Singing "Let It Go" from the movie, Frozen

Who knew that kiddy instruments could sound so good.  Jimmy Fallon along with Idina Menzel and The Roots prove music can be great with a few good baby toys.  Idina sings "Let It Go" from Disney's movie, Frozen.  Frozen premiered in November along the way it has picked up a couple of Oscars and other awards, and can still be seen in selected theaters, and also on demand TV.  My nieces have seen just about every versions of "Let It Go" but this one has been the most fun.

The Royal Ballet's Sleeping Beauty in a One Time Only Cinema Experience!

Enjoy a one time only cinema experience! Journey with The Royal Ballet to an enchanted world of princesses, fairy godmothers and magic spells in this fairy-tale classic set to Tchaikovsky’s magical music.

The Sleeping Beauty is one of the Royal Ballet’s biggest and most beloved productions with 98 dancers on stage and more than 500 costumes! Bring the whole family to see this magnificent production come to life on the big screen.  In cinemas for one night only on Mar 20 at 7 pm. This production will be show nationwide. For more information where Sleeping Beauty will be shown and to order tickets visit http://www.fathomevents.com/event/the-sleeping-beauty.

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Nelson Mandela May Your Legacy Live On

Nelson Mandela

July 18, 1918 – December 5, 2013 

Few things make the life of a parent more rewarding and sweet as successful children. -- 

Letter to Amina Cachalia, written on Robben Island, March 3, 1981

Make a Care Package for the Less Fortunate and Enjoy a Happy Thanksgiving!

Sometimes families can get caught up with all the hoopla surrounding the holiday and lose sight of the true meaning of Thanksgiving.  Daily Candy reminds us of a way to stay on track in their video.   In this article they expounded on their project.

"Make a care package for the less fortunate
By Lauren Lumsden

It’s easy for littles to lose track of what’s important when Monster High and Ugglys dolls are in their sights. 

Restore their sense of gratitude this holiday by assembling a care package for those less fortunate. In today’s video, we show you what to include (we called a bunch of homeless shelters to find out what they needed most), how to put it together, and where to take it in major U.S. cities.

Of course, we also urge you to remember those affected by Typhoon Haiyan. Right now, monetary donations to American Red Cross, Oxfam, and ShelterBox are still the best way to help.

By teaching your kids the value of giving now, you ensure they keep doing it as they grow. And that’s something to behold."

I hold heartedly agreed with them.  Also I think this might be a fun way to add a new tradition to your holiday celebrations, ask each guest to bring an item and create a basket for a good cause. The hosting family can pick the theme.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Giving Thanksgiving: The Family Dinner Project

The aim of The Family Dinner Project is to bring more food, fun and conversation to the dinner table. They believe that connecting with the family and sharing with others will help develop children who are happy, resilient, responsible adults. Check out their website for tips on foods, conversation starters, and support.  This year they are asking families to have a special day after Thanksgiving to have a special conversation on giving with their families.





They are participating in a campaign called Giving Tuesday to make the Tuesday after Thanksgiving a national day of giving.

Happy Thanksgiving! Share the joy!

The Mother Company Helping Parents Address Safety Needs

Keeping our children safe is a concern of all parents.  The Mother Company is helping parents address these concerns with books and videos that are both entertaining and educational. Creators Abbie Schiller and Samantha Kurtzman-Counter of The Mother Company have created a new video, The Safety Show.  According to Daily Candy, "The 40-minute show mixes live action, music, quirky stop-motion, and lovely French animation to teach smart habits (if you need help, find a mom with kids; pay attention to that “uh-oh” feeling) and give parents conversation starters."  Available via DVD ($15) or download ($12) at rubysstudio.com.

Their video above, The Boss of My Body featuring Marlee Hightower empowers young people with music and a catchy tune. The Mother Show also has live events.





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Tour MOMA with Their Latest Children's Book, Young Frank, Architect

Until the Museum of Modern Art start their fall programs, families may enjoy reading their latest children's book,  Young Frank, Architect.  Later they can use this new book as a reference for their next tour of the museum to discover the works of architects like Frank Lloyd Wright and Frank Gehry. The book also give ideas to try at home.  

Here is MOMA's description of Young Frank, Architect.

"This whimsical children’s book by award-winning author and illustrator Frank Viva explores MoMA's collection through the adventures of Young Frank, an aspiring architect, who lives in New York City with his grandfather, Old Frank, also an architect. Young Frank likes to use anything he finds—macaroni, pillows, toilet paper, shoes—to make buildings that twist, chairs with zigzag legs, and even entire cities. But Old Frank disapproves, saying architects only create buildings.

One day they visit The Museum of Modern Art, where they see work by architects Frank Gehry, Frank Lloyd Wright, and many others, and Old Frank learns that architects can do more than he thought. The Franks go home and create structures of every shape and size, using whatever they can get their hands on, even cookies. At the end of the day, Young Frank feels a little older, and Old Frank feels a little younger—and a little wiser." 

To preorder a copy visit MOMA.

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