Coraline

Out Tuesday on DVD is the thoroughly delightful film, Coraline. Best of all, if you're disappointed about missing it in 3-D on the big screen, you can watch it in 3-D at home, with special glasses included witht he DVD. The movie also can be viewed in 2-D.

All of the older members of our family have read the wonderful story of Coraline by Neil Gaiman and we were excited to see the film together. It did not disappoint. Coraline is a dark fantasy that's wonderfully creepy and fun. It is too scary, I think, for children under ten, but your older children will definitely enjoy it, and you will, too.

Here's a synopsis:

11-year-old Coraline Jones (voiced by Dakota Fanning) has just moved with her parents (Teri Hatcher and John Hodgman) to a new home in Oregon . With no friends and her parents distracted by work, the feisty and adventurous Coraline sets out to find some excitement in her isolated new environment. She is befriended—or, as she sees it, pestered—by a local boy close to her age, Wybie Lovat (Robert Bailey Jr.) and visits her older neighbors, eccentric British actresses Miss Spink and Miss Forcible (Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French) as well as the arguably even more eccentric Russian, Mr. Bobinsky (Ian McShane). Just as she’s beginning to think her new home is utterly uninteresting, she uncovers a secret door which leads to a parallel existence much like her own life—but much better. The adults, including the solicitous Other Mother (also voiced by Teri Hatcher) welcome her warmly. And Coraline gets far more attention there—even from the mysterious Cat (Keith David). She begins to think that this Other World might be where she truly belongs. But when her wondrously off-kilter, fantastical visit turns dangerous, Coraline must summon all her resourcefulness, determination and courage to get back home—and save her real family.

Special features include behind the scenes features on the making of Coraline and the voices of Coraline, deleted scenes, and a digital copy of the movie for your computer or iPod.

Coraline is available now on Amazon.

Let's Talk About... MY NEW REFRIGERATOR

As many of you know, I received a new Frigidaire refrigerator to permanently test drive for the company and Mom Central.

I've had it for about a month now and I am not even kidding when I say that I look at it every single day and feel giddy and grateful.

And now that I've been using it day in and day out, there are some features I've come to notice and appreciate that weren't necessarily apparent right away.

I've already told you about the filtered water/crushed ice/cubed ice dispenser, which my family uses probably once or twice PER HOUR during the daytime. We all love it.

But as the family food preparer, I love another major feature on this fridge that no one else in the house has really even noticed. The fruit and vegetable produce bins take up almost half of the fridge. They are possibly the largest fruit and vegetable bins you'll find on the market.

This fairly minor refrigerator detail has changed the way I shop and we eat. In my last refrigerator, I couldn't buy too many fruits and vegetables because the storage space for them was small and there simply wasn't much room. But now I find myself buying waaaaay more fruits and vegetables- and preparing and eating them way more than the usual carb-laden foods I usually depended on. This is HUGE. My husband I both are over the moon with the way we've been able to change our diets and eat more salads and healthy sides. I hated vegetables as a child and my mission as an adult who loves to cook has been to find recipes that make them taste great. My new Frigidaire is helping me to do just that. AMAZING!!

I'll be writing more about my Frigidaire in the coming weeks. There's even more about it that I love, so stay tuned!

Amazingly Cute Children's Raingear

Falling under the category of one-of-my-favorite-products-I've-ever-reviewed is Kidorable raingear for children.

Punky received the Ladybug line, pictured above, and can I just say everything is truly adorable, unique, well-made and all-out AWESOME?!

The boots have amazing ladybug detail, including antennae that stick out at the toes. The umbrella is charming. The coat is unlined and waterproof, which I appreciate since it is truly for all seasons. Also, it comes on a painted ladybug hanger, which is a nice touch, and the boots come in a waterproof plastic zipper bag, so that you have a great place to stow them and keep everything else dry when your child wears them home in the rain.

What's more, Kidorable raingear comes in all kinds of different styles for boys and girls, including Pirates, Dinosaurs, Frogs, Bumblebees, Fairies, Firemen and more.

My daughter BEGS to use her Kidorable gear at the first sign of rain (she daintily walked around the farmer's market yesterday holding the umbrella) and she looks cute as a button when she's wearing it.

I give Kidorable a HUGE thumbs up. Check out all of their products on the Kidorable website.

Another Amazing Giveaway!

In honor of the release of the wonderful pop-up book Baby Signs, I have a super-awesome giveaway for you guys!

One (1) Grand Prize winner will receive: A Copy of Baby Signs Pop-Up Book AND a $50 Babies ‘R Us Gift Card

Four (4) First Prize winners will receive: A Copy of Baby Signs Pop-Up Book.

Each book is valued at $25.99.

Here's a synopsis of the book:

BABY SIGNS is based on American Sign Language and will help encourage the use of non-verbal gestures to communicate. Research has proven that babies who are taught to use signs to express their basic ideas before they can say words are happier because they can communicate with others.

In order to enter to win, just leave a comment on this post between now and Wednesday, July eighth at 11:59pm, CST. Be sure and leave your e-mail address in the comment so that I can contact you if you've won.

Good luck!