Over The Top Mommy

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More Fun With The Box Trolls! Check Out These Printable Activity Sheets and a DIY for an Industrial Metal Lamp!

the-boxtrolls-poster

As September 26th gets closer and we’re starting to see TV spots for The Box Troll movie, we’re getting more and more excited in our house for its release into theaters! After Emi saw this video from You Tube showing how some of the movie was made using stop motion, she was extra excited because she loves making stop motion videos of her own on her iPad!

We been visiting the official Box Trolls site quite often lately and playing the “Make your own Box Troll” game. It’s really fun! You need to go try out!  I’ve got some free activity sheets that go along with the movie for you. There’s a fun maze, an unscramble activity, a word search and some other printables. Just click on the image below to take you to the link where you can download and print out some of your own!

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Another fun thing you might want to check out this awesome DIY tutorial that shows how to make an industrial lamp! Watch!

Have you picked out a favorite Box Troll yet? Mine is still “Shoe” and Emi’s is “Oil Can”! Which is yours?

Un sinópsis de la película:
Un evento cinematográfico para toda la familia de los creadores de “Coraline” y “ParaNorman”, que le presenta a las audiencias a un nuevo tipo de familia: los Boxtrolls, una comunidad de criaturas estrafalarias y traviesas que han criado con amor a un niño humano huérfano llamado Eggs (con la voz de Isaac Hempstead-Wright) en la asombrosa casa cavernosa que han construido debajo de las calles de Cheesebridge. Cuando el villano del pueblo, Archibald Snatcher (el ganador del Premio de la Academia Ben Kingsley), propone un plan para eliminar a los Boxtrolls, Eggs decide aventurarse a la superficie, “para encontrar la luz”, y allí conoce y se hace amigo de la fabulosamente enérgica Winnie (Elle Fanning). Juntos, conciben un osado plan para salvar a la familia de Eggs.

Disney’s “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” Movie and Printables!

One of my favorite books to read to my first grade class every year is “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, VERY Bad Day”, written by Judith Viorst!

book cover

The book basically describes how wrong one single day in the life of a boy named “Alexander” could end up. It’s such a great story for both adults and children and my own students always LOVE to participate in a shared reading with me, once they know the words to it. I’ve read this book in English AND in Spanish and they love listening to it in both languages! It’s just the kind of story we can all relate to.

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When I found out that this book was being made into a movie, the teacher in me got so excited! The mom in me did too! I think EVERYONE has had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day at least once!  Emi and I have watched the trailer for the movie like 100 times! We cannot wait until it comes out in theaters this October 10th!

Here you go! Watch this trailer!

Here’s a synopsis of the movie:

Disney’s “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” follows the exploits of 11-year-old Alexander (Ed Oxenbould) as he experiences the most terrible and horrible day of his young life—a day that begins with gum stuck in his hair, followed by one calamity after another. But when Alexander tells his upbeat family about the misadventures of his disastrous day, he finds little sympathy and begins to wonder if bad things only happen to him. He soon learns that he’s not alone when his mom (Jennifer Garner), dad (Steve Carell), brother (Dylan Minnette) and sister (Kerris Dorsey) all find themselves living through their own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Anyone who says there is no such thing as a bad day just hasn’t had one.

Not only do I love Jennifer Garner and Steve Carell, but after watching the trailer, I can tell the entire cast is going to be great!

I’m really excited to share some fun activity sheets with you, as well as a recipe from the movie that you can download for free. Just click on each one! Emi loves to do these kinds of activities before a movie comes out to get extra excited! It makes her feel like she gets to know the movie more before its release.

Look at this adorable door hangar! I need one for my classroom door!

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You can tell by this activity, that something pretty crazy (and kangaroo-related) happens in the movie!

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Something horrible happens to every member of this family on that day! What could possible happen to the baby?

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Use your imagination to decorate your very own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day birthday cake!

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Here’s an actual recipe from the movie:

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Make sure you go and follow the movie on Facebook for more fun activities and sneak peeks of other previews!

Are you as excited about this movie as we are? Tell me about a time that YOU had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day?

Meet Fish, Shoe, Oilcan and Sparky from THE BOXTROLLS!

As September gets closer, I am getting more excited about the upcoming movie “THE BOXTROLLS”! It’s being made by the creators of “Coraline” and “ParaNorman” and Emi and I loved both of those movies.  Have you taken a peek at the trailer for the movie yet?

THE BOXTROLLS ​tells the story of a community of quirky, mischievous creatures who have lovingly raised an orphaned human boy , Eggs. THE BOXTROLLS featur​es​ the voices of Elle Fanning, Ben Kingsley, Isaac Hempstead-Wright and Tracy Morgan.

Check out THE BOXTROLLS’ new character posters! Aren’t they adorable?

The Box Trolls

You can download your own set of their character posters here.

I think I’m partial to “Shoe”! Which one of these do YOU think is cutest?

THE BOXTROLLS releases  in theaters September 26. 

Visit: http://www.theboxtrolls.com/
Like: https://www.facebook.com/theboxtrolls
Follow: https://www.facebook.com/theboxtrolls
Follow: http://instagram.com/theboxtrolls#

The Box Trolls: A New Film from the Makers of Coraline

I don’t know who gets more excited for the release of new family films, me or my daughter? I LOVE to watch kid-friendly movies with Emily, especially because the filmmakers always seem to include so many clever details to capture adults’ interest too. Now the the makers of Coraline and ParaNorman are coming out with another film, The Box Trolls!

How adorable are they? I already know my favorite one is the one with the shoe!
How adorable are they? I already know my favorite one is the one with the shoe!

Here’s a synopsis of the film:

A family event movie from the creators of “Coraline” and “ParaNorman” that introduces audiences to a new breed of family – The Boxtrolls, a community of quirky, mischievous creatures who have lovingly raised an orphaned human boy named Eggs (voiced by Isaac Hempstead-Wright) in the amazing cavernous home they’ve built beneath the streets of Cheesebridge. When the town’s villain, Archibald Snatcher (Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley), comes up with a plot to get rid of the Boxtrolls, Eggs decides to venture above ground, “into the light,” where he meets and teams up with fabulously feisty Winnie (Elle Fanning). Together, they devise a daring plan to save Eggs’ family.

In honor of día del Padre, here’s an adorable printable you can print out to use for a special father!

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I don’t think I can wait until 9/26/14 for The Box Trolls to come into theaters!

It’s going to be such a fun film, don’t you think?

Check out their official site: http://www.theboxtrolls.com/ 

Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theboxtrolls

Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBoxtrolls

 

Farrell’s 5th Annual Charity Ice Cream Eating Challenge!

Farrell’s 5th Annual Splendiferously Superific Summer Spectacular Ice Cream Eating Challenge is almost here…and it’s going to be as ridiculous as ever! Did you know that 100% of the net proceeds from this event benefit CHOC Children’s and Make-A-Wish? How awesome is that? Do you see why I LOVE Farrell’s?
Beginning Friday June 20 through Sunday July 13, Farrell’s will be looking to qualify the fastest ice cream eaters to compete, head-to-head, at their Championship event, which will take place on Sunday July 20 in Downtown Brea. From June 20 through July 13, anyone with an appetite for fun and ice cream can walk into any of the seven California Farrell’s locations during normal business hours and to try and qualify! In order to qualify as one of the fastest, and be placed into one of the categories, guests must eat a “qualifying sundae”. Categories will include Men’sWomen’sKid’sBig and Small (one adult and one child), 4-Person Teams and Professionals. Amateur guests can qualify by eating a 3-scoop ice cream sundae as fast as they can. Professionals may qualify by eating a 6-scoop sundae called the Pig’s Trough. 

Professionals can qualify by eating one of these 6-scoop sundaes called the Pig Trough!
(Photo: courtesy of Farrell’s)

All sundaes include chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry ice cream, hot fudge, pineapple and strawberry toppings and are then covered with Farrell’s freshly made whipped cream. The cost for amateurs to attempt to qualify is $20, for all categories, and $40 for professionals. Each entrant will receive a limited edition event t-shirt, a $5 coupon for a future visit to Farrell’s and the qualifying sundae. Remember: 100% of the net proceeds from this event benefit CHOC Children’s and Make-A-Wish! 
Farrell’s will invite the top qualifiers to their Championship event in Brea on July 20! Farrell’s will actually close down Birch Street in Downtown Brea, in front of their Farrell’s location. The Championship event is an all day family festival and will take place from 11am until 5pm. There will be lots of rides (courtesy of Carnival Services), games, prizes, raffles, food, booths, music, and more! 

How fun does last year’s event look, especially when you’ve got Max rockin’ the mic!
(Photo: courtesy of Farrell’s)
This guy looks like he’s still hungry!
(Photo: Courtesy of Farrell’s)
She’s powering through it!
(Photo: courtesy of Farrell’s)

At the Championship event, the Men, Women, Kids, and Big and Small categories all compete to be the first to finish a Farrell’s famous Pig’s Trough that has 6-scoops of ice cream and all the toppings. The 4-person team and each individual professional are going to attempt to finish a Farrell’s Famous Zoo sundae, which is 30 scoops of ice cream with all the toppings. 

If you enter in the Big and Small category, you can use teamwork to win it all!
(Photo: courtesy of Farrell’s!)
Yikes!
(Photo: courtesy of Farrell’s)

Winners from each category will win a trophy and a year of free Farrell’s ice cream. 1st place in the Professional category also wins $300, 2nd place wins $200 and 3rd place walks away with $100. 

One of last year’s winners!
(Photo: Courtesy of Farrell’s!)

Farrell’s also has an option for those that just don’t have the stomach to pound ice cream as fast as they can, but still want to participate in all the qualifying fun. During the qualifying period, June 20 to July 13, guests can get the event shirt, the ice cream “qualifying sundae’ to eat, along with a $5 coupon, all for the same $20, but they just won’t be timed. All YOU need to do is let your Farrell’s server know. Qualifying Farrell’s locations include Brea, Buena Park, Mission Viejo, Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside, Sacramento, and Santa Clarita. Complete details and rules can be found at Farrell’s website, FarrellsUSA.com/Challenge.

So who wants to win a year of free ice cream? 
I think Emi and I are going to attempt to qualify for a category!
Don’t worry..I’ll post pictures, when we do attempt it! 

Bring the Family for Some Fun at Marzo’s Next Variety Show for Kids!

If you have children ages 6-12 and are looking for something fun to do as a family, you should check out Marzo’s Variety Show for Children at The Zephyr Theater on Melrose in West Hollywood! Featured in L.A. Parent magazine’s round up of fun, upcoming events for children, Marzo’s shows feature a talented, rotating lineup of professional comedians, musicians, ventriloquists, magicians, balloon artists, and more, plus games, prizes, and promises plenty of interactive fun! 
After doing a “trial run” of their show in late March and having such success with it, they’re doing monthly shows throughout the summer, and hopefully beyond. Their next show is Sunday, June 1st at 3:00 p.m. at The Zephyr Theater. 

Marzo performing onstage!

At this Sunday’s show, Marzo, himself, will be performing for the audience. In addition, guests will be entertained by ventriloquist Christine Barger, Bill Chott, magician and a comedian known for the TV show “Wizards of Waverly Place”, and The Twigs, a musical entertainment duo for kids. 

Some of Sunday’s performers will include ventriloquist Christine Barge, magician and comedian Bill Chott,
and the musical duo “The Twigs”.

Families will also be amazed by the wildly talented, FunnyEddie, who will be creating balloon animals at the show! 

Doors will open at 2:45 p.m. and the show will run until approximately 4:15 p.m.  Tickets may be purchased on the show’s website at http://www.marzos.com., as well as purchased at the door. Metered street parking is available on Melrose with 2-hr limit, free 2-hr street parking on Vista, Gardner, and neighborhood streets, and valet available for $6 at Antonio’s Restaurant right next door. The Zephyr Theater is located at 7456 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, CA 90045. 

For more information about the show, 
please visit http://www.marzos.com
What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon with the family! Come on out to Marzo’s! 
Follow Marzo’s on Instagram at @marzosvarietyshow
and find them on Facebook here.   

Disclaimer: No compensation was received for this post. 
Show information and images were provided to me by Marzo’s. 

Who’s Joining the Nerd HQ Army with Me…and Zachary Levi?!!

If you haven’t heard of Nerd HQ, it’s not too late to jump onboard and pretend like you already knew about it! I promise that’s ok! It’s exactly what I did! It involves Zachary Levi…you know, “Chuck”? Or for all of you Disney friends, need I say any more than the words “Flynn Rider“? #swoon

Hold on….here come’s the smolder!

Seriously though….Nerd HQ is a this amazing & FREE event that takes place in San Diego, over the duration of the Comic Con weekend, but is in no way affiliated with Comic Con. It was designed to afford fans the opportunity to interact in a relaxed and fun setting with some of their favorite celebrities, some of which also appear at Comic Con. The 4 day event includes celebrity panels, photo opps and signings, video gaming, technology and some pretty crazy dance parties! (from what I hear) Although the event, itself, is free, Zachary and his company, The Nerd Machine, are actually raising money at the event for Operation Smile, since he’s an ambassador for the organization. (OMG he’s cute, nice, talented AND enjoys helping others?) 
Check out the following clip which features Zachary Levi, himself, as he explains Nerd HQ in guy lingo…short, sweet & to the point! 

Just watch this, Ok? 
Seriously, how down to earth is he? He says it like it is and you can just tell his heart is in this! Why WOULDN’T you want to help him out? 
A few weeks ago, some of my social media girlfriends had the opportunity to meet Zachary, have lunch with him and chat about his Indiegogo campaign and they said he’s exactly how he appears on the video, just a super nice guy who truly wants to produce a great event for the fans. He’s beyond sincere, which is why I joined Nerd HQ and contributed too! Even donating $5 will help! 
I think you need to go do what I did and “Get Your Nerd On!” What are you waiting for? 

Sofia the First: Songs from Enchancia CD & Giveaway!

I will fully admit that I actually enjoy watching many of my daughter’s Disney Channel and Disney Junior shows and movies with her. Although”Sofia the First” is aimed at the younger, preschool audience, it is one of those feel-good shows that seems to enamor her whenever it comes on. The storyline is about a young girl, “Sofia”, who transforms from a “regular girl” into a princess, and becomes part of a blended family, overnight, after her mother marries a king. The episodes are lighthearted and often include a positive, empowering message in them, that they are convey to the  young audience.
 I recently had the opportunity to preview the new CD, “Sofia the First: Songs from Enchancia” on Walt Disney Records. The day that the CD arrived was what we like to call “A Happy Mail Day” at our house! You can see my daughter doing one of her “signature incognito poses” with the envelope!
After listening to the CD just once, Emily and I had already fallen in love with so many of the songs! Now we can’t stop singing them on a daily basis! This CD is what’s currently playing in my car!
 Sofia the First, Songs from Enchancia includes 15 tracks, a bonus track & 4 karaoke instrumentals!
 Here’s a list of the songs on the CD:
1. Sisters and Brothers-Sofia
2. Merraway Cove-Sven, Oona and Sofia
3. The Love We Share-Ariel and Sofia
4. Bigger is Better-Amber
5. (You Can Always) Count on Bailywick-Cast
6. Make It Right-Belle and Sofia
7. Good Little Witch (Ballad)-Sofia
8. Good Little Witch-Lucinda and Sofia
 9. The Ride of Your Lives-Jasmine, Sofia and Amber
10.A Recipe for Adventure-Aunt Tilly and Sofia
11.Bring My Best Friend Back-Clover and Sofia
12.The Simple Life-Cast
13.Make Way for Miss Nettle-Miss Nettle
14.Enchancia-Ruby, Jade and Sofia
BONUS TRACK 
15.Be Who You Wanna Be-Jake and Sofia
BONUS KARAOKE INSTRUMENTALS
16.Merraway Cove
17.Bigger is Better
 18.Good Little Witch
19.A Recipe for Adventure”Sofia the First: Songs from Enchancia” is available now for purchase on Amazon or for immediate download on iTunes !

 Here comes the magical part….Disney Music is offering three (3) lucky readers of Over the Top Mommy, the chance to win a  copy of “Sofia the First: Songs from Enchancia” of their very own! This giveaway is open to US Residents only, ages 18+ years of age and ends 2/26. Enter the Rafflecopter below for your chance(s) to win! Good luck everyone! a Rafflecopter giveawayI am a participating Influencer at The Entertainment New Media Network. I have received free product for review and to give to my readers. I was not compensated for this review and all expressed opinions are strictly my own.

See The Fresh Beat Band Live! in Concert at the Nokia Theater Live L.A.! (Giveaway)

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All thoughts are my own.
The Fresh Beat Band is making its way back to LA and Emi and I couldn’t be more excited about seeing them perform live for our second time! We had tons of fun singing and dancing along with Kiki, Marina, Twist and Shout at their concert in 2012!
Our love for The Fresh Beat Band runs deep and originated in our own living room, a few years back, while watching their live-action music series show on Nickelodeon, which is aimed at teaching preschoolers about music appreciation, but clearly it’s also designed to keep moms like me “cool”! Their songs are really catchy and it’s just hard for me NOT to sing (and dance) along with Emi! I know this probably won’t surprise anyone, but I think I probably know all the words to all of their songs! I also do a mean “Freeze Dance“!

a Rafflecopter giveawayThe Fresh Beat Band will be performing a ton of hits from seasons 1, 2 and 3 of their TV show, like “Here We Go“, “A Friend Like You“, “Bananas” and “Just Like a Rockstar“.  The concert has such a fun, interactive environment, as Kiki (Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer), Marina (Tara Perry), Twist (Jon Beavers) and Shout (Thomas Hobson) encourage the audience’s dancing and singing right along with them from their seats! These multi-talented performers will amaze you, as will their energetic group of backup dancers, who don’t seem to run out of steam either.

The Fresh Beat Band will be performing in Los Angeles at the Nokia Theater L.A. Live on Saturday, February 8 and Sunday, February 9. The are scheduled to peform 2 shows each of those days, one at 1pm and one at 5pm. I highly recommend taking your family to one of these shows! It’s such a fun, family experience!
For more show & ticket information, click here.
NOW FOR THE MOST EXCITING PART….
YOU can win two tickets to see The Fresh Beat Band live
at the Nokia Theater L.A. Live on Saturday, February 8 at 1:00 p.m.!
Now, try not to “Go Bananas” and enter below! Good luck! Hope to see you there!