Wordgirl Vs. the Energy Monster

Released: May 14, 2013

Studio: PBS

Running Time: 50 minutes

WORDGIRL and her sidekick CAPTAIN HUGGY FACE fight the good fight against dastardly villains and bad vocabulary in this thrilling collection!

Dinner Or Consequences (Parts 1 & 2): Dr. Two Brains and the Energy Monster want to turn the whole city into cheese! It’s up to WordGirl to stop them even if it means missing her family feast and facing the consequences.

Best Fan Club Meeting Ever: TJ plans to divulge a secret about WordGirl to International WordGirl Fan Club members, until Tobey threatens to destroy the clubhouse. Will WordGirl save the clubhouse and her fans?

Day at the Museum: Scoops takes Becky, Bob, and Violet to the museum to find inspiration for his next news story. When they go in search of a haunted treasure, The Butcher follows right behind! WordGirl enriches vocabulary skills, fosters better reading comprehension and instills a love of language in all children.

Honestly Wordgirl is a show I didn’t think my kids would like or get, but I was wrong.  I think they have seen it before on PBS but having a whole DVD was perfect for them.  If you (or your child) has never seen Wordgirl, it is a show where a girl is both a regular girl and a superhero, along with her sidekick who is a monkey!  The show is all about vocabulary words with it teaching eight new vocabulary words in the four episodes.  I am amazed at how my kids pay attention to this show even though the main character is a girl and its about words, I guess they haven’t realized I want them to watch it because its educational!  What is great though about the vocabulary words is that not only do the characters use the words but they explain they explain the words.  My boys even repeat them and I think they are understanding them.  The show is also unlike other animated shows though which is a nice break.

BUY IT: You can buy “Wordgirl Vs. the Energy Monster“ wherever DVDs are sold for a suggested retail price of $19.99.

WIN IT:  (1) US winner will receive the DVD ”Wordgirl Vs. the Energy Monster”

Need help entering a giveaway?  Check out my blog post for some help!

GIVEAWAY ENTRY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Quest for the Crystal Mickey

Released: May 21, 2013

Studio: Disney

Running Time: 126 minutes

Join Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and all their pals in the newest Clubhouse crusade. When the legendary Crystal Mickey
goes missing, Mickey and friends go on an adventure to save the Clubhouse from losing its magic. Grab your hat,
buckle your seatbelt, and get ready to embark on a thrilling adventure in “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: The Quest for
the Crystal Mickey!”

There’s no time to lose after greedy Plunderin’ Pete snatches the legendary Crystal Mickey statue from the Clubhouse. Without this sparkly statue’s magic, the Clubhouse will disappear forever!

Can the world’s most extraordinary hero “Kansas City Mickey,” get the magical statue back in time? Only with help from young viewers at home…and the right Mouseketools can Mickey journey across the Sandy Desert, brave the Rushing River and make his way through the Hidden Jungle. But watch out for Pete’s trickiest traps!

While my boys are starting to watch the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse show less and less as they get older, this DVD got them hooked again.  They recently watched some of Indiana Jones and have been obsessed with him.  Having Mickey be an adventurer like Indiana Jones was so cool to them.  I thought the episode was super cute and didn’t mind watching it.  It did feel though like a movie and was a refreshing episode to watch.  Now in case your wondering, this DVD features episodes of the show, not a whole movie.

• Quest for the Crystal Mickey
• Donald of the Desert
• Donald the Genie
• Goofy’s Coconutty Monkey
• Goofy’s Giant Adventure

The “Quest for the Crystal Mickey” is just one episode on the DVD, along with four others.  They are all episodes that your child may have seen on tv already but I love how they are all on one DVD.  It is nice to be able to put on this wholesome show whenever your child wants it.  Honestly we have a few other Mickey Mouse Clubhouse DVDs and this is my favorite because of the Quest for the Crystal Mickey episode.  It is just such a fun episode full of the gang going on an adventurer against sneaky Pete.  Very cute and age appropriate for preschoolers.

BUY IT: You can buy “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Quest for the Crystal Mickey“ wherever DVDs are sold for a suggested retail price of $19.99.

WIN IT:  (1) US/CAN winner will receive the DVD ”Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Quest for the Crystal Mickey”

Need help entering a giveaway?  Check out my blog post for some help!

GIVEAWAY ENTRY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

(Click on the Image to Enter Giveaway that ENDS TONIGHT!

Soft Scrub Mold & Mildew Gel (2 Winners Ends 5/24)

Chick-fil-A Free Salad Coupons (Ends 5/24)

• Book “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Raising Kids on the Spectrum” ( US/CAN Ends 5/27)

• Pampers Diapers & Wipes (Ends 5/27)

• Ergo Comfort Rug by GelPro (Ends 5/27)

• Mother’s Day Prize Pack -$130 Value (Ends 5/27)

• Book “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Raising Kids on the Spectrum” ( US/CAN Ends 5/27)

• The Young Scientists Club Kit (Ends 5/27)

• $50 Visa GC & Frito-Lay Prize Pack (Ends 5/29)

• Bratz Doll (Ends 5/31)

• DVD “Pocoyo: Pocoyo’s World” (Ends 5/31)

• $50 Visa GC (Ends 5/31)

• Caillou Bath Time Activity Set (Ends 5/31)

• Little Caesars $15 GC (Ends 6/3)

• Red Robin $25 GC (Ends 6/5)

• Bkeepsakes Personalized Children’s Book (Ends 6/5)

• Book “Because I’m Your Dad” (Ends 6/5)

• “Lots and Lots of” Trucks & More DVDs (Ends 6/5)

• Cool Radz Candy & Dispensers (Ends 6/5)

• Monster High Prize Pack (Ends 6/5)

Disclosure: This post contains my affiliate links.

Check out York Photo for a Free Father’s Day Mug. Plus get 40 free prints!

Guaranteed Father’s Day delivery if ordered by May 31, 2013!

• Use Code: MYMUG
• Expires: June 15
• New Customers Only
• Shipping: Starts At $5.99

The rules are quite simple: by (1.) submitting an entry and (2.) “liking” the TOMY Facebook Fan Page, you are automatically entered into the contest.

One grand-prize winner will receive 14 products from the Spring 2013 TOMY Pokémon product line worth approximately $200!

The first-place prize is a Pokémon Center Play ‘n’ Store Case and twenty (20) 2-inch Pokémon figures to fill the case worth approximately $90.

The second-place prize is a Pokédex Trainer Kit with a suggested retail price of $19.99.

The sweepstakes ends June 3rd so make sure you head over and enter!  Simply complete an official entry found at http://a.pgtb.me/2bdZwn and you may win one of 76 prizes available!

Disclosure:  This post contains my affiliate links.

Sign up for our FREE newsletter & become a member of Pillsbury’s Not-So-Secret-Club! You’ll get coupon savings up to $250 per year, exclusive club member offers, our best recipes, & more!

Disclosure:  This sponsored post was written by Taylor Braxton, a Melbourne writer who specializes in Australia-related travel. She has visited Phillip Island every year with her family since she was a child and still isn’t tired of the penguin parade.

Phillip Island is a sightseeing paradise for petrolheads and wildlife lovers alike. Watch the fairy penguin parade, or view fur seals on the island’s coastlines. Take a tent and camp with your family. Or, thrill at the motorsports races the island offers on its Grand Prix Circuit, including MotoGP, Superbike and Supercar events.

Only two hours away from Melbourne, Phillips Island is an ideal side trip when visiting the Victorian capital, but there’s enough to do on the island to justify spending a whole trip devoted to its attractions. The island has several townships offering food and lodging; the biggest one is Cowes. Because it’s a popular weekend destination for Melbournians, searching online accommodation options is wise in the summer months or if a popular motorsports event will take place during your visit.

Penguins “Parade” to Onlookers’ Delight

One of the most unique sights for Phillip Island visitors is the penguin parade. Every night the colony of little penguins trudge up the sand from the sea to their nests. And, every evening, visitors to Phillip Island assemble to watch their commute. To protect the penguins, there are limited spaces available for onlookers, but it is possible to pay a little extra to watch the penguins from a better vantage point. The island’s Penguin Foundation estimates that there are 32,000 penguins living on its shores. And, it’s estimated that a half million human viewers come to watch this natural show every year.

Little penguins are the smallest of the penguin species, and they are found mostly in Australia and New Zealand. Some call them “fairy penguins,” due to their size, or “blue penguins,” due to their bluish feathers. They spend all of their day in the water foraging for food, which mainly consists of fish and squid.

If seeing families of penguins waddle to their nests isn’t enough cuteness for one trip, make an excursion to the Nobbies Centre or Koala Conservation Centre. The Nobbies Centre focuses on Australian fur seals and other marine life of the region. Seals live on some of the small rocky outcroppings visible from the centre. The Koala Conservation Centre lets visitors get up close in koalas’ natural habitat, using tree-top boardwalks for access. While emphasising koalas, the grounds of the conservation centre are also home to plenty of echidnas and wallabies.

Racing Sports Feed the Need for Speed

Nature lovers flock to Phillip Island because of its penguins, seals and koalas, but racing enthusiasts get their enjoyment at the Motor Racing Circuit.

The first Grand Prix to be held on the island was in the 1920s, and since then the locals have added infrastructure and marketing to the mix, making Philip Island a top destination for motorsports. Now, self-billed as the “home of Australian motorcycle racing,” the track hosts the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix. In 2013, the race will be held 18-20 October, and it’s expected that the event will attract spectators and riders from around the world. The island has also hosted the Superbike championship, which pits high-performance street bikes from different manufacturers against one another.

If your taste runs more to four wheels than two, you may enjoy watching the V8 Supercars Championship Series. This 22-24 November, the island will host the Phillip Island 360 for the first time. The Grand Finale for this series will take place in Sydney. A family event, the V8 Supercars event will also feature activities for children.

But, if you’re not able to visit the island during a major event, you can still enjoy a visit to the racetrack. Visitors can take a tour of the Motor Racing Circuit, opened in 1956. For a fee, they can also be driven around the track in a race-ready car by a professional racing driver. This can only take place when the track isn’t being used for a racing event, of course. Tourists who want to race their friends can satisfy their competitive urges on the nearby go-karting track, which is a scale replica of the real track.

Disclosure:  I will receive complimentary passes for my family in exchange for sharing this information.  

Visit one of the largest water parks in Illinois! Magic waters is located just off I-90 near Rockford. Experience the Double Dare Drop 75 ft. Speed Slides, Tsunami Bay Wave Pool, Typhoon Terror Adventure Ride and the thrill a minute Splash Blaster Water Coaster Ride. Enter the dark tunnel of the Abyss for lots of twists and turns or relax on the 1,200 ft. Splash Magic River. Have tons of fun at Tiki Island where a 1,000 gallon pineapple water bucket spills to the delight of guests! Coolers welcome or grab lunch at the new Ocho’s Cantina! Luxury cabanas available. Free Parking. Visit magicwaterswaterpark.com for more information.

Magic Waters Water park opens June 8th 2013. Open Daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Mon & Fri 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Special Offers & Events

• $12 Buck Bargain Days: Tues, Wed, Thurs during the 2013 season.

• Friday Family Fun Nights: June 14 through August 16.

• Meet & Greet: Sunday July 14th. Disney band IM5 will be at the park for a Meet and Greet. Go to magicwaterswaterpark.com for details.

Get your season passes now!

This is an exclusive offer brought to you by WindyCityKidsGuide!

Disclosure: I received this product to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

My 4 year old has a tree-nut, peanut, and egg allergy, in addition to issues with asthma.  While he knows and understands these allergies, he is also just a 4 year old boy.  Obviously my son is with me or another trusted adult most of the time, he also encounters many other adults and kids at school, parties and other places.  These people don’t always remember about Gavin’s allergies and there are so many foods that have the foods he’s allergic too hidden inside.  Like who knew that the brand spinach I bought was made in the same factory that processes peanuts?  Or that ranch contains eggs?

Then I saw the customized medical ID bracelets on the Hope Paige website and I knew I found a solution!  Hope Paige makes bracelets that are fun, kid-approved and fashionable medical accessories that blend in easily with everyday clothes.  They are perfect for kids at any age and pretty much any allergy you need is available on their site!

Since my son has multiple allergies, I knew the Six Charm Allergy Wristband Set (retail price $15.99) would be perfect.  This particular wristband features six allergy charms that are the most common (peanut, nut, dairy, egg, wheat/gluten and shellfish) and is adjustable to fit children’s wrists.  The allergy charms pop in easily and then stay secure until you need to remove it.  The wristband features three adjustable snaps and fits a 5 3/4 inch, 6 1/4 inch, and 6 3/8 inch wrist.  It is latex free with nickel free snaps, so its safe for kids that may have issues with either of those.  The charms can even be put in shoes (like Crocs) if they have holes to snap these into.

Don’t mind the orange marker Gavin is covered in

In the past my son had the single Peanut bracelet, but now with his other issues, I love this bracelet and that I can customize it for him rather than him wearing 3-4 bracelets!  When I showed it to my 4 year old son I was worried he would think it was girly or strange to wear this bracelet, but he loves it!  He wears it proudly and loves it!  He actually gets upset if he forgets to wear it.  The wristband is not only a conversation starter with him but it reminds him and others about his allergies.  It is a reminder that is right there for him to see and others, as he reaches for a food.  It actually worked awesomely when we were at a local restaurant and the waitress went to hand him a cupcake, she noticed his bracelet and asked him about it.  As a typical 4 year old he was excited about the cupcake, forgetting that eggs (and possibly nuts) are in cupcakes.  Crisis adverted and no epi-pen was needed!  Gavin’s allergy wristband has become something that he wears everyday, just like underwear as I explain to him.

In addition to the Six Charm Allergy Wristband, Hope Paige offers a variety of medical bracelets and ID tags.  The items are a great way to keep someone safe and for the small cost it is well worth it!

BUY IT:  Check out HopePaige to start shopping for yourself or your child’s allergy issues.

Disclosure:  I was sent this the same package below in exchange for sharing my honest opinion. 

A few weeks ago I post about an amazing young girl names Lulu Cerone.  At just 14 years old she has created her organization LemonAID Warriors which encourages others to fundraise and make a change.  Well Lulu was catching the attention of not just her peers but also the company that makes Monster High products.  If you think about it, it is a perfect partnership.  I mean Monster High dolls are unique and independent girls, and that is exactly what Lulu embodies.

To encourage other girls to create their own “fantastic” Philanthro-parties for fundraising, Monster High alum Emily-Anne Rigal of WeStopHate, as well as Lauren Pareskian and Molly Thompson of Kind Campaign, to help Lulu kick off “Ghouls Helping Ghouls.”  This new campaign’s focus is to help those share tips and tools, from one ghoul to another.

Do you have a tween who wants to give back? Through June 9th, Monster High will give Philanthro-party hosts an opportunity to win $1,000 to donate to the cause of their choice.  For more information, visit Ghouls Helping Ghouls.

In honor of Lulu’s efforts and her partnership with Monster High, I have an awesome Monster High Prize Pack to giveaway!

WIN IT:  (1) US winner will receive a Monster High Prize Pack

Need help entering a giveaway?  Check out my blog post for some help!

GIVEAWAY ENTRY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway