the Mouse and the Minnie.

We are on our way to Disney!!!  Olivia has been dying to go lately.  The allure of being only hours away and people going on a whim in Miami got the best of her. 

She's been asking since the beginning of the summer.  So, we gave her a choice....trip to Disney for her bday or a bday party in Miami.  Guess what she chose??  Yep - the mouse. 

And, lucky enough for us, Erika's oldest daughter has been also asking...dying!....to go to Disney.  And, Kate, Olivia and Elise all have birthdays within two weeks of each other. 

Olivia has known for awhile that we were going.  Erika decided to surprise her kids on the day of the trip!  She just told them hours ago as a matter of fact.  The beauty of technology is that I'm writing this as we're driving to Disney.  Erika's at the airport with the family waiting to board their plane.  We will soon, very soon have 3 crazy kids anxious to get through the night so they can get to Disney in the morning!!!  I can't wait to see them. 

And Luke. 

Poor thing has no idea what's about to happen to him.  He's about to be in stimulation overload.  Late nights, no naps and lots and lots of people.  Wish us luck! 

Happy Birthday my little pooh!! 

- next blog....her year in recap! 

My Platform....

Yes....same story ( I say I'm going to blog and I don't), different day.  I fully understand that.  Life is hectic.  For all of us.  There is a reason why Facebook and Twitter are successful.  People can update their lives daily in one picture or 140 letters or less.  Funny.  But, a blog...slightly more commitment that doesn't always make the priority list.  Unfortunately. 

This week I was already looking forward to blog about the 'what's new with Olivia' list as she turns 6 on Saturday. I like stepping back and thinking about what the last year has meant to me. 

But, for now, I blog because of something else important.  I met a woman at a women's leadership conf in Boston last year.  She made a big impact on me and I even brought her out to our total international team meeting this past August.  I had the pleasure of having dinner with her alone the night before our meeting and she is an amazing woman.  She also writes a blog and had this as one of the subjects recently.  Click on it.  I know it's a pain and many of you may be reading this on an email.  Take the time.  I promise.  Especially if you have daughters. 

As a businesswoman in the world today, this is important to me.  As a mother of a daughter, it is frightening.  I will do everything in my power to raise a strong, confident and compassionate woman.  Yet, I'm afraid I will have to work 10x harder than I need to (make that a million) because of what the media does to our kids.  It starts so young too.  Does the 'Disney channel' really think we shouldn't monitor what they are producing these days?

Watch this trailer.  I'll be watching the movie when it comes out. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2UZZV3xU6Q&playnext=1&list=PL69880C25C2F02A24