Super Mario 3D Land Party & Game Review

November 17, 2011 by 8 Comments

We were recently invited to a wonderful event in Times Square in New York City to celebrate the release of the new 3DS game Super Mario 3D Land. This party included a full real life recreation of a few staples from the game, including Piranha flowers, bouncy blocks, question bricks, and even a slide. The best part was the jumpy blocks played the Mario jumping sound, and one of the Piranha flowers spit at you, while you were behind a clear shield.

Before everyone had their chance to play in 3D Land there were some parkour performers dressed as Mario that flipped, jumped and flew around. It was very neat- and I love to watch this in person there is a certain level of excitement when watching someone hop around in ways that seem to stretch reality a bit.

If you were one of the lucky peeps, you also received a Tanooki tail and ears to complete your Mario experience. No, they did not let you float slower while jumping, but they did look really cool and would make a good travel pillow because they were so soft and the perfect size. There is a new product line for you Nintendo! Tanooki tail travel pillow- feel free to use that one (LOL).
There was also mushroom pizza available for the low price of a tweet with a #Hashtag. Didn’t have magic properties but sustenance.

Ok ready, set- PLAY! Here is everything you have to know if you are a Mario fan. This is a very good Mario game. Get it, you will not be disappointed, I promise you this.

Super Mario 3D Land for the Nintendo 3DS is the most recent Mario game in a long line of superb games. For every system Nintendo releases they also release at least one Mario game, this is the first one for the 3DS. In Mario Land you take on the role of Mario, our Italian hero in blue and red as he tries to save the princess from the clutches of Bowser, and his cohorts Boom Boom and Pom Pom.

The first level of 3D Land acts as an introduction to the first 3D platforming Mario game ever. I will admit, at first I was apprehensive on a 3D Mario game. Mario is best known for his side scrolling adventures jumping from turtle shell to block, shooting fireballs and swinging his tail along the way. Within that first level I fell for it. Great fun, the 3D is seamless and [Read more…]

Filed Under: family, gaming, kids, review

Polish your Halo…The Littlest Angel Flies To Your Home Today!

November 17, 2011 by 1 Comment

TODAY, Anchor Bay Entertainment releases THE LITTLEST ANGEL on DVD!

My Little Man watched this movie again this morning, and he loved it! He thought that the Littlest Angel was very funny, and that he was trying to be a good boy. The fact that a puppy was involved as well? BONUS!!! My guy loves puppies. [Read more…]

Filed Under: family, holidays, kids, movie

How to Survive a Family Holiday Road Trip

November 14, 2011 by 6 Comments

With the holiday seasons approaching, you may find yourself dreading the annual family road trip,
and with good reason! Cranky children, demanding pets, spouses or partners who refuse to drive,
dangerous roads, cantankerous cars, and waiting at the end are in-laws you might not be in the mood to
see after hours on the road with your very own Wild Bunch. Not to fear, however! Here are a few tips
to surviving what could become this year’s holiday roadside massacre:

Remember the Boy Scouts. That means be prepared! As your sainted grandmother probably said, “An
ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!” This is especially true with road trips of any kind, but
particularly those revolving around the holiday season, which are often fraught with extra-special
stressful goodies. Emulate Santa Claus: make a list of everything you need (or think you’ll need)
and check it twice (or even thrice). This means planning activities, making sure everything is packed,
knowing directions if you need to (print them out on Mapquest if you don’t have a GPS), and having
your car detailed before you drive it into the great blue yonder. How does your spare tire look? Better
get it checked.

Keep the Kids Amused. If your car isn’t equipped with DVD players, you may want to invest in the
portable kind. With headphones. Especially if you have more than one kid, they’ll be less likely to get
on each other’s nerves (and yours) if they can keep their movies or music separate. You might also
make [Read more…]

Filed Under: family, travel

THE LITTLEST ANGEL arrives on DVD November 15th! #movies #kids #family

November 13, 2011 by 10 Comments


We have never seen this Christmas Classic, but I am so glad we are able to now! I didn’t know this, but The Littlest Angel is the fifteenth best-selling children’s book of all time, a story about a young angel who has to return to Earth with his dog Halo to gain his wings. My son loved this sweet movie, and it is refreshing to see something that is in “the Christmas Spirit” and not all about gifts and material possessions aimed at kids. This time of year can be frustrating for parents trying to show their children some good values and good ideas about giving, love, and God- This is a really sweet movie. Great option for kids and families 🙂

Some Angels soar the skies, and some fall a little short. Anchor Bay Entertainment presents the DVD release of the new animated feature film, The Littlest Angel, heading to retail on Tuesday, November 15th. A colorful adaptation of the fifteenth best-selling children’s book of all time, The Littlest Angel takes us on a rousing adventure with a young, and sometimes mischievous, Angel, who must return to earth and earn his wings, a task that doesn’t prove to be easy. Experience the love, laughter and magic of one of the most popular children’s stories of all time. From the classic book by Charles Tazewell, comes this lively CGI animated version filled with both humor and heart.

The Littlest Angel tells the story of a young boy who arrives in heaven before his time. Home-sick and lonely, he will travel back to earth, with his [Read more…]
Filed Under: family, kids, movie, review

The Best Places in the US to Raise a Family

November 11, 2011 by 9 Comments

You are living the American dream, which for many means raising a family in a place where you can expect safety, beauty, entertainment, and strong educational opportunities. Here is a sampling of some of the best places to raise a family in America today:

Burlington, Vermont. Besides having a reputation for gorgeous scenery (particularly in the fall), the graduation ranks of students matriculating from schools in Burlington are some of the highest in the country. The citizens of Vermont also boast healthy dispositions, as occurrences of obesity are lower here than anywhere else in the country (so, not coincidentally, are the number of fast food restaurants).

Boston, Massachusetts. Similarly to its cousin-cities in Vermont, Boston also claims high educational opportunities for your kids as well as health benefits. The city also contains the Children’s Hospital Boston, so you know your little ones will be offered world-class medical treatment if the situation arises.

Madison, Wisconsin. Important in this time of trouble economy, Madison has low unemployment and crime rates. If your child displays an inclination for science, they should know that Madison is known for its biotechnology research as well as its progressive educational policies. Since it is lakeside, the location is beautiful and the activities are plentiful.

Seattle, Washington. Seattle is one of the most literary cities in the country, so if you want to raise
[Read more…]

Filed Under: family

Santa’s Paradise Express at the Strasburg Rail Road- and tickets for you!

November 9, 2011 by 2 Comments
‘Twas the night of Thanksgiving, when all through the Engine House
Not an object was stirring, not even a mouse;
The decorations were hung at the Station with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;


The trains were nestled all snug on the track


While the air was still, with no sounds of “clickety-clack”


And the Engineer in his ‘kerchief, and I in my Red Cap,


Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap,


When out on the platform there arose such a clatter,


I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.


Away to the window I flew like a flash,


Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.


The moon on the breast of the East Strasburg Station


Displayed the objects below with great illumination,


When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,


But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,


With a little old driver, so lively and quick,


I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.


With his reindeer and helpers I watched him progress,


And knew he arrived [Read more…]
Filed Under: family

Entertainment Book- Great for Savings, Great for Holiday Travel

November 7, 2011 by 2 Comments
Whether you plan on having a traditional Thanksgiving with family or celebrating Christmas and New Year’s at a far-from-home destination, it’s never too early to buckle down on year-end holiday traveling plans to find the best deals.
Entertainment Promotions can help your readers find even more discounts and deals to make their holiday travels affordable and accessible.
Entertainment Promotions offers many ways to save hundreds of dollars on airfare, hotels and resorts, car rentals, and cruises – through the 2012 Entertainment

Filed Under: family, review, travel

Have You Seen Godspell On Broadway Yet? @MamaDramaNY #BWAYGODSPELL

November 7, 2011 by 12 Comments

I love Godspell, I always have. I think most of you know I love the theater in general, but Godspell is one of my all time favorites. Confession- I have been in 4 productions of this show myself 😛 Local only of course, but I love, love, love this show- it is fun, eclectic, energetic, and it modernizes with the current times. I am NOT a child of the 70’s, but I loved the movie, and I own the original cast CD, and my son knew most of the songs long before this play hit the stage for a revival. (The new cast recording will soon be available!)

As soon as the cast hit the stage, even before the first song, I knew we were going to be in for a great night- because these “philosophers” came in with their briefcases and blackberries attached to their heads, texting and checking onto Facebook 🙂 Nothing quite like a modern day Socrates checking their status and quoting great works, LOL. And when the first notes of “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord” were sung- the audience was ready to dance along as well. I don’t think you can have a pulse and NOT want to dance when Godspell is in front of you!

The cast is vibrant, young, and exuberant, with members from hit shows like “Glee” and is directed by Daniel Goldstein and choreographed by Tony Award nominee Christopher Gattelli. While this show has not been on the “main” stage for more then 40 years, you won’t know it- all the references are current and the show could not be funnier. The lines are all Biblical and the parables come straight from the Bible, the speech can seem old fashioned- but it is so well preformed that it won’t be strange or boring- it only adds to the show in every way. Hey- any show that can be all about the Bible while also references Donald Trump and iPhones has to be worth seeing!

The cast was amazing- my personal favorites were Julia Mattison (who sang “Turn Back, O Man” and was delightful and funny throughout the show, adding lots of what my daughter calls “glitter”), Uzo Aduba who was the first philosopher and broke my heart with her “By My Side”. She was a super [Read more…]

Filed Under: family, theater