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Mirror MirrorYou’ve heard Snow White’s story before. But you may not have heard the Wicked Queen’s. As Clementianna (Julia Roberts) tells her version at the beginning of Mirror Mirror, animated figures act out an increasingly dark tale, wherein Snow White’s mother dies in childbirth and her father disappears into the woods one night — after he takes a moment to marry Clementianna, who is left behind to care for her stepdaughter. Afraid the child will grow up to become “the fairest of them all,” the evil queen keeps her locked inside the castle, while she visits regularly with the source…
Ollie the Purple ElephantMr. McLaughlin tells his children that should they ever come across a purple elephant, they could keep him. Of course, the children, Peter and Shelby, find such a creature in the park and bring him home. Ollie fits in beautifully with the family and their activities, especially on hot days when he cools down the kids and their friends with his water-spouting trunk. Everyone loves Ollie, except for Ginger, the McLaughlin’s cat, and Mr. Puddlebottom, the man who lives in the apartment below. Ginger and Mr. Puddlebottom create a scheme that sends Ollie away with the circus. One year later, when the circus comes…
The Hunger GamesIn the mornings, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) heads out to hunt. She makes her way out of the cottage she shares with her mother (Paula Malcomson) and little sister Primrose (Willow Shields), past the fence marking the “District Boundary,” into the woods where she shoots squirrels and birds. A determined provider for her family, she still finds time to imagine another sort of future with Gale (Liam Hemsworth), where they might live somewhere else and not feel so burdened day by day.
The Cooking Club for Kids Chocolate KitThank you again for The Cooking Club for Kids Chocolate Kit. We used it for the first time this afternoon. My kids were delighted as I opened the box. They waiting excitedly in their aprons and cooking hats. The kit included a double boiler for melting chocolate, a ladle for pouring, 3 chocolate molds (bunnies, stars, and hearts), and collectable chocolate recipes. The kit did not include chocolate but does not say that on the box anywhere. I figured that it wouldn’t, so we purchased our chocolates at Michael’s craft store.
Spring Round-UpThe kids’ bikes are out of the shed, daffodils are ready to bloom and bins of warm-weather clothes sit in each of our bedrooms. Though we haven’t had a harsh winter, the energizing days of spring are as welcome as ever. It’s also the time when we pull out Easter books and other spring-related titles that we haven’t read for awhile. Following is a selection of new and existing books that will entertain the kids and may teach them something new about the upcoming holidays. Happy Spring!
Hot Wheels Race Rally Water Park Play SetIt’s hard getting my boys to take baths. I don’t know what it is about little boys and soap and water, but it’s a chore just getting them IN to the tub, let alone to actually stay in there long enough to get clean.
Farley and the Lost BoneFarley, the dog from the “For Better or For Worse” comic strip, is enjoying a beautiful spring day, when he remembers that he buried a nice juicy bone during the previous fall. Unfortunately, he cannot remember where. He starts digging in Elly’s newly planted flowerbed but doesn’t find it and gets chased away. Then, he tries a couple of other spots in the yard with no success and is scolded by the other family members. Feeling sad, Farley heads to his special “alone spot.” Well guess what? His special spot is exactly where he buried his bone, and he settles down in the plush green…
Glow Fusion Bubble SolutionI received the Glow Fusion Bubble Solution from Time to Play the week of Christmas. What a perfect stocking stuffer for my 9 year old daughter! These awesome bubbles come in a black box with bright orange writing which makes them look awesome from the beginning (in our opinion). Right after Christmas, my daughter got very ill and we are still trying to figure out the cause of her illness so it has been hospitals and doctors, and poking and prodding. She has been feeling a little better and was home this past weekend so we got the bubbles out!
The Basket BallLulu loved to do all “girly” activities such as dress-up and playing with her dolls, but she loved playing basketball most of all. Unfortunately, the boys at school wouldn’t let her play with them. So she decided to host her own basket “ball” and invited girls from around the world to attend. Dozens of girls came in their frilly dresses and “high top heels,” and played like super stars. The “ball” was such a hit that they all decided to make it an annual event.
Sesame Street ABC-123 PlaylandWhen I found out I got to review this product, I was really excited. I’m always looking for new, fun toys that my two sons (ages 5 and 10 months) can play together. This Sesame Street ABC-123 Playland is perfect!! The toy retails for approximately $35.
