Happy Mother's Day

Disney/Pixar

Happy Mother's Day! Disney has released a new trailer for Brave just in time for Mother's Day. It celebrates the relationship between Merida and her mother. Enjoy!

Brave arrives in theaters on June 22.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

Warner Bros

My family and I finally made it to the theater to see Journey 2: The Mysterious Island this weekend. I have to say, I had high hopes because I absolutely loved the first one, and I wasn't disappointed. Caution: Spoilers Ahead!

Josh Hutcherson was fantastic reprising his role as Sean Anderson. In Journey 2, Sean receives an encrypted message that he is positive came from his grandfather, who has been missing for the last two years. His stepfather, Hank (Dwayne Johnson), helps him to decipher the code and, after some debate, agrees to accompany Sean on a search for the Mysterious Island of Jules Verne and his lost grandfather.

They travel to Palau, where they hire tour guide Gabato (Luis Guzman) and his daughter Kailani (Vanessa Hudgens). After a few mishaps, they finally arrive on the Mysterious Island. Madcap adventure ensues. They discover that animals that would be large in the outside world are miniaturized on the Island. And animals that should be small, have grown enormous. While trying to escape from a giant lizard, they are found by Sean's grandfather Alexander (the ever hilarious Michael Caine). The rest of the film is spent, like the first one, searching for a way to get back home, with a lot of action, adventure, and the discovery of several secrets hidden on the Island.

I loved this movie! It was hilarious and exciting, a great blend of adventure and comedy. If you enjoyed Journey to the Center of the Earth, go see Journey 2: Mysterious Island, you won't be sorry.

Brave merchandise

Disney

The Disney Store released several new Brave items today. My personal favorite is the Merida toddler doll. I just love the little smirk and gorgeous red hair! And at $24. 50, she's not even a bad deal for a 16 inch doll. They also have a Merida fashion doll, a soft doll, and a 10 figure play set.

Disney has also released several costume options for little girls. They have an adventure costume, like the one Merida wears on her adventure, as well as a formal costume, similar to the dress Merida wears during the archery tournament. There's even a wild and fiery red wig, full of tangled curls! To complete the look, Disney has created golden gladiator sandals, a golden knot-work tiara, and an archery set with a bow and quiver full of suction cup tipped arrows. (I know Bean would love the archery set because she has been begging for a bow every day since we went to the Georgia Renaissance Festival.) Disney has also created several t-shirts and pajama sets sure to delight little girls.

Quote of the Week

Disney

I love the nostalgic myself. I hope we never lose some of the things of the past.

- Walt Disney

Georgia Renaissance Festival

Saturday, April 14th, was the opening day of the 27th season of the Georgia Renaissance Festival. We've been going to the Festival since 2005, but this was the first year that opening day happened to land on my birthday.

I attended my first Renaissance Faire in Arizona in 2000. It was love at first sight! I've worn garb to every faire and have become quite adept at sewing period clothing. I make all of the clothing that my family wears to the Festival, and we've gotten rather elaborate in recent years. It is SO much more fun to go in garb. It's rather like going to Disney World decked out in Disney merchandise; anyone who spots you knows you're there to have a good time.

This year, we had the chance to watch a few of our favorite acts: Hey Nunnie Nunnie (Mother Redempta and Sister Philomena Claire) and Barely Balanced (Jimmy, Cameron, and Margaret, aka: Large, Medium, and Small). Hey Nunnie Nunnie has hilarious songs and terrible jokes, but it's a lot of fun to watch. And we watched Barely Balanced in their fire show, one of our favorites. Acrobatics, danger, and fire breathing, what could be better!?

We also watched the joust from the premium seats, which was a lot of fun. We got a chance to meet the jousters, Sir Amadeo and Sir Edgeron, and they answered questions, signed pennants, and posed for pictures. We chose Sir Amadeo's side because he doesn't play fair and sometimes its fun to cheer for the villain.

The Festival was wonderfully fun, as always, and I look forward to going again soon.
The Georgia Renaissance Festival is open weekends from April 14 to June 3, 2012. Adult tickets are $19.95 and children aged 6-12 are $8.95, children 5 and under are free.

Quote of the Week

Disney

There is more treasure in books than in all the pirates' loot on Treasure Island and at the bottom of the Spanish Main... and best of all, you can enjoy these riches every day of your life. 

- Walt Disney

Hoppy Easter

Disney

Hoppy Easter!