Category: Entertainment

Lego The Adventures Of Clutch Powers DVD Review - With Giveaway

lego adventures of clutch powers dvd cover

Lego The Adventures Of Clutch Powers

Available on DVD and digital download on February 23, 2010
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Universal Studios
Run Time: 82 minutes
Official site http://www.curiousgeorge.com/

Synopsis - For the first time ever, see the creative world of LEGO® come to life in the all-new feature-length DVD movie. Meet Clutch Powers, the best builder and explorer in the LEGO®universe as he heads off on his most dangerous mission yet. Join Clutch and his team of LEGO®experts as their adventure leads them from LEGO® City to the Space Police prison planet to the medieval world of Ashlar where they must help the rightful heir to the King’s throne find the courage to regain the kingdom from the evil wizard Mallock the Malign. Their brick-building skills will be put to the ultimate test as they face off against Mallock’s skeleton army. Get ready for an action-packed adventure like nothing you have ever seen before, The Adventures of Clutch Powers!

CJ liked the graphics a lot. I found the story to be part Indiana Jones and part Star Wars. I loved the bits of humor that were incorporated into the storyline. “Let me get your legs. I’m not half the man I used to be.” “She brings extra hair.” I loved when one character chastised another for not following the directions when a piece was left over after building a structure. Despite the fact that they were “bad guys” I really thought the skeleton Lego characters looked cool. It was really neat to see so many of the Lego pieces I’ve seen over many years used in the film, as everything in the film was made of Legos.

DVD TRAILER

WPvideo 1.10

WIN IT!

ONE winner will receive their own copy of the Lego The Adventures Of Clutch Powers DVD.

HOW TO ENTER. (MANDATORY)

To enter leave a comment on this post telling me who you’d use this prize for if you won.

BONUS ENTRIES

1 - Subscribe to my newsletter. (sidebar)
1 - Subscribe to my RSS feed. (sidebar)
1 - Follow me on Twitter AND leave your Twitter name here. (sidebar)
1 - Tweet this giveaway.
1 - Friend me on Facebook (sidebar)
1 - Fave this blog at Technorati (sidebar) AND leave your Technorati name here.
1 - Friend me using Google FriendConnect. (bottom right of page)
1 - Blog about this giveaway, including a link here.
1 - Place my button on your blog. (bottom of page)
1 - Visit Game Review Network and leave a comment on any post there. Then return here and leave a comment on this post telling me one thing you read or learned there. (That’s two comments you need to leave for this bonus entry, one there and one here.) Unlimited entries for this method of entry.
1 - Visit HereAndThere.US (my Mom) and leave a comment on any post (except a giveaway post) there. Then return here and leave a comment on this post telling me one thing you read or learned on my Mom’s blog. (That’s two comments you need to leave for this bonus entry, one there and one here.) Unlimited entries for this method of entry.

Leave an additional comment for each entry you qualify for. You must have completed the first entry according to the instructions to be eligible for any bonus entries.

THE SMALL PRINT.

US addresses only please. This contest will end on Sunday 03/21/10 at 11:59 pm est. If you’ve entered any of my giveaways before then you know that only comments containing all of the requested information will be eligible for entry. The winner must contact me to confirm they wish to receive the prize within two days of my email notifying them they’ve won. Good luck to everyone!

The product(s) featured in this review was provided free of cost to me for the sole purpose of product testing and review. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.

Mar 14, 2010 | 13 comments | View Post

Curious George 2 Follow That Monkey DVD Review - With Giveaway

curious george 2 follow that monkey dvd cover

Curious George 2 Follow That Monkey DVD

Available on DVD on March 2, 2010
Rating: G (General Audience)
Studio: Universal Studios
Run Time: 81 minutes

Press Release - Universal City, California (January 12, 2010) – Buckle up for an unforgettable experience when Curious George and his friends embark on a hilarious madcap cross country adventure in Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey, an all-new feature-length animated film available only on DVD on March 2, 2010 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Filled with the delightful antics, gentle humor and heartfelt emotion that have captivated the hearts of families around the world, Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey includes a menagerie of entertaining bonus features: Two never-before-seen shows from the all-new TV season on PBS that does not air until Fall 2010, a brand new interactive game, an exclusive music video and more. Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey is priced at $19.95 SRP.

As an added savings value to consumers for a limited time, a $5 grocery cash check card mail-in offer will be included in DVD copies of Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey and the purchase of the DVD includes an instant $3 savings towards any Curious George catalog, TV or DVD title purchased in tandem.

In this sidesplittingly funny and heartwarming sequel to the hit 2006 animated feature, George sets out on a coast-to-coast journey to reunite Kayla, a homesick elephant, with her family. Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey features all-star voice talent including Tim Curry (“The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius,” Home Alone 2: Lost in New York), Jamie Kennedy (Kickin’ It Old School, Malibu’s Most Wanted), Matt Lauer (“Today Show”), Frank Welker (“Curious George” TV series, “Futurama,”) and comedy legend Jerry Lewis, plus music from legendary songwriter Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys.

Bonus Features

Two Never Before Seen Bonus Shows from the all-new TV season! See the premiere episode 6 months before it airs!
Curious George’s Cross Country Caper Game – It’s more fun than a barrel of you-know-what when George and Kayla go on the run with security specialist Marcus Wolfe hot on their trail! Exciting puzzles lead the way from New York to California so Kayla can visit her brother and sister. But be careful—a wrong answer could bring the Wolfe right to their door!
Hold On, Here We Go – Exclusive Music Video
Coloring Pages and Wallpapers

We had a lot of fun watching this movie. CJ seemed to enjoy the colorful characters. RB and I also enjoyed it, it got us to talking about our memories of Curious George.We enjoyed George’s persistence in his desire to help his friend Kayla see her family. The coloring is bright and clear. This fun movie helped bring home that friendship and family are important and with hope and determination even the hardest things are possible.

WATCH THE TRAILER

WPvideo 1.10

WIN IT!

ONE winner will receive a Curious George prize pack including this DVD, CD soundtrack, and book.

HOW TO ENTER. (MANDATORY)

To enter leave a comment on this post telling me something you remember about Curious George or something your child likes about Curious George.

BONUS ENTRIES

Leave an additional comment for each entry you qualify for. You must have completed the first entry according to the instructions to be eligible for any bonus entries.

THE SMALL PRINT.

Mar 14, 2010 | 22 comments | View Post

PBS Kids Caillou: Caillou Pretends To Be DVD Review

caillou caillou pretends to be dvd cover

Caillou: Caillou Pretends To Be

Available on DVD on Marc h 16, 2010
Number of discs: 1
Studio: PBS (DIRECT)
Run Time: 100 minutes
SRP $14.99
Available on most retail location where DVDs are sold

Contains episodes including:

Caillou the Patient
Caillou the Police Officer
Grandpa’s Friend
Captain Caillou
The Loudest Noise
Caillou’s First Wedding
Caillou the Road Builder
Caillou’s Building Adventure
House in the Sky
Magnet Madness
Caillou the Dinosaur Hunter
Caillou the Astronaut

CJ never moved from the couch while this DVD was playing. I like Caillou because it entertains while educating. Each episode is colorful and written at a child’s level while having an underlying point or lesson. This DVD reminds us that in a child’s mind anything is possible.

Mar 14, 2010 | 1 comment | View Post

PBS Kids Martha Speaks: Martha Says It With Flowers DVD Review

martha speaks martha says it with flowers dvd cover

Martha Speaks: Martha Says It With Flowers

Studio: PBS (DIRECT)
DVD Release Date: March 9, 2010
Run Time: 100 minutes
SRP $14.99
Not rated

Press release - HOLLYWOOD, CA – Children will have fun while they discover new words from a dog who loves to talk when MARTHA SPEAKS™ Martha Says It With Flowers debuts on DVD March 9, 2010 from PBS KIDS and Paramount Home Entertainment. Based on the successful children’s book series by Susan Meddaugh, and produced by WGBH Boston and Studio B Productions, MARTHA SPEAKS™ follows the adventures of a beloved family dog who develops the power of speech after eating some alphabet soup. Each entertaining episode is designed to help kids learn up to 20 new words and increase their oral vocabulary as they enjoy the escapades of the outspoken, honest and confident Martha and her family and friends.

Martha Speaks: Martha Says it with Flowers DVD includes these episodes:

Raiders of the Lost Art
Martha Says It with Flowers
Martha Gets Spooked
Martha Changes Her Luck
Martha Sings
TD Makes the Band
There Goes the Neighborhood
Ice Scream

Bonus features

Coloring Pages
Parents’ Information

I’d never seen the show Martha Speaks before. Despite being full of vivid watercolor animations, this show is a bit old for CJ although he did like watching the “puppy!” for a while. Martha is a dog that has the ability to speak. I can imagine where a child would think a dog could speak because their alphabet soup got lost on the way to their stomach, which is what the lyrics in the theme song tell us. I like the way that the character of Martha interacts with other characters as well as appears on her own. I also like that at the end of the episode there is a segment helping young viewers understand the meaning of the new words they’ve learned.

Mar 14, 2010 | 1 comment | View Post

PBS Kids Super Why Peter Rabbit And Other Fairytale Adventures

super why peter rabbit and other fairy tale adventures dvd cover

Super Why!: Peter Rabbit and Other Fairytale Adventures

Available on DVD on March 2, 2010
Studio Name: Paramount Home Entertainment
Rating: TV-Y
Run Time (in minutes): 100 minutes

Description - The first superhero series that helps children ages 3-6 learn to read through interactive storybook adventures returns with four new-to-DVD adventures. From Out of the Blue Enterprises, PBS KIDS and Paramount Home Entertainment, Super Why! Peter Rabbit & Other Fairytale Adventures includes fun new interpretations of the classic stories Peter Rabbit, Tom Thumb, Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Rapunzel. Join Super Why and his super friends as they practice spelling, use the power to read and investigate rhyming words in order to change the outcome of the story and save the day! The “Super Why!” television series has received the 2008-2009 Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Award and was nominated for an Emmy® for Outstanding Preschool Children’s Series. The DVD also includes interactive games, music videos, Resources for Parents and coloring pages for even more entertainment.

I’d never seen this show before. Super Why is a children’s show that incorporates the alphabet, spelling, words and reading. The characters include Alpha Pig with alphabet power, princess Presto with spelling power, Wonder Red with word power and Super Why with the power to read. Oh and there’s one more character - Super YOU (yes you) with power to help. I like the way the show involves the viewers by asking them to help, by looking for things. In a way I was reminded of Blue’s Clues, one of CJ’s all time favorite shows. Each time the viewers find a super letter it is entered into a computer, a la the notebook from Blue’s Clues. The colorful episodes are interesting to children while also being educational.

Mar 14, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

General Hospital

gh brand ambassador

I am so behind, the past week and a half have been absolutely wacky. Did you guys see GH at all in the last two weeks? There was some great stuff.

Let me first say that I LOVE the new beginning, which I noticed about two week ago. As each actor/character is shown they show both the actor’s name and the character’s name. All television shows could follow this lead. It’s a great way to help new viewers acclimate.

For the week before last, the big dramatic moment was when Dante lied and Sonny stayed free on bail. I think Dante was left wondering about Sonny after a conversation he had with Robin in the hospital. I wonder if this father and son pair will ever bond or become close.

Speaking of Robin. Is anyone else thinking Robin is a bit jealous of Patrick’s closeness with his ex?

There have been plenty of humorous moments too. Here are my two favorites.

A conversation between Diane and Sonny before the trial.
Diane - “Sonny go upstairs right now and take your clothes off. You might as well be wearing a big neon sign that the godfather is waiting for the jury to come kiss his ring.”

A conversation between Spinelli and Jason over the phone.
Spinelli - The eagle flies at midnight.
Jason - Spinelli, if you’re going to use code the other guy has to know what it means.

On the subject of Jason, one of my favorite characters. I liked seeing him work a little with Lucky, it’s a whole different spin on things. I think Jason really liked Johnny . I think by helping Lucky he’s hoping that maybe Johnny will be arrested before Jason has to take care of the problem.

Speaking of Lucky. Elizabeth has decided to take a paternity test. Any bets? Is the father Nikolas or Lucky?

I still find Lulu and Dante cute and funny. Do you like them as a couple?

A parting note. I notice that scenes from the week are now being shown at the ends of each episode. Thanks! I love little teasers about what’s coming up.

I’m still catching up so stay tuned for last week’s highlights.

general hospital logo

“I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for ABC Daytime and will receive a tote bag or other General Hospital branded items to facilitate my review.”

Mar 10, 2010 | 1 comment | View Post

Momover - The New Mom’s Guide to Getting It Back Together - With Giveaway

Here’s a book for the moms!

momover book cover

Tapping into Meditation to Tame Your Restless Mind
by Dana Wood,
Author of Momover: The New Mom’s Guide to Getting It Back Together (even if you never had it in the first place!)

I can’t tell you how long “Learn to Meditate” has been sitting on my life-goals list. Not on my ho-hum to-do list, next to “schedule teeth cleaning” or “buy Huggies Pull-Ups.” I’m talking about the biggie, the list that serves as the repository for my deepest desires for myself, like “Find Hubby” and “Have Baby.” That’s how important I consider meditation to my overall health and wellness.

So if it’s so important, why haven’t I tackled it before now? I guess I wasn’t ready. Though I’m sure I could’ve benefited from meditation at earlier stages of my life, I was just too antsy to explore it (and yes, I see the irony in that). Another big reason is that I’d always assumed meditation required a lot of skill and knowledge. Not so. As it turns out, meditation is just like so many other things in life. Sometimes you just have to wade into the shallow end and start splashing around. “There’s no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ with meditation,” says intuitive guru Michele Bernhardt, a multitasking healer, astrologer, and metaphysician who’s produced several guided meditation CDs. (Learn more at her brilliant website, www.myinnerworld.com.) ”A big part of meditation is your intention.”

So at least intend to give meditation a shot, and in the process, you’ll be giving yourself the opportunity to relax, gain mental clarity, and connect with your spirituality.

Go with the Flow

As I said, I hope you don’t take a page out of my book by contemplating meditation for a good ten years before actually trying it. To help you move your intention into reality and make the whole shebang that much more compelling, here’s a list of tips:

Designate a sacred space: For me, it’s my walk-in closet. I love the girl-power vibe — the shoes, the dresses, the purses. Attached to my office, my walk-in is a key part of my “Dana Zone.” I’ve stocked it with a few small pillows and a beautiful meditation mat Bernhardt gave me years ago. In one of my shoe cubbies, I’ve stashed a gorgeous sand timer, pictures of the ocean, candles, meditation CDs, and a player. Though pillows and candles are the norm, trick out your own sacred space with treasures that speak to you.
Create a ritual: This can involve repeating a mantra, listening to particular music (I like Gregorian chants, but you might prefer wind chimes, Tibetan bells, etc.), or inhaling certain scents. “I think, deep inside, most of us love a ritual,” says Bernhardt. “So use sounds, a candle, or some kind of scentlike incense or myrrh. Patchouli is also perfect. With a scent, right away your body says, ‘Okay, I’m ready.’”
Make sure you’re comfy: Sorry, that means no Spanx. (Kidding. Sort of.) If you’re not keen on sitting on the floor with your back erect and your hands on your knees, you can sit in a chair. Just make sure you’re maintaining good posture, that you’re positioned a few inches away from the back of the chair, and that your feet are on the floor. Kneeling is another possibility, though you might want to use a pillow for support.
Observe your thoughts without “feeding” them: We discuss how tricky this is below, but it becomes easier once you realize that it’s all about detachment. For instance, if, midmeditation, you think about the fact that you need to take your DD to the doc, you say to yourself, ”I’m having a thought about needing to take the baby to the pediatrician.” What you don’t do is take that original thought to the next level, as in, “Next Tuesday afternoon might work” or “I hope the poor little doll doesn’t need too many shots.” Just let those snippets pass in and out without reaction.

themotherload

“I’ve gotten much more deeply spiritual since I had my child. I trace it directly to being pregnant with him. I was introduced to the notion that our babies choose us as parents. Well, that terrified me to my core. So, I started an intense inner dialogue with my unborn child about who I really am, what kind of mother I hoped to be, my hopes and dreams, etc. To do that, I had to really dig deep and explore the whole ‘Who Am I? Why Am I Here?’ business. It got me on the path that has led to my becoming a meditation coach. I meditate daily and love it. ”

-Katherine, mama of one

The above is an excerpt from the book Momover: The New Mom’s Guide to Getting It Back Together (even if you never had it in the first place!) by Dana Wood, Foreword by Veronica Webb. The above excerpt is a digitally scanned reproduction of text from print. Although this excerpt has been proofread, occasional errors may appear due to the scanning process. Please refer to the finished book for accuracy.

Author Bio
Dana Wood, author of Momover: The New Mom’s Guide to Getting It Back Together (even if you never had it in the first place!), is a mother, wife, and the writer of “Momover,” an online column that explores the collision of age and first-time mommyhood. Currently the senior fashion features editor of W, Wood has served as the beauty director of W and the health and beauty director of Cookie. In her twenty-plus years of journalism, she has also written for numerous national publications, including Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, Women’s Health, Self, and People. Learn more about Wood and her her popular blog at Momover.net. She lives in New York, NY.

WIN IT!

ONE winner will receive a copy of the book Momover.

HOW TO ENTER. (MANDATORY)

To enter leave a comment on this post telling me if you have ever tried meditation and what you do to relax.

BONUS ENTRIES

1 - Subscribe to my newsletter. (sidebar)
1 - Subscribe to my RSS feed. (sidebar)
1 - Follow me on Twitter AND leave your Twitter name here. (sidebar)
1 - Tweet this giveaway.
1 - Friend me on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/valmg
1 - Fave this blog at Technorati AND leave your Technorati name here.
1 - Friend me using Google FriendConnect. (bottom right of page)
1 - Blog about this giveaway, including a link here.
1 - Place my button on your blog. (bottom of page)
1 - Visit Game Review Network and leave a comment on any post (except a giveaway post) there. Then return here and leave a comment on this post telling me one thing you read or learned there. (That’s two comments you need to leave for this bonus entry, one there and one here.) Unlimited entries for this method of entry.
1 - Visit HereAndThere.US (my Mom) and leave a comment on any post (except a giveaway post) there. Then return here and leave a comment on this post telling me one thing you read or learned on my Mom’s blog. (That’s two comments you need to leave for this bonus entry, one there and one here.) Unlimited entries for this method of entry.

Leave an additional comment for each entry you qualify for. You must have completed the first entry according to the instructions to be eligible for any bonus entries.

THE SMALL PRINT.

US addresses only please. This contest will end on Sunday 03/14/10 at 11:59 pm est. If you’ve entered any of my giveaways before then you know that only comments containing all of the requested information will be eligible for entry. The winner must contact me to confirm they wish to receive the prize within two days of my email notifying them they’ve won. Good luck to everyone!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

Mar 04, 2010 | 5 comments | View Post

never Before Seen Interview With Brandon Barash Of General Hospital

One of the reasons I’m so glad to have been chosen as a General Hospital Brand Ambassador is because it will give me access to information I might not have othersie. Like today, for example. Here’s a never-before-seen interview with Brandon Barash of General Hospital, the actor who plays Johnny Zacchara.

Interview Transcription

Q: What would you do if you could turn back time?
A: I would meet Benjamin Franklin.

Q: What do you do in your down time?
A: I like playing music, standing on my head, walking around in nature — and if I’m really feeling ambitious, I’ll do all three at the same time.

Q: What is the best way to prepare for a love scene?
A: The best way to prepare for a love scene is by spending lots of hours at the gym.

Q: What is your favorite sport?
A: Basketball – college or NBA.

Q: What would you be doing if you weren’t an actor?
A: If I could not act I would NOT be one of those people who give you tickets for expired parking meter. I would be a surgeon or a police office in Alaska. Only in Alaska.

Q: Describe your perfect date.
A: My perfect date is being with a girl I can talk to.

Q: What is one of your favorite things to do?
A: When it is just me and my dad my favorite thing is to sit outside, drink a scotch and talk about nothing.

Q: What do you do for Thanksgiving?
A: I spend Thanksgiving with both sides of my large extended family.

Q: describe your most memorable moment on GH.
A: When Jonny was shot 5 times and survived it, recovered and went to a wedding the next day.

Q: What was the most memorable moment of pop culture in 2009?
A: Clearly it was when we lost the late and great MJ.

“I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for ABC Daytime and will receive a tote bag or other General Hospital branded items to facilitate my review.”

Mar 03, 2010 | 1 comment | View Post

I’m A General Hospital Brand Ambassador!

I have some more exciting news! I have been named an official General Hospital Brand Ambassador!

I have watched General Hospital, or GH, as many fans know it, since I was about 12-13 years old. My Mom got me hooked. I watched in high school and remember rushing home to watch Luke and Laura get married. I kept watching in high school, occasionally skipping class just to watch. I still watch GH today. I actually never miss an episode, thanks to the magic of the DVR. Truth be told, I actually have the DVR set to record the local station feed as well as the replay on SoapNet, who never has sports or political interruptions, whoohoo!

As a Brand Ambassador for General Hospital I will have a chance to get the inside scoop on show developments, storylines, and special promotions from the ABC Daytime Team, share that information with you and give feedback to them as well.

I hope you’ll stick around and chat with me about GH. I’d love to get to know my fellow fans better, because chatting about GH is one of my favorite things to do.

One of the things I love the most about General Hospital is that they incorporate humor. Some of my favorite moments from the past week include:

Lulu and Dante - Dante is recovering in the hospital and discovers “Glow in the dark condoms!”

Jason to Sam on the Valentine’s Day decorations - “It’s pink!”

Sonny and Luke discussing discovering a child they didn’t know they had -
“How did you finally connect with Ethan?
Well I didn’t shoot him in the chest…”

If you’re a General Hospital fan be sure to check out the General Hospital Moms Group. It’s a fun way to find other Moms that are fans and chat about the show. To join the group you need to be a member of Mom Central. If you aren’t already you can register for free. Once you’re registered and logged in to the Mom Central page go to the Groups tab and find the General Hospital Moms group and click join this group. That’s it!

Mom Central is currently running an exciting General Hospital sweepstakes that fans will definitely want to enter. One lucky winner will be randomly selected to receive a trip to Los Angeles to visit the set of General Hospital and have a walk-on role. The sweepstakes is open until February 28th. Here’s a link to the survey for the sweepstakes - http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22A5X5XEZD9. Hurry, there’s still time to enter!

“I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for ABC Daytime and will receive a tote bag or other General Hospital branded items to facilitate my review.”

Feb 24, 2010 | 1 comment | View Post

TCM’s 31 Days Of Oscar Festival

31 days of oscar logo

One of the things that so many people enjoy talking about is awards shows, especially the Oscars. I think so many people enjoy watching, and talking about, movies is because they make us feel. How are you feeling today?

This year’s Oscars are being held on March 7, 2010.

The Turner Classic Movies Annual 31 Days of Oscar festival has officially begun! It features 360 Academy Award-nominated and winning movies, presented uncut and commercial-free. This year the films are scheduled in a format inspired by the ever-popular Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon game – starting with Only When I Laugh and ending with Diner, it’s designed so that each movie is linked to the next movie in the lineup through a shared actor or actress. These films are sure to get you in the mood for the big event on March 7, 2010 .

Here’s the schedule.

There are a number of movies I like listed but I think my favorite is Tootsie - I loved that movie! Which movie is your favorite?

I received a TCM Oscar Party pack – complete with popcorn, candy, a martini shaker, coasters to thank me for taking the time to mention the festival. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post are my own and have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.

Feb 23, 2010 | 1 comment | View Post

Join The Mom Central General Hospital Moms Group And Enter To Win A Walk On Role On GH

general hospital win walk on banner

I watch soap operas. I’m an ABC girl, always have been. I started watching them in high school, I was about twelve. When I went to college at the age of fifteen you could almost always find me in front of the television at 3 pm for General Hospital. GH has always been my favorite. I still watch it to this day. I have the DVR set to record it every afternoon. I even have the DVR set to record the backup program on Soap Net later in the evening in case the network show was preempted. Does that border on obsessive or what?!

Mom Central and ABC Daytime are hunting for fans interested in joining a General Hospital Moms Group. Members of the group will be able to easily find other Moms that are fans and chat about the show. Right now members of the group can enter a contest where the prize is a trip to the GH set and a walk-on role! To join the group you need to be a member of Mom Central. If you aren’t already you can register for free. Once you’re registered and logged in to the Mom Central page go to the Groups tab and find the General Hospital Moms group and click join this group. That’s it! Now you can complete the survey to enter you into the contest, which ends 02/28/10.

Another thing you can do once you’re a member of the group is apply to be a General Hospital Brand Ambassador. (I’d love to do this! Pick me! Pick me!) How cool would it be to have an inside peek at story lines, developments and promotions from ABC Daytime! If you’d like to apply for the General Hospital Brand Ambassador program, please click here.

Feb 04, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Have A Question You’d Like Asked On The Red Carpet At The People’s Choice Awards

red carpet

Something a lot of people have in common is an interest in celebrities. For some it is just a minor interest, for others a deep fascination. I’ve met a couple of celebrities in my day. Some include Bill Elliott (Nascar driver), John Loprieno (actor, One Life To Live), James DePaiva (actor, One Life To Live) are the ones that come to mind quickly. I was fortunate enough to meet my all time favorite Nascar driver Rusty Wallace twice. What do they all have in common? I have no doubt that not a one of them remembers who in the world I am.

Let’s face it, celebrities meet a lot of people. If you hope to make an impression you definitely want to have something original or memorable to say or ask. If I had the chance to meet them all again for the first time, this time I’d have a good question for them.

Lee, another blogger that hangs out at MomDot, is going to have a really neat opportunity this week. She’s going to be interviewing celebs on the People’s Choice Awards red carpet on January 6th. How cool is that!

She’d like to be prepared with some questions and is asking for help from people like you and I. If you click here to go to Lee’s blog you can leave a comment on her blog with your name, city and state, the name of your favorite People’s Choice Awards nominee and your question for that celebrity. Then watch www.momtv.com on Thursday at 10PM EST and see if your question gets asked. There will also be a replay at 8PM on Friday night.

Have you met any celebrities? I’d love it if you left me a comment here on someone you’ve met and how it went.

Jan 03, 2010 | 1 comment | View Post

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE - MUST HAVES - V Tech VSmile Cyber Pocket

vtech cyber pocket

CJ is 10 but developmentally he’s much younger. It can be very hard to shop for toys for him because usually he’s either got it or it’s just not a good fit for him. One thing he enjoys tremendously is playing video games. His old VSmile has seen much better days. V Tech now makes a newer model, the VSmile Cyber Pocket.

About the VSmile Cyber Pocket

Kid-smart video gaming goes anywhere with V.Smile Cyber Pocket – featuring a flip top high resolution screen and easy touch writing pad, V.Smile Cyber Pocket even adjust to both right and left-handed players.

V.Smile Cyber Pocket users can also access a secure website using V.Link to show kids how their game scores stack up as well as provide them with bonus games to reward their progress. It’s easy to use and encourages them to keep up the good work!

Best of all, V.Smile Cyber Pocket toys play all of the Smartridges in the V.Smile Library. So as kids’ skills grow, you can keep supplying them with new challenges.

CJ adjusted to playing with the new VSmile Cyber Pocket quickly. There’s a lot of things I like about this game. It improves eye to hand coordination. It helps both fine and gross motor skills. It encourages concentration. The game skills have educational value while remaining fun and interesting. The game system itself fits well in his hands and isn’t too big or too small, making it the ideal toy for both home and long car rides. It’s great that all of the VSmile cartridges work in it, so games from the other systems like the VMotion can be used. The VSmile Cyber Pocket operates on 4 AA batteries. I have found the battery life to be quite reasonable but for those concerned there is an AC adapter available for about $10. We give this system six thumbs up - 2 from me, 2 from RB and 2 from CJ. The model we received did not have the capability to connect to a television but I believe the current model in stores does. That’s a feature we definitely would enjoy.

The V Tech VSmile Cyber Pocket sells for $49.99. It’s available for purchase online and in stores nationwide.

The product(s) featured in this review was provided free of cost to me for the sole purpose of product testing and review. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.

Dec 27, 2009 | 1 comment | View Post

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE - The Game Of Things

hasbro the game of things contents

GIFT IDEA - THE GAME OF THINGS

About The Game Of Things

You won’t believe the hilarious, creative, outrageous and unforgettable THINGS your friends will say during this provocative party game! Draw a topic card and read it out loud. “THINGS a chimp thinks about when he sees you at the zoo.” Then the other players write down their own responses: “You think I’m weird looking?” “What are you looking at?” or perhaps “Are you my mommy?” Then try to figure out who said what! Remember, you can write anything that comes to mind… so be as fun as you want!

I received a sample of The Game Of Things. It’s an easy to play party game that’s a lot of fun. One person is the reader, the other players each receive a piece of paper and pencil. The reader gives a topic (question) and the players all write down their answer. Then the reader reads off the answers and everyone has to guess who wrote what answer. No worries, everyone has to take a turn as the reader. We tried this game with four people and it was a lot of fun. This is definitely one of those games that keeps you laughing! It’s a great party game and I think it’d be hysterical as a couples game. I can see possible expansion cards in the future if they came out with theme decks.

The game comes with 300 topic cards, 1 response pad, 1 score pad, 10 pencils and instructions.

The Game Of Things is for four or more adult players. It retails for $26.99 and is available for purchase in stores nationwide and online.

hasbro the game of things

Dec 22, 2009 | 2 comments | View Post

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE - Monopoly City

monopoly city board

GIFT IDEA - MONOPOLY CITY

About Monopoly City

Monopoly City allows players to build their own 3-D city in this new twist on the classic game! For the first time ever players can build from the start, creating their own metropolis in the center of the board. The game includes 80 3-D buildings, including industrial blocks, skyscrapers, and even parks. But life as a real estate tycoon isn’t always easy - opponents can sabotage your plans. If they build a sewage plant on your land, your rent value will plummet!

We love Monopoly in our house. The reason we don’t play it more often is we don’t always want to sit around for an hour just moving around the board buying property. That’s what makes Monopoly City neat - you cut right to the action. Right from the start you can start negotiating and making deals. What I like best is that it’s easy to be a little sneaky and set your opponent up. Three of us played for almost two hours and had a blast. It was cool to play with the new 3D pieces.

Monopoly City is for two to six players and is recommended for age 8 and up. It retails for $34.99 and is available for purchase in stores nationwide and online.

monopoly city box