What Dad Really Wants This Father's Day

This Father’s Day get your dad something he’ll really love. The cute cards and funny ties worked for a few years but now I think it’s time to consider changing things up. When we asked real fathers what they want for Father’s Day, they were not shy about sharing their true feelings. So use their advice to ensure your father has the gift that he really wants this year. 

ONCEKids Publishing is run by literacy advocate and Mompreneur Eileen Wacker.  Click here to find her acclaimed books

1. Instead of more family time, maybe a day with some family FREE time.

2. A quick breakfast in bed followed by an invitation to spend the day on the golf course solo or with friends (with no strings attached!).

3. A trip to the mall where the only shops gone into are the ones of his choice.

4. A day on the boat with a fishing pole and a 6-pack.

5. An uninterrupted couch session with the game or his favorite show.

6. A delicious dinner that he doesn’t have to do any work for (whether it is homemade or dinner out)

7. Surprise him by washing his car and/or doing some of the yard work he’s been putting off.

8. A gift card to his favorite “toy store” aka books, tools, fishing gear, electronics, and so on. This way he can have the freedom to pick out exactly what he wants or needs.

9. Is Dad a movie lover? How about a subscription to Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Instant Movies where he can sit down, relax, and order that movie he’s been wanting to see but hasn’t had time for. 

10. A course or trip. Is there an activity that he’s always wanted to try? Sign him up for a fly fishing class or scuba diving course. Maybe he wants to go kayaking or even bungee jumping (don’t get too crazy!). Maybe you can sign yourself up and you can do it together.

11. Beer Gift Basket. There is nothing that says relaxing after a long day at work like an ice cold beer. Find out exactly what he likes and put together a gift basket made up of all his favorites.

ONCEKids Publishing is run by literacy advocate and Mompreneur Eileen Wacker.  Click here to find her acclaimed books

7 Ways to Make Your Mom Feel Like a Queen on Mother's Day Without Spending Any Money

Ask any mother she will tell you, Mother’s Day is not about how much money was spent on gifts and there are much more creative (and often times more special) ways to tell you mother how much you love and appreciate her besides emptying out your wallet. This year, Mother’s Day falls on May 10th-giving you plenty of time to plan something special. So we’ve put together a list of gift ideas that are both special and creative but absolutely free, picked out by moms themselves. 

ONCEKids Publishing is run by literacy advocate and Mompreneur Eileen Wacker.  Click here to find her acclaimed books

1. Make a scrap book or photo album of recent pictures

As we get older we tend to take less family photos, but this doesn’t mean they don’t get less important, so snap some nice pictures of you and your siblings for your mother to enjoy.

2. Give her a framed list of all the reasons why you love and appreciate you mom.

We all loved our mothers and appreciate all the things they have done for us, but don’t always tell them. Seeing a written out list of all these reasons will mean a lot to her. And actually seeing them on paper will serve as a nice reminder of why you love your mom too- and after all that is what Mother’s Day is about. 

3. Bring her a cooked breakfast, preferably in bed

 Nothing makes a person feel special like having a delicious cooked breakfast brought to them while they are in bed.

4. Give her a clean house

Most moms love a clean house, but usually to achieve this they are the ones who have to do the majority of the cleaning. Give your mom a much deserved day of relaxation by doing the cleaning for her. 

5. Burn a CD of all her favorite songs

Music has a way of being able to instantly bring you back to some great memories. When I hear certain songs, they immediately remind me of my childhood because my mother would play them all the time. Making her a mixtape of these songs will serve as a nice flashback for both of you.

6. Cook her favorite meal for dinner 

 For any mom, an ideal Mother’s Day would involve lots of delicious food, none of which was prepared by her. Continue the pampering after breakfast by preparing her a nice dinner made up of her favorite foods. And don’t let her do the dishes afterwards!

7. Volunteer to do one of the chores she hates for a week

No one loves chores, but many parents have that one chore in particular that they just hate- for my mom its ironing. Do her a huge, amazing favor by offering to do this particular chore for an entire week. Hopefully her least favorite chore and your least favorite isn’t the same!

ONCEKids Publishing is run by literacy advocate and Mompreneur Eileen Wacker.  Click here to find her acclaimed books

If You Watch One Thing Today It Should Be Google's "Year In Search 2014"

There is no doubt that 2014 was a year of discovery, change, inspiration, and hope. There are countless YouTube videos that have gone viral documenting these great moments as 2014 has come to a close but if you only watch one of them, make sure it is Google’s “Year of Search 2014”. This video instantly gave me chills and I found myself watching it multiple times. If you’ve been looking for some motivation to make this year a great one, this video will definitely provide that for you. 

Click below to watch Google’s inspiring and heartwarming video documenting some of 2014’s greatest moments:

ONCEKids Publishing is run by literacy advocate and Mompreneur Eileen Wacker.  Click here to find her acclaimed books

The 10 Most Exciting Movie Adaptations Coming Out This Year

2014 was a great year for movies and 2015 is looking promising with the announcement of a dozen books being made into movies this year alone. And two, possibly even three, of them star Jennifer Lawrence- which is amazing news all on its own. Personally, I love to read the book first and then watch it come to life on the big screen, so I have a lot of reading to do, and if you’re like me you better get moving down the list- starting now!

Here is Chrissa Hardy’s List of 10 books to read before they hit the big screen this year:

1. Lisa Genova’s “Still Alice”

This novel describes the amazing story of a successful woman who begins experiencing early onset Alzheimer’s disease. Starring Julianne Moore, the movie adaptation hits theaters starting January 16th.

2. Nathaniel Philbrick’s “In the Heart of the Sea”

Starring Chris Hemsworth and Cillian Murphy, the film adaptation of the incredible story about the tragic sinking of the Essex hits theaters March 13th.

3. Veronica Roth’s “Insurgent”

If you enjoyed the first installment of the thrilling trilogy, “Divergent”, you will definitely enjoy the sequel, “Insurgent”. Starring Shailene Woodley and Theo James, book two will be hitting theaters March 20th. So if you haven’t already read the amazing book series, you better get started now!

4. Ron Rash’s “Serena”

Serena describes a story about a newlywed couple set on building a timber empire in the woodlands of North Carolina. Serena, played by the amazing Jennifer Lawrence, is a fiercely loyal wife whose “feathers are never ruffled”. Another exciting addition to the movie is that Bradley Cooper will once again star alongside Ms. Lawrence. Be sure to read the awesome novel before it hits theaters March 26th. 

5. Nicholas Sparks’ “The Longest Ride”

All the Nicholas Sparks lovers out there better get to Barnes and Noble and check this one off the list before it comes to theaters this April. This beautifully written novel describes a cowboy love story with an intersecting story of a 91-year-old WWII veteran who is dealing with the loss of his beloved wife 9 years earlier. 

6. Andy Weir’s “The Martian”

This captivating novel tells the story of Mark Watney and his battle for survival after becoming stranded after a dust storm forces his crew to abandon him after landing on Mars. The movie adaption will star Matt Damon, Kate Mara, Kristen Wiig, and Jessica Chastain and is due to hit theaters November 25th.

7. John Green’s “Paper Towns”

If you were a fan of “The Fault in Our Stars” you should definitely give this book a read. John Green is a literary genius with his capturing of young love, resilience, and the human spirit. The movie will star Carla Delevingne and Nat Wolff and comes to theaters June 5th.

8. Thomas Hardy’s “Far From the Madding Crowd”

Although written in the 1800s this book has a timeless appeal that is still very relevant today.The movie will star Carey Mulligan, Michael Sheen, and Tom Sturridge. Be sure to give this one a read before it comes to theaters May 1st. 

9.  Kyril Bonfiglioli’s “Don’t Point That Thing at Me”

This is the first book in the trilogy about art dealer Charlie Mortdecai and his battle between right and wrong, sane and insane, good and evil. The film adaption for this amazing book looks more than promising with an all-star cast including Johnny Depp, Olivia Munn, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Ewan McGregor. You better get reading because this movie comes to theaters January 23th. 

10. James Dashner’s “The Scorch Trials”

If you haven’t read the first installment of this three-book series, "Maze Runner", go read that now and then read this one after! The fast-paced, heart stopping trilogy will keep you enthralled till the very end. The first book has already been made into an awesome movie and the second is soon to follow, coming to theaters September 18th and starring Dylan O’Brian, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, and Kaya Scodelario. 

ONCEKids Publishing is run by literacy advocate and Mompreneur Eileen Wacker.  Click here to find her acclaimed books