MLP: Friendship is Magic–Adventures in the Crystal Empire(Holiday Gift Guide 2012)

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic continues the stories with the newest DVD Adventures in the Crystal Empire.

Here we meet the Crystal ponies of the Crystal Empire who are in danger. They are located in the arctic North of Equestria and Princess Celestia needs Twilight and her friends to help them.

As with any of the MLP: Friendship is Magic movies, the story is full of twists and turns, bad ponies and good ponies, and friendship and lessons learned. I will freely admit that I enjoy watching the My Little Pony movies with my girls although I do wish the new ponies weren’t so skinny.

In addition to the two episodes that make up The Crystal Empire storyline, there is also three other episodes on this DVD:

• Sonic Rainboom
• Luna Eclipsed
• It’s About Time

Plus a BONUS Coloring sheet and Sing Along.

Find out more From MyLittlePony.com

*Disclosure: I received the product mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative in exchange for this post. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

The Simpsons: The Fifteenth Season on DVD

The Simpsons, while in its 24th season on TV, just released Season 15 on DVD and Blu-ray in time for the holidays. It makes a great gift for the Simpsons lover in your family.

Season 15 contains episodes from 2003-2004

Episode List:

• Treehouse of Horror XIV"
• "My Mother the Carjacker"
• The President Wore Pearls"
• "The Regina Monologues"
• "The Fat and the Furriest"
• "Today I Am a Clown"
• "'Tis the Fifteenth Season"
• "Marge vs. Singles, Seniors, Childless Couples and Teens, and Gays"
• "I, (Annoyed Grunt)-Bot"
• "Diatribe of a Mad Housewife"
• "Margical History Tour"
• "Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore"
• "Smart and Smarter"
• "The Ziff Who Came to Dinner"
• "Co-Dependent's Day"
• "The Wandering Juvie"
• "My Big Fat Geek Wedding"
• Catch 'Em If You Can"
• "Simple Simpson"
• "The Way We Weren't"
• "Bart-Mangled Banner"
• "Fraudcast News"

Episode 7 - “Tis the Fifteenth Season” is the Christmas episode which includes Homer doing a version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

 

Special Collector’s Edition

The special collector’s edition of the DVD has a 3-D case with a special fold out cardboard case and Springfield visitor’s guide with information on each episode and a list of special features which includes animation showcases, commentary, deleted scenes and some other extras.

Buy It: Buy Simpsons Season 15 from Amazon.com or Amazon.ca

*Disclosure: I received the product mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Chuggington Icy Escapades DVD

The newest Chuggington DVD is perfect for the Winter Season. See how the Chuggers deal with common Winter issues in a train yard such as frozen rails, blizzards, snow drifts and wintery winds.  As always, life lessons are learned during these adventures.

Icy Escapades is also available as a picture book, wherever books are sold. It’s the perfect show for a snowy, blustery day inside. Perfect for children ages 4-8, it would be a welcome holiday gift as well.

My girls have always loved Chuggington and it even captured the interest of my toddler. I think part of the reason why kids love trains so much is because they aren’t allowed to be around them in real life so it’s something different to them, whereas they seem ordinary to adults.

Episodes:

• Chilly Chuggers
• Snowstruck Wilson
• Wilson’s Icy Escapade
• Heave-Ho Harrison
• Hodge Sails Away
• Rolling Reporter Wilson

Bonus Features

• Bonus Badge Quest Episode: Honk Your Horns
• The Chugger Spotlight: Speedy, Frostini
• Coloring & Activity Sheets

Run Time: 61 min.

From Anchor Bay Entertainment

*Disclosure: I received the products mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Christmas Movies for the Family to Enjoy

I just can’t get enough of watching Holiday movies this time of the year. I love having a large selection, even if I don’t get around to watching all of them, I can choose what fits my mood. Not everyone likes every Christmas movie but that’s okay because there are so many to choose from!

The movies above are perfect for the family, especially if you have children ages 8-12 but even I myself enjoyed Chilly Christmas and Elf-Man. Sure there were some corny parts but I could tell a preteen child would find it funny and I was able to look past those moments as the rest of the movie was entertaining or touching enough.  I did not watch The Dog Who Saved the Holidays but if you are a fan of the rest of the series, I’m sure your family would enjoy the latest one as well.

Chilly Christmas

In this movie, Bobby Cole and his dad and dog Chilly live in Sunshine Beach, California. Bobby’s dad is offered a job in New York City but Chilly is too rambunctious for a small apartment and Bobby is told they must find him a new home. Heartbroken, Bobby and his friends try to teach Chilly to be an indoor dog such as getting exercise using a treadmill and relieving himself in a  toilet. Meanwhile a dog napper is trying to get Chilly.

Bobby’s dad is played by Thomas Howell (E.T., The Extra Terrestrial, The Outsiders) and the dog napper is Tom Arnold (True Lies, “Roseanne,” A Christmas Wedding Tail.) The Chilly training is quite funny, even the few parts that were a bit much for me. The children in the movie did a great job and it was nice to see different “types” of children than you usually see in a movie. A non-Caucasian or African-American boy and a tomboyish girl round out the character of Bobby. The three children aren’t all the best of friends from the start either but grow to get along.  The actor playing the father could have been better. It just wasn’t as believable and it seemed like he was the brunt of the jokes too much. He became a comedy or movie extra more than a main character.

Overall though, it was a cute movie and once my children stop being scared of the littlest things, I will enjoy watching it with them.

Elf-Man

I must say I was apprehensive about this movie. It just seemed like it was going to be what I call “Stupid-Funny" which is something my husband enjoys but I don’t. However I ended up really enjoying this movie! Just like Chilly Christmas, there were a few spots that seemed over the top to me but I felt like a preteen would enjoy but the storyline was so great that it didn’t matter. Elf-Man actually wasn’t as much of a comedy as I thought it would be. The storyline was emotional and pulled you in. The humour came from the typical dumb bad guys that every movie seems to have.

The stars are dad Eric (Mackenzie Astin, The Facts of Life) and butcher Amy (Mirelly Taylor, LOST) plus the Elf (Wee Man) and the head robber (Jeffrey Coombs, Reanimator.)

I underestimated the movie and the lessons it left and I will be watching this movie with the rest of my family this year.

The Dog Who Saved The Holidays

I didn’t watch this one so I’ll leave you with a description.

“The fur-flying fun begins when the Bannister family, George (Gary Valentine, “King of Queens”), Belinda (Elisa Donovan, Clueless, “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch”) and their kids, Kara (Caitlin Carmichael, “iCarly,” “Dexter”) and Ben (Wyatt Griswold), jet off with their dog Zeus (voiced by Joey Lawrence, ABC Family’s “Melissa & Joey”) to celebrate the holidays at Aunt Barbara’s (Shelley Long, “Cheers”) stunning Malibu mansion. Aunt Barbara surprises them with a new puppy named Eve (voiced by Peyton List, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Something Borrowed) and the whole family is smitten except Zeus, who quickly learns the new pooch is not as innocent as she seems. Zeus decides to run away, but when he spots two familiar thieves, Ted (Dean Cain, “Lois & Clark” and The Dog Who Saved Christmas) and Stewey (Joey “CoCo” Diaz, The Longest Yard), breaking into the house, he knows it’s up to him and Eve to beat the bumbling burglars and save Christmas once and for all!”

So if the movies sound good to you, grab them this season and add to your holiday movie collection.

*Disclosure: I received the products mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Show Me Decorating: Holiday Tree Trimming Video

Becky and Kathy run Miss Cayce’s Christmas Store in Midland, TX where they sell Halloween Fall and Christmas merchandise.

Their success led them to form a sister business called Show Me Decorating which allows Becky, Kathy and their other sister Jennifer to:

“spread their passion for creating, inspiring and educating others to decorate like a professional.”

“Their mission is to “save the world” from ugly Christmas trees by supplying know-how and great product from their online shop that mixes with anyone’s own treasures to create magical memories for your family.”

The team has decorated many trees and home using their techniques including the 15’ tree at the State Capitol in Austin, Texas for many years running.

The instructional DVD was one of their first Show Me Decorating products. It goes over every step for decorating your holiday tree using the Show Me Decorating technique. If you’ve never decorated your own tree, you will find the first few steps helpful (picking a spot, measuring, putting the tree up.) However if you have put up a tree for years, you will find those steps obvious.

According to the sisters, the reason many of our holiday trees are boring is because they are one dimensional. We just place all our keepsake ornaments haphazardly on the tree with some lights and voila, boring.

The DVD comes with a small booklet that also goes over the steps again which are:

1. Tree
2. Theme
3. Ribbons
4. Balls
5. Florals
6. Bead Garland
7. Ornaments

There is definitely more to it than that but you’ll have to watch the video to see what it is. I found the advice helpful and it made me think of things I would never have normally used and made me think more about where I chose to place certain decorations.

Even the parts that seem familiar to me (the balls) are not. I don’t currently use balls on my tree but I did when I was a kid, until they all broke. Now a days you can get plastic balls that looks like glass and in all different shapes too. I don’t know if you can get the really big ones though anywhere except Miss Cayce’s Christmas Store. The big ones may look way too big at first but used properly, they add depth and colour.

You can see what is available at the Texas store or buy your own copy of the instructional DVD at Show Me Decorating.

How Do You Decorate Your Tree?

*Disclosure: I received the DVD mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Mother India: Life Through the Eyes of the Orphan

 

There are over 31 million orphans in India and David Trotter and Shawn Scheinoha teamed up with the goal of showing what life is like for these orphans by going to India and finding and meeting some orphaned children and getting to know them and filming what there life is like.

“MotherIndia is a compelling documentary capturing the life and stories of 25 abandoned and orphaned children living along the railway in southern India.” – motherindiafilm.com

The purpose of the trip was to tell the story of the kids but David and Shawn were inspired to do something to help little Polayya and Koteswari, young homeless children who had recently been “adopted” into the local group of orphaned children.

View the Trailer

(not with young kids around)

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The documentary is upsetting. The stories of what these kids went through is horrendous at times and their living conditions are terrible. It will make you hug your children tighter. But documentaries aren’t supposed to be entertainment, they are to teach us something.

In this case, it’s to teach us what is going on in India and to help make a difference. Raising awareness is the first step and then collecting donations is the second.

Meet the Children

This is a group shot of the street family of orphaned children. Would you like to meet them?

Connect or Learn More

You can find out more at Mother India Film.

I’d also like to invite you to connect with them on Facebook and Twitter.

*Disclosure: I received the DVD mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

‘Titanic’ is Back and available in DVD, Blu-Ray 2D and Blu-Ray 3D and in Musical CD

When was the first time you saw Titanic?

For me it was with a bunch of friends in high school.  We saw it in theatres so I would have been 14 or 15. I remember going in being SURE I would cry as I’m very emotional, especially at movies and have cried at cartoons. There were six of us, all female and I ended up being the ONLY person who did not cry. My friend Jennifer who NEVER cried at movies cried. It was strange which is probably why I remember it so well. 

I love Titanic, it’s an awesome movie and I’m not usually that into love stories!

Available for the first time in High Definition, James Cameron’s Titanic is available in four-disc 2D Blu-ray/DVD combo pack with Digital Copy or  in a four-disc Blu-ray 3D and 2D combo pack with Digital Copy or a two disc DVD combo.

2.5 Hours of Bonus Footage

The video contain 2 ½ hours of bonus footage never-before-released on disc including:

• in-depth exploration of the film with James Cameron
• documentary footage produced by National Geographic with James Cameron and RMS Titanic experts about why and how the unsinkable ship sank

Even MORE Bonus Content

• 30 deleted scenes
• over 60 behind-the-scenes featurettes
• a look at the ground-breaking visual effects
• over 2,000 photos
• three commentaries
• trailers
• music video
• construction time-lapse
• and MORE

Titanic Soundtrack

If you really love the musical score, you may also be interested in the CD. It’s also a 2-disc combo. The first disc is the Titanic Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (digitally remastered) while the second is Gentlemen, It Has Been a Privilege Playing With You Tonight by I Salonisti

Video Information

Street date:    September 10, 2012
Runtime:     194 minutes
SRP:   $44.99 (Four-Disc Blu-ray 3D combo pack)
$39.99 (Four-Disc Blu-ray/DVD combo pack)
$29.99 (Two-Disc DVD)
U.S. Rating: PG-13 for disaster related peril and violence, nudity, sensuality and brief language
Canadian Rating:  14A for frightening scenes, coarse language, violence, disturbing content

*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

REVIEW: Dinosaur Train: Big, Big, Big DVD

Runtime: approx 100 minutes

Dinosaur Train’s newest DVD features BIG dinosaurs.

Buddy and his family go on the Dinosaur Train to meet the biggest dinosaurs: Allie Alamosaurus, Denise Diplodocus, Apollo Apatosaurus and Arnie Argentinosaurus.

The DVD features 8 Dinosaur Train Episodes:

1. Remember the Alamosaurus
2. Heck of a Neck
3. An Apatosaurus Adventure
4. Arnie Rides the Flatcar
5. Ned the Quadruped
6. One Big Dinosaur
7. Dinosaur Poop
8. All Kinds of Families

Plus Special Features (Interactive game, colouring pages, activities, parent information and Dr. Scott Segments)

Our Thoughts on Big, Big, Big

I don’t mind watching Dinosaur Train with my kids unlike some children’s shows which can be quiet annoying sometimes. Our favourite episode was Dinosaur Poop!

It’s quite funny, educational, and appeals to the stage that many young kids are in where poop is funny. Buddy and his family see how big dinosaurs just poop wherever they are and it is out in the open for anyone to see, after all, where would they hide? They also see a Dung Beetle and how it uses the dinosaur poop which reminds me of the Poopendous picture book.

Seeing Buddy, Shiny, Tiny and Don meet the BIG dinosaurs which are so much bigger than them since they are kids reminds me of how I felt when I was a kid and how my kids probably feel sometimes being so much smaller than other people.  Another great Dinosaur Train video.

*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

REVIEW: American Reunion on Blu-Ray Combo Pack

About the Movie

The cast of American Pie returns for their high-school reunion (Yes a 13 year reunion… odd?)

Jim (Jason Biggs), Michelle (Alyson Hannigan), Stifler (Seann William Scott), Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas), Oz (Chris Klein) and Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) will get together once again and see other main characters such as Vicky (Tara Reid), Heather (Mena Suvari), Stifler’s Mom (Jennifer Coolidge) and Jim’s Dad (Eugene Levy)

Before You Watch

If it’s been a while since you’ve  seen American Pie, American Pie 2 or American Wedding, I suggest you watch them again first.

About the Rating

Movie Rating: R for crude and sexual content throughout, nudity, language, brief drug use and teen drinking/ Unrated (U.S.); 18A for sexual content (Canada), 13+ Erotisme/Lang Vulgaire (Quebec)

We watched the unrated version only so I can’t compare it to the regular version but the unrated version was definitely for adults only although I wouldn’t recommend anyone under 18 watching the movie at all.  The drug use was very brief, no biggie at all. The nudity was bare breasts and butt cheeks mostly but there was a full frontal male at one point.

What We Thought

In the week we’ve had the movie, my husband has watched it three times, we’ve lent it out twice and my brother is waiting to borrow it too. I’ve watched it once. Needless to say it’s quite popular around here.

If you are into the American Pie series or other movies like it, then you will LOVE this movie. If however you don’t find sex jokes, gross pranks and partying funny, you will not. If anything in the rating offends you, do not watch this movie. A few parts I didn’t like but the rest was funny and I was laughing out loud. Be warned that watching the unrated version may make you/your man “in the mood.”

Dance Like Oz and Win

Like dancing? The American Pie Facebook page has just launched a special "Dance Like Oz" competition with Tout . The grand prize winner will receive an American Reunion prize pack and tweet from Chris Klein!

To enter, simply visit the Dance Like Oz tab on the American Pie Facebook page. Reply with your own 15-second video of your dance moves to win!

Technical Info

Blu-Ray Combo Pack Contains Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital Copy
Total Run Time: 1hr 53 minutes (1 hour 54 minutes Unrated Version)
Release Date: July 10/12 (US)
Widescreen

http://www.americanreunionmovie.com

*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

REVIEW: Copy-Kids Eat Fruits and Vegetables DVD

How do your kids feel about eating fruits and vegetables? Considering the amount of picky eater questions I get in my Ask Callista submission form, it’s obvious most of us struggle with getting our kids to eat their vegetables.

Copy-Kids Eat Fruits and Vegetables was created because of the recognition that children do what they see other children doing. This DVD is first in a series designed to encourage healthy habits in young children. The series is for children 6 months to 5 years.

The video is divided into chapters and covers the following fruits and veggies: Bell Peppers, Cucumbers, Avocado, Tomatoes, Broccoli, Oranges, Bananas, Raspberries, Strawberries, Apples & Blueberries.  Each chapter shows children of various ages enjoying the featured food. They are happy and clearly enjoying every bite.

When I first heard about this, I was sceptical. How could seeing other children eat make someone else want to eat it. I should’ve know better. My kids are 5 and 6 so a little too old for the videos and they liked seeing the kids and reading their names and ages but it didn’t make them want to try the veggies anymore. However I am proud to say I have started eating Bell Peppers since watching the video with my girls. I am not kidding. I never liked them and now I eat them raw and cooked. The girl eating the red pepper whole, just eating it like an apple made it look SO good.

Running Time: 115 mins
Price: $19.95
Buy Now: at Copy Kids

You can check out the trailer here.

Also check out Copy Kids on Facebook

REVIEW: Love Never Dies (Andrew Lloyd Webber) Blu-ray

Summary:  The ultimate love story continues in Andrew Lloyd Webber's spectacular musical Love Never Dies, a sequel to the legendary "Phantom of the Opera." From musical theater's most captivating composer and featuring the new highly-acclaimed Australian production filmed in Melbourne, Andrew Lloyd Webber's Love Never Dies arrives on Blu-rayTM with perfect hi-def picture and perfect hi-def sound and DVD on May 29, 2012. With lush visuals and a mesmerizing score that rivals the original in power and beauty, this live production of Love Never Dies is a romantic necessity for every Broadway fan's collection.

The year is 1907 and ten years have passed since the Phantom's disappearance from the Paris Opera House. He has escaped to a new life in New York where he lives amongst the screaming joy rides and freak-shows of Coney Island. In this new electrically-charged world, he has finally found a place for his music to soar. All that is missing is his love - Christine Daae. Now one of the world's finest sopranos, Christine is struggling in an ailing marriage to Raoul. So, it is with excitement she accepts an invitation to travel to New York and perform at a renowned opera house. In a final bid to win back her love, the Phantom lures Christine, her husband, and their young son Gustave from Manhattan, to the glittering and glorious world of Coney Island, not knowing what is in store for them...

I reviewed the Phantom of the Opera a few months ago.  I didn’t know there was a sequel until shortly after I saw the Andrew Lloyd Webber version. There was no sequel to the original novel that the movies and productions come from but there is now. Andrew Lloyd Webber has this to say about it:

I really do not believe that you have to have seen Phantom of the Opera to understand Love Never Dies. I really don’t. But I hope if you see them together, if you wanted to see them back-to-back, that what you would get from them — from both of them — is the extension of where the story goes. – source

It's a very good sequel with great music. I just wish all the of the main characters were played by the same people. I’m not sure if I agree with Andrew Lloyd Webber though. I think it would make more sense if you know the story of the Phantom of the Opera first. 

Christine is played by a different actress as is the Phantom. The Phantom looks close enough but Christine looks different enough that it made it hard to remember who she was, that she wasn’t a brand new character. I understand though that sometimes you an’t have the same actors.

I’m glad I own both now, I think anyone who owns the Andrew Lloyd Webber version of The Phantom of the Opera should own Love Never Dies.

*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

REVIEW: How to Photograph Your Baby DVD by @nickkelsh

Photography and Me

I’ve always loved photography but my photos always come out bad. I always figured I’d never take good photos until I had the money to buy a GOOD camera.

I’ve gotten a little better over the years as I learn a few tricks but I still get a majority of eh pictures and some really bad.

I would still like to get a quality camera someday but thanks to Nick Kelsh, I have some idea of how to make the photos I take with my regular cameras, better.

Assumptions

I figured the video would drone on about photography using words I didn’t understand or be helpful only to those who had the high quality cameras. So I put off watching it until it was time to do the review.

I Was Wrong.  You knew what they say about assumptions right?

Learning and Laughing

Nick Kelsh is FUNNY. I loved the video and was sad when it was done. He has a great sense of humour, did not use much technical language and showed parents taking photos with regular digital cameras as well.

Each tip is presented after introducing us to a mom, dad or grandma who has troubles with his or her photos. We are introduced to the adult and the child, shown photos that were taken and then Nick explains the problem. Then he shows them how simple it is to fix that problem and within minutes they are taking better photos.

More About Photography

Nick Kelsh is also the owner of howtophotographyourlife.com where he offers photography tips and fun like quotes and a caption contest. He has a daily photo tips email that you can get the free version of or the more indepth paid version (only $19.95/year)

There is also the How to Photograph Your Baby Facebook Page which currently has assignments you can participate in. Eventually there will be forums and galleries on the website.

Testing

I applied the following tips in the following photos:

• Get Close
• Watch Your Backgrounds
• Lighting, Lighting, Lighting!

I’m giving away a How to Photograph Your Baby DVD and One Year Subscription to howtophotographyourlife.com in the Shake, Rattle and Roll Hop which ends 6/5 and is open to US/CAN (along with other products totalling over $100.)

Buy It: You can purchase the DVD, the website subscription and a few other things at the shop.

*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

The John Wayne Film Collection (10-Title Collection)

Looking for the perfect Father’s Day Gift? Or perhaps you just have a John Wayne lover in your house.

THE JOHN WAYNE FILM COLLECTION

This 10-title collection features films from over 39 years of John Wayne’s legendary career including some of his most memorable and critically-acclaimed films, including The Barbarian and The Geisha, on DVD for the first time! ·

This 10 disc collection includes:

1. The Big Trail
2. Red River
3. Legend Of The Lost
4. The Barbarian and the Geisha
5. The Horse Soldiers
6. The Alamo
7. North To Alaska
8. The Comancheros
9. The Longest Day
10. The Undefeated.

Over 20 HOURS of John Wayne films PLUS Extras. Package with some beef jerky and beer and let him enjoy a flashback to an earlier time.

On DVD as of May 8, 2012
SRP $49.98 U.S. / $69.98 Canada.

*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

REVIEW: Dinosaur Train Eggstravaganza DVD

It’s Easter Time with Dinosaur Train!

Buddy and his family and friends learn all about the different types of eggs and how different Dinosaurs, have different types of eggs and care for them differently too.

The DVD has the main Eggstravaganza episode plus a bonus 8 episodes for a total run time of approx. 100 minutes. If you have seen Dinosaur Train, you know that each episode includes a segment by Dr. Scott the Palaeontologist where kids can learn how what was shown in the DVD, relates to actual Dinosaurs.

Other special features included an Interactive Game, Coloring Pages, Dinosaur Reference Guide and Information for Parents.

Eggstravaganza: Buddy and Don stumble upon a mystery when they find unhatched eggs on their beach. Soon all the kids join in to solve the mystery, as they figure out that the eggs belong to an overprotective, caring mom named Olivia Oviraptor who is just trying to keep her eggs safe. 

Bonus Episodes Include:

• The Egg Stealer?
• Hatching Party
• Tank’s Baby Brother
• Diamond Anniversary
• Nursery Car
• All Kinds of Families
• A Sea Turtle Tale
• The Good Mom

Perfect for ages 3-6, make it a video to watch this Easter.

DO YOUR KIDS LIKE DINOSAUR TRAIN?

*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.  

REVIEW: Jennifer Gianni's Fusion Pilates: Four DVD Pregnancy Series

When you are pregnant or trying to conceive, you are excited about your (hopefully) impending baby. Often though we have a fear of gaining weight because we know it's not common to lose all of it after birth (except for celebrities!)


Jennifer Gianni's Fusion Pilates is a set of four DVDs for different parts of your journey from TTC to After Baby.

Triple Threat - Get in shape before your pregnancy.
Pilates for Pregnancy - Maintain strength and prepare for birth.
Post Pregnancy & C-Section Recovery - Get your pre-pregnant body back.
Exercise with Baby - Bond with your newborn and stay in shape.

I love the little saying on the cover of the DVD case:

"Become STRONG for pregnancy, PREPARE your body for labor. Bounce back QUICKLY after birth SAFE for mom & baby."

The DVDs come all together in one DVD case which is nice because often times DVD sets take up a lot of room on your shelf or don't fit in your DVD holder.

The workouts are not too intense and have a comforting feel to them. This isn't a drill sergeant workout, it's a fellow mom leading you in exercises. The one for exercising with baby includes your baby in the workout which is HARDER than it sounds. Laying on your back and lifting baby up is HARD WORK. Especially with the big babies I make.

Recommended for yourself or as a gift for a special someone who is expecting.


*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

REVIEW: Puss in Boots & The Three Diablos Combo Pack

I loved the Shrek movies so much I knew I would love the Puss in Boots movie. My daughters went to see it in the theater for a birthday party but I hadn't seen it and was excited. It was the first movie they'd seen at a theater (they are 4 and 6) and they did pretty good.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that the movie comes with a short (11 min) little feature called The Three Diablos. More on that later.

Puss in Boots Synopsis:  You loved him in Shrek…now see where the one-and-only swashbuckling feline found his fame – and a very big pair of boots – in the “hilariously funny” (Associated Press) animated epic! Lover, fighter and outlaw Puss In Boots (Antonio Banderas) is off on the adventure of his nine lives as he teams up with Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek) and Humpty Dumpty (Zach Galifianakis) for the ultimate showdown with the notorious Jack and Jill (Billy Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris). Here’s the true story of The Cat, The Myth, The Legend – Puss In Boots! - source

In this movie we also meet Kitty Soft Paws (the black girl kitty.) I can't help but picture my own cat walking upright in boots when I watch this movie!

My absolute most favourite parts of the movie are the parts that show Puss doing "cat things." For example drinking milk out of a cup by lapping it or chasing a laser light. Hilarious!

I have mixed feelings about our other new pal, Humpty. His character portrays the "person" who has had a rough life and as such, is confused about who he is and how he should act. This "person" makes a lot of mistakes but rights the wrongs in the end.

The Three Diablos Synopsis: As the dust from his latest adventure begins to settle, Puss In Boots finds himself at a crossroads between two destinies – hero and outlaw. When a desperate princess hires Puss to recover her stolen ruby, he is reluctantly partnered with three little kittens. Adorable. Fuzzy. Deadly. The minute the mittens are off, The Three Diablos wreak havoc on Puss’ mission to recover the stolen ruby from the notorious French thief, “Le Chuchoteur The Whisperer.” Can Puss tame these three little devils in time?  - source

Baby Kittens... ADORABLE! You think it's cute when Puss does that wide eyed thing? Wait till you see the three little kittens doing it at the same time! My heart just melted... and their little boots!

We didn't receive it exactly
as shown here

I was also sent a special Puss in Boots party pack to use while we watch the movie. Our family enjoyed popcorn, green magic beans (apple jelly beans), golden eggs (chocolate) all while wearing our Puss in Boots and Kitty Soft Paws masks!

I also have a tall glass milk jar to keep my milk in!

The kids loved their masks, maybe a bit too much, they are all ripped already. I LOVED the golden eggs though. Chocolate and Caramel... MMMMmmmmmm. Where can I get more?!

All in all Puss in Boots makes a great family movie night.


*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall on Blu-Ray

I was first introduced to The Phantom of the Opera when my brother's class did a play that incorporated some of the music. This was back in 1989 I believe.

I have never actually seen the whole Phantom of the Opera play though. I saw the Joel Schumaker movie version a few years ago. Watching the recording of the live performance of the play at the Royal Albert Hall though was quite different.

Summary: Broadway’s longest-running production of all time celebrates a triumphant quarter century on stage with The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall, coming to Blu-rayTM – with perfect hi-def picture and perfect hi-def sound- DVD, On Demand and Digital Download on February 7, 2012 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. On October 2, 2011, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and producer Cameron Mackintosh marked the 25th anniversary of their beloved musical extravaganza, “The Phantom of the Opera,” with a lavishly staged production at London’s legendary Royal Albert Hall that was beamed live via satellite to cinemas across the globe. The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall marks the first time a live performance of the blockbuster musical has been made available for home viewing, making it a must-have anniversary release for fans everywhere. - summary from Universal Studios Home Entertainment

If you've never been to a live performance of a musical and you don't see any way to get to one any time soon, watching a recording of the performance is a good way to get an idea of what it would be like although I'm sure it would be much more real in person. (The bigger the TV you watch it on, the better.)

With a movie, scenes can be redone if they aren't perfect innumerable times and mistakes can also be edited out. With a live performance, anything can happen and they can't stop and start over if a mistake is made. Knowing this, every time I saw a strange look or a person stumbled over a word, I kept wondering if it was supposed to be like that or if they had messed up a little. I will never know.

I loved the portrayal of Christine and Carlotta but wasn't impressed with the portrayal of the Phantom. The actor sang well, it was more the look I didn't like. The way the mask sat and the way his face looked when the mask was off. However I only have the movie I mentioned previously to compare to, but I wasn't the only one that thought his face was strange. Overall though I thoroughly enjoyed it.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION BLU-RAY™:
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA LIVE AT ROYAL ALBERT HALL
Street Date: February 7, 2012
Copyright: 2012 Universal Studios

Running Time: 2 hours, 40 minutes

Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Rating: N/A
Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish, German, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Portuguese, Hungarian, Polish, Russian, Turkish, Icelandic, Cantonese, Mandarin
Sound: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

REVIEW: Mr. Popper's Penguins (Christmas Gift Guide 2011)

I finally got the chance to sit down and watch Mr. Popper's Penguins and it's pretty good. It's not one of those movies you will watch over and over but it's a fun family movie.

Jim Carrey stars as Mr. Popper, a father whose family is disjointed and needs help to get back together as a true family should be. When he is gifted a penguin (and then later, 5 more) he takes care of it and along the way his whole family learns important lessons that bring them together.

There are a few parts that are what I call "Stupid Funny" and which I don't find particularly funny so I was worried I wouldn't like the movie but it got better after that and got more to a heartwarming movie and less away from a toilet humour type of movie. I really wish they omitted those parts though (poop parts.) They didn't contribute to the movie.

Mr. Popper's assistant is funny. Her name is Pippi and she loves the letter p. She talks with as many p words as possible. At one point she is supposed to be reading aloud part of a book and every other word starts with P. Mr. Popper asks if it really says that and she says she's paraphrasing.

Overall the movie could have been better but it could have been worse. I'd say 3/5 stars.

*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

Shalom Sesame - Chanukah: The Missing Menorah DVD (Hanukkah Gift Guide 2011)

NOTE: You may notice the different spelling of Hanukkah throughout this post. That's because in translation of the word from Hebrew, many possible spellings emerged and so they all correct.

What is Shalom Sesame?

"What happens when you combine the lovable Sesame Street Muppets with a visit to Israel to learn more about Jewish culture and the Hebrew language? You get Shalom Sesame! Created by Sesame Workshop over 25 years ago, the first edition of Shalom Sesame became the most popular Jewish video series ever. Twelve new episodes were released in 2010, and they have already been enjoyed by millions of families across the United States."

Some of the characters are the same (such as Grover) and some are different as as Oofnik the Grouch.

I was able to review Chanukah: The Missing Menorah, Volume 2 in the Shalom Sesame Series.

"It's time to celebrate Chanukah in Israel! Grover is bringing the latkes, and all is well until Anneliese gets caught up in a game of tag with a chicken and loses her special menorah... Can her friends find the missing menorah in time to celebrate Chanukah?"

Our family celebrate three Jewish holidays a year (Passover, Rosh Hashanah and Hanukkah.) We also celebrate Christmas. My immediate family doesn't speak Hebrew and we don't go to temple. However I love Chanukah and am glad to share it with my children.

We watched the video together and for the most part they liked seeing other children light a menorah and play dreidel. We did have a hard time understanding some of the children when they were explaining what Hanukkah is about because of their accents and because the words were unfamiliar to my children but they reexplained it in other ways later on so it worked out okay. There was a fair bit of Hebrew too.

My girls: "I don't understand what they are saying."
Me: "That's because they are speaking Hebrew."
Girls: "Aboo?"
Me: " No, HE-BROO, it's another language"
Girls: "But I don't understand what they are saying when they speak in Hebrew."
Me: "You watch Dora and Handy Manny and they speak Spanish."
Girls: "But we know what they are saying."
Me: "That's because you've watched it a lot and you learned what they meant. You can learn some Hebrew too if you keep watching this."

I definitely think watching this video will become a Hanukkah tradition and will help the girls understand the meaning of Hanukkah as they get older and are better able to understand.

Check out the Shalom Sesame website for more information, games, videos, printables and more.

*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

GIVEAWAY: Mr. Popper's Penguins DVD & Penguin Ice Cube Tray (& Top 5 Ice Cold Recipes)

Mr. Popper's Penguins is on Blu-Ray and DVD December 6 but you can win a copy right now, right here!

First some recipe ideas!

 Top 5 Ice Cold Recipes

Mr. Popper sure had his hands full with all those penguins – too bad he didn’t have a handy guide for making fun, ice-cold treats for them! Here, you will find a recipe guide for making slushies and popsicles, and other fantastic ideas on how to turn ice into edible and refreshing desserts that the kids will love! You will get an ice-cold kick out of how easy and fun these recipes are to make for all ages.

Jim Carrey (A Christmas Carol) stars in MR. POPPER’S PENGUINS, available on Blu-ray, DVD and digital download December 6th. The whole family will be full of laughs watching Mr. Popper, a driven businessman, inherit six adorable and mischievous penguins. As Mr. Popper quickly gets attached to his winged roommates, his life quickly unravels: the deal he’s long been working on with a formidable socialite, Mrs. Van Gundy (Angela Lansbury), is derailed and Popper almost lands in jail. While Popper’s penguins turn his swank New York apartment into a snowy winter wonderland - they teach him valuable lessons about family – human and otherwise!

1) Popsicles

Popsicles are the classic go-to frozen treat for kids and grownups alike! Try making fruit popsicles – all you need is popsicle molds (or disposable cups and popsicle sticks), fresh fruit chunks (try strawberries, pineapples, kiwis, mangoes, or a mix of whatever fruits you like), sugar, light corn syrup, lemon juice, and vanilla yogurt. Blend everything but the yogurt for two to three minutes, then add in the yogurt until the mixture is smooth. Then, pour the mixture into your popsicle molds, insert your sticks, and freeze for at least four hours. Enjoy at your leisure!

2) Chocolate Snow Ice Cream

If you live somewhere where it snows, Chocolate Snow Ice Cream is really simple to make, and lots of fun! All you need is a big bowl of clean snow (you can leave a bowl outside to collect the snow), one can of sweetened condensed milk, and chocolate syrup or cocoa powder (to taste). You could also use strawberry syrup instead. Since the sweetened condensed milk is so thick, it helps hold the melting snow together and adds a lot of sweetness to your ice cream. Once you have all of your ingredients gathered, all you have to do is mix them up in a big bowl and enjoy!

3) Slushies

If you like slushies, try making Frosty Fruit Cups, a fun, kid-friendly take on the popular slushie! All you need in crushed pineapple, bananas, frozen sweetened strawberries, chopped walnuts, and foil or paper lined muffin cups. First, blend the crushed pineapple (with its juice) until it’s smooth. Then, add in the rest of the fruit (with their juices) and blend well. Next, pour a little bit of the fruit mixture into your lined muffin cups and sprinkle with chopped walnuts. Freeze for at least two hours. Kids can help make them, they’re individually sized, and it’s a terrific way to get children to eat fruit!

4) Shaved Ice

You most likely eat shaved ice in a snow cone, but if you’re looking for a different treat made from shaved ice, try the Korean favorite, Patbingsu. You need a bowl of shaved ice, sweetened condensed milk, red bean paste, matcha powder, fruit cocktail, mochi, ice cream, and any other toppings you desire. First, top the shaved ice with sweetened condensed milk, then add red bean paste and sprinkle matcha powder over that. Then, add fruit cocktail and mochi (as well as any other toppings you want), and top it off with your favorite ice cream. Enjoy with your family!

5) Italian Ice

Many cultures have their own take on Italian Ice (like the delicious Mexican raspado). If you want to make your own at home, try this amazing banana pineapple Italian ice recipe. You need apple juice, mashed bananas, crushed pineapple, lemon juice and vanilla extract. Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl, and then pour the mixture into a square dish. Freeze for two hours, then transfer to a bowl and beat until smooth. Next, return the mixture to your square dish, and freeze until firm. Remove from the freezer about 30 minutes before serving, and garnish with mint!

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One winner will receive the DVD and Ice cube tray.

To enter, please use the rafflecopter form below. If you don't know how to use it, see this rafflecopter guide. A copy of the giveaway rules are below and on the rafflecopter form. Entering the giveaway means you have read and agree to the rules. If you have any problems, email me callista83@cogeco.ca

GIVEAWAY RULES:
One Person Per Household. Open to US/Canada 18+. Giveaway open until December 6, 2011 @ 11:59 PM EST. Odds of winning depend on number of valid entries received. Duplicate (accidental or not) entries will be deleted before a winner is picked and winner's entries will be verified. Winner will be selected using random.org on December 7, 2011 and will be contacted by email. Winner will have 3 days to claim their prize or their prize is forfeit and another winner will be chosen. Contest Void Where Prohibited. This giveaway is not associated, nor sponsored by Facebook. We hereby release Facebook of any liability.

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