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It’s So Fluffy I Could Die

January 25, 2011 by

That’s my kid’s favorite line in the movie Despicable Me. We had the opportunity to see the movie in 3D before it was released back in July and we loved it!

In a happy suburban neighborhood surrounded by white picket fences with flowering rose bushes, sits a black house with a dead lawn. Unbeknownst to the neighbors, hidden deep beneath this home is a vast secret hideout. Surrounded by an army of tireless, little yellow Minions, we discover Gru (Steve Carell), planning the biggest heist in the history of the world. He is going to steal the moon. Yes, the moon!

Gru delights in all things wicked. Armed with his arsenal of shrink rays, freeze rays and battle-ready vehicles for land and air, he vanquishes all who stand in his way. Until the day he encounters the immense will of three little orphaned girls who look at him and see something that no one else has ever seen: a potential Dad.

One of the world’s greatest super-villains has just met his greatest challenge: three little girls named Margo, Edith and Agnes.

Despicable Me was released on December 14th on Blu-ray & DVD. It was a must get on our holiday shopping and has proved to be the most popular gift of the season. For about the 1st 2 weeks it was on about two or three times a day. We’ve cut it down to every other day now but it’s still a favorite of everyone’s in the house.

We were able to get the 3 Disc Combo pack which includes the Blu-ray copy, DVD and Digital copy perfect for iTunes. Along with watching the feature film this copy includes 3 mini movies starring the Minions. Anyone remember Walter the minion, we took him to the beach for a little vacay the Shae tried to drown him in a bucket. The extra bonus features have proved to be a hit too! Shae likes to play Super Silly Fun Land and win prizes along with Edith, Agnes and Margo.

If you haven’t already got Despicable Me in your movie library I highly recommend it!

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




Nintendo 3DS Specs – Coming on 03/27/2011

January 19, 2011 by

Nintendo plans on launching its 3DS, the handheld video game system featuring 3-D technology with no glasses on March 27, 2011.  Thirty games will be available for the 3DS between the device’s launch and this June’s Electronic Entertainment Expo, the company says.

Shaun’s birthday is 3/31 and I think this would be a really cool gift for hime but I am having a hard time with the $249.99 price tag.  It seems like a lot of money for his age but probably worth it for the technology.

Below is a ton of information on the 3DS.

Nintendo 3DS Hardware Specs

Launch Date March 27, 2011

Price $249.99 MSRP*

Included in Hardware:    The following is included in the hardware set:

  • Nintendo 3DS system
  • Nintendo 3DS charging cradle
  • Nintendo 3DS AC adapter
  • Nintendo 3DS stylus
  • SD Memory Card (2GB)
  • AR Card(s) (view the cards using the outer cameras to play supported AR games)
  • Quick-Start Guide
  • Operations Manual (including warranty)

Characteristic Features:

  • 3D screen, enabling 3D view without the need for special glasses and the ability to adjust or turn off 3D effect with the 3D Depth Slider.
  • Stereo cameras that enable users to take 3D photos that can be viewed instantly on the 3D screen.
  • New input interfaces including the Circle Pad, motion sensor, gyro sensor SpotPass, a feature that lets Nintendo 3DS detect wireless hotspots or wireless LAN access points and obtain information, game data, free software, videos and so on for players even when the system is in sleep mode.**
  • StreetPass, a feature that lets Nintendo 3DS exchange data automatically with other Nintendo 3DS systems within range, even in sleep mode once this feature is activated by the user. Data for multiple games can be exchanged simultaneously.
  • Convenient features that users can access without stopping game play such as the HOME menu, Internet Brower, Notifications, etc.
  • Plenty of built-in software such as the Nintendo 3DS Camera, Nintendo 3DS Sound, Mii Maker, StreetPass, Mii Plaza, AR Games, Activity Log, Face Raiders, etc.
  • Nintendo eShop where users can view trailers, software rankings and purchase software.
  • System Transfer which enable users to transfer already purchased software from one Nintendo 3DS system to another. DSiWare purchased for the Nintendo DSi or the Nintendo DSi XL can also be transferred into a Nintendo 3DS system.***
  • Compatibility functions where both new software designed for Nintendo 3DS and most software for the Nintendo DS family of systems can be played.
  • Parental Controls which enable parents to restrict game content by ratings as well as use of specific wireless connectivity, 3D functionality, etc.****

Size (when closed):   2.9 inches high, 5.3 inches long, 0.8 inches deep.

Weight:   Approximately 8 ounces (including battery pack, stylus, SD memory card).

Upper Screen:   Wide-screen LCD display, enabling 3D view without the need for special glasses. Capable of displaying approximately 16.77 million colors. 3.53 inches display (3.02 inches wide, 1.81 inches high) with 800 x 240 pixel resolution. 400 pixels are allocated to each eye to enable 3D viewing.

Lower Screen:   LCD with a touch screen capable of displaying 16.77 million colors. 3.02 inches (2.42 inches wide, 1.81 inches high) with 320 x 240 pixel resolution.

Cameras:   One inner camera and two outer cameras. Resolutions are 640 x 480 for each camera. Lens are single focus and uses the CMOS capture element. The active pixel count is approximately 300,000 pixels.

Wireless Communication:   2.4 GHz. Enabling local wireless communication among multiple Nintendo 3DS systems for game play and StreetPass. Enabling access to the Internet through wireless LAN access points (supports IEEE802.11 b/g with the WPA™/WPA2™ security feature). Recommended distance of wireless communication is within 98.4 feet. This can be shorter depending on the enviromental situation. WPA and WPA2 are marks of the Wi-Fi Alliance. Input Controls Input controls are the following: A/B/X/Y Button, +Control Pad, L/R Button, START/SELECT Circle Pad (enabling 360-degree analog input) Touch screen Embedded microphone Camera Motion sensor Gyro sensor

Other Input Controls:   Other input controls are the following:

  • 3D Depth Slider (enabling smooth adjustment of the 3D level effect)
  • HOME (HOME button brings up the HOME menu)
  • Wireless switch (can disable wireless functionality even during game play)
  • POWER button

Connector: Connector includes:

  • Game Card slot
  • SD Card slot
  • Cradle connector
  • AC adapter connector
  • Audio jack (stereo output)

Sound:   Stereo speakers positioned to the left and right of the top screen (supports virtual surround sound).

Stylus:  Telescoping stylus (approximately 3.94 inches when fully extended).

Electric Power:  AC adaptor (WAP-002 [USA]). Nintendo 3DS Battery Pack (lithium ion battery) [CTR-003].

Charge Time: About 3.5 hours

Battery Duration:  When playing Nintendo 3DS software about 3-5 hours. When playing Nintendo DS software about 5-8 hours. Battery duration differs depending on the brightness setting of the screen. The information regarding battery duration is a rough standard. It can be shorter depending on what functions of the Nintendo 3DS system are used.

Game Card:  Nintendo 3DS Game Card. The size is approximately the same as Nintendo DS Game Card.

This is NOT a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




80’s Hits With A Kids Twist

January 17, 2011 by

I don’t know about you but I like when bands make kids music using 80’s hits like Juice Box Heroes. Shaun loves the words and tune while Melinda and I remember the original hit that inspired the song that Shaun is jamming to.

Juice Box Heroes is WELL received in our home as Shaun listens to it nightly at bed time. You can see my review HERE of there 1st CD No Sugar Added.  They have recently released a new CD called Loose Tooth and I have to admit this is another hit CD in our house.  I love the original 80’s hit that inspired this CD.

This morning Melinda and I had a listen to the CD and immediately Shaun starting singing the first song Loose Tooth which was inspired by Kenny Loggin’s Footloose.  I moved to track two and Shaun then again started singing so I know if Shaun knows these words he has been listening to this CD a lot.  Like I said above the music is inspired by some cool 80’s hits and have been redone into awesome kids songs.

Below is a list of songs on the Loose Tooth CD:

TRACKS INCLUDE:
1. Loose Tooth – Kenny Loggin’s “Footloose”
2. Lemonade – Bruce Springsteen’s “Glory Days”
3. Fire Station – Kool & The Gang’s “Celebration”
4. Freeze Tag – J. Geils Band’s “Freeze Frame”
5. Sound Like an Elephant – The Bangles’ “Walk Like An Egyptian”
6. Room’s A Mess – General Public’s “Tenderness”
7. I Wish I Could Tie My Shoes – Rick Springfield’s “I’ve Done Everything For You”
8. Merry Go ‘Round – Dead or Alive’s “You Spin Me ‘Round (Like a Record)”
9. Just Love Tonka Trucks – Depeche Mode’s “Just Can’t Get Enough”
10. Wearin’ Underwear – Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On A Prayer”
11. Raspberry Sorbet – Prince’s “Raspberry Beret”
12. Don’t Stop Reading – Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'”
13. Celebrate The Juice Box (Bonus Track) – Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”

If you are looking for some pretty cool kids music that your kids will love and you will enjoy as well they you need to pick up both of Juice Box Heroes CD’s : No Sugar Added and Loose Tooth.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




Tony Hawk: Shred Recap

January 15, 2011 by

Tony Hawk is a skateboard legend that I admired when I was a teen so when I was asked If I wanted to analyse Tony Hawk: Shred for Wii I didn’t hesitate.

One of the first things and new features I really like about Tony Hawk: Shred is that this game has skateboarding as well as snowboarding. Now you can Go big! Clear huge gaps, perform over-the-top tricks during massive drops, and ride out roller coaster grinds while you also speed down mountain peaks filled with breathtaking big airs, crazy spins, and incredible flips.

The one thing that is a huge challenge about Tony Hawk: Shred is getting the board to calibrate. The instructions say you need four feet on each side of the board so if you are tight on space this could present a huge problem. It took me about 30 minutes or so to get the board to calibrate but only after moving the Wii to a room where I had more space. Other than this problem everything else went smooth and the game overall is AWESOME!!!!

Shaun got Tony Hawk: Ride last year and really likes Tony Hawk: Shred more and he says that is because he can skateboard as well as snowboard. He is still getting use to the board and game functions but I am sure he will have this game down in no time.

If you know some one who is a skateboard and or snowboard fan you need to recommend Tony Hawk: Shred.  Tony Hawk: Shred is available for the Wii, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




Power Strike Quick Fire 48 Blaster by Prime Time

January 9, 2011 by

Shaun and his friends in the neighbor play war and games similar to this often with foam dart guns so when I was asked to analyse the Power Strike Quick Fire 48 Blaster by Prime Time I was all over it.

Shaun currently has a few foam dart guns but nothing that compares to this Gatling style battery operated beast. It holds 48 foams darts in 12 barrels and when you show up to play war with the Power Strike Quick Fire 48 Blaster everyone knows you mean business. It also runs on 4 AA batteries.

Shaun was excited when he got the opportunity to use The Power Strike Quick Fire 48 Blaster. It says this is for indoor and outdoor use but I would recommend using this strictly outdoors. It shoots darts easily 40-50 feet so that is why I say it should probably be used strictly outdoors. Overall Shaun said this gun was really cool and the best foam dart gun he has but the one complaint he had was that is jammed a lot. This could be because Shaun is 7 years old and isn’t using it 100% properly but I wanted to be honest and mention this. I also feel the gun is a little loud but not sure what I was expecting as we have never owned a battery operated foam dart gun. Again, neither of the last two opinions takes away from the awesomeness of this gun. I even had a chance to play with the Power Strike Quick Fire 48 Blaster and took a few shots at Shaun, Melinda and Sabreena. In my opinion it felt like it was a really solid foam dart gun and for approximately $24.99 you can’t go wrong.

If you are looking for a really awesome foam dart gun that is super affordable then you need to get the Power Strike Quick Fire 48 Blaster that retails for approximately $24.99 and is sold exclusively at Toys R Us.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




Get some SWAGG for the holidays

December 20, 2010 by

Everyone loves a little bit of swag; a few goodies for home or the bath or the kids. With all the gift cards expected to be exchanged this season you can buy all the swag you want. But SWAGG is something entirely different.

SWAGG is a new mobile shopping app to help you shop smarter and easier. Organize all those gift cards you’re expecting to receive this holiday season onto your mobile device so there is no more worry about losing them or leaving them at home. Did you flake on a gift for your brother or best friend? Send a SWAGG gift right from your phone.

With this app you can walk into a participating store and just show the cashier your phone at check out. No more old school plastic cards. With some really great names already signed on and thousands more to come you’re sure to find that perfect something for everyone.

• 1800Flowers.com
• American Apparel
• American Eagle
• Omaha Steaks
• Crocs
• Wet Seal
• Arden B
• Buckhead Life Restaurant Group
• Steve Madden
• Live Nation

Gift cards are always my favorite gift. There is no confusion on size, color, style and taste level. Unless it’s handmade a gift card is the way to go. Make it easy with SWAGG.

SWAGG is a free mobile app (download here) that lets you shop smarter using your mobile phone. Buy, send or swap SWAGG GIFTS and organize your old school plastic gift cards.

For every download of the app between now and Dec. 31, 2010, SWAGG will donate $1 to Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) , up to $125,000.

Clever Girls Collective and SWAGG are sending a pair of movie fans to the Sundance Film Festival! Download the SWAGG app and then visit the Ultimate SWAGG Getaway Sweepstakes site to enter to win a trip for two to the Sundance Film Festival. Entry deadline is January 3, 2011, 11:59pm, PST.

Learn more about the coolest new app that revolutionizes the whole shopping, gifting, and gift card-organizing experience and Download the SWAGG app to your iPhone or Droid. I was selected for this sponsorship by Clever Girls Collective , which endorses Blog With Integrity.




Have you been Naughty or Nice

December 9, 2010 by

One of the fondest holiday memories from my childhood was watching Frosty the Snowman. This year celebrates the 40th anniversary of Rankin/Bass classic Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town. This iconic special, which first debuted in 1970, tells the story of how Santa Claus and several honored Christmastime traditions came to be. As time has gone by this film along with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and Frosty Returns have become holiday staples for so many families. Each year millions of families sit together and make new memories.

In honor of the anniversary of Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, Classic Media is releasing Frosty, Santa, Rudolph and The Original Christmas Classics Blu-ray set in time for watching this holiday season.

Shae has already become addicted to Frosty the Snowman, my favorite. We’ve been watching it since Thanksgiving. Make new memories this year with this fabulous gift.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer:
This classic 1964 television special featuring Rudolph and his misfit buddies set the standard for stop-motion animation for an entire generation before Tim Burton darkly reinvented it in the early 1990s. Burl Ives narrates as Sam the Snowman, telling and singing the story of a rejected reindeer who overcomes prejudice and saves Christmas one particularly blustery year. Along the way, he meets an abundance of unforgettable characters: his dentally obsessed elf pal Hermey; the affable miner Yukon Cornelius and his motley crew of puppies; the scary/adorable Abominable Snow Monster; a legion of abandoned, but still chatty, toys; and a rather grouchy Santa. In addition to the title song that inspired it, this 53-minute tape is crammed with catchy tunes such as “Silver and Gold” and “Holly Jolly Christmas.” Those who grew up looking forward to watching Rudolph every Christmas season will undoubtedly be able to recite the quotable quotes (“I’m cuuuute. She said I’m cuuuute.” “Herbie doesn’t like to make toys.”) as well as any Casablanca cult audience. –Kimberly Heinrichs

Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town:
This 53-minute, 1970 animated film may be the most delightful of those sundry, stop-motion animated Christmas perennials that show up on television during the holidays. The clay animation production, boasting a wonderful musical score and art direction that occasionally underscores the flower-power era in which it was born, tells the story of Santa’s origins, in which Kris Kringle decides to get toys into the hands of poor children in gloomy Sombertown. Charmingly narrated by Fred Astaire and featuring voices by Mickey Rooney and Keenan Wynn, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town presents a nice bridge between two generations of entertainment, the classic and the hip. –Tom Keogh

Frosty the Snowman:
Jimmy Durante narrates this Christmas story that is based on the song of the same name. To make up for the fact that her students are in school on Christmas Eve, the local schoolteacher hires the magician Professor Hinkle to entertain the kids. Unfortunately, he’s not a very good magician. Frustrated in his attempt to pull a rabbit out of his hat, he throws it away in anger. Outside, the kids build a snowman (what to call it? Harold? Oatmeal? Frosty!), and when the hat blows onto it–Happy Birthday!–it comes to life. Professor Hinkle decides he wants the hat back so he can make money off of its newfound magical properties, but the kids want to save Frosty. When the temperature starts to rise, a new problem threatens Frosty’s existence. Karen, the leader of the children, comes up with a plan to save him: take him on a train to the North Pole, where it’s always cold. With a cameo by Santa Claus, and the promise of Frosty’s return every year, this story of life, death, and holiday cheer is glazed with the sweet frosting of hope and happiness. A true holiday classic. –Andy Spletzerthumpity thump thump

Frosty Returns:
n the same way that many a Hollywood sequel has little to do with the first film, Frosty Returns has almost nothing in common with the original Frosty the Snowman, aside from a man made of snow. The biggest difference is that this Frosty doesn’t need a magic hat to come to life. The story: In the town of Beansboro, old Mr. Twitchell has invented an aerosol spray that can remove snow without the hassle of shoveling or plows. This frightens Frosty, who enlists the help of amateur magician Holly and her friend Charles to stop the old coot. Made in 1992, Frosty Returns has an animation style that looks like a cross between the old Schoolhouse Rock and Peanuts cartoons, with voice talent that includes Jonathan Winters, Andrea Martin, Jan Hooks, Brian Doyle-Murray, and John Goodman as Frosty. The story may be divisive, pitting children against adults and a pro-snow contingent against anti-snow people, but the songs are catchy and the message is one that ultimately empowers kids. Like a hero from an old Western, this Frosty is a wanderer who leaves when his job is done so he can work his magic elsewhere. –Andy Spletzer




Learn To Play Guitar With Power Gig : Rise of the SixString

December 9, 2010 by

To me playing the guitar would be so freaking awesome and the closest I am able to come is by playing Power Gig : Rise of the SixString.

Power Gig: Rise of the SixString  is the first game to feature a real electric guitar controller and teaches the fundamental skills of guitar playing in the process.  All of its controllers are compatible with Rock Band & Guitar Hero games and peripherals . Go to powergig.com/compatibility for more information.

Right out of the box you get that real guitar feel which is pretty cool in my opinion.  The one thing I really like about this game is the song selection.  I really like that the games features three exclusive artists : Eric Clapton, Dave Matthews Band and Kid Rock.  One of my favorite bands on this game is Disturbed.  LOL, if it wasn’t for this game when else would I have the opportunity to play a Disturbed song.

In a marketplace of violent video games, rest assured that Power Gig’s world of Ohm is a peaceful zone. The ESRB gave the game a T (Teen) rating, listing mild lyrics and mild suggestive themes.  You can buy everything you need in one box! The band kit comes with the game and the SixString guitar controller so you can start playing right away.

Power Gig is available at major retailers like Walmart, Target, Best Buy, GameStop, ToysRUs, BJ’s, QVC, and Amazon.  If you have a gamer on your list who is interested in the guitar be sure to pick this game up.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




Geotrax Christmas in ToyTown RC Train Set

December 5, 2010 by

Shaun and Shae love trains and Christmas and they think the Geotrax Christmas in ToyTown RC set is super cool.

What a better way to enjoy trains and Christmas then with this themed train set. It is simple to put together with it snap lock tracks and you operate it with a remote control. The Geotrax Christmas in ToyTown RC set has an engine and 3 train cars that light up as well as the the Rail Station, bridge and skating pond. It plays four holiday songs and comes with all of the Christmas accessories.

Here is a full list of what is Included:

  • Light-up Easy Rail Station, bridge & skating pond
  • 4 Holiday songs!
  • RC train with light-up engine & 3 light-up cars
  • 2 movable lighted lamp posts
  • 16 pieces of Snap-Lock™ Track
  • Santa & his Elf
  • ToyTown arch
  • 2 North Pole signs
  • 2 gingerbread men
  • 2 toy soldiers
  • 2 Christmas tree signs
  • Christmas decorations for all around the town
  • Batteries included!


I think this is an awesome train set but the one thing that is a negative for me is the 15AAA batteries. I understand this is for young kids so plugging it in is out of the question but 15 batteries aren’t cheap and if your kids play with this often you may want to invest in rechargeable batteries. Other then that this gets an A+ in my book. It retails for approximately $130.00 and is sold exclusively at Toys R Us so be sure to get one for the train lover on your holiday list this season.

Happy Holidays!!

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




Simplehuman Is The Answer!!

December 4, 2010 by

Soap dispensers are essential in the bathroom and kitchen but I hate using disposable ones for two reasons. One they are ugly and two they are wasteful. This is where simplehuman steps in with their senor pump to save the day.

Simplehuman takes the ugly out of soap dispensers and they are refillable so it make them eco-friendly and economical. We received the 14oz brushed nickel senor pump and I must admit I likey. They are easy to use and you are able to adjust how much soap you want dispensed with the push of the + or – on the top of the dispenser. It is hand free which is awesome for the kids and it has a clear soap chamber so you can see when the soap is running low. Only drawback in my opinion it is runs on 4AA batteries and I have three of these so I needed twelve batteries. Other then that I love them.

The sensor pump is the perfect tool for dispensing soap, lotion or sanitizer in the bathroom or at the kitchen sink without worry of cross-contamination. We actually have one in our bathroom, one in the kid’s bathroom and one in the kitchen. The ones in the bathroom we use regular hand soap but the one in the kitchen we actually fill it will dishwashing soap so now we don’t have the ugly bottle sitting on the back of the sink.

Simplehuman makes everyday products like soap dispensers and trash cans more efficient for the busy person’s everyday like. Go over to Simplehumn and checkout their other entire product line you will be glad you did.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




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