Who’s the coolest baby on the planet?

Now, before you start thinking that I’m full of myself, let me explain what this is really all about.

In a blog post I made, I talked about the need for your site to actually be related to the links that point to it. One example I gave was the cutest baby on the planet search phrase, versus the miserable failure search phrase.

In the past, searching for “miserable failure” brought up a completely unrelated web page. Due to Google’s new algorithm that does away with the “Google bomb” or “link bomb” effect, that is no longer the case.

My post discussed why this doesn’t work anymore.

In one of the comments on that post, Alex Newell suggested that I setup a site and try to get it to rank for the phrase “the coolest baby on the planet”, using the site to test various linking strategies and methods, etc.

Thus my the cutest baby on the planet site was born.

What I am attempting to prove is that by following the directions Google gives in its Webmaster Guidelines, you can rank a site for a keyword phrase using 100% “white hat” methods.

In the pages of the site you will see outlined the methods I am using, and the progress I am making in implementing each of the steps from Google’s guidelines.

As of right now, the site is ranked #1 in Google for “the cutest baby on the planet”, but I also want to be ranked #1 for “the coolest baby on the planet”, so I’m still working on it.

Http://www.mmafightersgear.com

Plush Toys: Everyone loves them

Plush toys may be the most popular type of gift item to give to babies and young children. Who can resist the cuddly cuteness that comes in seemingly endless variety? Plush toys are cozy and cuddly, and babies and children love them. Plush toys often become a child’s most prized possession, accompanying him or her everywhere. Plush toys are also frequently comforting nighttime companions for little ones who may need that extra friend when it’s dark.

From the advent of the ubiquitous Teddy bear, to the myriad of animal and character options out there today, there are certainly many options when it comes to the appearance of plush toys. What are less obvious are the variations among materials used when making plush toys. One brand that prides itself on uniqueness of manufacturing standards is Gund. For over hundred years, Gund plush toys have distinguished themselves in the market by using only the finest materials and superior craftsmanship. With its signature under-stuffing technique, Gund plush toys are arguably the softest, most huggable ones out there.

Plush toys may often become collectors’ items. In addition to brands like Gund, which have been around for a long time and lend themselves well to generation-long collections, individuals may hold on to their plush toys for longer than one would guess. As token items of childhood, many teenagers and even college students (most of them female) retain their plush toys and use them to decorate bedrooms and dorm rooms. They can even be quiet valuable; for example, currently, retired Webkinz animals with codes are selling for over $500 on eBay.

Most recently, plush toys have been integrated in more technologically advanced pursuits. Ganz Webkinz plush toys, which are physical verisimilitudes of their online alter-egos, are a prime example of this. Stuffed Webkinz toys mix the joy of a plush animal with the fun of online video games and the responsibility of caring for a virtual pet.

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Three Ways Dads Can Encourage Piano Playing in Kids

It’s an undisputable fact of life: kids learn by example. Both positive and negative behaviors are often learned and reinforced by a parent’s example. What better way to teach your child a skill, like piano playing, than by demonstrating it?

Dads have an extra important role to play when motivating kids to learn music. Children who are regularly exposed to music in the home are more likely to grow up musical. Kids with parents who actually play an instrument (like piano) have an even further edge.

Dad’s role is especially important when it comes to raising a budding pianist. Young children in particular look to their fathers as role models. They see Dad as omniscient, Herculean and heroic. Kids are natural imitators and will readily and willingly engage in an activity that Dad portrays as cool or fun.

Mothers, of course, can play a significant role in helping kids get excited about piano playing. The downside of having a mother who is musical when Dad isn’t is that it can send mixed messages. Children may view piano playing as a “girl” activity, at least at home.

Motivating a child to practice regularly is a chore at the best of times. Children are often even less excited about practicing when they know that their parents don’t play. It’s tough for kids to see the value in a musical education under these circumstances.

Dads can make a difference in the musical education of their children even if they’ve never played piano before. It’s never too late to learn something new. You might not become a virtuoso, but that’s not the point. The point is to show your child that piano playing is a valuable life skill.

Dads who haven’t previously taken piano lessons can get started by doing one or more of the following:

* Taking a parent/child piano class. Some music schools offer parent/child piano lessons. Many are actually founded on the philosophy that children learn best through active parent participation. Parent/child classes teach basic musical skills but also foster healthy interaction between parent and child. Plus, dads who never took piano lessons get to learn right along with their children.

* Take a self-tutorial. Piano tutorials are available in workbook and DVD form as well as online. Tutorials are self-directed and cover the basics like note reading and chords. Online tutorials sometimes have the added advantage of access to an online mentor. Self tutorials range in price. Many are free. Most courses cost between $25 and $100 for basic foundational skills. A dad can at least learn enough this way to understand what his child is learning. He may even be able to learn from his child.

* Take formal piano lessons. Remember, it’s not too late to learn. You don’t have to take classical piano either if that’s not your forte. Find an instructor who understands what your goal is: to lead your child by example. Your instructor can design a lesson plan that helps meet those needs without scaring you with long-winded classical pieces. He or she can teach you the basics and give you a great foundation for piano playing for and with your child.

Dads who master the basics of piano playing have another advantage that non-musical dads don’t. Pianist fathers have one more way to encourage kids to turn off the television and engage in something productive and beneficial. Impromptu family concerts, father/child duets or simply making up goofy songs together fosters relaxation, bonding and emotional health.

Ideas On Making Life Better