that this is Winnie the Pooh like you know him, but it’s something for today. We wanted to keep the same charm as the original, but give it a fresh spin, a contemporary feel, and she opens the movie with so much freshness, so much energy.” “It’s always fun to have a contemporary artist rediscover a classic and that’s exactly what Zooey did,” says producer Peter Del Vecho. “She brought her own personality to the song—when she sings about introducing the individual characters, it’s as though she’s known them her whole life—and she has.” “I’m a big fan of Winnie the Pooh and all his friends,” says Deschanel, who also plays the ukulele in the song. “It’s really hard to pick a favorite: Winnie the Pooh is so special, he loves honey and he’s just cool. Eeyore is amazing, I love Eeyore. And Piglet is so small. It’s really a four-way tie between Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, Piglet and Tigger.” Among the songs Deschanel performed for the film is “A Very Important Thing to Do”—a song that helps illustrate the contest the friends from the Hundred Acre Wood take on to find Eeyore a new tail. She also lent her voice to “Everything is Honey” and “Pooh’s Finale,” joining Jim Cummings (the voice of Winnie the Pooh and Tigger), Tony Award®-winning songwriter Robert Lopez (“Avenue Q”) and other cast members. For the end-credit song, Deschanel teamed up with Ward to perform “So Long,” a song Deschanel wrote. “When I was writing ‘So Long,’ I just held the images for the end credits in my mind,” she says. “I spent a number of days tinkering with ideas, melodies and chord progressions that I thought would fit the images, the new music being written and the original Sherman Brothers stuff-- but still be my own thing. The song definitely has its own feel, but also pays respect to the original.” Deschanel plays piano for “So Long” and turned to the instrument when it came time to write the song. “I usually write on piano because that's the first instrument that I learned when I was a little kid,” she says. “All of my musical theory knowledge is in linear piano form.” Her heart, however, is in the vocals. “I’m always thinking in terms of vocals, and arranging a fabric of vocals is the most exciting part. I love to sing backup parts—I always try to squeeze in as many as possible,” she says. “It’s fun; it’s my style.” Deschanel’s songs, plus the Sherman Brothers classic and a host of original songs by Robert Lopez and wife Kristen Anderson-Lopez (“The Wonder Pets”), as well as original score from composer Henry Jackman (“The Da Vinci Code,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”), will be included on the “Winnie the Pooh” soundtrack (available Spring 2011 in select international markets, and in the U.S. on July 12, 2011) from Walt Disney Records." For more information check out the Disney website.

Redirection

I am still dealing with certain family drama and I'm not really sure that I'm handling it properly.

Only because the other day I took out  my frustration with my family drama on my child by threatening to throw all her toys away (in my defense, the kid has tons of toys).

That threat (obviously hollow) led to her freaking out on me and her having a major temper tantrum (something she rarely does, but that's a whole different blog post).

As she's crying in my arms, I realized that the whole thing was my fault because I was directing all that frustration in the wrong direction, leading me to feel like the shittiest parent on the earth.

Now, I'm sure I'm not the only parent that has ever done this, or the last.

But it shocked me to my core.

I was mortified as I retold my husband the details of the event.

And it made me stop and remember that my daughter never deserves any of my frustration.

And even though this family drama is far from over, I am doing everything in my power to stop, take a calm breath and remember how lucky I am. That my kids did not cause  any of this drama, therefore do not need to deal with it.

So what I do is separate myself from the person who is upset about family drama and remember to be the mother who is loving, supportive and gives tons of hugs.

And that I have the best kids in the world and deserve the best Mom in the world.