Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day DVD Giveaway

October means Halloween is just about here and the holidays are just around the corner! There’s a ton of great content arriving on Netflix in October, and My Sparkling Life has the insight into what’s coming to this streaming service. There are quite a few we are excited about!
Some of the most popular titles available 10/1 include American Pie, Batman Begins and Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. Here’s what’s new on Netflix for October 2015…
WATCH IT 10/1/15
A Christmas Carol (1938)
bout Alex (2014)
Alexander: Theatrical Cut (2004)
American Pie (1999)
Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics Collection: Collection 1
Batman Begins (2005)
Boogie Nights (1997)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
Curse of Chucky (2013)
Dark Was The Night (2014)
Design on a Dime Collection: Collection 1
El Tiempo Entre Costruas (2013)
Extreme Homes Collection: Collection 1
Fixer Upper: Season 1
Genevieve’s Renovation: Season 1
Glass Chin (2014)
House Hunters Renovation Collection: Collection 1
Million Dollar Rooms Collection: Collection 1
Monkey Thieves: Seasons 1-3
On the Town (1949)
Pal Joey (1957)
Pepe (1960)
Pressure (2015)
Property Virgins Collection: Collection 1
Reasonable Doubt (2014)
Richard Pryor: Icon (2014)
Robin Williams Remembered – A Pioneers of Television Special (2014)
Some Came Running (1958)
Take Me Out To the Ball Game (1949)
The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
The Devil at 4 O’Clock (1961)
The Great Food Truck Race Collection: Collection 1
The Navy SEALs: Their Untold Story (2014)
The Nightmare (2015)
Throwdown with Bobby Flay Collection: Collection 1
Uncle Grandpa: Season 1
Vanilla Ice Project: Seasons 1-4
Wakfu: Season 1
White Rabbit (2013)
Wild Horses (2015)
Worst Cooks in America Collection: Collection 1
WATCH IT 10/2/15
Anjelah Johnson: Not Fancy (2015) – NETFLIX ORIGINAL –
La Leyenda de la Nahuala (2007)
Reign: Season 2
The Vampire Diaries: Season 6
WATCH IT 10/3/15
Alpha and Omega 5: Family Vacation (2015)
WATCH IT 10/5/15
Team Hot Wheels: Build the Epic Race (2015)
WATCH IT 10/6/15
American Horror Story: Freak Show (Season 4)
iZombie: Season 1
Last Man Standing: Season 4
The Flash: Season 1
The Originals: Season 2
Tremors 5: Bloodline (2015)
WATCH IT 10/7/15
Arrow: Season 3
Flor Salvaje: Season 1
Legends: Season 1
Supernatural: Season 10
WATCH IT 10/8/15
American Heist (2014)
Strangerland (2015)
WATCH IT 10/9/15
Mighty Med: Season 2
The Mr. Peabody and Sherman Show: Season 1 – NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Winter on Fire (2015) – NETFLIX ORIGINAL
WATCH IT 10/10/15
Lalaloopsy: Band Together (2015)
WATCH IT 10/11/15
Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me (2014)
Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Season 3
WATCH IT 10/12/15
Jane the Virgin: Season 1
WATCH IT 10/14/15
WATCH IT 10/15/15
Finding Jesus: Faith. Fact. Forgery: Season 1
Isabella Rossellini’s Green Porno Live! (2015)
The Five People You Meet in Heaven: Part 1 / Part 2 (2004)
WATCH IT 10/16/15
All Hail King Julien: Season 2 – NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Anthony Jeselnik: Thoughts and Prayers (2015) – NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Beasts of No Nation (2015) – NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Circle (2015) – NETFLIX EXCLUSIVE
Some Assembly Required: Season 2 – NETFLIX ORIGINAL
The Principal: Season 1
WATCH IT 10/18/15
Ain’t Them Bodies Saints (2013)
WATCH IT 10/20/15
Lego DC Comics: Batman Be-Leaguered (2014)
Marvel’s Avengers Assemble: Season 2
WATCH IT 10/22/15
WATCH IT 10/23/15
Hemlock Grove: Season 3 – NETFLIX ORIGINAL
WATCH IT 10/24/15
WATCH IT 10/25/15
Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection (2015)
WATCH IT 10/27/15
August: Osage County (2013)
Manson Family Vacation (2015) – NETFLIX EXCLUSIVE
WATCH IT 10/28/15
Chasing Life: Season 2
The Gunman (2015)
WATCH IT 10/29/15
WATCH IT 10/30/15
Popples: Season 1 – NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

So when it comes to video games, I’m obsessed with the Lego games…I grew up playing Legos, and still like to buy a set here or there for myself and my boys. I was excited when they started rolling out the video games years ago. Then last fall we stopped by Game Stop and saw this advertisement for the newest Lego game, Lego Dimensions, that would be much like Disney Infinity or Skylanders in the fact that you have to collect characters & use a platform to play the game.
I finally bought it as a family gift for Christmas, and well…I think I’ve played it more than anyone. The Lego Dimensions starter pack comes with the Portal platform, Batman Lego Figure, Batmobile, Gandolf Lego Figure & Wildstyle Lego Figure. I was so excited about the game I went ahead a purchased a Back To The Future Level Pack & Scooby Doo Team Pack. Since playing the game, I get anxious to get other characters to be able to unlock gold bricks and other special things…so I’ve purchased the Wicked Witch Fun Pack & Jurrasic World Team Pack.
Okay…lets get into Lego Dimensions game play…
You start the game with your three starter pack characters. Each game hero’s “sidekick” has been stolen by the villainous Lord Vortech who is collecting heroes, villains, and the “Foundation Artifact” of each of the 14 worlds in an effort to rebuild the worlds into a single “perfect” dimension created in his image. You are aided by his former henchman robot, X-PO, who helps you retrieve the foundation elements & artifacts.
As in other Lego games, You go around each level busting up everything to collect studs, find gold bricks, use basic Lego combat, and figure out puzzles. Different Lego character’s are needed as they have different specific abilities, but where Dimensions differs is that some abilities are activated by placing the characters on different parts of the LEGO toy pad. ie. You may need to move Wildestyle to different sections of the board to activate her scanning or master builder ability.
Your characters start their adventure together by first traveling through the unstable portal to OZ where you battle the Wicked Witch to collect your first Keystone, which in the end when all collected will stabilize the portal (you have 5 keystones to collect). After you collect your keystones or finish that level you will be taken back to “home base” where you can enter the portal again and keep moving forward in the game, or you can head up and check out all the adventure worlds where there are extra tasks and plenty of stud collecting waiting. The DC, Lord Of The Rings & Lego Movie worlds are all unlocked and ready to play. You can unlock other worlds when you purchase the additional packs.
Speaking of additional packs…I’m excited about today’s release! The Ghostbusters pack has been released TODAY! This release adds “A Spook Central Adventure!” and themed characters to the action! This means you can now own Peter Venkman, Ecto-1 & the Ghost Trap! Stay Puft Fun Pack will be released March 31 & Slimer Fun Pack will be released May 31. There will be many more releases this year so be sure to check out the Lego Dimensions site and social media pages to keep up with all the releases.
Stay Puft Fun Pack will be released March 31
Slimer Fun Pack will be released May 31
Additional packs also released today include the DC Comics team pack, featuring The Joker and Harley Quinn with two new vehicles, and new fun packs from Doctor Who, Back to the Future and LEGO Ninjago. There will be many more releases this year so be sure to check out the Lego Dimensions site and social media pages to keep up with all the releases.
If you’ve played and enjoyed other Lego games, you’re sure to enjoy this one…And with all the expansion packs rolling out it will keep the adventure going and going. The LEGO Dimensions Starter Pack is currently available at a 30% discount on Amazon, with several expansion fun packs on sale at store locations including Toys “R” Us and Amazon.
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Related

Having a brother or sister isn’t always easy, but Max & Ruby show the importance of working together, and resolving differences in respectful and supportive ways, in the brand new DVD, Max & Ruby: Sharing & Caring. The DVD features 12 “tails,” each with an important lesson that helps preschoolers develop important social skills, including kindness and listening.
Max & Ruby: Sharing & Caring includes the following episodes:
Picture Perfect
Detective Ruby
Superbunny Saves the Cake
Max’s Ride
Max on Guard
Ruby’s Real Tea Party
The Bunny Who Cried Lobster
Max and the Three Bears
Little Ruby Hen
Ruby’s Autograph
A Toy for Baby Huffington
Max’s Big Dig
Who doesn’t love Max & Ruby?! They’ve been around since I had my oldest, 13 years ago. And have been a part of our house since he was old enough to enjoy morning cartoons. I love the lessons Max & Ruby teach in their shows and Sharing & Caring is no different. With 12 episodes, it gives me a minute of peace and teaches some valuable lessons in the process.
Created by Nickelodeon and distributed by Paramount Home Media, Max & Ruby: Sharing & Caring will be available in the U.S. on June 2, 2015.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

There are many reasons why some parents cannot stay at home with their children. In these cases you need to know what to look for when choosing a daycare provider..this can be a daunting task! Let me share with you a few things that I learned over the course of 7 years at accredited centers as well as being a mom to children at the center. You need to know the right questions to ask and what to look for when searching for that perfect provider!
Every state is different, find out your state ratios (Texas for infants is 1/4 or 2/8, but the kicker is 2 can also have 10) I used to work in the infant room and found myself with 10 babies more often that they would have you believe…It can be a bit overwhelming for the teachers and the infants…but if they are good teachers they will get through it with poise and minimal crying from all…So the point is to know the max number and find out from the other parents (if you have the chance to) or the regular teachers what the typical ratio in the room is.
When touring look into the rooms and look for hand washing signs…did the teacher wash her/his hands before serving food, after a diaper, when entering the room? Did they wash the baby’s hands after a diaper, before or after eating or when entering the room from playing outside (yes they go outside..but that’s a whole other topic)
Do they know how to properly store, heat and handle Breastmilk? In my daycare, we were required to wear gloves when handling a breastmilk bottle. Bottles must be labeled and put in a labeled separate container in the fridge. Warmed in a crockpot or bottle warmer.
These are standards created by national groups. Accreditation standards are most often higher than licensing regulations. Child care programs can voluntarily become accredited; it is not mandated by state law. Therefore, accredited child care programs have gone beyond the minimum licensing standards to assist them in providing quality care.
Family child care homes
Group child care homes
Child care centers
Kindergarten classrooms
School Age
Type of childcare – Family child care homes
What are the main standards addressed?
Relationships
Environment
Activities
Developmental Learning Goals
Safety and Health
Professional Business Practice
Where can I get more information? Visit their website: www.nafcc.org or call 1-800-359-3817
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Type of child care – Child care centers, Kindergartens, public school preschools
What are the main standards addressed?
Relationships
Curriculum
Teaching
Assessment of Child Progress
Health
Teachers
Families
Community Relationships
Physical Environment
Leadership & Management
Where can I get more information? Visit their website: www.naeyc.org or call 1-800-424-2460
Just because it may show to be accredited doesn’t mean that the teachers will follow through…they are told when they are getting “visitors” and always act appropriately when they are there…when your are touring, this gives you the chance to pop in and see how the teachers really interact…are they on the floor with the little ones? or are the kids left to wonder the room on their own? Now if it is a room where there are diapers know that the teacher will be changing diapers and can’t always “drop” that kid to interact with the others..use your common sense in these cases…Now when I worked in the infant room, I would sit on the floor to feed a bottle so I could interact with my mobile babies at the same time…no it wasn’t the most comfortable, the kids were happy and engaged…
Most daycares have a late pickup fee, or if you’re late too many time you may get kicked out of the program! Nobody wants this!
Do they lock down the center? Call parents right away or wait till they are at the evacuation location? How do they transport to the evacuation location?
You’re probably confused…an evacuation location is typically a local church, country club, elementary..that your daycare will evacuate to in case of a fire, bomb threat, gas leak etc.
Pretty self-explanatory, most of your high dollar daycares or “learning centers” will require that their lead teachers have a degree in child development.
While having a degree or initial training is great, laws change, new developmental techniques are found…do they offer continuing education to their teachers? In my daycares I was required to have 20+ continuing education hours a year…most of which were provided by the company on “staffing days”.
Now it may not be one of the most important questions for under 3, but remember 50% of what kids learn they learn before they are 5! So those first 3 years are very important…Interaction is tops, but right behind is curriculum, what will they work on…the curriculum needs to mold with your child, not leave them behind or confused.
Make sure that the daycare is on board with how you choose to introduce solids, whether it be BLW or puree, they need to be able to follow YOUR routine bcuz they only have your child for a few hours, you have them the rest of the time.
Do they allow your child to decide when it is nap time or do they make them nap on a schedule? Do they allow the children to CIO?
Some daycares have a waiting list…you want to get in the best ones, you need to start looking early…don’t wait till your ready to go back to work, you will be stuck in a daycare your not happy with.
pretty self-explanatory…do the teachers know what to do if heaven forbid your baby starts choking…or fell and hit their head? It’s hard to think about something happening when your not their, that’s why its important for the teachers to be up to date on how to handle these situations