Mommy Has to Work

The Angry Birds Movie available for digital download on July 29 and debuts on Blu-ray and DVD on August 16th

July 31, 2016 By Marijean

THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE

Hatching Early on Digital July 29
On Blu-ray^™Combo Pack, 4K Ultra HD^™ + Blu-ray 3D^™ Combo Pack & DVD Aug. 16
Loaded with Bonus Materials, Including Deleted Scenes, Piggy Dance-Along and the All-New Short “The Early Hatchling Gets the Worm”

Bring the party home when the hit animated comedy, THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE, debuts onto digital July 29 and Blu-ray^™/DVD Combo Pack, 4K Ultra HD^™/Blu-ray 3D combo pack and DVD Aug. 16 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Based on the most downloaded app of all time (nearly 3.5 billion downloads), the film that catapulted to #1 at the box office in the U.S. and more than 50 others countries takes us to an island populated entirely by happy, flightless birds – or almost entirely. In this paradise, hot-headed Red, speedy Chuck, and the volatile Bomb have always been outsiders. But when the island is visited by mysterious green piggies, it’s up to these unlikely outcasts to figure out what the pigs are up in order to save their home. Boasting an “A” CinemaScore (viewers under age 25) and featuring even more of the breakout, fan-favorite Hatchlings, don’t miss the film that quickly became one of the highest-grossing video game based films of all time.The all-star voice cast includes Jason Sudeikis (Horrible Bosses) as Red, Josh Gad (Frozen) as Chuck, Danny McBride (This is the End) as Bomb, Maya Rudolph (Bridesmaids) as Matilda, Kate McKinnon (Ghostbusters) as Stella, Sean Penn (Milk) as Terence, Tony Hale (“Veep”) as Ross, Keegan-Michael Key (“Key & Peele”) as Judge Peckinpah, with Bill Hader (Inside Out) as Leonard and Peter Dinklage (“Game of Thrones”) as Mighty Eagle. Rounding out the flock are Hannibal Buress (Daddy’s Home), Ike Barinholtz (Neighbors), Tituss Burgess (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”), Jillian Bell (22 Jump Street), Billy Eichner (“Billy on the Street”), Danielle Brooks (“Orange is the New Black”), YouTube stars Smosh (Ian Hecox and Anthony Padilla) and Latin music sensation Romeo Santos.

Bonus content on THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE Blu-ray, DVD and digital formats includes a bonus scene; the Blake Shelton Music Video “Friends;” Symphony Mode, which allows viewers to play the movie without all the squawking, just the music; a Character Sketch Gallery, where fans can see drawings and renderings of the birds, pigs and environments from the film; and Music Vignettes with Composer Heitor Pereira. Blu-ray and digital exclusive content includes the all-new short “The Early Hatchling Gets the Worm”, deleted scenes and a series of fun mini-movies featuring the Hatchlings. There are also five additional featurettes including “Dance Along Birds and Pigs,” where fans learn the line dance from the movie; “Crafty Birds,” where viewers learn how to build their own piggy tower; and three featurettes where fans can “Meet the Birds,” “Meet The Pigs” and “Meet the Hatchlings.”

Additionally, fans can unlock more content by syncing the Angry Birds Action! app with the audio on the
Blu-ray or Digital version of the movie. The Angry Birds Action! app movie integration will also extend to retail where fans can unlock an augmented reality Hatchlings selfie feature by scanning “bird codes” on in-store signage.

National promotional partners, including top retail and grocery brands, are teaming up with SPHE to offer consumers high-flying deals through a variety of brand integrations. Those partners include: Sonic Drive-Ins, Furniture of America, Mrs. Thinster’s Cookie Thins and Post Malt-O-Meal Cereals.

Angry Birds Toons: Season 3 Volume 1 will also be available on digital July 29 and on DVD Aug. 16. The set features 13 mini episodes of avian adventures that the whole family can enjoy. Bonus materials include three behind-the-scenes videos and character reels featuring Chuck, King Pig and Matilda.

4K Ultra HD features four times the resolution of high definition, high dynamic range (HDR)–which produces brilliant highlights, vibrant colors and greater contrast on compatible displays–and Dolby Atmos audio, remixed specifically for the home theater environment, delivering captivating sound that places and moves audio anywhere in the room, including overhead.

Synopsis:
In the animated comedy-adventure, THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE, we’ll finally find out why the birds are so angry. The movie takes us to an island populated entirely by happy, flightless birds – or almost entirely. In this paradise, Red (Jason Sudeikis), a bird with a temper problem, speedy Chuck (Josh Gad), and the volatile Bomb (Danny McBride) have always been outsiders. But when the island is visited by mysterious green piggies, it’s up to these unlikely outcasts to figure out what the pigs are up to.

The Columbia Pictures/Rovio Animation film is directed by Fergal Reilly and Clay Kaytis from a screenplay by Jon Vitti. Produced by John Cohen and Catherine Winder, THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE was executive produced by Mikael Hed and David Maisel.

Blu-ray, DVD & Digital Extras Include:

Bonus Scene: “Chuck’s Rescue”
Symphony Mode
Making Music! With Composer Heitor Pereira
Blake Shelton Music Video “Friends”
Photo Gallery

Blu-ray & Digital Exclusive Extras Include:

All-New Short “The Early Hatchling Gets the Worm”
3 More Hatchlings Shorts
Deleted Scenes
Crafty Birds – How to Build Your Own Piggy Tower
Dance Along Birds and Pigs
Creating the Real World of Angry Birds
Meet The Birds
Meet The Pigs
Meet The Hatchlings

THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE has a run time of approximately 97 minutes and is rated PG for rude humor and action.

ABOUT SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) is a Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) company. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. For additional information, go to http://www.sonypictures.com.

ABOUT ROVIO ANIMATION
Rovio Animation creates and distributes family-friendly animation properties for audiences worldwide. Rovio Animation distributes content through ToonsTV, the multi-channel video entertainment app available on iOS, Android and Apple TV. In addition, Rovio Animation manages the licensed consumer products business based on the globally known Angry Birds franchise, as well as the licensing and publishing of other properties. The Angry Birds Movie, Rovio Animation’s first full-length feature film, was released in May 2016. www.rovio.com

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Doc McStuffins: Toy Hospital on DVD October 18th

July 29, 2016 By Marijean

Get ready for cuddly Disney Magic with Doc McStuffins and her pet friends in DOC MCSTUFFINS: TOY HOSPITAL on DVD October 18^th! Filled with over 2 hours of new episodes & songs, and a FREE exclusive toysponder bracelet packed inside! Join Doc as she expands her practice from the backyard clinic to the magical new world of McStuffinsville, where she will carry on a family tradition by becoming Chief Resident of McStuffins Toy Hospital!

Join Doc McStuffins on Her Adventures as New Chief Resident of McStuffins Toy Hospital

Set in the Magical New World of McStuffinsville

DOC McSTUFFINS: TOY HOSPITAL

Bring Home on Disney DVD on October 18th

Includes over 2 Hours of New Adventures and New Songs,
Plus a FREE Exclusive Toysponder Bracelet!

Join Doc as she expands her practice from the backyard clinic to the magical new world of McStuffinsville, where she will carry on a family tradition by becoming Chief Resident of McStuffins Toy Hospital. After Grandma McStuffins shares the news that she too has the ability to bring toys to life, she transports Doc and her friends to McStuffinsville, a magical world made up entirely of toys. There, Doc appoints Lambie in charge of the toy nursery, Stuffy on vet duty, Chilly as receptionist and Hallie as head nurse.

Also featured are four episodes highlighting the McStuffins’ family experience as they encounter the joys of adoption after Mom and Dad McStuffins announce that they are adopting a baby. Storylines focus on a variety of emotions and situations young children can encounter when a new baby arrives in the family.

Laya DeLeon Hayes as Doc McStuffins; Lara Jill Miller as Lambie; Robbie Rist as Stuffy; Loretta Devine as Hallie; Jess Harnell as Chilly; Andre Robinson as Donny McStuffins; Kimberly Brooks as Mom McStuffins; Gary Anthony Williams as Dad McStuffins; and Dawnn Lewis as Grandma McStuffins.

Executive Producer: Chris Nee

Episodes:

Welcome to McStuffinsville

Baby McStuffins/Selfless Snowman

Runaway Love/Tour De McStuffins

Bringing Home Baby

Baby Names/Night, Night Lala!

Release Date:

October 18, 2016

Release Format:

DVD

Ratings:

TV-Y

Feature Run Time:

Approximately 142 minutes

Aspect Ratio:

1.78:1 Widescreen (Enhanced for 16×9 Televisions)

Audio:

2.0 Dolby Digital

Languages:

English, French & Spanish

Subtitles:

English SDH, French & Spanish

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

‘Kubo and the Two Strings’ debuts two new featurettes / In theaters August 19, 2016 #KuboMovie

July 29, 2016 By Marijean

See the lineage of the movie’s villains as they come to life in an all-new featurette.

Discover the myth of Kubo by watching a new featurette, which includes commentary from director Travis Knight, actors Charlize Theron and Matthew McConaughey, and more!

Kubo’s quest begins nationwide August 19, 2016 from animation studio LAIKA and Focus Features.

Synopsis:

Kubo and the Two Strings is an epic action-adventure set in a fantastical Japan from acclaimed animation studio LAIKA. Clever, kindhearted Kubo (voiced by Art Parkinson of “Game of Thrones”) ekes out a humble living, telling stories to the people of his seaside town including Hosato (George Takei), Hashi (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa), and Kameyo (Academy Award nominee Brenda Vaccaro). But his relatively quiet existence is shattered when he accidentally summons a spirit from his past which storms down from the heavens to enforce an age-old vendetta. Now on the run, Kubo joins forces with Monkey (Academy Award winner Charlize Theron) and Beetle (Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey), and sets out on a thrilling quest to save his family and solve the mystery of his fallen father, the greatest samurai warrior the world has ever known. With the help of his shamisen – a magical musical instrument – Kubo must battle gods and monsters, including the vengeful Moon King (Academy Award nominee Ralph Fiennes) and the evil twin Sisters (Academy Award nominee Rooney Mara), to unlock the secret of his legacy, reunite his family, and fulfill his heroic destiny.

Director: Travis Knight

Writers: Marc Haimes, Chris Butler (“ParaNorman”); Story by Shannon Tindle, Marc Haimes

Voice Cast: Charlize Theron, Art Parkinson, Ralph Fiennes, George Takei, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Brenda Vaccaro, Rooney Mara, and Matthew McConaughey

For more information, please follow:

FACEBOOK I TWITTER I INSTAGRAM

#KuboMovie

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Baby Bliss Essentials Review and Giveaway #babyblissessentials

July 28, 2016 By Marijean

I’ve recently reviewed two products by Baby Bliss Essentials, a small business created by a mom driven to create natural products for her own children. All products are made with all natural, therapeutic grade essential oils.

The first product I reviewed was the Tushy Spray. It’s purpose is to heal and prevent diaper rash, including rashes caused by yeasts. I tried this product on my 11 month old son in place of the harsh diaper creams that are found in the grocery store. The Tushy Spray cleared his diaper rash over two days. I decided to take it a step further since it’s also safe to use on other parts of the body. My son tends to have dry skin due to the pool water and drying sunscreen. I started to use the Tushy Spray all over after baths. It not only moisturizes his skin but leaves a fresh and calming scent.

Just in time for back-to-school, I reviewed Namaste, an all natural disinfecting cleaning spray. This product neutralized my older boys’ smelly sneakers leaving behind a clean scent.

More from Bay Bliss Essentials:

Baby Bliss Essentials is a family business specializing in products to nurture you, your baby, and nature that began as a quest for innovative products for our own family. We wanted our children to grow up in a pure, chemical-free environment.

Babies are sensitive to their surroundings, so we ensure that all ingredients selected are only made of the purest and highest quality.

We can ensure that we are providing a healthy and enriching environment for ourselves, children, and simultaneously preserving Mother Earth.

We hope you enjoy our products and that it helps you live a more meaningful, simpler life while getting in touch with your inner bliss.

Baby Bliss Essentials offers a variety of products such as Bug Off, a Salt Glow Scrub and Lovies for babies, just to name a few.

Baby Bliss Essentials would like to host a give away! Enter to win your choice of the Lice Shield Detangling Spray or the All Natural Disinfecting Spray to get your little one ready for back-to-school!

To order Baby Bliss Essentials products please visit their Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/babyblissessentials

GIVEAWAY

Would you like to try Baby Bliss Essentials? One lucky winner will receive choice of either Lice Shield Detangling Spray or the All Natural Disinfecting Spray to get your little one ready for back-to-school! Giveaway ends 8/11. U.S. Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***I was given a product in exchange for my honest opinion. This review is based on my experience with the product. I am not affiliated with the company and everything in this review is my opinion.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Why Many People Would Love To Take Their Kids To The UK (And You Should, Too!)

July 28, 2016 By Anne

Taking the kids abroad is a great idea for the summer holidays. It gives them something to look forward to and breaks the monotony of the endless weeks at home. But where should you go? Why not try a trip to the UK? Read on to find out the reasons why.

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History

One of the best reasons to visit the UK is because of the rich sense of history and culture there. There are castles and manor houses, and Roman remains dotted all over the UK, and they make an excellent choice for an educational and fun visit. If you choose a castle to visit, you can teach your little ones about life in the olden days by taking the guided or audio tours. These can help the history of the place come to life. The Northumberland coast line is a particularly good place to take in some castle culture. See Bamburgh Castle, Alnwick Castle, or Dunstanburgh Castle. You can even take a trip on a boat to Lindisfarne or the holy isle. That is where the monks use to live in splendid isolation and contemplation for the pursuit of higher spiritual goals.

If you are looking for a slightly more modern take on history, then why not check out Althorp Estate. This is the family seat of Princess Diana, ‘the people’s princess’. She was married to and then divorced from Prince Charles, the next in line to the British Throne. She died tragically in Paris in 1997. Althorp Estate has become a memorial to her. Manor houses like this are great as they often show the way that the rooms would have to be decorated when they were first built. This means you can get a sense of what it would be like to live in such a huge and luxurious setting.

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Of course, the major cities are also great choices for history buffs. Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London are not to be missed. Why not take a trip to York and explore the cobbled streets and cathedral there? Or you can check out Warwick Castle. They have medieval jousting events running regularly. Or why not try Coombe Abbey, where you can take part in an authentic medieval banquet.

Scenery

Another reason kids will love the UK is the huge difference between the scenery there and the landscape of the US. You can see cobbled streets and Dickensian style shops in the older cities like York and Brighton.

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The there is the Lake District, this is a very beautiful part of the North of Britain. The lakes and lush green pastoral scenery are quite beautiful, and there is a lot of things to do like walking tours, taking a boat trip or enjoying a cream tea.

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Activities

While there is no Disneyland in the UK, there are a lot of different smaller theme parks that look like a lot of fun. You can try Alton Towers, which has the first VR roller coaster in the country, or how about Legoland Windsor? Then there is Nickelodeon Land if you are at the seaside in Blackpool. Its great for the younger kids that are into the Last Airbender and other Nic shows. Or you could get them to do something active like Go Ape, which is a chain of treetop adventure courses that runs all over the UK.

Food

Some American kids can be fussy about traditional British food. But to their luckily, American style food is quite popular in the UK at the moment. There is no shortage of places where you can get a good burger or hot dog. In fact, in most cities, there are now Five Guys outlets and other gourmet burger chain such as Byron. There you can get your burger cooked medium or rare.

If you want some more traditionally British food to sample while you’re on your travels, you must go to a local country pub for a Sunday roast dinner. Try to make sure that they are an independent business and not run by a chain. Chain pubs in the UK, often use prepared food, while in a good old traditional English pub they will have cooked your roast from scratch.

Then, of course, there is fish and chips. This one is bound to be popular with the kids. To get an authentic experience buy some while you are at the seaside and eat them out of the paper while walking ago the sea front. Don’t forget to cover them with salt and vinegar and ask for a wally (we’ll let you find out what that it when you get there!)

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Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!