My 4 year old loves Transformers. She sure makes her mom (and dad) proud! We both grew up watching Transformers and have been loving the new series, Transformers: Robots in Disguise. Our 3 year old likes it as well, but our 4 year old is REALLY in to it. She has even been asking for some Transformers toys for her birthday this year. She was so excited when I brought the entire Season One DVD from Shout Factory set to her! We have been watching it non-stop since it arrived – and it is fun for the whole family!
Synopsis Summoned by Optimus Prime to save Earth from a new Decepticon threat, Bumblebee puts his light-hearted mettle to the test after assembling a rouge team of Autobots action heroes. Bumblebee must balance his job fighting off evil with being equal parts squad leader and coach to a rascally team that needs constant coaxing to learn how to work together. The results are comical when the cool rebel Sideswipe, elite guard cadet Strongarm, bombastic dinobot Grimlock and overly-excited mini-con Fixit must balance keeping the team together with chasing and capturing their new enemies in each adventure-filled episode.
When a Cybertronian prison ship filled with Decepticons crash lands on Earth and unleashes its prisoners, Bumblebee returns to the planet he once called home and with his team (Strongarm, Sideswipe, Fixit and Grimlock) tracks the escapees down in order to bring them to justice. Along with their new human allies, Denny and Russell, this unlikely team of robots in disguise must protect the Earth while preparing for an ominous threat suited only for a Prime.
This DVD includes All 26 Episodes Of Season One plus the following bonus features:
Alice Through the Looking Glass is now playing in theaters everywhere – and I for one am dying to see it! I absolutely love the original animated version of Alice in Wonderland, and the Johnny Depp version from 2010. I have been waiting for this movie for a long time. I think that Underland is a truly amazing place – I mean, how cool would it be to visit there? It such an amazing place with interesting people and creatures. I plan to take my daughter on a mommy/daughter date to go see this film this weekend. We cannot wait! Ever since she saw the previews, she has been begging me to take her. We will make a whole day of it with these fun recipes, activity sheets, & more!
To help celebrate the release of Alice Through the Looking Glass, I have a few fun (and delicious) themed video dessert recipes to share with you – Alice Macaroons, Cheshire Cat Cupcakes, and Time’s Gear Cookies. I plan to make one or two of these with my daughter after we go see the film. I know we will have fun making them – and eating them! So hard to decide which ones to make, they all look amazing!
Another fun activity you can do with your little ones to help celebrate this movie is transform yourself into your favorite Alice Through the Looking Glass character. I was able to do this at the D23 Expo last summer and it was so much fun! I just love the Red Queen so of course I had to choose her. Travel “through the looking glass” here.
Synopsis
In Disney’s “Alice Through the Looking Glass,” an all-new spectacular adventure featuring the unforgettable characters from Lewis Carroll’s beloved stories, Alice returns to the whimsical world of Underland to save her friend the Mad Hatter. Directed by James Bobin, who brings a unique vision to the spectacular world Tim Burton created on screen in “Alice in Wonderland,” the film is written by Linda Woolverton based on characters created by Lewis Carroll and produced by Joe Roth, Suzanne Todd and Jennifer Todd and Tim Burton with John G. Scotti serving as executive producer. “Alice Through the Looking Glass” reunites the all-star cast from the worldwide blockbuster phenomenon, including: Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska, Matt Lucas and Helena Bonham Carter along with the voices of Alan Rickman, Stephen Fry, Michael Sheen and Timothy Spall. We are also introduced to several new characters: Zanik Hightopp (Rhys Ifans), the Mad Hatter’s father and Time himself (Sacha Baron Cohen), a peculiar creature who is part human, part clock.
My 4 (almost 5) year old is growing up quickly. I cannot believe that next year she will be entering Kindergarten and will be in school full time. She now goes to Preschool for just 2.5 hours a day. It is going to be so strange having lunch without her and spending the majority of the school days away from her. But I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself – we still have the summer. Now, I don’t want to toot my own horn but my daughter is very smart. That does not mean that I do not plan to work with her this summer on preparing even more for Kindergarten. Now, you may recall my review of Teach My Preschooler I posted a few months ago – we still use our learning kit almost daily, but my 4 year old has really outgrown it. My 3.5 year old is excelling with it however.
My older daughter was so excited to see a new kit arrive in the mail recently – the Teach My Kindergartener learning kit! I was really happy to see something that would help challenge her while she learns again. There are 4 different learning sets – spelling, money, time, and the year – and she enjoys all of them. Every day we put the new date on our provided calendar and select the weather. She loves doing this, and keeps it right next to her bed so she will not forget to do it first thing each morning. She gets money when she does chores and I have noticed her doing much better at counting it and knowing how much she has to spend thanks to her money Teach My learning kit!
Teach My Kindergartener is the newest all-in-one learning kit designed for ages 4+. The kit contains unique and coordinated tools to teach spelling, money, telling time and the year. Your kindergartener can master 100 spelling words, counting money, analog and digital time as well as days of the week, months of the year, dates, years, weather and seasons. Each set in the kit is fully coordinated to encourage matching and repetition. The Teach My Kindergartener learning kit is designed to be screen-free, one-on-one learning time. The kit aims to promote school readiness and a head start for kindergarten, in just 20 minutes a day. Purchase here.
The Deluxe Kit Contains:
Teach My Kindergartener Spelling Learning Set
Teach My Kindergartener Money Learning Set
Teach My Kindergartener The Time Learning Set
Teach My Kindergartener The Year Learning Set
Features:
52 Double-Sided Spelling flashcards (100 Words)
52 Magnetic letter tiles
Wipe-off spelling board
Wallet & play money
Money flashcards
Wipe-off analog clock
Digital time maker
Wipe-off time book
Date maker
70 Date, weather & season cards
Wipe-off calendar book
Teaching guide
Storage case
Enter to win your choice of deluxe Teach My kit using the Gleam form below. This giveaway is open to US and Canada residents. Be sure to check out my other giveaways while you are here and GOOD LUCK!
Darien Lake’s wide variety of entertainment has made it “destination fun” since 1964. Located 45 minutes from Niagara Falls between Buffalo and Rochester, N.Y., today the park boasts more than 50 rides, including six world-class roller coasters; dozens of family-friendly rides; the region’s largest water park complete with wave pool; a 20,000-seat performing arts center, operated by Live Nation; and world-class in-park entertainment.
My husband grew up in upstate New York, but I grew up in Massachusetts. Since moving here with him a couple of years ago, I have heard him mention Darien Lake several times. He used to tell me that he could not wait until the girls were just a little older so that we could go and enjoy a full day at the park. Well, the summer has finally arrived – we plan to go in the next month or so and I, for one, cannot wait! The girls are super excited too. We have been browsing their website and they have already picked out several rides that they want to check out.
Since we are not that far away, we plan to grab season passes in the next year or so (once the girls are a tad bit older). This year, they have a great deal on passes though so if your little ones are old enough, be sure to grab them this season! For just $64.99 (less than the cost of two visits) you get your Season Pass with a FREE mug, FREE friends, and FREE parking! Oh and did I mention the FREE in-park concert series? So many amazing artists are scheduled for Darien Lake’s summer concert series this year. How could you pass that up, am I right? Hurry though, the deadline is May 30th!
The biggest movie in the world right now is Captain America: Civil War. If you have not seen it yet, what are waiting for? It is action packed, thrilling, and just – well – it is incredible. (You can read my full review here). I am a huge comic book fan and have always been on Team Iron Man when it comes to the Civil War story line, but after watching the movie, I can honestly say that I am divided. I walked away not knowing who is on the “right” side – in fact, I don’t think there is one. We are a house divided, as you can see above. My 3 year old LOVES Captain America (she was even him for Halloween) and my 4 year old is an Iron Man girl through and through. I was thrilled to be able to give them their own American Tourister luggage to help them represent their teams while on trips.
American Tourister is the official luggage of Walt Disney World and Disneyland for a reason – it is durable, super cute, and I love all the pockets! They have many options to choose from so if Marvel isn’t your thing (how could it not be though?), they have plenty of other Disney characters including Star Wars and of course, Mickey Mouse. We have slowly but surely been replacing all of our suitcases with American Tourister because it is the best luggage out there. The other suitcases I have end up ripped, missing straps, or missing handles after just one or two trips where these ones hold up to just about anything. They are easy to roll in airports, hotels, and stack well in the back of the car. I was so excited to be able to toss out the last of our old suitcases when these arrived.
Not to mention the compliments that you will get while sporting American Tourister luggage! If I am rolling my Darth Vader luggage or even our Sofia the First luggage, I get stopped and asked where they can be purchased. I can’t say that I blame people – American Tourister luggage sure makes a statement! The spinners come in 20″ carry on size (with a zipper to expand just a bit bigger when you need to cram more in) and 28″ size so you truly have a piece of luggage for any occasion. I won’t travel without my American Tourister luggage – and you shouldn’t either.
Enter to win either a Captain America or an Iron Man 28″ Spinner luggage from American Tourister using the Gleam form below. Be sure to check out my other giveaways while you are here and GOOD LUCK!
Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite Disney movie. Belle was my favorite Disney Princess while growing up (and still is). I think I really connected to her because I was a total bookworm. I would literally read a minimum of 4 or 5 books a week when I was younger. I remember during one of my first trips to Disney, I turned 11. That day I got to meet Belle (in her white and blue outfit) and she wrote “Happy Birthday Tessa!” in my book. I thought it was the coolest thing. So much so that I ripped it out and hung it on my wall. I really wish I hadn’t done that because now that page is lost – but the memories are not. I was so excited for my daughters to meet Belle at Disney World last October and have a picture of them with her framed on my desk.
So naturally I was ecstatic to hear that Disney was making a new, live-action version of Beauty and the Beast. And when I heard that Emma Watson would play Belle I was thrilled! I am a huge Harry Potter fan as well and I just love her – I think she will do great playing Belle. Well, the day is finally here – the teaser trailer has been released – the first glimpse of Beauty and the Beast is here! I must admit, I watched this teaser through at least twenty times this morning. I cannot wait for this movie and to hear all of the new songs! It is going to be EPIC – I just know it!
Beauty and the Beast will come to theaters everywhere March 17, 2017!
Synopsis
Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” is a live-action re-telling of the studio’s animated classic which refashions the classic characters from the tale as old as time for a contemporary audience, staying true to the original music while updating the score with several new songs. “Beauty and the Beast” is the fantastic journey of Belle, a bright, beautiful and independent young woman who is taken prisoner by a beast in his castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle’s enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the Beast’s hideous exterior and realize the kind heart and soul of the true Prince within. The film stars: Emma Watson as Belle; Dan Stevens as the Beast; Luke Evans as Gaston, the handsome, but shallow villager who woos Belle; Oscar winner Kevin Kline as Maurice, Belle’s eccentric, but lovable father; Josh Gad as Lefou, Gaston’s long-suffering aide-de-camp; Golden Globe nominee Ewan McGregor as Lumiere, the candelabra; Oscar nominee Stanley Tucci as Maestro Cadenza, the harpsichord; Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette, the feather duster; six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald as Madame Garderobe, the wardrobe; Oscar nominee Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, the mantel clock; and two-time Academy Award winner Emma Thompson as the teapot, Mrs. Potts.Directed by Oscar winner Bill Condon from a screenplay by TBD based on the 1991 animated film, the film is produced by Mandeville Films’ David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman with eight-time Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken, who won two Academy Awards (Best Original Score and Best Song) for the 1991 animated film, providing the score, which will include new recordings of the original songs written by Menken and Howard Ashman, as well as several new songs written by Menken and three-time Oscar winner Tim Rice.
My daughters love Kate & Mim-Mim, which airs on Disney Junior. We recently got a DVD of the show and they have been watching it over and over and over – so I was thrilled to find out that the second one is coming out! They love it (of course) and have been watching it with their plush Mim-Mim that they both love so much. My 4 (almost 5 – where does the time go?) year old loves to spin around in circles holding him and pretend that she has been transported to Mimiloo.
In the story “Balloon Buddies,” Kate and Mim-Mim twirl off to Mimiloo in search of a SUPER big balloon to make the perfect balloon animal for Mim-Mim. When they arrive at the balloon tree, its balloon leaves are flat and droopy. After adding too much air into the tree, the balloons start to float away. Will Kate, Mim-Mim, Gooble, and Tack find a way to catch enough balloons for Mim-Mim’s balloon animal and to throw a balloon parade? In the story “Clean Sweep,” Kate learns how to make clean-up time, fun time. To find a picnic basket in his messy gadget filled tree house, Tack uses his clean sweeperizer to quickly remove everything and store it in his shed of plenty. When the shed overflows and creates a huge mess, disrupting the gang’s picnic, Kate uses her imagination to invent a game to make tidying up fun. Purchase here.
“BALLOON BUDDIES” will be available on DVD May 24, 2016. The stories included within “BALLOON BUDDIES” are below:
“Balloon Buddies”
Kate is making a balloon buddy for Mim-Mim and needs a big balloon. In Mimiloo, Kate, Mim-Mim and their friends find a balloon tree, but all its balloons are droopy. They must find a way to re-inflate the balloons for the big balloon parade, where Kate has a big surprise for Mim-Mim!
“Cloud Castle”
While cloud-gazing with Mom and Dad, Kate points to a cloud that looks like Mim-Mim, but Dad can’t see it. In Mimiloo, Kate, Mim-Mim and their friends pull clouds down from the sky to build a bouncy cloud castle. But problems arise when it starts floating away!
“Clean Sweep”
Kate is cleaning her room, but it’s taking forever! In Mimiloo, the gang wants to have a picnic, but their picnic basket is lost in a messy sea of Tack’s inventions. Tack hurriedly shoves his inventions into a shed, but the shed’s so full, it bursts, making an even bigger mess! The picnic fun is canceled…until Kate has an idea.
Inspired by a real life little girl, “Kate & Mim-Mim” follows the fantastical adventures of five-year-old Kate, who, together with her toy rabbit Mim-Mim, travels to the fantasy world of Mimiloo where Mim-Mim comes alive as a larger-than-life playmate. In each story, Kate and Mim-Mim and their group of loveable friends discover exciting new places and set off on adventures, all in the hope of solving a puzzling problem Kate has encountered in the real world.
Exploring themes of friendship, adventure, and problem solving, “Kate & Mim-Mim” encourages children to use their imaginations and work together, believing no problem is ever too big to solve!
“Kate & Mim-Mim,” which recently launched its second season on Disney Junior, airs weekdays at 11:00 am. Beginning this fall, plush, dolls, figure packs, and role play products will be rolling out from global master toy partner Just Play. Penguin Young Readers, a division of Penguin Random House, is the North American publishing partner for the brand. Their initial line will launch in fall 2016 and they will offer young readers a variety of formats, including storybooks, leveled readers, e-books, doodle books and sticker books. Other licensed products include a digital app from A.C.R.O.N.Y.M. Digital (worldwide).
Disney presents one of the greatest rescue stories ever told. THE FINEST HOURS a heroic action-thriller based on the extraordinary true story of of the greatest small-boat rescue in Coast Guard history. Starring Chris Pine (the “Star Trek” films), Academy Award® and Golden Globe® nominee Casey Affleck (“Interstellar”), Ben Foster (“3:10 to Yuma”) and Eric Bana (“Lone Survivor”), “THE FINEST HOURS” makes its in-home debut packaged with a host of bonus features about the making of the movie and the remarkable true-life events that inspired it. It storms home on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere May 24th.
I was lucky enough to check out this movie a few days before it’s release and boy, am I glad I watched it. I had planned to go see it in theaters with my husband, but with two little kids date nights are few and far between, and it just never worked out. My husband was in the U.S. Navy for years and so any movie that has to do with the military on the ocean, well, it is a must see for him. Throw in the fact that this film is based on a true story – one that he knows everything about – about a famous U.S. Coast Guard rescue, well, we knew we were going to be picking it up once released. The other night we got the girls settled in to bed and popped it in.
I want to start off by saying that the cast is great – Chris Pine and Casey Affleck really stole the show for me. Don’t get me wrong, I love Ben Foster and Eric Bana as well, but those two just really drove the movie home for me. I enjoyed the love story aspect of the movie as well as the action. Being from Massachusetts, I thought the accents were pretty great too – sometimes actors butcher them, but they were done well! This is a great date night movie, but maybe a little too intense for younger kids. I definitely will not be showing it to my 3 and 4 year old anytime soon. In my opinion, it is a good family movie for children 10 and up. There is action, love, and history in this film and I recommend checking it out – even if you know the story.
Synopsis This heroic action-thriller is based on the extraordinary true story of the greatest small-boat rescue in Coast Guard history. In 1952, a massive winter storm strikes off the coast of Cape Cod, ripping a T-2 oil tanker in half and trapping more than 30 sailors inside its rapidly sinking stern. When word of the disaster reaches the U.S. Coast Guard, four men led by Captain Bernie Webber (Chris Pine) set out in a 12-seat boat on a daring mission to rescue the stranded men, braving freezing cold, 60-foot waves and hurricane-force winds, and guided by Webber’s vow that “We all live, or we all die.” Packed with thrilling, larger-than-life action and anchored in a belief in the strength of the human spirit, The Finest Hours is a triumph.
BONUS FEATURES*:
Blu-ray Combo Pack, Digital HD, Digital SD, Disney Movies Anywhere
AGAINST ALL ODDS: THE BERNIE WEBBER STORY – Visit the quaint and close-knit town of Chatham, and experience the events surrounding the most heroic Coast Guard rescue ever through the eyes of the people who witnessed them.
BROTHERHOOD – Cast members reflect on the bonds they forged during the shoot.
TWO CREWS – Chris Pine and Casey Affleck share insights into Bernie Webber and Ray Sybert, men who led their respective crews against all odds.
WHAT IS YOUR FINEST HOUR? – A Coast Guard member recounts an incredible rescue.
THE FINEST INSPIRATION: THE U.S. COAST GUARD Meet the people who put their lives on the line for others.
DELETED SCENES:
A Desperate Idea
The Story of How They Met
DVD
BROTHERHOOD
THE FINEST INSPIRATION: THE U.S. COAST GUARD
*Bonus Features may vary by retailer
The Finest Hours comes to Blu-ray Combo Pack, Digital HD, & Disney Movies AnywhereMay 24th.
My daughters love Mickey Mouse. Maybe some of their mom’s love for Disney has rubbed off on them – OK, it definitely has. We have always been a Disney family and so they love all things Mickey Mouse and friends! Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is one of our favorite shows in our home – it is something we watch together nearly every day. So when the brand new Mickey Moust Clubhouse DVD, Sport-y-thon, arrived at our door, I had two very excited little girls. In fact, I think it was in our home less than 5 minutes before it was open and in the DVD player. My 4 year old immediately noticed the Exclusive Golden Mickey Medal that comes with every DVD and put it on. She was so excited to have a medal just like Mickey and his friends.
This DVD features six fun episodes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. My daughters have learned a lot from Mickey – how to share, how to try your hardest, how to work together, and so much more. This a great selection of episodes with some very positive messages. I don’t want to give anything away, so I will just say go out and grab it when it hits stores on May 24th!
Synopsis
Put on your sneakers and get ready for the greatest sporting event ever! Join referee Goofy, along with Mickey and all of his Clubhouse Pals, as they compete in the first-ever Sport-Y-Thon, an action-filled sports tournament. Share the excitement – and a sky-high view of the action – as sportscasters Pete and Donald Duck broadcast live from above in the Sport-Y-Thon Blimp! Who will earn a prized Golden Mickey Medal? Help our heroes discover that with teamwork and good sportsmanship, everybody wins! Jam-packed with over two hours of song-filled episodes, Mickey’s Sport-Y-Thon will have you calling for an instant replay!
Episodes Included:
Mickey’s Sport-Y-Thon
Mickey’s Mousekeball!
Donald’s Brand New Clubhouse
Mickey’s Mousekedoer Adventure
Mickey’s Mystery!
Mickey’s Happy Mousekeday
Enter to win a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Sport-Y-Thon Prize Pack using the Gleam form below. This kit includes:
New CG-animated feature QUACKERZ is a colorful family movie, bringing to life a unique tale of unlikely heroes with action, comedy, heart and even a bit of romance! Brimming with whimsical characters, vibrant animation and high-energy fun, QUACKERZ features a flock of all-star voice cast, including Robbie Daymond (Nickelodeon’s Get Blake!), Michael Gross (Family Ties), Enn Reitel (The Adventures of Tintin), Andrea Becker (Storage Wars: New York), Alanna Ubach (Legally Blonde), Bruce Nozick (The Last Ship), Jesse Corti (Beauty and the Beast, Frozen) and Jimmie Wood (The Wild Thornberrys).
I was super excited to receive an advanced copy of this movie and I must say, it was so much fun! My whole family loved it and both of my daughters (3 and 4 years old) have been asking to watch it every single day. It is really cute and something that I would enjoy watching with them again. I highly recommend it for families and young children. We have a family movie night once a week and Quackerz has officially joined the rotation! It is a huge hit with us!
Synopsis
Many many years ago, when the trees were tall, the old ducks had feathers on their heads, and the Sun shone for everybody alike, on a faraway island there lived a Sun Duck whom protected his flock from evil powers threatening from the outside. The Sun Duck had his loyal guardians who vigilantly supervised the territory and made sure the Sun evenly spread its energy on their flourishing land. The bliss continued until an Evil Witch learned of the Sun Duck’s superpowers and lost her sleep in an attempt to enslave the magic bird. One by one she seized the guardians and stole the Sun Duck away for the only sake every living woman would understand: eternal youth and mesmerizing beauty.
Today, nobody believes in old legends, Mandarin ducks peacefully reside on their island and abide by the law that prescribes «no flying on the island!» and «never leave the island!». The Emperor is the only one who knows that the Legend is true and the next generation Sun Duck has been borne. He keeps it in strict secrecy, but the Witch also knows the Legend is true and she is coming back for her next victim.
In select theater June 3, 2016 (Laemmle Playhouse 7. Pasadena, Calif.)
VOD, digital, DVD, Blu-ray combo pack (Blu-ray + DVD + digital copy) – June 14, 2016
Meet the Characters
LONGWAY (Voiced by Robbie Daymond) Longway is the son of the leader of the flock, a young drake. He is the next generation Sun Duck who possesses superpowers and can control the Sun’s energy. But he knows nothing of his superpowers. His father, the Emperor of the Mandarin Ducks, strives to protect his son from the dangers of the world by keeping him ignorant of his birthright and his destiny. However fate cannot be so easily averted and the day comes when Longway must save the entire flock and defeat the powers of evil. When we first meet Longway he is an average bratty teenager, interested in nothing but video games and ill-tempered. Whenever things don’t go according to plan, he threatens to leave his father’s home. He is bored on his home island where flying is prohibited and no-one can leave. A curious young duck, anxious to know the world outside his tiny island, Longway is understandably wonderstruck when he meets Erica, a girl his age whom has already travelled the world.
ERICA (Voiced by Andrea Becker) Erica is the only daughter of the Military Mallards’ Commander. She is young, independent, brave, impulsive, curious and very proactive. She travels the world with her father’s squad and constantly violates army protocol and discipline, as a consequence of which she is frequently punished. But she is young and adventurous – she likes exploring new places and always finds the way to slip away and find some new trouble. Erica is very open minded and straight forward.
Emperor PENGLI (Voiced by Enn Reitel) Pengli is the Mandarin Ducks’ Emperor. He is a philosopher and a family man, he is emotional (shifts from calm to irritation and back in no time) and a master of kung fu. He is an ardent custodian of tradition and family history. Pengli is the only one who knows that the Legend of the Sun Duck described in the Great Book of their flock is true. Moreover, the next Sun Duck is his beloved son Longway and he is in mortal peril, as the last Sun Duck was captured by the Witch. Pengli pretends to be the Sun Duck to save his son, but since he has no magical powers, no one believes the Sun Duck ever did any good to the flock.
Commander DUCKMUS (Voiced by Michael Gross) Duckmus is a warrior, a commander, a natural leader. He is practically incapable of admitting mistakes. He is physically strong and well groomed. He is always ready for a fight or an argument. Although he deeply loves his daughter, he tries not to let it show. He sincerely believes that all those who seek her hand in marriage are bumbling idiots not worthy of her attention.
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