Category: Reviews

The Heart of Christmas: A Life Changing Movie (Review and GIVEAWAY)

The Heart of Christmas: A Life Changing Movie (Review and GIVEAWAY)

momonthegoinholytoledo

After running around town this morning dropping off our preschooler at a field trip, picking him up from his field trip, then dropping off our 6-year-old at school (she had a delay start), and going back to pick up our preschooler from school I realized that I had driven up and down the same street 6 times between the hours of 9 & 11:30am with our toddler in tow. By the time I got home I felt so frazzled and so behind, I did not accomplish anything this morning (besides driving). That overwhelmed feeling was multiplied as I opened the door and was greeted by the pile of laundry that was dumped on the coffee table while one of the kiddos search for an article of clothing this morning, the Legos that were left sprawled on the floor from the night before, the shoes tossed right by the front door, the fingerprints all over the window from our toddler getting into the markers, etc.  So I rushed to feed the kiddos and started doing the dishes while they ate lunch. After they had lunch and went down for a nap/quiet time I hit my “to do list” hard! So much to do so little time!

First things first, I had been putting my review of The Heart of Christmas off for the past two days trying to find the perfect time to view it and I couldn’t put it off any longer. So I grabbed some laundry to fold (always multitasking) while I began watching The Heart of Christmas.  And WOW! The gift I received having had the opportunity to watch the film is difficult to put into words. 

The Heart of Christmas tells the story of Austin and Julie Locke, who are devastated to learn that their young son, Dax, has been diagnosed with cancer.  With courage, determination and faith, they decide to give Dax one last Christmas – even if it has to be in October.  When the community sees the holiday decorations and learns the heartbreaking truth, what happens next is a miraculous outpouring of care and support.  The Heart of Christmas will touch your heart and bring home the spirit of the holidays. In stores now!

Movie Trailer

 

 

Half a box of Kleenex later and I think I am now able to maintain some composure and share the amazing gift The Heart of Christmas has given me and our family.

The film opens with a mom who is very busy; in fact she forgets that she needs to take her son trick-or-treating that evening, drop her daughter off at an overnight, and that her daughter had a game the next day. She reminded me of someone…but whom? Oh, that’s right, me! Then, while in the neighborhood where she is dropping off her daughter and trick-or-treating with her son she stumbles upon Christmas decorations, the neighborhood is decorated for Christmas, not Halloween. So she inquires about what is going on and it is then that she is told about Locke’s blog and her life and mine change from that moment on.

I don’t want to give too much away, I do not what to rob you of the amazing gift that this movie provides when you view it but I will let you know that Dax’s parents are told, that after exhausting all options and treatments, that he will not live past 6 weeks. As a parent you can’t help but to put yourself in their shoes and think about your own children and all the things you would be feeling if this was your child. Like the fact they would never experience their first kiss, driving, prom, dating…no more Christmases! I became a hot mess when Julie, Dax’s mom, realized that her son will never see another Christmas…one of the most magical times of the year for a child and the child in all of us. What the community does next is heartwarming and beyond amazing.

After viewing The Heart of Christmas guess who is now cherishing those fingerprints all over the window…the legos sprawled across the floor…little shoes by the front door?  Guess who has suddenly found the time to sit down and have a snack with her children and inquire about their days while gazing into their eyes as opposed to running around completing daily chores? This mom! Thank Dax, Julie and Austin, their community, St. Jude’s, Matthew West, and everyone who contributed to The Heart of Christmas…thank you for reminding me what is truly important everyday, not just on special occasions. And I thank God for my family, my sweet babies and their health, and I pray for all the families out their who have a loved one near the end of their lifetime.

To learn more about the Locke Family, Dax, and the what you can do to help please checkout The Dax Locke Foundation.

This is the perfect film to give your loved ones this Christmas because it is more than just a movie, it is a reminder that life is short and how important it is to treasure the time we have and they will thank you for it, trust me!

To be entered into the giveaway for The Heart of Christmas DVD (retail value $27.97)

  1. Like Mom on the go in Holy Toledo Facebook Page
  2. Like Sling Shot Pictures Heart of Christmas Facebook Page
  3. Comment in the thread stating you have done so and share a favorite Christmas tradition in your community, family, or house.

Winner will be randomly selected Oct 22nd.

 

 

Thought I would leave you wiht this Video by Matthew West based on Dax’s story

Motherhood and McDonald’s: Allies?

Motherhood and McDonald’s: Allies?

momonthegoinholytoledo

A few weeks back I received an email inviting me to McDonald’s for an Open Door Tour.

The invitation stated that I could have the opportunity to go behind-the-counter at McDonald’s and learn about their commitment to offer improved nutrition choices, their wholesome menu items, and how their quality food  is prepared. Then have the chance to hear about McDonalds’s involvement through Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio.

Honesty, the first thing that crossed my mind after reading the invitation was that nutrition and wholesome menu should not be in the same sentence as McDonald’s. The second thought that crossed my mind was that I would be interested in hearing more about Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio. I would really like to get involved with that charity and this might be the perfect opportunity to learn more and share with readers. So I mulled it over for a few minutes and with a somewhat skeptical, I dare you to prove me wrong type of attitude, I RSVP yes!

So the day of the Open Door Tour arrived and I dropped my kiddos off with my sister and headed to McDonalds’.  On the way there I couldn’t help but think of my relationship with McDonald’s and where it went wrong.

As a young child McDonald’s was a special treat we would have on occasion. And on really, really special occasions we, my sister, brother, and I would receive Happy Meals and yes, it made us very happy. McDonald’s was an experience, not just a fast food restaurant…it was the feeling you would get as a child walking through the doors, seeing Ronald, and having those golden arch handles on a Happy Meal box handed over to you, and then eagerly opening the box to reveal the price inside. It was beautiful. I was loving it! But somewhere along the way I lost that loving feeling.

I think it was all the gossip and hearsay, the trans-fats, pink slim, dirty dinning rooms, and Super Size Me (which I did think was a tad ridiculous, no one makes you purchase food, you have the free will to purchase a healthier alternative) that got in the way.  Perhaps it was all misconceived nonsense; perhaps I should give this relationship another go? But I am a mother now, and I need to put my children first.  Motherhood and McDonald’s might not mix. As a mom and wife I want healthy options for my family and I don’t want to have to go home and research what I want to order in order to find out the nutritional value. But I owed it to McDonald’s to try to give it another go.

Once I arrived at McDonald’s and seconds after I opened the door guess who was the first person I saw? Ronald! So first things first I had to get a pic with an old childhood memory. I have to admit McDonald’s was very clever having him there, well-played McDonald’s, and it almost worked, I was a little distracted from the nostalgia but I  managed to stayed focused.

After a few words from the owner the tour, excuse me, the behind-the-counter tour commenced. As I walked behind the counter my skepticism showed its ugly face and my eyes wandered floor to ceiling looking for any signs of dirt, dust, old food, etc. anything gross. But I found nothing; in fact, you could probably literally eat off of the floor. While searching for any signs of less than quality cleanliness I was interrupted by the words, menu board labeling. What?

McDonald’s is listing the calorie information on restaurant and drive-thru menus to help customers and employees make nutrition-minded food choices. Seriously!?!  You mean I know longer have to research a potential meal prior to visiting? No more research, I could get on board with that. And my hubby who has a great relationship with McDonald’s can hopefully make wiser choices when ordering (A loving wife’s dream come true…thank you McDonald’s!). He might love McDonald’s but I love his heart and maybe, just maybe, McDonald’s and I could find a common ground.  Speaking of grounds….

Hello gorgeous! Anyone who knows me knows that I am an avid coffee lover and up until recently I had a great thing going with Starbucks. Well, we had a falling out and I have been looking around for something new, something reliable, something freshly ground on site, and looks like I have found it and at McDonald’s, really!?! I feel like McDonald’s has really grown and might just be ready for a grownup relationship, one that includes iced coffees and lattes. And while I am there in the morning I have got to try McDonald’s Oatmeal, others were raving about it. But it would be hard to pass up an Egg McMuffin that is on 300 calories. Speaking of the Egg McMuffin….

Have you ever wondered how they get the egg to perfectly form to a shape the fits the English muffin like a glove? No? Well I have and I often wondered about those eggs, do they actually have an egg that they crack or is it some weird pre-mix concoction?  I found out that they do use real eggs and yes, they crack them into a pre-form type of thing, see photo. How cool is that? I want one. Oh, and I almost forgot, McDonald’s has been listening to us moms and is going to be offering a egg-white breakfast sandwich on an English Muffin made with 8 grams of whole grain, how cool is that? Okay, it is official, brace yoursleves…I am lovin it!

As the tour finished up and I walked back through the kitchen my skepticism had lifted and I found myself seeing McDonald’s from a whole new perspective, from the perspective of a pleased customer, a customer whose voice had been heard. In addition to the nutritional improvements previously mentioned McDonald’s also plans on adding seasonal fruits and vegetables during peak seasons, adding more side options for the children’s meals in addition to grilled chicken options, and that Happy Meal that I so fondly remember from childhood now automatically includes apple slices and a mini French fries and the option of 1% low-fat white milk.

And what better way to commemorate the occasion than over lunch. Lunch was provided to us (thank you…thank you so much) and we were given the instructions to order whatever we would like…hmm…what to order?  Since I was still in a nostalgic state of mind I opted for…wait for it…the Happy Meal! Yep, mommy got a Happy Meal all to herself and did not have to cook, cut, wipe, prep, etc. just me, some great blogging moms who also attended the event, and my Happy Meal and iced coffee…livin the life! And yes, I’m lovin it!

So, it is official, McDonald’s and I have mended our relationship. As a wife and mom I am quite pleased with the changes McDonald’s has and will continue to incorporate into their menu and service in order to make my visit to McDonald’s an experience once again (oh, and this time I can bring my laptop…Free WI-FI). I guess Motherhood and McDonald’s can be allies and work together to provide convenience food that is also nutritious (because God knows mommy needs a break every once in a while from cooking…and mommy needs her caffeine).

Ronald, I couldn’t have said it better myself, yep, that is truly something.

So my day started off with skepticism and ended with me proudly flaunting McDonald’s swag!

Oh, and about the Ronald McDonald’s House Charities, I might just have a reason to dust these off…..The Red Shoe Society!

Do you remember how much fun a Happy Meal was when you were a kid? Do you take your children to McDonald’s? If not would you consider visiting McDonald’s now that they have made improvements to the menu?

K5 Learning Review and 14 days FREE Lessons

K5 Learning Review and 14 days FREE Lessons

momonthegoinholytoledo

I had the fortunate opportunity to have a mom’s night out with a couple other mommies last week.   We discussed a slew of topics but of course, they all revolved around our main focus, our children. We had gotten on the topic of schools. My daughter attends the public school and I know that some of the other moms have children that are younger and they haven’t decided if home schooling, sending their children to private school, or public school is the best fit for their families. What we did all agree on is the importance of our children living up to their potential, being challenged, and the need for parental involvement in their children’s education.

As a mom to 3 kiddos I know my limits and boundaries and I know that home schooling is not a good fit for me personally. I know that though I have good time management skills I do struggle with distractions. Yes, there you have it, truth is told! I can be distracted easily, whether it is another child requiring my attention, or even, the dryer buzzing. I also become mentally exhausted after teaching my toddler her colors, the alphabet, doing puzzles together, encouraging her to use her words, and then aiding my preschooler in spelling words correctly, as opposed to the random letters he writes then instantly requests that I state the word he wrote (Why at this age do they assume any combination of letters written together equals a word!! Why!?!), and what is appropriate and inappropriate…to say…wear…do…etc. I know my adorable little 1st grader yearning for knowledge would get lost in the mix and would more than likely receive what little bit of patience I had left, she would be receiving less than she deserves. And the household, forget about it!

However, just because my limits do not permit me to be the best possible school teacher for my child I am still very much involved. My husband and I want our children to excel and push their limits so to speak,when it comes to education. Knowledge is something that you have forever; it cannot be taken away from you.  And it is one of the best gifts we can give our children (first being faith).

So, that being stated I wanted to share with you something I shared with my mommy friends last week.  A couple of weeks back my daughter and I checked out K5 Learning online. First I perused the site and was extremely pleased to see that they offer the parents their own dashboard and access to their child’s lesson plans, reports, and progress. There are math fact reports that parents can look at specific equation that children completed correctly or incorrectly. From that initial review I have been hooked. As a parent I like K5 Learning because:

  • The parent dashboard options
  • The fact they offer spelling (audio of the word), math, and reading.
  • I also liked the fact that there is a free online placement assessment in reading and math.  The idea is to gauge skill levels in different areas (phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, site words, comprehension, numbers/operations, geometry and measurement) and cue the lessons at an appropriate starting point in each.  
  • I also like the fact that I do not need to be present the entire time (in case the dryer buzzes). K5 features automatic lesson selection; in case you don’t want to be as actively involved in selecting lessons each day, but do want to know your child is progressing through the material in a logical way.  To facilitate this, the system automatically chooses the next lesson each day and at the end of a lesson she has the options to click on the green traffic light to continue or the red to stop.
    Please click here for a more thorough explanation of K5 Learning.

And our daughter adores K5! In addition to her regular schooling our daughter has fun using her screen time completing K5 lessons. Truth be told, here I go getting all honest again; she practically begs me every day to use my computer for K5 Learning.

So, whether you decide to home school, send your children to private or public school K5 Learning is a great partner for your child’s education.

Click here to get started on your FREE trial today!

Disclosure: K5 Learning has an online reading and math program for kindergarten to grade 5 students.  I’ve been given a 6 week free trial to test and write a review of their program.  If you are a blogger, you may want to check out their open invitation to write an online learning review of their program.

 

 

 

Play with Your Food & Kashi Soft-Baked Chocolate Squares Review (vlog)

Play with Your Food & Kashi Soft-Baked Chocolate Squares Review (vlog)

momonthegoinholytoledo

Last Monday, it was sunny, high around 78 degrees, an all-around beautiful day and we spent it in a beautiful way…..watch the clip to learn more…

Seriously…those soft-baked squares are delicious. But back to the play date….we had such a lovely day and looking back that might have been the last official beautiful day of the summer season. The remainder of the week was cooler and rainy.

I thought I would briefly share how we stamped our food and the recipe for the edible peanut butter play dough. Prior to the play date the moms were given strict instructions to dress their little ones for fun, not fashion!

Food Stamping….

What you need:

  • Container to hold sponge (and in our case veggies & fruit too)
  • Sponges
  • Paint (Washable Tempera paint or whatever you wish)
  • Food/Fruit/Vegetables (we used onions, peppers, boiled noodles, broccoli, star fruit, etc.)
  • Paper (constriction paper, white paper, whatever you have on hand)

Directions:

  1. Spray paints on sponge
  2. Wash, dry, and cut fruit and veggies accordingly so that the shape will be displayed when stamped.

Have fun!

Edible Peanut Butter Play dough….

What you need:

  • 1 cup Dry Milk
  • 1/3 cup Honey
  • 1 cup Peanut Butter (creamy)
  • Dry noodles to decorate
  • Dry fruit to decorate

 

Directions:

  1. Mix all ingredients together, adjust as necessary.
  2. Make into fun shapes and add dry fruit, noodles, etc.

Tactile Tub….

This one is really simple…just add oat meal, rice, water, etc. to tub and fun objects to find, small shovels, cups, funnels, etc. to embellish the fun!

I do hope you have the opportunity to share these activities with your kiddos; they are so much fun especially when you do them together. Remember moms, it is not the quantity but the quality of time, shut off the phone, turn off your screens, and give your child your undivided attention. No one knows what tomorrow holds… so why put off something so important.

I will treasure the memory of this day for always…summer 2012.

Okay…so in this pic I was totally trying to capture her smile but when I told her I needed to have the soft-baked square while she was swinging because she could joke that smile quickly left her face….she kept saying “mine”, “MINE”…like I was going to eat it or something (I would so not do that…or would I? Do you think I ate it?).

So, do tell, have you had the chance to try Kashi’s soft-baked squares? If so what do you think? Do you have a favorite Kashi brand treat…cereal?

Neon Tiki Tribe Party (vlog) and GIVEAWAY

Neon Tiki Tribe Party (vlog) and GIVEAWAY

momonthegoinholytoledo

Here are some pictures from our event…

 

GIVEAWAY

Once lucky follower will win…(a $30 value)

  • The Neon Tiki Tribe getting to know the characters sheet.
  • Neon Tiki Tribe: Tiki Beach Battle! (Dyslexic Friendly)
  • Neon Tiki Tribe: Dog Rescue Mission! (Dyslexic Friendly)
  • Neon Tiki Tribe: Bullies: Playground Push-Around (Dyslexic Friendly)
  • Three coupons for 25% off The Neon Tiki Tribe store
  • And one cool pair of Neon Tiki Tribe glasses

 

To enter the giveaway you will need to:

  1. Like Mom on the go in Holy Toledo facebook page
  2. Like The Neon Tiki Tribe facebook page
  3. Follow Mom on the go in Holy Toledo

Once you have done all 3 post a comment stating so and please feel free to share your enthusiasm.

Winner will be selected Sept 16th.

 By publishing this post, I received free products as part of a promotional program with MomSelect. All opinions are my own

Calling all Mom Bloggers (with kids K-5)

Calling all Mom Bloggers (with kids K-5)

momonthegoinholytoledo

K5 Learning has an online reading and math program for kindergarten to grade 5 students.  I’ve been given a 6 week free trial to test and write a review of their program.  If you are a blogger, you may want to check out their  open invitation to write an online learning review of their program.

K5 includes 4 reading and math programs! Check it out today!

Tailgating Tuesdays: Products Review (video clip)

Tailgating Tuesdays: Products Review (video clip)

momonthegoinholytoledo

As promised, it is the first Tuesday in September and Tailgating Tuesdays is commencing. What is Tailgating Tuesdays? Every Tuesday in the month of September will include tailgating topics such as tailgating tips, product reviews, recipes, and yes, even a giveaway! So be sure to check out what tailgating topics are in store each and every Tuesday this month.

For the first installation of Tailgating Tuesdays I am providing reviews on some of the best tailgating products around. I had originally planned on providing these product reviews on a couple local news channels but thanks to the political conferences the tailgating segment got bumped, I was total bummer. But also a little relieved, the first segment would have been recorded on my daughter’s first day of school so I am glad I did not have to miss such a monumental day (after all, you only get 12 of those and of those 12 I am pretty sure you can only get away with holding their hand, dropping them off and giving them kisses and hugs until maybe 4th grade, if I am lucky). So, without further ado, the products review…..

 

 

I am not sure if you noticed but I did record this with a toddler and preschooler in the room.  They both adlibbed a few comments in the background but I hope my points were received clearly.

Also, with regard to the giveaway, I will be giving away four out of the five items discussed in the review. What item would you be interested in winning?

Now it is your turn to share. Have you ever tailgated before a game?  If not, would you tailgate with your family? What is your favorite sport to tailgate? Do you have a favorite item or products that you use tailgating?

Nature Scavenger Hunt & Kashi Banana Chocolate Chip Soft n’ Chewy Bars Review

Nature Scavenger Hunt & Kashi Banana Chocolate Chip Soft n’ Chewy Bars Review

momonthegoinholytoledo

Since we have a long weekend thanks to Labor Day we decided to make the most of it and spend as much time together as a family as possible. Today we visited our local park, we went on a Nature Scavenger Hunt, and enjoyed delicious Kashi soft n’ chewy bars.

I came across an awesome blog, How to Nest For Less, it has so many fabulous ideas for the home, for kids’ arts & craft projects, and much more. I highly recommend this blog but I must warn you it will suck you in.  So grab refreshment and get comfortable.

While perusing How to Nest For Less I came across this wonderful Nature Scavenger Hunt. I adore this Nature Scavenger hunt because it contains items that are easy to locate practically anywhere outside. It is also perfect for the age range of my kiddos (2-6 years old).  I like the fact that it only contains a dozen items to locate as opposed to others that have a slew of items. Lastly I like that it includes color, shape, and touch categories too!

So prior to leaving for the park I printed off the Scavenger Hunts and the name tags for the children’s bags. To print off Scavenger Hunt click here.

To print name tags click here.

 

 

 

Included in their bags were, one Kashi Banana Chocolate Chip soft n’ chewy bar as well as a marker to cross off items as they locate them.

We had such a wonderful time on the Nature Scavenger hunt. We looked high and low to locate all the items on the list. The kiddos even enjoyed getting a closer look with their magnifying glass.

 

Then it was snack time. And I must say, I was pleasantly surprised at how delicious the Kashi Banana Chocolate Chip soft n’ chewy bar was, it was… well, soft, chewy and yummy! In fact, our toddler asked for more and our first grader asked me if she could have them in her school lunches, please!

Thank you Kashi you have successfully satisfied our toddler’s, our picky eater’s needs. You have done the impossible!

I adored the taste of the bar, it was like a warm, comforting embrace on a cool rainy fall morning. It reminded me of childhood, when my mom would bake fresh banana bread, it was more than a food, it took me back to a memory, it was an experience. As a mom I am a huge fan of Kashi Banana Chocolate Chip soft n’ chewy bars because of the nutritional content. The Kashi Banana Chocolate Chip soft n’ chewy bars include:

  • ½ serving of fruit (from apples and bananas)
  • ½ serving vegetable (from pumpkin)
  • 7 whole grains
  • 4 grams of fiber
  • Naturally Sweetened

 

 I feel like I am a good mother when I give my children Kashi.

 Another reason why I, as a mom, am a proud supporter of Kashi foods….read on…the following is taken from Kashi website….

Today, only 1% of U.S. cropland is organic and around 70% of packaged foods contain GMOs (genetically modified organisms). At Kashi, we want to do our part in creating a more balanced food system. We’re still small at heart, but big enough now to make a meaningful impact.

Kashi’s Non-GMO Project Verified Product Commitment.

Our commitment: By the end of 2015 over half our food will be Non-GMO Project Verified.* But we won’t stop there. We’ll continue to increase the use of organic and Non-GMO ingredients where possible while making sure to continue to provide the positive nutrition you expect from us.*based on pounds

 Why 2015? There simply aren’t enough non-GMO and organic ingredients, and it takes time to partner with farmers to convert conventional farms. Once we obtain these ingredients, we need to make sure the nutrition and taste of the food is consistent with the high quality you expect from us.

We had such a wonderful afternoon in the park together as a family. We enjoyed the outdoors, the sounds, colors, and creatures of nature; they paired nicely with our delicious Kashi snack experience.

So, how are you spending your long weekend?  Have you ever tried any Kashi brand foods? Do you have a favorite Kashi food/product?

Live Experience & Review of The Oogieloves in The Big Balloon Adventure

Live Experience & Review of The Oogieloves in The Big Balloon Adventure

momonthegoinholytoledo

As the movie began and the audience received instructions on the Oogieloves “dance” I have to be honest I did think to myself…will I be able to tolerate this movie….is it going to be obnoxious ….should I have taken an aspirin or two?  Then the vibrant colors, those cute Oogielove characters, and the entire storyline unfolded and I forgot about that preconceived notion that children’s movies are often intolerable to parents. Speaking of parents, the movie contains adult undertones to, the first one being J. Edgar, the vacuum, get it?  Then the fun began….

The butterflies fluttered across the screen and my 2 year olds eyes lit up as she sprang to action. She boogied her little heart out and then as the turtles slowly walked across the screen she made her way back into her seat. What I found was that she was so much more attentive to this movie than any other she has seen in the theater.  This was a pleasant surprise because again, I have to be honest; I was worried about how I would get her back in her seat and calm down in order to continue watching the film. After I had put aside my worries what I found was I was having fun dancing with my two-year old in a movie theater, never thought I would say that!

Meanwhile my 6-year-old followed the queuing with ease. She also sprang to action at the first sign of the butterflies.  She got up and danced, said the phrases when queued, and was captivated by the plot and the Oogieloves adventures!

My only child that seemed a little apprehensive about getting up out of his seat and talking during the film was my 5-year-old son. He has just gotten to that point where he knows what is appropriate movie going etiquette. So as the butterflies fluttered across the screen he eased to the edge of his seat but that was about as far as he would go. It was as if he was afraid that the usher was going to ask him to leave if he looked like he was having too much fun. But he wasn’t the only one experiencing this dilemma.

Most of the theater stayed seated during the dance portion.  I think this is just a norm that is difficult for  to break. In fact, as I got up to dance the third time it dawned on me that maybe the people behind me couldn’t see and that I should sit.  But then it occurred to me that if they can’t see, perhaps they should be getting out of their seats and dancing too? Why would you want to miss out on this fun experience with your children?

And a wonderful experience it was!

Review….

As a parent to young children I thought the plot was perfect.  The topics were appropriate; in fact I liked the fact that the story included shapes, animal sounds, and undertones that encourage cognitive development.  As a mom to younger children it was also encouraging to have them practice following directions. The characters were vibrant and contained unique features which I think is important because each child is unique.  I also liked the fact that the inanimate objects were characters too, it added to the innocence of the movie.  The cameos from Hollywood actors, the adult undertones, and the opportunity to dance with your children in a theater make this a positive experience for parents too!  No need to bring the aspirin but do wear some comfy shoes!

The price it right too! Earlier this summer our children were begging my hubby and I go see The Fresh Beat Band live show. We had to tell them no due to the cost. It was going to cost more than $150 for our entire family to see the show. And of course as parents we were disappointed too that we couldn’t take our entire family. The Oogieloves in The Bog Balloon Adventure is the perfect solution; it is like a Live show experience for the price of a movie ticket.

I give The Oogieloves in The Big Balloon Adventure an A, 5 stars, 2 thumbs up, and I can’t wait to see it again. In fact, I plan on placing it on our play group’s calendar and can’t wait to share this experience with other moms and their kiddos.

I would like to send a special thank you to the followingin  The Oogieloves in The Big Balloon Adventure family for providing a TRUE G-Rated film for my family to enjoy.

Matthew Diamond (director), Scott Stabile and Kenn Viselman (story creators),  Scott Stabile (writer), Kenn Viselman (producer), Angela Rivet (co-producer), Michael A. Chirco, Scot J. Moceri and David R. Schwarcz (Executive producers), Scott Stabile (lyrics) and Josh Gronner (original song writers) and stars…..Toni Braxton, Cloris Leachman, Christopher Lloyd, Chazz Palminteri, Cary Elwes and Jaime Pressly

Calling all MOMS!!!

In order for this movie to be successful and to hopefully encourage Hollywood to create more TRUE G-Rated films we need your help.  Hollywood needs to hear your voice, how?

We need you to support and promote the RatedGGG hashtag.

Like Oogieloves on facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TheOogieloves)

Follow The oogiesloves on twitter   (http://twitter.com/theoogieloves)

UPDATE:

We’re having a party! Join Celebrations.com in celebrating the upcoming release of the new interactive film for kids, The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure! We hope you can join us for a fun filled Twitter chat about the Oogieloves. Come ready for trivia about the movie and talk kid’s party ideas with us for the chance to win some BIG Oogieloves themed prizes.

Date: Monday, August 20th

Time: 8-9pm EST

Hashtag: #OogielovesParty

Host: @Celebrations

Sponsor: @Oogieloves

Tweet Grid:  http://bit.ly/MDpe41

And if you’re   planning a back to school party or just a birthday bash, check out the   Oogieloves/Celebrations party info at http://www.celebrations.com/content/oogieloves-theme-party-for-the-kids