Yes, there are a couple good ones, but overall the dressing up in an antebellum gown, pretending to be vulnerable, waiting to be saved by a man…YAWN.

I guess it’s good I don’t have girls or that my boys aren’t into princesses (aside from B trying to look up their dresses to see private parts).

Texas photographer and mom, Jaime Moore had a brilliant idea for a photo shoot for her daughter’s 5th birthday.

While searching for online inspiration, only Disney Princess images came up. Jaime decided she wanted inspiration more attainable than an unrealistic fairy-tale fantasy.

She and daughter Emma decided to emulate 5 female role models-REAL WOMEN- girls can aspire to be like.

They decided on: Susan B. Anthony, Coco Chanel, Amelia Earhart, Helen Keller and Jane Goodall.

Jamie says, ““My daughter wasn’t born into royalty, but she was born into a country where she can now vote, become a doctor, a pilot, an astronaut, or even President if she wants…I wanted her to know the value of these amazing women who had gone against everything so she can now have everything.”

The photo shoot was appropriately titled, “Not Just A Girl“.

The pictures are beyond amazing.

I’d say five year old Emma is already in the running to join the ranks of these inspirational women.

Great job Mom!

Take that Cinderella!!!!

Check out Jaime’s website and “Not Just A Girl” photo shoot HERE.

Of course I’m speaking of Angelina Jolie.

The former Hollywood wild child is on her grown woman status.

The 37 year old mother of 6 has revealed she underwent a double mastectomy in February.

After genetic testing, she learned that she carries the BRCA1 gene thus having an estimated 87% risk of breast cancer and a 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer.

She took preventative measures.

Her mother died from cancer at age 56.

Angie says she remembers her battle well, “She held out long enough to meet the first of her grandchildren and to hold them in her arms. But my other children will never have the chance to know her and experience how loving and gracious she was.”

The mommy of 6 said the proactive mastectomy was for the sake of her children and Boo of 8 years, Brad Pitt.

“I can tell my children that they don’t need to fear they will lose me to breast cancer,” she said.

I’d say that makes her 10x more BADASS than Laura Croft.

Kudos to Jolie for her bravery. She’s telling her story in hopes of inspiring other women.

Angie, you’re inspiring a Nation.

Truly one of the most beautiful women in the world and a bonafide HOT MAMA.

I never realized how unconditionally my parents love me until I had children.

I blush as I reminisce on some of my childhood escapades.

Regardless of my failures and arrests mistakes my parents were always there. They never shamed me, but always offered loving support. As an adult and parent I now appreciate and understand that. I hope to be this same shining example for my kids.

When you’re in a relationship you say you unconditionally love the person. I think the only TRUE unconditional love is that for a child. Romantic love is conditional. If your spouse hits you, hurts you, lies to you, cheats on you…someone wanting a healthy union would eventually RUN walk away from that toxic environment.

However, if a child does any of those things (and they will) it’s almost like your love intensifies for him. You might get upset but the love doesn’t fade and you don’t leave. Quite the contrary. You wanna be there more for your child despite the pain to guide him.

This is UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.

Happy Mother’s Day to my amazing mom and all you moms out there.

Your unconditional love for your kids is an eternal gift.

“When you look into your mother’s eyes, you know that is the purest love you can find on this earth.”  

-Mitch Albom

Filed under: Awwww....., Holiday, Motherhood Journey ]]> http://ahotmama.com/2013/05/10/unconditional-love-on-mothers-day/feed/ 4 mothers-day-cards58 ahotmama mothers-day-cards58 http://ahotmama.com/2013/05/08/50-most-powerful-moms-of-2013/ http://ahotmama.com/2013/05/08/50-most-powerful-moms-of-2013/#comments Wed, 08 May 2013 12:37:55 +0000 ahotmama http://ahotmama.com/?p=5631 ]]> As a mom and MBA student, Working Mother’s list of the 50 Most Powerful Moms of 2013 caught my eye.

I was even more excited when I saw my imaginary BFF, Mariah Carey made the top 10. Way to go Bestie!!!

Fellow Hollywood mommies, Beyonce’ and Giselle made the Top 10 as well.

Working Mother says: These 50 American moms hold real power—in fact, they generate it on a daily basis through their talent, influence, status, money and intellectual capital. But even more so, each of these women have exhibited the strength to overcome tremendous obstacles, the insight to innovate and inspire, and the passion and courage to go against the grain to change the lives of others for the better. Working Mother’s 50 Most Powerful Moms of 2013 (each of whom have at least one child under age 18) measure up in these ways and so many more.

Here’s the Top Ten:

1. Angela Ahrendts, CEO of Burberry

2. Christiane Amanpour, Chief International Correspondent for CNN

3. Kristin Armstrong, Pro Road Bike Racer, Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist

4. Mary Barra, Senior VP of Global Product Development for GM

5. Beyoncé, Singer/Actress/Mogul

6. Sara Blakely, Billionaire Founder of Spanx

7. Rosalind Brewer, President and CEO of Walmart/Sam’s Club

8. Gisele Bundchen, Supermodel/Environmentalist

9. Tory Burch, Billionaire Fashion Designer

10.Mariah Carey, Singer/Actress/Fragrance Mogul

When I have to doll up it somewhat resembles a 6 year old girl who got into mommy’s makeup.

I’ve never bought foundation or eyeshadow. I’m a gloss and mascara kinda girl.

Basically, I am cosmetically challenged.

Help is here though.

Celebrity makeup guru and Hot Mama of 2, Monika Blunder has great easy to follow YouTube tutorials.

Monika has caked up Victoria’s Secret Supermodel Karlie Kloss and Hot Mamas Jessica Alba, Megan Fox, Jennifer Garner, and Katie Holmes.

Her makeup magic is regularly showcased on covers of GQ, Glamour, Vogue, and InStyle.

Check out Monika’s YouTube channel for makeup tips, product recommendations, and how-to guides. They are perfect for makeup novices and elite. Mommies on the go can easily update a daily look or rock it out for date night/GNO.

Here’s her Spring/Summer lipstick faves:

You can find more of Monika’s dazzling makeup secrets on:

MonikaBlunder.com

Facebook Fan Page

YouTube Tutorials

Twitter

I love taking advantage of the California sun. Long days by the pool with the boys is the best.

On our trip to Hawaii B loved hanging out in the pool and wading in the ocean waves, but he wouldn’t swim. It’s not that he COULDN’T swim, he had swimming lessons 2 summers ago. He had lost his confidence.

There’s only 1 person I’d want to get B back to swimming, Brian Lasky.

Brian of Got Bubbles trained Mo and B to get their Ryan Lochte on. His no-nonsense yet gentle technique gets people of all ages safely swimming in 8 days or less. Both Mo and B took his 8 day class and were swimming in 3 days.

It’s an amazing program. I know about 20 kids who have been through his immersion class and we all sing his praises. Brian is like an aquatic whisperer. He believes that you never forget how to swim, but you might lose your confidence. This is what happened to B.

Brian Lasky’s 4 day refresher course to the rescue.

Day 1 B wasn’t happy. His lack of confidence transferred to fear. It was sad to see him scared but I knew Brian would have him happily diving for toy fish in a day or 2. B endured Day 1 and it was refreshing to see his underwater skills emerge again even though he wasn’t happy about being in the water. He definitely still had his swimming chops, he just needed his water swag back.

Day 2 was total opposite of Day 1. B and I struck a deal that at the end of 4 days he would earn a Matchbox police truck. This (along with a couple Skittles) seemed to cure his swimming woes. Plus, I think a slight boost in his confidence helped. He seemed to trust himself, Brian, and the water more.

Day 3 he woke up ready to swim! He couldn’t wait to get to the pool and that made me smile. He was jumping into the water and swimming the length of the pool. He was going to the bottom of the pool to retrieve toys. Most importantly, he was safe in the water and around the pool and he was having fun!

Day 4 was the best day. I got to get in the water. Brian showed me how to encourage and help B with his swimming. He gave some great technique tips and things to watch as B’s swimming progressed. Jaws B loved showing off all his water moves. He didn’t wanna get out of the pool.

I’m at ease knowing he will enjoy the pool this summer but is also aware of water safety.

I have great peace of mind knowing both of my boys are trained and able to swim.

Who are kidding? I’m not gonna sit around doing a gazillion push ups, planks, and pull ups. Pssssh!!!!

In honor of Mother’s Day (May 12) I thought it would be fun to do a Mom Challenge for May. Some are easier than others, but have fun with it.

The moral of the story is….don’t forget about yourself. It’s our natural instinct to put our kids first, but you’re important too.

Hey, and if you can rock out and do the fitness challenges of a gazillion exercises, Go Girl!!!

His invite list looked like a UN summit: Syrian, Russian, Latino, African American, Asian, Arab and Multiracial.

At the tail end of his academic year at a new school I realized just how diverse Mo’s friends are. This made me smile.

Mo has made many friends and feels right at home in an environment surrounded by faces that are both similar and different from his.

It confirmed to me that we made the right decision changing schools from a less diverse environment to one more reflective of the world we live in.

Since the boys were small, I’ve enforced a belief for tolerance and understanding of different cultures. Our kids can grow up accepting others if they are open to indifference.

As they get older I continue to enforce and model acceptance.

“Children are not born prejudiced. Teach them tolerance, love, and acceptance in your words and actions.”-Nora

Filed under: 3rd Grader, Awwww....., BOYS!, Holiday, Just rambling, Motherhood Journey, Race/Color ]]> http://ahotmama.com/2013/04/30/friend-diversity/feed/ 4 IMG_4627 ahotmama IMG_4627 http://ahotmama.com/2013/04/24/patrick-peterson-gets-tough-love/ http://ahotmama.com/2013/04/24/patrick-peterson-gets-tough-love/#comments Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:16:42 +0000 ahotmama http://ahotmama.com/?p=5574 ]]> I recently talked about how I withheld Mo from a weekend of soccer due to unacceptable grades.

I got mixed feedback for doing this. Some parents thought I was being over the top for disciplining my 8 year old, while others said they understood.

When I heard Patrick Peterson’s story, it made me smile.

Former LSU All American DB standout and 2 time NFL Pro Bowl selection for the Arizona Cardinals went through a similar experience in high school.

Pat’s father was on the football coaching staff at his high school. After a great freshman season his grades weren’t so good. His father took education seriously and made his son sit out his ENTIRE Sophomore football season in an attempt to improve his grades.

I am glad to know I’m not alone when it comes to the  importance of academics over athletics.

We as parents are responsible for guiding our kids. They will eventually be sent into a world that values the business and financials of sports over education and their future. It’s our duty to prepare our children.

I feel the same way about my decision as Patrick Peterson Sr. did about his, “I wanted to teach him a lesson about life,” he said. “You tell someone something and do something different, it isn’t right. I think it made him a better person, and he understands now what it takes to be the top player.”

Mo is only 8 but it is never too early to instill values especially when it comes to education.

Women are hard enough on ourselves when it comes to our figure. I can’t imagine being publicly scrutinized by media and strangers for 9 months.

I roll my eyes each time someone chastises Kim Kardashian for pregger pounds.

Kim can’t catch a break.

It’s all over tabloids, social media, and newsstands.

I CAN’T STAND IT!!!

She’s carrying a baby for crying out loud. Let her live.

I’ve never seen a pregnant woman continue to run an empire while looking so fab pregnant.

Her pregnancy ensembles trump my daily gear of sweats and tanks year round (and my kids are 4 and 8!). Gotta applaud her effort…makeup, hair, styling while being pregnant? If my hair was CLEAN when I was expecting that was a major feat in itself.

Even pregnant she continues to work and make money while constantly being on the go. You would think people would applaud this fact, especially when LA is filled with lazy women looking to cash in on a meal ticket.

I hope Kim enjoys her pregnancy.

I gained so much weight pregnant I quit looking at the scale at doctor visits. Not because I was ashamed, but because I DIDN’T CARE!!! Motherhood is such a gift. I chose to embrace carrying a child and all things that come with it: cankles, over eating, big ass, and huge belly.

Besides, I knew after I gave birth I would be determined to get in shape. I dropped the weight with no problem. Around 6-7 months after delivering Bronson, walking/breastfeeding/divorce stress had me back in a bikini looking better than before my pregnancy.

If I could lose it I’m quite sure Kim will have the willpower and top notch arsenal of healthy eating and a workout team. She’ll have no problem slimming down.

If it makes you feel better about yourself to laugh at Kim K while she’s pregnant, enjoy the moment. I’ll bet a new Chloe bag once she delivers she will not only come back looking more beautiful AFTER the baby she’ll also expand her massive empire by cashing in on her weight loss.

Meanwhile, you will still be a loser.

I’m sure Kimberly will follow in the post baby footsteps of fellow Hollywood beauties Jessica Simpson, Camila Alves, and Mariah Carey.

Kim and Kanye West will welcome their new bundle of money love in July.

Get it Kimmie. You’re gorgeous. Welcome to the mommy club. You’re A Hot Mama certified!!!

Stylish pregnant Kimmie:

Pre-Baby Kimmie will definitely be back: