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While visiting LA a few weeks ago, I lived the dream and did so many things that I never imagined doing in my life…one of them included a visit to Disney Toon Studios for the screening the new Tinkerbell and the Legend of the Neverbeast…I’ve loved Tinkerbell since I was little, and yes my boys even buy me Tinkerbell birthday cakes, so I was thrilled to find out we would be interviewing several of the people behind the film.
Later that weekend we returned to DisneyToon Studios to speak with Director – Steve Loter (right) and Producer – Makul Wigert (left)…
While it was Makul’s first Tinkerbell movie, Steve worked on Tinkerbell and the Secret of the Wings…one of my faves!
You might be surprised that the movie that you see now is the same as it was in Steve’s pitch. He knew exactly how he wanted the movie from beginning to the end. It was inspired by his daughter…
My daughter loves one thing above all else, very large dogs, and our neighborhood just has a ton of dogs. So she’ll see a neighbor walking a dog down the street and she’ll run up to the dog and she’ll throw her arms the dog in a big loving hug. And it showed me something you know once the fear subsided, something very important that my daughter has a huge open heart. So I had to sit her down and we had to talk about this encounter we just had with the dog. And she would say, “Well all animals are my friends. Why wouldn’t they be? In fact, the bigger they are the bigger the love they have to give.” And I thought that’s the story. That’s the story. Fawn, the animal town fairy. Loves animals unconditionally. She takes care of animals and she encounters a creature that can be perceived of as a monster and her open heart’s gonna’ be put to the test.
This was a message that he wanted for Fawn, & his daughter to learn to.
It’s beautiful to think with an open heart. To see the world through that prison, through that perspective a wonderful thing, but you also have to think with your head. You need the balance to have a happy life.
Though the film was initially inspired by his daughter, it became so much more..Fawn and her became infused..he used his daughters mannerisms many times for Fawn. But she was also used as inspiration for Calista the bunny..the one that refuses to hop and wants to strut instead. But his daughter isn’t the only one from his family he used for insperation…he used himself for Nyx the Scout Fairy…
Because that’s the helicopter parent that I am.
And the ending, which I’m not giving away, was taken from a moment they’ve had with their dog.
Back to Nyx and the Scout Fairies..they are a new character that was started when Steve was at his daughters gymnastics meet and the girls said..
“We heard you’re working on a fairy movie…Can you make fairies like us? We’re physical. We run, we jump. We, we do all these things. There’s no fairies like us in the movie. Can you make fairies like us?”
So they did just that, the Scout Fairies are very athletic and physical, they even reference par core.
When casting for the movie, they knew right off they wanted Ginnifer Goodwin for the voice of Fawn.
We loved Ginnifer Goodwin and her voice, we knew she was going to be Fawn.
But they needed someone who could contrast the joyful bubbly nature of Fawn,
Then they discovered Rosario for Nyx.
I personally hope we see more of Nyx and hope we get to see further into some the other fairies world. Creating the Neverbeast who is 6′ with fur was quite a challenge so it might be a while till we see another fairies movie on the drawing board.
Be sure to get Tinkerbell And The Legend Of The Neverbeast on Blu-Ray, Digital HD, and Disney Movies Anywhere March 3!
Follow Legend of the Neverbeast on Facebook
Follow Tinkerbell on Facebook (#Neverbeast)
Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Growing up we weren’t the wealthiest family on the block, there were many time where I wished I had someone else’s home or things…and while I couldn’t have everything, my mom always made sure I had the important things! No I’m not talking food, or a roof over our head although I truly appreciate all that too..I mean love and undivided attention..lessons on life, and being the artistic type, she always managed to keep crafty things around the house for me to get creative with. I always had a birthday party, and never went without on a holiday. So I guess you can say I was pretty lucky! Looking back I don’t know how my parents managed it all on such little income, but my mom made everything possible on our budget so we didn’t feel left out of anything.
Then the day came where I became a mother and she became a grandmother. I remember it like it was yesterday. My husband and my mother slept in a chair and the small couch in a room that was around 30* because I was “so hot”. I remember lots of encouraging words and lots of pacing the floor. Then my little Nick was born and all of our lives were changed. I wasn’t just responsible for myself anymore, I had a tiny little man to look after, I knew I couldn’t depend on my mom, and I was okay with that..she wasn’t just my mom anymore, she was a grandmother and ready to take on the roll of spoiler. I count my blessings that I was able to share that moment in my life with my mother..and two more births after that.
Now, living 4 hours away from “home” I get to share my days with my four boys, who may make days difficult at times, but the snuggles and giggles make up for it all! I never imagined I would miss my mother so much..and go back several times a year to stay with my parents for a visit. I couldn’t imagine my life without any of my boys and feel so blessed to have them & my mother in my life.
Happy Mothers Day to all the mums, mothers, moms, mommies and grandmothers out there. Thank you for taking the time to give your all!

I received a Sweetwater gift card and compensation as part of my relationship with the Quality Blue Community. All opinions expressed are my own.
We are a musical family…we love music whether we are just listening to it or playing it, it’s a big part of our lives. All my boys have an instrument…guitars, drums, keyboard & even a violin. This time of year, music often plays a bigger role in our lives than it does during the rest of the year. We attend school concerts, choir performances, seasonal community events, & enjoy listening to holiday songs playing on the radio — all are opportunities to take advantage of both the physical and emotional benefits that music can bring.
The magic of music shines brighter during the holidays. It is important to use the abundance of musical opportunities as a springboard for making music throughout the entire year. Shopping for new equipment is a great way to springboard into making music the rest of the year! Sweetwater makes it easy to shop online for quality instruments that would make fantastic gifts for the holidays.
My oldest has been a little bummed that he outgrew his 3/4 sized electric guitar that he’s had for years, even though he plays his dad’s acoustic often…so you know he was super excited to get a new one from Sweetwater! I’ve never purchased a guitar online, I usually like the boys to touch & hold and make sure it feels right & looks right. Then there is the worry about how it would arrive after being shipped…I’ve seen some of the packages I get..they aren’t always the best looking. But Sweetwater made sure my guitar arrived in great condition! This guitar was sent in the box below, which was also shipped in a larger box to ensure a safe shipment…
And also wrapped to ensure no movement for a safer ship.
The site was pretty easy to navigate, you choose your category and then can narrow down from there. We looked at electric, acoustic and some basses…they have some pretty awesome guitars to really make you feel like a rock star! We chose a Sunburst Acoustic, as we have plenty of electric guitars in the house.
This guitar fits right into our budget and looks great! To even sweeten the deal Sweetwater currently provides free shipping and free return shipping on guitars…which is nice..so no extra cost & relief just in case it comes in all beat up. Another reason Sweetwater eases my mind is they offers free tech support for your guitar and a 2 year warranty on all guitars they sell. As an extra “sweet” surprise, they included little bits of candy in the shipment! About a day or two after my order I received an email from my “personal account representative”:
I’ve have been in the music industry for over a decade, and have helped many people achieve their goals in music technology and recording. If you ever have any questions about products, applications, or pricing please contact me and I’m eager to help you. I look forward to working with you.
Such fantastic personal service!
Every guitar that comes into Sweetwater is unboxed and inspected by a professional who make sure everything is in perfect working order. They tune the guitar so that your child is ready to jam the moment they open the box. When you purchase from other retailers that don’t tune the guitar after receiving it they are leaving this step up to you. This can be a buzzkill after opening a sick new instrument – kind of like batteries not included!
Music can help on many levels. It has been proven to promote cognitive development in babies and young children and stimulates areas of the brain involved with motivation, & emotion. Music can also bond families across generations. Making or listening to music can result in increased levels of dopamine, increasing happiness.
Here are five reasons you should be making music with your family this holiday season:
Music-making is beneficial. Music promotes social, physical, cognitive, and emotional development plus language & concentration skills, confidence, and self-esteem. It’s easy to get started making music with your children during the holidays: Sing your favorite Christmas carols in the car, dance to holiday songs, take them to a holiday concert or musical, or purchase an instrument and let them make their own music.
Music helps us create and recall memories. Music can spark the recall of past experiences. Singing while you decorate the tree, at a holiday party, or at a religious celebration can help form memories and bonds with extended family and friends that will be recalled for many years to come.
Music relieves stress. The holidays, while joyful, can also be stressful. Singing can actually relieve stress. Play music in the car while navigating the mall parking lot or sing along to a holiday recording while getting ready for company. It will help you stay calm and, most importantly, model for your children a healthy way to deal with the stress of everyday life.
Music connects people. The holidays can be lonely for some people. Singing, especially in groups, can relieve this loneliness by connecting us to others in ways that no other activity can. When you sing with others this holiday season, whether it’s during a religious service, at a community event, or at a family gathering, everyone benefits.
Music spans the generations. Music is an ageless way to connect with older relatives and create ties between the youngest and oldest family members. Sharing memories of holiday music-making from their past and teaching those songs to future generations can be joyous for both the elderly storytellers and the family members listening.
Why Buy Sweetwater?
I encourage you to try Sweetwater for yourself on Cyber Monday…adding music to your home and a great deal..what could be better than that!
Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Fall is just around the corner which will bring the gray and gloomy weather. Soon we will all be suffering from those pesky coughs and sniffles and there is nothing worse than cold symptoms keeping you from your favorite fall activities.
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This season we are excited to introduce the new Cold-EEZE® Plus Natural Immune Support QuickMelts®. This over-the-counter cold remedy shortens your cold and also promotes immune health and provides antioxidant support. Each QuickMelt® dissolves quickly in your mouth without water and delivers the same amount of active ingredient (zinc gluconate) as one clinically proven and #1 pharmacist recommended Cold-EEZE® lozenge. In addition to zinc gluconate, the new QuickMelts® also contain standardized extracts of Rose Hips and Echinacea. The unique formula reduces the duration of the common cold, promotes immune health and antioxidant support.
This season we are also introducing the new Cold-EEZE®Plus Natural Immune Support with Natural Energy QuickMelts®. This over-the-counter cold remedy shortens your cold and also promotes immune health and provides antioxidant support plus helps to restore your energy, naturally. Each QuickMelt® dissolves quickly in your mouth without water and delivers the same amount of active ingredient (zinc gluconate) as one clinically proven and #1 pharmacist recommended Cold-EEZE® lozenge. In addition to zinc gluconate, the new QuickMelts® also contain standardized extracts of Rose Hips and Echinacea and Natural Energy. The unique formula reduces the duration of the common cold and promotes immune health and antioxidant support and helps to restore your energy, naturally.
Just this last weekend when the “cold front” blew in it blew in something that we weren’t ready for. Sore throats, sniffles and oh, the sinus pressure! It sure would have been nice to have some cold-eeze on hand! If one cold front was that awful, You know I’m stocking up for the season ahead!
WIN IT!! One lucky Mom of 4 Boys Reader will win a Cold EEZE Prize Pack (see above)!! This giveaway is open to US residents 18 years old or older. Entering this giveaway means that you accept both my rules & disclosure. Be sure to add [email protected] to your contacts to make sure you get your winning email!

When you’re looking to turn your life around, it is widely known that you have to experience the very pits of life before you can climb out the other side. When we looking for that almighty purpose in life, the one major obstruction is, very simply, ourselves. Our mental health can stop us doing the things we want to do, choosing the path that we should take in life, and can threaten to envelop us in every way. And if you’re someone who has struggled with your own mental health for so long, there are always tools out there to help you, but if these aren’t producing the desired outcome, what can you do to get you on the right path?
Achieving Perspective
We’re all individual, and if we get a better understanding of our own mental anguish, especially in comparison to what others are going through, it gives you a more inherent understanding of how best to beat it (or live with it) or a sense of perspective. It can be sobering to see exactly how we rank in the pecking order of mental anguish. And yes, this isn’t a solution for everyone, but when we begin to walk that road to wellness, the combination of the appropriate tools, as well as that ability to gain perspective, not just of oneself, but of others, can be the key to improving your life. For example, counselors and psychiatrists are actively encouraged to go through the therapy process themselves, not just so they have a clear palate, but they have gone through the process of dissecting their own emotions, no matter how painful they are. And as a career choice, psychology, in all of its forms, provides that insight beyond the devastating emotions we can all go through, but also provides an approach to fixing the issues. This might be something that inspires you, not just in terms of improving your quality of life, but as a worthwhile career choice. There are numerous Christian psychology colleges, online courses, and resources available to provide you with that training.
Preparing For Battle
Numerous people have referred to mental health problems, depression, and anxiety, as a constant struggle or battle. When we’re looking at fixing our own mental health issues, the term “battle” may feel loaded with connotations. But much like an addict is an addict for life, even if you feel the Black Dog has gone for a walk, it could very well come back. Now, not to say that we should live in the shadow of fear, but it’s about using the times when we are out of the shadow to prepare our minds, just on the off chance it returns.
It is a long journey, but it’s one that we can all learn to navigate. Now, the mental health discussion is more prominent than ever, but while there are some still reticent to talk about it, if those of us who haven’t addressed our mental health issues, achieving perspective and learning the tools to engage in battle can mean we will understand how best to control it.

This post may contain affiliate links which fund the My Sparkling Life blog.
With summer time here, you simply can’t go to the store and not see the piles of sweet smelling watermelon. It’s always been a staple on the 4th of July for us, but this year I made it a little more fun for the kiddos by turning into a watermelon slush.
INGREDIENTS
2 cups chopped seedless watermelon 2 cups ice cubes
3/4 cup White Grape flavor Juicy Juice® 100% Juice
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice