SurfsUp 2 WaveMania Movie Trailer Debuts

Movies

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment today just debuted the movie trailer for Surf's Up 2: WaveMania, an inspiring animated film with a great message for kids and young athletes which will be out on DVD and Digital on January 17, 2017. 

The trailer features WWE Superstars fans will recognize including John Cena, Undertaker, Triple H, Paige and Mr. McMahon voicing The Hang 5 crew who have a rep for extreme stunts and equally over the top personalities. 

The story revolves around newbie Cody Maverick, who joins the world-famous crew on an adventure to a mysterious place to learn a thing or two about surfing the big waves with the pros. As the plot moves forward, his companions challenge him on the skills it takes to be a member of Hang 5, including the positive attributes of power, speed, endurance and teamwork.

See the new trailer now...




With a run time of 84 minutes, the upcoming new home release also includes Bloopers, Behind the Mic: Hanging with the Dream Team, Chicken Joe’s Extreme Slaughter Island Tour, How to Draw Your Favorite Characters with Director Henry Yu and Inside the Music with Composer Toby Chu.

Stay up to date on Surf's Up 2: WaveMania by following Sony Pictures Animation on the official website and by following @sonypicturesanimation on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. 

FTC Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. Images in post from Sony Pictures Animation, unless credited otherwise. See complete FTC disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post, including this one.

National Christmas Tree Lighting President & First Lady Obama, Celebrity Performances

Holidays

It's the end of November and the holidays are well underway. In fact, the National Park Foundation and National Park Service's 94th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting takes place on Thursday, December 1 at President's Park, one of our country's 413 great national parks.

National Christmas Tree Lighting, 2015

I'm a lifelong lover of the National Park System, who has passed that passion on to all four of my children by taking them to visit 150+ parks in the U.S. So I could not be more excited and honored to be sharing the news that President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will light the tree tomorrow. 

My Kids in NPS Uniforms I Made for Them

Hosted by Eva Longoria, many great vocal artists are scheduled to perform at the event, including Yolanda Adams, Marc Anthony, Chance the Rapper, Kelly Clarkson, The Lumineers, James Taylor, Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood, Afro Blue, and the Airmen of Note. Swimmer Simone Manuel, Olympic Gold Medalist, is also expected to make a special appearance at the American traditional event. 

This year's National Christmas Tree Lighting must-watch special event will be aired on the Hallmark Channel on Monday, December 5 at 7 pm. Viewers will also be able to see the show on demand at thenationaltree.org starting on Tuesday, December 6.

1st National Christmas Tree Lighting, 1923

The public is invited to visit President's Park in person to see the National Christmas Tree, individual state trees, other holiday displays, and performances on a community stage from December 5 through January 1, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET.

For more information visit thenationaltree.org. You can also follow @TheNationalTree on Twitter and #NCTL2016 on social media to stay up to date on all the holiday news. 

A special thanks to Bounce, Hallmark, L.L. Bean, GE Lighting, Amtrak, Hargrove, Inc., Hudler Tree Farms, Loews Madison Hotel Washington, D.C., and Washington Marriott at Metro Center for their generous support of the 2016 National Christmas Tree Lighting.

FTC Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. All images in post from the National Park Foundation and National Park Service, unless credited otherwise. See complete FTC disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post, including this one.

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My Day in the White House for the Holidays

Laura Ingalls Little House on Prairie Toy Doll

Dolls

MBE partnered with The Queens Treasures for this post

18 inch Collectible Doll Toy Appeals Across Generations

Since the first book in the Little House on the Prairie children's American novel series was published in 1932, the title's heroine Laura Ingalls has inspired generations. The enduring books still beloved by today's young kids are based on the childhood of author Laura Ingalls Wilder's memories of her pioneer family's life in the northern Midwest of Minnesota and the Dakotas during the 1870 and 1880s.

With such a rich literary history, the beautifully detailed award-winning Laura Ingalls Little House on the Prairie Doll by The Queen's Treasures could not be a better celebration of America's westward expansion.

As you can see from the photos and kid-directed and produced video in this post, Abby and her little sister Naomi love the Little House on the Prairie books and really enjoyed playing with this sweet, imaginative doll while learning about what it was like back in the pioneer days. The girls' smiles and signs of joy and contentment speak louder than thousands of words.

According to Joann Cartiglia, president and founder of The Queen's Treasures, her company's mission is to develop toys that spotlight women who changed the world presenting positive role models for today's youngest generation. 

Cartigila explains, "It's hard to imagine that a girl, who traveled in a covered wagon through the prairie, grew up to become a female author whose books are still popular today. I could not think of a better example of a strong woman, growing up modestly and becoming an iconic writer."

My personal lifelong love of reading began in third grade with the first book Wilder wrote and my own two daughters loved the series when they were the same age. So, I wasn't surprised when I went over to my friend's house with this realistic doll and her granddaughter Abby (who just happens to be in the third grade) recognized Laura right away, saying "You're never going to believe this: I'm reading Little House on the Prairie right now!"

The attention to detail in the Laura Ingalls 18" doll is as beautiful (if not more so) than that other American doll brand that is so popular right now. Selected as a Top Ten winner of PAL, this lovely doll is meant to be cuddled and played with, but is also the perfect gift for serious grownup Little House on the Prairie fans and doll collectors.

Just like in real-life, the Laura doll has pretty blue eyes and lashes that open and close as well as a rosy complexion and her famously long brown braided pigtails. She comes dressed in a dainty eyelet trimmed prairie dress and bonnet along with a tiny toy doll in her likeness. 

Also included in the box -- which when flipped over becomes a doll bed -- is a doll pillow and real miniature 18x12 pieced doll-size prairie quilt, as well as a booklet with an overview of more than 140 years of Little House on the Prairie history.

Where to Buy
The officially licensed Little House on the Prairie Laura Ingalls 18 inch Doll, exclusively made by The Queen's Treasures, is available at TheQueensTreasures.com as well as at other retailers online and in-store. In addition to the Laura doll, an array of other prairie-inspired doll accessories are also available including a covered wagon and a variety of items typically found in prairie homes during the 1800s such as a black pot over an open fire, a butter churner, washboard and more. 

Learn more by following Little House on the Prairie on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.   

Free Little House on the Prairie Fun

Be sure to check out all these FREE Little House on the Prairie family fun, recipes, educational activities and games, too!

#LittleHouseMoment

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert received the product featured to facilitate this review. However, opinions here are my own.