About four years ago, my Dad introduced me to the Portable North Pole (PNP) website. It gave parents the ability to send customized video messages from Santa to their child. Our kids LOVED it when they received their first message from Santa – he was talking to them, he knew their name, he knew something special about them and they could even see his elves. It was truly a special moment for them. I also have the app on my phone and not only can you create the video messages from there, there is also a special section for kids to play games. Our youngest plays the games year round.
What Exactly is Portable North Pole?
Portable North Pole (PNP) is an online platform used by Santa and his elves to send personalized video messages and calls to the people you care about most anywhere around the world. In just a few simple steps, you can help Santa gather all the information he needs about your loved one and create a tailor-made video message or phone call that is positively magical. But that isn’t all Santa and his magical elves have in store, to create truly unforgettable memories, you can even download a HD version of your video to keep for years to come. Awesome right?
Portable North Pole comes available in 3 main package types: the Free (Christmas and Birthday videos), the Video Pass (Unlimited Premium Santa videos + Reaction Recorder, as well as access to previous seasons’ videos), and the Magic Pass (Unlimited Premium Santa Videos, Reaction Recorder, HD Video downloads, access to previous seasons’ videos.
Right now you can save 20% with Promo Code: PNP6BLG20 when you redeem the code on PNP. We can’t wait to get started on our video from Santa and send his special message to our boys.
Disclosure: I was given a PNP magic pass in return for sharing this post. All opinions expressed are my own.
In Milton’s Secret we confront family, love, fear, worry and hope.
About Milton’s Secret
Based on the book by #1 New York Times bestselling author Eckhart Tolle and Robert Friedman, Milton’s Secret is a movie about family and the uncertain times families live in. Milton (William Ainscough) is a 12 year-old boy growing up in an economically and socially unpredictable world. His mother and father (Mia Kirshner, David Sutcliffe) are workaholics with marital and financial problems, and he is bullied at school. When his grandfather (Donald Sutherland) visits, Milton learns rehashing the past and worrying about the future are preventing him from finding true happiness.
The Cast
The cast in Milton’s Secret includes: Donald Sutherland, Michelle Rodriguez, William Ainscough, Mia Kirshner and David Sutcliffe.
Our Thoughts
“Ready. Set. NOW.”
A truly beautiful story of the Adams family that could be any family living in our current age. Many families live in the future, worrying about money, their home, bills and getting to one place or another without ever being present in the current moment. There is always one more work thing we can do (with a lot of my work online, this is my current problem – how do I learn to just put it away and not worry about it), one more bill that we worry about how will we pay for it and the list just goes on and on. This is the Adams family in Milton’s Secret – his Mother lives in the future worrying about how they will pay bills, if they will lose their home and his Father lives in the past, wanting just a little bit more. Neither of them realize how this is affecting Milton – his health, his emotional well being and even his relationships with others.
Milton is bullied at school but neither of his parents realize the torment he is going through as they are always absorbed in their own worries. When his Grandfather arrives, it is like this beautiful breath of fresh air. He brings an air of calmness, of peace and of being present. He teaches Milton to live in the here and now. Worry just brings unnecessary bad feelings into our lives and isn’t worth it. Watching Milton grow and mature under his Grandfather leaves your heart full and your eyes wet!
Milton’s Secret is a truly special film that will not only touch your heart but make you question the importance of your daily routines, of your own worries and if you live truly in the present or instead are you absent in the past or future. This is a movie that the whole family will love and give them more than enough food for thought. This is a definite must see film.
For the first time in my adult life we are going on a vacation this year. Our destination? South Africa! My husband if from Southern Africa and has quite a few family members who live in South Africa so we wanted our boys to meet their family and see where their Dad grew up. We couldn’t wait to open DK Eyewitness Travel Guide to get familiar with all that South Africa has to offer.
About DK Eyewitness Travel Guide South Africa
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: South Africa is your in-depth guide to the very best of South Africa. From exploring the Palace of the Lost City to seeing the “Big Five” on safari in Kruger National Park to experiencing the multifaceted culture of a country with 11 official languages, visiting the “Rainbow Nation” is an adventure you will never forget.To help you make the most of your adventure, this guidebook includes a field guide to South Africa’s wildlife and the safari experience with detailed information on safaris, wildlife preserves, and local species.
The guide contains:
Detailed itineraries and “don’t-miss” destination highlights at a glance.
Illustrated cutaway 3-D drawings of important sights.
Floor plans and guided visitor information for major museums.
Guided walking tours, local drink and dining specialties to try, things to do, and places to eat, drink, and shop by area.
Area maps marked with sights .
Insights into history and culture to help you understand the stories behind the sights.
Hotel and restaurant listings highlight DK Choice special recommendations.
With hundreds of full-color photographs, hand-drawn illustrations, and custom maps that illuminate every page, DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: South Africa truly shows you this country as no one else can.
My Thoughts
I am so excited to be going on this adventure with my family this year. I am also super nervous. This is the first time we have travelled as a family of four and the first big trip of my adult life. I am also super anxious and need to know everything before hand. When this guide arrived in the mail, I could not wait to pop it open with the kids.
The guide itself is visually stunning with a slightly harder cover and is easy to hold in the palm of your hand. The visuals are bright and have a combination of large, medium and small-sized photographs. The guide is divided by colours and I have to say I am shocked at how many different areas and regions there are. The guide has sections for how to use the guide, discovering South Africa and its history and then divided into areas. Each area looks at the history of the area, main sites to visit, shopping, entertainment and where to eat and drink.
We quickly went to the areas we are visiting and it had us so excited! We looked through the sections of Kruger and Sun City and already began to make plans for our visit in Johannesburg. Thank goodness we have family to help us when we are there. We gave them a few of our must see items from the guide and they are already organizing it for us on their side.
The guide is extremely detailed, thorough and will be an excellent travel company for us. This will definitely be in our carry on baggage for our trip.
For more than two decades, DK Eyewitness Travel Guides have helped travelers experience the world through the history, art, architecture, and culture of their destinations. Expert travel writers and researchers provide independent editorial advice, recommendations, and reviews. With guidebooks to hundreds of places around the globe available in print and digital formats, DK Eyewitness Travel Guides show travelers how they can discover more.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Last week I shared with you the news about a brand show coming exclusively to Netflix, Skylanders Academy. The new show is set to release October 28th, 2016.
About Skylanders Academy
If you didn’t get a chance to read my post, here is a little bit of background information about the new series. Skylanders Academy follows the heroic adventures of the Skylanders team, a ragtag group of heroes with unique elemental skills who travel the vast Skylands universe, protecting it from evil-doers. They achieve victory by setting aside their egos, learning to trust one another and fighting as one to maintain harmony and balance in the land.
Led by show runner Eric Rogers (Futurama), the series features the voices of Justin Long (Ask Me Anything) as Spyro, Ashley Tisdale (High School Musical, Phineas and Ferb) as Stealth Elf, Jonathan Banks (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul) as Eruptor and Norm MacDonald (Saturday Night Live) as Glumshanks. Additional voice talent includes Susan Sarandon, Daniel Wu, Parker Posey, James Hetfield, Catherine O’Hara, Chris Diamantopoulos and Harland Williams, among others.
Our Thoughts About Skylanders Academy
This week our family was lucky enough to watch a screener of the very first episode in this series. WE LOVED IT!!
This new series has to be one of the best animated series for children out on television right now. While my youngest isn’t as familiar with Skylanders as his older brother is, he fell in love with the characters comparing them to Pokémon. His older brother enjoyed watching some of his favourite characters come to life – more specifically Eruptor. The characters were hilarious, I found myself cracking up along with the kids. Especially Spyro he has such spunk and it was definitely not what I was expecting at all. I guess in my mind I pictured them as serious defenders of their universe but instead they are realistic, young, funny heroes who are just trying their best (well most are and Spyro seems to want to get by with his obvious talents and good looks!).
Skylanders Academy has been by far the best animated series I have seen this year. Not only was it a show that captured my boys attention (who are 12 and 5) but also my own. I didn’t want the episode to end. We were laughing, concerned and drawn right into the series. This series will definitely be a top one this fall and should be a definite must watch on your family list.
The Trailer
If you want to get a quick glance of what is in store for you, check out this trailer now.
Disclosure: I am a #StreamTeam member and receive perks associated with this affiliation. All opinions expressed are my own.
The Equestria Girls are back in an all new DVD set to release November 1st, 2016. This time they are setting up camp in Equestria Girls: Legend of Everfree.
About Equestria Girls: Legend of Everfree
Fresh air – check. Starlit nights – check. Scary stories – freaky deaky! The Equestria Girls are leaving the halls of Canterlot High School for a field trip to Camp Everfree. However, they get more than canoeing and camp fires when magic begins to wreak havoc on the camp. They’re surprised to find a magical force is causing strange things to happen, and the girls seem to be developing new powers. The Equestria Girls will have to work together to control the magic or it will destroy their beloved camp!
Bonus Features Include:
bloopers
sing along
audio commentary
Camp Everfree patch
The movie can be purchased online through Shout Factory (which comes with its own awesome poster) or at Walmart (the DVD comes with a gorgeous pair of Twilight Sparkle barrettes!).
Our Thoughts
We couldn’t wait to have our niece over to pop in this DVD, especially me. Living in a home with three boys can be tough sometimes. The movie selections are always all about superheroes, fighting and action. Sometimes a girl just wants to enjoy a cute, funny movie with another girl!
We all fell in love with this DVD from the Equestria Girls. It was funny, sweet and full of lessons that our niece and even our own boys were able to appreciate without them realizing how much they were learning. It is so important for children to learn about the strength of friendships and working together and this is what the Equestria Girls stand for.
This DVD had great graphics, as well as a fantastic and engaging plot line. You were never left bored or uninterested. This DVD would make an excellent addition to family movie night as well as an even better stocking stuffer for this holiday season. You can also download these two colouring and activity pages for your child that will go along perfectly with the movie.
Trailer
The Giveaway
My Canadian and American readers can now enter to win one of three copies of Equestria Girls: Legend of Everfree on DVD. Good luck!
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