So, yes. I have two girls! But don’t be fooled, although at least one of them is a girly girl at all times, sometimes she still likes to get into the ‘rough and tumble’ toys.

When I unboxed the Zing Zip-Bak Bow and the Pop Rockets my girls were ecstatic and couldn’t wait to get outside to try them out (although I will admit, I did catch them and daddy trying to play with them indoors and they got a good yelling at! OUTDOOR TOYS!!).

The Zip-Bak Bow launches it’s foam arrows OVER 95 feet! Now you see why I said OUTDOOR TOYS! This compact shooter has Power Swing technology which gives you the ability to ready, aim, fire as the bow arms open up for extra action and an added punch. The ammo, Soft foam Z-Arrows are a soft, safe foam with a suction cup on the end so that it’s able to stick to almost any surface (even foreheads, don’t ask!) for loads of fun for the kids (and dads). Once you load your ammo in, watch them fly and even bounce back!
The Zip-Bak Bow was a huge hit in our household, the Pop Rocketz were too until the dog got a hold of them and tore them to shreds. These are pocket size, take anywhere, air powered rocket launchers with foam rockets and they sore more than 50 feet! The girls were amazed with the height, and they say that they’re safe for indoors and out, but take my advice, keep them OUT!
Zing’s Air Storm toys are a hit with my girls, I could just imagine how fun they would be for some boys. They recommend Zing Toys to be for ages 8+ but I did have my 6 year old play with them as well and she had a blast!

Zing Toys are a MUST HAVE for outdoor fun this summer, you can purchase them on Amazon and many other mass retail outlets such as Target, Walmart and Toys R US.

You can also win your own kids a Zing Zip Back Bow and Pop Rocketz right here, just enter via the Rafflecopter entry form below.

Giveaway open to those with a US mailing address. Ends 5/26/12.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Can you believe that it’s almost May already? This spring is flying by.. As soon as you know it, its going to be Mother’s Day!!! Have you thought about what you’ll be getting your Mother? Wife? Or Whoever it is that you celebrate on Mother’s Day?

Here’s the thing, and I’m sure I’m not just speaking for myself, but the usual, flowers, cards, just doesn’t do it for me. I like gifts to be thought about. Find something I actually like, something I don’t already have, and something unique!

If you’re stuck in that rut trying to find perfect Mothers Day Gifts, check out the amazing selection of Mothers day gifts over at Uncommon Goods. Find a gift that you know she’ll love, and doesn’t already have. One of my pick’s is the Soji Neon String Lanterns.  It’s spring, a lot of us are decorating outdoors rather than indoors and I’d personally love a gift like these string lanterns. They’re solar, so there’s no problem with having batteries around, or having to find an electrical outlet. They give off enough decorative lighting for about 4-6 hours and a few strands would be able to cover the fencing of my yard. I just love the look of the lanterns at night, it gives your yard that special look if you’re entertaining.

Uncommon Goods is the perfect place not only for Mother’s Day, but think, Father’s Day is on the way in June, and I know I always have the most issues with what to get my husband and father, Uncommon Goods has a bunch of beer gifts and other Gift ideas for parents.

You can find something for just about anyone, and it won’t be a gift or item they’re likely to have already, it will also be something they’ll enjoy! Visit Uncommon Goods for more gift ideas and information on the perfect Mother’s Day Gifts.

Anything there that you see that you’d want on your Mother’s Day wish list? I’ve seen a few!

Post is only by the opinion of A Wrestling Addicted Mommy, other views and opinions may vary, please see my disclosure policy for more information.

I’m not a huge movie goer, but one movie I’m excited to see that’s coming out is American Reunion.

The American Pie franchise of movies are hilarious, and although I can admit went downhill with a few of their more recent movies, it’s exciting to see the original cast of American Pie characters returning to be together to do another movie.

About American Reunion – The Movie

All the American Pie characters are returning to East Great Falls for their high-school reunion. In one long-overdue weekend, they will discover what has changed, who hasn’t and that time and distance can’t break the bonds of friendship.

It was summer 1999 when four small-town Michigan boys began a quest to lose their virginity. In the years that have passed, Jim and Michelle married while Kevin and Vicky said goodbye. Oz and Heather grew apart, but Finch still longs for Stifler’s mom. Now these lifelong friends have come home as adults to reminisce about – and get inspired by – the hormonal teens who launched a comedy legend.

Along with the movie, there’s of course an American Reunion Soundtrack, the track list includes:
1. Last Night – Good Charlotte
2. You Make Me Feel (feat. Sabi) – Cobra Starship
3. Here Comes The Hotstepper – StooShe
4. Wannamama – Pop Levi
5. My First Kiss (Feat. Ke$ha) – 3Oh!3
6. I’m A Man – The Blue Van
7. Bring It On Home – Kopek
8. Rump Shaker – Wreckx & Effects
9. Wannabe (Radio Edit) – Spice Girls
10. I’ll Make Love To You – Boyz II Men
11. This Is How We Do It – Montell Jordan
12. The Good Life – HP
13. My Generation – Thomas Nicholas Band
14. Class Of ’99 – Lyle Workman
15. American Reunion – Lyle Workman

I actually kind of like the American Reunion Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, there’s some really great songs that bring back a lot of memories, and were huge hits with me ‘back in the day’ and there’s also a mix of current ‘pop’ music and artists as well, then there’s a couple of songs I’ve never heard of before.

Right now, on behalf of the American Reunion Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, you can enter an amazing sweepstakes featuring a dorm room prize pack consisting of a JBL OnBeat Xtreme™ docking station, a copy of the American Reunion Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, and a delicious assortment of KIND Bars. The OnBeat Xtreme™ docking station is compatible with the iPhone, iPad or any mobile device and can be controlled remotely by blue tooth, so this is truly a cool prize!

Check it out here, as well as out American Reunion Mixtape Twitter feed, where they’re trying to create the perfect high school mixtape, one tweet at a time: relativitymusicgroup.net/americanreunionsoundtrackprize/

The American Reunion Soundtrack able is available for purchase now on Amazon.com as well as various other music retailers and iTunes.

Win It

TWO (2) lucky readers will win a copy of the American Reunion Soundtrack CD.

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FROM DIRECTOR CAMERON CROWE COMES THE UPLIFTING TALE BASED ON A TRUE STORY

Featuring Family Friendly Audio Track The Whole Family Will Go Wild for this Heartwarming Adventure Starring Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson On Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Download April 3.

This Easter, be unpredictable, do something crazy and embrace your wild side, go see a movie!  Check those cinema times and check out a new movie!

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment presents an inspiring adventure based on a true story of one man who brought a zoo back to life and family back together in WE BOUGHT A ZOO, arriving on Blu-ray, DVD and digital download April 3.  Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Cameron Crowe (Almost Famous, Jerry Maguire) and starring Matt Damon (Contagion, True Grit), Scarlett Johansson (Iron Man 2, Vicky Cristina Barcelona) and Thomas Haden Church (Easy A, Sideways), WE BOUGHT A ZOO is “a sweet-natured tale…that you’ll want to see with your kids” (Liz Braun, Jam! Movies).

Benjamin Mee (Damon) is a Los Angeles newspaper columnist and adventure writer who, as a single father, faces the challenges of raising his two young children.  Hoping that a fresh start and a new life will restore their family spirit, Mee quits his job and buys an old rural house outside the city with a unique bonus feature: a zoo named the Rosemoor Animal Park, where dozens of animals reside under the care of head zookeeper Kelly Foster (Johansson) and her dedicated team.  With no experience, limited time and a shoestring budget, Mee sets out with the support of his family and the local community to reopen the zoo.  Now, Benjamin is no longer reporting an adventure story; he’s living it in his own backyard.

 TOP ANIMAL LOVER FILMS

 The American Humane Association monitors the treatment of animals on-set for film, television and commercials, etc and every Screen Actors Guild productions are required to provide safety representatives unlimited access whenever animals are used.  If the production meets or exceeds the organization’s standards, the film is given the coveted “No Animals Were Harmed” disclaimer in the end credits of the film.  We Bought a Zoo is one of the films that earned this certification for their ethical treatment of animals.  To ensure the safety of the animals featured in the film, much of the action were filmed against a green screen, especially when predatory animals and humans were in the same scene together.  Those shots were typically filmed separately and then digitally placed together later.  In honor of the film’s DVD and Blu-ray release on April 3^rd, we will explore five films that have received the same high honor.

LASSIE

In the 2005 film adaptation of Lassie, starring Peter O’Toole, Samantha Morton and John Lynch, the Carraclough family is forced to sell their beloved collie to the Duke of Rudling due to economic hardships.  Suffering from mistreatment in her new home, Lassie runs away and embarks on a journey to go back to her family and loyal master.  In the film, two nearly identical dogs were used and were alternated during the film, according to each dog’s skills.  To ensure the dogs’ safety, all of the actors and crew were introduced to the dogs and received extensive handling instructions before production began.

MARLEY AND ME

Marley and Me tells the story of newlyweds John and Jennifer Grogan.  John surprises his wife with a new puppy, who grows up to become an energized but mischievous and naughty member of their family.  As the Grogan family expands and Marley grows older, the family picks up some valuable life lessons from their “clearance puppy.”  Several labradors were used for the role of Marley.  Before filming started, cast and crew were instructed on how to properly handle each dog.  During production, streets were closed off to traffic and all grounds and fences were inspected for safety purposes.

ENCHANTED

In Disney’s Enchanted, Giselle is a fairytale princess who lives in Andalasia, an animated fairy tale world where animals talk and happy endings exist.  When an evil queen throws Giselle into a portal, she ends up in the middle of New York City, where she finds herself being rescued by a handsome, but hardened divorce lawyer.  Several scenes called for numerous animals, sometimes of different breeds.  For instance, one scene involved several rats.  During rehearsals, stuffed prop rats were used.  For the scenes in Central Park, the dogs seen in the background were all on leashes and their owners doubled as actors.  In addition, the outdoor set was closed off to the public.

  WAR HORSE

In Steven Speilberg’s War Horse, a farmer’s son develops a bond with a horse that his father buys for their farm.  Young Albert trains the horse and calls him Joey and they become inseparable. However, when a rainstorm destroys the field, the family decides to sell Joey to a young cavalry officer in order to pay the overdue rent.  As World War I emerges, both Albert and Joey find themselves in journeys that eventually will bring them to cross paths again.  To ensure the safety of the animals in the film, animals were trained for weeks, some for months, for the action seen in the film.  In addition, costumed trainers were in the scene during the filming and trainers stood just off camera.

MR. POPPER’S PENGUINS

Mr. Popper’s Penguins tells the story of a businessman, Tom Popper, who’s sacrificed everything and worked his entire life to become the #1 real estate mogul in New York City.  In the midst of closing the deal of his career, he gets an unusual gift from his father – six penguins that will unravel life as he once knew it.   To ensure the safety of the penguins in the film, floors and props were disinfected each time before filming began.  Actors, in addition, carried fish in their pockets to entice the penguins to stay near them or to follow when needed.

Post is only by the opinion of A Wrestling Addicted Mommy, other views and opinions may vary, please see my disclosure policy for more information.

Charitable causes are great, but often times we don’t feel like we’re contributing enough, or just don’t know how to so we push them off to the side and don’t think anymore of them.

Well, Macy’s is making it a little easier to help out with their Heart of Haiti Collection. By making a purchase from the Macy’s Heart of Haiti Collection you’ll be helping support families in Haiti who are trying to rebuild their lives 2 years after the devastating earthquake that hit their country.

The Heart of Haiti Collection are some very unique pieces created from some not so common materials. Pieces include metalwork, ceramics, quilts, paintings, jewelry and home décor items as well as accessories. Items are made from raw materials like recycled oil drums, wrought iron, paper-mache and stones all handmade by a Haitian master artisan. Their pieces reflect their culture and history and you’ll be helping these artisans by providing them with an income to be able to give nutrition, education and health care for their own families.

Being one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere and despite the devastating earthquake they encountered, Haiti is a country filled with hope and has people who want to improve their own lives. With limitations it can be hard. Heart of Haiti is a “Trade, Not Aid” initiative launched by artist and social entrepreneur Willa Shailt, The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund and Macy’s.

Giving these Haitian artists an opportunity to make a living, feed their families and pay for their children’s education gives them a sense of dignity and purpose. The Heart of Haiti Collection has led to the employment of 750 artists in Haiti and have provided financial benefits for an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 people.

Purchasing an item from the Heart of Haiti collection not only contributes to a great cause, but it also provides you with some beautiful pieces! Two of my favorite pieces that I received from the Heart of Haiti Collection is the Heart of Haiti Horn Warrior Bracelet and the Heart of Haiti Goddess Heart Pendant.

Handcrafted by talented Haitian artisans, the Warrior bracelet brings bold, organic style and a new meaning to your jewelry collection in a chunky, beaded design. This bracelet is made of cow horn and is 3” in diameter. The bracelet is just beautiful and because each item is uniquely made there may be variations in size and color so no one will ever have the same bracelet as you! You will also receive a Certificate of Authenticity.

The Heart of Haiti Goddess Heart Pendent is also handcrafted and steel cut from recycled barrels. It measures 11/2” tall and is hung on a 29” black cord. You can see the creativity and beauty of this hand made heart.

Jewelry isn’t the only items though, you’ll find so many other precious unique items from the Macy’s Heart of Haiti Collection. Not only will you find beautiful items but you’ll be helping deserving people of creating a better life for themselves and their families.

You can find the Heart of Haiti Collection exclusively at Macy’s stores around the country or by visiting Macys.com.

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