Monsters University on Blu-Ray Scares Up Family Fun And Colorful Eats! #Shop

Momma Told Me: Sometimes you just have to scare up a little fun.

As a child of the mid 80s, my childhood was marked with some monstrous (pun intended) achievements in family entertainment. Not only did I watch the Atari blossom into the NES, and later real 3D gaming; but this new digital technology soon spilled over into the 1995 Pixar release of Toy Story. Children's films would never be the same again. Flat 2D animation, with a limited palette of colors became almost touchable, shaded, characters bursting from a limitless rainbow of hues. When Monsters Inc. hit theaters in 2001, I was more of a teen, than a child, but still fell in love with the blue 'kitty' and one-eyed grouch, Mike Wazowski. Movie-goers of all ages found a sense of nostalgia in the heartwarming story, brought to life among a riot of color and carefully composed soundboard. Monsters Inc. was an instant classic in any Disney movie library, young or old.

When rumors of a Monsters Inc. sequel began to surface in 2005, fans eagerly awaited an official announcement, they would not see until 2010, then later announced in 2001 as the now known prequel, Monsters University. I'll admit, I was skeptical about Pixar transforming our beloved characters into awkward college students, but remained positive through 2 years of "When's the new Monster's Inc movie coming out?" As concept art and teaser trailers began to leak hardcore Pixar fans, such as our family, gave in to the hype. We'd speculate on the plot, create our own new monsters to star in the film, and soon had an official countdown on the calendar for it's theatrical release. Needless to say, we attended a screening with our arms full of Monster's U merchandise, and our faces painted like Sulley. Our entire family walked out of the theater head over heels with the franchise again; and we soon found ourselves awaiting a new date- the Blu-Ray/DVD release!

While most families are eagerly awaiting the first big holiday of the fall, Halloween, Pixar brilliantly took us all back to #ScarEdu with the smart timing of it's blockbuster Monster's University on an exclusive Blu-Ray + DVD bundle pack, October 29, 2013, sold exclusively at Walmart. When Sabrina (11) had announced she was tired of trick or treating, and did not want to participate this year; she suggested we buy Monster's University and have a mini-party with her neighborhood friends. Since I estimated the costs would be equal to outfitting her in a costume, we headed to Walmart early afternoon, on October 29, and made a beeline for the media/entertainment department. Monsters U was everywhere in the form of DVDs and merchandise, but there was one hole in the display that caught my eye. As Sabrina excitedly clutched her Blu-Ray copy I spotted an exclusive Monster's University 2 Disc Blu-Ray + DVD + InfINity Combo pack, the last on the shelf. With a special introductory price less than $30, taking this amazing bundle home was a no-brainer.

Finding inspiration for our Monster's U shindig came natural; I used all of the beautiful colors and unique monsters we'd seen in the theater to inspire me to set up a fun and affordable spread. While the girls played with the bonus disc Story School and Scare Games interactive features, I whipped up some adorably scary snacks. I balanced sweet with healthy, setting out some small bowls of dried kiwi, mango, and pineapple alongside family favorites like color sorted M and Ms and blueberry yogurt pretzels. For actual 'food' I served the girls 'Squishy' Squibbles Eye Wraps made from a ranch cream cheese base, rolled in tortillas with olives, thin sliced ham, and pimentos. I also whipped up some eerily adorable Mike Wazowski wedge salads with a slice of mozzarella and olive for the classic 'eye'. But our spread wasn't complete- there were the mom friendly Sulley Mini Blackberry Scare Pies, and even an Eta Hiss Hiss Sorority inspired smoothie!

I don't always make taking a movie home a big event, but Monster's U quickly turned into one- Once I'd laid the table full of colorful, and deliciously scary snacks, the girls began to find their own inspiration. Sabrina already has a closet full of branded merchandise waiting for Christmas; but we couldn't help but bring home a Giant Sulley Plush from our Walmart trip. I thought he'd be the star of the viewing, but kids live in a world of their own, and they quickly begged for sharpies to turn our balloons into characters from the movie. As they sat 3 feet from the TV screen (I know, I know), they traced their favorite characters' features like it was their job. Of course, Monsters U had hundreds of unique characters on the #ScareEdu campus, so finding a 'favorite' character was often short-lived, as the next scene presented more options.

When our Monster's University Blu-Ray 'screening' ended there was a call for an encore showing of Monster's Inc, which we, of course, had on hand. While we swapped out DVD's we had a conversation about how important true friendships were, and that Mike and Sulley had become unlikely friends, despite their differences. It was great to see young girls taking about the importance of social acceptance and building friendships, but I was especially grateful to see that Monster's University had provided an entire day of imagination and fun on top of it. If your little monsters are as enamored with this franchise as ours, you simply have to add the Walmart 2 Disc Blu-Ray + DVD + InfINity Combo pack to your library. Not only does the Blu-Ray Bonus Disc offer hours of entertainment, but the Disney InfINity character opens up an entirely new world of exploration for your XBOX and Wii InfINity games. And be sure to stop by the toy department while you're there, Walmart has dozens of exclusive toys and merchandise you won't find anywhere else!

Are you planning on picking up the new Monster's University DVD? Do you have a new favorite character? Psssst, mine's Archie the Scare Pig!

What Daughter Says: Grab the exclusive Monster's University Blu-Ray + DVD + InfINity bundle before they're all gone, for exclusive cheers and scares.

MONSTER RECIPES:

Follow along below for the complete Sulley Blackberry Scare Pies Recipe.
***Click here for printable Sulley Mini Blackberry Scare Pies recipe.

***Click here for the Eta Hiss Hiss Berry Smoothie Recipe
***Click here for the 'Squishy' Squibbles Eye Wraps Recipe
***Click here to be taken to our post on the Monsters Party Popcorn Mix.

Ingredients:

* 1 Box White Cake Mix

* 2 Eggs

* 1/2 C Vegetable Oil

* 3-4 Drops Blue Food Coloring (Neon preferred)

* 4 oz Egg Whites

* 8 oz Sugar

* 2 Sticks Unsalted Butter, Room Temperature

* 3 oz Blackberry Puree

Directions:

Preheat Oven To 350 F

1.) To Make Cookies: Combine first three ingredients by hand until well mixed. Roll 3/4" thick balls of dough and place on cookie sheet 1" apart. Bake at 350F for 7-10 minutes, or until bottoms begin to brown. Allow to cool entirely.

2.) To Prepare Blackberry Meringue Filling: Combine egg whites and sugar in double broiler, or heat safe bowl over boiling water, and whisk until 140F temperature is achieved. Remove from heat and mix, with mixer, until stiff. Slow mixing speed and continue to whip until mixture is cool to the touch. Gradually add softened butter (paddle mixer preferred) and mix to emulsify. Once desired consistency is reached, as puree and mix well. Chill, covered, for 2-3 hours before assembling.

3.) To Assemble: Match cookies in pairs of two by those closest to size. Using a butter knife, or narrow spatula spread 1/2 TBS of filling on one flat cookie side. Place second, same size, cookie atop and lightly smush to spread filling. Store in fridge until ready to serve.