S Club Mama

Thank you to all who entered the American Sniper DVD/Blu-Ray giveaway here at the S Club. Please stay tuned for new giveaways soon. The winner, chosen by random.org, was Joseph Wallace. I've emailed Joseph and he will have 2 days to email me with his address or another winner will be chosen. Congratulations to Joseph!

Today we remember those who have served so bravely in our armed forces to protect our freedom throughout the years. My dad served in the Navy, my sister currently serves in the Air Force. Another of those soldiers was Chris Kyle, a Navy SEAL, who served four tours of duty in Iraq before coming home and finding his way back to his family. I'm sure you have heard of him. Kyle is portrayed by Bradley Cooper in "American Sniper." My husband and I had the opportunity to watch this movie together in our home. I don't want to give a lot away in the plot, but this was a really powerful movie for me. Seeing circumstances portrayed from Iraq in the years after 9/11 were more than I expected. Kyle's service and how that service to our country (and ultimately us as US citizens) affected him mentally was heartbreaking. Imagining how his wife and children handled his service was really impacting to me as a mother. image via Grace Hill Media We really enjoyed watching th...

My boys and I got the opportunity to watch the new Veggie Tales DVD, "Noah's Ark." The first thing I noticed was that Bob and Larry look....different. Weird. They have no eye lids anymore and Larry's coloring is more realistic rather than monochromatic. To me, it makes them look more childish like this show is for babies, which it's not. Maybe I just don't like change or think, 'if it's not broke, don't fix it.' image via walmart.com The movie itself was good. Shem (Noah's son) comes home from his honeymoon to find his family building an ark, The Ark. He's not so happy about it because it spoils his plans for his future. The DVD is "a lesson in trusting God" and throughout you see if Shem and his family will ultimately trust God through this flood. I asked my boys what they thought of the new look (which they actually talk about at the beginning, kind of). Squirt didn't seem too big of a fan of it while Moose seeme...

For this series of posts, I will be writing a review over a workout DVD on Saturdays. DVDs are a wonderful, affordable (mostly) way to get a really good workout at home. These played a large part in the very beginning of my health journey. I've been a stay-at-home mom mostly for 5 years (I was going to college the first year and was a house mom at a group home for a few months but otherwise - home). With little kids it can be a pain to get out of the house to workout. I highly recommend DVDs (and a treadmill or elliptical if you can afford them). Jogging strollers are a great option - for walking or running. Tomorrow I began the Jillian Michaels' 6 Week 6 Pack . It's a DVD (duh) that uses HIIT training to help you lose weight while sculpting your abs. I've done this workout several times, but not in the 6 week time frame that the title suggests. 6W6P (as I refer to it) is 35 minutes long. There are two levels - and in those two levels you can work a little harder ...

I had the opportunity to review two new DVDs and a board book from NCircle Entertainment: Dino Dan DVD and Yo Gabba Gabba (DVD and book). I wasn't expecting the latter, but I love working with NCircle so I went with the flow. The new Yo Gabba Gabba DVD is called There's a Party in my City . Usually this is not a show in our repertoire. I just find it an odd show - the characters don't make sense to me. It seems loud and strange BUT kids love it (or so I've heard). I honestly did not let my children watch this show; I try to avoid shows that I don't want them to watch (like Calliou). But I will let Yo Gabba Gabba's reputation speak for itself. If you need 60 minutes to finish dinner/laundry/a book/a shower, by all means, I suggest you try this DVD. This high-paced, energetic show has the power to entertain your children. We did read the Yo Gabba Gabba board book sent to us: Try, Try Again. I don't mind reading books about shows that I dislike - they seem ...

Yes, you read the title correctly and, no, you don't have the wrong blog. As the mommy of two little guys, I usually decline offers to review DVDs that are marketed toward girls. However, a little boy I watch loves to dance. He loves the episode of Elmo's World when Elmo tap dances and he just plain loves to shake his booty (and is so cute when he does it). So when I had the offer to review "Fairy Dancing," I said sure, because he doesn't often get to watch what he wants to at our house (Moose makes most of those decisions and everyone else just follows along). The Fairies is an Australian show; the DVD case says it's a smash sensation. I would say the age would be geared toward 4-8. The two main gals in the show, Harmony and Rhapsody, are teenagers who are fairies. This episode takes the audience through one of their days when they are in a dancing mood. The girls do different types of dancing with some other friends: an elf, some younger fairies, and a few...

Random.org chose the winner of my giveaway for The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That and Chloe's Closet DVDs . Number 8 of 15 entrants is.... Apryl from Studied to be a Mommy said... We LOVE WordWorld in this house. However, I'm super sad that it hasn't been on Netflix recently. We also really like the Cat in the Hat Knows... Pajanimals also looks good, got to love everything from Jim Henson! Thanks for entering and remember that there are low entries here at the S Club so you have a good chance of winning! Come back again for more giveaways.

From the NCircle Entertainment studio, I bring to you my review about The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That: Told From the Cold and Chloe's Winter Wonderland (both available from  your local retailer or at NCircle's website for $9.99 each).   My family loves The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That. I, like many of my generation, was raised on the Cat. I've read most of the books by Dr. Seuss and seen several adaptations of The Cat in the Hat . So this striped-capped feline and I go way back. I have enjoyed getting to learn new things in a fun way with my kids through the other CitHKaLAT (ha) DVDs we have, and Told From the Cold (aren't the titles clever?) is no different. In this one you join Nick and Sally to learn about snow, penguins, and black bears. Moose and Squirt enjoy the songs from Cat in the Hat... and I tend to end up singing along with them (or later in the grocery store by myself) because the songs are so catchy. You just really can't go wron...

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays! I love dressing up: be it Wonder Woman or Dorothy (or this year's hopeful costume of Princess Peach). I love trick-or-treating. I love Halloween candy (who doesn't?). I love scary movies and silly Halloween movies/tv shows. This last love comes in handy when we were asked to review The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That: Tricks & Treats and WordWorld: Kooky Spooky DVDs. My favorite thing about these DVDs? They are 30 minutes long! I wish all shows were only 30 minutes (not including feature length films). I dislike having to tell my kids, "no you can't watch that because it's too long." Mostly because they don't understand what that means. Even my color-coding system of red = 30 minutes, blue = 60 minutes, etc hasn't helped this problem. But short DVDs are my favorite. image via NCircle Tricks and Treats was probably my favorite of the two, but mostly because I adore The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lo...

Today, I finally convinced my sons to watch The Gruffalo with me. They are little creatures of habit and love to watch the same things over and over again. I can gladly say that I now The Gruffalo will be added to their "List of Most Watched" shows.  I had never heard of the book "The Gruffalo" except through a blog post by my friend, Erin. So I was unsure of how I'd like this movie, having never read the book (and books are generally better than any movie!). But oh, this was precious. I really loved the animation - I don't know what kind it was but almost a claymation type. The story was so fun; here's a synopsis from NCircle Entertainment: Synopsis Based on the best-selling children’s book, The Gruffalo is a magical tale of a mouse who takes a stroll through the woods.  Encountering three predators who all wish to eat him, the adorable and confident mouse has to use his wits to survive.  He tells his predators that he is meeting a monster, ...

Preschoolers are at such a tender age where they are learning so many new things, so it's a perfect time to introduce them to their ABCs and 123s (if you haven't already started!). We watched Animal ABCs and Animal 123 s DVDs from NCircle Entertainment. I thought Squirt would enjoy these more than Moose...but Moose really liked them and Squirt was...squirmy. They did watch these in our van, so I think it was just the time being strapped in a car seat that made him upset, but either way, Moose really enjoyed the DVDs. I like DVDs that are educational and not super complicated like so many shows and movies today. Kids get overloaded with sensory things!! I figured that Moose would like these since he liked the shows Puppy Party and Kitten Party from NCircle. It's great learning for the kids. Each DVD includes fun facts, original songs, and a bonus feature of flash cards. We haven't used the flash cards but what a great feature! To pre-order your DVDs, check out the N...

Abby Johnson volunteered and worked for Planned Parenthood for eight years. If you're unfamiliar with Planned Parenthood, they give women birth control and also abortions. They do other things that I'm not as familiar with but publicly, this is what they're known for. Abby felt she was helping women in crisis situations. After some major occurrences in her heart, Abby realized that she needed to start advocating for the unborn babies she was (as a clinic director) killing. I know that abortion is a hot-button issue - always has been, always will be. I understand that everyone is entitled to (and will use) their own opinions. I have my own. As a Christian, I'm pro-life through and through. This is also an issue dear to my own heart - I haven't been in a situation where I felt the need to abort a child, but I know someone (very close to me) who has. It's an unfortunate situation when I girl finds herself in a situation where she's not ready to be a mom. ...

Word World is a show we used to watch on PBS when we had cable. Fast forward about a year and it's been a long time since we've seen this show. Moose had not forgotten it though!  If you've never seen Word World , it's a very energetic cartoon where the animals and items are all made out of letters (dog is made out of DOG, pillow is made out of PILLOW). They "build a word" by spelling out the word (and the letters appear or are scattered and come together) and pushing them together to bind it into a thing or creature. The theme song is very catchy so beware that it will get stuck in your head (but it's much better than other kid songs that can be stuck there). On this DVD there are 4 episodes that equal about 60 minutes (less if you flip through the previews): -You Can Never Have Too Many "OO"s -Duck's Hiccups -Achoo! -Get Well Soon Soup My kids were just glued to the tv. I try to share with you some of their responses, but there...

If you didn't catch my last review over Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That: Wings and Things, check it out here . Or if you want to hear what I (and my kids) thought of the new Cat in the Hat: Tales About Tails , read on! I will be honest, my kids haven't watched this DVD yet. It's not that they won't like it or it's inappropriate - no! Moose is just a little Big A when it comes to movies/shows - he likes what he knows. He keeps asking for Wings and Things when I put this new DVD in - and he cries, so I am not pushing it. He'll love it when he watches it, I know he will. Both boys love The Cat in the Hat (Squirt says "ca" when we get it out and is forever bringing me the DVD). So much so that I'm thinking about that as a birthday theme (along with 50 other ideas). Anyway, so Tales About Tails was up to me to watch myself. I tried watching it from their perspective, but that's hard. I will say I enjoyed the freshness of new episodes! I ...

Moose is starting pre-school soon.  I've prepared him the best way I know how:  to tell him he's going to go to school like Sid.  We're meeting his teacher this week.  I've prepared him the best way I know how:  to tell him his teacher is named Miss D and she's like Teacher Suzy. Maybe he understands, maybe not. But he seems very excited about pre-school. However, I like to watch MORE Sid the Science Kid to prep him. We got the chance to review  Sid's Sing Along DVD;  I thought, "great! More prep!" (yes, I know preK isn't going to be like this ...except I hope they sing and dance like that haha) Well, this episode is all about  Sid's day OFF from school! His friends all come over to play and they put on a karaoke show in the back yard. (Even Teacher Suzy stops by for a cameo) My boys are Sid fans so I knew this would be a no-brainer. I'd like to tell you that they squealed with delight and jumped for joy... but that's not my boys...

 Everyone has a favorite Dr. Seuss book: Cat in the Hat, Hop on Pop , The Foot Book, Horton Hears a Who , etc (my personal favorite is Green Eggs and Ham ). Now the children in your life can watch as the Cat in the Hat comes to life (voiced by Martin Short) on the new show "The Cat In the Hat Knows a Lot About That!" We got the chance to review the DVD " Wings and Things ." I watched the first episode: ' Show Me the Honey ' with Moose (and Squirt) and Big A. In this episode, Sally & Nick learned about where honey comes from: bees. I really loved the animation; it reminded me of the classic Seuss books. I appreciated that they did go back to the loveable Cat in the Hat (rather than the one personified by Mike Meyers); the other is just not appropriate for children. I did feel that this content was a little higher level for my kids, but would be well-suited for a class unit on honeybees. The DVD really does explain age-appropriately about how honey i...

I sat down with Moose to watch "Hermie & Friends: Who is in Charge Anyway?" DVD. Not sure if you're familiar with Hermie but he is Max Lucado's brain child. A way to bring the love of God to children. There are books and movies - we also have a growth chart. Very simple and cute idea. Anyway, so this DVD was "Who is in Charge Anyway?" and focused on Freddie the Flea. He talks to God after overhearing a couple of little girl ladybugs ask their mom what's so special about Freddie. They talk about other insects and creatures with great talents and attributes, but come up short with compliments when it comes to fleas. God reassures Freddie that He made him (Freddie) special, just like He made everyone else special. God shows Freddie that others are only who they were because God made them that way - even small fleas. What a pick-me-up kind of movie. I think that even as adults, we sometimes feel that we aren't as special or talented as so-and-...