Visit the official PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES website here: http://pirates.disney.com/ PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES opens in theaters everywhere May 26th!
It's April, and Swagbucks has an early Easter treat in the form of a $5 bonus! Swagbucks is a rewards site where you earn points (called SB) for things you're probably doing online already, like searching, watching videos, discovering deals, and taking surveys. Then you take those points and exchange them for gift cards to places like Amazon, Starbucks, Walmart, Target, or PayPal cash.
When you sign up through me this month, you can earn a $5 bonus! Here's how:
2. Earn 300 SB total before 5/1/17. You'll get a $3 (300 SB) bonus for it!
3. If you spend at least $25 through Swagbucks Shop* you'll get another $2 (200 SB) bonus on top of the cash back you'll get from shopping. If you have some shopping to do online, just go to Swagbucks first and visit the store through them. It doesn't cost you anything extra, but you'll get SB points for every dollar you spend (on top of the bonus)!
That's it. It's super easy, and Swagbucks is for real. I use it myself, and I've earned 1,500 Swagbucs recently and I purchased some probiotics for my girls.
*You must receive your shopping SB before June 1st
About the movie:
A new baby's arrival impacts a family, told from the point of view of a delightfully unreliable narrator -- a wildly imaginative 7-year-old named Tim. The most unusual Boss Baby (Alec Baldwin) arrives at Tim's home in a taxi, wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase. The instant sibling rivalry must soon be put aside when Tim discovers that Boss Baby is actually a spy on a secret mission, and only he can help thwart a dastardly plot that involves an epic battle between puppies and babies.
My Thoughts about the movie:
We got to see "The Boss Baby" movie this past weekend! We really liked it, a lot. My children, ages 9, 7 and 4 saw it with me and they can't wait to see it again. It's an all around great family film. All of the jokes are for everyone, young and old. It's a safe movie, with no hidden agendas whatsoever. The opening scenes are so cute with all of the babies!
The movie starts off with seven year old Tim disliking his new baby brother who wears a suit, and carries a briefcase! But in the end, they learn to get along and love one another. I don't want to give away anything else about the movie. It's super sweet, adorable, funny and heart-warming.
Go see "The Boss Baby!" It's from DreamWorks, and totally worth your time and money!
Disclosure: I received four press passes from Allied to see this movie and post my review. No other compensation was exchanged or received. The above opinions are those of myself and my three children.
It's handy having a dad who can fix just about anything. A young girl believes her father is the king of fixing things. But following the death of her mother, she discovers that broken hearts are not as easy to repair as damaged toys and cracked teapots. Together, she and her father find a way to glue back the pieces of her lives. The Fix-It Man is a poignant picture book that explores how a child can cope with the loss of a parent (in this case, the young girl's mother). Repairing damaged emotions is not as straightforward as gluing a broken kite back together or sewing up a torn toy. And grief affects all members of a family, with each responding in their own way to the loss. By sticking with her father, the young girl is able to strengthen her resilience and ability to cope with one of life's harshest experiences. The author was encouraged to seek publication for this story after receiving the endorsement of several grief counselors who work with children and who recognized the need for a book such as this.
My Review:
I haven't lost a parent, yet. I am 42 years old, and it hurts to even think about losing one of them. I couldn't imagine losing my mom when I was a little girl. But my mom did. She lost her mother when she was around 9 years old. This book might have helped her when she was little to understand more about what was going on in the world and how to heal with her mom not alive anymore.
The book doesn't really mention the mom passing away. It talks about days with the little girl and her dad doing things and her dad fixing things. Then it mentions that her dad can't fix her mom. Then the girl and her father are sad and it seems as if the mother passed away. She's not on the pages anymore. But it shows that the dad and little girl learn to heal together over her mom's passing. I don't like subliminal books. But this one opens up conversation between the parents or grandparents and children about someone dying.
I feel that this book is great for all children. As they need to learn that some of their friends might or might not have both a mother and a father who is alive, and it might help them to understand that they can heal if they lose a parent of their own.
You can purchase a copy of "The Fix-It Man" on amazon or at your local book store.
Disclosure: I received a copy one copy of "The Fix-It Man" children's book in exchange for my post. No compensation was exchanged or received.
Disclosure: I received two free movie tickets from Sony Pictures in exchange for my giveaway post and posting about Smurfs. No other compensation was exchanged or received.
Best friends Smurfette (Demi Lovato), Brainy (Danny Pudi), Clumsy (Jack McBrayer) and Hefty (Joe Manganiello) use a special map that guides them through the Forbidden Forest, an enchanted wonderland that's filled with magical creatures. Their adventure leads them on a course to discover the biggest secret in Smurf history as they race against time and the evil wizard Gargamel (Rainn Wilson) to find a mysterious village.
Enter below to receive Two Fandango Gift Codes for Tickets to see SMURFS: The Lost Village only! Giveaway is open in All 50 U.S. States, 18 years of age or older. Giveaway ends on 4/6/17!
One lucky winner will receive the Babytime 3-Step System that includes Soothing Cream Lotion, Playful Wash and Sunny Sunscreen SPF 35. Open to U.S. and ends on 4/10/17.
If you were born high up in a tree, would you jump to the ground after one day? That’s what Wood Ducks are supposed to do, but three little chicks aren’t so sure. Mama Wood Duck calls for them to come, but her babies just won’t budge! Will they find their courage when Mama tells them all about a Wood Duck’s wonderful life?
Internationally recognized children’s author Marion Dane Bauer weaves a delightful tale that’s both quirky and cute, while acclaimed nature photographer Stan Tekiela brings the story to life with engaging pictures of Wood Ducks in action.
About the author:
Marion Dane Bauer has written more than 60 books for young people. She has won numerous awards, including an American Library Association Newbery Honor Award. Her books have been translated into more than a dozen languages. She lives in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Naturalist and wildlife photographer Stan Tekiela is the author of more than 165 field guides, nature books, children’s books, wildlife audio CDs, puzzles, and playing cards. He has received various national and regional awards for his books and photographs. He lives in Victoria, Minnesota.
My Review:
"Jump, Little Wood Ducks" is an adorable children's book about three little baby wood ducks in their nest in a tree and their mama and siblings asking them to jump and come join them down on the ground. I read it to my four year old daughter. At the end of the book she was smiling and we were both laughing a little. She wanted to know more about what wood ducks are and why they live in trees. In the back of the book, it tells you just that, and more! The photographs are so real and beautiful that they make the story and and family of ducks come to life.
What a great way for your children and grandchildren to learn something new about ducks! I honestly had no idea that some ducks lived in trees! This is a great book for your child's Easter Basket!
Purchase your copy of "Jump, Little Wood Ducks" today here on amazon starting April 11th, 2017!
Enter below using the Giveaways Tools form for a chance to Win your own copy of "Jump, Little Wood Ducks," children's book. Giveaway is open to residents who live in the main 48 continental United States only, 18 years of age or older. No P.O. Boxes, sorry. Giveaway ends 4/9/17.
A Spy Adventure Awaits in the Next Installment of the Beloved Swan Princess Franchise
THE SWAN PRINCESS:
ROYALLY UNDERCOVER
Available on DVD March 28
Bonus Materials Include a Behind-the-Scenes Featurette with Macy Kate in the Recording Studio
The Swan Princess is back, with an all-new feature length movie! Get ready to go on an undercover detective adventure when THE SWAN PRINCESS: ROYALLY UNDERCOVER arrives for the first time on DVD March 28 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The newest installment of the beloved animated franchise follows the enchanting tale of young Princess Alise and her friends as they embark on a new adventure where they solve a royal mystery using their detective skills and spy gadgets. Featuring fan-favorite characters and all news faces, this next installment is the perfect fit for a new generation of Swan Princess fans, as well as nostalgic fans of the franchise.
Join “The X Factor” star Macy Kate in the studio as she records the theme song for THE SWAN PRINCESS: ROYALLY UNDERCOVER, "Born to Be Me." Macy Kate also sang the theme song in the previous installment, THE SWAN PRINCESS: PRINCESS TOMORROW, PIRATE TODAY, which was titled "I'll Be Your Star."
Synopsis:
After mysterious visitors arrive in the Kingdom, Princess Alise, Lucas and their friends go undercover on a secret spy adventure to see if they can be trusted. They will need all of their superior detective skills as well as some super cool gadgets to solve the royal mystery and save the Kingdom.
Directed by Richard Rich from a story by Richard Rich and Brian Nissen, and a screenplay by Brian Nissen, THE SWAN PRINCESS: ROYALLY UNDERCOVER was produced by Richard Rich, Seldon O. Young, and Jared F. Brown, with Seldon O. Young, serving as executive producer.
DVD Extras Include:
- In the Recording Studio with Macy Kate
THE SWAN PRINCESS: ROYALLY UNDERCOVER has a run time of approximately 79 minutes and is rated G.
My Review:
A town that the Swan Princess lives near becomes flooded when Count Antonio puts a hole in the wooden dam. The Swan Princess and her friend save the villagers as the dam breaks. Antonio tries to get the queen to like him so he can steal all of the money that other people in the kingdom has given to help rebuild the town that was destroyed by the dam breaking. So the king, the swan princesses's little sister, Alise, Lucas, their pet puffin, the frog, and a turtle become spies to find out what Antonio is up to! It turns out, the king is an inventor of spy tools!
It turns out Antonio is involved with a shipping business. They put vases and other nice things inside of fish, and ship them out. Then the fish get shipped in, sorted through, stuffed with gold and other priceless jewels, and then ships them back out to some place. Princess Alise and Lucas find this out by spying at the docks and then get kidnapped a locked away in room. Thank goodness the Puffin and a cat friend of his were watching and helping the children, as they help them to escape. I will let you buy or rent it to see what happens next!
You can purchase your own copy starting Tuesday, March 28th, at your local retailer such as Walmart, Target or on amazon.com. Win It!
Enter below for your chance to Win your own copy of "The Swan Princess: Royally Undercover" on DVD! Giveaway is open to residents who live in the main 48 United States only, 18 years of age or older. No P.O. Boxes, sorry. Giveaway ends 4/9/17.
Disclosure: I received one copy of "The Swan Princess: Royally Undercover" on DVD in exchange for my post. No other compensation was exchanged or received.
Texas Mom Serves Up Lone Star Lore for Kids with Sweet Child Born in Texas
New book debuts first of “Sweet Child” series for all 50 states
About the book:
Sweet child, welcome to Texas! Cowboys, NASA, scrumptious chili there are so many things that make Texas great. If your child was born here, what a lucky state! From history tidbits to fun facts, this beautiful poem describes and teaches all the things that make this sweet state special. Whether you're a child or a child at heart, this book is perfect for all sweet children born in Texas! So sweet child born in Texas, feel pride in the things that you see. Friendship is the motto here. A Texan is what you’re meant to be!
About the Authors:
Necessity truly is the mother of invention as Dallas native and new author Whitney Strauss can attest. While on bedrest awaiting the birth of her second son six years ago, Strauss busied herself as best she could, including unsuccessfully finding a good book about Texas for toddlers. Instead of giving up, she decided to write one.
Cowboys, NASA, scrumptious chili—there are so many things to love about the Lone Star State. Here are just a few of the things that make our home so great.
Nearly a decade later, Strauss’ ode to her beloved Lone Star State —Sweet Child Born in Texas —was released on March 6, which is Texas Independence Day. Designed for children ages 2-6, the book uses lyrical rhyme to highlight famous Texas historical figures and landmarks, state symbols, the varying regions and landscapes and more. Slated for an initial run of 3,000 copies, the colorfully illustrated 24-page hardcover book is available on Amazon.com.
“The initial idea came from my mom around the time my sister and I were having children,” said Strauss. “We are a family of book lovers and Mom wanted to read them a book about the state in which they were born. So I thought, why not write one myself?"
Strauss enlisted the direction and help of her mom, Kathleen Cooter, a former university professor of early and special education at Texas Christian University, and of her friend Susan Giles, herself a mom and grandmother in Franklin, Tennessee. Giles also wanted to share the story of her beloved home state of Tennessee, so she and Strauss began researching and writing a story for not only Tennessee, but for each and every state, reaching out to another friend, artist and Dallas resident Holly Weinstein, to illustrate the series. Sweet Child Born in Texas is the first of the series to be published.
As is only fitting, a book written for children will also help children in need as a portion of the book proceeds will go to various children’s organizations, including the North Texas Food Bank. “When we were growing up, we used to end our prayers praying for ‘all the children in the world who do not have enough to eat,’” said Strauss. “With one in four children hungry in North Texas, we wanted to address hunger in our own backyard.”
My Review:
"Sweet Child Born in Texas" is a cute children's book with the main facts about the state such as the state capital, main cities, state bird, state flower, state flag, state insect, state mammal, and more. It's a great way for children ages two to six to learn about different states or their home state, and to help them memorize the facts about those states. I can't wait to see what other books come out soon in the sweet child series! I can't wait to read about Tennessee and California, where I grew up.
You can purchase your copy today on amazon or at your local book store. Win It!
Enter below using the Giveaway Tools form for a chance to Win your own copy of "Sweet Child Born in Texas" - children's book. Giveaway is open to residents in the main 48 continental United States only, 18 years of age or older. No P.O. Boxes, sorry. Giveaway ends 4/9/17.
Disclosure: I received one copy of "Sweet Child Born in Texas" children's book in exchange for my review post. No other compensation was exchanged or received.
