TTPM hosted their Spring Showcase 2019 and we were there to get a first look (and play with) the hot toys coming into stores for Spring and ...

TTPM hosted their Spring Showcase 2019 and we were there to get a first look (and play with) the hot toys coming into stores for Spring and Summer.

Note: I was invited as media to this event and received a gift bag. However any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.

While all toys are fun to play with, this year I looked for toys that offered a different play experience. And yes I looked for a few tech related toys also. Come on. Here are a few that caught my eye. And my son hands.

Since it was #TakeYourChildToWorkDay, my son came with me to share which toys he thought were cool. And share he did. While playing with everything. LOL



Heroes of Goo Jit Zu - a line of rubbery action figures each with different textures including filled with jelly, with beans, or with liquid. Some figures even glow in the dark!



CINEMOOD - the world’s first noiseless, 3” ultralight standalone projector, that converts any surface into a 12-foot magic cinema. This portable device doesn’t need to be connected to a computer, phone or wall outlet. With up to 5 hours of rechargeable battery life, you can connect to WiFi and stream from Netflix, Amazon Prime or YouTube.

You can also download Netflix or Amazon Prime videos directly on CINEMOOD to enjoy anywhere, without WiFI or Internet connection.


WowWee Untamed Mad Lab Minis - Unveil your DNA samples, extract them from the geoslime, biosand, or terraclay, then classify your new creature! Will you unleash a Raptor, T-Rex, Allosaurus, Spinosaurus, sabre-tooth Tiger, dire-wolf, bear, Polar bear, gorilla, or Skeleton?

Mix and match the heads and bodies of the Mad Lab Minis to create unique characters such as a Wolfasaurus-rex! There are over 1000 combinations to create!


Bakugan - Face off against your friends with your very own Bakugan! Roll it across the metal BakuCores (included) to see it transform with POP OPEN Baku-Action! Add your new Bakugan to your army and storm Battle Arena! Collect favorite characters from the TV Show and enter the Bakugan Battle with your very own Battle Brawler.



Rubik’s Tilt - a handheld game that can be rotated side-to-side, forwards or back to rotate a section of the cube to solve the puzzle.



JigPix — The World’s First Smart Puzzle where you can create a different picture every time (EVEN USING PHOTOS FROM YOUR SMARTPHONE). The 520 pieces included are designed with an innovative DNA technology that has the ability to create a MILLION+ puzzles all within just ONE! Use with the FREE Jigpix® Puzzle App.




Drop Dots Balls - unique one of a kind balls that come in 6 different bright colored combos! These balls feel cool and bounce all over the place.

TTPM’s Most Wanted 2019 Toys List

Along with the toys preview TTPM also shared their "2019 Summer Most Wanted Toys" list, which included toys and products associated with various highly anticipated movies such as Disney's The Lion King, Spider-Man: Far From Home, Marvel Avengers: Endgame, Toy Story 4, Aladdin

"Our 2019 Most Wanted Summer Toy List is dominated by movie toys as it's yet another massive year of summer films that translate into popular toys for kids. You might notice that there's a lot of classic brands featured on our list. Both the stories and moments of play they generate are timeless. There's something for everyone on our list" says Jim Silver, CEO, TTPM.

TTPM's 2019 Summer Most Wanted Toys are (alphabetical order):

• Baby Shark Plush Toys - WowWee
• Bakugan - Spin Master
• Barbie 60th Anniversary Career Dolls - Mattel
• Bunch O Balloons Self-Sealing Party Balloons - Zuru
• Classic Aladdin Genie Figure - Playmates Toys
• Fortnite Action Figures - Jazwares
• L.O.L. Surprise! Supreme BFFs - MGA Entertainment
• Marvel Avengers Compound Battle - LEGO
• Nerf Fortnite Blasters - Hasbro
• Pokémon Detective Pikachu Talking Plush - Wicked Cool Toys
• Ryan's World Toys - Bonkers Toys and Orb
• The Lion King Roaring Simba - Just Play
• Toy Story 4 Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Armor - Mattel
• UglyDolls Dance Moves Moxy - Hasbro
• Wave-A-Bubbles and Big-A-Bubbles - Zing

To learn more about why these toys topped the list, visit - www.ttpm.com/mostwanted

In connection with Disneynature’s film “Penguins” opening in theaters this week, I joined around-table interview with the filmmakers to lear...

In connection with Disneynature’s film “Penguins” opening in theaters this week, I joined around-table interview with the filmmakers to learn about Steve, a 5-year-old Adélie penguin, who goes on a journey during the icy Antarctic spring to build a suitable nest, find a life partner and start a family.

While it seems like a simple story, there's actually alot that goes into capturing it all on film. I'm grateful to Lastair Fothergill (Director), Jeff Wilson (Director), Roy Conli (Producer) and Popi Borboroglu (Global Penguin Society) who took time to share some "behind-the-scenes info with me.

About Steve the Penguin

The filmmakers knew they wanted to tell the story of a new father—so finding a young male penguin was important. But what makes Steve, Steve?

“He’s becoming a father for the first time. He returns to the place where he was a chick to build a home and find a mate. It’s so fun to watch Steve compete with all the other penguins to set up his nest and win his mate. It’s hard not to relate to this guy” says producer Roy Conli.

“He’s feisty. He’s full of character, and in a sea of penguins, he’s the guy performing” says director Alastair Fothergill.

“This guy has a big challenge. He has to find some real estate within the breeding colony and build an appealing nest while every other male is trying to do the same thing. It’s that classic issue of keeping up with the Joneses that we might deal with in our own neighborhoods. In some ways, penguins are very similar because they’re so competitive over their nest sites and rock collections” says director Jeff Wilson.

The Conservation Tie-In

For every ticket sold opening week (April 17-23, 2019), Disneynature will make a donation to the Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN) to help protect penguins across the southern hemisphere.

“People love penguins,” says Dr. Pablo Borboroglu, founder and president of the Global Penguin Society (GPS). “We feel attracted and emotionally connected to them. It could be that we feel attracted by their devotion to their partners and offspring, because they have to make a living, provide for their chicks and commute to find food.

While there are different types of penguins, the Adele were chosen because they are affected by global issues. While watching the story of Steve, audiences will not only be entertained by also exposed to the issues that affect the penguins.

Sometimes people don't have access to nature and animals. But films like these give people access, which leads to awareness. To support those looking for more information, there's educational guide and activity sheet.



SYNOPSIS

Narrated by Ed Helms (“The Office,” “The Hangover” trilogy,”The Daily Show with John Stewart”), Disneynature’s all-new feature film “Penguins” is a coming-of-age story about an Adélie penguin named Steve who joins millions of fellow males in the icy Antarctic spring on a quest to build a suitable nest, find a life partner and start a family.

None of it comes easily for him, especially considering he's targeted by everything from killer whales to leopard seals, who unapologetically threaten his happily ever after. From the filmmaking team behind “Bears” and “Chimpanzee,” Disneynature’s “Penguins” opens in theaters and in IMAX® April 17, 2019.


Facebook: www.facebook.com/Disneynature
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Disneynature
Instagram: www.instagram.com/disneynature

When Warner Bros. Home Entertainment contacted me about interviewing Sophia Lillis for the home release of "Nancy Drew And The Hidden S...

When Warner Bros. Home Entertainment contacted me about interviewing Sophia Lillis for the home release of "Nancy Drew And The Hidden Staircase" on digital and Blu-ray Combo Pack, I was ready! Sophia Lillis did an amazing job bring the Nancy Drew character into modern life and I wanted to hear her talk ALL.ABOUT.IT.

Note: I was invited as media to the movie screening and cast interview. However any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.


During the call, I could hear and feel Sophia Lillis excitement about this role. She really had fun as Nancy Drew, so I asked her about this, along with other questions.

The film has funny moments. What’s your favorite funny moment either on screen or behind the scenes?

Sophia Lillis: Not too many people know that the well was really shallow. So Laura (who plays Helen), and the DP, and a couple other camera and sound people were all squished in this tiny space together. It was really funny.


While Nancy has fun times with her friends, they also helped her solve mysteries and support her emotional as she adjusted to being in new school and city. I thought this was well done and loved seeing female friendship being "good" on screen. So I asked Sophia about friendship.

What are 3 tips for being a good friend like Nancy and her friends in the film?

Sophia Lillis: I personally have very close friend, while it's not a big group, very ver close to each other and try to meet up as much as we can. I think that's what's most important. To feel really comfortable with your friends. You dont have to think I should act this or that way because they would like that. If you just be yourself around people, then you'll find certain people who will like you just the way you are.

So 3 tips are:

• Be Yourself!
• Don’t try to be a part of a group, where you can’t be yourself.
• Always find friends who accept you as you are!

During the call Sophia also talked about

Reading the Nancy Drew Books

After I heard about the project, I started reading the Nancy Drew books. I'm slowly making my way through. I really do love them. One of my favorite is "The Mystery at Lilac Inn". While the previous books were so full of mysteries, this one gets so abstract but I really started to love it.

Updating Nancy Drew as a Person

Yes, she is more of a modernized version so the younger kids to relate to her more. Physically, she uses technology more, she rides a skate board, and she's so independent. While she's like this in the book, I noticed that in the books, she's a bit to independent in a way. She spends nights out without contacting her parents and does whatever she wants.

Sometimes it's kinda of unrealistic. You have to contact your dad at least once, while your out solving mysteries and the whole deal. So you see more of the relationship with her dad in the film, you see more of her contacting him and telling him what's she's doing. It's more realistic about how kids really act.

Favorite Part about Playing Nancy Drew

I really liked having this character that was so light hearted. I could put a lot of myself in that character. I'm very light hearted. I talk, I smile a lot and it was really fun putting my little bit of humor into Nancy Drew. That was a lot of fun.

It was great talking with Sophia and watching her bring Nancy Drew to life. You'll enjoy watching her in Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase now release on digital (SRP:$19.99) and on Blu-ray Combo Pack (SRP:$28.98) & DVD (SRP:$19.98) from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.




SYNOPSIS

Warner Bros., Ellen DeGeneres’ A Very Good Production and Red 56 present Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase, an all-new feature film. The film provides a new origin story for the 21st Century, while staying true to the spirit of the original novels.

Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase focuses on Nancy Drew (Sophia Lillis, breakout star of It), a smart high schooler with a penchant for keen observation and deduction, who stumbles upon the haunting of a local home.

A bit of an outsider struggling to fit into her new surroundings, Nancy and her pals set out to solve the mystery, make new friends and establish their place in the community.

The film stars Sophia Lillis (IT and “Sharp Objects”), Sam Trammell (“True Blood” and “This is Us”), and Linda Lavin (“The Good Wife” and “Alice”) and follows Nancy Drew in her new town, making new friends and on a mission to solve the case!


BONUS FEATURES

• A Sleuth, A Girl and an Inspiration (Featurette)
• Pink Footprints: Touring Twin Elms (Featurette)
• Gag Reel

Nancy Drew and The Hidden Staircase - Trailer



Based on the novel by Carolyn Keene

Nancy Drew And The Hidden Staircase is produced by A Very Good Production and A Red 56 Productions.

Executive Produced by Ellen DeGeneres and Wendy Williams (Free Ride), with Jeff Kleeman (The Man From U.N.C.L.E.) and Chip DiggIns (A Walk In The Woods) serving as producers and Rachel Abarbanell (“Splitting Up Together”) as Co-Producer.

Katt Shea (Poison Ivy) directed from the script written by Nina Fiore & John Herrera (“The Handmaids Tale”).


To learn more, visit - www.warnerbros.com/movies/nancy-drew-and-hidden-staircase

As the weather gets warmer, a great family activity is kite flying. To kick off summer, we took some time to fly a kite during Brooklyn Brid...

As the weather gets warmer, a great family activity is kite flying. To kick off summer, we took some time to fly a kite during Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy "Lift Off: A Waterfront Kite Festival" and had such an amazing time.

Note: I was invited as media for review purpose. However any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.

To get started, we joined other families and individuals at The Pier 1 Harbor View Lawn in Brooklyn Bridge Park for a day filled with special activities exploring the science of flight.

We visited the different stations for fun projects including making our own lunch bag kite, help collecting air samples of different organisms, and making a rocket, just to name a few.


Nory made air kites to teach how circulating air can make objects move, along with DIY motorized contraptions that are relevant to flight/moving air, such as a robotic air propeller. Nory also showed children how to put together a simple circuit, and teach the functionality of each part of the circuit.



When we finished joining in all the fun activities, we returned to kite flying. The sky was clear, the wind nice and steady, which meant an afternoon of nothing but simple kite fun.

Want to take your family kite flying?


The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy has announced the first event of its 2019 programming season. "Lift Off: A Waterfront Kite Festival", a FREE all-ages event, will take place on May 11, 2018 from 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

It will be the first of over 500 arts, recreation, fitness and educational events taking place in the park through August offering visitors of all ages something to enjoy in the park this spring and summer season.

Lift Off: A Waterfront Kite Festival” will include special activities exploring the science of flight. The event will emphasize S.T.E.A.M (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) concepts such as wind tunnels, robotic air propellers, and outdoor adventures. Kites will be available for purchase at the event, or participants can bring their own kites to fly on Pier 5.

Partners this year will include NORY, STEM Kids NYC, Brooklyn Robot Foundry, Genspace, SPARK!, Private Picassos, BK Public Library, Geeks Rule, and the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy’s Environmental Education Center, among others.

Live music, stilt walkers, and face-painters will round out the event this year. Pack a picnic and enjoy the first event of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy’s soon to be announced full event schedule.

“Lift Off: A Waterfront Kite Festival” is the first of over 500 free and low-cost events that the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy presents every season to park-goers. The Conservancy offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy a variety of free cultural, educational, and recreational events, as well as opportunities to volunteer and support this world-class waterfront park.

To learn more, visit - www.brooklynbridgepark.org

Facebook - www.facebook.com/brooklynbridgepark
Twitter - www.twitter.com/BBPNYC
Instagram - www.instagram.com/BrooklynBridgePark

When Scherrie of Thirty Mommy invited us to her "Boys and Books" Club, I thought it was such a great idea. Since both our sons lov...

When Scherrie of Thirty Mommy invited us to her "Boys and Books" Club, I thought it was such a great idea. Since both our sons love to read, they'd enjoy getting together to discuss a book and hangout.

So we headed over the Brooklyn Library to discuss "The Journal of Joshua Loper: A Black Cowboy", which was a good pick since it was also Black History Month. Before starting the book discussion, the boys received folders that they could decorate with their names and keep notes inside of.


They also received pieces to do an Art and Crafts project. They could make their own cowboy. Granted he was a spoon but the boys enjoyed coloring him and glue his eyes, hat and handkerchief.


After that the boys were really excited to discuss the book, character and answer questions. I was very impressed with how the boys understood the story-line and lifestyle of Joshua Loper. They were even able to comment on the racial sub-story of being a "black" cowboy and trying to improve your life, which was dangerous in some states.


While the book discussion was good, it was really the bounding and encouragement the boys gave to each other that was important. All boys need to know it's okay to be smart and intellectual along with sporty, etc. Especially "black" and "brown" boys.

We look forward to the next "Boys and Books" Club meeting!