Keep Tweens Active with some Rumble Tumble Fun using the Wubble Rumblers

Finding ways to help our kids burn off all their crazy energy isn't the easiest of tasks, especially as the weather starts to cool. Making sure our busy-body tween stays active is a huge priority now that his gym classes have been cut down to only twice a month. Naturally, as a wrestling loving kid who never stops moving, we thought checking out the new Wubble Rumblers would be the perfect way for our youngest son to squeeze in some much-needed exercise. 

Projex Review: Screen-Free Arcade Gaming for the Entire Family and Giveaway

Disclosure: This is a sponsored partnership and we received a sample of the product to facilitate this review.  Opinions expressed are 100% our own. 

At this point, it's highly likely that your limits on screen time for your kids have flown right out the door in the midst of this Coronavirus pandemic and juggling their distance learning with your remote work. I'll admit our two boys have had their fair share of gameplay these last two months while face-timing their best friends and cousins to help them relax and have fun while social distancing.

We're a family of gamers and always on the lookout for new ways for us to spend some quality family time together at home. When you have a tween and a teen to entertain, it can sometimes be a bit tough to all agree on what to do that's cool enough and age-appropriate for everyone to enjoy. We knew checking out Projex would be right up our alley because it's interactive fun for the entire family & mixes video gameplay with laser tag all while eliminating the need for a screen. WINNING!

'The Main Event' on Netflix: Review & Interview with Tichina Arnold and Seth Carr

Disclosure: This review and interview was written in partnership with Netflix, opinions expressed are 100% our own. 

You don't need to be a wrestling fan to enjoy watching Netflix's newly released film 'The Main Event' because it's the perfect, light-hearted comedy to lighten the mood and pile-drive into the weekend with your family. Now for those of you that are new to our site, I must admit we're a bit biased over here as big-time WWE wrestling fans for years. We were really excited to learn of the two new projects the streaming network launched this month in partnership with WWE Studios. 

We may not get to cheer on our fave WWE superstars live in any arena till the corona pandemic is under control but we can stay home and make it a movie night! No judgments but for some reason watching wrestling is one way our family likes to just chill and relax. Well, that's until we have to play referee & stop the boys from tossing each other around and flipping from couch to couch while choreographing their matches. The moment the bell rings you'll find them awkwardly twisting their bodies into submission holds in the midst of half laughing and crying before someone taps out.

Thanks to Netflix we had the chance to screen The Main Event early and my future WWE tag team boys Chris and Tristan joined me in our NYC apartment for a fun zoom interview with two of the stars of the movie, Tichina Arnold (Everybody Hates Chris, Martin) who we didn't realize was originally from our hometown of Queens, NY and young actor Seth Carr who's known for his role as young Killmonger in Marvel's Black Panther. 

Everything you need to know about Alvin Ailey Extension's Kids & Teens Sunday Dance Series

"To be who you are and become what you are capable of is the only goal worth living." - Alvin Ailey 

One of the things I appreciated most about my childhood was that my parents encouraged me to explore my interests and I involved myself in everything from chorus and poetry to track and field and JuJitsu. Being able to express myself both creatively and physically kept me driven in school and also enabled me to flourish socially, and I knew when I had kids of my own that I would want these experiences for them. One of the reasons I'm so torn about leaving New York is because I feel we live in such a diverse city where Mike and I can expose our kids to the arts and the cultures that make up this melting pot of opportunities.

There is no shortage of dance classes offered in NYC that teach varied styles to children and sometimes it's so hard to make a decision on the best program. Alvin Ailey Extensions Kids and Teens Sunday Dance Series is the perfect introduction to Ballet, Jazz and Hip Hop. 

Our 2nd born Tristan is a ball of energy that never stops moving, I'm sure if you have tweens and preschoolers at home you'll agree it's pretty tough to get them to sit still. Fortunately, we've managed to keep him and his big brother unplugged and moving over the years with soccer, track and field and most recently flag football and hip hop dance. Honestly, he can't get enough of dancing and wishes that his Thursday class met more than once a week, so I figured an opportunity to try out another school and teacher's dancing style would be a fun learning experience for him. 

Sonic the Hedgehog Movie Review: Does Paramount Ring in a Win with Nostalgic Gamer Fans and Gen Z Kids?

Last April we all dang near lost our minds with the original release of the Sonic the Hedgehog movie trailer and sent Paramount animators back to the drawing board well before fans of the popular gaming brand rioted. We applauded the studio for listening to their super fans who championed a redesign and were rewarded with a better suited and Puma laced up CGI animated character that resembled the icon we've all grown up with.  

Back in the day I remember playing endless rounds of the game with my younger sis and brother, trying to skip to my fave levels with cheat codes ( who else had that up, up, down, down, left, right, A, start memorized?) and binge-watching the cartoon series with a bowl of Lucky Charms in hand. Expectations were high and I was excited to share this cinematic experience with my sis and our preschool, tween and teenaged boys who've become lovers of the brand.  

With the Paramount film releasing in theaters this Friday, February the 14th, my two Gen Z kids and I agree a movie night would make for the perfect Valentine's day family date. As long time players of the 30-year-old SEGA franchise, we were visually soothed by the much-needed overhaul and couldn't wait to share our trailer reaction while counting down to the advanced screening we attended this past weekend. 

Review of Paddington Gets in a Jam: Early Lessons of Good Intentions When Moments Get Messy!

For more than 60 years, British-born writer Michael Bond has delighted children and families all over the world with his stories about Paddington. Growing up he was one of my fave storybook bears, alongside Courdoroy and of course Winnie the Pooh and over the years I've loved sharing his sweet tales with my two boys and now my preschool-aged nephew. 

Paddington’s adventures have been adapted many times for the big screen and television, which now includes an adorable new Paddington TV series that recently launched on Nickelodeon and a third feature film is in the works. 

We've always got an eye out for theater experiences that the younger kids will enjoy and thought that the new show and New York Times Critic's Pick, Paddington Gets in a Jam at DR2 theater would be the perfect performance for my sister and I to take the kids to. When the winter months roll around we look forward to trips into the city that get us out of the apartment and give the Lil' monsters a chance to witness engaging storytelling that effortlessly captivates their wildest imaginations.

Disclosure: We were provided with complimentary tickets in order to facilitate this review, opinions expressed are 100% our own. 

You Can't Fear What You Can't See: Unstoppable 14 Year old Football Player Adonis and The Marvel Hero Project

We may all sit back and ooh & ahh at the incredible powers of our favorite Marvel comic book heroes as they unfold in million-dollar CGI effects on the big screen, but there are everyday heroes among us in impressively passionate children who are suiting up to make the world a better place! 

Grab your kleenex because once you watch and read about the inspiring story of 14-year-old Football player Adonis and all of the extraordinary kids featured in the upcoming 20 episodes of The Marvel Hero Project, you'll undoubtedly end up a hot, ugly-crying mess. 

During our visit to Disney Studios, while attending the Geekly Retreat for entertainment writers, we had the opportunity to enjoy an early screening of episode 103 - The Unstoppable Adonis from the new Disney Plus original with an introduction from their VP of non-fiction content. 

Frozen 2: An Empowering Disney Princess Sequel that Shows Boys its Ok to Have Real Feelings

When Disney's Frozen hit DVD five years ago, I had no idea that the animated movie would be repeatedly played as often as it would be by our then threenager son. Tristan was absolutely obsessed with all of the layers that made the record-breaking movie so wildly popular in the theaters: beautifully engaging scenes, catchy hit songs, and a great storyline with lots of laughs. We'd both done a teaser trailer reaction video together for Disney's sequel, Frozen 2 and regardless of it being a "princess" movie, my tween son has been counting down for it to hit theaters this Friday, November 22nd. 

I'm still in complete disbelief that I  was blessed with the opportunity to walk the red carpet and attend the world premiere of Frozen 2 during my stay in Burbank California for The Geekly Retreat. The movie takes us on a visually stunning adventure alongside two fiercely determined sisters who follow a voice and their gut to understand their past. It's definitely a more complex storyline with some darker themes but there were some beautiful takeaways on owning and expressing feelings that boys can learn from. 

5 Reasons to Plan a Luxury Escape to the Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach

Disclosure: This sponsored post is written in partnership with the Grand Fiesta American Coral Beach Resort, opinions expressed are 100% our own.

Couples and families seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of life by unplugging and relaxing should plan their next luxurious stay at the Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach. With stunning ocean views and impressive 5-star amenities, a retreat to this centrally located resort is one we've read raving reviews about and can't wait to experience for ourselves as we celebrate our upcoming wedding anniversary.

Can you believe that the hubby, Mike and I have yet to ever travel anywhere alone? Nope, not even during our honeymoon in Cancun 11 summers ago. We're beyond hyped to be returning to Mexico on our first solo trip in 15 years.

The Circle of Life: Reviews of Disney The Lion King from Multi-Generational Families Across the Nation #TheLionKing

We made it a family affair and checked out Disney’s The Lion King, in theaters NOW! When I was a kid, I remember when big blockbuster movies hit theaters, our fam would rally up sometimes and go in big groups. I loved those moments so much because with tons of snacks in hand we'd fill rows of the theater with parents, grands, cousins, aunties, uncles and even the neighbor's kid from down the hall, LOL. 25 years later we knew we'd have to meet up to enjoy each others company amidst singing along and all of the laughter while watching this Disney classic unfold on the big screen once more. While scrolling through the #lionking on Instagram It was so awesome to see how many other families around the world journeyed to the pride lands, many rocking matching Lion King tees to see the film. 

With all the criticisms lately over the new genre of Disney live-action remakes (we're still not sure how to feel about the upcoming Mulan), we decided to go in with an open mind but definitely had high hopes that Director John Favreau would do one of our top 3 Disney films justice the way the animated 1994 classic gave us all the warm and fuzzy feels. To be honest, our multi-generational family of hard to impress Millenials and Gen-Z kids thought the new Lion King was a good family flick, despite any mixed reviews you've already heard or read. It's already made $185 million domestically this opening weekend, but is it really a must-see or are we all just buying tickets for the sake of nostalgia? We Chatted with other Disney loving families around the nation who shared their memories and thoughts on the movie.

Toy Story 4 Review: Every Ending is A New Beginning as We Discover Purpose, A Voice and Prioritize Happiness

Whoa, where does the time go? It just dawned on me that it has been 9 years since we all thought the Toy Story franchise had come to an end as Woody, Buzz and the gang said farewell to their college-bound kid Andy and found themselves in a new room with the adorable, imaginative new kid Bonnie. 

Last week the monsters and I had the chance to partake in an early screening of the latest Pixar adventure Toy Story 4 and I hope you all have plans to see it this weekend!  It was a truly hilarious journey between friends new and old, that highlights discovering your purpose, finding your voice and learning that it's really ok to prioritize your own happiness. You could feel the anticipation in the theater once the lights dimmed, and the sweetest giggles of a child two rows in front had us moviegoers all laughing before the opening rescue scene. 

At the root of it, these iconic Disney Pixar characters are more than just our favorite toys who've been tugging at our heartstrings and making grown folks weepy for over 2 decades, they bring so many of our human characteristics to light in a relatable way. Would you have ever believed that Pixar's very first movie could carry such longevity and through animation allow us all to reflect on our own lives: successes, disappointments, and insecurities?

There's been a lot of internet buzz surrounding the film and whether or not there was a need for a third sequel and I'm going to say heck yes! I honestly think Toy Story 4 gives us the closure we didn't even think we needed and I'm happy that Disney Pixar decided to do it. Now, not everything in the film gave me the magical feels but didn't take away from the overall enjoyment and I'll break that all down in this spoiler-free review.

Don't You Dare Close Your Eye's! 4 Reasons Disney's Aladdin is a Must See + Video Review and Giveaway #Aladdin

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Jakks Pacific whose sponsoring this giveaway and our annual holiday toy drive. Thank you for reading & supporting the brands who help us support families in need. 

Growing up I remember watching Disney’s Aladdin in the living room of our 2 bedroom apartment in Queens, we'd pull off all the seat cushions from the couches and spread each of them across the floor. My sissy and I would pretend that we were hopping from one rooftop to the next like we were being chased through the city of Agrabah. I'm surprised we didn't ruin the dang VHS ribbon after the number of times we played that tape. We'd belt out all of those catchy songs at the top of our lungs and crack up at Robin Williams in his larger than life role as the Genie.

Fast forward to today and us 80’s and 90’s babies have been waiting patiently for the release in theaters, some of us with a little skepticism after seeing what felt like subpar trailers and having high expectations of Disney’s latest live-action update. Would it be masterfully produced, and visually engaging? It's freaking Disney of course and Guy Ritchie was at the helm in the director's seat giving his touch of fast action and grit, while the legendary Alan Menken would undoubtedly have us singing along on a new adventure, with 2 brand new songs.

Aladdin is one of those movies that quintessentially represents our childhood and we knew there was no way with all the cinematic magic in the world that Disney could fail us, or could they?

I'll say this, Don’t You Dare close your eyes on this movie or underestimate Will Smith in his role as the Genie! We screened the film with our 2 boys and it brought a whole new world to light in a way that was true to the nostalgiac storyline yet updated with a few modern twists that were meant to appeal to a Gen Z audience.

Mama's Night Out on Broadway: Pretty Woman the Musical and Discount Code

Disclosure: This post is made possible by support from Pretty Woman: The Musical. All opinions are my own.

Meeting up with my wifey for lifey Erin back at our old stomping grounds of Times Square (where we taught preschool together) for dinner while catching up on life and then to see Pretty Woman: The Musical on Broadway were the makings of a fantastic early Mother's Day celebration. Clearly, growing up we were both fans of the cult classic 1990's movie starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere and wondered how this adaptation would translate on a Broadway stage. It can really be hit or miss trying to recreate such an iconic story to a live audience in a way that will allow viewers to separate the film from the show with an open mind and appreciation for any newer elements.

Sasquatch Spotted in Sunny L.A: Missing Link Press Junket and Review

Disclosure: This post is written in partnership with United Artists

Hey guys! Let me tell you about my trip to LA that just fell into my lap. Completely unexpectedly. You see, Danielle’s been doing such a boss job with this blog and at her actual job that she is now needed on both coast simultaneously. Not being able to teleport and not wanting to lose an important link in the network, Danielle texted me on Tuesday of last week to ask if I’d be able to go to Los Angeles this weekend. I would be attending a screening of the movie “Missing Link” and a press junket where not only would I be in the room with Zoe "IT’S-FREAKIN-GAMORA!" Saldana and Zach Galafinakis but I’d actually be not only allowed to but absolutely encouraged to talk to them!

All this while staying at The Beverly Hilton!! With all expenses paid!!! I checked our family calendar and by some blessed coincidence, we had nothing planned for that weekend. None of my three kids had any activities. There were no birthday brunches. We didn’t even have any house viewings scheduled (we’re currently house hunting in Jersey). All this added up to a resounding LET’S DO THIS and by Thursday I had my tickets in hand.

Celebrating Halloween with Dr Panda's Candy Factory and Home Designer

Disclosure: We were provided samples to facilitate this review and there was no compensation. Opinions expressed are 100% our own. 

Nobody loves candy more than our Tristan, his sweet tooth is pretty intense and if it were up to him he'd go trick or treating everyday of the year! We're really not sure what makes the month of October cooler, the fact that it's his birthday month or that his favorite holiday entitles him to collecting buckets full of sweets. Lucky for him and other lil' monsters, kids of all ages can now explore the exciting and delicious world of Dr. Panda Candy Factory—which got a spooky makeover just in time for Halloween! 

Grab Your Boogery Friends for The Grossery Gang Putrid Power Movie & Giveaway! #MustHavesforLilMonsters #Sponsored

Disclosure: This is a Sponsored Post. The Opinions expressed are 100% our own. 

Back in the day I loved collecting Garbage Pail Kids trading cards, do you remember those? If not just humor me a sec, but if you were an 80s baby then I 'm sure you may have had a stack of these grotesque yet funny looking characters that were a crude spin-off of the Cabbage patch dolls. These days it's no surprise that my boys along with thousands of other lil' monsters around the world are really into "The Grossery Gang" an assortment of mini collectibles that kids are obsessed over.  We couldn't wait to share the news that at the end of July Moose Toys’ The Grossery Gang announced the release of their first ever film, Putrid Power: The Grossery Gang vs. The Clean Team. 

In Putrid Power , fans will be treated to a gripping story of The Grossery Gang taking on the new evil force known as the Clean Team. With Cheap Town now under the terrible threat of being cleaned up for good by the evil Vac Attack and his team of clean freaks, Putrid Pizza, Dodgey Donut and the rest of the gang must band together to fight the power of clean; to save themselves from getting mopped up by the baddies.

It kinda reminds me of the battle in my house where I'm trying defeat two messy, youtube watching zombies who leave food wrappers, stinky socks and trails of toys everywhere. 

The Emoji Movie: Not as Poopy as the Critics Make it Seem & a Few Fun Interviews #EmojiMovie

Let's face it, we're all so darn connected {maybe too connected} that sometimes it's just a lot easier to throw up a smiley face, a thumbs up or side eye emoji to quickly express what's on our mind.  And Seeing as our daily lives are consumed with the usage of apps that help us get through the day, whether it be a space to save our photos and keep our family schedules organized or a strategic game to keep the monsters entertained on our commutes all over the city, we honestly admit that we really wanted to see Sony Animation's new family friendly release of The Emoji Movie. The usage of emoji's has been a fun + simple way to express ourselves without the complexities of trying to find just the right words to get your feelings across and it's a form of communication that unlike trending slang seems to have no age barriers. Gotta love when the grandparents text back using them, it's kinda cute! This week we had the chance to screen the film before it hit theaters and leading up to it's release I had the opportunity to sit down with some of the cast and director of the film Tony Leondis.

Spider-Man HomeComing: Press Junket and Review from Queens Proxy Blogger #SpidermanHomeComing

Sometimes being your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man just isn't enough! Spider-Man Homecoming was released in theaters nationwide on July 7th, 2017 and before it's premier I had the exciting chance to cover a press junket with a few local NYC + west coast bloggers and media. Not only am I not a real reporter, I'm not a "real" blogger but Danielle's long time Queens neighbor, friend since High School & proxy for her blog when she's not available. The movie is definitely thoroughly a high school movie: the actors actually look like teenagers and the relational dynamics they build between the characters are very dimensional. 

Having spent my childhood and currently raising my gaggle of three in the borough, extra kudos to Marvel & Sony for making the population of a Queens high school look very ethnically diverse without having to supply an explanation for it. When the producer Amy Pascal was asked during the press junket what was the inspiration for that she answered (rightfully so): "Reality." It got a big positive reaction from the crowd. 

Amelie: The Quirky Broadway Adaptation #AmelieBroadway

Disclosure: We were provided with media passes to facilitate this review, opinions expressed are my own. 

It's always interesting to go to a Broadway show with no expectations for the performance, which is what I had when I viewed Amelie with my former work-wifey and friend Erin who is a huge fan of the original 2001 film. Having not seen the film prior to the show {you can check out the movie on Netflix by the way} I went in with an open mind and couldn't wait to see Tony nominee Phillipa Soo's performance after hearing and reading all of the buzz about her performance in Hamilton as Alexander Hamilton's wife. 

3 Reasons Why You'll Love Watching Jungle Jim's Musical Adventures with your Child & A Special Offer for Readers #ad

This post is part of a sponsored campaign for Jungle Jim - A Musical Wildlife Adventure. I received compensation for my participation, but my review and opinions are my own.

No matter the season my boys are always asking if they can go to our local zoo, especially our youngest who is completely fascinated by each animal's characteristics and abilities. 
We even joined a nature club at the Bronx zoo & joined other families as we explored the plants and surroundings in the rain and snow & toured the exhibits to learn about an array of creatures. It was a lot of fun but let's be honest, weekly trips to the zoo aren't always feasible so we're always on the look out for educational books and programming like Jungle Jim's Musical Adventures to encourage our kids to think about the world around them and the creatures that inhabit our planet out in the wild and that are cared for in their favorite zoo's and aquariums.