11/24/12: Winx Club Magic Wings Bloom Doll

If you have a young girl you have probably heard of Winx Club on Nickelodeon.  Next up in my Holiday Gift Guide is Winx Magic Wings Bloom.

This Bloom doll allows little girls to see the magical Believix transformation moment from the show in to a Fairy.  It is so easy to to do this.  First put Bloom in to her stand with her wings up.  Her feet easily snap in to the right location.

 Then push the little heart lever on the front to the right side and she magically spins and transforms by having her wings attach to her back.  This worked really well and the wings always attached to her as they should.  Plus the Believix theme song plays and Bloom's wings light up.

 Now you can take her off her stand to fly her around and have her save the world from evil.  This was Lauren's favorite part.  

She could fly her around the room.

Lauren liked posing like her doll for me.  She said she looked like a ballerina.

 She is a beautiful doll.  Lauren really enjoyed playing with her and so will your little girl.

It is sold here on Amazon.
Check out the Winx Club Website

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Disclosure:  I received this doll from Nickelodeon for review purposes.  No other compensation was received and all opinion are my own.

11/24/12: The Nutcracker at The Hanover Theatre

We had the pleasure of attending The Nutcracker tonight at The Hanover Theatre in Worcester and had a wonderful time.  What a wonderful way to start the holiday season and put you in the mood for Christmas.

  It was the 5th annual production of The Nutcracker by the Ballet Arts Worcester and they were all wonderful dancers.  From the older girls to the younger little dancers and the boys were amazing.  The Nutcraker Prince Toleu Mukanov from the Festival Ballet Providence was unbelievable.  His turns and leaps were effortless.

All the dancers were amazing and the sets were wonderful.  Having done ballet as a child and taught it as a young adult I know how hard it is to dance on Pointe and to do leaps and turns.  I remember dancing to Waltz of the Flowers when I was younger.  The music is so beautiful in the show.  At one point there was little specks of paper for snow on the stage and I just thought how hard that would be dancing out there with all of the confetti out. 

This was my kids first time going to the Nutcracker.  They both liked it.

Especially since there were young children in the show.  The costumes they had were adorable, with some coming out as little mice and others as sheep with bells.  They were so cute and fun to watch.  They really enjoyed that.  Plus it was good for Evan to see so many male dancers that were amazing.  He takes Hip Hop right now and seems to like dance.  Clar was also wonderful.  She was played by Meredith Hunter-Mason.

More about the show:

Jump start the holiday season with Worcester's family tradition of THE NUTCRACKER presented by the Youth Ballet of Worcester Company November 23rd-25th. This magical production is the collaborative artistic effort of the Youth Ballet of Worcester Company joining with the live music of the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra.  
Here is a sneak peek:

As always The Hanover Theatre is a wonderful venue to see shows.  I have thoroughly enjoyed every show I have seen there.

Visit the The Hanover Theatre Website

Like the Ballet Art's Worcester on Facebook Page.

Like The Hanover Theatre on Facebook.

Follow the Ballet Art's Worcester on Twitter @BalletWorcester

Follow the Ballet Art's Worcester on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/balletarts/ballet-arts-worcester/

Follow The Hanover Theatre on Twitter @HanoverTheatre

Disclosure: I received a family four pack of tickets for the show to promote it. All opinions are my own and no other compensation was received.

11/24/12: Bounce Bounce Tigger Review With Video

Next up in my Holiday Gift Guide is one for the Tigger lover in your family.  It is Bounce Bounce Tigger from Just Play Toys.

"Tigger's gonna make you bounce, bounce" with a rocking version of Tigger bouncing around.  To the tune of Jump Jump Tigger will make you bounce.  The beloved Tigger springs in to action to a fun song.

Lauren got a kick out of him and was having fun dancing around with him as he bounced.

Here she is starting his bouncing.

 Of course I had to include some video:

He really is adorable and kids young and old will get a laugh out of him as he bounces.  I know I did.  What a fun holiday toy for any toddler on your Christmas List.  Though my daughter is 5 and enjoyed him too.

He is sold at Target, Toys 'R Us, Walmart and K-Mart and was chosen by Toys 'R Us at one of the Hot Holiday Toys.

Like Just Play Toys on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/JustPlay

Follow them on Twitter:  @JustPlayToys

Disclosure:  I was provided with Bounce Bounce Tigger for review purposes.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

11/24/12: Appfinity AppDrive Review

My son loves driving cars and loves playing with apps that involve cars.  Appfinity AppDrive by Spin Master's Appfinity Toys is the perfect combination of both and Evan had fun racing with it.

 You plug in your iPhone to the console and then drive around.  First you download a free app to play.  With it you can t

ake to the streets with racing, to the air with flight games or head off road with motocross games for non-stop action. 

I saw it first at Time to Play's Holiday Showcase and knew it would be a hit with my son and my husband.  Appfinity also has AppFishing and AppBlaster toys.

 Lauren enjoyed watching what her brother was doing in his race.

It was fairly easy to put the iPhone in and out of the steering wheel.  This was something I was a bit nervous about.

Here is is as packaged.  The console has 4 buttons.  It is intended for ages 8+ and has a retail price of $19.99.

 It is compatible with: iPod Touch (4th Generation), iPhone 3Gs, iPhone 4, iPhone 4s and Android and uses Motion Controlled Steering (gyroscopic).  There are 4 AppDrive Games you can download here.

You can buy the set at Toy Stores, Kiosks in the Mall and Amazon.

Like Spin Master on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpinMasterGames

Follow them on Twitter: 

Spin Master Toys: @SpinMasterToys

Disclosure:  I received the AppDrive toy for review purposes.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

11/24/12: Zing Toys Air Storm Z-Tek Cross Bow, Pop Rocketz, and ZeeBeez

Next up in my Holiday Gift Guide is Zing Toys Air Storm Toys including the Z-Tek Cross Bow, Pop Rocketz, and ZeeBeez.  They are a fun array of toys for kids and with movies like Brave it makes cross bows fun to play with.

Evan and Lauren had fun setting up the target and trying to hit it.  I will warn you that the target is the backing in the package that the Z-Tek Cross Bow is attached to so make sure to remove it carefully.

The Z-Teck Cross Bow is the newest addition in the Air Storm line with POWER-SWING ™ technology, amazing accuracy, and 3 stick-anywhere ZARTZ™. 

 Lauren concentrating to shoot.

 Here is Evan loading the Crossbow.  As you can see with his tongue hanging out that this took some strength but he was able to do it.

It features an innovative extension application that offers two distinct firing modes, short range and POWER-SHOT. While in short mode watch as the arrow shoots up to 35ft, perfect for tight spaces.  This is what we used inside.

Then switch to POWER-SHOT mode and see the distance nearly double to almost 45ft!

 You can pick your own target or use the bull's eye target that is included.  The amazing ZARTZ™ will stick to tons of surfaces for 15-30 seconds then auto-releases.

Here is some video:

Next up is Air Storm Pop Rocketz™ which would be a great stocking stuffer.

 It is a small little air-powered rocket launcher that blasts foam rockets up to 50 feet.  Since they are foam they are safe for launching inside and outside.

It comes with 3 rockets.

The last item is the ZeeBeez which is a fun little toy for kids and also a great stocking stuffer.

The original spin, pop and catch toy that jumps up to 6 feet.  You turn them inside out and then turn them as you drop them flat on the ground.  They then pop up in the air and you can catch them.  They come in 4 colors and 6 different designs.  It made both of my kids giggle as they tried to catch it.

Find them online:  http://zingtoys.com/

Like them on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ZingToys

Follow us on Twitter @Zing_Toys

Disclosure:  I received these toys for review purposes.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

11/23/12: How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical

Tonight we were lucky enough to attend Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical at the Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre.  It is playing through December 9th so there is still time to catch this awesome show.  Both of my kids loved it and so will yours. 

 The show was wonderful and such an awesome experience for the kids to go to the theatre.  I know I have said it before but I love taking my kids to the theatre and I hope they will have the same appreciation I have of watching live performances.  The vibrant colors of the Whos of Whoville including the backdrops were amazing.  Everything was larger than life and so awesome to watch.  Plus whenever it snows in a theatre you know that is going to be a highlight for the kids.

Here is a little trivia for you, did you know that Dr. Seuss was born Theodore Geisel in Springfield, MA on March 2, 1904?  So of course a show with his book's namesake should come to Boston.  

I think my favorite part of the show was when the whole theatre is singing along to "You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch" which by the way has been in my head for the last week knowing we were going to the show.  The Grinch who was played by Jeff McCarthy was really amazing.  He had a wonderful voice and commanded the stage.  Would you believe that it takes him an hour and a half to transform in to The Grinch?  With his furry green costume and makeup he really did look like him.  You really felt like you were in the story.  Also I absolutely fell in love with Cindi Lou Who.  She was an amazing little singer for such a small little girl.  

This really is the perfect musical to take kids to.  Plus it doesn't have an intermission! The running time is 84 minutes and it plays straight through.  This is a bonus for families, at least it was for mine.  Also if you go to their website there are lots of fun things to do including sending fun e-cards to friends and family.  

The Citi Performing Arts Theatre - Wang Theatre is so beautiful.  I have always loved this theatre and get excited just to go there.  The kids were excited to get dressed up to go to the show.

More about the show:

Audiences will have the opportunity to discover the magic of Dr. Seuss' beloved holiday story as it comes to life on stage. Featuring the hit songs "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" and "Welcome Christmas" from the original animated series, The Grinch discovers the true meaning of Christmas in this adored holiday classic. Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is "two sizes too small,” plans to steal Christmas away from the holiday-spirited Whos. The Grinch soon realizes, however, there's more to Christmas than he bargained for.

Embraced by generation after generation, Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical features magnificent sets and costumes inspired by Dr. Seuss’ original illustrations helping to transport audiences to the whimsical world of Whoville, while the new Music and Book of Mel Marvin and Timothy Mason breathe new life into this timeless narrative.

Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical plays at the Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre through Sunday, December 9; a complete performance schedule is available at www.citicenter.org.  

Tickets are priced at $35.00 - $125.00; all prices include a $3.75 facility fee per ticket. Tickets are on sale at the Citi Performing Arts Center Box Office, online at www.citicenter.org, or by calling (866) 348-9738.

Like the show on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dr-Seuss-How-The-Grinch-Stole-Christmas-The-Musical/39732500915

Follow them on Twitter:  @GrinchMusical

Disclosure:  I received 4 tickets to the show for review.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

11/21/12: SpongeBob The Flying Dutchman LEGO Set

We love SpongeBob SquarePants in our house.  The kids are always watching it and quoting the show.  In fact my husband watched Sponge Bob before we even had kids. So I was excited when we were able to review the Sponge Bob The Flying Dutchman LEGO set.  Captain SpongeBob and his first mate Patrick have found an old treasure map and are searching for the treasure. But watch out, The Flying Dutchman is here on his ghostly ship. Help keep him at bay using the bubble blaster before our friends are made to walk the plank! Includes 3 minifigures: Pirate SpongeBob, Pirate Patrick and The Flying Dutchman.

Evan had a great time putting it together. 

 I love the little features in it.  For example the canon can shoot the little bubbles as it is a bubble blaster.  Also you can see here on the right side the rocks pulled down.

 Then you can pull up the rocks and expose the Treasure Chest.

 The directions were easy for Evan to follow and he was able to put the boat together with just a little bit of help.  The age range is 6-12 and Evan is 7 and did extremely well with it.

 He did an awesome job putting it together.

 Look at how adorable Sponge Bob and Patrick are.

 Here it is all put together.  It is an awesome set and Evan had fun acting out scenes with SpongeBob, Patrick and The Flying Dutchman.

 Here is the set as packaged.  This set sells for $24.99.  It is sold here on Amazon.

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Disclosure:  I received this set from Nickelodeon for review purposes.  No other compensation was received and all opinion are my own.