Transformers: Beast Wars - Season 1

TRANSFORMERS: BEAST WARS - SEASON ONE


Featuring All 26 Episodes and Exciting Bonus Content in a 4-DVD Set


IN STORES NATIONWIDE ON JUNE 7, 2011

Synopsis: When the descendants of the treacherous DECEPTICONS — now known as PREDACONS — land on a mysterious planet in search of a powerful fuel known as Energon, it’s up to OPTIMUS PRIMAL and the heroic MAXIMALS to stop them before they conquer the universe!

Bonus Features Include:
Maximize! Creating A New Breed of TRANSFORMER
Art gallery
Original character models

• Actors: Scott McNeil, Garry Chalk, Ian James Corlett
• Directors: Steve Sacks
• Run Time: 600 minutes

Release Date: June 7, 2011
Not Rated: For all audiences
Suggested Retail Price: $29.93 (4-DVDs)

From the studio: Brace yourself to relive some of the most epic TRANSFORMERS battles and non-stop action adventures through the 15th Anniversary release of BEAST WARS. In 1996, TRANSFORMERS fans were introduced to this stunning saga between the heroic MAXIMALS and the evil PREDACONS wherethese powerful TRANSFORMERS disguised themselves as some of the fiercest and most ferocious animals on Earth. In a flash of an instant, these beasts turned into battle-tested robot warriors ready for combat. Created by Hasbro and produced by Mainframe Entertainment, the hugely successful animated series TRANSFORMERS: BEAST WARS ran for three successful television seasons and garnered an Emmy® Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation. On June 7, 2011, Shout! Factory, in collaboration with Hasbro, Inc., will unleash the TRANSFORMERS: BEAST WARS Season One 4-DVD set, featuring all 26 visually stunning episodes and exciting bonus features. A must-have for fans and families, this DVD set promises to keep you on the edge of your seat with exciting adventures and is priced to own at $29.93 SRP.


My take:  All I know about Transformers, I learned from Wikipedia:  "Transformers: Beast Wars is a Transformers toyline released by Hasbro between 1995 and 2000, and a Daytime Emmy Award winning full-CG animated television series spawned by it that debuted in 1996." In fact, I barely remember the original Transformers from the early 80's.  Perhaps that would be why I cannot even begin to decipher most of the reviews I've seen for this DVD set.  And why I have zero interest myself in watching it myself.  But when you have an 8 year old boy with a huge interest in all things Transformers, you get this DVD for him and watch it with him.  If THAT isn't motherly love, I don't know what is. :-)  Anyway, not surprisingly, our son really, REALLY likes this DVD set.  He pretty much watched it non-stop all day yesterday afternoon after he was sent inside to rest (sunburn! ouch!).  What was surprising was how much his sister likes the shows too.  So if you have a Transformer fan in YOUR house, be sure to check out this DVD set of Season One.  

Transformers: Beast Wars- Clip 1





Transformers: Beast Wars- Clip 2





Transformers Beast Wars- Character Slide Show

About HASBRO: Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide-range of immersive entertainment offerings based on the Company’s world class brand portfolio. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, video games and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its customers through the strategic leveraging of well-known and beloved brands such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY. The Hub, Hasbro’s multi-platform joint venture with Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) launched on October 10, 2010. The online home of The Hub is www.hubworld.com. The Hub logo and name are trademarks of Hub Television Networks, LLC. All rights reserved.  Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. © 2011 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

About Shout! Factory: Shout! Factory is a diversified entertainment company devoted to producing, uncovering and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their careers sharing their music, television and film faves with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s DVD offerings serve up classic, contemporary and cult TV series, riveting sports programs, live music, animation and documentaries in lavish packages crammed with extras. The company’s audio catalogue boasts GRAMMY®-nominated box sets, new releases from storied artists, lovingly assembled album reissues and indispensable “best of” compilations. These riches are the result of a creative acquisitions mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. Shout! Factory is based in Santa Monica, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit shoutfactory.com.

This review and giveaway was sponsored by:

This post was written for Shout! who provided the DVD set for review. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary DVD set.

Backyard Safari revisited

From the client: Backyard Safari Outfitters has everything you need to get you geared up for plenty of fun outdoor adventures! Our gear is rugged, fully functional and made for use in the field year-round. Whether your safari takes place in the park, at the campground, on the beach or even your own backyard, you’ll be geared up and ready for action!

From Team Mom:  Each Backyard Safari product comes with a Pop-Up Field Guide featuring a unique in-the-field mission in line with the toy's specific play pattern.  Children learn to be Bug Wranglers, Bird Watchers and more!  With the introduction of the new Patch Program, young explorers will have the chance not only to complete fun adventures, but to receive cool, collectible patches as a reward!  

My take: Back in June 2010, Team Mom asked us to review a few products from Backyard Safari Outfitters (a line of gear to get kids up and out exploring nature). You can see our review here.  Suffice to say, we had so much fun with the Cargo Vest, Periscope and Bug Wrangler, we couldn't wait to try out their new line of fun products.  

From Team Mom, we received the Base Camp Shelter ($39.99) - which comes with a patch AND a Mini-Lantern, another Cargo Vest ($19.99), the Camouflage netting ($14.99), Expedition Two Hiking Stick ($14.99) - which came with another patch, and an Explorer Kit ($14.99) - includes a magnifying glass, 10 x 30 mm spyglass, and 3 all-purpose carabiners - handy for attaching all your gear to your vest! 

We didn't waste any time getting ready:

Setting up the tent was a bit of a bear with those flexible rods not cooperating - but that was just with me - if you have two people, it should be a snap to put up.  Then we added the netting so the wild animals couldn't find us:

And put the lantern inside...

Then used our spyglass to make sure all around was safe for camping:

Ah, here is our camp protector now...

Of course, we had to fill up every pocket in the tent with our Backyard Safari gear...

And pull our all of the gear from last year too.

Look! More patches for Mama to sew (along with all her girl scout patches)

Hmmmm...wonder what he is thinking of spying on?  That's a devilish grin!

Ah, just our roof top!

As you can see, Backyard Safari can provide hours of fun in the sun this summer for your little explorers - check them out today!

I am proud to be a member of Team Mom, which sponsored this review. I received no compensation beyond the products mentioned in the review above.

Memorial Day 2011

The Oath of the Soldier

A Memorial Day Observance Speech
by Johnny Q. Gogue III

Memorial Day – For most it is a three-day weekend, filled with bar-b-que’s and picnics . . . A time to get away from the normal humdrum of the week. For other’s it’s the beginning of summer, a time to look towards the long lazy days and a time to plan your summer get-a-ways. Though for some, Memorial Day holds a special significance.

On May 5, 1868, an order issued by General John Logan established a day of remembrance for those soldiers who died during the Civil War. May 30, 1868, was the day designated for this observance and flowers were placed on the graves of the fallen soldiers of both the Union and Confederate Armies. New York was the first state to officially recognize this observance in 1873 and in 1971 with the passage of the National Holiday Act; Memorial Day was designated as the last Monday of May.

Now for many of us, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, and the Korean War are ancient history. The Vietnam War a fading memory. But with the recent Operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom we, the American people have once again been thrust into a position of remembering those who are fighting and dying today.

I, like my grandfathers, father, uncles and aunt before me, am a veteran. I am and was proud of serving in the Armed Forces. I served in the Army from 1985 to 1994. I was in Operation Desert Storm/Shield. I know what Memorial Day is about.

I have two brothers who are currently serving. One brother is serving in the Navy in Italy. My youngest brother, who is currently serving in the Army, is right now in Iraq supporting and defending his fellow soldiers. I know what Memorial Day is about.

Memorial Day for all soldiers is embodied in the words of the oath that you first take when you enlist into the service of the country:

I DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR (OR AFFIRM) THAT I WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC; THAT I WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE SAME; AND THAT I WILL OBEY THE ORDERS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE ORDERS OF THE OFFICERS APPOINTED OVER ME, ACCORDING TO REGULATIONS AND THE UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE. SO HELP ME GOD.

This oath taken by each and every soldier exemplifies the reason why soldiers do what they do each and every day. Soldiers are defenders of the same principles that made this country great. They stand as Patriots to defend and protect the ideals and sentiments espoused in the Constitution of the United States. Soldiers bear true faith and allegiance to that document and they work, and live, within the Codes of Military Justice. Soldiers also obey the orders of the President of the United States and the Officers appointed over them. These truths are self evident in the everyday lives of soldiers.

Now, as we see our fellow citizens arrive back from a foreign land, we should not forget those words that each and every soldier spoke upon enlistment. Because when we look upon a returning soldier from conflict, a disabled veteran, or a grave marker – those words should ring in your conscience.

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic . . . streaming from the eyes of the returning soldier. That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the Officers appointed over me . . . sounding from the stumbling gait of the disabled veteran. According to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God . . . blasting from the cold stone face of a grave marker.

Remember those that gave their lives, so that we may continue to live in freedom as spelled out in the Constitution of the United States and the Declaration of Independence . . . Lest we forget.

Two Kisses for Maddy (Book review)

Two Kisses for Maddy: A Memoir of Loss and Love

by Matthew Logelin

Pub Date: April 14, 2011

US/Can: $24.99 / $27.99

Format/Sub: HARDCOVER BOOK

Pages: 272

ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN EBOOK

Book Description: In the spirit of The Last Lecture and Tuesdays with Morrie, Matt Logelin writes a courageous and searingly honest memoir about the first year of his life following the birth of his daughter and the death of his wife.


Matt and Liz Logelin were high school sweethearts. The pair settled together in Los Angeles and they had it all: the perfect marriage, a beautiful new home, and a baby girl on the way. But just twenty-seven hours after they welcomed Madeline into the world, Liz suffered a pulmonary embolism and instantly died, without ever holding the daughter whose arrival she had so eagerly awaited. Faced with devastating grief and the responsibilities of a new and single father, Matt coped by returning to the small blog he had created to keep friends and family updated on Liz’s pregnancy, which today has become a place for him to share with over a million curious readers the day to day of two lives bound by loss and love. But there is more to his story than just raising a daughter alone: Matt Logelin is an extraordinary human being. Having been sustained through tragedy by the kindness and generosity of strangers, he is now dedicated to helping others in difficult situations by reaching out and inspiring those facing loss or adversity. A heartwarming and heartbreaking story punctuated by beautifully recollected— and often humorous— memories and anecdotes, TWO KISSES FOR MADDY unquestionably has something to offer any reader who has experienced grief, and has sought the courage to live again.

My take: Heartbreaking.  Inspiring. Gut-wrenching. Uplifting.  Two Kisses for Maddy can be described equally well with those words and more (I particularly liked Mr. Logelin's phrase "This fucking sucks," myself).  As you know, I was widowed myself at a young age (when I was 28 after almost 5 years of marriage) and I remember thinking, "thank goodness I don't have children because I can barely get myself out of bed."  And here was Mr. Logelin with the exact opposite thought - he was happy to have a baby to have a reason to stay alive.  I have to say, he is the smarter of the two of us.  Because such a gift he has with Madeline Elizabeth (by the way, I LOVE that she is named after both of her parents).  Such a gift that kept him going all those terrible days after the loss of dear Liz, the only woman he ever loved.

And after reading this book, I have to say I feel like I've been missing out on a great blog; unlike the rest of the world I think, I have never read Mr. Logelin's blog.  Sure, I heard about it around the blogosphere, you'd have to be in a coma not to, but I actively avoided reading it, afraid of dreading up painful memories of my own loss.  But once the book was published, I knew I had to read it.  I had to read an account of widowhood from another young widow/widower - and let me tell you, I will recommend this book to the local young widow/widowers groups for reading.  At the time of my husband's death, I could only find one book on young widowhood and it was no where near as real and in-your-face, no holds barred, as Two Kisses for Maddy (and it certainly had nowhere near the "salty" language).  Mr. Logelin's loss is certainly a gain for the rest of us looking for guidance and meaning in a world turned upside down by the loss of our loved ones.  And his foundation, The Liz Logelin Foundation, ensures that financially at least, widows and widowers will have hope for the future.

P.S.  7 was Liz's favorite number.  Help celebrate her life with $7 on the 7th and make a monthly donation to help young widows and widowers with families.  I did.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Born and bred in Minnesota, Matt Logelin was a project manager at Yahoo! until he left the company to focus on writing this book and raising his daughter, Madeline. The two live in Los Angeles, traveling often to see as much of the world as possible. Please visit them at www.mattlogelin.com and on Twitter. {You can "Like" the book on Facebook here}

This review was sponsored by Grand Central Publishing (formerly Warner Books) who provided the book for review. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary book.

This day I will marry my friend, the one I laugh with, live for, dream with, love

Mommy Brings Home the Bacon (book review)

Mommy Brings Home the Bacon

by: Nikki Mark

Hardcover: 32 pages

Language: English

SRP: $14.99

 
From the publisher: Mommy Brings Home the Bacon is a heartwarming children's book that explores the touching relationship between a young boy and his working mom. Told from the young boy's perspective, the whimsical narrative reflects a child's imaginative interpretation of why mommy goes to work, and the beautiful bond that develops as a result.


Bringing simplicity and lightheartedness to an emotional topic, Mommy Brings Home the Bacon fosters a child's appreciation for a working mother, while simultaneously easing the minds of moms who balance the difficult responsibilities of financially supporting their household and raising the children they so dearly love.

My take:  As you may know, my kids are 6 and 8.  With my first baby, I was forced to resign from my job while on maternity leave (don't EVEN get me started on that injustice) so I was home with him around 3 months before I found another job and went back to work (as the controller/CFO for a manufacturing company).  When we had our second child, I was still at that high pressure job and so was working from home the day after her birth and was back in the office when she was just 6 weeks old.  I regret not having more time with her as an infant - but financially, I had to work (for the luxuries of life like food, mortgage and electricity HA!).  Now of course, my kids are used to day care, and before and after school care, but that doesn't mean they like it!  They are going to a private school (starting public next year, now that we are in a better school district) and a good many of their friends have stay at home moms because of better financial circumstances than ours.  So my kids are very, VERY good at guilt tripping me - "why aren't you in our classroom like so-and-so's mom?  why can't you pick us up at 3? don't you love us?" 

Mommy Brings Home the Bacon is an excellent book for work-outside-the-home moms like me - written from a child's point of view, he tells his tale of how sad he is when his mom leaves him, and how he begins to understand why she has to go, and what she does all day.  Of course, that he takes her literally about "bringing home bacon" just adds to the appeal of this whimsical look at working outside the home.  The book provided a great starting point for talking to the kiddos on just why I have to work and how much I love them (Daddy too!).   If you work outside the home, I highly recommend this book!

About the author:  A few years ago, Nikki's older son (age four at the time) began questioning why she was going to work everyday. As he became increasingly more anxious about it, she searched online for a book to help her provide an explanation to which he could relate. After searching a few of the larger online booksellers, she quickly realized that children's books that discussed the topic of working moms were hard to come by, and the few that did, didn't work in her situation.


After that search, she was driven to pen her very own story for her young boys. When she read the story to her sons, they really responded to it, and she realized that other moms with young children might also benefit from this book. In 2010, Nikki self-published Mommy Brings Home The Bacon as a way to begin the conversation of working mothers with children everywhere. Her book is now available on Amazon.com, where it has gotten rave reviews, and at independent book sellers.


Nikki Mark is currently the EVP of Operations at sbe, a Los Angeles-based company that acquires, develops and manages exceptional projects through its specialized operating divisions – Hotels, Restaurants, Nightlife, Real Estate and Events.

This post was written for Family Review Network and Ballantine Books who provided the complimentary book for review in exchange for my honest review.

Hope Harris: Cousins Jamboree (CD Music Review and giveaway)

GRAB YOUR DANCIN’ SHOES AND WARM UP YOUR SINGIN’ VOICE TO JOIN HOPE HARRIS

in

COUSINS JAMBOREE

For ages 3 - 10

Label: Holcomb Rock Records

SRP: $15.00

Run time: 42 minutes

http://hopeharris.com

From the PR Firm: With a 2011 Parents’ Choice® Silver Honor Award for her new CD Cousins Jamboree proudly in hand, independent children’s musician Hope Harris is all set to share her music with the world! Rocking songs, whimsical songs, heartfelt songs, and soon-to-be sing-along-songs combine on this 16-track album of Hope Harris originals and arrangements, each one set with imagination, style, and country warmth.


Beautifully produced by the man who co-produces the Dan Zanes family albums, Rob Friedman, Cousins Jamboree cannot help but engage listeners from the get-go, in large part due to the open friendliness and musical purity of Hope Harris’s inviting voice. Hope relies on the quality of her singing to carry the song and compliments her young listeners by assuming they are intelligent enough to appreciate music that doesn’t rely upon gimmicks. In creating Cousins Jamboree, Hope’s wish has been to create a down-home, good-times celebration showcasing country, swing, jazz, blues, ‘50s rock and roll, folk, and show-tune sounds — a montage of American music — while at the same time reminding children that being kind to one another, looking out for friends, and behaving with good manners is a happy way to live.


Cousins Jamboree, previously released locally in Richmond, Virginia, is available online at www.hopeharris.com, amazon.com, and cdbaby.com, as well as at Franklin Goose in Richmond, Virginia.

My take:  One of my favorite radios stations around here plays music from a number of eras and genres; I like the station because I like the variety.  That's one reason I personally like this Hope Harris CD - she has songs that sound right up the "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" alley and then she segues right into Joan Baez type music and on to a down home country barn dance.  And with the exception of just a few, most of the songs on Cousins Jamboree are all dance hits with my 6 year old - upbeat and fun music, with some mixing in life lessons (in fact, "Hang on Friend" sparked a great conversation with my her on waiting your turn and being a good friend).  If you are looking for an age cut off, my 8 year old boy said he didn't like the CD because it's "baby music" (but I did find him seat dancing on the way to school to "Cousins Jamboree" and he didn't even realize it! LOL!)  My 6 year old daughter absolutely loves the entire CD and likes to hold the case and call out each song to me.  It's a keeper that I'll be moving to her MP3 player for car trips, that's for sure.  Get a copy for yourself today - see below for how you can win it!

Song Listing (preview on CDBaby):

1. Howdy Hello 1:37
2. Cousins Jamboree 3:00
3. Five Little Monkeys 1:58
4. Hang On Friend 2:12
5. Gelbart Dufrain 2:28
6. Down In the Valley 2:07
7. I Love Apples 2:11
8. I Can Do It 2:30
9. Eddie the Otter 2:02
10. Good Manners 2:18
11. I Am An Alien 3:30
12. Seatbelt Buckled 3:29
13. Babysitter 2:35
14. A Little Bit Afraid 2:49
15. Bright Moon, Bright Sun 2:36
16. Holcomb Rock Road

The giveaway:  WIN IT BEFORE YOU CAN BUY IT!  One lucky winner will win his/her very own copy of the Cousins Jamboree CD!

To win: Leave me a comment telling me something you learned about Hope from her website. Be sure to leave your email address with your comment if you are not a blogger or your email is not easily found on your blog. This giveaway is open until 11:59 p.m., EST, Thursday, June 2, 2011. Good Luck!

Bonus entries: Get up to 8 extra entries for a total of 9 entries (please leave a separate comment for each extra entry):

• Blog about this giveaway (don't forget to leave the link in your comment)
• Share this giveaway on any of your Social Networking sites (like Twitter or Facebook) and come back here with a link to your post/tweet (you can have up to two entries - be sure to leave 2 comments)
• Follow me on Twitter (leave a comment with your twitter id)
• Subscribe to my blog via RSS or Email (see top left sidebar)
• Add my blog to your blogroll or my button to your sidebar (leave your website address for verification)
• On Technorati - click on this link, then on Fan or Fav (or use the green link on the top left sidebar)
• Follow me on Google Friend Connect (see top left sidebar)

P.S.:  Be sure to check out my new fan page for Did You See That? on Facebook!

P.P.S.: New Facebook rules do not allow contest entries for "Liking" facebook pages.

About the artist: A graduate of the University of Virginia and, later, the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre, Hope Harris spent many years living and performing in NYC, appearing both on and off Broadway, in regional and stock productions across the country, and even doing stints at venues like Nashville’s famed Bluebird Café. A crowning success in the kids’ realm was her starring appearance, for three years running, as “Baker Bobbie” for the Park Slope, Brooklyn, Chocolate Chip Chamber Music Series, for which she is also a contributing scriptwriter. Hope now lives with her family in Richmond, VA but returns often to NYC to perform.  Coming next from Hope Harris, in fall 2011, will be Picasso, That’s Who, an album honoring great artists through the centuries. Looking ahead to spring 2012, Hope plans to release an Earth-friendly CD titled Lemonade Stand.

This review was sponsored by Waldmania! PR who provided the CD for review and giveaway. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary CD.

Wordless Wednesday...Lucky this was all the damage

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Great Outdoors

Disney’s New Preschool DVD Provides Kids With The Ultimate On-The-Go Experience With Digital Copy And Hours Of Interactive Fun With The Mickey Mote!

MICKEY MOUSE CLUBHOUSE: MICKEY'S GREAT OUTDOORS

Inspires Kids To Enjoy Outdoor Activities Such As Camping, Fishing and Exploring Nature

Release Date: May 24, 2011

Suggested Retail Price: Mickey Mote Play Set includes DVD + Digital Copy + Mickey Mote = $29.99 U.S. / $35.99 Canada;

2-Disc Combo Pack includes DVD + Digital Copy = $19.99 U.S. / $24.99 Canada

Rated: TV-Y

*Bonus materials not rated

Run Time: Approximately 120 minutes

Languages: English, Spanish, French

From the studio: For the first time with Digital Copy, this Mickey Mouse Clubhouse DVD is ready for the summer fun and on-the-go adventure! Available on May 24th, Mickey Mouse and his famous pals (Minnie, Donald, Pluto, Goofy and Daisy) join efforts to inspire preschoolers around the country to enjoy the outdoors by camping, fishing and exploring nature in Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment’s latest DVD release, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Great Outdoors.

As a great value for parents and a fun, portable play set for kids, Disney has packaged Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Great Outdoors to include a DVD, a Digital Copy and a Mickey Mote –making this the ultimate Play Set. The Mickey Mote (a child-friendly handheld remote control) provides hours of interactive fun that allows kids to engage with their favorite Mickey Mouse Clubhouse characters while watching Mickey’s Great Outdoors. And the Digital Copy allows parents to download all the episodes onto a secondary device for easy, portable on-the-go access.

Just in time to kick off the summer, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Great Outdoors features four episodes from the “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” TV show plus one all-new, never-before-seen “Mickey’s Fish Story” episode and comes packaged as a special DVD Play Set (DVD + Digital Copy + Mickey Mote) that will retail nationwide for the suggested price of $29.99 U.S. / $35.99 Canada.

MICKEY’S GREAT OUTDOOR EPISODE LIST:

All-New, Never-Before-Seen Bonus Episode:

• Mickey’s Fish Story - Daisy wants to find a fishy-friend for her goldfish Goldy – and we help her find other goldfish in the Jungle where we’re aided by the mysterious conga drummin’ Jungle-Pete! Boom-boom-bap-boom!

Episodes From “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” TV Show:

• Mickey’s Camp Out - Today Mickey and his friends are going to earn Clubhouse “Camp Out Badges” by completing two tasks - setting up camp and fishing for Gummy Fish. Everyone’s planning to camp with a “Tent Buddy”, but Donald decides to camp by himself – and he soon learns that camping with friends is much more fun than camping by yourself.

• Mickey and Minnie’s Jungle Safari - Minnie is determined to snap a photo of the rare Hula Hibiscus that only blooms once a year. So the sensational gang go off on a jungle safari and explore new territory to find this legendary flower.

• Daisy in the Sky - On Balloon Day, Daisy grabs a large batch of balloons and gets literally carried away along with Minnie and Pluto, who couldn’t hold her down. Mickey, Donald and Goofy kick into high gear to save their friends: they use a Giant Candy Cane (to rescue Pluto), a Party Horn (to warn animals out of the way), a Piggy Bank (to weigh down one side of an elevator so that Mickey can reach the top of the lighthouse), and a Toy Hammer (to fix the Ferris wheel).

• Daisy’s Grasshopper - Daisy has a new pet grasshopper named Wilbur, but the playful hoppin’ fella hops away – and we help all our Clubhouse friends hop after him and find him before the end of the day. Boing-boing!

My take: Let me tell you right off the bat, I am NOT an outdoors kind of person.  Unless it involves sleeping away the day in a hammock somewhere, you are not going to find me outside much.  At least, not until I had a son who loves to do nothing more than play outside dawn to dusk (his sister is more like me :-)  Now, I know my daughter needs to be outside more - especially now that the weather is nice, so what better way to encourage her than to let her see her favorite Mickey Mouse Club characters enjoying the great outdoors?!  It's a win-win even if it means she is asking to go camping now (luckily, we just got a tent for another review so she can camp outside :-)   Now is she asks me if she can go fishing, I'll have to send her to someone else!  Seriously though, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Great Outdoors is a great addition to the Mickey Mouse DVD line with 5 great episodes of the show, one of which has never been seen before.  Of course, the Mickey Mote is an awesome way to get your kids interacting and learning while having fun at the same time.  Another great Mickey DVD for your library.  And if it gets your kids outside and away from the screen afterwards, consider that a bonus!

About Disney's Mickey Mote: Disney’s Mickey Mote works with any Disney Preschool DVD that includes the Discovery Mode™ feature – an interactive “Watch and Play” feature on the DVD. All parents have to do is program the remote control - there’s an easy and quick set-up guide in each DVD - and select the Discovery Mode feature on the menu screen. Within minutes, kids will be easily able to respond to questions about scenes they just watched by pressing one of four color-coded buttons on the device -- a yellow star, green circle, orange triangle or blue square – to click in their responses. Discovery Mode features include two levels of play, which provides more challenging questions as the child grows.


To date, there are more than 13 Disney Preschool DVD titles for parents to choose from that can be used with the remote control.

About The Walt Disney Studios: For more than 85 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company (DIS: NYSE) was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under four banners: Walt Disney Pictures, which includes Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios, Disneynature, Touchstone Pictures and Marvel. Through the Home Entertainment division, innovative distribution methods provide access to creative content across multiple platforms. Original music and motion picture soundtracks are produced under Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records, while Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Broadway theatrical productions, Disney on Ice and Disney LIVE! For more information, please visit www.disney.com.

This post was written for Click Communications who provided the movie for review. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary DVD.

Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse

This just made me laugh and I wanted to share....The CDC came up with a fun way to discuss preparing for real emergencies!  Click the link for more information.

Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse


There are all kinds of emergencies out there that we can prepare for. Take a zombie apocalypse for example. That’s right, I said z-o-m-b-i-e a-p-o-c-a-l-y-p-s-e. You may laugh now, but when it happens you’ll be happy you read this, and hey, maybe you’ll even learn a thing or two about how to prepare for a real emergency.

Sister: A Novel (book review)

Sister: A Novel

By: Rosamund Lupton

Category: Mystery and Thrillers

List Price: $24.00

Hardcover: 336 pages

Publisher: Crown (June 7, 2011)

Language: English

Product Description: When her mom calls to tell her that Tess, her younger sister, is missing, Bee returns home to London on the first flight. She expects to find Tess and give her the usual lecture, the bossy big sister scolding her flighty baby sister for taking off without letting anyone know her plans. Tess has always been a free spirit, an artist who takes risks, while conservative Bee couldn’t be more different. Bee is used to watching out for her wayward sibling and is fiercely protective of Tess (and has always been a little stern about her antics). But then Tess is found dead, apparently by her own hand.

Bee is certain that Tess didn’t commit suicide. Their family and the police accept the sad reality, but Bee feels sure that Tess has been murdered. Single-minded in her search for a killer, Bee moves into Tess’s apartment and throws herself headlong into her sister’s life—and all its secrets.

Though her family and the police see a grieving sister in denial, unwilling to accept the facts, Bee uncovers the affair Tess was having with a married man and the pregnancy that resulted, and her difficulty with a stalker who may have crossed the line when Tess refused his advances. Tess was also participating in an experimental medical trial that might have gone very wrong. As a determined Bee gives her statement to the lead investigator, her story reveals a predator who got away with murder—and an obsession that may cost Bee her own life.


A thrilling story of fierce love between siblings, Sister is a suspenseful and accomplished debut with a stunning twist.

"Lupton’s remarkable debut novel is a masterful, superlative-inspiring success that will hook readers (and keep them guessing) from page one…A chilling, gripping...enigma of a story.”–Booklist, starred review


“Hitchcockian spookiness in this tale of two sisters—one living, one dead—in London. A skillfully wrought psychological thriller.”—Kirkus Reviews
 
My take: WARNING! DO NOT ATTEMPT TO READ THIS BOOK WITHOUT A BOX OF TISSUES AT THE READY!  This spectacular debut novel has moments of aching sadness within it that literally left me weeping.  As someone who has experienced profound grief (really, who among us hasn't at some point grieved), I was astonished at how well Ms. Lupton managed to capture in words the myriad of emotions that flow through and within the grieving process.  All of this, wrapped up inside a stellar "who-done-it" suspense and a surprise ending that I, for one, did NOT see coming, will make Sister, A Novel the must-read novel of the summer of 2011 (in my humble opinion).  This book, this story of two sisters, separated only by death, moved me deeply.  Bee's belief in Tess and Bee's deeply rooted guilt keep Bee on the path to the truth, long after all others took the easy way out.  We can all only hope to have someone who loves and believes in us so much.  Six stars on a scale of 1 to 5.  One of the best books I have ever read (and I've read a lot!). 

About the author: For years Rosamund Lupton has been a script writer for the BBC. She lives in London with her husband and two children. Sister is her debut novel.

This review was sponsored by Amazon Vine™ who provided the book for review. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary book.

Amazon Vine™ is a program that enables a select group of Amazon customers to post opinions about new and pre-release items to help their fellow customers make educated purchase decisions. Customers are invited to become Amazon Vine™ Voices based on the trust they have earned in the Amazon community for writing accurate and insightful reviews. Amazon provides Amazon Vine™ members with free copies of products that have been submitted to the program by vendors. Amazon does not influence the opinions of Amazon Vine™ members, nor do they modify or edit their reviews.

Wordless Wednesday (Great Wolf Lodge GLEE!)

No Place Like Holmes

No Place Like Holmes

By Jason Lethcoe

List Price: $9.99

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Paperback: 224 pages

Publisher: Thomas Nelson (May 10, 2011)

Language: English

Book Description: The new resident in 221A Baker Street is about to give Sherlock Holmes a run for his magnifying glass!  When Griffin is sent to stay with his detective uncle at 221A Baker Street for the summer, he is certain that his uncle must be the great Sherlock Holmes! But Griffin is disappointed to discover that Holmes lives at 221B Baker Street and his uncle lives unit 221A. His uncle is a detective, just not a very good one. But when Griffin meets a woman with a case that Holmes has turned away for being too ridiculous, he and his uncle team up to help her. Along the way, Griffin shows his uncle just what it means to have true faith in God, even when the case challenges that. The woman claims that her husband was eaten by the Loch Ness Monster, but monsters aren’t real—or are they?

My take: I grew up reading Nancy Drew mysteries. Reading wouldn't really be the right word though - more like devoured them. I adored all things Nancy Drew and imagined myself solving mysteries right along with her. I also read the Hardy Boys mysteries and Encylopedia Brown...anything having to do with a mystery and I wanted to solve it. I'm no different these days...at least in my reading preferences. So even though the target audience for No Place Like Holmes is the 9-12 year old set, I still enjoyed the read. And you don't have to be a Sherlock Holmes fan to enjoy or even understand the story...I've never read even one of his mysteries and had no trouble following the plot. The character of Griffin really resonated with me because he is super smart and was bullied at home for it (I was not super smart, but smart enough to be bullied for it)...what he has though that I didn't at that young age, was a strong faith that he can rely on to guide him through tough times. I really enjoyed No Place Like Holmes - enough that I've preordered the second book in the series already! An excellent book for a mystery or adventure lover of any age!  5 stars.

This review was sponsored by Book Sneeze (Thomas Nelson) who provided the book for review. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary book.

The Dagger Quick (book review)

The Dagger Quick

By: Brian Eames

List Price: $15.99

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Hardcover: 336 pages

Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books (May 10, 2011)

Language: English

Book Description: A stirring tale of rousing old-fashioned adventure, THE DAGGER QUICK is the story of twelve-year-old Christopher, a boy with a clubfoot seemingly doomed to follow in the boring footsteps of his father as a cooper in 17th century England. That is, until he meets his uncle- William Quick, infamous pirate, and the only man ever crazy enough to steal from the infamous Governor of Jamaica. With his mother kidnapped, his father murdered, and Christopher unjustly blamed for the crime, he has no choice but to set off on a dangerous seafaring adventure with bounty hunters on his trail and his only ally an uncle he hardly knows.

My take: Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres to read so I was eager to read this novel. Add in the fact that the author has been a teacher for many years, of the very age group this novel is targeted at, and I figured this would be a good read. I wasn't disappointed! I was very quickly drawn into the plot of The Dagger Quick and the lives of the characters. Mr. Eames has a very real gift for storytelling and I found myself not wanting to put the book down...not to sleep, not to eat, not to take care of my children! After all, Christopher was in danger! Would he discover the "rat" on the ship in time? Would his mother and little brother be safe? Could they outrun the crazy pirate with the spider tattoo?! Richly drawn characters and background make this fast-paced book a must read for anyone - and if you have a reluctant reader, I can almost guarantee this adventure will turn that around. The only part I did NOT like about The Dagger Quick? The cliff-hanger ending. Darn you Mr. Eames!! When will the next one be published - next week I hope...

About the Author: BRIAN EAMES has taught elementary students for fourteen years at the Paideia School, a K-12 independent school in Atlanta. He read early drafts of The Dagger Quick to his classes of ten- to twelve-year-olds. He lives with his wife and children in Atlanta. Visit him at http://www.thedaggerquick.com/
 

This review was sponsored by Amazon Vine™ who provided the book for review. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary book.

Amazon Vine™ is a program that enables a select group of Amazon customers to post opinions about new and pre-release items to help their fellow customers make educated purchase decisions. Customers are invited to become Amazon Vine™ Voices based on the trust they have earned in the Amazon community for writing accurate and insightful reviews. Amazon provides Amazon Vine™ members with free copies of products that have been submitted to the program by vendors. Amazon does not influence the opinions of Amazon Vine™ members, nor do they modify or edit their reviews.

Barry Manilow: DUETS (review and giveaway)

DUETS COLLECTION BY BARRY MANILOW

Audio CD (May 3, 2011)

Original Release Date: 2011

Number of Discs: 1

Label: Sony Legacy

ALL-STAR DUET PARTNERS BARBRA STREISAND, BETTE MIDLER, MEL TORMÉ, SARAH VAUGHAN, DIONNE WARWICK, SHEENA EASTON, REBA McENTIRE, KID CREOLE, THE ASSOCIATION, AND MORE

Available at both physical and digital retail outlets starting May 3, 2011, through Arista/Legacy

Description from Sony Music/Legacy Recordings: Grammy, Tony, and Emmy Award-winning recording artist Barry Manilow has been proudly collaborating with the world’s greatest singers whenever possible. His duet partners have included Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Dionne Warwick, Reba McEntire, Mel Tormé, Sarah Vaughan, Diane Schuur, Phyllis McGuire (of the McGuire Sisters), Sheena Easton, and many more. He has also collaborated with pop groups like Kid Creole & the Coconuts and the Association.

For the first time, 15 of Barry’s most outstanding and memorable performances with an A-list of singers have been collected on DUETS. The title will be available at all physical and digital retail outlets starting May 3, through Arista/ Legacy, a division of SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT. DUETS is a timely reminder of Barry Manilow’s successful residency at the Paris Theater in Las Vegas, with performance dates now extended into 2012.


“I’m very proud of this album,” Manilow said recently. “Recording each song was a thrill because these singers are so great, but listening to all of the cuts back to back was an overwhelming experience. Getting the opportunity to sing with them was an honor.”


With worldwide record sales exceeding 80 million, Barry Manilow is ranked as the top Adult Contemporary chart artist of all time, according to R and R (Radio and Records). His track record includes no less than 25 consecutive top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100.

Track Listing:

1. * You’ve Got A Friend Melissa Manchester The Greatest Songs of the Seventies 2007
2. Hey Mambo Kid Creole and the Coconuts Swing Street 1987
3. Let Me Be Your Wings Debra Byrd Thumbelina O.S. 1994
4. Cherish/Windy The Association Greatest Songs Of The Sixties 2006
5. Look To The Rainbow Barbara Cook Showstoppers 1991
6. Islands In The Stream Reba McEntire Greatest Songs Of The Eighties 2008
7. Big City Blues Mel Torme (featuring 2:00 AM Paradise Café 1984 Gerry Mulligan)
8. On A Slow Boat To China Bette Midler Bette Midler Sings The Rosemary 2003 Clooney Songbook 9. Run To Me Dionne Warwick Manilow Collection/20 Classic Hits 1985
10. Summertime Diane Schuur (featuring Swing Street 1987 Stan Getz)
11. Sincerely/Teach Me Tonight Phyllis McGuire The Greatest Songs of the Fifties 2005
12. Blue Sarah Vaughan 2:00 AM Paradise Café 1984
13. Now And Forever Sheena Easton The Pebble and the Penguin O.S. 1995
14. I Won't Be The One To Let Go Barbra Streisand Duets (by Barbra Streisand) 2002
15. The Last Duet Lily Tomlin Barry 1980
* indicates previously unreleased mix

My take: I had high hopes for this CD because #1, I have enjoyed Barry Manilow music in the past and #2, I do love me some duet music.  And some of my absolute favorite singers are on this CD with him, namely, Reba McEntire, Bette Midler and Barbra Streisand.   The actual CD was disappointing though, to say the least.  When trying to put my finger as to "why" though, I was hard pressed to articulate the reasons.  Perhaps because I don't recognize most of the songs so I couldn't sing along (I love to sing along with good music - alone in the car of course!).  Perhaps I don't like Barry Manilow as much as I thought I did.  Regardless, except for the three duets with the three artists I mentioned above, I pretty much skipped through this entire CD.  However, I think if you are a die-hard Barry Manilow fan and are of an older generation, this CD may be for you.  Perhaps a late Mother's Day present for someone fitting that description in your life?  If so, read on for how to win a copy of your very own.  ♫

Biography of the artist: Smooth crooner Barry Manilow is best known for hits like "Mandy," "I Write the Songs," "Looks Like We Made It," and the tropical pop-disco smash "Copacabana." Though he is often derided by critics, it is estimated thought that he has sold around 75 million records in his four-decade career.

The giveaway: One lucky winners will win their own copy of Duets by Barry Manilow!

To win: Leave a comment here telling me who is the Barry Manilow fan in your life you want to win this for (even if it's you!) Be sure to leave your email address with your comment if you are not a blogger or your email is not easily found on your blog. This giveaway is open until 11:59 p.m., EST, Wednesday, May 11, 2011. Good Luck!

Bonus entries: Get up to 8 extra entries for a total of 9 entries (please leave a separate comment for each extra entry):

• "Like" Barry Manilow on Facebook (leave a comment with your Facebook name)
• Blog about this giveaway (don't forget to leave the link in your comment)
• Twitter, Stumble or Digg this giveaway (leave a comment with a link)
• Follow me on Twitter (leave a comment with your twitter id)
• Subscribe to my blog via RSS or Email (see top left sidebar)
• Add my button to your sidebar (leave your website address for verification)
• On Technorati - click on this link, then on Fan or Fav (or use the green link on the top left sidebar)
• Follow me on Blogger (see top left sidebar)

This review was sponsored by Arista/Legacy, a division of Sony Music Entertainment who provided a screener CD for review and a CD for giveaway. I was not compensated in any way except for the screener CD (unlabeled CD, no case, no value).

The Sound of Sunshine (music review & giveaway)

The Sound of Sunshine

Michael Franti and Spearhead

Audio CD (September 21, 2010)

Original Release Date: September 21, 2010

Number of Discs: 1

Label: Capitol

Product Description: The Sound Of Sunshine - the inspired and inspiring new album by Michael Franti And Spearhead - is a kind of musical sun shower, a bright, beautiful and often buoyant song cycle created to bring all kinds of listeners a sense of hope during rough and rainy times for so many in our world. In the mid-Nineties, Franti first formed Spearhead, and increasingly in recent years, he's found his own voice musically and his own organic brand of popular success.
 
Track Listing
1. The Sound Of Sunshine (Album Version)
2. Shake It featuring Lady Saw
3. Hey Hey Hey
4. Anytime You Need Me
5. I'll Be Waiting
6. Only Thing Missing Was You
7. Love Don't Wait
8. The Thing That Helps Me Get Through 
9. Gloria featuring Cherine Anderson
10. Headphones 
11. The Sound Of Sunshine Going Down
Biography: “Music is sunshine,” says Michael Franti, one of the most positive and conscious artists in music today. “Like sunshine, music is a powerful force that can instantly and almost chemically change your entire mood. Music gives us new energy and a stronger sense of purpose. “Music is something you can’t hold in your hands, smell it, taste it or even see it, yet somehow just coming together and feeling these little vibrations that tickle our eardrums can somehow lift us all up out of our most difficult moments in life to unimaginable heights.”

Franti’s singularly open spirit reflects his own eclectic and intriguing background. Michael was born to an Irish-German-French mother and an African American and American Indian father in Oakland, then adopted by a Finnish American couple who raised him along with their three biological children and another African American son. While studying at the University of San Francisco, Franti formed the punk band The Beatnigs, and later the far more hip hop-inflected The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy. Through it all, Franti has crossed all sorts of musical and physical boundaries in order to make music for everybody.
In the mid-Nineties, Franti first formed Spearhead, and increasingly in recent years, he’s found his own voice musically and his own organic brand of popular success. Franti and Spearhead’s last album, 2008’s All Rebel Rockers -- recorded in Jamaica with legendary producers and players Sly and Robbie – became the biggest hit of Franti’s career, hitting the Top 40 on the Billboard 200, and yielded his biggest hit, the Top 20 “Say Hey (I Love You).”


The recording process for The Sound Of Sunshine reflects Franti’s desire to communicate directly with his audience. “We started in Jamaica actually recording a bunch of tracks with Sly and Robbie who are, of course, great, and we used some of those tracks. Then we got home and started mixing the record. Then I went to Bali and wrote some more songs, but we still didn’t have it finished. So we said let’s bring a portable studio on the road with us. We’d literally recorded the drums in the locker room of the Toronto Raptors or in the shower of some NHL team. Then we’d go right onstage and play the song and see how other people would react to it. We’d see what worked and go back and record it again the next day. So these songs have really been road tested in front of live bodies.”

My take:  As a fan of Michael Franti's "Say Hey (I Love You)" I was eager to check out some more of his music.  I don't know exactly how you would classify his music - it's kind of reggae, kind of dance, but not really.  I read that USA Today said this album in particular is "full of Festival-friendly reggae pop grooves and radiant hope-filled songs."  Regardless of how you want to classify Michael's music, you will come away from this album with a smile on your face.  I asked to review it because I needed a little sunshine in my life and boy, did these songs ever deliver.  I defy you to listen to his music without tapping along with the beat (with the exception of the few slower songs, like "Headphones").  My daughter's favorite is SHAKE IT; me, I love the title track.  We have listened to this entire album over and over again, and it never gets old. A few of these are going on my work out play list for sure. If you are looking for a fun way to pick up your day (or week or month), take a listen to "Sound of Sunshine" today! See below for how to win your very own copy. 
The giveaway: One lucky winner will receive a copy of The Sound of Sunshine(US Address only please)! 

To win: Leave a comment here telling me the name of someone else in the Spearhead band.  Be sure to leave your email address with your comment if you are not a blogger or your email is not easily found on your blog. This giveaway is open until 11:59 p.m., EST, Thursday, May 12, 2011.  Good Luck!

Bonus entries: Get up to 8 extra entries for a total of 9 entries (please leave a separate comment for each extra entry):

• Like Michael Franti on Facebook and leave a comment on his wall that includes "CPA Mom sent me" (leave a comment here with your FB name-first name only is fine)
• Follow Michael Franti on Twitter (leave a comment here with your twitter id)
• Blog about this giveaway (don't forget to leave the link in your comment here)
• Twitter, Stumble or Digg this giveaway (be sure to use @CPAMom in your tweet)
• Subscribe to my blog via RSS or Email (see top left sidebar)
• Add my blog to your blogroll or my button to your sidebar (leave your website address for verification)
• On Technorati - click on this link, then on Fan or Fav (or use the green link on the top left sidebar)
• Follow me on Google Friend Connect (see top left sidebar) 

This post was written for Team Mom and EMI who provided the CD for review and giveaway. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary CD.

I am proud to be a member of Team Mom's "Music Moms" who sponsored this review.