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Spring Forward! Do you dread daylight savings?

Spring Forward!  Do you dread daylight savings?

 

Daylight Saving is not easy without children. When you put kids in the mix, it’s a whole new ballgame. As a parent, you are not only responsible for adjusting to this new time, but your little ones might need some assistance as well. Thankfully, springing forward does give us more daylight which I personally LOVE! Being able to stay outdoors longer is so good for the soul. It’s also a great way to get the extra energy out for your little ones.

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Celebrity Estate Planning: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Celebrity Estate Planning:  The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

by Prachi Mehta, JD

The lives of the rich and famous are often shrouded in mystery, but their legal woes can offer surprising insights for us mere mortals. When it comes to estate planning, even celebrities can stumble - though their mistakes come with much larger price tags. Let's take a peek at three celebrity estate planning stories, two cautionary tales and one shining example, to glean valuable lessons for our own legacies:

1. Prince: The Will-Less Wonder (The Ugly): In 2016, pop icon Prince tragically passed away without a will. This seemingly simple oversight plunged his vast estate into years of legal battles, leaving siblings and distant relatives squabbling over millions. The lesson? Having a will or trust is crucial. Intestacy laws may distribute your assets in ways you never intended, causing unnecessary turmoil for your loved ones.

2. Michael Jackson: The "Super Bowl Halftime Show" of Mistakes (The Bad): While Michael Jackson had a will, it lacked crucial updates. Created years before his death, it left everything to his children, with no provisions for his newborn son. This resulted in legal challenges and ultimately, a revised will distributing the estate more equitably. Remember, life changes deserve updates to your estate plan! Regularly review your documents and address any shifts in family, relationships, or assets.

3. David Bowie: The Masterful Maestro of Planning (The Good!): Unlike many of his fellow stars, David Bowie meticulously planned his estate. He established trusts, designated beneficiaries, and even stipulated how his music would be used after his passing. This proactive approach ensured his legacy and wishes were respected, offering a model for responsible estate planning.

Remember, regardless of your net worth, estate planning is not a luxury, it's a necessity. Learn from the missteps of celebrities and embrace the wisdom of Bowie's foresight. Take control of your legacy and ensure your wishes are clear, leaving your loved ones with cherished memories instead of legal tangles.

Be Like Bowie! Sign up for our Free Estate Planning Workshop!

Learn more about Prachi. 

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Tips for Traveling with Tots

Tips for Traveling with Tots
Holidays and vacations are right around the corner. Travel can be especially hard for babies and toddlers – changes in routine can affect their daily patterns, and sense of security and comfort.

In order to have a pleasant, enjoyable trip with babies and toddlers it is important to plan trips around their routines. Babies and toddlers are too young to be able to adapt to a different schedule, so when traveling, routines that have been established in the home shouldn’t go out the window. It is important for babies and toddlers to still have some sense of organization to their day. Continue reading

Ever Photos Tips & Tricks for Staying Sane During Your Holiday Photo Session!

Ever Photos Tips & Tricks for Staying Sane During Your Holiday Photo Session!

It’s that time of year again! There’s a nip in the air (kind of), the Halloween decorations are coming out (does anyone else’s front door stoop look like a pumpkin patch?) and those Holiday cards that your Auntie loves receiving so much need to be ordered soon. And that means getting the family all dolled up for the dreaded holiday family portrait session. But we’re here to tell you it doesn’t have to be dreadful! Just follow Ever’s tips and tricks to making it the smoothest portrait session ever!

Step One: Let it go. Yes. Blast “Let it Go!!!” Or whatever your kids’ favorite song of the moment is – you know, the one you’ve listened to a million times. The one that makes your kiddos smile and gets your kids loose. Dance around. Loosen up and get ready to have some fun.

Step Two: Pour your favorite drink. Whether that’s a tasty beer, glass of wine, matcha or good old-fashioned soda pop. Take a minute. Take a few deep breaths and leave the rest of the day behind you.

Step Three: Let the kids be kids. The more you try and control them, the more they will rebel. If you have a good photographer they should be able to capture the in between moments, the laughter, the chaos beautifully - instead of trying to control it.

Step Four: If all of this sounds good you’re in luck! At Ever photos our two-person team will take care of everything. We’ll make sure your favorite music is bumping, your hair looks good, and while we entertain your kids you can relax your face and get some beautiful images you can treasure forEver.

Book a Portraits By the Sea session today with Ever Photos + The Pump Station

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Portraits By The Sea w/ Ever Photos!

Portraits By The Sea w/ Ever Photos!

We're collaborating with Ever Photos a portrait and lifestyle photography studio. Ever Photos has been featured in Mother Muse Magazine, Variety, The White Wren, and many more. Photography duo Amy + Rezeta combined forces and strengths to start Ever Photos, uniting their shared life experience on and off set. With Rezeta wielding the camera and Amy wrangling  kids on set they confidently capture the real moments between you and your loved ones, creating honest and enduring photos you can treasure forever. 

Ever Photos has worked with hundreds of families and thrives on creating a warm and comfortable environment for you and your loved ones. With over 26 years of on set experience, the result of these two amazing women linking up is editorial photographs that you’d only see in a magazine. It’s a level of photography and imagery that you don’t typically see in family portrait photography. 

Check out their portfolio at www.ever-photos.com

We are offering the following photo package:

Portraits by the Sea Package - $295 

  1. 20 minute personalized session 
  2. Access to online viewing gallery
  3. 3 edited high resolution digital photographs
After reviewing the gallery you will have 3 free downloads included in your package. Any additional photos can be purchased via Ever’s online store where you can purchase a la carte digital files at $25 per image OR you can purchase the entire gallery for $200. In addition you have access to their entire store which features prints, high art prints, holiday cards, framed photographs and so much more.

 

To Book Now:  Photo shoots will take place on Friday October 27th and Sunday November 5th. If slots fill up we'll work with Ever Photos to setup an additional day. To register online, click on date/location below that works best for you to see available appointment times, select a time and follow registration steps. Or, you can call the store at 310-998-1981 to book. Detailed information regarding where you will meet at both locations will be sent a 24-48 hours before your time slot. When selecting time please make sure you carefully choose time based on desired location. Please note that sessions are 20 mins long and there is a 5 min buffer built into the end of every time slot to accommodate transition time with families. 

Friday October 27th

Annenberg – 7 sessions available starting at 7:45AM, 8:10AM,  8:35AM, 9AM, 9:25AM, 9:50AM, 10:15AM

Lighthouse Bridge Beach, Marina Del Rey –  6 sessions available starting at 4:00PM, 4:25PM, 4:50PM, 5:15PM, 5:40PM, 6:05PM

Sunday November 5th

Annenberg – 7 sessions available starting at 7:45AM, 8:10AM,  8:35AM, 9AM, 9:25AM, 9:50AM, 10:15AM

Lighthouse Bridge Beach, Marina Del Rey –  6 sessions available starting at 3:00PM, 3:25PM, 3:50PM, 4:15PM, 4:40PM, 5:05PM

 

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Ten Reasons Why a Postpartum Doula Can Help You After Baby Arrives

Ten Reasons Why a Postpartum Doula Can Help You After Baby Arrives

Approximately 15% of births lead to postpartum depression. This can be attributed to the hormonal, physical, emotional, financial, and social changes after having or adopting a baby.  If not addressed early on, these changes can escalate. Parents who receive Postpartum Doula support are far less likely to suffer from mood disorders and are happier with their overall birth and postpartum experience.

A Postpartum Doula ensures that you have a judgment-free professional by your side. A dedicated person to help you emotionally and physically, as well as provide you with resourceful, actionable advice.

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Pump Up The Music - SONGS TO SING!

Pump Up The Music - SONGS TO SING!

For Children Ages 0-6 and their Loved Ones 

This songbook compiled by Adriana Manfredi and the schools and families she plays music with every week is constantly evolving. Feel free to adapt this songbook for your family and friends . This curated Song collection was started in 2012 by the families of Little Sunshine House and Bayshore Co-op, Long Beach CA.  

We’d love to offer special thanks to Kate Richards of Inspired Music Play and Urban Voices Project Family Sing, and Little Sunshine House.  

Catch a virtual class via Instagram live Saturdays at 8:30am @wearethe_musicmakers  and archived.  

Also Family Sing virtual class meet Mondays 9am-9:30, Register here. You will find demo’s of the songs in both of these spaces, We can’t wait to Sing with you!  

Adriana Manfredi, MFA / Inspired Music Play (2023) 

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Ask Governor Newsom to Sign Bill AB1203 Today!

Ask Governor Newsom to Sign Bill AB1203 Today!

 

Thanks so much for helping us get one step closer to making this Bill a Law!

There are 2 versions of the letter you can send below.  One template is for an individual and the other is for a company/organization. There are 4 easy steps you can take to help us make this happen:

  1. Copy and paste the applicable template into a word document
  2. Update the template with your personal information
  3. Print the letter and sign it
  4. Email your signed letter to leg.unit@gov.ca.gov

Thanks so much for your support!!

INDIVIDUAL SENDING EMAIL

SEND ALL EMAILS TO: leg.unit@gov.ca.gov

 

SUBJECT: AB 1203 (Bains) Support Letter

The Honorable Gavin Newsom
Governor of the State of California
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814


RE: AB 1203 (Bains) – SUPPORT

Dear Governor Newsom:


I am writing this email today to request your signature on AB1203 Sales and use taxes: exemptions: breast pumps and related supplies. I am proud to support AB 1203 which would provide a sales tax exemption for breast pumps, breast pump collection and storage supplies, breast pump kits and breast pads.

Breast pumps are basic necessities for breastfeeding mothers, and early life necessities such as infant formula, baby food and diapers are exempt from sales and use tax. Taxing breast pumps and their supplies is not only unjust but limits access to breastfeeding by making the product more expensive. 

Eliminating this tax is one step California can take to improve access to breastfeeding and breastmilk for families of all socioeconomic statuses. AB 1203 is a solution that’s both simple and cost-effective and will help improve infant mortality rates in California. Breast milk is one of the most highly effective preventative measures to protect infant health – including reducing the chances of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)1. Families should have all available options for feeding their infants. By exempting the sales tax on breast pumps, AB 1203 will remove an unnecessary barrier for families who seek to provide breast milk for their infant children.


Sincerely,
Full Name

1 American Academy of Pediatrics. (2012). Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics, 129(3), e827–e841. Retrieved May 3, 2021, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22371471/.

 

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COMPANY/ORGANIZATION SENDING EMAIL

SEND ALL EMAILS TO: leg.unit@gov.ca.gov

SUBJECT: AB 1203 (Bains) Support Letter

The Honorable Gavin Newsom
Governor of the State of California
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814


RE: AB 1203 (Bains) – SUPPORT

Dear Governor Newsom:


COMPANY NAME requests your signature on AB1203 Sales and use taxes: exemptions: breast pumps and related supplies. COMPANY NAME is proud to support AB 1203 which would provide a sales tax exemption for breast pumps, breast pump collection and storage supplies, breast pump kits and breast pads. 

Breast pumps are basic necessities for breastfeeding mothers, and early life necessities such as infant formula, baby food and diapers are exempt from sales and use tax. Taxing breast pumps and their supplies is not only unjust but limits access to breastfeeding by making the product more expensive. 

Eliminating this tax is one step California can take to improve access to breastfeeding and breastmilk for families of all socioeconomic statuses. AB 1203 is a solution that’s both simple and cost-effective and will help improve infant mortality rates in California. Breast milk is one of the most highly effective preventative measures to protect infant health – including reducing the chances of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)1. Families should have all available options for feeding their infants. By exempting the sales tax on breast pumps, AB 1203 will remove an unnecessary barrier for families who seek to provide breast milk for their infant children.


Sincerely,
Full Name

Title

COMPANY NAME

1 American Academy of Pediatrics. (2012). Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics, 129(3), e827–e841. Retrieved May 3, 2021, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22371471/.

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Empowering You to Enrich Your Babies Critical Early Years

Empowering You to Enrich Your Babies Critical Early Years

 

Babies learning journeys begin the day they are born, not their first day of school. Your babies experiences and how you interact during their first five years will determine their emotional, physical, intellectual, and social development along with their self-confidence, personality, adaptability and their ability to relate with others. The person or people who spend the most amount of time with your baby have the opportunity to make the most impact on this young one’s life.

Don’t you love the feeling of having successfully encouraged your baby or toddler to reach new developmental milestones?  You are so vested into your little one that you get feelings of excitement and pride when you see new growth. But, often, you do not know exactly how to stimulate that brain development or how to turn everyday care into an easy avenue for greater communication and capturing learning moments. You may be aware of the stigma of too much "screen time" but do not know how to turn "screen time" into "limited value time". Parents have shared with me how they have strong skills in taking care of their child’s needs...bathing, diapering, feeding, and safety measures but either they do not have the background or are not aware of the necessity to "build that little brain".

Communicating is the key to connecting and it begins from the moment a baby is born. The first communication we often hear is crying, that sweet sound when newborns arrive to let everyone know “I am here!”. As crying is one of the first of many ways babies communicate, true smiling does not appear until around 6-12 weeks. From birth, each person that comes in contact with your newborn, who grows to become a baby, then a toddler, thenchild…, needs to know what that baby is communicating and how best to communicate back with them.  Communication abilities change and grow as babies develop and their ability to grow depends upon the experiences they have.

A Baby's Blooming Brain
Studies reveal that 90% of brain development happens before 5 years old. When babies are born, neurons in their brain are still forming and continue to make neural connections through around 3 years old. Babies’ sweet little heads are born with billions of brain cells which can be stimulated to grow based on early and enriching experiences. These brain cells are ready for you to nurture so they can form the connections needed for babies to bloom and grow to their greatest potential. While many factors influence brain development, your early interactions have the most significant impact!  It is important for you to stimulate the baby's brain and plant the seeds for their life successes much earlier than you may be aware. Some newborns are actually able to imitate you sticking your tongue out and that act of repetition has just stimulated a new brain connection!

There is no “extra time” needed in your day to be able to help stimulate babies’ young brains. You can learn to provide engaging, fun, interactive experiences throughout your natural daily routines such as dressing, feeding, bathing, riding in the car and grocery shopping which will increase brain stimulation so you can help that child bloom all the time! 

Through my years, I have discovered that parents would find their days more productive and satisfying if they had a repertoire of meaningful activities to help create brain connections as well as emotional connections with their baby. I encourage you to check out my new workshop, Enriching Your Child’s Critical Early Years: Birth - Five at the Pump Station & Nurtury, where I will coach you on many of these meaningful, powerful strategies and together we will help you set your little one up for success! 

Remember, It's not just what you do with your baby, but HOW you do it that makes the greatest impact!

Michelle Mintz, M.S., CCC-SLP, The Early Development Expert, is the founder/owner of Baby Blooming Moments®, a unique, one-on-one parent coaching experience, virtually or in person, empowering parents, siblings, grandparents and nannies to enrich the way they interact with their babies and toddlers. Michelle develops personalized, proactive strategies helping families transform everyday in-the-moment interactions into valuable, impactful opportunities. Implementing her strategies and hands-on activities throughout the day helps increase communication, brain connections, learning and social development during those crucial early formative years when the most impactful brain development occurs – which helps all babies and toddlers bloom!

Michelle, who earned her B.A. in Speech and Hearing Sciences from U.C. Santa Barbara and her M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from Boston University before establishing her private practice in Santa Monica, CA in 1995, has decades of experience working with families. She is also the author of All Done Binky!, a book to help support families with babies and toddlers weaning off pacifiers.

 

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