Night At The Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian *Giveaway*

Night At The Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian arrives Blu-ray Disc/DVD Combo Pack (Blu-ray, DVD and a Digital Copy) and for a limited time only a Monkey Mischief double DVD on December 1 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Perfect for the whole family at an affordable price, the Blu-ray Disc/DVD Combo Pack offers a variety of options including a BD, standard DVD and Digital Copy of the film that can be transferred to any portable media device.

History is larger than life—and twice as funny—in this monumental comedy sequel that’s “better than the original” (At the Movies)! Ben Stiller leads an all-star cast (including Amy Adams, Owen Wilson, Hank Azaria and Robin Williams) as Larry Daley, a former night watchman at the Museum of Natural History, where the exhibits come to life after dark. But now Larry’s nocturnal friends are being retired to the archives of the Smithsonian Institution, luring him back for a hilarious, all-out battle against museum misfits who plan to take over the Smithsonian…and the world!

I actually watched this during one of my flights in September. I believe Hubby was with me and we paid the dollar for the ear buds to listen to the movie. I laughed at many of the scenes.

“I received a product for this review on behalf of the company. All opinions are solely my own. Others who may use this product or service may have different opinions.”

FIVE (5) winners will each receive a Night At The Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian  Blu-ray Disc/DVD Combo Pack. Enter at http://mommymandy.com/night-at-the-museum-battle-of-the-smithsonian-giveaway/

Holiday Memories Festive Felt Stocking from Creativity For Kids *Giveaway @ MommyMandy*

My kids love the fun kits from Creativity For Kids. Recently they received the Holiday Memories Festive Felt Stocking and we all had fun decorating a stocking for my partner for the Stocking Swap.

Personalize this whimsical felt stocking with peel and stick felt appliques and festive embellishments. Includes mini stocking, too. Perfect for stuffing with holiday treats, our ample stocking measures 10 1/2″ x 13″ and includes a ribbon hanging loop.

Age Range : Family Project

What I love about this kit is the stocking is already put together, so no gluing or sewing! YAY! All the pieces are self adhesive and actually stick. I tried to move a star but it wouldn’t budge.

This is a really fun kit that any child would love to have.

“I received a product for this review on behalf of the company. All opinions are solely my own. Others who may use this product or service may have different opinions.”

You can enter to win at  http://mommymandy.com/holiday-memories-festive-felt-stocking-from-creativity-for-kids-giveaway/

The Nutcracker and the Mouse King

Yesterday Samantha’s school went on a field trip to go see the Nutcracker. Well, not the entire school only three grades went, but we pulled Sam from class so she could see it.

My girls LOVE watching The Nutcracker and every Christmas they beg me to read the The Nutcracker and the Mouse King on a daily basis. If you don’t know the story of The Nutcracker then I highly recommend you buy the book and get the movie!

About the Author

Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure

Audiences around the globe re-discovered and fell in
love with one of the world’s most iconic characters, as Walt Disney Pictures launched the breathtaking origin story of a beloved character in the fantastic all-new animated adventure — Tinker Bell, the debut film in the exciting new “Disney Fairies” movie series. The delightful tale thrilled audiences of all ages, soaring to reach the year’s number one spot as the biggest Direct- To-DVD release of 2008.* Releasing on October 27, 2009, the enchanting pixie-dusted tale continues in an even more action-packed adventure, as Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure delightfully expands the world of fairies and takes Tink far beyond Pixie Hollow in an original full-
length CG animated film that flies to Blu-ray (“Combo Pack” Blu-ray +DVD) and standard def DVD.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (WDSHE) also announced today that the wondrous
adventures will continue in a fifth installment beyond the previously announced four films with
Tinker Bell: Race Through the Seasons (working title), which is currently in development by
DisneyToons Studios and is directed by Bobs Gannaway.

In the original Tinker Bell, for the first time ever, fans heard Tink’s voice, met her fabulous fairy
friends, got a glimpse into the world of Pixie Hollow and learned about her true origins and the
unexplainable, mystical wonders of nature. Produced by DisneyToon Studios, Tinker Bell and
the Lost Treasure is the highly anticipated second film in the continuing Disney Fairies
Franchise and a captivating story that continues the overwhelmingly popular adventures through
breathtaking animation, spectacular music and an all-star cast of voice talents.

In Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure Tinker Bell’s greatest adventure yet takes place in
Autumn, as the fairies are on the mainland changing the colors of the leaves, tending to
pumpkin patches, and helping geese fly south for the winter. The rare Blue Moon will rise, and
when its light passes through the magical Fall Scepter that Tinker Bell has been summoned to
create, Pixie Hollow’s supply of pixie dust will be restored. But when Tinker Bell accidentally
puts all of Pixie Hollow in jeopardy, she must venture out across the sea on a secret quest to set
things right.

Along her journey Tink meets new friends, including Blaze, a cute and courageous firefly that
helps Tinker Bell complete her mission. It’s a long and dangerous journey, full of astonishing
encounters, a few narrow escapes and a daring rescue by Tink’s friend Terence. Tinker Bell
and the Lost Treasure is an exciting adventure and a once-in-a-blue-moon experience for the
entire family.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has created an interactive meet and greet at Walt Disney World
and Disneyland Resort with walkaround characters of Tinker Bell, Fawn, Iridessa, Rosetta, and
Silvermist, producing a popular environment for park visitors to meet their favorite fairies.

The story of Tinker Bell comes to life in the spectacular production of Disney On Ice presents
Worlds of Fantasy. Currently in the second year of its US tour, this Disney On Ice show reveals
the mystical world of Pixie Hollow and the arrival of Tinker Bell, as well as three other classic
Disney stories: Disney/Pixar’s Cars, The Lion King and The Little Mermaid.

Disney Online recently introduced Disney Fairies Pixie Hollow (www.PixieHollow.com), an
online destination where fans can experience the wonder and magic of Tinker Bell’s world. In
Pixie Hollow, guests can create their very own personalized Fairy and help bring about the
change of seasons by making friends, playing games and embarking on quests. To date, more
than 16 million Fairies have been created.

Slated for release the same day as Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure, Disney Fairies: Tinker
Bell and the Lost Treasure for Nintendo DS from Disney Interactive Studios follows last year’s
release of Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell for Nintendo DS. According to NPD data, Disney Fairies:
Tinker Bell continuously ranked in the top five adventure genre DS games from October –
December of 2008.The new video game mirrors the upcoming movie’s storyline and also lets
players create and customize up to five of their own Fairies. The game also allows players to
experience new levels of integration with the www.PixieHollow.com virtual world from Disney Online,
including the ability to upload a Fairy avatar and various gatherables from the DS game to the
virtual world.

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Both the Blu-ray and DVD have magical bonus features including animated “scenes you never
saw,” a guide to Pixie Hollow, and much more, offering viewers an extraordinary trip deep inside
the enchanted world of Pixie Hollow.

Bonus Materials:
• Scenes You Never Saw – These fairy funny alternate scenes did not make it into the
movie.
• Magical Guide to Pixie Hollow – Tinker Bell and Terence are your guides as you explore
the autumn area of Pixie Hollow.
• Deleted Scenes with Filmmaker Introductions – Play deleted scenes with optional intros
by Director Klay Hall and Producer Sean Lurie.
• Pixie Hollow Comes To Florida – Discover how the filmmakers helped transform Epcot
into Pixie Hollow.

“I received a product for this review on behalf of the company above. All opinions are solely my own. Others who may use this product or service may have different opinions.”

TWO (2) winners will each receive the Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure Combo pack, and each winner will receive a pair of Tink wings!

You can enter at MommyMandy

Perfect Holiday Movies (Combo Packs)

I am officially in love with DVD Combo Packs! If you don’t know what Combo Packs are, they are DVDs that include both a Blu Ray Disc, a regular DVD disc and sometimes a bonus disc (extra features or movie download).

I have three new DVD Combo Packs that are perfect stocking stuffers this year!

A Charlie Brown Christmas
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!

Warner Home Video brings some of your all-time favorite animated holiday television specials on Blu-ray hi-def format for the first time! On October 6, 2009, WHV released “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” and “Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!” as combo packs that will also include a bonus DVD with the standard definition version of the special and a bonus digital copy.

The holidays just wouldn’t be the same without Charlie Brown’s bittersweet story about his trying to find the true meaning of Christmas. First broadcast in 1965, the timeless A Charlie Brown Christmas TV special instantly became a critical and commercial success. The Emmy® and Peabody Award winning classic follows Charlie Brown as he suffers from a case of the holiday blues after he realizes how commercial Christmas has become. While visiting Lucy at her psychiatric booth, she advises he direct the school’s Nativity play as a means to cope with his frustration.

When he arrives at rehearsals, he’s further aggravated when all the kids want to do is modernize the play. Charlie Brown remains steadfast in keeping the play traditional. His remedy is to include a Christmas tree as a way to capture the proper mood, however, all Charlie Brown is able to find is a short, spindly tree, prompting criticism from his classmates. As he begins to second guess himself, Linus saves the moment when he takes the spotlight, recites verses describing the Nativity and effortlessly manages to capture the true essence of the holiday.

A Charlie Brown Christmas Blu-ray bonus material:

* A Christmas Miracle: The Making of A Charlie Brown Chris tmas – An in-depth look at how the producers brought a newspaper comic strip to animated life in a new medium. Under tense pressure and with many doubters, the show creators were able to create Peanuts in a new medium and make the show a smash success.
* It’s Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown – Bonus episode which is the second Christmas-themed Peanuts episode since A Charlie Brown Christmas. Originally airing in 1992, this special is comprised of several Christmas-themed story lines involving the Peanuts gang.

Originally adapted from the 1957 children’s book, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! tells the story of how the Grinch, a bitter, cave-dwelling creature, attempts to sabotage Christmas for all the merry and warm-hearted denizens of Whoville.

As all the Whos in Whoville prepare to celebrate Christmas, the Grinch schemes to halt all noisy holiday celebrations by stealing Christmas trees and presents, presuming this will sadden all the Whos in Whoville. However, when Christmas morning finally arrives, all the Whos in Whoville are glad and sing in spite of not having a tree, presents or holiday feast. This leads the Grinch to think of something he hadn’t before, that perhaps “Christmas doesn’t come from a store — maybe Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more!”

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is narrated by Boris Karloff (Frankenstein, The Mummy) and directed by animation legend Chuck Jones (Looney Tunes, What’s Opera, Doc?). The story was originally adapted to television as an animated TV special and was highly praised by audiences and film animation fans alike. It has been re-broadcast numerous times since its debut, with annual airings continuing to the present day. The original book was considered among one of Dr. Seuss’ finest works for children.

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Blu-ray bonus material:

* From Whoville to Hollywood – A rapping, rhyming chronical of the original book and this beloved animated adaptation.
* Songs in the Key of Grinch – Interviews with composer Albert Hague and vocalist Thurl Ravenscroft.
* Who’s Who in Whoville – Biography Gallery.
* Grinch Song Selections – Go right to your favorite songs. Includes: Opening Song, Trim Up the Tree, Welcome, Christmas and You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch.
* TNT’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas Featurette – With Phil Hartman.
* Grinch Pencil Test
* Making Animation and Bringing it to Life – audio commentary with animator Phil Roman and June Foray.

Messages of peace, love and goodwill, are also imparted in the captivating, Peabody Award-winning animated television special Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who! Also adapted from the published work of Dr. Seuss, this enchanting special was also produced by renowned animator Chuck Jones.

Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who! tells the story of a charming elephant named Horton who while frolicking in the jungle one day, hears a plea for help from Dr. Hoovey, resident professor of science of Whoville, a tiny planet no bigger than a speck of dust, which is inhabited by the microscopic Whos.

Horton happily obliges to take care of the tiny Whos proclaiming “after all, a person is a person, no matter how small” and lays the teeny speck of dust on a clover blossom. Horton’s jungle companions, however, claim he’s “flipped his lid.” They steal the clover and drop it into a great big patch of clovers over 100 miles wide! Horton, keeping his promise to protect the little Whos, laboriously searches the entire field in order to prevent their demise.

Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who! Blu-ray bonus material:

* Two More Delightful Dr. Seuss Animated Stories: Dr. Seuss’ Butter Battle Book and Daisy-Head Mayzie.
* In Search of Dr. Seuss Documentary – The story of Seuss’s life is told via celebrity skits, music and animated clips from many of his best-loved stories. Hosted by Kathy Najimy.
* Singalong Music Video – You Can Hear Horton, Horton Can Hear You!

“For many, the holidays would not be the same without these timeless classics. They’ve grown to become true masterpieces of American pop culture and we feel it’s important they are preserved so that future generations can enjoy them. That is why we’ve taken steps to re-master and transfer these classics to high definition format,” said Amit Desai, WHV Vice President of Family, Animation & Partner Brands Mark eting. He added, “We think consumers will be really pleased with the outcome. The picture quality is remarkable, and consumers will truly feel like they’re watching a traditional classic through a new set of eyes.”

“I received a product for this review on behalf of the company. All opinions are solely my own. Others who may use this product or service may have different opinions.”

CitiBlocs

My family and I are having a lot of fun with CitiBlocs. We have all made fun towers and buildings.

100 Piece Wooden Building Set • $27.50
If the beginner set just isn’t enough, consider this introductory set of 100 high quality blocks made from New Zealand pine. Each precision cut building piece can be transformed into a tower, an animal, a widget, a masterpiece!