Momma Told Me: #MonstersU

Momma Told Me: It's not MY job to spoil you. (***see, 'Ask your grandma!'

Well Summer is officially in full swing, and for our household that means it's finally time to put all my hours of preparation, and 'Pinning' to good use. You may recall I watch my niece after school throughout the district year; and have inherited 2 additional kiddos for the month of July. Mind you, I don't have my own kids I learned the joys of borrowing others' years ago, so wrangling a 3 year-old boy, and two 8-10 year old girls full time from 7AM to 4PM is a bit of a big bite off the cookie for me. Sabrina (10) and I are close enough to be sisters, and get into plenty of shenanigans when left alone, but finding activities to entertain both genders, let alone the age gap is a true challenge. It's a good thing I began preparing for Summer back in April, when I was only anticipating one child!

Almost through week 2 of our adventure, I've found a comfortable schedule that usually consists of allowing the younglings to 'wake up' to an hour or so of Family Netflix programming. I'm not big on letting electronics entertain kids, so we then take a small late morning field trip then head home for, or pick up, lunch. By 1 the baby (3) is usually fighting to keep his eyes open, and goes down for a 45 -90 minute nap. This, my friends, is girl time. Glorious girl time. I picked up a bunch of clearance craft kits at Michaels for $4 or less, some $1 wooden picture frames to decorate for their Daddy's desk, some $1 paper masks (6 in a pack, and double sided), etc. It's amazing what you can do at a local Michaels craft store with a weekly coupon and some ingenuity and a few dollars. Once the little one is up, it's often time for an afternoon treat, and out to run around and burn off some energy before the parental units arrive. I love routine, and I feel the kids thrive on it, so this is how we operate.

If there's one thing I know about kids it's that they love messes and colors. The girls love anything that involves the mixing of colors, or 'food rainbows' as they call it; and Sabrina (10) would live by my side in the kitchen if she could. So, when I came across an amazing post from Hungry Harps blog, during a Social Fabric Juicy Juice campaign, I knew I had to pin it to make this Summer. If I haven't mentioned it before, I simply adore Social Fabric, and being a part of their blogger community. For those unfamiliar, SoFab is a collection of talented bloggers, across many generes, working with sponsored prompts to create valuable consumer input for brands, and engaging content for consumers. I try to make every post amazing, but it's my SoFab posts that really excite me and bring out my best. The Hungry Harps 'Monsters University Popcorn Mix' post is just a small example of pin-worthy, engaging, content created by the Awesomesauce bloggers at Social Fabric/ #cbias.

If you're a reader you already know about all the buzz surrounding the newest Monster's Inc. Pixar installment, in our household. We were lucky enough to catch an advance screening, making Sabrina the coolest cat in her school heading into Summer, and sport a myriad of merchandise around the house. (Though I've yet to acquire my Archie the Scare Pig plush from the nearby Disney outlet.) I think it's safe to say, Monster's University has topped Despicable Me, though still on our must see list, for this Summer's hottest film. So, when I began this little project today, I simply told the kids we were going to make 'Monster popcorn,' and began lining the ingredients up on our table. I had them at popcorn, but you better believe I won them for certain with food color and sprinkles.

When I was a kid Momma and I would make candied corn in the microwave. I recall, though she said it was the 'simplest' recipe she knew, it was a very arduous, and haphazard task. The Hungry Harps method is completely unique, and kid friendly. Children are sure to adore watching this multi-layered, multi-colored, snack some to life before their very eyes. Not only can it be used as a color education tool for the younger ones, but it would make a great party table feature at any Monster's University themed birthday parties this year! The original blogger had the intent of featuring Juicy Juice, branded with Pixar's Monster's University for promotional purposes this Summer; though all one really needs is some powdered, and regular, sugar, water, and food coloring. If you want to be extra cool, toss in a white chocolate drizzle with sprinkles, and some MandMs. Just watch your Mom status skyrocket as the kiddos dig in.

Monster's University Candied Popcorn Party Mix

I don't, generally, like to feed the kids 'junk,' but I also make sure they balance out these treats with lots of real fruit and veggie snacks, and plenty of water throughout the day. When you cut out the sugar in juices and sodas it's easier to negotiate spoiling like this recipe (and boy do I spoil, because that's my job as non-parental family!) Keep in mind this wonderful recipe can be altered in colors and 'candy extras' to suit a multitude of themes, so be sure to pin this for your big Halloween party, and try not to eat the entire bowl before sharing with the kids. And, one last time, because I believe in giving mad props, where props are due, the concept and recipe originated at Hungry Harps, where you'll find a myriad of tastebud tickling recipes and family posts.

What Daughter Says: Bring a little fun to a dull Summer day with colored Monster's University inspired popcorn.

Monster's University Party Popcorn Mix

seen first on Hungry Harps family and food blog

****click here for printable party popcorn recipe

Ingredients:

* 3/4 C Juicy Juice (or water substitute)

* 1 C Granulated Sugar

* 2 TBS Powdered Sugar

* 8 C Kettle or White Popped Popcorn

* Food Coloring of desired colors

Directions:

1.) Ina saucepan, combine Juicy Juice/water and sugar. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly, until temperature reaches 238F. Add food coloring and turn of heat. (Note: you will need to split the mixture prior to coloring for multiple colors)

2.) Portion popcorn evenly in medium-large bowls, according to how many colors you wish to make. Pour sauce over popcorn in a light splash/drizzle manner. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and toss with a large wooden spoon. Toss until popcorn is evenly coated and all liquid had been absorbed.

3.) Evenly spread popcorn on a baking sheet covered in a sheet of wax paper or foil and allow to dry. Layer with desired candy (MandM's), and drizzle with melted white chocolate and sprinkles for added 'Mosnters' color.

***Our family attended a press screening prior to this feature's release. No form of compensation, or review was contingent upon our viewing. All #MonstersU concept art and screenshots are copyright Disney/Pixar 2013.

Momma Told Me: The best family films entertain the family.

My childhood was timed in such a manner that my very first Disney fascination was Aladdin. It had everything a kid could want, for a feature film of it's time, colorful characters brought to life by the charismatic voice of Robin Williams, and the mesmerizing score of Alan Menken and Tim Rice. I was whole heartedly in love with 2D animation, until Pixar appeared on the scene with their introduction of a whole new genre. Toy Story (1995) revolutionized how children of the future would view animated entertainment. Storytellers were no longer limited by the human hand; concepts could be brought to life through digital programming and computer generation. It was a prequal to the video game revolution of my teenage years.

Now, everyone has a favorite Pixar film. Finding Nemo often receives the most shout outs in pop-culture, though I argue WALL-E was a cinematic breakthrough, visually. Secretly, one of the lesser acclaimed movies, Ratatouille, has always been high atop my list. I'll say it now, for all to read; I never paid much obsession to Monsters Inc. By the time it was released in 2001, I was already in high school. As strange as it sounds, I recall looking forward to A Bug's Life much more than I ever raised a brow at Monster's Inc. However, A Bug's Life was intended to be Pixar's crown jewel, and pushed back behind the release of Toy Story, as it's premiere film. I remember seeing a preview for A Bug's Life in 1994, prior to even Toy Story's release, and asking Momma when that 'bug movie' was going to come out every week for years! And today, who clamors to watch A Bug's Life?

But I digress. As most things tend to go, having a child in one's household can really foster a new perspective. I'm not quite sure how far back it was 'leaked' that Pixar had a Monster's Inc prequel in the works, but I feel as though I, myself, have been put through a lifetime of 'When's the new Monster's movie coming out?' So, you'll imagine my relief when the prophetic screening invite wound up in my inbox last month. I could finally check 'that one' off my list, we were headed to see Monster's University! Of course, in preparation, we watched the original film, a relic to modern childhood films, and I began to fall in love with the characters in a way I hadn't ten years earlier. There are so many things one can see in a Pixar film. I'm sure college papers could be written on the style of character design, the score of music, the story building, etc. Watching a Pixar film is a completely different experience each time, and that's why I love Pixar.

I've already shared our journey to see #MonstersU, which involved minor face painting, to resemble Sulley, and the furious clutching of Monsters University dog toys (shown above). I'd picked up some jumbo quarter machine (prize) balls and stuffed them with $.25 candy from the party store, and the three of us arrived over an hour early, bums in seat, clutching Mike or Sulley dog toy. By this point I was pretty excited. I'd kept my media buzz on the film to a minimum, so the film would be as 'fresh' as possible, and boy was it worth it! But first the audience was treated to a classic Pixar short, the acclaimed The Blue Umbrella. This entirely animated masterpiece pushes the limits of computer rendering with rapid movement and vibrant colors against moody shadowing. It is, at it's simplest, a tale of two umbrellas in the big city, but it is ultimately an uplifting bit of commentary on the human, erm Umbrella?, spirit. And, if that didn't get the message across, the point here is to arrive at your seats before the lights go down, so you can catch this Pixar short!

But what about the actual film? It seems almost a mute point to even 'review' the film at this point. Chances are the happy meal hype and constant stream of commercials had your kids drag you over the weekend. For those still undecided, I'm here to offer a rare, and enthusiastic 2 thumbs up. Recall me saying I was never much of a Monster's Inc fan? Well #MonstersU not only stands on it's own as a separate film, but the prequal style makes it exceedingly appropriate to serve as the introduction into the Monsters franchise for younger generations. I do have to say, I was not thrilled to hear we were going into yet another '3D' film- but grumbles aside about grease smeared plastic glasses, Monster's University lacked the classical 'cheap 3D' visual gimmicks. You know, the ones where a hundred arrows are flying at the screen for no other plot reason than to play with visual boundaries? This 3D feature played beautifully to my eyes, and naturally to my perception with beautiful 3D rendering that brought textures to life, not action sequences.

Monster's University seemed to quadruple the amount of 'monster' in this film. That's great, because young children love to use their imagination to craft these bumps in the night, and Pixar brought nearly every type of monster conceived to life, from scary to Squishy. And there are plenty of new core characters to fall in love with; did I mention Squishy? Perhaps one of the more loveable newer characters Squishy is a multi-eyed, blob like character that happens to have a mother who owns the Oozma Kappa (OK) sorority house our famed heroes, Mike and Sulley, wind up in. Speaking of characters, keep your eyes open for Archie the Scare Pig mascot, shown above, who I am officially petitioning to be made the next Monster's U plush.

So, does the transition from working Monsters to wild and rambunctious college students lose some of the younger crowd in the mix? I was worried some of the 'University' themes might get a little mature for the K-5 group, but I praise Pixar for a classy job well done. Of course, the entire premise is of two Monsters living the 'campus' life, and trying to figure out where they fit in. The majority of the main plot circles around sororities and fraternities; I'd rather not have our 10 year old asking too many questions about their real life counterparts. Thankfully, Pixar kept the shenanigans, and 'events' to a PG, Monsters nature, which was quite classy.

Aside from this film literally tickling my retinas (I could watch this for days and feel giddy from the explosion of colors, patters, and textures), Monster's University is without a doubt a visual triumph, sure to entertain even the staunchest of Pixar skeptics. I loved seeing our beloved heroes from childhood up, and found it interesting how the movie wove around the core message of friendship. Believe it or not, loveable Sulley is really quite the schmuck for the first 70 minutes of the film. Sabrina (10) actually switched from Sulley to Mike plush characters after walking out of the theater. The ugly green, one-eyed, monster that previously had little fan appeal is now a childhood role model (go figure). As put by a 10 year-old, "Sulley might be cuter, and better at scaring, but Mike's a real friend, and you don't find many of those!"

Parents, do expect some thematically intense scenes, particularly with Dean Hardscrabble (possibly the most terrifying representation of a monster in the entire film), and a few moments of breathtaking fear towards the end, as our heroes reach the climax of their journey. Obviously, since this is a prequel, we know everything turns out fine; be sure to remind the little ones of that! Overall, I am certain we will be seeing this on the big screen again, within the next few weeks; and I'd go so far as to say it is one of my favorite films of the year, so far. Not bad for a 'kids film,' right?

What Daughter Says: As if you weren't going to already, get into a theater and see this film!