Disney Baby Expands their Collections of Essential Products {Review}

When you hear the name Disney, what comes to mind?

Most people probably immediately conjure up images of castles and rides, movies that they've loved since childhood, and the characters that we've all known for decades. Disney is just a classic part of our lives!

However, if you haven't already been introduced to Disney Baby, you're missing out on a whole section of Disney that is sure to bring a smile to your face. DisneyBaby.com is multifaceted digital resource for families that provides consumers with information and inspiration online, while Disney Baby as the brand recently announced the launch of an all-new, expanded collection of products to help parents create magical moments right from the start.

From Simba in the Nursery to Nemo in the tub, the adorable all-new Disney Baby collections are organized around the key moments in mom and baby's day to make everyday moments even more magical. These feel-good, unique products are now organized into four main categories: Mealtime, Bathtime, Nursery, and Apparel.

Mealtime — As one of the most important times of day for baby, Disney Baby offers parents products essential to baby's development specially designed for their gentle little mouths. Available in designs featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and The Lion King, products include bottles that allow baby to control the flow of milk and pacifiers that fit the natural shape of baby's palate and gums.

Bathtime — From splish splashing in the tub to swaddling a squeaky clean baby in a cuddly towel, bathtime is always a fun adventure. To make bathtime the best time, the new Finding Nemo Bath Collection includes a fun tub with engaging toy bar, a hooded towel, bath toys, and more.

In the Nursery — Turn baby's nursery into a sleeptime safari with the new Disney Baby The Lion King Nursery Collection. The collection furnishes parents with everything they need to outfit a nursery, including a 4-piece crib bedding set, modern canvas wall art, a musical mobile and an animal print window valance, among other wildly adorable items.

Apparel — Now available in new playful patterns and character-inspired designs starring Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, The Aristocats and Tigger; there is a bodysuit for every little character. As well as being adorable, I love that Disney Baby offers the only infant bodysuit with a patent-pending design that "grows" with baby, featuring a second row of snaps for an inch of longer wear.

I had the chance to check out two of these bodysuits and was very impressed with the style, comfort, and all-around high quality of these pieces. What a great way for a little girl to incorporate Minnie Mouse in a chic, not-too-flashy way!

Along with the soft edging around the neck and and legs to protect sensitive skin, the second row of snaps was a feature that I would like to incorporate into all of my kids' clothes. This is just the thing to extend the use out of your child's favorite pieces!

As well as their bodysuits, Disney Baby also debuted a line of new, huggable Sleep and Play Sleepers as well as Pant Sets with matching caps and bibs and blankets round out baby's wardrobe.

It took me all of about 30 seconds of checking out one of the adorable Sleep and Play Sleepers before I was jealous that it wasn't in my size. Who wouldn't want to stay this comfortable and cute throughout the day and night?

I find the "subway art" design style very cute!

Cuddly and soft, this sleeper features a full line of snaps down the front and both legs for convenience. Plus, in the newborn and 0-3 sizes, the cuffs include an attached fold over mitt to protect babies from accidentally scratching themselves (all other sizes feature a regular bound cuff).

New styles of the Disney Cuddly Bodysuit are available now at Target, Amazon.com and Babies 'R Us stores. Pants Sets, Sleep and Play, the Lion King Nursery Collection, the Finding Nemo and Minnie Mouse Bath Collections and Disney-themed infant feeding supplies from Born Free are also available now at Babies 'R Us.

For additional information about all of these great products, visit Babies 'R Us, Amazon.com and Target. Even better, Disney Baby has plans to introduce more new products and collections later this year.

"Disney Baby celebrates the fact that life with baby is filled with so many magical moments to be cherished," said Jessi Dunne, executive vice president, Disney Moms and Babies for Disney Consumer Products. "In order to help parents to bond with their baby, the new Disney Baby collections are designed to provide quality products essential to every experience throughout the day with a touch of Disney magic."

Be sure to visit DisneyBaby.com for more about their full lines, as it not only serves as a one-stop resource to search the most comprehensive collection of Disney Baby brand products on the Web, it also allows parents and gift givers the ability to filter by gender, product type, Disney character and retailer.

This online destination also gives visitors the option to check out the Disney Baby= Magical Moments upload tool and gallery, inspirational ideas, mom-tested tips and a comprehensive Disney Baby= product showcase for expecting and new parents. Don't miss it!

As well as at DisneyBaby.com, you can connect with them on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

(Other than the aforementioned Disney Baby products that I received to facilitate my review, I was not provided with anything or enticed to do this review in any way. This review is solely my opinion of this company, website and their cute clothing.)

Men vs Women: Scrubbing Bubbles Teams up with John Gray to Decipher the Results of the Dirty Work Index Survey

When it comes to cleaning, I don't believe the men and women have ever seen eye to eye.

Compared to 30 years ago, the role men play inside the home has certainly evolved and most men step up and do their share helping with household chores. But is it enough and are they given credit for their efforts by their female counterparts?

Today the makers of Scrubbing Bubbles released the second annual Dirty Work Index survey, and found when it comes to cleaning, women still play the dominant role and in fact, may not be ready to share the spotlight even though they want more help.

As a result, Scrubbing Bubbles has partnered with John Gray, best-selling author of Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus, to engage couples in a healthy discussion to try to resolve the age-old household chore debate, bringing harmony to the home.

This year's Dirty Work Index survey focused on men, women and modern families and their approach to cleaning and getting it all done. Interestingly, Scrubbing Bubbles found that when it comes to cleaning, women think they do it all:

• 58% of women say it’s their "job" to clean, and a quarter (25%) of all women feel as if they are the cleaning "leader" in their homes.

• Conversely, more than half of women confided that they want more overall help from their partner, but 38% don’t trust them to meet their standards of cleanliness.

The survey also revealed that while men are helping around the house, they aren't given credit when credit is due:

• 45% of men surveyed say it's their job to clean and contribute to the household accordingly.

• More surprisingly, nearly 75 percent of men claim to clean to make their partner happy – demonstrating they do care about helping out and are picking up the slack.

To help partners sort it out, Scrubbing Bubbles has partnered with John Gray, who is celebrating the 20^th anniversary of his classic book, to try to sort things out.

"Women's and men's roles outside the home have definitely evolved, but the Dirty Work Index survey results indicate that we need to make more of an effort to make changes inside the home, too," says Gray. "It's important to take a closer look at things like household tasks to determine what's working – and what's not."

From now through June 2012, John Gray will be offering tips and advice to couples on how to conquer household chores and create more harmony at home. By visiting Scrubby Solution's Facebook tab families can share their roles, responsibilities and tips for getting it all done.

Additionally, fans can participate in a Q&A session with John Gray, take a cleaning personality quiz complete with product recommendations and cleaning solutions, and read more surprising data from the Scrubbing Bubbles Dirty Work Index survey.

The foundation of a family begins at home so managing home life – including cleaning – is essential to families' happiness. How families deal with household chores either strengthens the partnership or creates a divide. Gray offers this advice for creating the best atmosphere at home:

1. Define the roles: It's important to identify all the household chores and discuss who will have ownership of each.
2. Discuss expectations: The results showed that women don’t trust men to meet their standards of clean. Gray recommends that women actually show men how they want the house cleaned and that couples discuss what clean means to each of them.
3. Look for time-saving cleaning tools: Stock your home with cleaning products that are easy to use and efficient. For example, use Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner and Scrubbing Bubbles One Step Toilet Bowl Cleaner. These products make the tough tasks easier so anyone in the family can help clean.
4. Remember to say thank you: Whether or not the bathroom shines the way you want, don’t forget to say thank you for making the effort.

Around our house, things are actually pretty evenly split. I try to keep up with the day-to-day cleaning aspects but my husband is the one that is depended on for the down and dirty work of the deep cleaning. However, I can't recall us ever having talked about our expectations... and I know I would sure be more apt to clean if I got a sincere thank you each time!

One thing I know we're doing right is taking advantage of the convenience of products from Scrubbing Bubbles. I love being able to use their one-touch products or those that are just able to power through the dirt and grime with ease. Who wants to spend any more time cleaning than they have to?

Scrubbing Bubbles products are available in grocery, drug and mass-merchandise retailers nationwide. For more information, visit Scrubbling Bubbles online, on Facebook and on Twitter.

How is the cleaning split in your household? Could you use John Gray to come help sort things out?

(Other than the information shared in this post, I was not compensated, provided with anything or enticed to do this post in any way. Scrubbing Bubbles is just that cool!)

Disney's Jake and the Neverland Pirates: Special Holiday Episode & New Season Coming Soon

Although my kids are far from sitting planted in front of the television around here, there are definitely times that we turn it on. Whether for some added entertainment or a much-needed break, there's something calming about the occasional cartoon that just can't be beat.

Unfortunately, most of the kids' shows that we watch are only on at particular times during the day, so it isn't always as easy as it would seem to pull something up that they will enjoy and I will deem appropriate. Who designs the programming schedule? Don't they have children?

Well, apparently someone over at the Disney Junior channel does and they have listened to what moms want... launching early in 2012, a brand new standalone 24-hour Disney Junior channel is coming!

Since its start this past February, Disney Junior continues to grow and break all previous records for Disney Channel's preschool programming. By reflecting the emotion generations of consumers have to Disney and its unparalleled ability to make you feel something in your heart through its timeless storytelling and beloved characters, this is one multi-platform brand that does it all.

With everything from early math and language skills to healthy eating and lifestyles to social and emotional development, Disney Junior is a channel that we as parents can stand behind. And one of the hit shows featured? Jake and the Never Land Pirates, cable's #1 series for boys ages 2 to 5 since its launch... and on track to be Disney Channel's #1 preschool series ever!

Currently airing daily from 8:30-9 a.m. EST/PST, Jake and the Neverland Pirates is among one of the most co-viewed preschool series, with 45% of moms watching with their preschooler. Considering the cute characters, adventurous plots, and fun tunes, how can us moms resist?

A "pirate rock" music-filled interactive treasure hunt, Jake and the Never Land Pirates introduces a crew of kid pirates – leader Jake and pals Izzy and Cubby – and follows their Never Land adventures as they work to outwit two infamous characters, the one and only Captain Hook and Mr. Smee, from Disney's classic "Peter Pan."

Along the way, they model teamwork, problem-solving and physical activity (definitely qualities that I want my kids to see promoted!) while earning gold doubloons as they conquer a variety of tasks. If you haven't tuned in, you're missing out on an entertaining show... and, if you have, then you already know why we're fans!

Up next for Jake and the Never Land Pirates is a December holiday episode, to be followed in January by the debut of the first-ever 45-minute series special and season two of the series.

In the holiday episode, titled It's A Winter Never Land!/Hook On Ice, Jake, Izzy and Cubby awake to find that Peter Pan has left the crew some presents and a tree to celebrate Winter Treasure Day, and Captain Hook invites Jake and the crew on a winter treasure hunt. We had a chance to see a preview of this episode and both shows had the same positive message that we've come to appreciate and show off how working together always wins out in the end.

Premiering on Friday, December 2nd at 8:30-9:00am ET/PT on Disney Channel, be sure to tune in with any young pirate fans for a fun way to celebrate the season with Jake and the Neverland Pirates. For more information about this show and many well-known others, visit Disney Junior to learn more.

(Other than the information and Jake and the Neverland Pirates gift pack that I was sent in conjunction with my membership to Team Mom, I was not provided with anything or enticed to do this review in any way. This review is solely my opinion of this show.)

Our excitement over being able to #sendCheer with Cheerios! {#CBias}

Last week I was introduced to the Cheerios sendCheer campaign and was thrilled with the overall idea and message of it. It couldn't be much easier to show our support and appreciation for our military and their families than by enjoying a box of this much-loved cereal and getting to send out a postcard that is going to surprise and brighten someone's day!

All that we needed to do? Head to Walmart for some Cheerios shopping, of course!

Stepping inside, we marveled at the size of the store for a minute (when they say Super Walmart, they really mean Super!) and then headed right over to look for the displays of Cheerios.

Unfortunately it turned out that there weren't any large displays or end caps featuring Cheerios and the sendCheer boxes, but one stroll down the cereal aisle...

...and voila! Right there in the General Mills section with all of the varieties of Cheerios sat box after box of cereal just waiting to be purchased to help spread some adoration to our troops.

Big Sister E and I were pretty excited about seeing the two rows of boxes and I could only laugh when she shouted out, "There they are, Mama! The Cheerios that send cheer!" The girl knows her stuff, what can I say?

Grabbing a few other purchases, we headed up to the counter to buy our Cheerios...

...and head home to get started on our postcard.

Once home, I reflected again on just how simple Cheerios had made it to participate in the sendCheer campaign. By opening up their specially marked box, the instructions for sending our postcard were clearly printed right inside.

At this point I realized that I should have purchased two boxes (apparently going to the store with only one child made me forget that I have two), but my girls were more than happy to participate in this craft project and my almost-3-year-old didn't mind at all that I created a stand-in postcard for her to decorate.

As it turned out, she seemed a little more interested in the Cheerios portion of the campaign anyway...

We decided for the time being that we were just going to send the postcard on its own and then finish creating a full care package when we had more time using the rest of our art supplies. Plus, that way we could bake up some tasty treats to go along in the box. Something yummy such as Chocolate Cheerios Marshmallow Hearts or Caramel Crisp Bars, perhaps?

Taking a pause to show me how much she had decorated her postcard so far...

...Big Sister E spent a bit more time making sure that it was done to her liking and then couldn't get her shoes on fast enough to get out to the mailbox.

We've been talking about that postcard cheering up a military family every day since! It was such a small and simple way to reiterate how appreciative we are of the sacrifices that the troops and their loved ones make and how much they deserve our respect.

Have you taken part in this awe-inspiring campaign yet? Don't miss it!

Keep an eye out at your local Walmart for these specially marked sendCheer boxes, pick up one or two, and help Cheerios and the USO make a difference for a deserving military family today.

After the separation, relocation, single parenting duties, economic stress and more, a postcard acknowledging our appreciation is not too much to ask and you'll feel proud that you (and your children) will have helped even in a small way.

Now someone pass me another bowl of Cheerios!

This post has been compensated as part of a sponsored charitable opportunity for Collective Bias but all thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

Support our Military and #sendCheer with Cheerios {#CBias}

No matter what views you might have on politics or abortion or gay marriage, one topic that has the ability to unite our nation is the support that our military troops and their families deserve.

Whether or not you or a loved one are directly involved with the military or what you think about war, there is no way to deny the sacrifices that our troops make when they leave their homes and families behind. The dedication and commitment to America and protecting our freedom and everything our country stands for is unmatched by any other job out there.

I feel extremely fortunate that I don't have any close family members who are currently in the military, as I can't begin to imagine how difficult it is to say goodbye when they are departing and to have to stay at home and try to bravely wait for their return. Is there a more selfless act?

So how can I make sure that my children understand the true respect and appreciation that our current and past military members deserve? As well as supporting them by preparing care packages, bringing flags or flowers to place on the graves of our fallen heroes, visiting memorials and Veteran's homes, donating time and money, sending cards, and more, we are sure to show our admiration on days like the 4th of July and Veteran's Day.

Little Sister B, 2010

Just launched, Cheerios has another way that everyone can easily show their admiration and support for our military with the Cheerios sendCheer campaign.

In conjunction with Cheerios and the USO, the sendCheer program allows you to, quite literally, "send cheer" to military families. The steps are completely simple and can make a big difference!

• First, keep an eye out for new displays in your local Walmart showing off these specially marked boxes of this much-loved cereal and their partnership with the USO for this program. Be sure to purchase multiple boxes so that you can send lots of cheer while feeding your family these iconic O's.

• Next, cut out the pre-addressed Cheer postcard from the front of the box (which will include the "Cheer" portion of the Cheerios logo) and write a message of encouragement, a simple thank you or more.

• Finally, put a stamp in the corner, drop the postcard in the mail, and it will be distributed to military families on bases and in USO centers. For each postcard received, Cheerios will donate $1 to the USO to help support programs for military families... they've already donated $150,000 and will donate up to an additional $100,000 based upon the number of postcards received by November 30, 2012.

Did you need another reason to love and enjoy Cheerios? Because now you've got it!

Be sure to head to your local Walmart to find these special Cheer boxes of Cheerios today so that you can starting sending out postcards to deserving troops and their families. The small amount of effort that this will take from you will result in brightening the day of someone who truly deserves it. After the separation, relocation, single parenting duties, economic stress and more, a postcard acknowledging our appreciation is not too much to ask.

Want to join in the discussion about this great campaign? On Thursday, November 10th from 9 pm – 10 pm EST, join in the #sendCheer with Cheerios Twitter party to chat about how we can help support military families, great "giving back" ideas, and more. Not to mention great Walmart gift card prizes! Be sure to RSVP and join in tomorrow night!

This post has been compensated as part of a sponsored charitable opportunity for Collective Bias but all thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

SignUpGenius: Making Event Planning Organized and Easy

Sometimes I think that in a past lifetime I might have been a party planner.

Probably not for something as stressful and large as a wedding (no thanks, Bridezillas!), but more on the smaller end for things like potlucks, family reunions or elementary school events. There's just something about the organizing and scheduling and list-making that I get satisfaction from... not to mention seeing the results after hosting or running a get-together and the fun and happiness it can provide.

Or maybe it's not a past life I'm thinking of and I have a future leadership position with my kids' PTA. Only time will tell!

But as much as I enjoy all of the arranging and brainstorming and preparation for an event or activity, the communication with others involved can often be difficult. Sending out written or online invitations, waiting for RSVPs, hoping that a potluck won't end up with 10 plates of cookies but 0 fruit plates... there's just a lot to keep track of when it comes to support.

Fortunately, that's where SignUpGenius.com and their FREE online tool for creating and managing group sign up lists is the perfect solution.

SignUpGenius is, well, genius! It easily allows users to customize sign ups to organize people, coordinate events or collect items. Instead of constant letters or emails, it eliminates the need for paper sign-ups, reply-to-all emails, and phone trees.

Focusing on six main categories (Home & Family, Schools, Churches, Non-profits, Sports, and Colleges), creating your form is fast and easy. SignUpGenius provides plenty of simple templates to choose from and there are even video tutorials to help you get your sign up completed. There is never any worry about who can see names or contact information because SignUpGenius provides several privacy settings so the form creator can determine who has permission to sign up.

Once you've created your account (free!) getting started takes only moments:

Easy, right?

Everything from a Sports Team Snack List to Class Registration to a Holiday Party (and many more) can be created, organized and sent out to everyone involved.


I really appreciate the way that SignUpGenius allows you to customize each sign up so that it works for your particular event and that it will send out automated email reminders to everyone involved so that you aren't spending your time doing it. At the same time, the creator of the list is able to send emails to all group members of a sign up right from the site, so keeping everyone informed is never a problem.

As an added bonus, SignUpGenius remembers previous groups that you have made and allows you to choose one of them for each sign up (or create a new one, if you would rather). That way when it comes time for the next potluck or community festival, you're already partway done!

Whether you are ensuring that classroom donations aren't all boxes of tissues or that your next party will have more than only bags of potato chips, it only takes a few clicks for busy folks everywhere to have their event organized and under control. Head over to SignUpGenius and see just how easy planning your next event can be!

You'll love the prompt and personalized support and assistance you can receive if needed, the free planning resource articles with tips on coordinating volunteers that they offer, and even the contests that they hold to engage and reward site users. Then just sit back and enjoy the party!

SignUpGenius.com thanked me with a gift card for honestly reviewing their site. The gift card was not dependent on a positive or negative review of the site, but was compensation for helping to spread the word.

Going Green: Abe's Market In-The-Know Video Series

When it comes to going green, there are days that I feel as though I'm doing a good job... and days that I feel completely and utterly overwhelmed. Where to start? How to continue? Where to even go to look for more information or natural products?

Fortunately, then I'm introduced to sites that make things much more simple and convenient. When it comes to shopping, having an online marketplace with everything I need all in one place (and being able to find answers to my questions and the background of the products) can be extremely helpful.

And if we're talking about going green, then that site must be Abe's Market.

A combination of Etsy and Whole Foods, Abe's Market is part Amazon, part Groupon and part Home Shopping Network - which all come together to connect buyers seeking amazing natural products with the people who make them. Instead of continuing to search online for a broader natural product selection than what can be found at your local store, one visit to Abe's Market allows you to get all of your natural product shopping done in one place.

Plus, instead of buying products without knowing their origin, at Abe's Market you are given the unique opportunity to learn the story behind them – straight from the products' creators. More than just what is found on a label, this background information answers any questions about who makes the product, what is in it, where it is made, and more.

If you find that you still have unanswered queries, you can even chat directly with sellers to ask specific questions so that you won't have any doubts about the products you are bringing into your home. Co-founders, Richard Demb and Jon Polin, want you to know that Abe's is there for you!

Currently, Abe's Market is helping consumers stay even more up-to-date with information on how to maintain a green, natural, and healthy lifestyle with their "In-The-Know..." video series. Whether you're looking to shop for eco-friendly toys or plant your own organic garden, Abe's has brought together experts in their field who have the advice that you need.

Even though school has already started, I enjoyed the video titled How To: Go Back To School Naturally, which is loaded with tips and ideas for staying eco-friendly as kids head off to school:


From reusable, sustainable backpacks, pens, lunch containers and more, Abe's and the experts make it easy to head off to school while making a positive impact on the environment.

Whether your shopping list contains food, baby gear, beauty products, health remedies, items for your home or pet, gifts, decor, or much, much more, check out Abe's Market to see what a difference natural shopping can be. As well as their website, you can connect with them on Facebook and Twitter as well.

Even better, how about a discount? Visit AbesMarket.com and enter the one-time only coupon code ENB-wmwr5x at checkout and you'll receive $10 off a $30 purchase or more! With the holidays quickly approaching, now is a great time to cross some items off of your list while supporting hard-working, passionate sellers.

How about you? Have you found any new methods to go green? Have you started including new natural products into your daily routine?

I was provided an Abe's Market gift certificate in exchange for sharing this information, but all ideas and opinions are honest and my own.

Family Movie Night Tips during Sam's Club Home Entertainment Month {Tangled DVD/Blu-Ray Combo Pack Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Madeline!}

Along with phrases such as Mommy, I had fun at school today and I think it's time to read books, Big Sister E can often be found asking When's our next movie night?

Although they might not happen every week, we love the family togetherness of all four of us snuggling up on the couch to watch something entertaining and fun. Being able to pause the show whenever someone needs to go to the bathroom or someone else is just getting too antsy (which usually indicates we need to take a little break and make some popcorn) works out well for our younger attendees and the night usually ends up one big hug-fest... with some buttery fingers mixed in.

When snuggling turns into an all-out love fest

This month is Home Entertainment Month at Sam's Club, so together with Jenn Sbranti (Editor-in-Chief and founder of Hostess with the Mostess), this duo has teamed up to put together some great tips to make Family Movie Night even better. You'll find that these ideas can turn up the fun a few levels, particularly if you have Star Wars fans in your family:

A Family Affair
Hosting a movie night at home is such a fun way to get creative and entertain the entire family! Take your viewing party to the next level with cool, affordable entertainment and electronics like the brand new Star Wars Blu-ray trilogy sets ($39.98/set at Sam’s Club) or a giant 55" Philips LCD TV with MediaConnect for "big screen" viewing priced at only $998. Want to REALLY kick it up a notch? Check out this amazing 70” Sharp Aquos Quattron LED TV at Sam's Club for a movie experience that truly feels larger than life!

Setting the Mood
Get creative with a few fun (and EASY!) decorations inspired by your feature presentation. For a Star Wars viewing party, turn off all the lights, hang white string lights across the room and scatter some glow-in-the-dark stars around the coffee table to help bring the "galaxy" to life in your own living room. Use a little silver craft paint to transform a black paper lantern into the "Death Star," and hang some movie posters and metallic paper stars for the finishing touch.

Who's Thirsty?
Sip creative, themed drinks inspired by the movie of the night, such as "Yoda Soda" (lime sherbet + lemon-lime soda) or "Frozen Jedi Juice" for a screening of Star Wars. To make "Frozen Jedi Juice," partially freeze your favorite flavor of juice or Kool-Aid and serve it "slushy style" from cups embellished with the phrase "May the Freeze be with you."

Turn it Up
Great sound is key when it comes to bringing movie magic home. Sony's 3D Wi-Fi Blu-ray Home Theater System with surround sound (currently on sale for $379 at Sam's) will make it feel like the "Clone Wars" are taking place right next to your couch! And for those times when the mood is more "dance party" than "movie night," you can utilize the system's iPod/iPhone dock to crank up the music instead.

Themed Treats
Think outside the popcorn box and serve up clever treats named after elements of the movie, such as "Darth Cheddars" (grilled cheese sandwiches) or "Storm Trooper Sundaes." Make edible "Light Sabers" by dipping pretzel rods in colored candy melts or tinted white chocolate. After the candy has dried, wrap one end of the “light saber” with tin foil to create the "handle."

Keep it Simple
Don't let confusing settings and "multiple remote syndrome" throw a frustrating glitch in your movie night…try a universal remote like Logitech's Harmony 600 Remote ($44.88 at Sam's) to streamline the process so that even the smallest family members can be in the driver's seat sometimes!

Brand New Stars
Use a home video camera like Canon's HF R20 HD Camcorder (priced at $369) to make your own "movie magic" starring the best cast of all - your very own family members! Have little ones do re-enactments of their favorite scenes from the movie you just watched or capture clips of the kids doing a craft activity or a recipe inspired by the movie. These are the "films" that you'll love to watch over and over again - long after the movie-of-the-night credits roll!

With everything from televisions to movies to TV consoles (and much more), Sam's Club has you covered for Home Entertainment Month and beyond. Their low prices, friendly service and huge selection will ensure that all you need to do is sit back and listen for the sound of the popcorn popping.

And, thanks to their generosity, one person will be prepared for their next Family Movie Night, because...

One lucky person will win a Tangled DVD/Blu-ray Combo Pack!

To enter to win: Tell me what you do to make your Family Movie Night special OR what movie would be sure to be a hit the next time your family all sits down together to watch one?

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Sam's Club on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

I want to WIN a Tangled DVD/Blu-ray Combo Pack for my next fun Family Movie Night! http://bit.ly/ogWlfs @thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me publicly with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on October 18th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

A big thank you to Sam's Club for providing a Tangled DVD/Blu-Ray Combo Pack for me as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Curious George Season 6 Premieres Labor Day on PBS KIDS

Around here, the beginning of September translates into three things for us: the start of school, celebrating Labor Day and the premiere of a new season of one of our very favorite shows: Curious George.

Based on the best-selling Curious George books by Margret and H.A. Rey, Curious George the television series on PBS Kids expands George's world to include a host of colorful characters and original locales. At the same time, the show works to maintain the charm of the beloved books while also inspiring kids to explore science, math, and engineering in the world around them in a fun and entertaining way.

Each half-hour episode includes two animated stories followed by short live-action pieces showing real kids who are investigating the ideas that George introduces in his stories. The series encourages inquiry and curiosity, promotes hands-on exploration, and shows parents and caregivers how to support children's science and math-related play.

So we couldn't be more excited that our favorite monkey is back with a new season of (mis)adventures beginning Labor Day, September 5, 2011 on PBS KIDS (check your local listings). In ten all-new episodes, follow George as he encourages preschoolers to find their own creativity and get curious about the arts.

Running Monday, September 5 through Wednesday, September 7, season 6 of Curious George kicks off with three brand-new episodes - Auctioneer George/Sock Monkey Opera, Hamster Cam/The Great Monkey Detective, and George and the Giant Thumb/Shutter Monkey.

Children are sure to be excited to follow George's contagious enthusiasm as he explores painting, sculpting, music, dancing, and more than will encourage their creativity and curiosity about the arts! The fun continues all season long as George explores arts themed activities including helping Betsy enter a photography contest, creating a wind symphony, sand painting the desert, and even dancing the box step.

It all starts Monday, September 5, with Auctioneer George and Sock Monkey Opera. In Auctioneer George, George has one dollar to buy anything he wants at the Annual Corn Roast and Attic Auction, and he sets his sights on a pair of red elephant mittens.

When the Man with the Yellow Hat leaves George alone, he bids ...and bids...and wins! Only, he didn't realize how bidding works, and now he owes $100. While George tries to re-auction the mittens himself, Marco searches the city for the only person unique enough to pay $101 for red elephant mittens... Mr. Glass.

Then in Sock Monkey Opera, when Betsy gets the chicken pox and can't see her favorite opera, Hansel and Gretel, she sends George in her place. George loves the opera so much, he decides to cheer up Betsy by performing for his itchy friend. But how can one little monkey sing, dance, and act for an entire cast of characters?


The fun continues on Tuesday, September 6 when George learns that clues are key to solving mysteries in the new episodes Hamster Cam and The Great Monkey Detective. In Hamster Cam, Steve's pet hamster, Hogie, is on the loose in the city streets with nothing but a small video camera tied to his back. George helps Steve track his whereabouts using clues from the hamster cam and his best monkeyish map-reading skills. But can a monkey with a map keep up with a hamster on the run?

Then, in The Great Monkey Detective, it's a mystery movie night at Chef Pisghetti's restaurant. But the big mystery really begins when Chef Pisghetti's cookbook suddenly vanishes! A fan of Detective Basil Know-it-All, George understands that clues are the key to solving a mystery. Will George be able to crack the case of the missing cookbook or will this mystery remain unsolved?

On Wednesday, September 7, George explores sculpting and photography in George and the Giant Thumb and Shutter Monkey. In George and the Giant Thumb, a bored George and Allie decide to make a ginormous sculpture of Bill's sprained thumb. The duo quickly run out of clay and turn to less conventional art supplies. Peanut butter proves too sticky and shaving cream too drippy, so George and Allie use mud to finish their masterpiece. But will Bill give their art a thumbs up?

Then, in Shutter Monkey, Betsy's "Out of Sight Shapes" entry for the photo contest is sure to win first prize, that is until George and Steve accidentally ruin her pictures. With some help from Steve, George runs around town trying to re-shoot the photographs. But finding the hidden shapes in things is hard for a little monkey! Can George snap four pictures of four shapes by 4:00... or are Betsy's prize-winning photos out of sight for good?

"Now in our sixth season, we're excited to present an all-new set of eight (mis)adventures that highlight the arts," said Senior Vice President of Animation Production for Universal Studios Family Productions Ellen Cockrill. "And we hope that viewers will stay tuned later this season when we launch the 'Exercise Your Creativity Dance Contest,' giving children the opportunity to show us their unique creativity through dance."

Along with these great new episodes, the fun of Curious George will continue all season long this year with even more excitement:

Curious George Holiday Spectacular
Love the Curious George movies? You're in for a treat on Wednesday, November 23, when PBS KIDS will feature a Curious George Holiday Spectacular, starting with the broadcast premiere of the original Curious George feature film, staring Will Ferrell and Drew Barrymore, followed by encore presentations of Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey and Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas. Going away for Thanksgiving Week and afraid you'll miss it? Don't worry because the movies will repeat throughout the weekend (check local listings).

Exercise Your Creativity Dance Contest 2012
Coming in February, be on the lookout for the Curious George Exercise Your Creativity Dance Contest! To celebrate the art of movement and dance, Curious George will be having his first ever dance contest! Parents will be invited to send in videos of their little monkeys dancing to the Curious George theme song. Videos will be posted on the Curious George website and one lucky dancer will receive a special Curious George prize. Stay tuned for more details.

Special Earth Day Episode
In April, Curious George celebrates Earth Day with the special episode Junky Monkey. In this episode, Steve is appointed head of the Pretty City Committee Pod 7 on a mission to lead George, the Man with the Yellow Hat, Aunt Margaret, Betsy, and Charkie to clean up litter in their neighborhood.

But where others see trash, George sees treasures hidden in alleys, sidewalk, and recycling bins. He takes his findings up to his apartment and sorts them by shape and size, transforming his collection into a masterpiece worthy to be hung at City Hall. But will the mayor agree or call it junk? Tune in on PBS KIDS to find out.

New Curious George books and DVD sets from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
New Curious George items for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt this year include a fully packaged book and DVD set, Curious George Builds a Home (September 2011; $6.99; Ages 4-8). When Curious George meets a homing pigeon, he decides that his home, with improvements, would be perfect for his new friend.

This paperback picture book explores the concepts of planning and design and includes a DVD featuring the episodes Curious George's Home for Pigeons and Curious George and the Dam Builders, with an emphasis on simple engineering concepts. Children can enjoy the story and episodes wherever they go!

Also coming in January 2012, Curious George Colors Eggs ($12.99; Ages 4-8). Curious George explores the wonderful world of colors but can he do it without getting messy? This early reader includes two activities that explore primary and secondary colors.

Clearly this is the year of Curious George! Even though both of my daughters have liked a variety of characters and shows over the years, their love for Curious George has continually remained strong. I admit that even I have a fondness for this fuzzy brown monkey and can't help but want to see what mischief he gets himself in and out of each time.

I love the fact that the show is completely appropriate for children, always has a positive moral and even has a real-life science, math or engineering lesson or activity at the end, showing how kids can take away the educational aspects each time. Needless to say, we've watched most every episode that has aired and we can't wait to stay tuned for the fun that is in store for Curious George and his friends this season and beyond!

(Other than the information and advanced screening copy of Curious George that I was sent from WGBH, I was not provided with anything or enticed to do this review in any way. This review is solely my opinion of this show.)