Beyond the broadcast, kids are invited to create, write, and share their poetry online with the all-new Martha Speaks Rhyme Time pbskids.org/martha and at Fern’s Poetry Club pbskids.org/arthur.

Be sure to mark your calendar for Wednesday, March 28 and join us as we chat about poetry and creative writing in celebration of National Poetry Month!

Party Topic

Join WGBH, Martha Speaks, PBS KIDS, the Poetry Foundation, and our online panel of experts as we discuss creative writing. The party will be held on Wednesday, March 28 from 9-10 ET (8CT, 7MT, 6PT). Click here to see details about the giveaway and enter for a chance to win. 

Party Details

• What: Girls’ Night Out (#gno) Twitter party (Click here to learn about #gno!)
• When: Wednesday, March 28 from 9-10 p.m. EST (8CT, 7 MT, & 6 PT)
• Where: Party with us on our very own Custom Tweetgrid! (Use hashtags #gno and #kidspoetry.)
• Topic: Poetry
• Who: Brand Panelists: @wgbh_kids @pbsmarthaspeaks @pbskids, @pbsparents, @poetryfound, @hmhkids Community Panelists: @7onashoestring @mimibakermn @melissanorthway @tammykling @thegraciousgirl, Moderator(s): @jylmomIF @Dadventurous @troypattee and @MomItForward
• Party Favors: Please click here to see more information about the giveaway.

RT @MomItForward Join the @pbsmarthaspeaks & @PBSKIDS #gno Twitter party 3/28 (9-10 ET) on poetry http://bit.ly/GInnrm #kidspoetry PLS RT

Please leave a comment after linking… Thank you!

Note: Mom It Forward accepts paid sponsorships for most #gno Twitter parties. During the parties, brand sponsors provide tips, techniques, expert advice, and information on party topics. Mom It Forward is grateful for the giveaway prizes, coupons, and discounts that sponsors also provide to the Mom It Forward community in conjunction with #gno Twitter parties.

Your child can look paparazzi ready too with a few ideas I found while surfing the web. I adore Suri Cruise and found some wonderful look alike pieces. Check it out!

Dress

The lovely ivory dress looks alot like Suri’s! It’s handmade by Anastacia y Gus on Etsy and it’s reasonably priced at $49. The dress is handmade and supports the mom crafting community. It can be worn with or without a sweater which makes it more versatile.

Sweater

In my opinion, a pink sweater should be a staple in every little girl’s closet. This look alike can be found at The Gap for $26. The sweater is a great price and the sweet, solid color will be easy to use with other outfits.

Backpack

I couldn’t bear to find a knock off of this one. It’s just too cute! The actual bag worn by Suri Cruise is made by Manuella for $48. I feel like the bag would be the biggest splurge item but it is the item she’s least likely to grow out of quickly.

Now get out there and find some deals! What have been some of your best fashion finds and deals?

Kelly Loubet is the founder of the blog Everyday Childhood. She’s a mother of two that loves to create, write and share her passion. Kelly is the President of the Arizona Chapter of Mom It Forward. Each month she devotes time to charitable giving in her community. In her other life… she’s the Social Media Marketing Manager for Social2B, where she helps brands develop their social media marketing strategy. Follow her on Twitter @childhood.

10 Things I Appreciate Most About 2010

I’m grateful for…

1. Relationships. I am most grateful for my family, my friends, and all of the wonderful people that add such beautiful color to my world. Thank You!!!

2. Basic needs. Having just visited India where so many struggle to have their basic needs covered, I am grateful that I have food, shelter, clothing, medical care (even if at a high price), and other basic things.

3. The future. I am grateful that I have a knowledge of what the future can hold (or even a glimpse at the possibilities) and have hope in a brighter tomorrow while at the same time being grateful for all of my sunny todays.

4. Different cultures. I am truly thankful to have been able to see and experience as much of the world as I have, recognizing how connected we all are and that our differences are interesting and unique, but that our similarities are truly what bond us, making us one people.

5. Leaders. I want to bow down and kiss the feet of the many people causing change in the world through their leadership, sacrifice, and passionate devotion. Whether they are rescuing children from child labor and slavery, ensuring villages have pure water, raising wonderful children, or simply being a kind friend, they make the world a wonderful place to live.

6. Personal growth. In Gretchen Ruben’s The Happiness Project, one of the definitions she gives for happiness is growth and I’d agree. I’ve grown a lot this year. Some of it hasn’t been pretty or easy, but it’s been awesome and the evolution feels great! The good news? There’s always room for more change.

7. Health. Four years ago, I had a serious accident and found myself in the hospital a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving. Just as I came out of the woods from that, I got pnuemonia—right on Thanksgiving day. I am really grateful that both me and my family are in good health today. I’m also grateful that some of my friends who have experienced major health issues this year are alive and kicking and well on the way to mending!

8. Mustard. Weird one, I know! I saw this huge field of mustard plants in India—vibrant and beautiful. I thought of the scriptural references of the mustard seed and how faith starts as tiny as a seed, but grows and grows as you give it room to do so. When I say I’m grateful for mustard, I’m really saying I’m grateful for faith and for the knowledge that faith leads to hope and peace.

9. Baby steps. Sometimes, when we become aware of issues—whether in our personal lives, with members of our family, or global causes—feeling the need to resolve the challenges can be overwhelming. I have an insatiable need to find solutions to everything, so changing the world right around me let alone the world at large keeps me up at night. I’m grateful for the small and simple things I can do everyday to impact change and make a difference.

10. The Mom It Forward Community. I appreciate all of the people who make up this fabulous community—from the people who participate in our weekly #gno Twitter parties, to those who contribute posts to the website, to those who chat with us in our forum, to those who participate in blog tours and live events, to the many who joined us for our first Evo Conference this year, and to the agencies and brands who partner with us on fun and meaningful opportunities. You are all helping to change the world one mom at a time!

What are you most grateful for today?

The thought of writing a life history can be overwhelming. But, one way to leave a legacy is through photography and storytelling. And, when you take it one picture and one story at a time, the potential overwhelm is replaced with fun!

While I’m thankful for this beautiful photo of my grandmother, I’m even more grateful that I know the story behind it.

This beautiful young woman is Wanda Lee and this portrait was taken her senior year of high school. It’s also the year that my grandmother’s English teacher gave her the assignment to write one page about each year of her life from birth to present. I’m forever grateful to that English teacher for the gift of that assignment!

One memory from her senior year was being the editor of the school paper, she writes, “I was elected president of the senior class and editor of the school paper, “Pirate Plunder.”  The Pirate Plunder took lots of time and I got lots of purple hands but it was fun.”

Through these details I’m able to learn about the activities she was involved in and some of the history behind school papers in 1947.

Some of her classmates that year were returning from World War II. She comments, “Our class had many parties this year.  WWII was over and soldiers were coming home and some were returning to school.  We had several returning navy and army guys who came into our Senior class who graduated in May 1947.  Therefore, we had a Welcome Home party for them.”

Her purple fingers also wore an engagement ring her senior year. She told my grandpa Jack that she would marry him as long as she could finish her senior year of high school first. They were married in August of 1947 just a few months after she graduated at the age of seventeen. Here is the only portrait I have ever seen from their wedding day.

Their wedding took place at her parent’s Kansas home on the farm, but had a delayed start because her father was late to the ceremony and they had to wait for him to arrive so that he could give her away. Then the newlyweds were off to a 3-day honeymoon in the Missouri Ozarks.

Certainly, the pictures of my grandmother leave a beautiful legacy, but knowing the stories of the woman in these photos makes the picture complete. When she wrote down some of her memories of her life in 1947, I’m sure she had no idea the incredible window she was creating into her life and history for her children and grandchildren. However, her stories have given me a greater connection and appreciation for her and I find myself wanting to display more of her photos because with each photo I see, I can hear the story too.

Do you know the stories behind the photos of your grandparents? What one thing can you do this week to share the stories behind your photos with your children?

Janna Antenorcruz is the founding editor of Mommy’s Piggy Tales: Record Your Youth. Inspired by her grandmother’s stories of growing up, she created a blog where mothers can have friendly accountability and encouragement to record the memories of their youth in 12 posts. Need more convincing to start sharing your stories? Read the Mommy’s Piggy Tales testimonials page.

I got an email from Renee Ross in July, letting me know that she had set a goal to run a half marathon in an effort to help her friend’s daughter who was suffering from Leukemia. As part of the Mom It Forward mission, I am committed to helping change the world one mom at a time and when I heard about Renee’s initiative, I knew a #gno Twitter party was just the thing to get the word out.

Renee lined up many panelists, including members of the American Cancer Society (ACS). As word spread, cancer nurses and those struggling from cancer caught wind of the event and RSVPed.

The Twitter party generated nearly 8 million impressions from 235 participants. The information shared was amazing. I learned so much and at times, just sat back and took it all in, remembering my mom’s best friend who had died of Leukemia when I was 15. I wondered what tapping into such a community would have been like for my mom and for her friend Diane. To feel the strength  of a group of women sharing with and caring for each other was powerful.

Today, I received an email from Renee. She stated:

I think it is so important to use influence for good. Thank you so much for offering to host this special GNO. BTW, I ran 10 miles today before church. I am just so excited that I completed what I thought was an impossible task just a year ago!

Not only is Renee making a difference in others’ lives, but she is also momming it forward to herself. Way to go, Renee!

If you know of someone who is a Mom It Forward mom, please submit their story to momitforward [AT] gmail [dot] com.

Join BOCA Burgers on Tuesday, July 6 and our panel of experts as we discuss the joys of summer parties and activities and enjoying them in sensible and delicious ways. The party goes from 9-11 ET (8-10 CT, 7-9 MT, 6-8 PT). See the details below about this week’s giveaway and click here to enter.

• What: Girls’ Night Out (#gno) Twitter party (Click here to learn about #gno!)
• When: Tuesday, July 6, 9-11 p.m. EST (8-10 CT, 7-9 MT, & 6-8 PT)
• Where: Party with us on our very own Custom Tweetgrid! Check back Tuesday for the link. (Use hashtags #gno and #BOCA.)
• Topic: Healthy living, summer grilling, and get-togethers
• Who: Brand Panelist: @BOCAmeatless Community Panelists: @ACowboysWife @AMNichols @IAmSucceeding @RonisWeigh @SavortheThyme @ShrinkingJeans Moderators: @jylmomIF @Dadventurous @troypattee and @momitforward
• Party Favors: Click here to enter for a chance to win a top-of-the-line grill and BOCA products. (Deadline: Wednesday, July 7 at midnight PT)
• RSVP: Use Mr. Linky below (enter the twitter URL and your twitter ID (e.g., http://twitter.com/jylmomIF).

Note: Mom It Forward accepts paid sponsorships for most #gno Twitter parties. During the parties, brand sponsors provide tips, techniques, expert advice, and information on party topics. Mom It Forward is grateful for the giveaway prizes, coupons, and discounts that sponsors also provide to the Mom It Forward community in conjunction with #gno Twitter parties.

Photo used with courtesy from Flickr.

Terms and Conditions

No purchase necessary to enter. No more than one entry per person via each of the methods listed in the Giveaway details. For entry requirements and to enter giveaway, visit MomItForward.com and click on BOCA Summer Grilling #gno for more information and to leave your information for consideration in the random sweepstakes. The odds of winning a Giveaway depend on the number of entries.  Winners will be selected randomly by Mom It Forward. All decisions are made by Mom It Forward and are final. Employees of Mom It Forward and the Giveaway sponsor are not eligible to participate. All entries received after the Giveaway closing date and time will not be considered. Entries that do not follow all of the entry requirements will not be considered. Winners will be notified via email and will have 24 hours to confirm receipt of the e-mail. If the winner does not reply within 24 hours, another winner will be selected. Open to participants in the US who are 18 years and older. Void where prohibited. Taxes on Giveaways are solely the responsibility of the winner.  Winner agrees to permit Mom It Forward and the Giveaway Sponsor to use her or his name, voice, photo, or likeness for reasonable promotional and marketing purposes for up to 90 days after the end of the Giveaway.  Mom It Forward and Sponsor are not liable for late or misdirected entries, entry errors, or transmission problems. Mom It Forward reserves the right to terminate the Giveaway in the event of technical problems, or to correct typographical or technical errors, or to amend these rules.  All participants should review the Mom It Forward disclosure and privacy policies.  By entering, participants agree to release and hold harmless Mom It Forward, Sponsor, and their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, employees, and agents from any and all liability or any injuries, loss, or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with a Giveaway.  Mom It Forward will provide the name of the winner for any Giveaway, upon request, for 90 days after that Giveaway’s entry period ends.  Unless otherwise provided by the Sponsor, no substitution, transfer, or assignment of prizes is permitted.  Non-winning entries from one Giveaway are not carried forward to future Giveaways.

This Wednesday, May 5 from 9-11 ET (8CT, 7MT, 6PT), we’ll be chatting about kids’ summer activities with Scandinavian Child and LilleBaby at the #gno Twitter party.

• What: Girls’ Night Out (#gno) Twitter party (Click here to learn about #gno!)
• When: Wednesday, May 5, 9-11 p.m. EST (8CT, 7 MT, & 6 PT)
• Where: Party with us here on our very own Custom Tweetgrid! (Use hashtags #gno and #lillebaby.)
• Topic: Summer Activities for Kids
• Who: Brand panelists: @lillebabyusa @mktg_mama and @scanchild Panelists: @karie_reynolds @mygomom @supermomcentral @themorrisbunch Moderators: @jylmomIF @todaysmama and @momitforward
• Party Favors: Click here for a link to enter this week’s giveaway. Deadline: 5/9.
• RSVP: Use Mr. Linky below (enter the twitter URL and your twitter ID (e.g., http://twitter.com/jylmomIF).

Note: Mom It Forward accepts paid sponsorships for most #gno Twitter parties. During the parties, brand sponsors provide tips, techniques, expert advice, and information on party topics. Mom It Forward is grateful for the giveaway prizes, coupons, and discounts that sponsors also provide to the Mom It Forward community in conjunction with #gno Twitter parties.

Check out the long list of prizes included in the gift basket here, valued at more than $900.

Entry Requirements

Complete these three requirements to be entered in this week’s giveaway:

1. Follow @mommadethat on Twitter.
2. Visit http://mommadethat.com and leave a comment on this post, sharing one item you’d like as a Mother’s Day gift.
3. Tweet the following messages:

GIVEAWAY! Enter 2 win a gift basket w/more than 25 mom-made gifts from @mommadethat (APR $900). http://bit.ly/b9fLrv #gno PLS RT

Get small biz tips Tues April 27 (9-11ET) on #gno Twitter party w/@mommadethat RSVP http://bit.ly/aQjdxH PLS RT

Extra Entries

The following five entries are completely optional and will earn you one extra entry each. Leave a separate comment on this post for each completed entry.

1. Follow @momitforward on Twitter.
2. Follow Mom It Forward on Facebook at http://facebook.com/momitforward.
3. Become a Friend of Mom It Forward’s Google Friend Connect (see box in right sidebar).
4. Like the Mom It Forward Facebook page (See bottom right-hand column: http://momitforward.com/gno.)
5. Subscribe to the Mom It Forward RSS feed (click on orange heart at the bottom left of this site’s home page).

Terms and Conditions

Items featured in image may differ from what is included in the giveaway. No purchase necessary to enter. Giveaway ends at midnight ET Wednesday, April 28, 2010. See all terms and conditions here.

Join us Tonight, Tuesday, April 20 with Marcal Small Steps and Thursday, April 22 with Earth Footwear to discuss tips for living a greener life.

Tuesday Celebration With Marcal Small Steps

Information for the Marcal Small Steps Twitter party can be found here.

Thursday Celebration With Earth Footwear

Click here to see details for the Earth Footwear party.

We’d love you to share your passion and expertise on the topic as well as learn from brand representatives from both companies as well as other #gno gals and guys and our amazing panelists.

Giveaways!

Both brands are providing awesome environmentally friendly products as giveaways this week as part of our Earth Day celebration. You can enter to win here and here.

Join Avon at the #gno Twitter party this Tuesday, March 16 from 9-11 ET (8 CT, 7 MT, and 6 PT) for an awareness raising conversation about how to take action and help end domestic violence, sexual abuse, and human trafficking. There is so much we all can be doing. Share and learn tips for ways in which you can empower women around the world and make a difference.

• What: Girls’ Night Out (#gno) Twitter party (Click here to learn about #gno!)
• When: Tuesday, March 16, 9-11 p.m. EST (8CT, 7 MT, & 6 PT)
• Where: Click here to party with us on our very own Custom Tweetgrid! (Use hashtags #gno and #avoniwd.)
• Topic: Ending Violence Against Women World Wide
• Who: @avonprnewsflash @dianascimone @maggiedammit @pigtailpals @reneejross @theundomestic @utbrown
• Party Favors: Click here to enter for a chance to win this week’s giveaway. Deadline: 3/17
• RSVP: Use Mr. Linky below (enter the twitter URL and your twitter ID (e.g., http://twitter.com/jyl_momIF).
Photo courtesy of Flickr.


Note: Mom It Forward accepts paid sponsorships for most #gno Twitter parties. During the parties, brand sponsors provide tips, techniques, expert advice, and information on party topics. Mom It Forward is grateful for the giveaway prizes, coupons, and discounts that sponsors also provide to the Mom It Forward community in conjunction with #gno Twitter parties.