A Wonderfall Vacation

It is hard for me even to write this without falling over dead from sheer jealousy. Nevertheless, I am posting this to let you know that Beaches all-inclusive resorts is offering some awesome deals right now for family resort vacations in the months of September and October. *sigh*

Yes, my wealthy friends, if you book a vacation at Beaches for your family during those months, you can get one night free if you stay 5 or 6 nights and 2 nights free if you stay seven nights or longer. That's in addition to the 40-45% off deals for the months of September and October at Beaches resorts in Negril, Sandy Bay, Boscobel and Turks & Caicos. Have I told you lately how badly I've always wanted to tell someone, "Oh I'm sorry, I can't make playgroup that week. We'll be in Turks & Caicos." I haven't? Well, I'm telling you now.

So don't let that Stimulus check from the IRS go to waste! Book your deeply discounted Beaches all-inclusive resort trip TODAY! And send me a postcard, will ya?

Proof That You Really CAN Please Everyone

We finally watched The Spiderwick Chronicles last night and I have to say it's one of the most enjoyable family movies I've seen in a long time. Filled with goblins, fairies, ogres and sprites, the special effects are pretty incredible (including the fact that Freddie Highmore plays twin brothers and it doesn't even seem Parent Trap-py weird) and the casting is absolutely perfect (I was particularly impressed with how well Mary Louise Parker played a mom whose husband had left her for another woman- then I remembered that Parker's own long time boyfriend left her for another woman back when she was seven months pregnant- more evidence of terrific casting, I think).

Hubs was impressed by how quickly the movie got to the action- no 20 minute setup here- and I was really glad to find a movie that all of us could enjoy together- 4-year-old Punky, my two teenage girls, Hubs, and me. Even one-year-old Bruiser stopped what he was doing several times to watch.

Spiderwick Chronicles is out now on Blu-Ray and DVD and I highly recommend it. This is really a movie that nearly anyone can enjoy.

A Very Corny Giveaway. Heh.

Gee whiz, the giveaways are popping up all over this site, aren't they?

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

Okay, the deal is this: The folks at Orville Redenbacher's sent me some popcorn to try out, along with a perfectly-sized Orville Redenbacher's popcorn bowl. What they couldn't have known is that Hubs, Punky and I are popcorn fanatics (in fact, right now popcorn is Punky's favorite food) and we have been wearing that bowl out. Punky actually insists on her popcorn being put in that bowl and nowhere else, and she often refuses to share (which is another story altogether).

Anyway, since I am on the World's Longest Diet, I generally buy the plain old kernels and pop them myself to save calories, but I was pleased to see that the regular microwaveable bags of Orville Redenbacher's popcorn now don't have too many more calories than my stove-popped version. Also? The popcorn kernals are 100% whole grain, which is always a good thing, and they've even come up with a 100-calorie-per-bag version of Orville Redenbacher's, which is very exciting for um, me. And maybe you.

Best of all, I get to give away popcorn and Orville Redenbacher's popcorn bowls to two lucky readers. Three more runners-up will win their own bag of Orville Redenbacher's Popcorn. Yum. Just leave a comment with your e-mail address, telling me your favorite popcorn memory. This contest will close Sunday night at midnight, CST, and on Monday, I will randomly select the winners and runners up. Good luck!!

Bagelfuls

I received two boxes of Bagelfuls (Strawberry and Chive flavors) to test on my family and what can I say, except that I'M TOTALLY ADDICTED?

Seriously, these are even better than a real bagel and cream cheese. I put them in the toaster for two or three minutes and end up with perfect Bagel-erm-ful. It's wonderfully crisp on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. Best of all, the cream cheese doesn't get on my hands. The kids love them, too, and I especially like feeding them to Bruiser because there are no crumbs and no mess!

These are a perfect alternative to cereal for the kids or for you. Great for the car, too.

Time to Yourself- The Best Present I Could Give You

This Friday is a special superhero-themed morning on Nick Jr, with all new episodes of the Wonder Pets, The Backyardigans and Go, Diego, Go!

Punky got to watch advance copies of the Backyardigans and the Wonder Pets episodes (girl doesn't know how good she has it- she totally takes it for granted that she gets to see stuff from Nickelodeon before it airs) and she was entranced. The Backyardigans are always a favorite, but she really enjoyed the Wonder Pets more than usual. Anyway, here are the details on Superhero Friday (all times are ET/PT):

9:00 a.m. – The Backyardigans “Front Page News” PREMIERE

Tasha plays the dual role of a photographer and superhero named Snap, who really wants a front-page photo for The Bigopolis Big News paper. The newspaper is run by Pablo and is located in the city of Bigopolis where there’s always a big story. When a giant robot threatens to invade the city, it proves too much to handle for resident superheroes Captain Bubble (Tyrone) and Bug Girl (Uniqua). A Berlin Cabaret soundtrack moves the action along as Snap has to step in and save the day! Will Tasha get the front page photo she so desperately wants?

9:30 a.m. – Go, Diego, Go! “Super Flying Super Squirrel to the Rescue” PREMIERE

Diego is riding his motorcycle when he encounters a flying squirrel trying to save a pygmy marmoset. But the marmoset is too heavy and Diego must come to the rescue. The flying squirrel feels bad he wasn’t able to do it alone, because he really thought he was a “super” flying squirrel. Diego tells the flying squirrel to assist him on a mission to save some crying baby birds. Along the way, they use the flying squirrel’s “super” hearing, “super” eyesight and “super” gliding to rescue the baby birds.

10:00 a.m. – The Wonder Pets! “Save the Visitor” PREMIERE

Tuck wakes up in the middle of the night and finds a visitor in the classroom—an extra terrestrial! The Wonder Pets form a bond with their new friend, who must return home soon, or be stuck on earth forever.

That's an hour and a half to yourself, friends.

You're welcome.

Transformer Time!

Here we have Transformers: Transform and Roll Out, coming out on DVD Tuesday, June 17th. This DVD features cartoons from the smash hit Transformers show on Cartoon Network, which is one of the highest rated shows in its time slot among boys on all television. WHOA.

Here's a synopsis:

In the 22nd century, Detroit is the hot spot for all manner of techno-geeks, industrialists and all things robotic. It’s where the future is, and where money is being made thanks to the city’s thriving robotics industry. Of course that means Detroit is also the hot-spot for all things criminal, evil and demon-like, which brings us to our story… Fifty light years earlier, a young ragtag group of AUTOBOTS led by OPTIMUS PRIME are in a remote sector of CYBERTRON cleaning space bridges when they stumble upon the most important artifact in TRANSFORMERS history: the ALLSPARK! The DECEPTICONS who are only scary myths for many AUTOBOTS are in hot pursuit of the ALLSPARK; now this new band of AUTOBOTS must fight for their lives and the future of CYBERTRON. The AUTOBOTS are able to escape the DECEPTICONS and crash land on an unknown planet called Earth. They land in Lake Erie and remain in stasis for 50 years. During an emergency, OPTIMUS PRIME and his young team are awakened from stasis just in time to help the new “organic life forms” (humans). But in order to save the humans and fight off the evil villain they have to convert into their robot forms! In doing so, they save the day and become new celebrities and heroes destined to fight all evil on the planet Earth and beyond! Transformers! More than meets the eye!

Transformers were hugely popular when I was growing up, so it's cool that my son will likely be idolizing them, too. Preorder your copy of Transformers: Transform and Roll Out today!

The Sword in the Stone

Out from the Disney vault on Tuesday, June 17th is that sixties gem, The Sword in the Stone: 45th Anniversary Edition. My husband in particular loved this film and looks forward to sharing it with Bruiser when he's a little older. In the meantime though, Punky adored watching it (twice in a row!) and spent a good amount of time afterward with her toy sword, pretending to pull it out of a stone in the playroom. Kewl.

I loved that this newly-restored version kept some of the quirks from the original, so that it retains that seventies "movie screen" quality that we remember from our childhoods. That was nice and nostalgic. Pre-order your copy today!

Jungle Book 2

Out Tuesday, June 17th is The Jungle Book 2 Special Edition, featuring the voice of Haley Joel Osment and, as far as Disney sequels go, I'm very pleased. The animation is high-quality, the songs are great, and there's a GIRL in it, which pleased 4-year-old Punky immensely.

This special edition is out for a limited time- It includes an adventure game, deleted scenes, music videos and behind the scenes featurettes. Pre-order your copy today!

Great Giveaway!

I was DEFINITELY excited about getting my hands on this DVD. Hubs suggested going to see it when it was in the theaters, since he'd heard it was a chick flick that MEN could actually stomach. Unfortunately, we never got around to going. Yeah, four kids will do that to you.

Anyway, for those of you who haven't seen it either (or for those who saw it and now have to have a copy to call your own), Definitely, Maybe is coming out on DVD June 24th!

Here's a synopsis:

When Will Hayes, a 30-something Manhattan dad, decides to tell his 10-year-old daughter, Maya, the story of how he met her mother, she starts to question him about his life before marriage. As Will tells the story of his younger years, he weaves in anecdotes about his three most meaningful relationships, leaving Maya to guess which of the women became her mother. Maya gradually begins to understand the complexity of love as Will realizes that a second look at the past might also give him a second chance at the future.

And I've got more great news for you, lucky readers. One of you will win a prize package that includes not only Definitely, Maybe, but also Notting Hill and Love, Actually! AWESOME. Just leave a comment here telling me your best PROPOSAL STORY between now and Thursday at midnight, CST. BE SURE TO LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS IN THE COMMENT IF YOU WANT TO BE CONSIDERED. On Friday, I'll choose a winner at random.


What are you waiting for? Comment!

Best Father's Day Ever!

Here's what Hubs is getting for Father's Day...

Isn't it swell?

If you've got a man in your life (or woman, for that matter) who loves working out, this gift is an awesome option. Here are the deets:

• Insignia 2GB MP3 player can store up to 500 songs to keep you in the zone
• Features a $10 Best Buy Digital Music Store download card to complete your perfect workout playlist
• Init armband ensures the lightweight Insignia MP3 player is securely fastened
• Water bottle used as packaging is also included as an added bonus
• Available in Best Buy stores now
• Price: $99.99

Hello, Kitty!

Who doesn't love Build-a-Bear? I've spent hours in the shop with my stepdaughters when they were younger, choosing just the right bear and just the right outfit, and I look forward to doing the same with my younger children. And now, Build a Bear has something new! Hello Kitty! Woot!

Punky received the above Hello Kitty and she was absolutely enchanted. Of course, she already knows exactly whom Hello Kitty is, so when she arrived, she was so excited to have one of her very own. But you don't want to hear about Punky and her new toy, do you? Not when you can find out how to give your child his/her own Build-a-Bear experience FO FREE.

That's right. I have a $25 Build-a-Bear card to give away to one lucky commenter. All you have to do is leave a comment THAT INCLUDES YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS, telling me your favorite stuffed animal's name when you were a kid. That's right. I like to be entertained. My favorite stuffed animal, for example, was named Flat Eddie. Can you outdo that?

Comments will be accepted between now and Wednesday at midnight, CST. At that point, a winner will be chosen at random. Good luck, everyone!!

Put This On Your Summer Reading List. Seriously.

Jess Riley has been reading my blog for a long, long time. Seriously, she was around leaving hilarious and insightful comments on Suburban Turmoil when like, none of y'all were. She started her blog after getting a sweet book deal, and over the years, I've wondered when the publishers would EVER release her book, because the girl had to wait what seemed like FOREVER.

Well now, it's finally happened. Driving Sideways is OUT! Jess sent me a copy and of course, I would have read and reviewed it no matter what- she's an old Internet friend, after all.

But I have to say that I'm reading it now and people? I love it! I am mightily impressed. Understand please that I'm reading War and Peace as well and so this might be a tough time to impress me as far as books go. But Jess is truly an amazing writer and she drew me in from page one. By page two, I had laughed out loud and that is something I don't do very often at all while reading. By page ten, I had read a section of the book to MY HUSBAND. I haven't done that in months. That's how enjoyable this book is.

So Jess, I'm not just saying this because I know you, WELL DONE! Your book is awesome and I want everyone I know to read it- To the rest of you, this is a funny, fast-moving read about a road trip like no other, and it is PERFECT for summer time. Go here for a more detailed synopsis and you can even read the first chapter for yourself.

And here's the coolest thing of all- Jess has agreed to send an autographed copy to one lucky Suburban Turmoil Reviews reader. Just leave a comment in this post with your favorite summer reading book by Wednesday at midnight CST and I'll choose one winner at random. PLEASE REMEMBER TO LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS IN THE COMMENT so that I can contact you. Good luck!

Fancy Nancy!

Fancy Nancy fans will be thrilled to know there's a new line of dolls and accessories out from JAKKS Pacific that's guaranteed to make little girls feel pretty fancy themselves.

Fancy Nancy is an adorable children's book series that's sold more than two million copies, so I have a feeling the Fancy Nancy dolls are going to find a very receptive audience. We received the Fancy Nancy doll along with her Frenchy Puppy and Punky absolutely loves both. The doll is extremely well made and "fancily" dressed and her puppy is soft and cuddly. Get these along with the book Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy and you'll have quite a gift for the special girl in your life.

Fancy Nancy dolls and accessories are available exclusively at Target.

Clean and Clear to the Rescue!

My youngest stepdaughter had a bad day the other day. Her hair was cut "too short," and when you're 15, that's the equivalent of, I don't know, falling off a cliff.

Anyway, thank God a certain box arrived in the mail that morning, because it cheered her right up. It contained several products from Clean and Clear's acne line, which both my stepdaughters know well and absolutely LOVE.

The coolest thing Clean and Clear's got going for teens right now is the Acne Control Kit, which is pictured above. It costs about $20, and includes everything your teen needs to clear up her skin. It says on the box that 100% of people who've used it have clearer skin in as little as one day. Now that's bold, people!

My girls have tried everything from OxyWhateveritis to Proactiv, and the Clean and Clear products are what they keep coming back to. And, um, so did I when I had a little zit problem last week due to the Worst Period of All Time.™ I like the Acne Spot Treatment for my occasional blemishes. I also love the Oil Absorbing Sheets, and I think we need say no more about that.

Anyway, thanks, Clean and Clear, for making my stepdaughter's day a little brighter!