This week we plan on enjoying all the candy for Halloween. But what happens after we've eaten all the treats and spooky food colored foo...

This week we plan on enjoying all the candy for Halloween. But what happens after we've eaten all the treats and spooky food colored foods? We need to clean our teeth by brushing and flossing!

Note: This post is in partnership with Plackers. I received product samples for review purpose. Any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.

While most kids can handle brushing their teeth with no problem, getting them to floss isn't as easy. Lets be honest. Flossing isn't exactly exciting fun. That's why families with kids should know about Plackers Kids flossers.


Plackers Kids flossers come in kid friendly flavors, have bright fun colors and are just the right size for little hands. My niece was able to floss her teeth easily after a meal, since the kids flossers has a dual grip handle and angled head to fit her smaller mouth.


But that's not all. Each Plackers Kids Flosser contains fluoride to promote healthy teeth. And the bag has a suze-zip seal, which means easy close and no spilling all over the bathroom sink and floor.


If you need a way to encourage kids to floss better and more regularly then try using some of these Plackers products.

• Kids flossers: The sugar in Halloween candy can play some unwanted tricks on your child’s teeth if you’re not careful. It’s important to ensure your children floss their teeth before bed after a night of sweet treats. Plackers Kids flossers makes it easy with a dual grip handle and angled head. The Fruit Smoothie Swirl flavor and bright colors don’t hurt either!

• Back Teeth Micro Mint flossers: But children aren’t the only ones at risk of tricks this season – research says parents may not get dressed up to go trick-or-treating but 44% will eat more candy than their children this Halloween! Plackers Back Teeth Micro Mint flossers are available for those parents that shamelessly steal candy from their children’s Halloween haul. These angled floss picks are specially designed to access hard to reach back teeth.

• Apple Cinnamon flossers: Looking for something with fall flavors? Plackers Apple Cinnamon flossers are infused with a burst of apple cinnamon flavor that will delight your senses and keep your smile free of debris

Hopefully these Plackers products help your kids avoid “boo-thaches” this spooky holiday season.

To learn more, visit - www.plackers.com

For the past week we've been preparing for the Halloween season. While we're not into the scary parts of Halloween, we do enjoy some...

For the past week we've been preparing for the Halloween season. While we're not into the scary parts of Halloween, we do enjoy some of the spooky activities, of course all the food and candy and good Halloween friendly movies like The Addams Family and Addams Family Values!

Note: This post is in partnership with Paramount Home Entertainment. I received "The Addams Family Halloween" Starter Kit for review purpose. Any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.


So how did we prepare for Halloween this year?

I was inspired by The Addams Family and Addams Family Values being released in a 2-Movie Collection from Paramount Home Entertainment. I knew this would be the perfect double feature for family movie night.

Make Halloween treats

But you can't have a movie night without food and snacks! So my son and I made some spooky but healthy Halloween treats for family and friends to enjoy. On our plate ready to be devoured included

• Ghost Bananas (banana and chocolate chips)
• Pumpkin Oranges (pumpkins and celery)
• Mummy Hotdogs (hot dogs and crescent dough)
• Ants on a Log (celery, peanut butter and chocolate chips)

Everything was so yummy and perfect for movie night.

Put on Halloween Make-up (Sorta)

Now all I needed was to get into "character". To help me with this I received an "Addams Family Halloween" Starter Kit from Paramount Home Entertainment that included

• The two-movie Blu-ray collection
• A bald cap
• Black and white face paint
• Red lipstick and nail polish
• A paste-on mustache
• and a finger trap

I was so tempted to use the bald cap and paint my face as Uncle Fester but the red lipstick and nail polish was a better fit. While I couldn't fully dress up as Morticia, my red nails and lips help me feel spooky and ready for movie night.

Watch a Family Friendly Halloween Movie

I grew up watching the The Addams Family films, so I know while their quirky and sometime very weird, there's no cussing, extreme violence or inappropriate scenes. There's lots of humor and ironically some life lessons about accepting who you are as a person. And lastly The Addams are all about the love and support of the family. Till the end!

It was a treat to watch both movies with family. The older generation enjoyed revisiting the family, while the young kids enjoyed being introduced to The Addams.

The Addams Family and Addams Family Values are available on DVD, Blu-ray and in a 2-Movie Collection from Paramount Home Entertainment.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY

When long-lost Uncle Fester (Christopher Lloyd) reappears after 25 years in the Bermuda Triangle, Gomez (Raul Julia) and Morticia (Anjelica Huston) plan a celebration to wake the dead. But Wednesday (Christina Ricci) barely has time to warm up her electric chair before Thing points out Fester's uncommonly "normal" behavior. Could this Fester be a fake, part of an evil scheme to raid the Addams fortune?


ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES

It's love at first fright when Gomez (Raul Julia) and Morticia (Anjelica Huston) welcome a new addition to the Addams household -- Pubert, their soft, cuddly, mustachioed baby boy. As Fester (Christopher Lloyd) falls hard for voluptuous nanny Debbie Jilinksy (Joan Cusack), Wednesday (Christina Ricci) and Pugsley (Jimmy Workman) discover she's a black-widow murderess who plans to add Fester to her collection of dead husbands. ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES is debuting on Blu-ray for the first time.

Get ready for the most hilarious scarefest of the season with THE ADDAMS FAMILY and ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES on DVD and Blu-ray either individually or in 2-Movie DVD or Blu-ray Collections.

The kooky, spooky and all-together ooky adventures of the Addams Family are sure to have you screaming...with laughter.

Who’s afraid of the dark? No one if they have a Moosh-Moosh flashlight to protect them from anything that goes bump in the night. New!...

Who’s afraid of the dark? No one if they have a Moosh-Moosh flashlight to protect them from anything that goes bump in the night.

New! Moosh-Moosh Flashlights • $14.99

These plush, huggable flashlights are the cutest night-light that kids can cuddle. They are ideal for sleepovers, story time and wonderfully comforting for those afraid of the dark.

Each of the six characters (including yellow Vee and brown & white striped Corey) have an on/off button on its front paw for easy access in the middle of the night.


Moosh-Moosh Spooky Characters for Halloween • $14.99

From Fang with his candy-corn horns to Fortune the black cat or Boo the friendly ghost, Moosh-Moosh has you covered for Halloween with nine fun characters.

Moosh-Moosh are available in neighborhood Staples, Walgreens and CVS stores.

To learn more, visit - www.moosh-moosh.com

Facebook - www.facebook.com/officialmooshmoosh
Instagram - www.instagram.com/officialmooshmoosh

Microsoft Store has partnered with Girl Scouts of USA (GSUSA) to launch free STEM badge workshops for Girl Scouts troops at Microsoft Stores...

Microsoft Store has partnered with Girl Scouts of USA (GSUSA) to launch free STEM badge workshops for Girl Scouts troops at Microsoft Stores across the country.

The badge workshops will help younger Girl Scouts, from Daisies to Cadettes, earn five badges in four STEM areas: robotics, computer expertise, digital photography and movie-making.

The partnership aims to give girls vital digital skills and foster leadership qualities to help close the gender gap in STEM fields.

In its "Closing the STEM Gap" study, Microsoft found girls lose interest in STEM and computer science as they get older. In middle school, 56% of girls know how to pursue a STEM career. Unfortunately, post high school, that drops to 42%.



The program began earlier this year with a pilot project for 200 girls in various states across the U.S. Moving forward, troop leaders can arrange workshops with a community development specialist at their local Microsoft Store.

The partnership will also feature a leadership series at the Stores with former Girl Scouts and female STEM experts to inspire older Girl Scouts on the importance of education and careers in STEM.

For more details, visit the Microsoft Store community page.

To learn more about the program and impact of the STEM workshops, visit Microsoft Stories.

Facebook - www.facebook.com/Microsoft
Twitter - www.twitter.com/microsoft

Looking for pulse-pounding thriller? Then watch NIGHT HUNTER, now available on Digital, On Demand and Blu-ray/ DVD October from Paramount Ho...

Looking for pulse-pounding thriller? Then watch NIGHT HUNTER, now available on Digital, On Demand and Blu-ray/ DVD October from Paramount Home Entertainment.

I received the Night Hunter Blu-ray and was surprised how much I enjoy the film. At first I thought it would be the basic cop versus villains story-line but Night Hunter offered some great twist that took this film to another level.

So here are 3 Reasons to Watch Night Hunter

Team Dark Duo

The semi team up of Henry Cavill and Ben Kingsley really worked for the story-line. While it wasn't a buddy partnership, the fact that they both wanted to catch the villain made the story-line interesting. While Cavill character detective Marshall was dark, Ben Kingsley as the vigilante judge really caught your attention. You'll be amazed how much you enjoy a dark side of bad cop and badder judge.

Interesting Villain(s)

Usually for these types of films we can figure out who the bad guy is and why he's doing all the bad things. But in Night Hunter, the bad guy is both who you think he is and also is not. And that makes such an amazing twist you won't see coming.

Unexpected Twist and Turns

There's lots of unexpected twists with various characters that make you want to watch Night Hunter till the end. Then again to catch all the clues you didn't see the first time.

SYNOPSIS

When police detective Marshall (Henry Cavill) and local vigilante Cooper (Ben Kingsley) arrest a serial killer targeting women, they discover his game has just begun. The hunt is on as the murderer masterminds a series of deadly attacks from behind bars.

Now in a desperate race against time, Marshall and Cooper fight to stay one step ahead of their suspect’s deadly plan.

Also starring Alexandra Daddario (“True Detective”) and Golden Globe winner** Stanley Tucci, NIGHT HUNTER is an action-packed thriller that will shock you at every turn.

The NIGHT HUNTER Blu-ray includes access to a Digital copy of the film.

Even though their house is a museum, in honor of the newest animated The Addams Family film in theaters on October 11th, Booking.com is off...

Even though their house is a museum, in honor of the newest animated The Addams Family film in theaters on October 11th, Booking.com is offering guests a peek into a real life replica of the iconic family's home.

The experience comes complete with spooky snacks, a screening of the feature film and more.

The three bedroom, 3,700 square foot, 19th century era townhouse captures all the macabre that has made The Addams Family a fan favorite for decades. Guests will be able to tinker with machines in Pugsley's Room, play with Wednesday's beheaded doll in the living room, and even care for some of Morticia's carnivorous plants.

Decorated in true Addams Family fashion, there is even Lurch's famous "you rang" bell. Careful not to get too spooked if Thing appears while exploring the home!

Located in historic Clinton Hill Brooklyn, The Addams Family Mansion will be available for $101.10 per night, in honor of the movie's release on October 11th, 2019.


Consumers can get a witch's shawl on and a broomstick they can crawl on with bookings beginning on October 28th at 12:00PM EST, with four exclusive overnight stays occurring each night from October 29th until November 1st.

The fully decked-out Addams Family home is just one lavish example of the many unforgettable travel experiences customers can enjoy at one of the more than 6 million listings in alternative accommodations listed on Booking.com.

To learn more and book The Addams Family Mansion visit www.booking.com/hotel/us/the-addams-family-mansion.html

For more information on the animated Addams Family film, visit www.addamsfamily.movie

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MeetTheAddams
Twitter: www.twitter.com/MeetTheAddams
Instagram: www.instagram.com/MeetTheAddams

GoldieBlox has released DIY products with STEM at their core, and their first-ever monthly subscription box. The 8 new Maker Kits provi...

GoldieBlox has released DIY products with STEM at their core, and their first-ever monthly subscription box.

The 8 new Maker Kits provide the tools to build new STEM-infused crafts, and come with Hack and Facts cards that explain the science behind the crafts.

Some of the new projects include:

• DIY Glitter Beauty Lab ($29.99) - Mix up a shimmering face mask, shiny sugar scrub, sparkly hair gel or glossy face smudge. Find out where glitter comes from and what it’s been used for historically.

• DIY Unicorn Headphones ($24.99) - Decorate your headphones to fit your style with beads, flowers and other materials to make a statement. Discover how sound travels from your device to your ears. Learn how sound is measured and what levels are safe for your ears.

• DIY Slumber Party Kit ($24.99): With this comprehensive sleepover kit, makers can invite their friends over and build their own movie projector complete with speaker! The kit also comes with eye masks, popcorn and goodie bags.

• DIY LED Cloud Light ($29.99): Kids can craft their own smiling cloud lamp that changes colors, while learning about the eco-friendly factors of the LED lights that power it.

• Scent Lab & Room Diffuser ($29.99) - Build an oil aroma diffuser that you can decorate with stickers and pom-poms. Included gift bottles and label so you can give to friends and family. Learn about essential oils and why these oils affect our moods. Discover what limbic system is and how it functions in our body.

• Scratch Art Projector ($24.99) - Spot your favorite constellation on your wall with your very own projector. Take in a variety of colors and sights with an assortment of projector inserts. You’ll even be able to stencil your own designs. Learn what makes a star and identify major constellations.

• DIY Light Up Unicorn Pillow ($24.99): Kids can customize a soft and sparkling unicorn, while also learning how to build their own circuit.

• Maker’s Essentials Tool Kit ($39.99) - Whether you’re hacking or crafting, this comprehensive and stylish set will be an asset for all your future projects. Includes a GoldieBlox gold wrench necklace so you can be a part of the Goldie Squad!

The new GoldieBlox Box subscription box is created in partnership with JOANN. Available exclusively at JOANN website, each monthly box is filled with all the tools necessary to make fun, science-based projects complemented with facts about the STEM behind each project.

The projects are inspired by the most popular, trending DIY “hacks” and projects from the GoldieBlox YouTube channel, like fizzy bath bombs and squishies, and they are designed to keep kids curious and stimulated with each delivery.

Recommended for makers ages 8+, the kits are manufactured by design and creativity innovators Make it Real.

Kits are available at Amazon, Target, JOANN, BJ’s, andWalmart Canada.

To learn more, visit  - www.GoldieBlox.com

Facebook - www.facebook.com/goldieblox
Twitter - www.twitter.com/goldieblox
Instagram - www.instagram.com/goldieblox

In Abominable movie, you'll learn the story of YI, a young girl in China trying to find peace after the loss of her father, so she can r...

In Abominable movie, you'll learn the story of YI, a young girl in China trying to find peace after the loss of her father, so she can reconnect with those that care about her most.

To learn more about Abominable, we attended a special screening for the film in 4DX! We looked forward to seeing the film because....don’t we all, at some point, wish we could find the magic in life again after tragedy?

Note: I was invited as media by Universal/DreamWorks Animation to this screening. Any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.

Written by Normel Smith, an entrepreneur, philanthropist, wife, mom, woman of faith and home education enthusiast who blogs at www.normeltalks.com.


Not to give to much away but yes Yi does find the magic in life, with the help of her new magical Yeti friend and neighborhood friends. It’s a beautiful story filled with some fun-filled comedic relief and action-packed adventures where your kids will laugh out loud and be totally engaged.

Reasons To Watch in 4DX

1. The Bigger The Action, The Greater the Movement

This movie is filled with adventure from escaping drones to traveling across China incognito. With every jump, crash and wave, the seat under you moved back, forth and side to side making you feel like you were jumping and crashing yourself. It sure made the kids laugh.

2. The High Sensory Experience Makes You Feel Like You Are In the Most Notable Parts of China

From smelling the magical flowers growing around the Leshan Giant Buddha in Sichuan to seeing the fog from the avalanche of the mountains to feeling the mist of a rainy day, you can’t help but feel the nature happening around the characters in this movie.

3. The Family-Oriented Theme

Abominable is a good balance of action, humor and the importance of family. So, don’t worry, your chair will not be moving the whole time. When the seats are still you will enjoy big comfortable seats.

This is a movie the whole family can enjoy. When you see this movie, try to tap into your inner silly child and laugh with your kid. Even though this movie begins to feel a bit long, I suggest you join the many others and check it out! You and your kids will love it!

Abominable is now in theaters.

Synopsis

ABOMINABLE | Official Trailer



DreamWorks Animation and Pearl Studio’s co-production Abominable takes audiences on an epic 2,000-mile adventure from the streets of a Chinese city to the breathtaking Himalayan snowscapes.

When teenage Yi (Chloe Bennet, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) encounters a young Yeti on the roof of her apartment building, she and her friends, Jin (Tenzing Norgay Trainor) and Peng (Albert Tsai), name him “Everest” and embark on an epic quest to reunite the magical creature with his family at the highest point on Earth.

But the trio of friends will have to stay one-step ahead of Burnish (Eddie Izzard), a wealthy man intent on capturing a Yeti, and zoologist Dr. Zara (Sarah Paulson) to help Everest get home.

Starring: Chloe Bennet, Tenzing Norgay Trainor, Albert Tsai, Eddie Izzard, Sarah Paulson, Tsai Chin, Michelle Wong

Abominable is written and directed by Jill Culton (Open Season, Monsters, Inc., Toy Story 2) and is produced by Suzanne Buirgy (Kung Fu Panda 2, Home). Peilin Chou of Pearl Studio also produces.

The film is executive produced by Tim Johnson (Over the Hedge, Home, ANTZ), Frank Zhu (Checked In, Lotus Code) and Li Ruigang (Kung Fu Panda 3, The Taking of Tiger Mountain) and is co-directed by Todd Wilderman (Trolls, The Croods).

To learn more, visit - www.dreamworks.com/movies/abominable

Facebook - www.facebook.com/AbominableTheMovie
Twitter - www.twitter.com/DreamWorks
Instagram - www.instagram.com/abominablemovie