reviews

Barbie: A Fashion Fairytale

I have two little girls, so we have approximately 75 pounds of Barbie and Barbie-related objects in our house. My girls just adore Barbie and were so super excited when Barbie: A Fashion Fairytale arrived in the mail the other day.

My girls just love Barbie - and I have to say that I do to. She is no longer just a pretty face - my girls have Barbies that are vetenarians, doctors, teachers, dolphin trainers... you name it. This time, Barbie is taking on the world of fashion -- which my little fashionista Gracie was thrilled about!!

Join Barbie™ in a colorful, modern-day fairytale filled with fashion, friends and fun! Barbie™ and her dog, Sequin™, jet off to visit her aunt’s amazing fashion house in Paris, and much to her surprise it’s about to be shut down forever. After she discovers three enchanting Flairies™ with sparkle-magic powers, Barbie™ comes up with a brilliant idea to save the business. She even inspires Alice, a shy fashion designer, and together they create a dazzling runway fashion show. Barbie™ shows that magic happens when you believe in yourself. (synopsis from Amazon).

My girls loved this movie. LOVED IT. They were asking when they could watch it again as soon as the credits started rolling. And Mama loved the positive message it gave to them. Barbie sticks to her guns, believes in herself and her talent, fights for her family and is a hard worker. What a message to my little ones! It was much apreciated. Any little girl will love this one!!

Barbie: A Fashion Fairytale is available on DVD September 14th. And be sure to check out Barbie.com for additional goodies your little girl will love, like games and coloring pages.

disclosure: i received a copy of barbie: a fashion fairytale to faciliate this review. i was not compensated financially for this review. this post contains affiliate links.

 

sweetpea beauty: a girl after god's own heart

Even at the young age of seven, my daughter is becoming aware of her looks: It worries me. She wants to cut her hair because "no one has very long hair like me" and worries "Does this match? Is this shirt okay, Mom?" I want to tell her everyday how beautiful she is... but I don't want to have her thinking that is what is most important.

But this is our society. Our daughters are bombarded by artificial beauty - airbrushed, surgically enhanced, dangerously thin people dominate television, movies and magazines. Rather than celebrating differences, we accept a standard of beautiful (that is unrealistic) and mercilessly compare ourselves to it. Does anyone feel they are beautiful enough? Or thin enough? 

So this is why I loved the newest VeggieTales movie called Sweetpea Beauty: A Girl After God's Own Heart. Its a fabulous movie that teaches girls  the real value of true beauty and that God loves them just as He made them. The exact message I've been trying to embed into my little ones! I loved this video and so did my little girls. They thought it was so wonderful and they hardly noticed that they were learning such an important lessons.
Honestly, I was practically in tears during this one - it was just such a fabulous message that I want to instill in my little girls. Every little girl should watch this!

Check out the trailer here. Trust me, you will not be disappointed. I cannot recommend this one enough!

Disclosure: I was provided with a copy of Sweetpea Beauty for review purposes. I was not compensated financially for this post.  As always all opinions are mine.

Pest Quest - new web-based children's show

There's a new, educational web-based children’s show in town and its all about bugs, rodents and wildlife. What kid wouldn't love that? The show, aptly named “Pest Quest,” is produced by the National Pest Management Association in partnership with their children’s website, PestWorldForKids.org.

Each short episode of “Pest Quest” stars a group of children scientists who share fun bug factoids from a colorful science lab set. The show is perfect for kids who are looking for something fun to keep them entertained this summer, and for parents who want to provide their children with safe, educational, not-for-profit online content. If you have a chance, check out the first episodes at www.PestWorld.com/PestQuest/ (and check back often because new episodes will be posted twice a month!).

We can't wait to check it out!

sneak peek of Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue

We LOVE Tinker Bell in our house and we are super, dooper excited to see her latest movie! Check out an exclusive sneak peek!!

curious george: a very monkey christmas

**This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to comment #31 - Susan! Enjoy!!**

This morning, we had a viewing party in our family room of the brand new Curious George Christmas  movie - Curious George's very first holiday movie!  Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas is positively adorable and was a huge hit!

We had a crowd of 11 kids between the ages of 2 and 9. We started out with coloring pages and Curious George tattoos and then moved into the family room with popcorn for the movie. All 11 kids were riveted - they sat for the entire movie and were laughing out loud at George's signature zany antics. (Yes, even the 2-year-old!) And when it was done, they were asking to watch it again. The consensus? "Awesome!" "Super funny!" "I really liked it!" "Silly!" "Mon-kee!" (2-year-old) 

This is such a sweet holiday movie! It will be airing Thanksgiving week - check your local listings. And might I recommend doing this: I remember my aunt sending us a package at Christmas marked "Do not open until Christmas EVE!" She filled it with popcorn and a new movie for the kids to watch. Be a busy mom's hero and provide for a nice distraction for her overexcited little ones at Christmas!

Well, one lucky Girlymama reader will win their very own copy of Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas ! Here's how to enter:

1. Contest ends Friday, November 27.
2. Entry #1: Leave a comment just saying you want to win.
3. Entry #2: Leave a SEPARATE comment telling me your favorite holiday movie.
4. Entry #3:  Leave another comment telling me in what way you promoted this contest (i.e., posting about it on your blog or Facebook, Tweeting about it, emailing  friends, and/or subscribe to my feed by email or in a reader).
5. Winners will be selected by Random.org, announced back here on this post, and notified via email with further instructions.

Good Luck!!

disclaimer: i received supplies for the viewing party: a copy of Curious George, coloring pages, games, etc.  i was not compensated financially for this post or for hosting the party.

bought a baby einstein dvd in the last 5 years?

The Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood (CCFC) has announced that anyone who has purchased a Baby Einstein DVD or VHS in the last five years can receive a full refund.  Why?

In 2006, the CCFC issued a complaint to the FTC about Disney’s practice of marketing Baby Einstein videos as “educational.”

You can read more about this story on the CCFC’s website or go onto Baby Einstein’s site to see their full refund and moneyback guarantee.  If you’re interested, check it out soon as the offer expires in March of 2010.

snow white and the seven dwarfs diamond collection dvd

So how excited was I when I got an advance copy of the new Diamond Edition of Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs from One2One Network.  Having two little girls, we have a very princess-intensive household and we are big fans of Snow White. (Gracie was even Snow White for the past two Halloweens.)

First off, can I just say THANK YOU to Disney for making a DVD/Blu-Ray combo pack!! We haven't been buying kids' movies on Blu-Ray because the kids like to watch movies in the car or on the portable dvd player or on the other tv. So this combo pack is terrific - I'll always be buying the combo pack for all future Disney movies we purchase!! 

The movie is - of course - amazing. This movie is an absolute classic for a reason. It is updated beautifully with amazing picture and sound. (Our old copy of Snow White was an old VHS tape, so watching it on Blu-Ray was like watching it for the first time.) Watch the trailer here. The silly dwarfs, the songs you know by heart, the classic love story... What's not to enjoy? We just loved it!

If you haven't given Blu-Ray a try yet, please do. I beg you. The only reason I tried it was because my husband had a PS3. The first time we saw a Blu-Ray movie (Disney/Pixar's Cars) I was blown away. Really. There really is a difference. I promise! Not only does Blu-Ray provide you with the highest-level viewing experience but its also scratch resistant! Kid proof DVDs!! Finally!

The bonus features on the Diamond Edition include the Disneyview expanded viewing experience, Disney Family Plan with games for everyone to enjoy, Backstage Disney which takes you behind the scenes and Bonus features that include Dopey’s Wild Mine Ride Game and a "Heigh-Ho" Sing-A-Long. My girls loved everything! Especially the Karaoke sing-a-long - that was a humongous hit.

This is a MUST for your collection!

The Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Diamond Collection DVD goes on sale on October 6. If you who already own Snow White on VHS or DVD, click here to grab a $10 off coupon for the new Diamond Edition Combo Pack!