Disney’s ALICE IN WONDERLAND: THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS Kicks Off Production

Filmmakers Return to Beloved Stories of Lewis Carroll for

All-New Adventure to Underland and Beyond

BURBANK, Calif. (Aug. 4, 2014) – Disney’s “Alice In Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass” begins principal photography this week, featuring an award-winning production team and all-star ensemble cast, including Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen. James Bobin (“The Muppets,” “Muppets Most Wanted”) helms the film, which revisits Lewis Carroll’s beloved stories with an all-new new tale that travels back to Underland—and back in Time. “Alice In Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass” is produced by Joe Roth (“Maleficent,” “Alice in Wonderland”), Jennifer Todd (“Alice In Wonderland,” “Memento”), Suzanne Todd (“Alice In Wonderland,” “Memento”) and Tim Burton (“Alice in Wonderland,” “Frankenweenie”). John G. Scotti (“Muppets Most Wanted,” “The Muppets”) is the executive producer; Linda Woolverton (“Maleficent,” “Alice In Wonderland,” “Beauty and the Beast”) penned the screenplay. Shooting on location and at Shepperton Studios in England, the film is slated for release on May 27, 2016.

The all-star ensemble cast includes:

Johnny Depp (“Pirates of the Caribbean” films, “Alice In Wonderland,” “Mortdecai,” “Black Mass”) returns to the big screen as the Mad Hatter—Hatter Tarrant Hightopp.

Anne Hathaway (“Les Misérables,” “The Devil Wears Prada,” “Alice In Wonderland,” “Rachel’s Getting Married”) portrays the White Queen—Mirana.

Mia Wasikowska (“Tracks,” “Jane Eyre” and “Alice In Wonderland”) once again appears as Alice Kingsleigh, who’s on a quest to help the Mad Hatter.
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Into the Woods Teaser Trailer

 

“Into the Woods” is a modern twist on several of the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales, intertwining the plots of a few choice stories and exploring the consequences of the characters’ wishes and quests. This humorous and heartfelt musical follows the classic tales of Cinderella (Anna Kendrick), Little Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford), Jack and the Beanstalk (Daniel Huttlestone), and Rapunzel (MacKenzie Mauzy)—all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife (James Corden & Emily Blunt), their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch (Meryl Streep) who has put a curse on them.
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Win FarFaria iPad App

Disclosure: The Farfaria iPad app mentioned below was provided for me in order to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.
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As I’m sure that you are all well aware by now, I am all for allowing my children to play/use the iPad as long as it is only occasional and it is an educational/positiveexperience. The FarFaria iPad app has a wide variety of children books that it will read to your child, or allow your child to read.

About FarFaria:

FarFaria is an iPad app that provides the perfect story time experience. They have more than 600 amazing children’s stories – and five new ones added each week – story time has never been easier.

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This app was created for children ages 2-9, FarFaria helps children develop a passion for reading and encourages families to spend quality time reading together. FarFaria’s engaging story-discovery experience encourages children to stumble into new stories they’ll love forever.

Features:

  • Unlimited reading from the reading library of more than 600 stories.
  • Interactive experience is fun for kids and easy for parents
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Nursing- Considering a Degree?

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Many career fields have options when it comes to expanding your horizons and exceeding your goals. In the field of nursing, there are many possibilities to keep upgrading your education so that you can move on to the next great job. Those who are just starting out may work towards an associate’s degree so that they can get working as a nurse’s aid or assistant. Once all the coursework is completed, you can go right to work, but if you want to get to the next level, which often include more income, you will have to study to earn additional degrees and certifications. These can all be earned through a traditional university classroom setting, or through online courses.

After an associate’s degree, you can go on to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing. This will take you to the next level and open you up to a variety of specialties that you can explore. If you are interested in working with kids, you can focus on a concentration in pediatrics. If you would rather help older people, you can concentrate on geriatrics. These concentrations may require additional certifications, but many of these can be earned through weekend seminars or short six week courses.
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Let’s Rhyme With Time (Kids Educational)

Has your child ever asked you what time it was when there was a large clock hanging nearby? Author Carmine Dapice believes that children are losing the ability to tell time on round clocks rather than digital.  A retired schoolteacher, Dapice wrote “Let’s Rhyme With Time” designed to teach children in school, at home or independently.

Dapice has created a book and included workbook with pages that contain catchy rhymes and illustrations synonymous with the Letter People – things children are already using in kindergarten.  So Carmine, do you have time for a little chat?

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Samantha- What inspired you to write the book?

Carmine Dapice- The writing of this long poem came by way of inspiration to write down my thoughts in poetic form, which I had already been doing for several years. It was later that the realization came to me that many kids were unable to tell time on regular, round clocks and it proved to be a problem for many since their orientation was toward digital clocks. The lively animated numbers and poetic form – hopefully – would attract their interest to numbered clocks that are still found in many areas of life.

S- Why do you feel children are losing this skill?

CD- Simply, ask several children in the age bracket of 5 years and up – even in later years to give the time from an analog numbered clock and you might be shocked with some of the results. My granddaughter was asked to give the time and even though an analog clock was present in that room, she had to walk into the next room to give the time from a digital clock. Now if that isn’t a strong motivation that a learning tool for analog clocks is necessary, what else would be! At the time, she was ten years old. It was sort of shocking to me.
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5 Ways to Motivate Children to Do Better in School

As a concerned and caring parent, you obviously want your children to do well in school. The progress they achieve in their academic studies now could determine how they fare for the rest of their lives, including the colleges they’re able to attend and the types of jobs they’ll ultimately hold. Of course, most kids are not that forward-thinking. They’d rather play with their friends, play video games, and goof off than do homework or study for tests. So there will be times when you have to make them buckle down and do their work. But really, wouldn’t you rather motivate them so that they take an interest in the prospect of their own future? The answer, of course, is yes, but actually motivating your children is not quite so simple. So here are just a few ways that you might instill in them a desire to do better in school.

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1   Help them with studies. Often, kids can get frustrated, bored, and discouraged when left to manage a mountain of homework on their own. But when you take the time to participate in the process, you not only have the ability to monitor their academic progress, but also to assist them with any problems they may be having and build confidence in their abilities through encouragement and praise. When kids associate academics with positive feelings, they’re going to be a lot more motivated to try hard and succeed in school.
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WIN Back to School Backpack and More PLUS $25 Gift card to Office Max

Disclaimer: I received the school supplies and gift card mentioned in this post from OfficeMax in order to facilitate my review. The items featured in this giveaway are also provided by OfficeMax and will be sent to the winner directly. Opinions expressed in this post are 100% my own. I have not been compensated for this post in any other way.

With more than 2,800 products to choose from, OfficeMax is a one-stop-shop for back-to-school, featuring great deals on must-have supplies and the latest technology. There is tons to find for your student, both online and in local stores.

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OfficeMax’s “Bevy of Blue” School Supplies:
You will never be too cool for school with these color coordinating supplies from A-Z. Select from backpacks, folders, binders and other bright accessories featuring this season’s hottest hues from turquoise to teal, complemented by plaid and green accents to show off your savvy style at school.

Save on School Supply Purchases at OfficeMax:
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The Value of Written Word – Chronicle Books

Reading can be both the most rewarding of experiences as well as one of the most frustrating when learning at the same time.  When people are first learning to read, no matter what the age, it can seem like an unattainable goal.  This can be awkward at best, but the “Ah-ha!” moment is absolutely wonderful to witness.  Recently Little Man had this moment and it was crazy to see the light in his eyes glow bright as he realized how much power reading and spelling had.

As usual my wife and I were trying to convey a secret message via spelling the words out across the room as Little Man was there  about some possibilities for dinner.  These conversations usually involve a lot of spelling.  Dad saying, “Whats for d-i-n-n-e-r?”  Mom replying, ” He wants p-i-z-z-a”. At this point there would be some thought or discussion between adults but instead Little Man inserts a, “YEAH I WANT PIZZA!”  To which Dad replies with an open mouth and Mom replies with a cry of happiness. Little Man literally jumps for joy and says, “I can read!! Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!”  Mom and Dad were both very proud of him and have been hoping for this spark of realization for a long time.  So this event was very fulfilling for all involved, especially Little Man.  Of course Little Man got his wish and pizza was soon ordered.
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