Courtesy of ABC Family

Well, Taboo has gotten a brand new makeover including a new look and some new twists that will have everyone scrambling for just the right words. Playing the game is simple. First divide the group into 2 teams then put a stack of cards (colors facing the same way) into the card holder. Each team decides who will be the first “clue-giver” while the rest of the team has to guess the specific word on the card. But it’s not as easy as it seems. On the card is also a list of 5 words that you cannot use to describe the specific word. For example, if the word was NEEDLE you are not able to use the words – SEW, THREAD, EYE, SHARP, PINE. Each correct guess gets your team a point. The team with the most points wins!

While playing there’s also a buzzer (requires 2 AAA batteries – not included)  that the opposing team can press if they see that you’ve used an illegal word, gesture, or sound. The former buzzer made your traditional “buzz” noise but this new hilarious buzzer says, “Uh Oh!” Pressing that buzzer was almost as much fun as playing the actual game! There’s also a sand timer to make sure that game play progresses along at a steady pace.

However, for those of you who are familiar with Taboo you’ll appreciate a brand new element to the game. It’s called the Game-Changer Die. If you choose to include it in your game the clue-giver rolls the die during their turn to reveal one of the possible game changer elements:

• One Guesser – Choose only one teammate to be the guesser on your turn (instead of having the whole team shouting out guesses)
• Double the Time – Play through two timer cycles. However, the opposing team also gets to play through 2 cycles on their turn as well.
• Statue – The clue-giver has to sit perfectly while giving out clues.
• All Play – Both teams get to guess at the word. Whichever team guesses first gets the point.
• Classic Play – Play using the original Taboo rules.

This game is aimed for adults but Kacie (9) actually did very well and got more points than I did. Even Kiana (6) was able to guess some of the words (we picked out easy ones for her).

However, the best was when I played with a group of my co-workers. We had such a blast and we were laughing so hard that we kept running out of time! It’s surprising to see how your mind automatically thinks of the common words when describing something. Taboo forces you to think outside the box and see things from a different perspective.

Taboo – The game of unspeakable fun!

You can purchase Taboo at Amazon.com for $33.99.

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We recently had the opportunity to review My Little Pony Friendship is Magic: The Friendship Express DVD and in the past 2 days Kiana has watched the entire thing 4 times. She would have watched it more if I let her. This DVD runs for almost 2 hours and contains 4 great episodes each one sharing an important message of teamwork, caring, and of course friendship.

Friendship is Magic: In this episode, the benevolent Princess Celestia, ruler of Equestria, selects unicorn Twilight Sparkle for a very important assignment – to travel to Ponyville to learn about the most important magic of all: friendship. Twilight Sparkle is not happy with this journey since she has more important things on her mind including the speculated arrival of Nightmare Moon who vowed to instill everlasting night. Once in Ponyville, Twilight Sparkles reluctantly makes friends with five other ponies—Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity— and together they set off to obtain the Elements of Harmony and defeat Nightmare Moon. In the end, Twilight realizes that each of her new friends represents one of the Elements of Harmony, and that she herself is the final piece, Magic. Together they defeat Nightmare Moon and revert her back to her former self as Princess Luna, sister of Princess Celestia. The sisters are reunited and all is forgiven.

This two-part episode is the main feature of the DVD and introduces us to the main ponies in the series. This is a handy feature since I really had no idea who each one was. My favorite pony was Pinkie Pie because she reminded me so much of Kiana – always upbeat and talking non-stop. We also liked the main message of the story being that together you can accomplish the impossible. Each pony separate could not defeat Nightmare Moon but together they could save the world.

Over a Barrel: The ponies are headed by train to the town of Appleloosa where Applejack is donating one of her prized apple trees to be planted in the town’s orchard. During the journey a heard of buffalo hijack the train and the apple tree is lost along with Spike and 2 of the ponies. When the rest of the ponies reach the town they find out that the buffalo are upset by the orchard because it’s planted right on their traditional stampede ground. On the other hand, the town can’t survive without the apple trees.

In the end, the two groups come to an agreement where the town would make a stampede path through the orchard and feed the buffalo herd apple pies as they make their trek. In return, the buffalo will not object to the rest of the apple trees staying right where they are.

The message here is that working together can produce a solution that can be beneficial to all. A very important lesson for kids to learn.

Hearth’s Warming Eve: The ponies are getting together to put on a play – The Heart’s Warming Eve Pageant – which tells the history of ponykind and how Equestria was founded. Basically, the Earth Ponies grew food and used it as payment to Pegasi who controlled the weather. However, a large blizzard eventually destroys the crops and leaves a food shortage behind. The head of each pony tribe attend a meeting but a solution cannot be found. So each pony leader decides to go off on their own and claim new land. However, what they don’t realize is that they all end up claiming the same land. Another argument begins and another blizzard returns freezing each of the pony leaders.

Eventually, each of the pony leaders’ advisors decide that it was the leaders who brought the blizzard onto themselves. The advisors decided to sing songs and tell stories which eventually melts the ice – and defrosts the leaders. In the end, all the tribes learn that friendship can overcome grief.

The Last Roundup: Applejack is a pony with lots of prize winning ribbons. So when she sets off to compete in the Canterlot Rodeo, her friends set out to plan a wonderful homecoming party for her. To their surprise, Applejack does not return from the rodeo and instead sends a note saying that she won’t be coming back to Ponyville.

The friends then set off in search of Applejack to find out what happened. They find her working at a cherry farm and they jump in to help while trying to convince Applejack to return home. They bombard her with questions until she finally admits that she didn’t win in the rodeo and feels like a failure. She’s too embarrassed to return home after they all had such high hopes for her. Of course, the friends didn’t care if she won or not. They just want their friend to come home . . . which she does.

Pre-Order/Purchase your copy of My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic: The Friendship Express at Amazon.com for $9.99. Available on February 28th.

This post was written for Hasbro & Shout! Factory who provided the complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.

It started out as a beautiful sunny day and the girls were thrilled to be out of the house. When we got to the plantation we decided to first take a stroll through the Plantation Garden which is divided into 8 different areas – North Shore, Hibiscus, Lei, Native Species, Bromeliads, Irrigation, Ti Leaf, & Life on the Plantation. Here we saw some beautiful flowers and landscaping.

Dole Plantation is also home to the World’s Largest Maze according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

It usually takes 45 – 60 minutes to complete the entire thing and Kacie was determined to give it a try. However, going through the graveled maze with a stroller was not really my idea of fun so I gave Kacie 30 minutes to go through as much as she could. Luckily, they give you a little map (and I mean little) in case you get lost.

photo courtesy of Dole Plantation

Then we were off to ride the Pineapple Express. This 20-minute 2 mile ride takes you along actual pineapple fields as well as other fields like mango, papaya, sugar cane, and lychee. You’ll also see the actual equipment that was used during harvest season. There is a recorded narrative tour that explained the history of farming in Hawaii as well as some great tunes from Manoa DNA.

And what would a visit to Dole Plantation be without some Dole Whip with fresh pineapples?

You can also browse through the gift shop where you’ll find Hawaiian souvenirs, local food items, gift ideas, and more.

Kiana decided to get a bracelet with her name engraved on it.

Kacie wanted her name painted into a sign.

Kaila got a smiley-faced stuffed Pineapple.

It was a long day filled with rich Hawaiian history, good food (the teri-burgers were awesome!), beautiful scenery, and lots of fun for the girls. It’s a great place for the whole family!

Individuals, who “like” cable’s Diversity on Demand Facebook page will see Black History programming updates and links to trailers and be alerted to various entertainment and blogger giveaways during the promotion. This will be an online destination where anyone interested in multicultural shows and movies can join to engage with others in the community, and learn more about what Diversity on Demand has to offer. Cable will celebrate multicultural programming throughout the year with contests, polls, trivia, trailers and more.

“The cable industry recognizes its responsibility and privilege to use the reach and influence of television, the Internet and mobile apps to spotlight important issues,” said Char Beales, president and CEO, Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM). “Cable companies and content providers are uniting to provide customers with the opportunity to experience multiculturalism through history, drama, comedy, and even the joy of food. This February, Black History Month comes alive in the home instantly with a click of the remote, and cable looks forward to sharing the Hispanic experience with customers later this fall.”

Black History Month programming for Diversity On Demand includes:

• Milestones in Black History: A look at the history of the struggles and strife, the tragedies and the triumphs of African-Americans in the U.S., including programming on the Civil Rights era. Everyone in the family can learn with documentaries like “The Black List” examining some of the reasons for Black History Month. And children young and old can take a trip back in time understanding the importance of historical events with “Seizing Justice: The Greensboro 4,” “On the Shoulders of Giants” and “Birds of a Feather: Tuskegee Airmen.”

• Profiles in Courage: The biographies of influential African-Americans come to life with dramatic profiles and stories of acclaimed leaders and others who are not so well known—but perhaps should be, such as that of Lena Baker in “Hope & Redemption: The Lena Baker Story.”

• Dramas: Programs and movies like “Independence Day” showcasing award-worthy performances from notable African-American actors such as Will Smith. You can also explore and share real-life family relationship dramas like “Braxton Family Values.”

• Hearth & Home: Savor shows like “Down Home with the Neelys” that provide a look at food and other aspects of modern African-American culture and society.

• Of the People: These programs exemplify the contributions made by multicultural talent, shows written by, starring, directed or produced by African-Americans, like Morgan Freeman in “Million Dollar Baby.”

• Powerful Portrayals: Storytelling has always been an important part of African-American culture. Drama fans can enjoy Black cinema offerings, which chronicle the challenges of African-American protagonists in a variety of ways.

• That’s Entertainment: Laugh along with comedy specials such as “Chris Rock: Bigger and Blacker,” while romantic comedies warm the heart. If music is your thing, there are shows and movies such as “Ray,” the remarkable story of one of America’s true musical geniuses, Ray Charles, that look into the past, present music-making of African-American artists.

So celebrate Black History Month with On Demand today!

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A classic love story unfolds in the best Disney tradition as a lovely young pedigree cocker spaniel named Lady, who lives a pampered life, finds herself falling romantically for Tramp, an amorous street-smart pooch without prospects. Although they have fun together on several dates, including a sentimental spaghetti dinner by moonlight at Tony’s restaurant, their relationship is strained not only by Lady’s loyalty to her human family and their newborn baby, but by Tramp’s devil-may-care attitude that eventually gets Lady in trouble and tossed into the dog pound. However, good-hearted Tramp redeems himself by saving the baby from potential harm and thus wins Lady’s love and the affection of her human family.

Lady and the Tramp is probably one of the very first Disney movies that I saw as a kid. Who can forget that romantic spaghetti eating scene between the two love birds? Of course, my favorite scene was when the Siamese cats move into Lady’s home and cause all kinds of havoc in which Lady was blamed for. I loved their Chinese accents!

My kids really enjoyed watching Lady and the Tramp and actually sat still for pretty much the entire film. It even held Kaila’s attention and she loved when Lady was a puppy. She kept saying, “Awww” when Lady first arrived on Christmas morning. Kiana, on the other hand, was really interested in the Dog Pound scene. I had to explain to her about stray animals and pet adoptions and how important it is to help stray animals find good homes. They also liked the ending which proves that even dogs can live happily ever after.

There are also some cool bonus features included in this Blu-ray & DVD Combo:

Blu-ray Bonus:  

• Disney Second Screen: Inside Walt’s Story Meetings*
• Audio Commentary: Inside Walt’s Story Meetings
• Diane Disney Miller: Remembering Dad
• Three Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scenes
• Never Recorded Song: “I’m Free as the Breeze”

Classic DVD Bonus: 

• Lady’s Pedigree: The Making of Lady and the Tramp
• Finding Lady: The Art of the Storyboard
• Original 1943 Storyboard Version of the Film
• PuppyPedia: Going to the Dogs
• “The Siamese Cat Song,” Finding a Voice for the Cats
• “Bella Notte” Music Video

DVD Bonus:  

• Diane Disney Miller: Remembering Dad
• PuppyPedia: Going to the Dogs

Digital Bonus:

• Diane Disney Miller: Remembering Dad
• Three Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scenes
• PuppyPedia: Going to the Dogs

Our favorite bonus feature was PuppyPedia which stars Fred Willard as he takes to the dog park to interview various breeds of dogs and their owners. The girls enjoyed learning about the different classes of dogs (there are 7) and seeing them in action.

All in all, the girls loved watching Lady and the Tramp and we’ve actually watched it twice already today. I’m so glad that Disney is bringing back these classic tales so my daughters can share in the wonderful memories of when I was a child.

Pre-order/Purchase Lady and the Tramp (Diamond Edition Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo in Blu-ray Packaging) at Amazon.com for $24.99. Available on February 7th.

This post was written for Walt Disney Video who provided the complimentary copy in exchange for our honest review.

Build-a-Bear Workshop recently introduced two new fun packs perfect for goody bags and party gifts. The first is a Build-a-Bear Workshop Fun Pack plus Furry Friend which are available at your local Target, Walmart, Toys R Us and other retailers where you probably shop often. This is great news for us since Hawaii no longer has Build-a-Bear Workshop stores. The other is Build-a-Bear Workshop Trading Card Fun Packs which have also just hit the shelves in BABW stores.

The Build-a-Bear Workshop Fun Pack plus Furry Friend ($5.99) comes with a Furry Friend, shirt, fabric stickers, trading cards, activity card, and a Bearville.com code that you can use online. It also includes the steps to conduct your own Heart Ceremony just like they do in the stores.

The Build-a-Bear Workshop Trading Card Fun Packs ($1.99) includes 3 trading cards, 2 activity cards, 1 card with various temporary tattoos, and an online code to be used on the website.

Each trading card comes with a great color photo of the furry friend along with details like their name, status (active, retired, specialty), physical characteristics, personality trait, and a fun fact. They’re brightly colored and are fun to collect and trade!

The activity cards that we received were a “Can you find?” card where you had to find 6 hidden objects in a scene and a “Scratch-Offs” days of the week card where you’ll find a hidden message like “Speak Bear Latin by using the word bear in every sentence. It’s Beary fun!”

The kids had so much fun playing with the little furry friend and trading cards amongst each other. And since we can now purchase these locally I know we’ll be adding to our collective very soon. It’s a Beary good time!

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DINOSAUR TRAIN is an educational and inspiring preschool series that has been a prominent source of fostering early childhood development while entertaining millions of 3-6-year-olds since it premiered in 2009. The series’ mission is to introduce kids to paleontology and the natural sciences. The new “Weather Week” episodes have a special focus on extreme weather conditions and how these forces of nature affect different environments and the animals that live there. Viewers will also learn what action to take in the case of extreme weather and how to stay safe during a variety of different weather events.

Throughout the week of February 6-10, 2012 new storylines will follow Buddy and his Pteranodon family as they experience extreme weather conditions first hand (check local listings).

“The Earthquake / Nursery Car”

Premieres Monday, February 6 and repeats on Friday February 10

The kids experience their first earthquake when Mom takes them on a playdate to see Tank Triceratops in the desert! Mom and the Conductor have prepared the kids with excellent advice about what to do in an earthquake so everyone does fine. Then the Dinosaur Train adds a Nursery Car to safely carry dinosaur eggs while their expectant moms and dads wait for them to hatch.

“The Forest Fire / The Lost Bird”

Premieres Tuesday, February 7

A forest fire comes to woods not far from the family nest. The Conductor takes them to visit a nearby area where a fire has already been, to see how new life is growing back. The Buddy

and Tiny ride the Dinosaur Train for a playdate with their old friend Petey Peteinosaurus, and learn that the train has added a new Aviary Car, for their various flying passengers.

“Dry Times at Pteranodon Terrace / Big Misty Sea Fishing Contest”

Premieres Wednesday, February 8

When the weather is extremely dry for several weeks, all the water holes at Pteranodon Terrace dry up! The family decides to camp out at the Big Pond, where they will wait out the drought and return home when it rains again. Then, Dad competes in the big annual Fishing Contest where he tries to catch Chester, the biggest fish in the Big Misty Sea.

“Hurricane at Pteranodon Terrance / Rafting the Cretaceous”

Premieres Thursday, February 9

When a huge rainstorm over Pteranodon Terrace turns into a hurricane the family seeks shelter with their neighbors in a warm, dry cave. In the morning, the storm has passed, but everyone must pitch in to rebuild their nests. When they meet two new friends who crossed the sea in the storm, they help them get back home on the Dinosaur Train.

The Jim Henson Company is also encouraging DINOSAUR TRAIN fans to join the “Nature Trackers Club.” Kids and their parents can visit http://www.pbs.org/parents/dinosaurtrain/naturetrackers/ to download “Nature Trackers” activities and receive a free DINOSAUR TRAIN surprise to celebrate their achievement.

Information courtesy of The Jim Henson Company

To help moms brush up on their germ knowledge, germ expert Dr. Benjamin Tanner has partnered with Playtex and put together seven tips addressing simple things moms can do to maintain a clean and healthy nursery!

• Disinfect germ hot spots (floor, changing table, toys and laundry hamper) at least once a day to kill any harmful bacteria that may be lurking. Make sure to focus on these key areas more than others when disinfecting in the nursery.

• Develop a mess-free changing routine that incorporates the Diaper Genie Elite^® Disposal System. Its built-in antimicrobial protection inhibits odor causing bacteria, and its convenient foot pedal makes for an easy, hands-free disposal, helping to minimize the spread of germs in the number one germ hotspot in the nursery: the changing table.

• Water isn’t always available during a change! Make sure to always keep hand sanitizer or wipes, like Wet Ones, nearby— which will kill 99.99 percent of bacteria on surfaces and your hands.

• Use an EPA-registered disinfectant when cleaning and always allow it to remain wet for 5-10 minutes before wiping to let it do its job. Afterwards, wipe the surface down with water to get rid of any chemical residue that may irritate your baby’s skin.

• Keep a separate hamper in the nursery specifically for heavily soiled baby laundry. These clothes should be washed using hot water, which will help prevent bacteria from spreading in the wash.

• The belief that exposing children to germs strengthens the immune system is a major misconception. Germ exposure should always be avoided!

• Recognize that there’s no such thing as the 5-second rule! Germ transfer is instantaneous and items should be disinfected before being given back to baby.

“In a typical day most moms spend three or more hours in the nursery with their little ones[ii], which makes it essential that it’s a clean place,” said Carolyn Turoczi, Brand Manager at Playtex. “Creating a space that is as germ free as possible doesn’t need to be an overwhelming task. In fact, using the Diaper Genie Elite® Disposal System is a perfect way to help moms establish a less messy diaper changing routine, which is especially important as the changing table is the number one way germs are transferred to baby’s skin.”

For more of Dr. Tanner’s tips and information about the Diaper Genie Elite® Disposal System, visit www.playtexbaby.com. Or visit the Playtex Baby Facebook Page to test your own germ knowledge and have the chance to win great prizes.

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