Corneille: The Birth Of Cornelius

I am so excited to be a part of Music Moms, a new review group by Team Mom, offering the latest music and artists NOT singing "Itsy Bitsy Spider".

Oh yea, this is music for us Moms (and Dads!) and though the lyrics are kid friendly, the sound is more in the category of fun chill out, hang out and relax time for us parents, rather than rhyme time for the bambinos!

To kick off the first music selection, Music Moms has chosen the greatest album: The Birth Of Cornelius by Corneille. Corneille is a talented singer/writer/producer with a number of hits in Canada, France and Japan; The Birth Of Cornelius is his first English speaking album. Corneille lists Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder,Michael Jackson and original Motown music as his huge influences and

With a background story of passion, heartache, joy, and identity seeking that you can hear and feel through the amazing rhythms and lyrics, The Birth Of Cornelius is the perfect album to play when you are feeling hanging out, relaxing, chilling with friends, or just taking some alone time out to be introspective, reflective, and thoughtful.

Originally born in Germany, Corneille's family moved to Rwanda when he was seven and tragedy struck when Corneille lost his entire family during the genocide in 1994. All alone and truly fleeing for his life, he escaped first to Kinshasa and then to Germany where he was taken in by family friends. Always feeling out of place and confused about his identity, Corneille found freedom in his music. His passion for music led him to seek feeding his creativity by leaving Germany for Montreal, Canada. After a few years of hard work, Corneille is finally achieving his major goals: to put out an album in America and be signed with Motown Records.

His first American (and English speaking) album reflects the many layers that make up his amazing talent in smooth acoustic-based R&B sounds, sure to please fans of John Legend, Tracy Chapman and Marvin Gaye.

Cornielle on his identity: "I'm African. I have a lot of European in me. And I'm definitely North American, because America's always been that place that exports every symbol of success that we know in the world. I taught myself English because when I got into music, all the artists that I loved came from America.

I'm realizing that the confusion that people have had about my identity has affected my own sense of identity. If you don't get me, how can I get myself? But you know what...it's actually OK to be all those things"

Yes, it is OK to be a melting pot of cultures, ideas, and identities, and when that melting pot meets the creativity of raw talent, you end up with magic.


Would you love to experience the magic of The Birth Of Cornelius? You can win an autographed copy here! Simply leave a comment letting me know your favorite Motown song or artist (Mine is My Girl, by The Temptations.)The giveaway ends on March 24th and if you can't wait that long, you can go buy The Birth Of Cornelius now

Fisher Price-Frog Potty

Oh yes, Little Dude is officially going through potty training! Whoo hoo! He has even been able to go out and about in big boy underware without having ANY accidents! I am SO PROUD.

Potty training has to be one of the biggest challenges you face as a parent. Why? Because there is NOTHING you can do to control it-it is totally up to your child. AND sometimes, just sometimes, when your child realizes you really would love for them to use the potty before the pee their pants, they will defiantly say "NO" at the top their lungs, much to the amusement of all the people in the public restroom.

But, I digress. We have moved past that stage, I think; this is my first time potty training, so I will let you know. Anyways, Little Dude is now proudly pulling his pants down, doing his business and OH SO EXCITED to flush the toilet, and wash his hands!

Why? How? We got a new potty! No bells and whitles, very simple, easy to use, no distractions for Little Dude, and a GREAT "boy shield" and a nice big seat. This is the potty we got:



It is Fisher Price's Precious Planet Frog Potty. And it if FABULOUS. I can't sing it's praises enough. Little Dude loves to say "hi" to the frog as we go in the bathroom. Then it is straight to business-no having to adjust on the seat-it is plenty big and comfy AND the "hole" area is big enough for him to pee and poop at the same time. Also, it is light weight, doesn't take up much space, and is super easy to clean. It also was $10.00 on roll back at Wal-mart this week. NICE.

I also got a cute stool from Target that is red with cars on the side. That was $14.00, but I figured with two boys going up and down on it, it would be worth getting a good sturdy wooden one. It will also be cute someday in their room by a little chair or something for reading time. I'm digressing again.

So, that potty is working Super Well for us! Little Dude has gone 3 days now with no accidents and he is actually excited to go in the bathroom; before he hated the other potty and didn't even want to sit on it. He has even POOPED 3 times today in the potty!! OH MY GOODNESS, I am SO excited!

Ahhh, lets just see if potty training could really be as easy as getting a great potty.....

Bella Sara Treasures and Minatures

I love the whimsical world of Bella Sara and thanks to the wonderful people at Team Mom, I have been able to share the fun world with my children!

Your kids can adopt their very own horse to care for online, get trading cards, find great games and activities, and now play with the new Bella Sara Miniatures for active, imaginative play!

While the site is geared more towards girls, my toddler son LOVES playing around online with me and taking care of his very own horse! After all, at some point in life ALL kids want a pony, and going to the Bella Sara site is a perfect way to fulfill that wish! Your older children will love playing with and enjoying the great treasures and miniatures!

The online world of Bella Sara boasts more than 4.3 million registered users and offers interactive stables, games, puzzles, coloring pages, storybooks and customizable cottages. Over 80 million cards have been sold since the games global introduction two years ago.
Bella Sara was created in Denmark by Gitte Odder Braendgaard. Braendgaard was inspired to create Bella when she worked as a social worker. In keeping with Braendgaard’s positive values and love of children, Bella Sara features inspirational, meaningful messages and imagination-building game play designed to support a child’s development.

In stores March 3, 2009, Bella Sara Miniatures Series 1 Collection will be available for an approximate retail price of $1.99; Bella Sara Treasures Card Pack $2.99. The entire Bella Sara collection is available throughout North America at BellaSara.com, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Borders, Kmart, Target, Toys “R” Us and Wal-Mart stores, as well as regional chains, booksellers and toy, hobby and equestrian shops.

Yanni Voices Is Today

I am so excited to be a part of the Yanni Voices Promotion, thanks to the wonderful people at the One2One Network!

Two years in the making, Yanni Voices showcases the talents of 4 young vocalists, Nathan Pacheco, Chloe, Ender Thomas, and Leslie Mills preforming songs of passion, love, life and blessings, on PBS today! You can check your local pbs station for the times, but here in Mobile, AL it will be on at 7pm. I am so excited!

With the economy on the down side, what better way to celebrate love than by spending a beautiful, romantic evening in, surrounding by mood setting angelic voices? I'm planning on putting the kids to bed, and enjoying some snuggle time on the couch with my sweet husband.

Listening to Ender Thomas sing "Desire" makes me want to dance around the living room with my husband after a romantic dinner. And the perfect song to hear during dinner? Nathan Pacheco's "Enchantment"; his deep, smooth voice adds the perfect bit of relaxing romance to a wonderful nice in. For the end of the night? "Before The Night Ends", preformed by Leslie Mills is wonderful for that last slow dance around the living room.

On March 2,(today), Yanni Voices preforms a PBS Special, and if you fall in love with the music and talent as much as I have, then you can also buy the CD on March 24th! The Yanni Voices Tour begins April 10.

What better way to save money and celebrate love than by inviting Yanni Voices into your home?

Eric Carle's 40th Anniversary Book