Knight’s Shield Craft For Kids

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post but all thoughts are my own.

When it comes to kid’s shows, I love introducing my children to ones that model good characteristics. My Knight and Me, a new show on Cartoon Network for kids ages 6-10, is one of these shows. The series models close family ties, emphasizes the importance of teamwork and underscores the importance of using strategy over might to solve problems.

In the show, kids can follow the quests of a colorful and charismatic trio of knights in shining armor. The trio includes loyal, street-smart Jimmy the Squire; daring and determined Cat the Princess; and bold and courageous Henri of Orange, Jimmy’s dad and a charmingly inept, yet passionately chivalrous knight who might not be the most efficient protector of the realm – but sure is the funniest! Together, the knightly group sets out from the Kingdom of Epic to save the day and brighten the Dark Ages!

To celebrate the new show, the boys and I created a knight’s shield for outdoor play this spring.

Materials needed:

  • Cardboard (piece large enough to make a round circle shield)
  • Foam pieces – large sheets of foam and decorative pieces
  • Cardboard tube
  • Foam glue
  • Scissors
  • Glitter glue (optional)

Directions:

Cut a circle out of cardboard. (I traced around a round pizza pan to get a nice circle shape.)

Glue large foam sheets onto the cardboard piece and let dry. Once the glue is dry, you can cut around the circle to cut off the excess foam.

Let your child decorate their shield with foam pieces and glitter glue.

Once decorated, glue the cardboard tube onto the back of the shield to make a handle. After all the glue is dry, your child is ready to play!

Don’t forget to check out My Knight and Me, airing weekdays at 12pm ET on Cartoon Network.

 

An Interview With ‘Timeless’ Actress Abigail Spencer

This post was sponsored by the Role Mommy Writer’s Network but all thoughts are my own.

One thing you all may have learned about me is that I love tv. In the fall there are so many great new premieres and my DVR is set to record them all. One new show that I was excited to see was Timeless, which airs Monday nights at 10pm EST on NBC.


Timeless is a thrilling action-adventure series in which a mysterious criminal, Flynn (played by Goran Visnjic), steals a secret state-of-the-art time machine, intent on destroying America as we know it by changing the past. Our only hope is an unexpected team: Lucy (played by Abigail Spencer), a history professor; Wyatt (played by Matt Lanter), a soldier; and Rufus (played by Malcolm Barrett), a scientist, who must use the machine’s prototype to travel back in time to critical events. While they must make every effort not to affect the past themselves, they must also stay one step ahead of this dangerous fugitive. Throughout the show we will wonder if this handpicked team can uncover the mystery behind it all and end his destruction before it’s too late.

This morning I had the privilege of being on an interview call with Abigail Spencer who plays Lucy in the show. A group of us asked her questions about many things, including her thoughts when she first read the script, if she would go back in time if she could and how she got into character. Abigail said that when she first read the script she thought the concept of time travel was “crazy” but added that she thinks that is what makes her more authentic as the character. She also said she thought the female character as a “hero” was a great role model for girls. She also loves the costumes in the show and adds that her mom always used to make her clothes when she was younger which I thought was an interesting fact.

I was most interested in what she said during the interview about being a working mom and parenting since I always love hearing how other moms manage success and family. Abigail said that she shoots during the week and flys home every weekend and makes sure to include her son in the process. As a mom she just takes things one day at a time and it’s all about coordinating things, which she does with a great support network around her.

Two things she said really stood out to me on this topic of parenting. In response to a question I asked, she told me that she is showing her son that “mommy had a dream when she was a little girl and she went for it.” She also said that her dad (an important person in her life who sadly passed away when her son was 2) always told her, “find what you love and make a whole life of it” and that’s what she’s doing and what she’s showing her son is possible for him. What an inspiration she is as a mom! Whether her son chooses to follow in her footsteps as an actor or do something entirely different, he’ll know that he is open to pursue anything he loves and will be encouraged to go after his dreams. Isn’t that what all of us moms want for our children? To see them truly happy?

Abigail was a delight to interview and seemed so down to earth and kind. I look forward to watching her every week in Timeless on NBC!

 

A Look At Versailles

This is a sponsored post but all thoughts are my own.

Do you love shows that bring you back to a different time period? If so, you’ll love the series that is premiering tomorrow on Ovation called Versailles. This new show captures the romance, drama and betrayal surrounding King Louis XIV of France while featuring the beauty and opulence of France’s 17th century high society.

King Louis XIV of France commissions Versailles, the most beautiful palace in Europe, which serves as the King’s gilded prison – keeping his friends close and enemies closer. Watch the trailer below to enter in to a world of untold wealth, power, and passion.

The two hour premiere of Versailles starts on October 1st at 10pm ET/PT. I will be live tweeting during the premiere episodes and giving away TWO $25 American Express gift cards during that time period. For a chance to win, all you have to do is retweet or reply to anything I (@aliciamarie112) tweet between 9pm CST and 11pm CST on October 1st, 2016. Two users will be selected at random to win!

Check out the video below to get special access at one of the premiere events that happened this week in NYC! I wish I lived out there and was able to attend because it looks like a lot of fun!

Will you be tuning in to watch this show tomorrow?

 

DIY Galaxy Pumpkin

Thanks to Amazon Video for sponsoring this post.

To celebrate season 2 of the fun kid’s show Creative Galaxy available on Amazon Prime Video today, I wanted to create an out of this world DIY craft. This Galaxy Pumpkin is fun to make and kids can even help create this one of a kind decoration for your home.

To start you’ll want to gather the materials needed:

  • A pumpkin (either a black craft pumpkin or a real pumpkin you painted black)
  • Paints in colors of the galaxy (I used a dark purple, a pink, 2 shades of blue, and 2 types of glitter paint.)
  • Foam brushes
  • Paper plate
  • Optional: white paint and small paint brush
  • Optional: small rhinestones and glue to stick them on (if you want to use them for stars which I chose not to do on mine due to lack of time)
  • Optional: glow in the dark paint

There really is no right or wrong way to do this craft. The fun thing about it is that everyone’s “galaxy” will look different.

To start you’ll want to squeeze a little of each color paint onto your plate. You’ll also want to lay down newspaper or a garbage bag for easy cleanup and to keep you from getting paint all over your home. If your kids are helping you’ll want to put them in play clothes since they are going to get paint on their hands which means it will get on their face, their clothes, etc. I don’t think my boys have ever painted without getting paint all over themselves but that’s part of the fun :)

Step 1: Dab a little of the darkest color on your foam brush and then you are going to pat it on your pumpkin (do not brush it on). Once that paint on your brush is dabbed on your pumpkin you are going to get more paint on your foam brush in the second darkest color. You will alternate between these two darkest colors until you’ve covered your whole pumpkin in a light sponge-like pattern. Keep in mind, you are not fully painting the pumpkin so don’t worry that black is still showing on your pumpkin.

Step 2: Take the third and fourth lightest colors and dab those around your pumpkin in the same manner you did the first two colors. (If you have any other blues, purples or pinks you can sponge those colors on next. You can also add extra layers of colors if you’d like to though I’d recommend letting the first layer dry.)

Step 3: Once you have the pumpkin colored like you want it you’ll want to add any glitter paints you have, sponging them on in spots around your pumpkin.

Optional step: At this point you can add stars if you’d like to. I thought the glitter paints added enough glimmer but you can use your small tipped paint brush to add dots of white around your pumpkin or glue the rhinestones on it for stars. You can also dot glow in the dark paint if you’d like.

Isn’t that fun? I love how our Galaxy Pumpkin turned out and am looking forward to spending the weekend watching season 2 of Creative Galaxy with my kids. This cute show follows the adventures of Arty and his silly side-kick Epiphany, as they travel around the galaxy to solve problems using many different forms of art. Each episode highlights a unique creative medium (painting, music, sculpting, cooking, etc.) to reinforce to kids that art is all around us in many different forms. The interactive stories and live action segments encourage young viewers at home to get excited about their own creative ideas and the process of using creative arts to solve problems!

Stay tuned for all the other art activities that this series inspires my kids and I to create :)

 

I-Spy ABC Bottle For Alphabet Fun

This post has been sponsored by Amazon Studios.

I love when things in our daily life inspire our crafting time. This week, the Amazon Original Kids’ Series show, Stinky & Dirty, inspired us to make a fun craft using an empty water bottle. In this series, dynamic duo Stinky, the garbage truck, and Dirty, the backhoe loader, enjoy everyday adventures that prove how resourcefulness and teamwork can solve just about any problem. I love that they give kids ideas for reusing things instead of throwing them away.

There are so many things you can make with an empty water bottle but my boys and I used it to make spelling practice more fun by turning it into a game. We created an I-SPY ABC bottle!

This craft is super easy to do and fun for kids to help make.

1) Make sure your water bottle is dry inside and take off the outside wrapper.

2) Fill the bottle a quarter full with rice.

3) Add in half of the beads.

4) Repeat steps 2 and 3 until your water bottle is 3/4 of the way full.

5) At this point you can super glue the lid on if you feel your children may open it, otherwise just put the lid on tightly. Then, have children shake the water bottle to mix the rice and beads.

There are a number of ways to use this I-SPY bottle: For younger children you can have them find certain letters by saying the letter you want them to find, say the sound the letter you want them to find makes or have them name letters and sounds as they find them. Older kids can be asked to find the letters that spell words. Children can also find a letter in the ABC I-Spy bottle and then find something in the room that starts with the letter.

Do your children love using their imaginations? If so, you’ll definitely want to watch Stinky & Dirty with them! It’s now streaming with Prime on Amazon Video. Watch an episode with your child and encourage them to use problem solving skills to turn trash into treasure to solve a problem! I’d love to see what they are inspired to create! Tag me on social media (@aliciamarie112 on Twitter and Making Time For Mommy on Facebook) and share with the hashtag #StinkyAndDirty :)

Watch ‘Growing Up McGhee’ Tonight On UPtv

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post but all thoughts are my own.

I have two boys and I often feel like my hands are full with just a couple kids. Then I heard about a family with sextuplets who had a television show and I knew I had to tune in because that mom must have some great tips on managing a household!

Once I learned who the family was that is featured on the show I realized that I remembered them from a photo I saw years ago. You may remember the McGhee family, too, from this adorable photograph below:

Janine and Brian Killian/Peters Photography

I remember seeing that image years ago when the babies were first born so I was shocked to realize that six years had passed and they now look like this:

Janine and Brian Killian/Peters Photography

How did that happen!? It seems like they grew up in the blink of an eye! (But then I realize that my kids seemed to as well….)

In the new series “Growing Up McGhee,” Ro and Mia McGhee and their sextuplets return to television as they try their best to balance a hectic life and all that comes with it, including their six different classes and all of the demands of their bustling family business. Life was busy enough taking care of six little babies, but now that their brood can walk, talk and share lots of laughs and mischief, Ro and Mia face brand new challenges and unexpected surprises that are throwing them for a loop. Diaper changes and feeding schedules have been replaced by sassy opinions, homework times six and chore charts. Not only do the kids continue to grow and learn, but the parents do too! With these six, they never know what is going to happen and never before have they felt more outnumbered.

The next episode airs tonight at 9pm EST on UPtv, with future episodes airing every Wednesday evening. I will be tuning in. Will you? Find me on Twitter tonight tweeting about the show as I watch it- my handle is @aliciamarie112 and I’ll be using the hashtag #GrowingUpMcGhee. Look forward to tweeting with you then! :)

 

Kids Can Learn And Discover With Tumble Leaf

Thanks to KidzVuz for introducing us to this show and sponsoring this post to help encourage lifelong creative learning.

This Friday, May 6th, new episodes from the second season of the Amazon Original Series, Tumble Leaf will be available for Prime members on Amazon Prime Video. Though we have had Amazon Prime for a while, we just recently started using the video portion of our subscription. The boys were excited to discover new shows and when I learned about this one I knew we had to check it out.

The stop-motion animated show revolves around Fig, a delightfully curious blue fox, and his best, wiggliest caterpillar friend Stick who embark on new nature-filled adventures and discover science through play. I love shows that are educational and there was plenty for the kids to learn from this show. One of the first things I noticed, as a parent, was that the language was very advanced for the age the show was geared for. It works though because the new vocabulary words were used in context so young children could figure out what they mean. There was also a lot of rhyming and alliteration throughout the episodes.

While watching the show the boys were engaged the whole time (which seems to be a rare occurrence nowadays). After watching a few episodes they begged to watch more. With Jacob turning eight next month I wasn’t sure if this show would interest him as much as it would interest Lucas but he loves it and I’m happy to have a wholesome show for him to watch that fosters creative learning unlike some of the tween shows he sometimes watches.

Not only do my kids and I like the show but it seems everyone else does as well. The show has won eight daytime Emmy awards, two Parents’ Choice awards and a slew of other awards. If you have Amazon Prime I recommend checking this show out and catching the all new episodes this weekend. If you don’t have Prime what are you waiting for? With free 2-day shipping, music, movies, shows and more it is used nonstop here in our house! Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial

Curious George Is Now Streaming On Hulu

Thank you to Hulu for sponsoring this post and offering all my readers trials of the Hulu service.

Curious George is now streaming commercial-free on Hulu! For nearly 65 years, generations of young children have been charmed by the literary adventures of Curious George and now he is ready for his next adventure! Based on the best-selling Curious George books by Margret and H.A. Rey, the series expands George’s world to include a host of colorful new characters and original locales, while maintaining the charm of the beloved books. The series aims to inspire kids to explore science, math, and engineering in the world around them.

In celebration of George’s move to Hulu they are offering all of my readers a 30-day free trial of Hulu. Click the image below to claim your free trial before 5/4.

New Uplifting Reality Show: The Briefcase

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

I love a good reality show so I’m excited to share about a new one that premieres tonight, Wednesday May 27th, called THE BRIEFCASE. The show is created by Dave Broome (the man who brought us The Biggest Loser). This is another uplifting series that gives me hope for the human race.

In each episode, two hard-working American families experiencing financial setbacks are presented by the show’s producers with a briefcase containing $101,000 and a potentially life-altering decision: they can keep all of the money for themselves, or give all or part of it to another family in need.

“THE BRIEFCASE is an eye-opening look into what matters most in people’s lives, taking the audience on an emotional roller coaster ride with a shocking ending each week,” said THE BRIEFCASE Creator and Executive Producer Dave Broome. “I’ve been incredibly impressed by just how generous Americans are, even with shrinking paychecks and rising debt, when there’s little left to give.”

Each week, two families have 72 hours to learn details about each other’s challenging circumstances and make the weighty decision of what to do with $101,000. However, what they don’t know is that the family with whom they are considering sharing this financial windfall received an identical briefcase with the same instructions. Throughout their journeys, relationships within both families will be tested and beliefs questioned as they find out what really matters most in their lives, and how much importance they place on values such as love, generosity, compassion and faith.

I think this show is great because it focuses on family values and shows people that life isn’t about money. I love that people are given an opportunity to help others and get a chance to learn about the struggles that others face. It’s a reminder that as hard as things can be for you or I, someone out there is struggling even more.

Will you be tuning in tonight?

The Dovekeepers On CBS

This is a sponsored post.

If you love history you will want to tune in to CBS tonight and tomorrow! THE DOVEKEEPERS, a four-hour limited event series will be broadcast Tuesday, March 31 and Wednesday, April 1, 2015 from 9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT).

The series stars Cote de Pablo, Rachel Brosnahan and Kathryn Prescott in the title dovekeeper roles, Sam Neill as first-century Jewish scholar and historian Josephus, and Diego Boneta as a star warrior of the Jewish army at Masada. The series is based on Alice Hoffman’s bestselling, critically acclaimed historical novel about a group of extraordinary women whose lives intersect in a fight for survival at the siege of Masada. I just started reading the book so I am excited that I’ll get to watch the story as well. I love being able to see something I’ve read transformed and play out before my eyes.

Images courtesy of CBS

Set in ancient Israel, THE DOVEKEEPERS is based on the true events at Masada in 70 C.E. After being forced out of their home in Jerusalem by the Romans, 900 Jews were ensconced in a fortress at Masada, a mountain in the Judean desert. Besieged at Masada, the Jews held out for months against the vast Roman armies. The project will recount the events from the perspective of a few extraordinary women who arrive at Masada with unique backstories, but a common bond for survival. Additionally, these women, who work together daily as dovekeepers, are all concealing substantial secrets.

THE DOVEKEEPERS will be brought to television from executive producers Roma Downey and multiple Emmy Award winner Mark Burnett (SURVIVOR, “The Voice”), the production team behind the Emmy-nominated 10-hour miniseries “The Bible,” which scored big ratings for the History Channel in March 2013, and the feature “Son of God.”

 

Stream Your Favorite TV Shows {Netflix Giveaway}

(Disclosure: I’m on the Netflix Stream Team and enjoy complimentary service.)

A couple weeks ago I confessed that I was a TV junkie and shared 5 shows I love watching. I enjoy discovering new shows and thought you all may have some favorite ones that I haven’t even heard of yet. To encourage you all to share, Netflix gave me one 3 month subscription to their service to give one lucky winner!

To enter, leave a comment below telling me your favorite television show. One person will be chosen at random to win. The giveaway will close May 2, 2014 at 11:59pm. Good luck!! :)

 

Confession: I’m A Television Show Junkie

I am a huge TV junkie so when Netflix asked me to be on their Stream Team and write sponsored posts each month I of course said yes. I already used (and loved!) their service. For this month’s post I thought I’d share 5 TV shows I enjoy watching that you can find on Netflix.

1) Scandal: This show is amazing. Every time I think I know what is going on there is a plot twist that I did not see coming. The cast, especially the main character played by Kerry Washington, is fantastic.

2) Parenthood: This show about an extended family has brought me to tears numerous times. I think it’s a show where most people can identify with at least one of the characters and it covers deep subjects such as Cancer, divorce, and Autism. (I may be extra in love with this show because one of the main characters has Aspergers.)

3) Switched At Birth: I just discovered this show last month (just in time for the season finale) and I watched every single episode in about a week. I thought it was an interesting storyline and I feel like I’ve picked up a bit of sign language just by watching it.

4) Drop Dead Diva: The plot is really far-fetched (a model dies and comes back in the body of a plus-sized woman) but I like the realness of the actress and every week I sit and hope she ends up with the love of her (previous) life.

5) Pretty Little Liars: I’m not a teen girl! I swear! lol I don’t know why I enjoy this teenage show but I do. Every week I watch as the group of friends gets closer to the mystery of what happened to their friend and who “A” is.

I have also been adding shows I want to watch to my “to watch list” on Netflix. I am discovering all of these interesting shows I never knew existed! It’s been great :)

What are you watching this month?

Hub Network’s First Annual Halloween Bash & Costume Contest

The Hub Network, a destination for kids and their families, will host the “Hub Network’s First Annual Halloween Bash,” to be broadcast on Saturday, October 26, 2013 on the cable channel.

The special will be hosted by Kenan Thompson (“Saturday Night Live”), along with Halloween expert Martha Stewart who will lead a panel of celebrity judges, and includes music performances and a nationwide costume competition where 50 semi-finalists from each state will head to Los Angeles to be a part of the two-hour star-studded event.

One lucky winner will win $25,000 and a walk-on role on the Hub Network’s Daytime Emmy® Award-winning series, “R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series.”

The “Hub Network’s First Annual Halloween Bash” costume competition is open to all ages, including individuals or a maximum of five people per group submission.

Participants are encouraged to create eye-popping, hair-raising and spooky costumes within one of the following six categories:

·         Howl-arious – Shows the lighter side of Halloween with a take on a fun, funny or otherwise hilarious costume.

·         Spook-tacular – Get ready to frighten America by showcasing the most spine-chilling costume for all the ghosts and ghouls out there.

·         Mad Genius – Unique, original, innovative and never seen before. A knight in armor fashioned from bottle caps, bat wings made from old umbrellas, or a cardboard-box jetpack, the possibilities are endless. Display a costume unlike any other — show your Mad Genius.

·         Blast from the Past – Take a stroll down memory lane with a timeless costume. Memories, nostalgia and yesteryear brought to life. Show your take on great figures from before the 20thcentury or a retro 50’s sock hop get up, 60’s flower child or other “period” inspired costumes.

·         Animal Kingdom – Transform into a living creature from the past or present. Be a roaring lion, a school of jellyfish, a firefly, or a Tyrannosaurus Rex.

·         Everyday Stuff – We’re looking for the coolest refrigerator/freezer, remote control, mailbox, block of Swiss cheese, telephone and more.  Be creative and transform the ordinary into the extra-ordinary.

For more information on how to enter, as well as to check out the latest entries, please visit hubworld.com/halloween and also the video. The deadline to enter is Sunday, September 29, 2013.

(Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post however I am entered into a gift card drawing for posting it.)

 

 

New “Gravity Falls” Themed Kid’s Meals At Subway Restaurants

(Disclosure: I received a Subway gift card for posting about this promotion. All thoughts about the restaurant are my own.)

Throughout the month of August, Disney and SUBWAY restaurants, the world’s largest restaurant chain, will bring fans “Gravity Falls” characters and promotional items through SUBWAY Fresh Fit for Kids™ Meals™.  “Gravity Falls” is a Television show on the Disney Channel. Each low-fat meal will include one of six reusable bags, with a specially designed “Gravity Falls” window decal or sticker.

Subway meals for children are a great alternative to fried fast food. Each meal comes with a mini sub, apple slices and low-fat milk. Children can choose the veggies and other toppings that go on their sandwiches. Make sure to check out the healthy options available for adults, too!

Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE!: Get the Sillies Out! Tour {Recap}

This past weekend the boys and I went to see Yo Gabba Gabba! Live!: Get The Sillies Out. I didn’t know how Lucas would do since he doesn’t like to sit still but he was mesmerized by the show. It was also nice that children were encouraged to get up and dance so if he had decided to get up he wouldn’t have been the only one. The show was so fun that even the parents and grandparents were up on their feet dancing along with the kids!

The music was upbeat and full of good lessons like the importance of eating fruits and veggies. The well-known brightly colored characters kept children involved in the show. Even Biz Markie, the famous beatboxer, was on the stage doing his thing and teaching kids to beatbox.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the show:

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My tip for going to the show: make sure you bring cash! All theaters won’t have the same parking rules but the one we went to in Chicago had a “cash only” parking lot with no signs about it until you had pulled up to the ticket booth. Needless to say it was a huge hassle and there was a line at the ATM across the street. {It should be noted that the licensed Yo Gabba Gabba! items being sold inside could be purchased with a debit/credit card.} Thankfully the parking issue didn’t ruin the experience for us and we still greatly enjoyed the show and our night out.

Wondering if the tour will be at a location near you? See the tour dates here. Tickets start at $23.00. VIP Party packages are available as well which include a ticket in the first 15 Rows, a pass to “Get the Sillies Out” in the private VIP room featuring a super fun party with the Gabba Gang (costumed characters) and more. Children under 1 year old do not require a paid ticket to sit on a parent’s lap.

(Disclosure: We received tickets to the show but all thoughts are my own.)

Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE!: Get the Sillies Out! Tour

The sillies are crazy little creatures that live inside of us and need to be shaken out! DJ Lance Rock and everyone’s favorite cast of colorful characters are calling all fans in to get ready to jump, shake and shimmy them out at the new live tour Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE!: Get the Sillies Out!. The tour will visit more than 50 cities across the U.S. in 2013.  For a complete list of tour dates, cities and show times, and a preview of the show, visit www.yogabbagabbalive.com

CHICAGO SHOWS:

Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE!: Get the Sillies Out! will have four performances in Rosemont at the Akoo Theatre at Rosemont on Sat., January 19th/ Sun. January 20th. CLICK HERE for ticket information for the shows (2:00PM and 5:00pm both days). Tickets start at $23.00. VIP Party packages are available as well which include a ticket in the first 15 Rows, a pass to “Get the Sillies Out” in the private VIP room featuring a super fun party with the Gabba Gang (costumed characters) and more. Children under 1 year old do not require a paid ticket to sit on a parent’s lap.

I’m so excited to take my boys to get their sillies out with the Yo Gabba Gabba crew! Will you be there with your little ones?

(Disclosure: I am receiving tickets to this show but all thoughts are my own.)

 

Awesome Adventures: Races, Chases & Fun {Children’s DVD Giveaway}

Lucas absolutely loves Thomas and Fireman Sam so he got the biggest smile on his face when I gave him an envelope and he opened it to find the new DVD from HIT Entertainment, Awesome Adventures {Volume 2}: Races, Chases & Fun. On the cover were Fireman Sam, Thomas, and Bob The Builder. He immediately wanted to open it and watch it. I put it on and the boys eyes were glued to the movie the whole time. They started watching it for a second time but I stopped it and said that it was time for bed. The next morning what did they want to watch as soon as they got up? You guessed it… the same movie! I was happy that they liked this movie because I think these shows teach great lessons about friendship and sharing which is a topic that we are really focusing on right now with Lucas headed to preschool in about a week.

About the movie from HIT Entertainment:

Get set for more awesome adventures with Thomas & Friends, Bob the Builder and Fireman Sam. Vol 2 of the Races, Chases & Fun DVD series features six exciting tales. Racing engines, runaway go-carts and monster chases lead to thrills, spills and rescues! Thomas and Hiro discover there’s no need for speed when trying to be a Really Useful engine. Fireman Sam is rescue-ready when Norman and James forget to put safety first. Bob the Builder’s Machine Team keep their eyes open to big adventure and big fun, putting the TEAM in teamwork and getting the job done.

The 6 Episodes Included:

1. Thomas & Friends: “Play Time”

2. Thomas & Friends: “Hiro Helps Out”

3. Fireman Sam: “Floating Cart”

4. Fireman Sam: “When Fools Rush In”

5. Bob The Builder: “Roley’s Rovers”

6. Bob The Builder: “Lofty and the Monster”

Buy It:

The movie can be purchased for $14.99 on HIT Entertainment’s site

Win It:

One reader will win a copy of Awesome Adventures: Races, Chases & Fun

How To Enter:

{Do any or all of the following, leave a separate comment for each you do}

1. Tell me which character is your child/grandchild’s favorite

2. Like Making Time For Mommy on Facebook

3. Follow @aliciamarie112 on Twitter

4. Share this giveaway on a social network

5. Enter another one of my giveaways {found here}

6. Subscribe to this blog via RSS or email {look in the upper right corner}

Giveaway ends July 5, 2012 at 11:59pm Central time. US Only.

(Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this DVD but all thoughts are my own. This giveaway is not associated with Facebook in any way.)

Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story

I recently had the chance to preview Lifetime’s new movie “Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story”. I have included the press release below but to summarize it’s about a mom whose child is stolen from her by the biological father and taken to another country and her fight to get her son back. I spent most of the movie crying knowing that it was based on a true story. The actors, especially the mother of the child, portrayed the emotions so well that it was as if they were experiencing the loss themselves. It’s a “tear-jerker” (as most Lifetime movies are) but I recommend it.

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Taraji P. Henson (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), Terry O’Quinn (Lost) and Beverly Todd (Crash) star in the new Lifetime Original Movie Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story premiering Monday, January 31, at 9 pm (ET/PT). Immediately following the movie there will be a “Behind The Headlines” look at the story.

ABOUT TAKEN FROM ME: THE TIFFANY RUBIN STORY

Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story is based on a dramatic true story of Tiffany Rubin’s (Henson) daring 2008 rescue of her six-year-old son, Kobe, after he was abducted by his biological father and taken from his home in Queens, New York, all the way to Seoul, South Korea. At the urging of her mother Belzora (Beverly Todd, The Bucket List), Tiffany sought the counsel of Mark Miller (O’Quinn) and his charitable organization The American Association for Lost Children. With Mark’s help, Tiffany was able to travel to Korea to execute a high-stakes plan to bring her son home.

 

ABOUT BEYOND THE HEADLINES: THE TIFFANY RUBIN STORY

In Beyond the Headlines: The Tiffany Rubin Story, Tiffany Rubin recounts the story of her daring mission in March 2008 to take back her 7-year old son, Kobe, who had been kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend Jeffrey Lee. She discusses her relationship with Lee, their court battles over Kobe’s custody and abduction and describes what it was like to have Kobe missing for seven long months. In addition to Tiffany, the documentary also includes interviews with Kobe Lee, Belzora Cason (Tiffany’s mother) Mark Miller, Bazzel Baz (a former CIA agent who helped orchestrate the rescue), Joseph Fredericks (Kobe’s former law guardian) and the FBI special agent in charge of the case. Additionally, Beyond the Headlines: The Tiffany Rubin Story features Tiffany’s personal photos, Mark Miller’s photos taken immediately after the rescue, documents in the case against Jeffrey Lee and a visit to the locations involved, including Seoul, South Korea.

(Disclosure: Lifetime sent me an advance copy of the movie. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)

Drop Dead Diva: Season 2 Preview

I always see promotions for shows on television, think to myself “I want to watch that when it comes out”, and then forget to tune in when they premiere. “Drop Dead Diva” was one of those shows. It looked like something I’d really enjoy but by the time I realized the season had started, it was over. Lifetime recently sent me the first episode of the 2nd season (which premieres tomorrow, June 6th, at 9pm ET/PT) to review and I loved it. I won’t miss a single episode of Season 2 because I have already set a series recording for it on my DVR.

Cast of Drop Dead Diva

I have to admit that for the first couple minutes I was thinking “what in the world is this?” because there was singing and dancing and it looked like a bad music video. After a few minutes were up I realized that Jane (played by Brooke Elliott) was just dreaming and I breathed a sigh of relief.

Part of Jane's dream

At the end of the episode I found myself wishing that I didn’t have to wait a couple of weeks to see the next one because I was curious as to what would happen with the men in Jane’s life. Whether you haven’t seen an episode or can’t wait for season 2 to start, don’t forget to be watching tomorrow night!

(Disclosure: I was provided the Drop Dead Diva season 2 premiere DVD and other press materials by Lifetime so that I could give an honest review of the show. All opinions are my own.)