ONCEKids Back to School Checklist (Part 1 of 4)

Written by Kate Camillo

Back to school! Back to school! Let’s shout it from the rooftops! It’s almost that time where we can send our kids back to school!! Best time of the year! I’m sure you saw the title and were like “nope, I’m out”, but don’t worry this is not going to be your basic back to school list comprised of pencils and 2 inch binders, which leads me to wonder if 2 whole inches are really necessary. This is our ONCEKids out of the box checklist designed to remind you of the not so obvious things to prepare for the upcoming school year.

via GIPHY


We have to start prepping for this time as a collective mom-unit. The night before the first day is not the time to figure out how this show is going to be run. We have to have our routine mastered, our pencils sharpened and our kids well-rested. I am sure your child’s wonderful educators will provide you with a list of items they need in the classroom and in their backpack. I STRONGLY suggest you buy tissues, pencils, and other things in bulk for your child’s teacher as a sign of appreciation on top of the list they give you because most of the supplies bought for classrooms is paid out of pocket by the teachers, not provided by the school. But we’re here to talk about what goes on at home, after school and before school.

While back to school can be stressful for us, it is actually more stressful for the kids. It is a complete change in their routine of staying up, watching movies, sleeping in and eating Mickey Mouse shaped chocolate chip pancakes in the morning, or more likely eating Eggos and Trix cereal. Kids need down time once school starts! They need time to relax and wind down after a long day of studying spelling words and learning their times tables. (This is only kind of sarcastic). Video games are some of the best ways for kids to relax. They get to focus on something else. I mean you’ve been here, you’ve read all the reasons why video games are fantastic, there’s no reason for me to repeat myself. But, I am going to direct you to my previous blog posts if you have absolutely no idea what I am talking about. Fujimini Island the game is coming out right in time for back to school. Yes, I did just shamelessly promote myself and product. But more importantly, they need to escape school after they finish their homework, watch a show, read a book, play a game.

Alright, so this series (if we can even call it that), will continue next week and maybe even on to the week after. I really don’t know. If I’m being completely honest, I haven’t written it yet. One thing I do know is that it will pick up right where this left off with more items for our back to school checklist that is not really a back to school checklist. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Also, the Fujimini Island blog will be up soon with character descriptions that really complement the books.

Countdown until September 1st anybody? 40 days. FORTY. That’s 3,469,985 seconds in case you were wondering. Let me know your child’s first day in the comments down below and I’ll add that to our countdown at the end of every blog.

Video Game Advantage for Kids: Video Games = Good? (Part 5 of 6)

By: Kate Camillo

Welcome back guys! I hope everyone has been enjoying this series so far. We are almost done and will be moving on to a new topic in the next couple of weeks. Before we get down to business, I just want to suggest to you guys to follow ONCEKids and Fujimini Island on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates, posts, and much more! 

via GIPHY

Let’s talk about parent-child relationships. It can sometimes be hard to relate to your child if you have completely different interests. Video games can be a great way to connect with your child. You can play together or against each other. Video games also switch up the dynamic between parent and child. It will be your child’s turn to teach you how to do something. This will give your child a chance to have a leg up over mom and dad in something. This can do wonders for a kid’s confidence and overall mood. By giving a child the opportunity to teach a skill, you are helping their communication and social skills. They are also learning the value of practice and patience. Playing a game together is a great way to bond, the conversation between the two of you will come naturally. Playing against each other is also a great way to bond. It will spark a healthy competition between the two of you and will create a continuous setting to spend time together. No one gives up after a loss, there is always a rematch! Always a “same time, same place!” Always an “I’ll get you next time!” This ensures more time to bond, compete and grow a relationship. 

Video games help as a way to alleviate many things such as anxiety, stress, pain and cravings. The focus needed for games can be used as a helpful distraction from everyday bothers. Video games let you escape the outside world and completely dive into a new one where those everyday stresses do not exist. What a great book can do for some, a great game can do for others. Your kid had a hard day at school, let him go play his favorite game for an hour and watch his bad mood get replaced with an awesome one!

I am going to take this opportunity to drop a quote from a CBSNews article about a study done on effects of video games on children and I am sure it will speak for itself. “Those who played video games ... were associated with the highest levels of sociability and were most likely to say they were satisfied with their lives. They also appeared to have fewer friendship and emotional problems, and reported less hyperactivity than the other groups." 

The next time you see your child playing a video game ask to watch or even join! Hope you enjoyed this week’s blog and we’ll see you next week!

Is the Truth Over-rated?

Written by Eileen Wacker

As parents, my husband and I have always insisted that telling the truth is critical. It is one of our most important rules. No lying. Lying is a sure way to get your phone taken away or earn some other dreaded consequence. But now that my four kids are teens and tweens, I want them to stop telling ‘their truths’ sometimes. Keep things in a thought bubble instead.

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Last night, we decided to go to a local restaurant for dinner. I quickly changed into a casual sundress. My oldest daughter, Olivia, asked, “Are you going to wear that?” I almost responded, “No, I just put this on for fun. I’m going back into my closet and put on the outfit I’m really going to wear. This is my trial outfit.” This would only earn me a remark like, “Did you really say ‘outfit’? Really Mom? No one says that. Not one person.” Then I would be a dinosaur in a lame dress. She was not neutralized by my silence. She went on. “Ethan, do you see what mom is wearing? She’s wearing the nightgown again.”

I protested, “This is a sundress. It’s not a nightgown.” They ignored me and tween Ethan chimed in, “Yah. And she’s wearing the nightgown with a blanket.” I’m insulted. “It is not a blanket! It’s a sweater.” They start laughing. “Mom, sorry but you’re wearing a nightgown with a sweater blanket.”

In the restaurant, my tween daughter, Natalie grabbed my hand and looked at me earnestly. “Mom, your hair is about eight different colors. You need to fix it.” I took my hand back before she could see my bitten cuticles. I ordered a glass of wine. My teen daughter Olivia said, “You’re going to end up in jail if you drink that and that would be so embarrassing for me. Plus, I need a ride to Jen’s party this weekend.”

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

Then my teen son Christian said, “No offense but…” I cut off his sentence because I don’t want to hear the rest of it. Inevitably what’s coming next is something negative. He had already said, “I’m just saying…” after making the observation, “That dress makes you look a little big.” I yelled at him for using poor grammar (‘little big’ is not a phrase) and made a mental note to never wear this dress again.

I don’t take it personally. Anyone can be the subject of their ‘observations’. My husband and I went to Napa for our anniversary. My parents came out and stayed with the kids. Everyone allegedly had an amazing time while we were gone.

But last night during the dinner, Natalie said, “to be honest, I think Grampy has to work on a few things.”

Ethan agreed, “Grampy is really fun and we love him but he breaks promises. You need to tell him we can see PG 13 movies. He promised to take us to the movies and then we didn’t go.”

Natalie said, “That would make him the oldest liar in the world and I don’t think he wants to be that.” Wow, tough crowd. She nonchalantly bit her mozzarella stick as I winced under her truth. Because she’s right. My dad would never, ever want to be thought of as the oldest liar in the world.

No one is safe from teens’ and tweens’ observations. They had a conversation about two iconic figures. Their opinion was Justin Timberlake is old and they had never heard of Clint Eastwood. The only connection they made is that both have trees as part of their names. And they thought this was hilarious.

Why do they tell the truth about my mommy flaws? They are constantly evasive about their own situations. I asked if anyone was sneaking electronics into his or her bed. I asked my son if he followed up with a teacher over a bad grade to see what can be done. I asked my other son how he ended up at a night beach party. “I don’t know what happened. We just ended up there.” I asked, “So you blinked your eyes and all of a sudden there was sand under your feet.” Blank looks were the response to all my queries. My sweater blanket had become a wet blanket.

Then it dawned on me. They tell the truth about my mommy flaws because they love me. This is their teenage way of teasing me, of trying to be funny. They are including me. I’m in the circle. And we are laughing and hanging out as a family.

Driving home, there was a fight over a song on the radio. I felt like my head might explode. I called Olivia a pill. She countered, “Did you hear what mom said?” Of course everyone heard what I said. We are all sitting together in the car. That’s the set up line. Because the follow up was, “Mom said I‘m acting like a pill! Hah! A pill! As if a pill acts like anything!” Then they all laughed so hard I thought we might drive off the road. I laughed too, treasuring this as a fun and memorable night.

ONCEKids Continues Their Commitment to Reading With the Literacy Project

The holiday season is also known as the season of giving, and that was no exception this season at ONCEKids. Author of the Fujimini Adventure Series, Eileen Wacker, and her staff at ONCEKids are committed to literacy and spreading a love of reading to kids everywhere. We strongly believe that no child should be devoid of the joys reading can bring. So to provide the wonders of a great book to children who don’t have many (or sometimes any) books to call their own, Ms. Wacker donated thousands of books to various schools and children’s hospitals across the country, including 10 inner city schools in New York City alone. 

To learn more about the ONCEKids literacy project, watch the video below:

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

The Orange County Children’s Book Festival is Truly Outdoing Themselves This Year

Every year the Orange County Children’s Book Festival provides an exciting day for children and their families filled with a wide variety of activities, but this year they are truly outdoing themselves. Not only is this year expected to be the biggest so far, with 39,000 attendees expected, but it will also feature the most activities. 

Attendees will have a chance to be surrounded by a “melting pot” of some of the most talented illustrators, authors, and publishers. Purchase books on the spot from your child’s favorite author and personally ask the writers any questions you have. In addition, there will be over 100 authors available for book signings and autographs. Six different stages are located at the festival where authors will perform live readings of some of their newest or most popular books. 

But for the 2014 festival, the fun doesn’t stop there. This year’s most beloved movie is coming to the OC Festival too! One of the Storyteller Stage performances will be a sing-a-long rendition of Frozen’s “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?”, bringing the movie’s magic to life before a live audience. 

Other performances include a puppet show of the classic fairytale, “Thumbelina”, as well as Miss Mouse, Swallow, the Ugly Toad, and Mr. Mole. 

After the Storyteller Stage, children and their parents can migrate to the Illustrator Stage, where they can get in touch with their creativity by participating in drawing lessons taught by professional artists and cartoonists. 

After learning to draw like a professional, kids can get become acquainted with their wild side by walking through the Wild Animal Stage, which includes a free petting zoo and a showing of exotic birds. 

Parents who love to cook or want to learn can bond with their children during the Cooking and Health Stage. Renowned chefs will be present to teach parents some quick, easy, and healthy meal ideas that the whole family will love. 

The Orange County Children’s Book Festival was created in 2004 based off of the idea of spreading a love of reading to all children, and that idea is still very much present in the festival today. So many people come together on this day to create a magical, fun, and educational environment that all children can open up their minds, hearts, and imaginations in. 

OnceKids is incredibly honored and excited to be able to be a part of that mission this year. So stop by and spend some time in the World of Fujimini Island at Booth 50 for a while during your adventure at the festival!

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

ONCEKids Publishing features family-friendly Tablums in Worldwide contest

On February 12, 2013, we at ONCEKids Publishing were set to hold our next Twitter party, organized for thousands of Moms to celebrate Chinese New Year with the launch of our newest book Rainbow Panda and the Firecracker Fiasco.  However our biggest challenge was finding the right Grand Prize.  We knew it had to be family-friendly, hi-tech, and something we felt truly could make a Mom's life better. After several weeks and nearly hundreds of suggestions we arrived on Tablums.

Tablums is a great choice for us because it's a modern keepsake.  It's something special without being so extravagant that it becomes too luxurious.  It's perfect for Weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvah's, Sweet 16's, Graduations, Proms, or even to remember a Family Vacation.

What we at ONCEKids love most about the product is its versatility.  It comes in different sizes and shapes; and works with different devices. You can use the iPad 2, iPad Mini or Blackberry Playbook version.

But that doesn't even begin to talk about the company. One of the reasons we like Tablums is owner Ed Sikorski.  Ed bubbles with energy and information.  Continuing to run a printing and graphics company Rista Print for decades, he understands digital printing and is willing to walk you through each step of his process.  He wants the Tablum to be cherished in your family and realizes the better put-together it is, the more you'll enjoy it.

On the day of the party, hundreds of mothers cheered out as the Tablum grand prize was announced and the ladies begin to google and research the luxury gift.  Over the next few days, the overwhelming response that ONCEKids Publishing received is that it's cool, modern, and not just family-friendly but event friendly.  Mothers suggested schools, photographers and event planners who should be recommended to it.

At the end of the party, a young Texas mother won the prize and has since begun compiling the photos and videos for her Tablum. As a mother to several children, she has a lot of pictures.  Luckily she now has a stylish and safe place to hold them all.  

For more information on Tablums, please visit their website here.  Also like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.  Call Ed Sikorski at 516-307-9494 to see how easy it is to become a re-seller of this amazing product Tablums or to purchase one for yourself.

Trendiest Presents for Your Kids this Christmas

The holiday season is upon us and with Christmas right around the corner, parents everywhere are rushing out to check off the items on their children's wish lists. Luckily, there are countless gifts and toys that prove trendy enough to keep from becoming an under-the-bed dust collector. 

To learn more about Modern Moms and The Mom Code, please visit ONCEKids Publishing website, Facebook and Twitter

For all you parents of little girls, brighten up your daughter's Christmas morning with a new twist on an old classic, the Barbie Photo Fashion Doll. Mothers everywhere grew up playing with Barbies, a tradition that countless little girls still treasure. 

For all the Hunger Games fans, bring their imaginations to life with a toy Z-Curve bow, just like the one Katniss used! 

This year's most popular baby doll is the Little Mommy Doctor Doll. The new doll can talk, telling all of her symptoms while your child uses her various medical instruments to hear her heartbeat, check her temperature, even examine her reflexes on her knee (that actually kicks!). 

Has your family received a Nook, Kindle or iPad this year?  Find Fujimini Adventure Series award-winning books here.  Great family-friendly gifts.

Some of 2012's most popular movies have been made into toys that make perfect presents this Christmas. Dolls, such as the Katniss Everdeen doll and Brave dolls, are not only fun but also great role models. Add to her stuffed animal collection by giving her some new soft, furry friends to cuddle with at night. 

With over 3.7 million Facebook fans, Boo the dog has become known as the "world's cutest dog". Even though she may not be able to cuddle the real puppy, she can curl up in bed at night with the super soft Boo stuffed animal. 

Air Hogs Hover Assault

FurReal Friends has come out with a new stuffed animal to add to the collection as well. The impossibly soft and very cute Baby Butterscotch Pony makes a perfect nighttime companion. 

Learn more about acclaimed author and Mompreneur Eileen Wacker, click here.

And of course, we can't forget about all your rough-and-tumble boys this Christmas! If you have a dinosaur lover on your hands be sure to get them something from Lego's new dinosaur collection. The dino-helicopter and T-rex set are sure to be a hit with your child and all their friends. Spider-Man has always been a favorite, but this year it's especially popular thanks to release of The Amazing Spider-Man. The new Amazing Spider-Man motorized web-shooting Spider-Man action figure (wow that's a mouthful) can shoot webs out of its wrist, then drag it back to place, all while making all kinds of realistic sounds.

The super-sized version of the 3DS, recently released by Nintendo, probably made its way onto many Christmas lists this year -- and for good reason. The screen is almost 90% bigger and comes with more memory space. It has all the same functions as the older version, just new and improved. The next item on our list is a winner in the hearts of any child -- dads might even be sneaking in some time with this new toy! The Air Hogs Hover Assault (even the name is intriguing) takes the flying capabilities of a helicopter and combines it with the driving capabilities of a car. The result: a remote control car that can drive with an impressive amount of speed and then take off into the air and fly! What boy doesn't dream about a flying car? 

Education: Integrating Social Media into Schools (Part 2 of 3)

Earlier we discussed the benefits of YouTube, today we move on to Facebook and YouTube.

The use of social media is something that has been carefully avoided, and often times banned, from schools -- but with rapidly changing technology and an increasing relevance of social networking in people's personal lives and even at work, it is a subject that is becoming hard to ignore. Social networking is a trend that is unlikely to become quiet anytime soon, so shouldn't schools try to find positive uses for the social media rather than just sweeping it under the carpet? Most parents and teachers have been well informed of the horror stories of Facebook or MySpace but many aren't aware of the many benefits such sites can have. If  done properly, teachers can utilize social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter to connect, notify, teach, and curate. 

To learn more about Modern Moms and The Mom Code, please visit ONCEKids Publishing website, Facebook and Twitter

Facebook is often used as a means of communication between students. If a student has a question about a test or homework assignment he or she can easily look up a classmate on Facebook and ask. This has been a method used since the creation of Facebook- so why not extend it by adding teacher-student communication? Teachers can use Facebook to make a page or group that the students can join. Teachers can then use the page to schedule events, post notes, and remind students of upcoming tests or due dates. Teenagers are on Facebook so often they can't miss it! Facebook also caters to students with apps and groups such as Flashcards and WeRead. These apps are a fun and easy way of learning that modern day teens can really connect with.

Learn more about educator, acclaimed author and Mompreneur Eileen Wacker, click here 

Recently Twitter's popularity has been soaring, especially with businesses. There are countless ways this new trend can be integrated into the classroom. Teachers can create a feed specifically for the class for their students to follow. This way they can tweet about upcoming tests and assignments, class news, events, and other reminders. It is a fast and easy way to get the word out -- plus students will see the tweets every time they check their Twitter pages (which is probably quite frequently). Teachers can also bring Twitter to the classroom by posting links and articles onto the site for students to view outside of class. This makes homework more interesting than a simple textbook or handout (not to mention- it saves a lot of printing!). Tracking hash tags, memes, and current events can allow teachers to find information relevant to the curriculum and incorporate it into class time, making it a more interesting and "hip" way for students to learn. 

Facebook and Twitter are also perfect sites for not just student-teacher communication, but also communication with other teachers. Groups on Facebook and feeds on Twitter can allow teachers to seek out one another and share ideas. It is also an easy way for parents to connect with teachers and see what their child is learning. 

Social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter are mostly viewed by parents and educators as hindering to their child's education-and in certain instances it can be -- but this can be minimized by incorporating social media into education rather than separating it out. Our youth loves social networking, so we should use that to our advantage to help them love learning too!

Click here to return and visit Part 1: YouTube.

ONCEKids Publishing: 10 Tips for Moms Who Blog

Being a mom means helping with homework, grocery shopping, organizing play dates, rides to school, rides home from school -- you get the idea! A seemingly endless list of things to do with not nearly enough hours in the day to do them. 

So what about for our blogger moms? Managing to check off everything on your to do list and still having time to blog seems like an impossible task. 

Luckily, there are ten things you can do to stay super-mom and still have a fresh, fun blog. 

1. Keep a notebook handy

Inspiration can hit at the most unexpected times, and with all the chaos in your life you can't rely on your memory to store your brilliant idea for you. So write it down! Even if it's on a napkin, get your idea on paper so you can move on with your day and come back to it later. 

2. Have a back up blog ready

Life as a mom means a life full of the unexpected. You can't predict those days where you have a sick child, an unexpected visit, or a last minute play date. There are going to be days where you are just too busy or too exhausted to sit down and write a blog, so have one or two ready on your computer to be published at a moments notice. 

3. Have a "vacation day" from your blog

Just like with any job, we all need a day off. Plan your blog to be five or six days a week, never seven. Take a day off to relax and spend time with your family. Don't even think about your blog that day! It is important for your sanity that you don't let your blog consume your life. Take this day to pursue other interests.

4. Create a schedule 

Part of being an efficient blogger is organizing your time. Create a schedule and try to follow it as closely as possible! Plan ahead what you would like to accomplish that week and how much time you want to spend on each task. It also helps to prioritize the items from highest to lowest importance. 

5. Seek out support

Despite how it might seem, you are not alone in the world of mom bloggers! Sitting behind a computer screen can feel isolating sometimes -- so reach out! Find a group of other moms who also like to blog, or get your friends into it. Together you can share your experiences, ask for advice, and inspire each other. 

6. Cut yourself some slack

Being a mom is one of the hardest jobs out there! It is a lot of work and very time consuming, so try to refrain from pressuring yourself. Don't give yourself unreachable goals and get discouraged when you don't immediately reach them. Make sure you give yourself attainable goals to work towards to keep you encouraged.

7. Don't compare yourself to other moms (!)

Every mom is different and every child is different, so don't fall into that trap of comparing yourself to moms around you! A strategy that works for one family may not work for yours, and that's okay. Just hold yourself to your own standard and worry about your own family routine instead of concerning yourself with other families.

8. Treat your blog like a real job

In order to have a  successful blog, you need to treat it just like you would any other job. Give yourself hours and make sure to "show up" to them. 

9. Brainstorm a list of ideas

Take some time out each month or week to brainstorm a list of ideas you'd like to blog about. That way during those inconvenient times of writing block you can refer back to your list. 

10. Remember what is important

It is okay to get a little caught up in your blog, but don't let yourself drown in it. No matter what, your family is still the most important thing. 

Can Justin Timberlake Make Myspace Sexy....Again?

With sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest dominating the social media world, it leaves us wondering -- whatever happened to MySpace? 

Let us not forget that it was this site that led the way for other sites like Facebook, but has the door been shut on MySpace forever? Despite its decreasing popularity, we may not have seen the last of this once-upon-a-time social media king. At least not if Justin Timberlake has anything to say about it. 

To learn more about today's technology, visit ONCEKids Publishing on Twitter, Facebook and our website. 

In the words of Tim Martell; "Sexy isn't the only thing that Justin Timberlake is bringing back." You are probably wondering what Justin Timberlake has to do with MySpace, and what about Tom!?

Timberlake has teamed up with the Specific Media Group, purchasing the social network for about $35 million dollars. The team is currently working on a brand new, innovative MySpace site. 

Don't mistake this for the old "behind the times" MySpace page, you won't be seeing Tom anywhere on your friend list. This MySpace has been designed to be much more visual, similar  to something you would see on Pinterest- but even more hip, and even more sexy.

Click here to find ONCEKids Publishing and Fujimini Island's full collection of award-winning E-books.

They plan on competing with sites like Facebook and Twitter with a pretty genius registration system. The plan is that users can register on MySpace using their accounts from other social networks. This is an exceptional strategy for two reasons, first it lets users "test the waters", making people more willing to try it out, second, the account information they have provided the other social networking site with automatically be loaded on their MySpace page -- making the transition painless and easy. 

Whether this site will be a hit or a flop remains to be seen, but it is certainly making things more interesting in the social media world! 

E-Books bring Ease and Education to Amazon, Fujimini Island and more

E-books are quickly becoming one of the most popular forms of reading for not just adults, but now kids too. Like with television or video games, parents are finding themselves asking the same questions about the Kindle, like how much is too much or when is it appropriate and when is it not? 

To learn more about digital education, visit ONCEKids Publishing on Twitter, Facebook and our website. 

Access to the Internet is almost unlimited these days -- you can pull up your Internet browser on your phone, laptop, television- just about anywhere it seems! With the right amount of supervision, the internet (and Kindle!) can provide a valuable tool for helping your child learn, as well as a great source of fun for them. 

The Kindle Fire includes several features to help ease parents' worries of Internet safety, including parental controls that allow you to choose what your child is allowed to access and view while using the Kindle. 

Click here to find ONCEKids Publishing and Fujimini Island's full collection of award-winning E-books.

One of parents' biggest concerns regarding this type of technology is that it will be a distraction to other things, such as homework or playing outside. The Kindle Fire provides a solution to those concerns by enabling parents to set a time limit for how long their child is able to read, play, or surf the Internet. 

The Kindle is perfect for long trips, learning, or just relaxing with a huge selection of apps and books for children. With apps ranging from Angry Birds to Dora the Explorer, children of all ages can enjoy this piece of technology. 

'Bucket List' Holds to Inspire Life

In recent years, movies and TV shows, such as The Buried Life, have brought the old term bucket list to our attention, but what really is a bucket list and why make one? A bucket list is a list of all the goals you wish to achieve and experiences you want to have before you die. They can be simple goals or big dreams. 

Creating a bucket list is important because it reminds you of what is really important. Most people spend their time getting caught up in the chaos of daily life, feeling like each day is just passing them by. 

To learn more about the inspiration and ambitions detailed in this article and Eileen Wacker's acclaimed book series, visit ONCEKids.

A bucket list will maximize every moment of life and encourage us to live life to its fullest. It is an eye-opening activity and gives the writer enthusiasm about the future, which is a crucial component of happiness. Plus, it's just fun to create! You can always remove things from your list or just keep forever adding to them. It is always a great feeling to cross things off as you accomplish them. 

When writing your bucket list, ask yourself certain questions to jog your memory if you feel like ideas are escaping you. Important questions to ask include:

• What if you were to die tomorrow? What would you do today?
• What have you always wanted to do that you haven't yet?
• What countries do you want to see?
• If you had unlimited time, money, and resources what would you do?
• What activities or skills have you always wanted to learn? 
• What would you like to achieve within your love life, social life, family, career, health and so on
• What do you need to live life to the fullest?

These are just a few of many questions you can ask yourself when writing your bucket list. Don't hold back when writing, with your bucket list you don't need to be too realistic, the sky is the limit! 

To find Eileen Wacker's acclaimed books, the Fujimini Adventure Series, click ONCEKids.

We at ONCEkids are strong believers in following your dreams and reaching beyond the ordinary. 

So tell us! What is on your bucket list? 

Modern Mom Chaunte Lowe Rises for the 2012 Olympics

Chaunte Lowe is an Olympic athlete in the sport of track and field. She is originally from Riverside, CA and currently resides in Decatur, GA. This year she qualifies for her third olympic team after winning the 2012 Olympic Trials, clearing 2.01m/6-7. Lowe competed in Athens and won a silver metal at the 2005 World Championships. Her Olympic career continued when she represented the United States in the 2008 Beijing games, finishing sixth. Shortly after she went on to set three personal records in 2010, one of which included an American-record 2.05m/6-8 in the high jump. 

To learn more about the culture in this article, #ModernMom's and Eileen Wacker's acclaimed book series, visit ONCEKids.

All of these accomplishments at just 28-years of age, oh and did we mention she is a graduate of Georgia Tech and mother of two? Now that is a modern mom! Lowe gave birth to her first daughter, Jasmine, on July 30, 2007. She resumed training just eight weeks after she gave birth. She admits that getting back into it was a struggle, for the first few weeks jogging was difficult and jumping was simply out of the question, but she didn't let her challenges hold her back or break her spirit. She gave birth to her second daughter, Aurora, on April 20, 2011 but is back in the game for the 2012 London Olympics! 

2012 Olympics Opening Brings Brits Strength

The media praised the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics for its humor and eccentricity. In its review The New York Times headlined "A Five-Ring Opening Circus, Weirdly and Unabashedly British", while newspaper's London correspondent, Sarah Lyall, called it a "slightly insane portrait of a country that has changed almost beyond measure since the last time it hosted the Games, in the grim postwar summer of 1948." Zhou Libo, a host on "China's Got Talent", commented that he felt the 2008 Beijing was solemn while 2012 London represents humor. He further commented that "solemnity and stateliness tells the world you are strong. Humour lets the world feel you are strong; it's about confidence." The true strength of the ceremony was in the light-hearted nature and self-mocking tone. Its ceremony proved to be very unique to any others, and just plain fun! It was clear that even the Queen was enjoying herself! 

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Despite much praising of the ceremony, it did receive some criticism. Greek media praised the ceremony to be entertaining, but felt it lacked the true sprit of the Olympics. They felt it was "too British" and had a "sense of exaggerated British national pride and a sense humor which not all the world understands." Critics said that it was like a big party and very fun, but lacked what a proper Olympic opening ceremony should have. Russian observers also felt it was "incomprehensible to non-Britons." 

To find Eileen Wacker's acclaimed books, the Fujimini Adventure Series, click ONCEKids.

Much praise came to the Queen for her role alongside 007 Daniel Craig in the James-Bond feature. In the past the Queen has been seen as reserved or unapproachable, but that was all changed after her participation in the opening ceremony. She proved to be very involved and let her true Olympic spirit shine. 

Tell us what you thought of the London 2012 Opening Ceremony!