Epic: Review and Giveaway

I did not received any compensation aside from a copy of the movie for review purposes.  All words and opinions are my own. 

Yes, oh yes, do I have a nice little giveaway for you, but before that let me update you a bit on what has been going on around here.

We moved.  Yes, we are officially residents of Texas.  We are still trying to sell our lovely home in VA, (crossing fingers!) and unpacking like crazy.  Unpacking can seem like such an unending task, especially moving from such a large home/property to an apartment (our temporary home until we find the house of our dreams.)  So you can just imagine how crazy our lives have been, that and getting the kids ready for school and making sure they are safe.  (More on that later.)  The important thing is that they started school Monday and they are loving it.  I'm still a bit nervous, but I know the school (and us) have done everything possible to keep my little guy safe from having any anaphalactic reactions to food that may harm him. 

So on to that review shall we.

Have you seen the movie Epic yet?  Oh boy, we did when it first came out in theaters and the kids and I loved it!  And then again before the release of the movie on DVD/Blue Ray.  We fell in love with it all over again! 

 Epic Trailer

It's the perfect family movie.  There's plenty of action for the boys in the family, silliness to keep you laughing, and a whole lot of awesome girl power.  I like it when females are portrayed as strong and independent.  Which is the case of the main character, the forest Queen, and the young flower.  All portrayed strong willed, yet feminine.  If you look closely at some of the battle scenes you can also see some female warriors (now that is cool!  Not that I like war or anything of the sort.  But the truth is there are women warriors.  Just think of our military.)  Exactly the types of movies I like to show my kids.  I also like that, although it is a fantasy, the ending is a bit unexpected (and somewhat realistic.)   

Needless to say you need to get your hands on that movie!

What was that?  What about that giveaway?  Well, that's right.  If you would like to win a DVD/Blue Ray combo courtesy of Fox Home Entertainment, leave a comment telling me what values do you instill in your child to raise her to be a strong independent female and if you have a boy to teach them to respect females? That's it! One comment please.  Make sure to include your name and an email address where I can contact you with.  Giveaway closes on Friday midnight.  Winner will be announced Monday Morning.

On the meantime how about a fun games for your little one?

Epic Bird Race (who can make the fastest folding bird?)

Can You Match That (Epic matching game)

Good luck!

school of rock-a-bye babies: album review and giveaway

We love music!  All kinds of music.  If you happen to be walking by our house (or visiting) you will hear all sort of music booming from our speakers.  From lullabies to rock en Español, from kids music to the classics like Mozart, from romantic boleros to 80's rock (hubby's favorite) ...cumbias...oldies...world music...you name it!  We love it all!  I guess you can say we have a very eclectic taste. 

So when I was contacted by fellow Californian Jen Haydn-Jones, Head of US operations for School of Rock-a-bye Babies, to see if I wanted to review one of her sister's albums I jumped right in!

photo credit: Marie-Anne Ventoura for school of rock-a-bye babies.

I'm glad I did.  Elizabeth Haydn-Jones' music is wonderful, perfect for little ones to follow and dance to.  Her voice is soothing yet uplifting. 

I love that she writes and composes all her songs!  She has a  much varied musical background and can play many instruments.  In fact, this particular album the kids and I reviewed, focuses on rhythm, melody and harmony as she introduces new instruments, like the violin, a guiro, the clarinet and many more.

This album is a perfect addition to our very eclectic collection, and although I know my kids are getting a bit old for some of these songs, they still enjoy them.  I have to admit though, I wish I would have known of Elizabeth and her music a lot sooner because her album would have gotten played even more than it has been.  It would also have been a perfect addition to the Music With Mommy class I use to teach (for the mom's club I am part of) when my little ones where wee little.  Needless to say, I totally recommend this album if you do teach such classes.   But if you don't and you live in London, UK or in California and would love to attend to music school for babies, toddlers and/or preschoolers, well you are in luck because they offer classes! Check out their website for more info.  You can also follow them on Facebook.

photo credit: Marie-Anne Ventoura for School of Rock-a-bye Babies.

I am currently interpreting for a local school program for children with speech delays and plan to recommend this album as well.  It is perfect to use during music time, because not only is it fun to listen and dance to, but it also has many repetition of word use, sounds, and movements. 

Here is a little glimpse of the first song in the School of Rock-a-bye Babies Volume 1 album:

School of Rock-a-bye Babies Promo from Selina Jones on Vimeo.

Nice right?

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

Now for that giveaway:

Elizabeth is graciously giving away two albums of School of Rock-a-bye Babies Volume 1 to two lucky readers.  All you have to do is leave a comment telling me why you would like to win one of her albums.  That's it!  I will select the winners using random.org.  Please only leave one comment.  If you make a mistake erase the first comment and re-post.  Giveaway is open until Friday Feb. 3rd midnight.  I will announce the winner on Monday February 6th.  
  
Note:  The three year celebration giveaway is also still  open for a chance to win one of my romantic handmade upcycled linen brooches!

Good luck! 

**Disclosure:  I will always only review things that I and my family will enjoy.  I was sent three albums, one for review and two to giveaway.  I received no compensation for this review.  All thoughts are my own.**

Let's be creative with Curious George ♥ A que ser creativos con la ayuda de George el Curioso

Oh as you may know by now, we love that curious little monkey named George.  So we were very excited to find out that this month PBS and Curious George will be focusing on the arts.  Hello!  We love the arts! 

Como ya han de saber a nosotros no encanta ese monito curioso llamado George.  Pues se han de imaginar que me puse super contenta al saber que este mes PBS y Curious George se enfocaran en las artes.  ¡Nos encanta todo lo que tiene que ver con las artes!

Today Monday, they start their sixth season (see here for TV times) filled with new and creative episodes:  "Auctioneer George" and "Sock Monkey Opera."  

Hoy Lunes,  empieza su sexta temporada (ver aquí para programación) llena de nuevos y creativos episodios:  "Auctioneer George" y "Sock Monkey Opera."

If you follow me on twitter (or are family/friend) you've probably figure out that I love, love, love the opera, Broadway shows and plays in general.  Since my nenes were very little we have been taking them to see local plays.  They enjoy them as much as I do.  And my little nena has turned out to be such a drama queen (never thought I would use that word to describe my kids) that we have considered putting her in acting classes (just for fun).  I am glad that they decided to create an episode that focuses on the enjoyment of the opera. 

Si me sigues en twitter (o eres familiar/amigo) ya has de saber que a mi me encanta la opera, los Broadway shows y obras de teatro.  Desde que mis nenes eran muy pequeños los hemos llevado a ver obras de teatro locales.  A ellos les gustan mucho a si como a mi.  Y resulta que mi pequeña a resultado ser toda una gran actriz (jajaja), que hasta he pensado ponerla en clases de actuación.  Me da gusto saber que le hayan dedicado un episodio al la opera.

But that's not all,  the creative fun will continue tomorrow Tuesday with "Hamster Cam" and the "Great Monkey Detective."  Perfect for the Sherlock Holmes in your home.

Pero ese no es todo, la diversión creativa continua el Martes con "Hamster Cam" y "Great Monkey Detective."  Perfecto para los Sherlock Holmes en tu casa.

And on Wednesday kids can learn about sculpting and photography along with George, in "George and the Giant Thumb" and "Shutter Monkey." Photography?  I dare say I have two little nenes following their mama steps.  Perfect.

Y el Miercoles, los niños pueden aprender sobre la escultura y fotografía junto George, en "George and the Giant Thumg" and "Shutter Monkey."  ¿Fotografía? Perfecto, pues tengo a dos mini fotografos siguiendo los pasos de su mami.

 

 

This month in addition to celebrating the arts, Curious George will also be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with his friend Marco, during the week of September 19. 

Este mes ademas de celebrar las artes, Curious George también celebrara El Mes de la Hispanidad junto con su gran amigo Marco, durante la semana del 19 de Septiembre.

A fun packed month of Curious George!

¡Un mes lleno de diversión junto a Curious George! 

Don't forget to check out their listings regularly for all the fun and new exciting episodes they will show throughout the season, including a special Earth Day episode "Junky Monkey" coming in April 2012.  We can't wait to watch that one.

No se te olvide a pasar a revisar sus horarios regularmente, para estar al tanto de todos los nuevos y divertidos episodios que tendran durante toda esta temporada, incluyendo un episodio especial para el Dia del Planeta (Earth Day) "Junky Monkey" Que se estrenara en Abril del 2012.  No podemos esperar a verlo.

How exciting is that?!!!

Que divertido ¿no?

Disclosure:  I received a fun filled package through PBS and Latina Bloggers Connect, to help facilitate this post.  All thoughts and comments are my own.  Please know that I will never recommend anything I or my family does not like.

Recibí un paquete par medio de PBS y Latina Bloggers Connect, para facilitarme con este post.  Todos los pensamientos y comentarios son míos.  Por favor recuerda que yo nunca te recomendaría algo si a mi o a mi familia no nos gusta.