The End Of An Era: Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker

The time has come to end this long legacy with the final chapter and the last movie in the Star Wars trilogy. The last installment, while entertaining, did not answer or explain much of what the first movie started. What could we expect in this third act? I was actually pretty excited to see how they would wrap this arc up, but I did so with cautious optimism. Here is the verdict: it was a satisfying conclusion and I enjoyed it.

We find that the First Order is in firm control and asserting their dominance, as it appears that some time has passed since the events of the Last Jedi. The significantly reduced Resistance is hiding out in secret base camp lead by Leia. She has dispatched her agents to run around and gather intelligence which finds them being pursued by the First Order, at high speed this time.

The Resistance gains some intel that tells them they are running out of time to overthrow the evil organization because they are about to become unstoppable. Rey, Poe, Fin, and Chewbacca set off on a quest to find something they can use to stop the First Order for good. Along the way, we find out answers to a lot of the questions we thought would be addressed in the second installment. We also get a lot of familiar Star Wars scenes and images.

Did The Rise Of Skywalker Satiate Our Needs?

What I found satisfying is that we get explanations for some of these mysteries that were set up in the first installment. There are many new places we get to visit and new characters along the way too that were enjoyable. It’s true this movie does appear to try and address some of the complaints from the last movie which I appreciated. Just like the Force Awakens it also recreates or reuses some of the same scenes we have seen in past movies in new ways.

The movie moves at a pretty quick pace and covers lots of ground. I actually plan on seeing it a second time soon so I can absorb more of the details. There is also some more back story provided about Luke and Leia after the Return of the Jedi. I wish we could have seen more of this earlier in the Trilogy, but at least we got this before it concluded. I left the theater thinking the story covered and repaired most of the elements I was concerned with. The movie also leaves the door open to move adventures too.

Is The Rise Of Skywalker OK For Kids?

This movie has a few dark scenes and is rated PG-13. The language is mostly tame. Its the imagery at times and audio that may spook younger children. There are space battles where people die in fiery wrecks as well as blaster and lightsaber combat. I am pretty confident an 8-year-old could sit through it fine. You could go a little younger if your child is really into Star Wars.

I have seen a lot of the critics are saying negative things about this movie, but give it a chance. Its Star Wars and its meant to be fun. Could it have been better, sure, but given where this movie had to pick up from I think it did an admirable job of wrapping up the story. Star Wars fans should enjoy it just fine and hopefully, they come in force.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is in theaters everywhere on December 20th. Grab your tickets!

Frozen 2 In Theaters This Week!

After watching the trailer nearly every night for the last few weeks the day had finally arrived for our four-year-old to watch the highly anticipated sequel. I think this was one of the first movies that she sat through without squirming around and asking to sit in my lap so I think she enjoyed what she saw.

FROZEN 2 – In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2, Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven journey far beyond the gates of Arendelle in search of answers. Featuring the voices of Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad, “Frozen 2” opens in U.S. theaters November 22. © 2019 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

Elsa and Anna return for another adventure that explores their family’s past triggered by forces that push everyone out of Arendelle. The story reveals more about the land around Arendelle and provides opportunities for Elsa to show off her powers. Sidekicks Olaf, Kristoff, and Sven are along for the journey supporting Elsa and Anna. All of the characters are familiar and its fun to see them all together again.

There was an attempt to add a few new characters, but the story leans heavily on the primary characters we already know and love. I thought Olaf was a little funnier this time. Kristoff has the best new song and a pretty funny musical sequence to accompany it. It almost seemed out of place, but it was great.

(From Left to Right) HONEYMAREN – A member of the Northuldra, Honeymaren is a true free spirit and wants nothing more than to bring peace to the enchanted forest. She is bold and brave, with a reverence for the magic of nature. Rachel Matthews provides the voice of Honeymaren. RYDER – Eager and fun, Honeymaren’s brother Ryder embraces life with optimism. Ryder’s love of reindeer might just rival Kristoff’s – but unlike Kristoff, Ryder has never roamed the great plains outside of the Enchanted Forest. He longs to embrace the world and venture beyond the magical mist. Jason Ritter lends his voice to Ryder. YELANA – The unspoken leader of the nomadic Northuldra. She is fiercely protective of her family and community but is known to soften when people show an understanding of nature and their environment. Martha Plimpton was called on to bring Yelana to life. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2019. © 2019 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

Frozen introduced us to many songs that were catchy and stuck in your head, but this sequel did not leave me with the same feeling. Maybe on a second viewing that could change. Songs were not bad by any means, but it is hard to follow up on the original. The movie’s story moves along at a decent pace and kept our attention well. We leave Anna and Elsa in a place that gives us hope for more exciting adventures to come too.

The movie has a few dark scenes, but nothing too scary that I could recall. Our four year old sat through the whole movie without issue. We recommend Frozen II for the whole family and think you will find it a satisfying followup to the original. Frozen II opens in U.S. theaters November 22. You can learn more here: https://movies.disney.com/frozen-2.

Will My Kids Love Ant-Man and The Wasp?

There have been quite a few big movies this summer already, so does Ant-Man and the Wasp deserve your family’s time? Yes it does. A solid follow up that continues the story of Ant-Man in a fun and exciting adventure.

Ant-Man and the Wasp picks up the clues laid out in the first film and focuses on finding the mom and wife of Hope (the new Wasp) and Dr Pym. Along the way several obstacles get in the way and must be dealt with before the rescue attempt can be made. One of the obstacles is a new quasi-villain called Ghost. She phases in and out and can pass through materials effortlessly. She is not an evil villain, but is self-serving with her own motives that are at odds with the Pym’s efforts. In this film Ant-Man gets caught up in the middle of trying to help the Pym family while still trying to lie low and not draw any law enforcement attention because of his involvement with the Avenger’s Civil War.

All of the action you saw in the first film is repeated here. Shrinking and growing combat style. along with lots of ants. This is all done with the humor that previous Marvel films and Ant-Man have established.

It is pretty safe to say if you liked the first Ant-Man you will like this sequel too. It was very entertaining and an enjoyable film. The film’s story is crafted well enough that it moves along in a way that makes sense and flows well. Really, it is a good summer diversion.

I walked away having enjoyed Evangeline Lilly’s performance as Hope. Paul Rudd delivered again as Ant-Man in a satisfying way. There were a lot of big names in this movie that were great to see, but the supporting characters, like Michael Pena, who plays Ant-Man’s roommate and business partner were excellent as well.

This film has lots of action and a few fight scenes, but it is all pretty clean. Most tense scenes get diffused with humor shortly after. This film would be okay for a 7 year old or older. Ant-Man and the Wasp is definitely worth a viewing this summer.

Want a peek into the movie? Check out this “Who is the Wasp?” featurette!

Disney’s DuckTales Destination: Adventure + DuckTales Activity Sheet Download

Does your family have a favorite TV show? You know, one you all enjoy watching together and talking about? For our family, it’s DuckTales.

I’m not sure about you but my husband and I talked about some of the fun things we’d share with our kids when they were old enough. Trips to Disneyland, beach outings, camping, etc. But surprisingly, one of the top things my husband got excited about sharing with them first were his favorite cartoon shows from his childhood.  And that included DuckTales.

I can’t lie. It was one of my childhood favorites too. Who doesn’t love a classic episode of Scrooge McDuck and his grand-nephews getting into some sort of shenanigans and watching them pull out of it with the help of their friends? So when DuckTales relaunched with their new spin-off from the classic version, my husband was the first to take note of the release date. And my middle child got hooked on that first episode. So imagine her surprise when she received the new Disney’s DuckTales Destination: Adventure in the mail…

If you want a peek into how excited your kids will be, take a look at my daughter’s reaction:

Disney’s DuckTales Destination: Adventure

The latest DVD just hit store shelves on June 5th everywhere! If you want to get your fix of Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Webby, you need to check out this latest adventure in Disney’s DuckTales Destination: Adventure.

An ancient tomb in Toth-Ra, the mountain peak of Mt. Neverrest, a vacation island for Greek gods… global expeditions await! Thanks to Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Webby, trillionaire Scrooge McDuck is back in action, leading the way to death-defying exploits stretching all the way from Duckburg to legendary destinations around the world.

This DVD includes the following NEW DuckTales episodes:

  • The Beagle Birthday Breakout!
  • The Living Mummies of Toth-Ra!
  • The Impossible Summit of Mt. Neverrest!
  • The Spear of Selene!
  • The Missing Links of Moorshire!
  • Beware the B.U.D.D.Y. System!*

Plus a bonus of 2 Classic DuckTales Episodes:

  • New Gizmo-Kids on the Block
  • Ducky Mountain High

FREE DuckTales Activity Sheet Download Below

Looking for some fun activities to do with the kids either before or after your binge fest on these episodes? Check out this fun activity packet! It includes a coloring page, maze, crossword puzzle, and spot the difference game. Just click on the button below to download. Let the greatest family adventures begin!

Who’s your favorite DuckTales character?

Love family fun? Check out these posts:

Upcycled Container Gardens

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Solo: A Star Wars Story is a Must See For Any Star Wars Fan

First things first – this movie is based off my two favorite characters: Han Solo and Lando Calrissian. So it is a real treat to have an official origin story that brings these two together in such an enjoyable way. These types of films are tricky, mainly because we already know how the story turns out and who survives. But I think that it speaks highly to the film’s ability to entertain and surprise the viewer. This Star Wars film slots fairly high amongst my favorite Star Wars films! 

An Origins Story

In the beginning of the film, we meet Han as a young scrappy man surviving on the streets of Corellia, a very industrial area known for it’s ship building. Most of its inhabitants are supporting the building efforts – willingly or unwillingly. Because of this, the dream of a better life is the motivation for Han to learn how to be a pilot and escape his current life.

Eventually, he joins on with a band of mercenaries in the quest to turn a profit and secure a ship. Well, as it turns out in Star Wars, there is always a bigger fish. Han finds himself getting tangled up with an even bigger crime syndicate. Of course along the way we meet Chewbacca and Lando.

But Is There More Than What The Trailers Share?

The trailers do a good job of basically telling you what the story will be. This made me a little nervous that there would not be much more to tell other than a few filler details. As the film progresses I was pleasantly surprised to find that there were a good bit more detail and twists. The characters we meet are pretty good.

The sidekick characters are especially good and memorable. L3 is Lando’s co-pilot and “it” is a hoot! Lando was amazing and well portrayed. I had no problem with continuity between the two actors (Bill De Williams and Donald Glover). Side note: I’ve been a fan of Donald Glover (any Troy and Abed fans out there?) and didn’t have any doubts that he’d be the perfect Lando.

The portrayal of Han worked well. I was not sure how I would feel about Alden Ehrenreich based on what I saw in the trailers – as he does not really look like Harrison Ford – but it was not a problem as the movie went on. The introduction of Chewbacca was clever, but later I wondered if his character would have done the things implied. What was really cool is that scenes in this film actually make some scenes in the original trilogy a little better, more meaningful.

The last thing I will say is that there is a pretty big reveal towards the end of the movie and even as I write this I am not entirely sure what that means for what comes next…

Who Can Watch? Kids or No Kids?

This movie is a little dark and earns a PG-13 rating. There is no blood or curse words that I can recall. People do get wounded and bruised up and there are some pretty intense scenes around a war set on the front line with a few creatures. Most tense scenes are diffused with humor as is the standard formula these days. A 7+ year old that can distinguish fantasy live action from real life would probably be okay seeing this.

Definitely check out Solo: A Star Wars Story, it is a must-see for any Star Wars fan!

Haven’t seen the trailers yet (gasp!)? Watch here:

Read more great Star Wars articles:

Star Wars Rogue One Perler Bead Templates

DIY Rogue One Night Light

5 Reasons Why Star Wars Lovers Should Visit Legoland California

Should I Take My 8 Year Old To Avengers Infinity War?

Are you a little curious as to how Marvel will interweave all of the superheroes introduced over the years into one cohesive movie? I envisioned an epic journey where each hero would propel the core group forward but was pleasantly surprised at what was presented.

Interweaving Storylines With Action, Humor, and Character

If you have noticed during the previous films there are 6 powerful stones created when the universe was formed. Anyone that posses one or more of these gains special abilities, like time manipulation, augmenting reality, and power absorption/direction to name a few. Thanos, the villain, in this film is trying to collect all six stones so that he can bring balance to the universe. By balance he means culling populations down so that those that are left to thrive within the resources constraints of their planet. So the Avengers and friends step up to try to stop him because no single being should decide who lives and who dies.

This film follows the classic Marvel movie formula of action, humor, fast pacing, and characters you care about. By doing this the film makes for a very good kickoff to summer movie season. Since we have all invested many hours into the Marvel universe stories over the years it’s nice to sit back and watch these characters and their inter-relationships play out on the screen again. 

I think everyone will be pleased with the screen time the Guardians of the Galaxy get as their banter is awesome as always. They are probably my favorite part of this movie. I also appreciated that Thanos was a bit deeper than most comic book villains. I also thought the jokes were pretty good in this one as I found myself laughing out loud a couple of times.

Should I Take My 8 Year Old To Avengers Infinity War?

You should watch Capitan America Civil War, Black Panther and Thor: Raganork before seeing this movie as it continues on from there. The violence and language were about the same as all Marvel movies. I think an 8-year-old could probably handle it okay. But my wife suggests waiting till 10 for the full in-theater experience due to the emotional toll the movie may have on a younger audience. Definitely make an effort to get out and see Avengers: Infinity War this summer. And like with all Marvel movies, please stay after the credits. You won’t want to miss out! 

If you haven’t seen the trailer yet, check it out!

Like AVENGERS on Facebook | Follow AVENGERS on Twitter | Follow AVENGERS on Instagram

AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR opens in theaters 

everywhere on April 27th!

Chicken Parmesan Bites – The Perfect Toddler-Approved Meal

These chicken parmesan bites are the perfect toddler-approved meal for busy weeknights! They come together in less than 30 minutes and pair perfectly with spaghetti and marinara sauce and vegetables. 

I have been trying to come up with healthy, fun dinners that my preschooler would be more interested in. Lately, all the kids want are carbs and sweets so turning a typical chicken dish into more kid-friendly meals is my goal. I’m pretty sure I’ve succeeded in that goal with the help of some inspiration from Lady and The Tramp. 

A craving for chicken parmesan hit when we were watching Lady enjoy a big bowl of pasta with Tramp and it hit me! Why not turn chicken parmesan into chicken parmesan bites!? Put a side of noodles and sauce on the plate and I had a meal that all of the kids would enjoy. Including the preschooler. Right? Right!

So the next night as we were watching Lady and the Tramp again for the 3rd time since receiving it to review, I plated up these delicious chicken parmesan bites for the kids to enjoy with a side of spaghetti noodles topped with marinara sauce and a scoop of broccoli florets. I placed the plates of dinner in front of the kids and they went to town! And the best part? I used only 2 chicken breasts to feed the whole family dinner. Isn’t that awesome? And budget friendly! Plus the kids will love helping put this meal together. 

Chicken Parmesan Bites 

  • 2 chicken breasts, cut into 1″ pieces
  • 4 tablespoons 1% milk
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 cup Italian-Style Breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons table salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

Place chicken breast pieces in a bowl and cover with milk. Let soak for a few minutes while prepping the other ingredients. Place 1/2 cup of flour into a gallon size zippered plastic bags. Measure out 1 cup of breadcrumbs and place into a container with salt and pepper. Grate 1/2 cup parmesan cheese into the same container, stir to combine and set aside. Place egg white in a small bowl.

Take chicken and place in bag with flour. Shake vigorously until the chicken is well coated. Put coated chicken in the bowl with egg white and stir to coat chicken. Place bread crumb mixture in the bag you just used for flour. Put chicken back in the bag and shake again coating the chicken with breadcrumbs.

Heat oil in a skillet on medium-high heat. Add coated chicken to the pan and cook until golden brown, about 15 minutes. When chicken is cooked thoroughly remove from pan and serve with spaghetti and marinara sauce. Add some steamed veggies or a nice salad to make this a complete meal.

How are you getting your little one involved in different foods? 

Make sure to pick up your own copy of The Walt Disney Signature Collection Lady and The Tramp now available on Blu-ray and enjoy your own pasta experiences with the family! 

For some fun activities to do with the kids, click on the button below:

Love this recipe? Try these other toddler-friendly meals, tips, and ideas!

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Star Wars Episode 8: The Last Jedi Review

Its been a day since the last time we saw the Last Jedi. We have seen it twice now because it takes a couple of viewings to appreciate the details and fully immerse yourself in new Star Wars content that goes by fast. What’s great about this movie is that society is buzzing about it. We were at the mall wearing Star Wars clothing and people ask “Have you seen the movie?” In this day and age when people communicate via computer/device it is kind of nice to connect again with strangers in person with causal fan talk.

This episode picks up shortly after episode 8. At this point we are reset back to good (The Resistance) vs evil (The First Order) as the new Republic government was destroyed by the Star Killer Base. So the rebels are on the run led by Leia Organa, Kylo Ren along with General Hux are in pursuit, and Rey has found Luke Skywalker for what she hopes will be training in the use of the Force. Additionally Fin and a new character, Rose, have a side story with a social message that gave me a little bit of a Star Trek story tone. As with Rogue One hope and never giving up are themes that continue. After all, rebellions built on hope.

We liked the movie. As you have probably heard it sets things up so that you think you know what is about to happen and then it turns and does the opposite. That story telling technique works well for this episode. With so much Star Wars content (and more on the way) they need to mix things up every now and again. Its worth noting that the humor is also present strongly in this story which is not bad.

For a Star Wars movie the characters were given a little more substance than normal. For example I think Poe Dameron grew from where he was during his first scene as hot head shoot first to the end where he is in tune with the bigger picture. Rose was a fine addition to the story and was a character with compassion and care. Mark Hamil did a solid job portraying Luke Sywalker again. Finally Carrie Fisher was also good portraying Leia again. I would like to take a moment and say I really enjoyed the actors who played the smaller parts as officers on the First Order ships and the Rebel cruiser. As background characters they emoted enough in their performances that I cared about them.

Locations are decent. Luke’s island is pretty cool. There is more happening there than I thought. A lot of good scenes of Luke’s life style. Canto Bight was the casino planet and as so serves as the Star Wars’s “bar scene” that seems to be part of the formula now where they can show case different aliens. Finally Crait looks like Hoth at first, but provides a couple of cool Millenium Falcon scenes that reminded me very much of the original Star Tours Comet sequence at Disneyland.

Obviously you NEED to see the new Star Wars movie. You will be entertained and enjoy your time. For a Star Wars fan it felt satisfying, but one wonders how episode 9 will go. Personally I hoping for some great big revelation that ties everything together in a “oooohhhhh” moment, but I guess we got to wait and hope with our fellow rebels.

If you are taking your family to this movie you probably want to leave the 5 and under crowd at home. There is no real blood and guts gore. Typical blaster fire hits and person falls down. A lot of explosions with loud noises. Check out a sneak peek of the training these Jediwent through to prepare for the movie! 

Have you seen The Last Jedi yet?

How to Make Moana Kakamora Coconut Ornaments

how-to-make-moana-kakamora-coconut-ornaments

Moana has been and continues to be both of my daughter’s favorite movie. Each of them is glued to the screen as the story unravels every time they watch it. Three thousand years ago, the greatest sailors in the world voyaged across the vast Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, for a millennium, their voyages stopped – and no one knows why.

The story of Moana goes through the history of her people and the reason why they never leave their island. As Moana takes off on a new adventure, we come to learn more about this missing pieces of her story and watch as she creates a story of her own. 

Throughout her adventures, my daughter’s favorite part in the movie is when Moana and Maui encounter the Kakamora. Seemingly sweet and gentle creatures in the beginning, Moana quickly learns of their fierce, warrior-like side. We’re recreating the Kakamora in these fun Kakamora Christmas ornaments for the holiday season.

Don’t want to make these yourself? Purchase one here in our Etsy store! 

how-to-make-moana-kakamora-coconut-ornaments-supplies

How to Make Moana Kakamora Coconut Ornaments

What you’ll need: 

What you do: 

1. Paint a circle around the edge of the wood slice with brown paint leaving the middle wood exposed. 

2. Using the black paint, make two circles for eyes. 

3. With the white paint, make a mouth full of teeth. Outline in black if you’d like. 

4. Add the final touches to the face by adding some designs with red paint.

5. Screw eye screw on top of the ornament and string with ribbon. 

Let dry and hang on the tree to enjoy during the holiday season! 

how-to-make-moana-kakamora-coconut-ornaments-on-the-tree

* This post was originally published on Nov 21, 2016

How to Make a Pool Noodle Boat + Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Men Tell No Tales on BluRay!

Looking for some fun STEM crafts for your school-aged child? Why not make these fun pool noodle boats and challenge your child to find a design that will float and race! This post contains affiliate links. By clicking on the link, I will receive a small amount of money back if you purchase anything. 

This summer we spent a lot of time outdoors. Whether we were playing, exploring on our own, or making updates around the yard at the house, it just made sense to stay outside as much as possible. And with that, we also wanted to spend time with friends so we made sure we didn’t miss the movie night hosted at our kids school. 

In celebration of the great weather and being outside, we put together a cute pool noodle boat station where kids could come up and design their own boats and race them against their friends. It was a great activity to share before the movie started and kept the kids active as it became dark. 

What we loved was how easy it was for the kids to “get” it and start to create their own designs with little to no help from us. And I loved seeing all of their final designs once they were done decorating them. If you’re looking for a great outdoor STEM activity for the kids to try, grab some pool noodles, straws, and parchment paper and make a pool noodle boat to race! 

How to Make a Pool Noodle Boat

What you’ll need: 

  • pool noodles (we preferred having 2 colors/shapes)
  • straws
  • parchment paper
  • hole punch
  • stickers/markers/crayons to decorate
  • drink umbrellas
  • Rain gutter with end caps

What you do: 

Cut the pool noodles into 1″-1.5″ rounds. Place in a shallow container. 

Taking the parchment paper, cut out sails in trapezoid shape. Punch a hole on the top and bottom that fits a straw. Place sails in container with cut pool noodles. 

Place straws in a cup with drink umbrellas and set next to cut pool noodles and sails. 

Let kids put together their boats using their own designs and then have them decorate them to make them unique. 

Fill rain gutter (with end caps secure) with water and let the kids race their boats. Try using extra straws to blog into the sails unless you already have a natural wind going. 

Did the boats float? Did they sink? Did they move down the rain gutter with ease? 

Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Men Tell No Tales on BluRay

Did you know that Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Men Tell No Tale is coming out on n 4K Ultra HD™/Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, DVD and On-Demand tomorrow? YUP!! This activity would be a fun way to celebrate this new release. Just set up a movie night with your family or invite friends over for some fun, grab a copy of Pirates of the Carribean, set up an outdoor movie night and enjoy a fun time outdoors! 

What’s your favorite outdoor STEM activities for kids? 

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