Friday, July 24, 2020

PBS Kids Grades K-3 Writers Contest

Kids


K-3 Writers Contest Entry Deadline Extended to July 31


With school closures due to the pandemic and many parents homeschooling your children, here's something fun and educational you can do this summer to keep the learning going, while also promoting literacy for the next generation of future leaders. 

Future Leader Young Girl
Image by Kiana Bosman


Encourage your son or daughter to participate in The PBS SoCal KIDS Writers Contest, an annual creative writing competitive event for boys and girls in grades Kindergarten through Third Grade who are legal residents of California. Local winners will be honored at an awards ceremony and receive prizes.

Libraries, schools, home school kids, after school programs, and clubs are all invited to join the competition. Winners will be selected at each grade level as well as special categories including Humor, Illustration, Science Fiction and Kindness. Story entries may be in any language and non-English language stories will be considered as long as an English translation is submitted with the entry and adheres to the accepted word count.


Colored Pencils
Image by Lucas George Wendt


More About the PBS SoCal KIDS Writing Contest


  • All stories, illustrations, and poems must be the original work of the entrant
  • Entries will be judged on originality, creative expression, storytelling, integration of story and illustrations, and overall presentation.
  • First, second, and third place winners will be chosen from each grade K-3
  • Every kid who enters will receive a Certificate of Appreciation
  • Prizes include PBS KIDS Playtime Pads, $25-$50 gift cards, books, and more. 

See the full list of prizes and get your child started with their entry now by using the Writing Activity Booklet provided by PBS SoCal Kids. Entry forms and rules are available in English and Spanish.


Young Boy at Desk
Image by Johny Goerend


PBS SoCal KIDS Writers Contest
Hurry, Entry Deadline 7/31/20

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Scoob Launches on 4K, Bluray + DVD Giveaway Review

Movies


MBE partnered with Warner Bros. for this review and giveaway

New Scooby-Doo Home Entertainment Release

 
Since 1969, Scooby-Doo (Where are You? for those of us who are old enough to remember the original episodes) has entertained multiple generations of kids. As of today, Scoob! (2020), the latest animated feature film centered around the beloved, talking big brown Great Dane cartoon character from Hanna-Barbera Productions, is now available on 4K UHD Combo Pack, Blu-ray and DVD from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.


Scooby-Doo Scoob Movie Review
Scoob! Movie Now on 4K, Blu-ray + DVD


Now available for kids and families to watch together at home, in this episode of the epic franchise the origins of Mystery Inc. are revealed, unmasking the back story of Scooby's origins. 

In Scoob! get ready for a fun and charming adventure to time travel back to that glorious time when a lonely boy named Shaggy first met a homeless, shy but sweet puppy. Fans will also learn how these two kindred spirits joined up with mini detectives Fred, Velma and Daphne to form the legendary detective operation known as Mystery Inc. Together, they face a new mystery to solve, the most challenging mystery ever which involves an evil plot to unleash a global "dogpocalypse" by a ghost dog named Cerberus. 


Scoob Warner Bros Movie Scenes
Scenes from Scoob!, Image Courtesy of Warner Bros.


The kid- and family-friendly Scoob! is directed by award-winning Warner Bros animation pro Tony Cervone, who also was one of the creators of the popular Scooby-Doo series Mystery Incorporated. Featuring some of the best known actors voicing the various characters including Will Forte (Shaggy Rogers), Mark Wahlberg (Blue Falcon), Jason Isaacs (Dick Dastardly), Gina Rodriguez (Velma Dinkley), Zac Efron (Fred Jones), Amanda Seyfried (Daphne Blake), Kiersey Clemons (Dee Dee Skyes), Ken Jeong (Dynomutt), Tracy Morgan (Captain Caveman), Simon Cowell (as himself), and Frank Welker (Scooby-Doo / Pterodactyl). 

Insiders Tip to Get the Most Out of Scoob! 
Make sure to stick around for the closing credits when watching this movie so you don't miss the montage of nostalgic adventures from Scooby-Doo and friends over the years.


Scooby Doo Plush Face Mask Headband


Lots of Movie Special Features 


Scoob! 4K UHD Combo Pack & Blu-ray Extras Included

  • Bloopers
  • Deleted Scenes
  • How to Draw Scooby-Doo
  • New Friends, Newer Villains
  • Puppies

Scoob! DVD Extra Included

  • How to Draw Scooby-Doo

Giveaway


SCOOB! Movie
4K UHD Combo Pack

MBE Giveaway


Scoob Movie 4K UHD Warner Bros



Thanks to Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, ONE (1) lucky MBE giveaway participant will win the brand new Scoob! 4K UHD Combo Pack to enjoy at home. To enter this Movie Giveaway Mommy Blog Expert is hosting, visit this MBE Instagram post. Contest is open to US residents only and qualifying winner will be selected at random. Hurry, this giveaway ends July 27, 2020 at 12 am PST/3 am EST. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is providing the prize and is responsible for delivery to winner.

More About Scoob!


As of July 21, Scoob! (2020), from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment with a run time of approximately 94 minutes, is available on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD and digital. Learn more by visiting the official site as well as following the movie on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram

Monday, July 20, 2020

Finding Inner Peace In Uncertain Times

Wellness

5 Tips to Find Inner Peace in Stressful Times


MBE partnered with The Spa Girl Life for this post + giveaway

In these stressful and turbulent times, with the pandemic raging on seemingly with no bounds, feeling centered and finding calm and inner peace has never been more important. This is of course true for just about everyone right now. But it is especially a reality for today's moms and dads who have been trying so hard to multitask like never before, working from home while also homeschooling and looking after one or more children.


Candle Diary Mindfullness Peace
Take Time for Yourself


Here are my own tips for achieving an overall sense of well-being

1. Look Inward


Slow down and look inward. Take the time to care for your emotional and spiritual self so you'll have the stamina and energy to nurture and be present for the family members or friends around you. Take notice in the simple pleasures in front of your eyes and model that sense of positivity and gratitude for your loved ones, especially children who look to you for how to react. Begin each morning as you open your eyes by just being thankful that you are very much alive.

2. Make Music


Soft music, whether it's classical, white noise, or new age is thought to soothe the soul. If you haven't tried it before, try playing a recording of the calming sound of a bubbling brook as it laps against the smooth river rocks or the pitter patter of raindrops gently falling on the forest floor. You'll be surprised what kind of naturally sedating effect gentle music has on a perfectly healthy, but fussy baby who just won't fall asleep. In fact, playing the same classical music every night at bedtime in my triplets room really helped lull my babies to sleep.


Amethyst Crystal Geode Natural Closeup
Amethyst Natural Crystal 


3. Get Outside & Play


Make sure you get enough fresh air and light outdoors every day, weather permitting. It really is true that a little outside time will often leave you feeling more refreshed when you return inside. Exercise and play are an important component of that time outdoors for everyone, both the kids and us grownups. An added benefit of getting out gives you another way of looking at the world, surrounding you with nature: blue sky, clouds, sunrises and sunsets, flowers and trees, wildlife like birds chirping, and more depending on where you live. Yes, even if you live in the city, really open your eyes, ears and other senses, and you will experience a different feeling outside that you can bring home in your mind.

4. Be Kinder to Others


We're not just talking about the people under your own roof. Nor do I mean just common decency and treating other human beings with respect. What I suggest is to go out of your way to say something nice to that hard working cashier at the supermarket. When you do, it will almost certainly leave both of you feeling a whole lot better afterward. What's more is that when you do this simple act of kindness with a child within earshot, they will be watching and learning from you by example how gratifying it can be when you say or do something nice -- however small -- beyond what is expected. Before you know it, you'll be raising a child who multiples his or her own joy simply by giving of themselves and being kind to others.

5. Create a Calming Environment


Aromatherapy is yet another avenue to spreading a sense of calm and feeling of wellbeing across your household. For me, there's nothing more relaxing than the smell of a burning scented candle, like the Hand Poured Hawaiian Sunset Soy Candle I recently received from The Spa Girl Life, which also came with a tiny white pouch including two amethyst crystal stones. With its fragrant notes of orange blossom, lavender, jasmine, rose and musk, this candle fragrance profile not only transports me back to last summer's vacation on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. The scent burning beside me right now makes me also feel more relaxed but at the same time, more energized and creative as I write this story.

Read on to enter for chance to win a beautiful The Spa Girl Life candle with two natural crystals in an organdy white pouch in winner's choice of scent.


Giveaway


The Spa Girl Life
Candle with Crystals
Winner's Choice

MBE Giveaway

The Spa Girl Life Candle Crystal Giveaway
The Spa Girl Life Candle & Crystal Giveaway

Thanks to The Spa Girl Life, ONE (1) lucky MBE giveaway participant will win their choice of one of The Spa Girl Life's candle and natural crystal sets. To enter the giveaway Mommy Blog Expert is hosting, visit this MBE Instagram post. Contest is open to US residents and qualifying winner will be selected at random. Hurry this giveaway ends August 3, 2020 at 12 am PST/3 am EST. This contest is not affiliated with Instagram in any way. The Spa Girl Life is providing the prize and is responsible for delivery to winner.
 

About The Spa Girl Life


The Spa Girl Life is a 2020 NAPPA Winner. Founded by Nicole Black, a female wellness entrepreneur and mother of one daughter in Santa Barbara, California, The Spa Girl Life's collection of candles, paired with different natural crystals, combine the calming benefits of aromatherapy with the healing powers of crystals. Each candle is hand poured, made with soy wax and cotton wicks, and comes with two natural stones, a mantra card, and a link to guided meditation. Billed as a mini first aid kit for the soul, these make beautiful gifts for moms and moms-to-be as well as anyone else seeking ways to destress and find inner peace. Learn more on The Spa Girl Life official site as well as follow them on Facebook, Twitter, PinterestInstagram, and YouTube.