Bobbleheads

Laura Bush Bobblehead

One of the most beloved and admired American First Ladies, for decades Laura Bush has championed key issues in the fields of education, health care, and human rights. She has traveled to more than seventy-six countries, including two historic solo trips to Afghanistan, and has launched groundbreaking education and healthcare programs in the U.S. and abroad.  The author of the bestselling memoir, Spoken From The Heart, and co-author of the children’s book, Our Great Big Backyard, Mrs. Bush also founded both the Texas Book Festival and the National Book Festival in Washington D.C. Today, as the Chair of the Woman’s Initiative at the George W. Bush Institute, Mrs. Bush continues her work on global healthcare innovations, empowering women in emerging democracies, education reform, and supporting the men and women who have served in America’s military.

Born in Midland, Texas to Jenna and Harold Welch, Laura Bush holds a degree in education from Southern Methodist University and a master’s degree in library science from the University of Texas. She taught in public schools in Dallas, Houston, and Austin, and worked as a public school librarian. In 1977, she married George W. Bush. President and Mrs. Bush are the parents of twin daughters: Barbara, married to Craig Coyne; and Jenna, married to Henry Hager; and proud grandparents of Mila, Poppy, and Hal Hager; and Cora Georgia Coyne.

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Coraline: Other Mother Perfect Mom – Laika Studios Exclusive

Coraline: Other Mother Perfect Mom – Laika Exclusive

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Don’t forget to tag @RoyalBobbles and @Laikastudios in all your #Coraline posts.

Thomas Paine V2 Bobblehead

Thomas Paine was an author, pamphleteer, radical, inventor, intellectual revolutionary, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.  Born in England on January 29, 1737, Paine’s early life was riddled with struggles.  At the age of thirteen, Paine was apprenticed to his father as a corset maker.  After completing his apprenticeship, Paine worked as a privateer, tax collector, school teacher, and tobacco shop owner.

After his business failed, Paine sold his possessions to avoid debtor’s prison and moved to London where he was introduced to Benjamin Franklin.  With Franklin’s encouragement and a letter of recommendation, Paine emigrated to America in 1774.  In Philadelphia, Paine quickly found work as an editor of the Pennsylvania Magazine.  Paine grew the magazine’s readership by writing essays and articles attacking slavery and arguing for worker rights, and appealing to working-class Americans.

Paine’s January, 1776 publication of the pamphlet, “Common Sense,” became a major turning point in the argument for independence.  Using plain and persuasive language, Paine argued for the separation of the American colonies from British rule.  Paine attacked the notion of the monarchy and hereditary rule, advocating for representative government to protect the rights of citizens.  His pamphlet, widely distributed and read publicly, dramatically increased support for American independence.

During the brutal winter of 1776, Paine wrote a series of essays called “The American Crisis.”  These essays bolstered the spirits of American soldiers and civilians, providing them the hope and determination to persevere.  To inspire his beleaguered soldiers, George Washington had the first Crisis essay read to them, which began with, “These are the times that try men’s souls.”

Paine’s commitment to the principles of liberty led him to Europe in the early 1790’s where he became involved in the French Revolution.  His 1791 publication of Rights of Man defended the ideals of the French Revolution and challenged the French monarchy.  His support for the French revolutionaries led to his imprisonment.  After narrowly escaping execution, Paine’s release was facilitated by the U.S. Minister to France, James Monroe.

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Ron DeSantis Bobblehead

Ronald Dion “Ron” DeSantis is the 46th Governor of Florida and is a candidate for the Republican nomination for President of the United States in the 2024 presidential election.

DeSantis was born in Jacksonville, Florida, on September 14, 1978.  After graduating from high school in 1997, DeSantis attended Yale University, studying history and serving as the captain of the Yale varsity baseball team.  Upon graduation from Yale, DeSantis taught high school history in Georgia for one year before attending Harvard Law School where he graduated in 2005 with a Juris Doctor.  

While at Harvard, DeSantis was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy.  After completing law school, DeSantis was assigned to the Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG).  His service in the United States Navy brought him to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to Iraq, where he served as a legal advisor to SEAL Team One,  and to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Middle District of Florida.  For his service, DeSantis was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Iraq Campaign Medal.  

In 2012, DeSantis won election to the United States House of Representatives, representing Florida’s 6th Congressional District and serving three terms. DeSantis earned the Republican nomination in Florida’s 2018 gubernatorial election.  He defeated his opponent in the general election, making him Florida’s 46th governor.

As Governor of Florida, DeSantis has focused on several key policy areas, including education, the economy, and public safety.  He has prioritized job creation, reducing governmental regulations, and has worked to foster a business-friendly environment.  Voters rewarded DeSantis in 2022 by electing him to a second term as governor by a wide margin.

During his tenure as governor, DeSantis became a well-known political figure.  On May 24, 2023, DeSantis officially announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for President of the United States in the 2024 presidential election.   

DeSantis and his wife, Casey, were married in 2009.  Together, they have three children:  Madison, Mason, and Mamie.

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