Over The Top Mommy

Month: January 2019

A Dog’s Way Home Now in Theaters + Simple Pet Portraits for Kids

 I received promotional items in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own. 

As a pet lover and pet owner, I always get excited for anything and everything pet-related! Whether it’s a cute animal coffee mug, a contraption to help me better improve my selfie with my pet, or an animal film.  I literally melt for dogs, cats, horses, pigs, you name it! Animals are such kind and gentle creatures and if I could have an entire house and farm full of them, I know I’d be living my best life! Today I’m excited for the release of “A Dog’s Way Home” in theaters everywhere! Watch this cute clip from the movie:

I teared up in a big way just watching that clip of the film. It definitely pulls on your heartstrings. I’ve also already read the book with my daughter, which was a great read too. It’s written by W. Bruce Cameron, who also wrote the screenplay and co-produced the film.
Here’s a synopsis of A Dog’s Way Home:
As a puppy, Bella finds her way into the arms of Lucas, a young man who gives her a good home. When Bella becomes separated from Lucas, she soon finds herself on an epic, 400-mile journey to reunite with her beloved owner. Along the way, the lost but spirited dog touches the lives of an orphaned mountain lion, a down-on-his-luck veteran and some friendly strangers who happen to cross her path.

One of the things my students get excited about in the classroom is art! Anytime they get to draw, color, paint, cut and/or glue, first graders are elated! I know this because it’s almost impossible for them to hide their excitement and keep calm about art, and this makes me happy! During our morning meeting time this week, many of my students have shared how much they were looking forward to seeing “A Dog’s Way Home”. So, I set up an independent work station during our small groups and set out the book that the film was adapted from and let them create their own tiny pet portraits! How cute did this one turn out? “A Dog’s Way Home” is now playing in theaters. Purchase your tickets ahead of time here. You can share your own story about your dog’s journey home by uploading photos, video and your story on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram using #ADogsWayHome and #ShareMyDogStory. for a chance to be featured on their site too.

 

Tips for Fostering the Love of Reading in Your Child

I received promotional items in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own. 

Let’s talk about reading , as in reading for leisure. Do you have a book you’re reading right now? Up until recently, I’ll admit that I did not. With the start of a new year, one of the things I’m trying to do more of is leisure reading. I now make a conscious effort to carry a book in my purse so I can just pull it out to read whenever I have a little bit of down time.One of the main reasons I want to read more this year is because I’ve noticed a big decline in the amount of reading my own daughter has been choosing to do “for fun”. As a teacher and a mom, this was starting to concern me. After doing a little bit of research about teens and how much they actually read for pleasure, I  found one study that says:

Less than 20 percent of U.S. teens report reading a book, magazine or newspaper daily for pleasure.

That is an eye-opening statistic. Digital media and technology have a lot of influence on kids (and adults as well) and they almost seem to be reducing in the amount they’re reading for pleasure (or at all). So, I decided that I was going to try my hardest to continue fostering that love of reading in my own daughter.I put together a list of useful tips for helping to further a child’s love of reading and I want to share it with you.

  • Model what leisurely reading looks like – This is a big one. If you’re not reading for fun, your child won’t have that modeling and may not realize just how important it is to be doing so.
  • Have a “book chat” – I’ve always tried to stay current on the subjects my daughter is studying in school, including the assigned novels she reads for her classes. I also try to have knowledge of books she’s reading on her own. I feel like my showing interest in what she’s reading and even having little “book chats” keeps her more motivated to read independently. It also helps strengthen our mother-daughter bond.
  • Spend time together at your public library or local bookstore – My daughter and I love to visit our public library together but also find ourselves sitting for hours in a local bookstore. It’s so much fun to get lost in books while sitting side by side.
  • Set up a cozy reading corner or reading nook at home – When my daughter was really young, she used to have a “reading tent” set up in our family room that she would spend hours at a time inside of, just reading books. She outgrew the tent a few years ago but it’s fun to have an inviting area set up at home, such as a corner with big pillows or a sunny windowseat where you can sit and read comfortably.
  • Make it fun with some thematic snacks – I feel like having snacks on hand always makes reading better. Thematic ones are even better. We made some adorable dog bone-shaped
  • Make connections between literature and film – One of my most favorite things to do with my daughter is to find a book we both enjoy, that is being made into a film, and read it together because the film comes out in theaters. After we watched the trailer for “A Dog’s Way Home” a few months ago, I knew this book, written by W. Bruce Cameron, was next on our “to read” list. It’s such a heartwarming story and because we’re big animal lovers in our home, it was a story that made us very emotional. Now that we’ve both read it, we’ll be ready to see it when it hits theaters on January 11th!

“A Dog’s Way Home” chronicles the heartwarming adventure of Bella, a dog who embarks on an epic 400-mile journey home after she is separated from her beloved human. Oh my heart!

You can watch the official trailer here: 

This film has an all-star voice cast featuring Ashley Judd, Jonah Hauer-King,
Edward James Olmos, Alexandra Shipp, Wes Studi and Bryce Dallas Howard and will be in theaters in just a couple more days. Will you be heading out to see it? After reading the book, I know we will!

For the latest updates on the film, please visit HERE.

 

Some images and trailer are property of Sony Picture and used with permission. 

 

 

Disneyland Raises Prices for Tickets, Parking and More

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. 

Most news that comes out of The Disneyland Resort is exciting news. Disney fans woke up to not-so-exciting news today with a surprise raise in ticket, parking, and Disney Annual Pass prices. It really comes as no surprise to me with all of the recent expansions and renovations  at the Resort, including the Pixar Pier transformation, the Tiki Room transformation and addition of The Tropical Hideaway, the current Sleeping Beauty Castle transformation and mostly the over $1 billion dollar Star Wars expansion, which is going to bring us Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge this summer. Although Disney is a place our family continues to visit and make memories together at, a price increase is always something Disney fans are never excited about. Let’s look at how prices increased though. As you may or not be aware, Disney uses “seasonal” or tiered pricing, basing ticket prices off of a predicted busier times vs. slow times. You can read more about how Disney’s “seasonal” pricing works HERE.

Disneyland Resort current ticket pricing:

  • 1-day, 1-park tickets for a “value” park day is priced at $104/day. with a 1-day Park Hopper priced at $154/day
  • 1-day, 1-park tickets for a “regular” park day is priced at $129/day, with a 1-day Park Hopper priced at $179/day.
  • 1-day, 1-park tickets for a “peak” park day is priced at $149/day, with a 1-day Park Hopper priced at $199/day.
  • Multiple day tickets also vary in pricing, which can be viewed HERE.

Standard Parking at Disneyland Resort is now $25/day per standard auto. Guests also have the option of upgrading to Preferred Parking for $40/day per standard vehicle. Disney Annual Passports
There are a variety of Disney Annual Passports offered, some can be purchased by anyone, while others are only offered to Southern California residents. Disneyland Resort also offers a payment plan to Southern California residents, allowing them to make payments for their “pass” instead of paying the entire amount up front. I’ve listed the features of each Disney Passport below, featuring any discounts a pass may include, if it includes parking and most importantly, the blockout dates. To view the Annual Passport blockout calendar, go HERE.
Southern California Select Pass – currently priced at $399
This pass grants access to both theme parks on select days of the year and is for Southern California residents only. It gives up to 10% off select dining and up to 10% off select merchandise in store or online at Shop Disney Parks.
Disney Deluxe Passport – currently priced at $799
This pass allows admission to both theme parks on select days of the year, gives up to 10% off select dining and up to 10% off select merchandise in store and online at Shop Disney Parks.
Disney Signature Passport – currently priced at $1149
This pass gives admission to both theme parks on most days of the year, gives up to 15% off select dining, gives up to 20% off select merchandise in store or online at Shop Disney Parks, and includes standard theme park parking.
Disney Signature Plus Passport – currently priced at $1399
This pass allows you to visit both parks, includes Disney MaxPass, gives up to 15% off select dining, gives up to 20% off merchandise, includes standard theme park parking and has no blockout dates.
Disney Premier Passport – currently priced at $1949
This pass grants admission to all California and Florida theme parks and has no blockout dates, gives 15% off select dining, gives 20% off select merchandise, includes MaxPass with Digital PhotoPass downloads and PhotoPass/Memory Maker services in Florida, and includes standard theme park parking.Disney MaxPass
The price to add on the Disney MaxPass option to either a Park ticket or an Annual Passport also increased. To add it onto a Park ticket, it’s $15/day per guest. To add it onto any Annual Passports other than the Disney Signature Plus Passport, it’s $100 for the duration of the pass.If you aren’t familiar with it, Disney MaxPass* combines the ability to make Disney FASTPASS attraction selections from your phone with unlimited Disney PhotoPass** downloads for a day.  You’re able to download your photos taken at select locations throughout the parks, character photos, and also photos from popular attractions. Many of the photos caught by the PhotoPass photographers or on the attractions are beyond priceless! Personally, I’m a huge fan of MaxPass for many reasons. To read why I think MaxPass is an awesome addition to your day at Disneyland Resort, please go HERE.Do you have any upcoming visits planned to the Disneyland Resort? Don’t forget, if you’re a Southern California Resident, Disneyland Resort is offering special pricing on tickets beginning January 7. To follow along with our latest Disney adventures, check out my new all-Disney Instagram page HERE.

For more information about the Disneyland Resort, including the ability to purchase your own tickets and Annual Passports, please visit https://disneyland.disney.go.com/.

 

Some images and logos are property of Disneyland Resort and used with permission.

Grab Your Southern California Resident Ticket for the Disneyland Resort Beginning Jan. 7

The Disneyland Resort is celebrating the new year with a special ticket offer just for Southern California residents. Beginning Jan. 7, 2019, eligible guests may visit Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park for as little as $60 per day with the purchase of a three-day, one-park per day ticket. There’s never been a more ideal time to enjoy even more spectacular entertainment, favorite festivals, the newly reimagined Pixar Pier, Super Hero experiences and the biggest celebration ever for Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. In addition to this special ticket offer, the three Hotels of the Disneyland Resort are offering special rates on standard and premium rooms for a limited time.Southern California Resident Limited-Time Ticket Offer
The Southern California Resident Ticket Offer* provides special values to enjoy magic and
adventure for three days, including one day of Magic Morning** in Disneyland. For a limited time, Southern California residents may select from these specially-priced ticket options and save on select multi-day tickets:

  • 3-day, 1-park per day ticket for $179
  • 3-day Park Hopper ticket for $234

These specially-priced tickets are an ideal way for Southern California residents to make
memories by spending time at the Disneyland Resort with family and friends. Guests using
these special tickets will enjoy a variety of classic attractions and entertaining shows throughout the resort, as well as exciting new experiences.  These three-day tickets are available for purchase from Jan. 7 through May 20, 2019, and may be used on a consecutive three-day visit or three separate days throughout the travel period. Tickets expire on May 23, 2019 and blockout dates of April 14 through April 22, 2019 apply.*Southern California residents may purchase tickets beginning January 7, 2019 at http://www.Disneyland.com/SoCal and at Disneyland Resort ticket booths. Guests who purchase
tickets online may print their tickets at home. Proof of residency is required for purchase and
theme park admission.

Save Up to 25 Percent at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort
Disney vacationers who wish to stay and play in the heart of the magic will enjoy special savings with room offers at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort. Hotel guests can save up to 25 percent off select rooms, Sunday through Thursday nights, based upon availability from Jan. 6-April 11, 2019. Guests may save up to 20 percent on standard rooms and 25 percent on premium rooms at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa; up to 20 percent on standard rooms and 25 percent on premium rooms at Disneyland Hotel, and up to 10 percent on standard and premium rooms at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. These room offers may be reserved now through March 16, 2019.ϮThe Hotels of the Disneyland Resort offer easy, convenient access to both parks, with benefits and magical touches that only a Disneyland hotel can provide. Whether it’s discovering whimsical Disney art at the Disneyland Hotel, stepping back in time to the golden days of California beachfronts at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, or appreciating Craftsman-style elegance at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, staying at any of the resort hotels provides Disney magic from check-in to check-out. Enchanted experiences only available at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort include character dining, wake-up calls by request and themed room elements. Hotel guests may make the most of their time with the Extra Magic Hour, with their valid theme park ticket. For more information, please visit http://www.disneyland.com. Extra Magic Hour offers park admission to a designated theme park one hour earlier than the general public and is available for guests who stay at a Disneyland Resort Hotel. Ϯ ϮDetails about the Southern California ticket offer will be available at http://www.Disneyland.com/SoCal beginning January 7. For park hours and entertainment schedules or to book a Disneyland Resort vacation, please visit the resort’s daily calendar at Disneyland.com.

American Girl’s 2019 Girl of the Year™Blaire Wilson is Here

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

With the start of each brand new year, millions of girls everywhere are counting down to the announcement of American Girl’s newest Girl of the Year™! Well, it’s 2019 and if you didn’t catch the official announcement on Good Morning America’s exclusive reveal, Blaire Wilson™ is here! She launched January 1 and is now available all American Girl retail locations nationwide; and at American Girl specialty boutiques at select Indigo™ and Chapters™ locations in Canada and online HERE.

“We’re proud to introduce fans to our 2019 Girl of the Year, Blaire Wilson—an everyday girl who thrives on using her many talents to make meaningful connections with others. Building and maintaining supportive relationships with family and friends is central to Blaire’s story—a message we think is important to champion among girls today. In an age where families are often striving for quality time together, we hope Blaire inspires everyone to make a New Year’s resolution to connect more regularly with the important people in their lives and make their time together this year really count.” – Julia Prohaska, Vice President of Marketing for American Girl.

 

About Blaire
Blaire is a young chef-in-training who loves bringing people together. She joins American Girl’s family of characters and timeless stories designed to help girls think about their own character and who they want to be. A natural people person, Blaire excels at gathering people around the dinner table but needs help finding balance between the digital world and the real world—like many people today. Through Blaire, girls will learn the importance of staying connected to the people they care about and that this means more than clicking and swiping—it means truly being there.

Blaire’s story unfolds in a chapter book series written by Jennifer Castle and published by Scholastic. In the two books, available now, Blaire loves to put her cooking and decorating talents to good use on her family’s sustainable farm and bed-and-breakfast in upstate New York. When the opportunity to plan the farm’s first wedding arises, Blaire jumps in with gusto. However, between overextending herself to create the perfect farm-fancy event and a newly diagnosed food sensitivity that makes her self-conscious, Blaire finds herself more engaged on her devices than at real-life gatherings with others. Ultimately, through the help of her family and friends, Blaire finds a healthy balance and learns the value of being fully present at every occasion.Blaire comes to life for girls via a beautiful 18-inch doll, featuring bright green eyes and curly red hair. Blaire’s world features an array of outfits, accessories, and products that reflect her life on Pleasant View Farm, including a sweet lamb and piglet, festive party decor, and Blaire’s Family Farm Restaurant, with everything needed to play out a show stopping farm-to-table celebration.Fans can learn more about Blaire at the following 2019 events and activities:

  • Blaire Online Play: Girls can visit http://play.americangirl.com/play/girl-of-the-year/blaire for book excerpts, games and activities, and Blaire’s Life at Pleasant View Farm Vlog posts from her family’s sustainable farm, featuring delicious recipes, gardening tips, cooking and craft videos, and more.
  • Blaire’s Family Dinner Series: To promote mealtime togetherness, families are invited to attend a Blaire-inspired dinner series at select American Girl retail restaurants across the country in 2019. Parents can visit americangirl.com/stores to learn more or make a reservation.

For more information about American Girl, please visit https://www.americangirl.com/. To request a free catalogue, please call 1-800-845-0005. 

Images are property of Mattel and American Girl and used with permission. 

What’s New at The Disneyland Resort in 2019?

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. 

It was a great end to 2018 for me as I got to spend the morning with my daughter at Disneyland for a few hours and later on at home we got to watch Disney Parks Blog’s live stream of New Year’s Eve fireworks from Magic Kingdom Park in Walt Disney World! Disney Parks Blog also released their first digital wallpaper of the year and it’s adorable! You can download yours for either mobile or desktop HERE

Now that 2019 is off to a magical start, it’s time to take a peek at what’s going to be new this year at The Disneyland Resort! I feel like a kid in a candy store awaiting the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in summer. Meanwhile, the first few months look to be jam packed already with tons of exciting offerings! Starting in January and continuing throughout 2019, the Disneyland Resort will offer a collection of adventures, festivals, shows, food, Disney character interactions and more to inspire guests to join the fun with family and friends.Get Your Ears On – A Mickey and Minnie Celebration
2019 will kick off in true Disney fashion with Get Your Ears On – A Mickey and Minnie
Celebration, a party to celebrate Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse at the place where they first appeared for guests. Adored for generations, Mickey and Minnie Mouse have brought joy and inspiration to millions of fans around the world. Join in and toast their 90-year legacy with a magical, musical celebration featuring entertainment, Character Greetings, themed menu selections, merchandise and more.

Mickey’s Mix Magic – beginning January 18
Guests can light up the night with Mickey’s Mix Magic, a new, high-energy projection show celebrating the one and only Mickey Mouse. Held at Disneyland Park, this family-friendly event features the theme song, “It’s a Good Time” as well as dance-tastic takes on some of your favorite Disney hits and a virtual visit from none other than “DJ” Mickey, of course!

Watch state-of-the-art projections, lighting and lasers transform various parts of the park—Main Street, U.S.A., the water screens on Rivers of America and the façade of “it’s a small world”—into dazzling displays of sight, sound and color.

Mickey’s Soundsational Parade – beginning January 25
Mouseketeers and Guests alike will fall head over heels for the returning fan favorite, Mickey’s Soundsational Parade, a beloved park classic that’s back to mark one of the most exciting milestones in Disney history—Mickey’s 90th. The parade features popular Disney peeps, whimsical floats, music and lots of larger-than-life surprises. During a rockin’ new opening, Mickey leads the way with a giant celebration cake accompanied by Chip ‘n’ Dale! Celebrate Valentine’s Month with Mickey and Minnie – Jan. 22 through Feb. 18,
Join Disneyland Resort to celebrate the love of Minnie and Mickey for Valentine’s month. Guests will find a new Mickey Mouse flower “portrait,” and lovely and festive Valentine’s décor all along Main Street, U.S.A. Guests may also choose to partake in Minnie’s Valentine Surprise, a special scavenger hunt experience in Disneyland park. After purchasing a commemorative map and stickers at select merchandise locations, they may search for the hidden valentines that Minnie has left for Mickey around the park. Upon completion, maps can be returned to a designated location to redeem a special Valentine’s surprise.* Lunar New Year Celebration –  Jan. 25 through Feb. 17
Disneyland Resort will, once again, celebrate Lunar New Year and the Year of the Pig inside Disney California Adventure Park.  A joyous celebration of Asian cultures, the Lunar New Year celebration welcomes guests of all ages to commemorate the tradition with beloved Disney characters, and welcome another year of good fortune. Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession, a limited-time offering during the Lunar New Year celebration, is a bright and bold parade hosted by Mulan and her faithful dragon, Mushu. As a special treat for the Year of the Pig, the Three Little Pigs will join the procession. Delicious Asian food and kid-friendly crafts and activities will be available as well.

Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival – March 1 through April 23, 2019
Discover a cornucopia of culinary fun—from Festival Marketplaces and tastings to inspirational cooking demonstrations. Whether you’re a foodie, aspiring home chef, wine enthusiast or just looking to glean a few cutting-edge techniques, the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival delivers something for palates of all ages year after year.
will offer tasty treats and special entertainment for guests of all ages to enjoy. Keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog for the latest updates on this year’s Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival. Coming later in 2019
As I mentioned before, summer 2019, is going to be all about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park! For the first time ever, guests will be able to live their own Star Wars adventure at the highly anticipated new land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The opening will make Disney history as the largest single-land expansion ever at the Disneyland Resort. In this epic, new land, guests will live their own adventure in a galaxy far, far away and explore Black Spire Outpost. Once a busy crossroads, this spaceport on the planet Batuu is now home to those who prefer to stay out of the mainstream, including smugglers, rogue traders and exotic creatures traveling between the frontier and uncharted space.Guests will take the controls in one of three unique and critical roles aboard Millennium
Falcon: Smugglers Run. On Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, guests can join a battle
between the First Order and the Resistance – including a face-off with Kylo Ren. These two new incredible experiences, paired with the land’s interactive components and optional integration with the Play Disney Parks app, will invite guests to become galactic travelers and live their own Star Wars adventures in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.As you can see, there’s a lot that’s about to happen in this new year at the Disneyland Resort! What are you most excited for in 2019? Share with me in the comments!

Some images and logos are property of Disneyland Resort and used with permission.