Move It, Move It #netflix #streamteam December 2014

Cough, cough, cough.

So sorry, I just hacked up a glitter hairball.

Christmas is over! Yippee!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday.

We most certainly did here on The Avenue.

Our Christmas presents arrived at Sky Harbor almost exactly at the stroke of midnight!

We've been on the run since their feet hit the ground, squeezing in enough memories to last until their next visit.

The other night after a full day of adventures, we all collapsed on the couch and tuned in to the Netflix new original series All Hail King Julien.

A favorite character from the Madagascar franchise, King Julien will take on the jungle's craziest adventures in the new comedy series, along with his loyal sidekicks Maurice and Mort plus a whole new cast of colorful animals.

And because Christmas movies are perfect for watching all through school break, here are a few selections featuring King Julien's buddies:
 

1. Merry Madagascar
2. Madly Madagascar
3. The Madagascar Penguins: A Christmas Caper

Happy Friendsgiving #Netflix #StreamTeam November 2014

Holiday season is just around the corner, but it's not the nation's favorite food holiday that has us day dreaming about mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. This month we're all about Friendsgiving, a popular take on Thanksgiving when friends come together to celebrate good food and great company.

Urban Dictionary defines Friendsgiving as the celebration of Thanksgiving dinner with your friends. This usually occurs on the Wednesday before or the Friday after Thanksgiving Day, since Thanksgiving is usually reserved for family gatherings.

But maybe your family doesn't live nearby and you're unable to travel this year. Friendsgiving might be the answer for your Thanksgiving celebration and a way for friends to get together during this special time of year.

Whether you're planning a Friendsgiving feast or sticking to your traditional Thanksgiving routine, show your kids why friends are worth being thankful for with this month's picks. Explore lessons about friendship from a few of the greatest duos, including Rory and Lorelai, Charlotte and Wilbur and Bob and Larry, whose all-new Netflix original, "VeggieTales in the House," starts streaming Nov. 26.

20 Dynamic Duos Available on Netflix For your little kids:     1. Bob and Larry: VeggieTales in the House 2. Bert and Ernie: Sesame Street: Elmo and Friends 3. Bo and Dezzy: Bo on the Go! 4. Justin and Olive: Justin Time 5. Tod and Copper: The Fox and the Hound 2 6. Clifford and Elizabeth: Clifford   And your big kids:   1. Phineas and Ferb 2. Shaggy and Scooby: Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated 3. Vada and Thomas: My Girl 4. Martin and Chris: Wild Kratts 5. Finn and Jake: Adventure Time 6. Mario and Luigi: The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! 7. Charlotte and Wilbur: Charlotte's Web   Plus a few for mom and dad:     1. Rory and Lorelai: Gilmore Girls 2. Schmidt and Nick: New Girl 3. Ted and Barney: How I Met Your Mother 4. Liz and Jack: 30 Rock 5. Walter and Jesse: Breaking Bad 6. Mulder and Scully: The X-Files 7. Wayne and Garth: Wayne's World

Walt Disney Presents Big Hero 6

Disclaimer: I received complimentary admission to an advance screening of Big Hero 6 to facilitate this review

I don't know about you, but I'm just about "Frozen" out. I loved the movie as much as the next person, I even watched it a few times with my boys when they were visiting last spring. But I think it's time to let it go!

Let's move on to the next greatest thing! Put away all the Anna and Elsa and bring on Baymax!

This is the perfect super hero movie for viewers that are still a bit too young for the more intense live action movies.

From Walt Disney Animation Studios, the team behind “Frozen” and “Wreck-It Ralph,” comes “Big Hero 6,” an action-packed comedy-adventure about the special bond that develops between Baymax (voice of Scott Adsit), a plus-sized inflatable robot, and prodigy Hiro Hamada (voice of Ryan Potter). When a devastating event befalls the city of San Fransokyo and catapults Hiro into the midst of danger, he turns to Baymax and his close friends adrenaline junkie Go Go Tomago (voice of Jamie Chung), neatnik Wasabi (voice of Damon Wayans Jr.), chemistry whiz Honey Lemon (voice of Genesis Rodriguez) and fanboy Fred (voice of T.J. Miller). Determined to uncover the mystery, Hiro transforms his friends into a band of high-tech heroes called “Big Hero 6.” 

Inspired by the Marvel comics of the same name, and featuring breathtaking action with all the heart and humor audiences expect from Walt Disney Animation Studios, “Big Hero 6” is directed by Don Hall (“Winnie the Pooh”) and Chris Williams (“Bolt”), and produced by Roy Conli (“Tangled”). The film hits theaters in 3D on Nov. 7, 2014. 
     
Rated: PG Runtime: 108 min 



Website: www.Disney.com/BigHero6 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DisneyBigHero6 
Twitter: www.twitter.com/DisneyAnimation



 

Peppa Pig Bubbles Review and Giveaway

Disclaimer: We received a copy of this video to facilitate the review and giveaway

On December 2, Peppa Pig will be back in a 14 episode DVD titled Bubbles. This lovable, cheeky little piggy will be up to her usual activities – playing games, dressing up, visiting exciting places, making new friends and of course, jumping up and down in muddy puddles!

Episodes include:

1.   Bubbles
2.   Emily Elephant
3.   Polly's Holiday
4.   Teddy's Day Out
5.   Mysteries
6.   George's Friend
7.   The Time Capsule
8.   Rock Pools
9.   Mr. Scarecrow
10.   Windy Autumn Day
11.   Recycling
12.   The Best Pond

Giveaway:

For a chance to win a copy of Peppa Pig Bubbles AND Peppa's Christmas leave a comment telling me who you'd like to share these videos with along with your email so that I can reach you if you win. This giveaway ends November 14, 2014.

For more information on kaboom! Entertainment, feel free to check out their website, ‘like’ the Facebook Page and follow on Twitter.

Peppa’s Christmas DVD Review

Disclaimer: We received a copy of Peppa's Christmas to facilitate this review.

This holiday season, Peppa Pig, the #1 preschool show on Nick Jr., is coming to the U.S. on DVD.

On November 4, you and your family can get into the festive spirit by watching the brand new holiday special DVD, Peppa’s Christmas. With 12 fun-filled “peppasodes” to enjoy, you can celebrate the season by decorating, singing and sorting along with Peppa and her family.

Join Peppa and her friends in this all new fun filled holiday special as Peppa and her family celebrate the season. Peppa and George write letters to Santa, decorate the tree, sing festive songs and stay awake all night waiting to catch a glimpse of the big guy himself. There's also a trip to Pirate Island, a visit to the dentist, a school bus trip adventure and much more! Kids will love these hilarious adventures filled with lots of snorts and laughter, and of course jumping in muddy puddles!

For more information on kaboom! Entertainment, feel free to check out their website, ‘like’ the Facebook Page and follow on Twitter.

 

Ringling Bros.and Barnum & Bailey Coming to Chicago #Giveaway #RinglingInsider

I received something of value from Feld Entertainment as part of their Insider Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

 

Experience unimaginable family fun, as amazing performers from around the globe perform awe-inspiring feats of daring, spectacles of strength and thrills of wonder in an unforgettable family night of legendary proportions! Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Presents Legends!

You won't want to miss it!

An hour before show time, families can come to the arena floor and participate in interactive, up-close circus experiences, the All Access Pre-­show and the brand new Ringmaster Zone. Also free to all ticketholders, the All Access Pre-­show allows circus fans to learn juggling and balancing skills, meet the performers of The Greatest Show On Earth, get autographs, take photos and enter to win a one-­of-­a-­kind Pachyderm Painting.

The boys love the circus and have been attending for many years. We all love the elephants! And the tightrope walkers! And the cotton candy!

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents LEGENDS in Chicago November 6–16 at the Allstate Arena and November 19 – 30 at the United Center.

 Click here to purchase tickets for a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey performance in your area!

Giveaway

Win 4 tickets to opening night at the United Center by leaving a comment below telling me your favorite circus memory and leave an email so I can reach you when you win! This giveaway ends November 12, 2014.

Younique 3D Fiber Lash Mascara

Glittergurl recently received a full size sample of Younique 3D Fiber Lash Mascara and I'm sharing her honest opinion below.

If you haven't heard of Younique, it's a direct sales marketing company that sells beauty products for women almost exclusively through the use of social media. Hosting a Younique Party is as easy as sharing a link!

No more expensive lash extensions or falsies. Younique 3D Fiber Lash Mascara provides natural looking length and volume to your eyelashes, up to 300%. The packageackage comes with two separate bottles, the transplanting gel and the all-natural fibers and is as easy to use as your regular mascara.

 Nothing on!

Step 1- any brand of mascara. I use cheap wet n wild!

See!

 

Steps 2 &3- apply even coat of transplanting gel...IMMEDIATELY before the gel has time to dry, apply fibers. (I do one eye at a time!)

Step 4- Seal the fibers with the gel.

Final results!!! Love love love love it!! So easy to apply!

Follow the link if you'd like to try Younique 3D Fiber Lash Mascara for yourself.

Pumpkin Pancakes

I'm not Betty Crocker, never have been, never will be. Lately a gourmet meal for me consists of popping a Lean Cuisine into the microwave. Breakfast is more often than not, two frozen waffles in the toaster oven and then topped with raspberry preserves.

This morning I was feeling creative like I should really make my husband something a little different for breakfast because, well just because.

With Halloween just around the corner (and I really have to keep reminding myself that because the weather man says it will be 96 again today) I thought I'd give pumpkin pancakes the old college try.

How hard could it be?

I already have an industrial size bag of Krusteaz Pancake Mix, pumpkin pie spice, and a can of pumpkin.

Dump all that in a bowl and mix.

Hmmm.

It's kind of doughy.

Add water.

Ok better.

Pour onto hot frying pan, flip and voila.

They were good! Not the best presentation but they were good. In 20 something years my husband has never once complained about any meal I've set in front of him. That right there is GOLD peeps!

For those of you wanting to try this at home I'm sure there are a gajillion recipes you can google, but this is what I used:

2 cups pancake mix (like I said I used Krusteaz because Costco people!)
1/2 a can of pumpkin (15oz can)
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
About a cup of water more or less

With enough butter and syrup anything will taste good ;)

This is what my pumpkin pancakes looked like (HA! in my dreams!) (Picture from internet used without permission)

Celebrating Milestones #Netflix #StreamTeam October 2014

 Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Netflix, all opinions are my own

October's topic for Stream Team is celebrating milestones. I think it's a very appropriate topic for my family as both GlitterGurl and I celebrate birthdays in October. Birthdays are the best milestone I can think of right now because as we get older, milestones are few and far between. 

Whynot and I have shared a few biggies in the past year. Moving clear across the country, buying a new house and getting new jobs are a few. Kids, on the other hand always have something exciting to celebrate. Baseball trophies, a new grade, a lost tooth or a good report card.

In recognition of "mini milestones," Netflix has compiled a list of movies and TV episodes that highlight a variety of these achievements. Whatever "firsts" your family is celebrating this fall, Netflix can relate.

Netflix Titles to Celebrate Mini Milestones

For your kids:

New Sibling: The Hive: S01E01, Babee's Room Losing Your First Tooth: Super WHY: S01E10, The Story of the Tooth Fairy Getting Glasses: Arthur: S15E09, Through the Looking Glasses First Sleepover: Bratz Kidz: Sleep-over Adventure

First Trick-or-Treat: Julius Jr.: S01E06, Dressed for Spook-cess First Pet: Beethoven First Move: The Croods First Big Game: D2: The Mighty Ducks

First Spelling Bee: Akeelah and the Bee First Dance: Kickin' It: S01E20, The Wrath of Swan First Break-Up: Good Luck Charlie: S01E20, Girl Bite Dog First Road Trip: Diners, Drive-ins and Dives

First Kiss: Wizards of Waverly Place: S01E02, First Kiss First Job: Good Burger First Time Babysitting: The Baby-Sitters Club First Concert: Taylor Swift: The Journey to Fearless

Plus a few major milestones for mom and dad:

New Job: The Office
Getting Married: My Fair Wedding with David Tutera
Having a Baby: What to Expect When You're Expecting
Life as a Parent: Parenthood
Running for Office: Parks & Recreation
Buying a Home: House Hunters