Star Trek: Into Darkness Movie Review

Star Trek Into Darkness Movie Poster

I'm a big fan of the Star Trek tv series: from the original to Star Trek: The Next Generation, to Voyager.  I have to admit that the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Enterprise series never properly grew on me.  I'm also a tremendous fan of science fiction movies that explore far future, time travel, and of course space themes.  

It is in that spirit that I saw the advance movie screening of Paramount Pictures's Star Trek: Into Darkness. I had seen the 2009 Star Trek movie and had liked the feel of it, as well as the cast.  When I learned that the same cast had returned for Into Darkness, it was a rare treat.  I had really enjoyed Chris Pine as James T. Kirk, Zackary Quinto as Spock, Zoe Saldana as Uhura, Karl Urban as Bones, Simon Pegg as Montgomery Scott, Anton Yelchin as Pavel Chekov and John Cho as Hikaru Sulu.

Star Trek: Into Darkness was directed by J.J. Abrams, with a screenplay by Robert Orci.  Although I can only speculate why it's called Into Darkness, as a taste for things to come in subsequent sequels, I can tell you it was fast-paced, exciting, and had lots of great comedic lines from Spock, Bones, Scott and Chekov.  It was gorgeous to watch on the big screen, but I don't think that the 3D experience improved on the movie.    There was also a big surprise regarding nemesis Benedict Cumberbatch's identity (I don't want to spoil it if you haven't seen it).      

Into Darkness begins on an M-class (life sustaining) planet that is about to be annihilated by an active volcano.  The inhabitants are quite primitive, and are at the stage where they're yet to "discover the wheel".  As always, Captain James. T. Kirk and his crew are bound by the "prime directive" of not interfering with the internal development of alien civilizations.  However, the prime directive is challenged when the USS Enterprise must show itself in order to complete a daring rescue mission.

After the prime directive is contravened, a report to Star Fleet is filed and Kirk is fired as ship's Captain.  Captian Pike (Bruce Greenwood, who is terrific in the role), puts in a good word for Kirk, and asks him to join him as his First Officer.  After Kirk agrees, there is a major terrorist incident in Star Fleets "archives" room, and all the heads of Starfleet convene to strategize.  I don't want to spoil all of the film's surprises, but Cumberbatch makes a Matrix-esque entrance, long black jacket and all.

Who Is This Elusive Man?

Without revealing the entire storyline, I have to say that I enjoyed Star Trek: Into Darkness, and would would recommend it to fans of action, science fiction, or the quintessential Star Trek fan.  The special effects--from the sights, to the sounds--were excellent, although I did find the story a little slow moving in parts, especially when it came to developing Cumberbatch's story.  However, Cumberbatch's character was absolutely mesmerizing, and I struggled to see if I could believe his story.

I would recommend Star Trek: Into Darkness if you're looking for a fast-paced thrill ride!

Are you planning on seeing Star Trek: Into Darkness?  What is your favourite genre of movies?        

Canada's Wonderland 2013 Season "Wonderous"! REVIEW

The Excitement of the Main Gates at Canada's Wonderland!

The Canada's Wonderland of my youth was filled with endless summer days, friendship, fun and excitement!  I remember the thrill of getting my first season's pass at Canada's Wonderland, and the feeling of freedom that washed over me.  I loved the exuberant music that pumped me up as I entered the main gates, the enticing scent of the concession stand food, and the fireworks that exploded overhead and sent me off at night.

The Opening Day of Canada's Wonderland May 5, 2013! 

Many years have passed since those golden days of summer, but what remains unchanged is that Canada's Wonderland still offers big fun for kids of all ages--and their families.  It was in that spirit that I returned to Canada's Wonderland with my family on Opening Day, May 5, 2013!

Starting at Medieval Faire!

As our kids are aged 2- to 7-years old, we first had the kids measured and banded for height, so we would know which rides they were allowed to visit.  Then we headed to Medieval Faire to go on The Rage!  My husband could not resist taking the kids 4-years old and older on this gigantic rocking boat!  Check out my video of The Rage, just below this photo!

Captain, Abandon Ship! It's The Rage!

My Family on The Rage at Canada's Wonderland! (VIDEO)

From Medieval Faire, we went directly to Planet Snoopy.  It is one of two ride areas of Canada's Wonderland that are perfectly suited to young children.

We Have Landed at Planet Snoopy!

Right away the kids had a very pleasant meeting with the Snoopy gang!  Seeing the characters at Planet Snoopy really added to the excitement of Canada's Wonderland!

The Kids Met the Snoopy Gang at Planet Snoopy!

Next, we went on one of my favourite rides: the Swan Lake ride!  It's a very peaceful ride for parents and children of all ages.  Colourful ride-on swans take riders on a tour of the cool and calm lake, which is wonderful on a hot day (like we had on Opening Day).

Peaceful Swans on Swan Lake!

Swan Lake at Canada's Wonderland (VIDEO)!

Note: only one adult is allowed on per swan, although multiple children may ride.  However, "parent swap" is available if each parent wants a turn riding with the same child.  Simply tell the attendant, and you will not have to line up a second time.  Check out my Swan Lake ride video, above!

Snoopy vs. Red Baron Ride

Snoopy Vs. Red Baron Ride at Canada's Wonderland (VIDEO)!

Next the kids did a beeline for Snoopy Vs. Red Baron ride!  It's an adorable airplane ride that puts the kids in the pilot's seat!  I remember going on a similar ride when I was a child, and my mom still has footage of my brother and I on film from the 1970s!  Fun then, still fun today!  Click the video above to see my footage of the Snoopy Vs. Red Baron ride!

Our Lunch at The Courtyard Outdoor BBQ Restaurant

It was time to put on some sunblock and think food at this point.  Earlier we had picked up a few containers of fresh fruit for the kids to snack on for only $3.99, which I thought was an excellent value for what we got--especially at a theme park.  Hours had passed since then, so we headed for an outdoor barbecue lunch at The Courtyard Restaurant located beside Medieval Fare.

Choices included burgers, hotdogs, chicken burgers, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, pasta salad and green salad.  There was also a refillable soft drink station.  The buffet was a good choice for us, as the kids were ravenous and had eaten all the little snacks we had packed with us earlier in the day.  Good to note: Canada's Wonderland allows water into the park.

Having Fun at the Character Carousel

Character Carousel at Canada's Wonderland (VIDEO)!

Half of the day had already passed when we headed back to Planet Snoopy.  The kids really wanted to ride on the Character Carousel, and each got their very own horse.  This was great fun for all kids, aged 2- to 7-years old!  See my Character Carousel ride footage in the video, above!

Snoopy's Space Ride at Canada's Wonderland (VIDEO)!

The kids also wanted to go on Snoopy's Space Ride, so we went there too.  The ride can seat 4, so siblings will be able to ride together in the same car.  Take a look at my video of Snoopy's Space Ride, above!

Taking a Ride at Kidzville Station!

We eventually made it to Kidzville, the second ride area of Canada's Wonderland that is devoted to young children.  First stop was the train ride called Kidzville Station: All Aboard!  The ride was lots of fun, as it gently chuffed around the peaceful track.  See my Kidzville Station train ride footage video, below!

Kidzville Station Train Ride at Canada's Wonderland (VIDEO)!

Swingtime was a lot of fun for my kids!  I love it because it's a miniature version of their adult ride "Swing of the Century".  In my youth, this same adult ride was called "Swings of Siam".  Swingtime is a sweet little ride that delivers exactly what it offers: an exhilarating swing experience, but not overwhelming for little ones.

Swingtime Ride at Canada's Wonderland (VIDEO)!

My husband decided to take the older kids on some more adult rides, so I took my youngest two guys to Jokey's Jalopies, the antique car ride!  It was also a hit with my guys!   I love that it's on a huge, wide-open track and it is a nice welcome to the busy park.  My kids loved guessing which colour car was going to take them for their ride, and "driving" the car.  I enjoyed that the ride was cool and allowed us a short respite from walking.

Jokey Jalopies Ride at Canada's Wonderland (VIDEO)!

Can you guess which ride the boys wanted to visit next?  If you guessed Chopper Chase, then you got it right!  Chopper Chase is a gentle ride that takes you up on an aerial track in a brightly-coloured helicopter.  This is a weather-proof ride that allows you to explore Kidzville below you, at the same time keeping cool from the sun, and dry from the rain.  There is even a set of bicycle pedals in the helicopter to keep your little one occupied.  

Chopper Chase Ride at Canada's Wonderland (VIDEO)!

Would you believe that after 7 hours of Canada's Wonderland, we had barely scratched the tip of the iceberg?  There were still many rides that we did not visit in Kidzville or Planet Snoopy, and we had not even explored the rest of the park!  The kids were hot, so we purchased Canada's Wonderland famous funnel cake for the family to share.  6 of my family members ate it, and 2 portions were still left!  It definitely is a great value if you are sharing it among several people.

The Funnel Cake at Canada's Wonderland!

Sharing a Funnel Cake at Canada's Wonderland (VIDEO)!

It would not have been a proper day at Canada's Wonderland without playing some of the games!  My husband tested his skill, and the kids ended up with this cute stuffed animal!  Needless to say, there were smiles all around!

Trying Our Luck at Canada's Wonderland!

I was really glad that I brought the double stroller to Canada's Wonderland with shade canopies, as the youngest kids were really tired and the extra shade helped them (although they were wearing hats, and we brought sunscreen with us).  We decided that we would make one more stop and visit Dinosaurs Alive.  Admission cost an extra $5 per person in addition to regular park admission.

A Peek at Dinosaurs Alive Exhibit at Canada's Wonderland (VIDEO)!

I didn't know what to expect, but Dinosaurs Alive really held the attention of all 5 of my kids.  My 5-year old was frightened of the roars of the animatronic dinosaurs, but my 2- and 4-year olds were fine with the sounds.  It really was a great exhibit, and the dinosaurs were built to scale.  As you walk through Dinosaurs Alive, there are signs that describe the type of dinosaur that you are seeing.

More Footage of the Dinosaurs Alive Animatronics Exhibit at Canada's Wonderland (VIDEO)!

The best surprise at the end of the exhibit, was a dinosaur dig situated beneath 2 oversized sun umbrellas.  Staff are on hand to help youngsters to unearth the fossil of a T-Rex, and provide encouragement and narrative as the kids dig with special tools.  I was glad that we saved Dinosaurs Alive for last, as the kids enjoyed relaxing in the shade and digging for fossils in the sand.  We had to drag them away eventually, as they did not want to leave.  I would definitely recommend this exhibit to families visiting Canada's Wonderland.  I believe that kids 2 years and under might be free at Dinosaurs Alive.

After about 8 hours at Canada's Wonderland, this family was exhausted and ready to head home!  As we drove home, I reflected on the quality family time that we had had together.  My kids had really loved their day out, and asked us to take them back next month.

There's definitely value in purchasing a Canada's Wonderland season's pass, if you are planning on visiting twice or more this season.  If purchased before May 20th 2013, the season's pass is available for as low as 6 easy payments of $11 ($66).  The park was too big for my family to see the whole park on just one visit, so a season's pass is a great idea for those wishing to return at a later time!

Of interest, the Canada's Wonderland season's pass offers exclusive early ride times, early entrance to the Splash Works water park, food and merchandise discounts, and exclusive tickets discounts.  In contrast, Canada's Wonderland single tickets cost $46.99 (adults) and $34.99 (juniors/seniors).

Canada's Wonderland added Dinosaurs Alive in 2012, and will be focusing on dazzling visitors with their entertainment programming for the 2013 season.  There is supposed to be a great Charlie Brown live so, which we'll have to see when we return to Canada's Wonderland in June!  Just so much to do at Canada's Wonderland!

If you are considering purchasing a season's pass this year, consider the Canada's Wonderland season's pass for 2013!  The park is open every weekend in May, and every day starting June! 

Canada's Wonderland Opening Day May 5th, 2013!

Have you ever taken your family to Canada's Wonderland?  What are your favourite kinds of rides?

Doc McStuffins: Time For Your Checkup & CONTEST! (CAN/USA)

Doc McStuffins: Time For Your Checkup Is Available NOW on Disney DVD!

As a parent, I turn on television for my children that promotes nurturing, tenderness and compassion.  Television shows that have a moral, are a big hit in my household, as well as shows that teach teamwork, cooperation and gentleness.  Doc McStuffins from Disney Junior is such a show, and it has all the favourable qualities that I have mentioned.        

Doc McStuffins is a series that chronicles 6-year old Dottie McStuffins imaginary life as a doctor to her adorable menagerie of stuffed animals.  She cares for her toys as a doctor would, keeping them healthy and happy.  Dottie's mom is a real life doctor, and she emulates her as she makes believe.  She is also a wonderful mom, who loves and nurtures Dottie.   

Doc McStuffins: Time For Your Checkup is a new Disney DVD, available in-store now.  The DVD features 2 full hours of Doc McStuffins episodes, and 5 shows in total.  It is the second DVD instalment of the popular Disney Junior series.  It also includes the bonus of a free growth chart, to track your little one's development!

CONTEST (CAN/USA)  

Would you like to WIN the Doc McStuffins: Time For Your Checkup on DVD?  Contest runs until Tuesday June 4th, 2013 and is open to both CANADA & the USA.

How to Enter

Leave a COMMENT below stating what you or (your little one) wanted to be when you were growing up, and then complete the entry form below.  GOOD LUCK!

  

WIN Doc McStuffins: Time For Your Checkup on DVD!

Happy Mother's Day Mom! I Hope You LOVE Your Gifts!

Can You Guess What I Got Mom for Mother's Day?

My mom is very special to me, but it was only when I became a mother myself that I could truly appreciate all her sacrifices and hard work.  My mom married at 17-years old, and had my brother when she was just 18-years old.  As a result, she never finished her high school education.  I was born 4 years later when she was only 22-years old.  My mom was a homemaker up until the time I started school at age 6-years old, and then she entered the workforce as a dental receptionist. 

Mom really enjoyed working in the dental office, but yearned to attain more.  With great thought, she went back to school to train as a dental assistant.  She was successful, but again yearned to attain more.  Once again with great thought, she went back to school to train as a dental hygienist.  Again she was very successful!  Decades later, and my mom still loves her job.  She is now close to her retirement years, but plans to keep on working.  It fulfils her.  My mother and father recently celebrated 45 years of marriage.  I'm very proud of my mom and all that she has accomplished with great determination.  Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Mom, I Got You an HP Envy x2 Laptop & HP Envy 120 e-All-in-One Printer!

It is because I am so proud of my mom, that I wanted to give her a really special present this year for Mother's Day.  I thought I would go big this year, and give a great gift to a mom who asks for nothing.  My mom's computer was on its last legs, and it was really ancient.  It would not be a big stretch to say that it was one of the original computers, with only kilobytes of total memory and a floppy disk drive--not even diskette!

Mom Unwrapping the HP Envy x2 Laptop!

She Can't Believe It!

The HP Envy x2 Undocks & Becomes a Stand-Alone Tablet!

Wait Mom, There's More! A HP Envy 120 e-All-in-One Wireless Printer!

This year we had an intimate brunch at my mom's house for Mother's Day, and I gave my mom an HP Envy x2 laptop tablet as her present!  To say that she was surprised, is a gross understatement!  It weighs in at only 3.1 lbs, about the weight of a kitten, and acts either as a laptop, or undocks to become a stand-alone tablet.  It offers touchscreen and keyboard functionality, a Windows 8 interface, up to 64GB eMMC SSD hard drive, 1.80 GHz dual core Intel Atom processor, and Beats Audio dual speakers...just to name a few features.  It's really cool, and just as its name, gives me serious "Envy".

Look Mom, Print Wirelessly From Your Smartphone & Tablet!

Imagine her surprise when I presented her with another gift to unwrap: the HP Envy 120 e-All-in-One wireless printer!  It can print, copy and scan, but it's "secret power" is that it's wireless, and can print from my mom's smartphone or brand new tablet!  I was kind of floored when I noticed that the printer was touchscreen enabled too.  The wireless printer came with both HP brand black and colour cartridges, which made it easy for mom to get started.    

Some HP Accessories to Get Mom Going

To get mom ready to print on her new all-in-one printer, I stocked mom up with HP accessories such as: HP Bright White Inkjet paper, HP Advanced Photo Paper (to print out important photographs), and an additional two HP 60 XL brand black and coloured cartridges.  These cartridges print up to 2.5 times more pages than a standard cartridge, and are reviewed very well online, wherever I checked.

My mom was a "little" overwhelmed this Mother's Day weekend, so I'm going to let her get settled in and acquainted with her new HP goodies!  I'll update again soon letting you know how she's enjoying her great new items, and what she's been using it for.

My Mom Had a GREAT Mother's Day!

How are you celebrating Mother's Day this year?  Could you or your mom benefit from a brand new computer?

Top 10 Gifts for Mother's Day for 2013!

Check Out My List of Top 10 Mother's Day Gifts for 2013!

If your mom is like mine, she's pretty great and deserves to be remembered and honoured on Mother's Day! Looking back, my mom was always gracious with every gift I ever gave her: from the stringy bean plant I grew her when I was in kindergarten, to the book of coupons good for a free hug and an overcooked breakfast-in-bed. I remember buying her a box of chocolates one year, and she never complained as the box "mysteriously" got lighter. Many years have passed since those days, but what remains unchanged is that my mom would be happy to receive no gift whatsoever--as long as I remembered to write her a heart-felt note.

Check out this list of Top 10 Gifts for Mother's Day! Whether you say it with flowers, chocolates, a laptop, or a letter of appreciation, you can't go wrong--just set some special time aside for you and your mom to make her day complete!

1. Laptop Computer & Printer! For this year's Mother's Day I'm giving my awesome mom theHP Envy x2 touchscreen laptop, which converts into a stand-alone tablet! My mother's previous computer was a dinosaur with a memory in the kilobytes, and a total console weight like a baby elephant. Contrast that to the Envy, which weighs 3.1 lbs like a kitten! I'm also giving her the HP Envy 120 e all-in-one wireless printer which will allow her to print from her smartphone or new tablet.  Pretty cool!

2. Netflix! My mom's all about movies, so I decided to get her a Netflix subscription too. If you think that I'm such a generous daughter, I have to admit that the first month is free. After that Netflix costs $7.99 per month, and will allow her to watch unlimited shows and movies. She'll be able to watch from her smartphone, tablet or laptop, and of course her tv.  All that's missing is the popcorn!

3. A Day at the Spa! Here's a fantastic gift idea for moms that love to relax and be pampered: Ste. Anne's Spa in Grafton, Ontario. It's a scenic drive from Toronto, and a typical itinerary will include a Swedish massage, 3-course lunch, access to their pool, Jacuzzi, and sauna, as well as an afternoon tea! Not for the faint of wallet.

4. Jazzy Jewelry! Jewelry is an excellent present for Mother's Day, if you know mom's taste. Take a look at what type of jewelry she wears everyday, and you have a window into her soul. Try Pretty Thingz of Unionville, Ontario, who carry beautiful and inexpensive costume jewelry. For a personalized touch, Etsy sells birthstone pendant necklaces, with stones symbolizing each of mom's children.

5. Fresh Flowers! Giving flowers to mom for Mother's Day is a bit of a cliché, but they do brighten up the house, smell beautifully, and show that you remembered her special day. Select your mom's favourite flowers, and display them in a glass vase (you can buy an inexpensive vase at the Dollar Store). If you're not sure what kind of flowers to buy, roses are a safe choice, (just don't buy white ones, which are for funerals)! If you live far away from mom, you can have flowers delivered to her. Just Google "Flower Delivery" and 4.8 million choices pop up!

6. Mother's Day Brunch! It's not Mother's Day without a Mother's Day brunch! Many upscale hotels host such a brunch, often with multiple seatings from which to choose. Try Essence of Unionville restaurant, located inside Hilton Suites in Markham, Ontario. It offers a high-quality buffet including lobster, shrimp, sushi, carving, omelette and waffle stations, sausages, eggs benedict, high-end desserts and more. Just like buying a wedding ring, budget 3 months of pay to dine here (kidding)!

7. For Bookoholics! If you're mom is a bookaholic, an e-reader would make a great Mother's Day gift for her, even if she's a low-tech mom (there are many choices)! However, if she already owns a tablet, she can download a free e-reader app from either the Apple or Android store. Load your mom up with an e-gift card from Amazon or Indigo, and she can enjoy the latest books beamed directly into her device. The virtual gift card is perfect if you're looking for a last minute gift, and can be e-mailed directly to mom!

8. For Chocoholics! Nutrition is so important, but shouldn't chocolate be in a food group of its own? If your mom loves chocolate like mine does, why not get her a special box of chocolates all for herself? The Ultimate Truffle in Thornhill, Ontario carries many different flavours of truffles, including rich and chocolaty ones. My mom loves the "champagne" flavoured ones the best!

9. Mom Makeover! Moms are great, but they have a tendency to put themselves last. So why not get her a mom makeover? Inquire at a local salon about a cut, style, and make up session to complete the look. Gauge mom's interest to see if she'd also like a colour or perm! Don't forget to tell mom how ravishing she looks!

10. Family Portrait! For the mom who has everything, arrange a family portrait to commemorate Mother's Day. Have the picture blown up and mounted in an elegant frame. We moms love marking the growth and progress of our beautiful families, and this gift is like gold to us. Wal-Mart has decent portrait packages à la cheap.

How are you celebrating Mother's Day this year?  What characteristics do you think make a great mom?

Give Your Mom Netflix for Mother's Day & NEW Contest! (CAN)

Check Out Netflix's Great Movies for Mother's Day!

My family recently became Netflix Canada subscribers, and I wrote about how much were are enjoying Netflix in a recent blog post.  My mom is also a huge movie buff, and when she learned that we had Netflix had many questions about it.  She's a newcomer to the digital world and had thought that specialized knowledge is required in order to use Netflix, which is not the case at all.  When I showed her the huge selection of movies, and how easy it is to use, I could see that she loved it.  Right then and there, I decided to get her Netflix for Mother's Day...(along with another surprise I will talk about closer to the date)!

Signing up with Netflix is free for the first month, and free to cancel.  You just cancel online if it's not right for you...much easier to cancel than a health club membership!  It literally takes minutes to sign up online, and all you have to provide is either a credit card or PayPal information (which will only be charged if you continue on with a second month of service).  At $7.99 per month for the service, you really can't go wrong!  Netflix has great television shows and movies for the whole family--from toddlers to adults.  You can watch Netflix from your smartphone, tablet, laptop or computer or television set.

For Mother's Day and moms, here's a list of some movies that are on Netflix right now!

Chocolat

Georgia Rule

Soccer Mom

De vrais Mensonges 

Little Women

Mr. Mom 2

Stepmom

Monster-in-Law

Peace, Love & Misunderstanding

Mother's Day

Baby Mama

Erin Brockovich

Motherhood

Riding in Cars With Boys

CONTEST (CANADA)

Would you like to WIN Netflix for your awesome mom, or wife, or are you an awesome mom who would like to WIN ONE WHOLE YEAR of Netflix?  I will also include a Roku 2 internet streaming box and remote control that will allow her to watch Netflix on tv just like usual.  Contest open to CANADA and ends  Thursday June 6th, 2013!  FYI, this is a DIFFERENT contest than my other one that is open to Canada AND USA.

HOW TO ENTER:

Leave a COMMENT below telling why your mom or wife is great (or why people think you're a great mom)!  Then use the entry form below to enter.  GOOD LUCK!

WIN Netflix 1 YEAR Membership & Roku Player for Mother's Day! CANADA

Disney Junior Canada to Premiere "Tangled" This Month!

Watch the Tangled Movie Premiere on Disney Junior Canada!
Saturday May 18th, 2013 at 6:00pm ET

May is a great month with lots of fun in store, especially now that the weather has gotten warmer!  There's a great surprise that we've planned for my mom on Mother's Day, which I'll tell you about a little later.  Similarly, my dad has a special Mother's Day planned for my mom, sister-in-law and I!  I'm really excited about it!  My family is really looking forward to the Victoria Day long weekend, and we may drive to the beach for sun, fun, a picnic, and of course wading up to our ankles (it's Lake Ontario, so no swimming yet)!

TANGLED (Premiere) Sat May 18 @ 6:00 pm ET - As a Disney Junior Mom, I'm really excited about the Disney Junior Canada programming for May!  I'm especially excited about the Disney Tangled Movie Premiere on Saturday May 18th, 2013 at 6:00pm ET!  It's a wonderful film about innocence, trust, independence, friendship and love.  

Rapunzel Yearns to See the Flying Lanterns

Tangled is a story about Rapunzel, a beautiful girl with long, magical hair.  She has been locked away in a high tower by Mother Gothel (not her real mother), under the guise of protecting Rapunzel.  When Flynn Rider enters the fortress one day, Rapunzel's world is about to change forever--and she will learn many new truths.  One of these truths is about whom to trust, and the reality that Mother Gothel is not whom she states she is.  Watch Tangled on Disney Junior  Canada with your little ones for a GREAT family movie night!

See Our Tangled Rapunzel Hair Recipe, Below!

In honour of the Tangled Movie Premiere, my family created this "Tangled Rapunzel Hair Pasta Salad", a healthy, tasty meal to serve the kids during this awesome Disney film presentation!  I love that it's easy to make and loaded with delicious veggies!

Tangled Rapunzel Hair Pasta Salad Recipe!

4 cups rotini pasta (cooked to firm and drained)

4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

4 peppers sliced (red, orange, yellow & orange)

2 cups whole grape tomatoes (or cherry tomatoes)

1 white onion (chopped)

1 cup feta cheese (crumbled)

1.Cook rotini pasta until firm.  Drain and place inside a large serving bowl.

2.Coat rotini fully in extra virgin olive oil.

3.Drop in sliced peppers, whole grape or cherry tomatoes, chopped white onion and crumbled feta cheese.

4.Stir well and serve this pasta salad that's suited even for a princess!

*Note: I don't add salt to this recipe, as the feta is sufficiently salty.  However, do add salt and pepper to taste, according to your preferences.

New Episodes of Sofia the First May 5 & 19th 2013!

SOFIA the FIRST New Episodes May 5 & 9 @ 11:30am ET -  Do you have a little princess or prince who loves Sofia the First?  A brand new episode aired on Disney Junior Canada this Sunday May 5th--and another new one will air on Thursday May 19th, 2013 at 11:30am ET!   

Sun May 5 2013 - The Sofia the First "The Princess Test" episode premiered on Sunday May 5th.  In this great episode, Sofia learned what it meant to be a true princess, when she was diverted with a real life "test" on her way to her school!

Sofia Takes a Real Life "Test" About Being a True Princess

Sun May 19 2013 - Sofia the First "Baileywick's Day Off" episode will premiere on Sunday May 19th, 2013 at 11:30am ET!  Poor Baileywick's day-off is cramped by demands made from Sofia, James and Amber--until the royal siblings learn an important lesson in gratitude.

Manners are very important in my own family.  We teach words of gratitude to our children and ensure that they use them.  Sometimes gratitude is hard lesson to grasp for young children, but easier to understand when shown in context.  For example, my kids understand that the word "please" comes before a request, such as asking for a dessert.  And the phrase "thank you" is used when a request is satisfied--or when an item is given to the child.  For example: thank you for the cupcake, birthday gift, or compliment. 

Mother's Day on Disney Junior Canada - Sunday May 12th, 2013!

Disney Junior Canada celebrates Mother's Day with special shows on Sunday May 12th, 2013 starting at 9:00am ET!  Read below to see what Mother's Day themed fun is planned for the day!  

Special Agent Oso 9:00am ET - Eun-Kyung wants to make a handprint for his mom as a Mother's Day gift, but she needs help learning how!

Check out Handy Manny on 9:30am EST on Mother's Day!

Handy Manny 9:30am ET - Manny receives a phoncall from Mr. Lopart's mom to build a mantle for her fireplace.  Disappointed that his mom didn't call him, Mr. Lopart follows along with Manny.

Jake and the Never Land Pirates 10:00am ET - Don't miss back-to-back episodes of Jake and the Never Land pirates starting at 10:00am EST!  Did you know that Mama Hook is voiced by Sharon Osbourne?

New Episode of Jake & the Neverland Pirates on Disney Junior Canada!
Mother's Day 10:30am EST!

Tune in for the "Mama Hook Knows Best" episode, in which Captain Hook's mom comes to visit.  But Mama Hook is upset when she learns that Hook didn't find the treasure by himself!  By the end of the episode, Mama Hook hosts a pirate tea party with Captain Hook, his sailors, and Jake and his crew!

Jake and the Never Land Pirates (Premiere) 10:30am ET - Tune in for the brand new "The Mystery Pirate" episode at 10:30am EST!  When a mysterious masked pirate takes Jake's sword and Captain Hook's own hook, both crews are sent on a wild goose hunt!  Imagine the surprise when they discover that the masked pirate is Mama Hook!  But her motive is well-intended: she just wants her son James to learn the art of teamwork in order to become a better pirate!  

Doc McStuffins Special Episode on Mother's Day at 11:00am EST!

Doc McStuffins 11:00am ET - Lambie gets accidentally caught on Sir Kirby's sword and rips!  Doc brings Lambie to "Doctor Mom", who agrees to take on the patient for "surgery".  Doc is an excellent assistant, as Mom sews up Lambie as good as new.

Check Out This "Happy Mother's Day" Video From Disney Junior Canada!

Are you planning to tune into Disney's Tangled on Mother's Day?  Do you have any special plans on Mother's Day?  

Disclosure:  I’m part of the Disney Junior Mom program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.