Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas

Movies

Curious George Movie in Theaters, Kids Giveaway

MBE partnered with Kidtoons for this post

For the entire month of December Kidtoons presents the very kid-friendly, animated feature Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas.  Matinees are every Saturday and Sunday this month through the weekend of December 25-26 at well over 100 neighborhood theaters across the U.S.  Be sure to check the list where this is showing because many more big screens where you can take your child to see this have been added recently.  

During the last few months MommyBlogExpert has hosted some really good Kidtoons giveaways.  These include Spookley Square Pumpkin (October 2010) and Care Bears: Share Bear Shines (November 2010) in conjunction with their monthly screenings just for children in theaters nationwide.   These keep get better, so don't miss out on entering the current giveaway as well as following this blog so you will be the first to know when next month's giveaway is announced. 

The Storyline for Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas

George and The Man with The Yellow Hat are having a very merry time counting down the days until Christmas. There’s only one puzzle: neither of them can figure out what to give the other for a present. The Man is having trouble reading George’s wish list and George doesn’t have a clue about what to get for The Man who has everything. Will they be able to find the answers before Christmas morning?

The Kidtoons Concept

This is much more than just taking your child to a movie at the mall.  Participating Kidtoons theatres showcase a different fun and affordable family friendly matinee movie each month providing a family experience filled with entertaining, kid-friendly characters, as well as cartoon shorts, music videos and sing-alongs before each movie.  They even have fun giveaways, such as stickers, temporary tattoos, activity books or toys, after every film.  

Kidtoons Birthday Club - Everyone is a Winner!

Everyone can get a FREE movie pass to a Kidtoon Films showing in your neighborhood on your child's birthday.  

Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas

Giveaway

 

To help Kidtoons celebrate this month's feature -- once again -- we're giving away a multi-prize package to one lucky family.  December's sweepstakes includes a winning bundle of fun that any Curious George fan would love.

The Winning Family Gets ALL These Prizes

• 1 Curious George Book

• 1 Curious George DVD

• 1 Curious George Poster

ENTER this Giveaway NOW by leaving one or more comments below this post. Contest ends January 1, 2011 at 12 midnite PST and is open to legal residents of the U.S. only.

For the Required (Mandatory) Entry

Simply leave a comment below this blogpost with your email address, Facebook or Twitter contact info so we may contact the winner.  In the event that you are the lucky one, MommyBlogExpert will contact you for your shipping address.

Optional Extra Entries

Get extra entries for following MommyBlogExpert on Twitter and/or Facebook.  Remember: Be sure to return to MommyBlogExpert to leave an additional comment after each individual action you do to confirm them so we can record all your extra chances to win.

Follow MommyBlogExpert (1 or 2 extra entries)

• @mommyblogexpert on Twitter
• @mommyblogexpert on Facebook 

In ADDITION to doing any or all of the extra entries above, you can earn one extra entry each time you Tweet the message exactly in the paragraph immediately below (limit 3 separate tweets for 3 extra entries per day).  Don't forget to return to leave a comment on MommyBlogExpert with the direct link to right after every Tweet you do so you'll receive an entry for all your RTs.

Curious George:Very Merry Christmas in Theaters @KidtoonFilms GIVEAWAY http://tinyurl.com/28ekgwn #xmas #kids #movie #contest RT 2 WIN
 
Remember, for each of the above entries to count, be sure to return to MommyBlogExpert to leave an additional comment after each of the above actions to confirm them so your extra chances to win will be tabulated. 

About Kidtoon Films

Kidtoons mission is to showcase fun and affordable family-centric movies at participating theaters.  Every month a different entertaining film is screened.  This brings parents and children together to enjoy kid-friendly characters, cartoons, music videos and sing-a-longs as well as giveaways for the kid audience members like stickers, activity books or toys after every film.

FTC Disclosure:  Kidtoon Films has provided all the prizes for this giveaway.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

4th Candle - Candlelight by The Maccabeats, Lyrics by Uri Westrich - Rock Hanukkah Music for All

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Tonight is Saturday night and we just lit the fourth candle on the menorah.  So we've just marked the half-way point of the eight day Festival of Lights celebration.

Since I'm observant -- I don't take photographs or work on the Sabbath which lasts for approximately 25 hours that just ended a short while ago -- I haven't any pictures from Friday night and Saturday daytime Hanukkah activities to share with you for this evening's post. 

However, I do want to get you to watch this Chanukah YouTube video that my teens got ME addicted to.  This has new and original lyrics and is set to the music from Dynamite by Mike Tompkins and it will certainly appeal to generations, young and old. Once you've watched this you'll see why I say it must be heard to be appreciated.

This post is particularly exciting for me to write, not only because I personally LOVE this tune, but because Uri Westrich who made this video and wrote the lyrics to Candlelight for the group The Maccabeats is a member of my synagogue.

If you haven't already seen this YouTube video for Chanukah give it a listen.  This has gone viral and currently has over 1.6 million hits in A WEEK and it's being well-received by both Jews and non-Jews alike worldwide.  It's being sold on iTunes too so you can easily download it to your iPod for listening all year long.

Rock to this song right now -- it will definitely light up your night, because I know it's already lit up mine. 

Happy Hanukkah!

Don't miss these other MommyBlogExpert Hanukkah Posts:

3rd Nite of Chanukah - Some Really Creative Handmade Menorahs

2nd Nite of Chanukah - Homemade Potato Latkes for Kids
1st Nite: in the Chanukah Mood With Adam Sandler & 8 Crazy Nights Song
Guess what my teen daughter is getting for Chanukah this year
Beyond Thanksgiving Pie: Moving into Hanukkah & the rest of the holidays
Really Memorable Gifts for Celebrating Hanukkah

Once you've watched the Uri's YouTube, leave me a comment below and tell me how you like it.  Happy Hanukkah!

FTC Disclosure: I did not receive payment or any other compensation associated with this particular post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

3rd Night of Hanukkah Tonite! Kids Get Creative With Menorahs & Rock Band

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Me at Homeschoolers Hanukkah Party Last Night

Photo by son of Janis Brett Elspas

Can't believe how fast Hanukkah is going. It's already the 3rd night and we'll be lighting candles in a few minutes.  The kids are getting more wound-up with every day of this holiday so I can't even imagine how rambunctious they'll be by the time we get to the last candle 5 nights from now.

Last night, the whole family went to a really fun Chanukah celebration put on by the L.A. Jewish Homeschoolers group we belong to.  The food was delicious, but what made this event so special was that there was a menorah contest featuring some really creative handmade holiday candelabras made by both little and big kids.  

To top it all off some of the middle school and high school homeschoolers put on a Chanukah rock music concert for us featuring original arrangements of popular songs celebrating the Festival of Lights.

Below: Assorted Menorahs from the Party ALL Made by the Kids

All Photos by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Candy Bar Menorah

Menorah Made With Pottery Shards from a Family's Israeli Archeology Dig, Recycled Copper Pipes

Cake and Candy Edible Menorah

Menorah Constructed with Recycled Wine Corks

Hot Air Balloon Menorah (back), Snowman & Penguin Menorah (front)

Recycled Baby Bottle Menorah with Backdrop Made with Baby Blanket Fabric

Don't miss these other MommyBlogExpert Hanukkah Posts:

4th Nite of Chanukah - Lighting Up the Night with Candlelight by The Maccabeats

3rd Nite of Chanukah - Some Really Creative Handmade Menorahs

2nd Nite of Chanukah - Homemade Potato Latkes for Kids
1st Nite: in the Chanukah Mood With Adam Sandler & 8 Crazy Nights Song
Guess what my teen daughter is getting for Chanukah this year
Beyond Thanksgiving Pie: Moving into Hanukkah & the rest of the holidays
Really Memorable Gifts for Celebrating Hanukkah

FTC Disclosure:  I did not receive payment or any other compensation associated with this particular post.   See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Sandra Boynton's Newest Humor Book, Amazing Cows & Book GIVEAWAY

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Amazing Cows Cover Shot

Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

WIN Amazing Cows - See bottom of this post for GIVEAWAY Entry Details.  Contest ends 1/31/2011

I couldn't have been more thrilled to hear that Sandra Boynton has just released another awesomely funny title Amazing Cows (Workman Publishing, $10.95).  

This new book overflows with amazing cows -- every kind you can imagine -- heroic cows, sensitive cows, edgy cows, cows on the moove and so much more drawn and written in a style that only Boynton can pull off. 

What makes me so excited about her latest book?  The short answer is I'm a huge fan of fellow Baby Boomer Sandra Boynton since the 70s when I was in college out West and she was at Yale in New Haven.  

Over the years she's been referred to in the media and by the public as an author, a writer, an artist, an illustrator, a cartoonist, and greeting card maker.  If you ask me, though, I'd say Boynton is simply one of the most brilliant creative talents who has ever lived and is one person both my generation and those before and after me all admire.

My Piccolo & One of the Vintage Boynton Note Paper Pads I Still Have
Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

This woman's energy is unbounded.  Since 1973, Boynton has created over 4000 greeting card designs and sold more than 250 million of them.  Then there's more than 40 of her bestselling books for children and 7 for adults, who are really just big kids, and four New York Times bestsellers. Between all these more than 20 million copies of her books have been sold.

That is not even to mention four record albums for children -- including one nominated for a Grammy -- and 40 music videos that she's written and produced.  After all that, her most recent work Amazing Cows is still just as fresh and hilarious as ever.  This for sure is one book that I know my own kids will enjoy too.

NOW THE GOOD NEWS:
Sandra Boynton WANTS TO COME TO YOUR HOUSE...

Don't Miss an Udderly Amazing Book Event December 4th

Meet Sandra Boynton, the author of Amazing Cows, in person at her only scheduled event to promote this new book.  

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4 at 12 noon, Boynton will come in from the pasture with her book's characters for an appearance at Books of Wonder in New York City in the only event scheduled for Amazing Cows and you can be there!

Dedicated to the subject of these beautiful bovines, the New York Times-bestselling author will be on-hand to first present a short musical revue and then a book signing at Books of Wonder (18 West 18th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue) on December 4 from 12-2pm. 

That's not all, currently Books of Wonder is hosting the first ever New York City gallery exhibition of Boynton's artwork (signed limited edition prints available).  Don't miss out on the opportunity to introduce your own children to something so genuinely moo-ving.  Adults who are Boynton groupies like me shouldn't miss this big bru haha either.  For more information on the event, visit the Books of Wonder page.  Here's an excerpt from the book, plus more details on the title are available on Workman's site. 

ENTER to WIN this Book

The Amazing Cows book giveaway, which is hosted by MommyBlogExpert and sponsored by Workman Publishing, is open to legal U.S. residents only.  See details below.  Contest ends January 31, 2011 at 11:59 PST.  

For the Mandatory Entry

Leave a comment below this post to tell something funny or humorous that happened to you or your child.  Remember to include your email address or Twitter contact info with your comment so that we may reach the winner.  Keep in mind that this is a family-friendly blog, so keep it G-rated, please, otherwise your comment will be deleted. 

For Additional Entries (Optional)
Follow MommyBlogExpert on Twitter and/or Facebook (1-2 entries)

Follow Workman Publishing on Twitter and/or Facebook (1-2 entries) 

Subscribe to MommyBlogExpert's Blog (1 entry)
 

Retweet the following message about the contest as often as you like (for unlimited extra entries)

Amazing Cows by Sandra Boynton Review + @WorkmanPub Book Giveaway http://tinyurl.com/23wkvyq #AmazingCows #contest #kids #humor #books

Be sure to leave an additional comment after you complete each optional entry action so that we can tabulate all your extra entries.

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert received a copy of Amazing Cows to facilitate this review.  In addition, Workman Publishing is providing the book for the giveaway contest.  However, I did not receive payment or any other compensation associated with this particular post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Happy 2nd Candle of Hanukkah Tonite - Lighting Up Our Menorah in California

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Hope everyone celebrating Chanukah is enjoying our 8-day flight of special nights, now going into Night #2

My Daughter With Last Night's Latkes

Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

We'll soon be lighting two candles on our menorahs here on the West Coast, so wanted to send good wishes to all.  I know we are having a great time here so far.  After we light our candles, we have parties to go to both tonight and over the weekend, so I'll be logging off for awhile to enjoy the festivities with my kids for those events. 

Yes -- in case you want to know -- I'll have my iPhone turned off so I don't get distracted from all the fun I hope to be having with my hubbie and kids.

My Homemade Latkes with Pomegranate & Paper Menorah Table Decorations

Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Last night, I made Latkes (potato pancakes) that are traditionally served for this holiday.  We eat foods fried in oil for Hanukkah because it evokes memories of the single vial of sacred olive oil that the Maccabees found (the rest of the oil for the Temple's official menorah had been smashed by the Greeks when they destroyed the Temple itself).  By a miracle that we believe performed by G-d, the Jews were able to keep the Temple's menorah burning miraculously for eight days and nights.

The latkes I fried in olive oil -- of course -- not only because of the religious historical significance but since it's ALOT lower in cholesterol than other fats.  The patties themselves were made from hand-grated fresh potatoes, chopped onions, and salt and pepper and then spooned into a frying pan with the oil for cooking.  I've always loved the crunchy and yummy homemade ones better eversince my mom made them for me when I was a little girl.  These beat the potato latkes that many people make from a mix that comes in a box.  They're no harder to make, either, you just need a little elbow grease to peel and grate those potatoes.

I served these yummy potato treats on a very special Our Name Is Mud piece made by hand in New York by talented artists that was given to us by EdiblesGiftsPlus.  This platter was last featured in the Best of Memorable Gifts for Hanukkah.  As it says on this beautiful holiday heirloom dish: Get 'em While They're Hot...or else they might be all gone.

Latkes Get 'em While They're Hot

Hand Painted Ceramic Hanukkah Platter by Our Name is Mud

Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com 

Now, I'd love to hear how you make Hanukkah special at your house, either this year or in years past.  Please post your ideas and traditions, happy and silly stories involved little kids or us big kids in the comment section below.  I can't wait to hear all about everyone's own celebrations.

Don't miss these other MommyBlogExpert Hanukkah Posts:

1st Nite: in the Chanukah Mood With Adam Sandler & 8 Crazy Nights Song
Guess what my teen daughter is getting for Chanukah this year
Beyond Thanksgiving Pie: Moving into Hanukkah & the rest of the holidays
Really Memorable Gifts for Celebrating Hanukkah
 

HAG SAMEACH

A Happy Holiday to Everyone!

FTC Disclosure:  Our Name is Mud platter provided by Edible Gifts Plus in conjunction with a previous post.   However, I did not receive payment or any other compensation associated with this particular post.   See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.