Toronto Teacher Mom: Family Fun

Peter Rabbit 2, Rent it at Home NOW!

Tuesday, July 06, 2021
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Dolittle - Now Available on Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital!

After several weeks of "Go, go, go!" I can honestly say I'm ready to do little. As in Dolittle. I have spent many late nights trying to perfect interactive digital activities for my students, several hours of video conferencing with colleagues and family, and plenty of afternoons helping my own kids navigate this new world of distance learning. I need a movie night! And with one of my all-time favourite actors as the lead, Dolittle was just the right flick for chilling out with the family.

While we missed out on watching Dolittle in theatres, we were delighted to have received a complimentary copy on Blu-ray + DVD + Digital. Last Friday, we pulled out our stovetop popcorn popper and enjoyed a fresh batch while curling up on the sofa. It was a welcome escape from my busy work-from-home routine and plus, Robert Downey Jr.

Nuff said.

The story follows the journey of Dolittle, an eccentric doctor played by Robert Downey Jr. who is called upon to save the queen after she has fallen gravely ill. He reluctantly leaves his lush 19th-century home in England and embarks on a perilous adventure alongside his animal companions with whom he has the ability to communicate. Joining him is an unexpected apprentice Tommy Stubbins (Harry Collett) and together they form an unlikely bond. The adventurous tale is brought to life with an all-star cast that includes the voice talents of Emma Thompson, Rami Malek, Selena Gomez, John Cena, Tom Holland, and more.

Overall, we enjoyed the storyline, along with the impressive CGI and visual effects. I was also pleasantly surprised to see Antonio Banderas, despite my having to do a double-take when his character was first introduced. I also appreciated the witty repartee amongst the animal characters and my son particularly enjoyed the fight scene between Chee-Chee the gorilla (Malek) and Barry, the gold-fanged tiger (Ralph Fiennes). For some reason, I was a little thrown off by Roberty Downey Jr.'s performance and I'm not quite sure if it's because of his English accent, his raspy voice or that it sounded more like a voiceover. At any rate, he was a great fit for the role simply because he does "quirky" so well.

Dolittle is now available to own on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and Digital.

Bonus features include:

TALK TO THE ANIMALS – Dolittle is surrounded by a motley cast of characters. Take a peek at all the fun the cast had giving each of the animals their unique voice.

ROBERT DOWNEY JR. & HARRY: MENTOR AND MENTEE – Acting opposite a legendary actor like Robert Downey Jr. can be an intimidating experience, but Harry Collett handled it like a pro. See the unique bond the two actors formed on-set, and how Downey took the film’s young co-star under his wing.

BECOMING THE GOOD DOCTOR - See the process of how this team of talented artists brought this film to life, and how Robert Downey Jr. transformed into the iconic Dolittle.

ANTONIO BANDERAS: PIRATE KING - Antonio Banderas discusses what attracted him to the project, his experiences working with Robert Downey Jr., and what he brought to the role of King Rassouli.

THE WICKED DR. MÜDFLY - Who is the nefarious villain Dr. Blair Müdfly? Michael Sheen dives into his character's motivations for being Dolittle's foil.

A MOST UNUSUAL HOUSE - It takes a special home to accommodate humans and animals alike. Explore the unique rooms and modifications that allow Dolittle to house anyone or anything - big or small.

Giveaway!

Enter to win 1 of 2 copies of Dolittle on Blu-ray + DVD + Digital. Simply complete the Rafflecopter form below. This contest is open to residents of Canada, excluding Quebec. Please note that due to Covid-19 measures, winners may experience a delay in the shipping of prizes.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received product to facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed therein are my own.

Wednesday, May 13, 2020
6 Comments

Reading Fun for Kids with the TD Summer Reading Club

Family Fun

This post is in partnership with TD Bank and the TD Summer Reading Club.

"Mom! I'm bored!"

How many times have I heard that before? As much as I love having so much down time with the family during the summer, it never ceases to surprise me how frequently my son complains that he has nothing to do. I try not to let it get under my skin because really, boredom can be a good thing since it helps develop creativity and imagination. You know what else can help build important skills among kids? Reading. So, enough with the whining, my son. It's time to sign up for the TD Summer Reading Club!

Despite the fact that we have a variety of books to read at home, it isn't always easy to motivate my son to pick one up and set aside some time for pleasure reading. I think it's because he often associates reading with the dreaded H-word - homework. As a teacher, I fully understand that the more kids read, the more successful they will be in school and in life, so the more I can make reading fun for my son, the better. This is where the TD Summer Reading Club comes in. As Canada’s biggest bilingual summer reading program for kids, it has been designed to inspire kids to explore the fun of reading in their way, no matter their age, interests or abilities. And the best part? It's free to join!

TD Summer Reading Club - Toronto Public Library

We recently headed out to our local Toronto Public Library and met up with a wonderful librarian named Scott Robins. He gave my son a school-age reading club notebook which includes:

A nature scavenger hunt
Recommended STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities
Space to record items read or listened to, collect stickers, record the number of minutes reading or listening, or draw pictures
Fun reading challenges
A program certificate
A board game

He invited my son to share his thoughts on a good book that he had read recently and so he chose to talk about Small Steps by Louis Sachar. He then wrote his name and the title of this story on a mini book cutout that was later stapled to a bulletin board. It was impressive to see how many other book suggestions there were from other kids.

Scott then suggested that my son read the prequel to Small Steps, entitled Holes, and to my delight, he eagerly added it to his pile of books. And given that my son loves graphic novels, Scott was able to provide some great suggestions, for which I am very thankful. Even though they're an easy read, he really enjoys them and that's what counts, am I right?

Of course, if I had suggested them, he might have just passed them by. But thanks to Scott's impressive knowledge and love of children's books, I found my son was much more willing to try out some new books. This is why I'd highly recommend speaking with your local librarian to help find books that are not only age appropriate but also speak to your child's interests. Finding it hard to make it out to the library with kids in tow? Fret not, my friends. The TD Summer Reading Program is also available online!

If you register in person at the library, you can visit www.tdsummerreadingclub.ca and use the web access code located on the inside cover of your child's notebook to log on. Or you can simply click on "No web access code?" on the login page and a new code will be randomly generated for you. From there, your child will be prompted to create a nickname and then will be able to customize an avatar, print out colouring sheets, read jokes written by kids, complete silly stories, and more. There is also a special web comic by Jo Rioux complete with audio and pictures that are also described within the audio to help tell the story.

One aspect of the TD Summer Reading Club program that I love is that it celebrates Canadian authors, illustrators and stories. And better still, kids can access a variety of these stories in eBook format for free via the website. On our list of must-read eBooks is Countdown to Danger: Canadian Survival, a choose-your-own adventure where you have to try and make it out of the woods alive.

Given that kids can take part in the TD Summer Reading Club virtually anywhere, whether it be at a local public library, at home, or online, this program not only helps to keep boredom at bay but it can help improve their reading skills and increase their love of reading as well. It's also a great way to beat the summer slide, since research shows that children who participate in summer reading clubs return to school in the fall without learning-loss and with increased confidence. Plus, when reading is fun for kids, they are more likely to read more and make it a lifelong habit. And look at all the fun things participants can do as part of the TD Summer Reading Club. Kids can:

Explore recommended reads
Track their own reading progress
Connect and share reviews with other participants across the country
Read books online
Join activities
Collect reading incentives
Write jokes and stories

As with the TD Grade One Book Giveaway, the TD Summer Reading Club is part of the The Ready Commitment, TD's corporate citizenship platform, with the mission to help create a more inclusive and sustainable tomorrow. It is another example that shows how TD believes that literacy fuels education, education leads to better jobs, and better jobs build a stronger economy.

To learn more about the TD Summer Reading Club and participating libraries across Canada, visit
www.tdsummerreadingclub.ca.

Thursday, August 22, 2019
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Disney's The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, Now Available on Blu-ray and Digital

DVD Review

It's here! Disney’s “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” is now available on Blu-ray™ and Digital. The dazzling adventure features a star-studded cast, including Keira Knightley, Mackenzie Foy and Misty Copeland, along with Helen Mirren and Morgan Freeman. Inspired by E.T.A. Hoffmann’s classic tale and the beloved ballet “The Nutcracker”, follows the adventures of 14-year-old Clara (Mackenzie Foy) as she travels along a golden thread to a magical, mysterious world where she encounters sweets, snowflakes, soldiers, scurrying mice and more.

One of my favourite scenes in “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” takes place at the very onset of the film where we are taken inside the attic of Clara's home and are instantly captivated by a complex Rube Goldberg-esque mousetrap as Clara narrates laws of physics. The fact that the female lead portrays a female in STEM garners the film two thumbs up!

The story continues at Drosselmeyer’s (Morgan Freeman) annual party, where Clara finds a one-of-a-kind key that will unlock a music box that holds a priceless gift. She soons enters a mysterious parallel world and encounters a Nutcracker soldier named Phillip (Jayden Fowora-Knight), along with a gang of mice and three Realm regents, including the Sugar Plum Fairy (Keira Knightley). Clara's journey continues as she ventures into the ominous Fourth Realm, home to the tyrant Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren), to retrieve the key and return harmony to the unstable world.

Disney's The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, Now Available on Blu-ray and Digital

The Blu-ray release of the film includes the following bonus features:

On Pointe: A Conversation with Misty Copeland - Copeland shares the thrill of portraying one of her favorite characters in a whole new way.
Unwrapping “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” - Dive into the production design, sets, costumes and more that helped transform a beloved ballet into an adventurous movie.
Deleted Scenes –

The Stahlbaums Arrive- As the Stahlbaums enter the Christmas Eve ball, the butler attempts to announce them to the assembled guests.
Follow Your Ribbon- Drosselmeyer encourages a reluctant Clara to go find her gift.
Deleted Scene: Clara Asks About Her Mother- Sugar Plum gives Clara a tour of her mother’s bedroom.
Left, Left, Left, Left, Left- Wandering lost in the forest, palace guards Cavalier and Harlequin quarrel about which way to go.
Out with the Old- Sugar Plum makes sweeping changes to the palace decor.

Music Videos

“Fall on Me” Performed by Andrea Bocelli Featuring Matteo Bocelli- Experience superstar tenor
Andrea Bocelli and his son Matteo Bocelli performing their first duet together in this uplifting song.
“The Nutcracker Suite” Performed by Lang Lang- Get swept up in a series of images from the movie, set to Tchaikovsky’s music and featuring world-renowned pianist Lang Lang.

Download The Nutcracker and the Four Realms Colouring Pages!

For fans of the film, I have shared a set of colouring pages courtesy of Walt Disney Studios. Simply click on the image below to download a PDF copy.

Disney's The Nutcracker and the Four Realms colouring pages

Win a Blu-ray and Digital copy of Disney's The Nutcracker and the Four Realms!

To be eligible to win, please complete the Rafflecopter form below. This contest is open to residents of Canada only, excluding Quebec.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This post is in partnership with Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada. Film still courtesy of Walt Disney Studios.

Tuesday, February 05, 2019
15 Comments

Merry Everything from YTV and Treehouse!

Family Fun

This holiday season, the family and I are looking forward to cozying up with some hot cocoa and watching holiday classics and some of our favourite family flicks. And luckily, YTV has an incredibly festive lineup of feature films and specials all throughout the month of December. Personally, I'm looking forward to watching The Muppet Christmas Carol, airing on December 22, Home Alone, airing on Christmas Day, and Wall-E, airing on December 28. To see the full lineup, visit YTV.com or click on the thumbnail below:

A few weeks ago, our family was sent an incredible package full of TV holiday cheer, direct from The Kids Table's workshop. It was jam-packed with goodies including an Elf glass, festive popcorn from Toronto Popcorn Company and so many toys featuring lovable characters from YTV and Treehouse. It was such a heartwarming surprise, my daughter and I decided to head out to Toy Drive Live at CF Shops at Don Mills last week to donate some of these toys in support of the Toronto Fire Fighters' Toy Drive. The event was hosted by Global News and partners, and featured familiar faces such as Peppa Pig, Spongebob, Marshall, the hosts of YTV, Cheryl Hickey, and even Santa himself.

View this post on Instagram

Just dropped off some unwrapped toys at @cfshopsdonmills in support of the @toronto_firefighters #ToyDriveLive with @globalnewsto. Love my new ornament! Off to enjoy some tasty treats... Remember you can come by until 8pm with unwrapped toys and enjoy some family-friendly fun! #christmas2018 #kidscharity #twittergram

A post shared by Diana Mancuso (@torontomom) on Dec 6, 2018 at 2:38pm PST

My favourite toys of the bunch were these Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures. These collector toys, designed for kids age 12 and up, include newly designed accessories and come in their own sleek looking window box, perfect for display. Seeing these toys brought back the nostalgia of watching TMNT when I was a kid. Now I get to enjoy these heroes in a half-shell with my son on YTV, Fridays at 5:30pm!

Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles collector toys

There were also toys featuring characters from Treehouse's Sunny Day These dolls are super cute and come with fun mix-and-match accessories.

Also, I'm excited to share with you an exclusive preview of some brand new toys from Treehouse's Top Wing, an action-packed adventure preschool series featuring Top Wing cadets: Swift the blue jay, Penny the penguin, Rod the Rooster, and Brody the Puffin. These toys will be available in stores this February. And don't forget to tune into Treehouse on Sundays at 8:05am to catch all the action

What do you plan on watching with the family this month?

Disclosure: Our family is part of The Kids Table and we receive special perks. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Thursday, December 13, 2018
6 Comments

Explore the Unknown Universe with Starlink: Battle for Atlas

Family Fun

Starlink: Battle for Atlas - Xbox One Starter Pack plus Display Stand #XboxTogether

A few weeks ago, my son and I were recruited to join an elite team and embark on a special mission - Starlink: Battle for Atlas. This brand new action-adventure game, created by Ubisoft Toronto, allows players to travel seamlessly throughout the Atlas star system and discover exotic alien planets, each with their own ecosystem, wildlife and secrets. To help us on our mission, we received a little care package that included a Starlink: Battle for Atlas starter pack for our Xbox One and a display stand. What makes this game so unique is the ability to custom build your starship in real life and see it appear instantly on screen!

We first gave Starlink: Battle for Atlas a try at the #XboxTogether holiday preview earlier this fall and it was one of my son's favourites. To be able to select a starship, attach the weapons of your choice and mount it to your Xbox controller was the epitome of cool in his eyes. You can even experiment with the different attachments in real-time as you play, which proves handy once you become familiar with your enemies and learn which weapons prove most effective.

Starlink: Battle for Atlas - Xbox One #XboxTogether

After my son set up his Zenith Starship and started out on his mission, I could hear him exclaim, "This is so cool!" multiple times, commenting on how easily he learned to manoeuvre his ship and how smoothly it travelled. His shouts of excitement were too compelling to ignore so I soon found myself taking over his game. For me, I was happy to find the video to be fairly stable in the sense that I didn't find the constant movement overwhelming, unlike some of the racing games he likes to play. It is also a relief to know that the game is rated Everyone 10+.

Starlink: Battle for Atlas - screen still

Starlink: Battle for Atlas is available for $99.99 on Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Playstation 4 but is currently on sale for $52.99 on the Ubisoft Store. The Xbox One starter kit we received includes:

Starlink video game
Zenith starship
Shredder weapon
Flamethrower weapon
Frost barrage weapon
Controller mount
Poster

You can also purchase additional accessories such as additional starship packs, pilot packs, weapons packs and controller mounts for as little as $12.99. Check out the Ubisoft store for the full lineup and to take advantage of their current sale where you can take advantage of savings up to 50% off.

Disclosure: We received product to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are our own.

Friday, November 30, 2018
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Slava's Snowshow is Coming to Toronto!

Arts and Entertainment

Slava's Snowshow - Photo by Vladimir Mishukov

Photo Credit: Vladimir Mishukov

Celebrating 25 years of world tours, Slava's Snowshow is returning to Toronto and I couldn't be more excited! It has been 20 years since the tour last brought them to our city, which was long before I got married and had two kids. In short, it was a lifetime ago! This Olivier Award-winning show will be taking place from December 7-16, 2018at the Bluma Appel Theatre at St. Lawrence Centre. It's a must-see event that promises to be full of theatrical magic, colourful clowns and dazzling effects.

Photo Credit: Vladimir Mishukov

Created by one of the great living minds in theatre, and one of the world’s most famous living clowns – Slava Polunin – Slava's disarming troupe of clowns will take you on a visual and musical extravaganza where audiences members both young and old will experience a sense of childlike amazement and joy.

Slava's Snowshow - Photo by A. Hannikainen

Photo Credit: A. Hannikainen

Audiences will be taken on a spellbinding adventure filled with dream-like pictures of a misty sea, an out of this world snowstorm, and much more! Just take a look at some of the incredible interactive effects:

Tickets starting from $59 are available via Ticketmaster.

Also, on Wednesday, December 5 at 5pm, Slava's Snowshow and its world-class clowns will be making a special appearance at Nathan Philips Square for the official launch of Holiday Fair In The Square! Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be in attendance for this FREE, family event. This is the only public appearance Slava's Snowshow will be making while in Toronto in support of local charity Epilepsy Toronto and in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Slava’s Snowshow.

Enter to Win a Family 4-Pack to Slava's Snowshow

One lucky Toronto Teacher Mom reader will win a family 4-pack to attend Slava's Snowshow, a package valued at $360. This giveaway is open to residents of the GTA or surrounding areas and must be able to arrange his/her own transportation to and from the event. Parking is not included. To be eligible to win, please complete the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I have received complimentary tickets for my family to attend Slava's Snowshow.

Tuesday, November 27, 2018
7 Comments

Disney's Christopher Robin

DVD Review

Monday, November 19, 2018
41 Comments

Wishfart in the Park! Arts & Crafts by VIBE and a Special Screening

Family Fun

Thursday, August 23, 2018
6 Comments

Win Blu-ray Copies of Disney's A Wrinkle in Time and Peter Pan

Family Fun

Have you heard? Disney has just released the Blu-ray and Digital versions of "A Wrinkle in Time". Fans of the movie can now enjoy hours of bonus video that include deleted scenes, bloopers, all-star cast interviews, music videos and more. And if that weren't exciting enough, Disney also released the 65th anniversary edition of an old classic - "Peter Pan". With summer vacation just around the corner, what better way to celebrate the end of another school year than with a family movie night featuring these two new releases. Read more about these popular Disney hits and enter for a chance to win a Blu-ray copy of both movies.

DISNEY’S A WRINKLE IN TIME

Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling and breakout star Storm Reid take viewers on an extraordinary journey of self-discovery, then behind the scenes through exciting extras! Just in time for summer break, Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time,” from acclaimed director Ava DuVernay, comes home May 29 on Digital HD and June 5 on Blu-ray™, DVD and On-Demand. The stunning story of an ordinary girl’s extraordinary adventure through time and space offers exhilarating entertainment and positive messages for the whole family—encouraging self-confidence, inclusion and pushing imagination to the next level.

DISNEY’S PETER PAN

In celebration of its 65th anniversary, Disney's beloved flight of fantasy, "Peter Pan," joins the highly celebrated Walt Disney Signature Collection, landing in homes on Digital and Movies Anywhere on May 29 and on Blu-ray June 5. With a little faith, trust and pixie dust, every member of the family will let their imagination soar on this epic adventure to Never Land, sparkling with legendary animation, extraordinary music and both all-new and classic bonus features.

Win Blu-ray Copies of Disney's A Wrinkle in Time and Peter Pan!

To win a Blu-ray copy of both Disney's A Wrinkle in Time and the 65th anniversary edition of Peter Pan, please complete the Rafflecopter form below. Open to residents of Canada only, excluding Quebec.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received product to facilitate this post. Any opinions contained therein are my own. This post contains affiliate links.

Monday, June 11, 2018
44 Comments

Family Fun at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park

Family Fun

Canadian Tire Motorsport Park - Victoria Day Speedfest Victory Podium #CTMPlife

As much as I love the idea of checking out souped up cars and watching them race at breakneck speeds, the thought of driving out to Bowanville and spending the day with the family at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park rarely crossed my mind. I honestly never thought of the place as a family destination because, in my mind, it was a place for car racing fans who actually followed the sport. Ka-chow! Was I ever wrong. As special guests of CTMP, the kids and I took a trip just east of Toronto to experience Castrol Presents Victoria Day Speedfest and the many family friendly activities available on site. And, from the moment we pulled up to the entrance, I knew we were in for a real treat!

Canadian Tire Motorsport Park - Victoria Day Speedfest #CTMPlife

First of all, I was stunned by the sheer size of the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park grounds. The place looked so much bigger than what I had envisioned after looking it up on Google Maps. The place encompasses over 900 acres and offers a mix of beautiful parkland, open fields, and great vantage points around the 3.957 km road course. This is something to keep in mind since you will easily be clocking your way towards you daily step goals in no time. Comfortable walking shoes are a definite must. And earplugs, too!

Canadian Tire Motorsport Park - Victoria Day Speedfest Lawson Aschenbach First Place Pirelli World Challenge #CTMPlife

Be sure to pick up a copy of the Guest Guide so you have easy access to the schedule of events. If you time it just right, you can hang out at the victory podium and maybe even meet some of the race car drivers at the Winner's Circle. This is located near the fuel pumps and is indicated on the map by the double checkered flag on the map, also included in the Guest Guide. We got there just in time to meet and great the winners of Pirelli World Challenge Series and watch as they sprayed each other with champagne. We even met Lawson Aschenbach, from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, who came in first place. My son couldn't stop grinning!

We kept heading down the hill and found the CTMP Marketplace, where you can purchase some merch such as souvenirs, t-shirts and baseball caps. My son picked out this sporty cap, which for some reason reminds me of the Cars movie.

Canadian Tire Motorsport Park -Family Fun Victoria Day Speedfest #CTMPlife

A bit further down, we came across the Canadian Tire action zone with activities like face painting, bouncy castles, high-tech simulators and some virtual reality fun. There was even a Hot Wheels booth where kids could design their own car and grab a free Hot Wheels sample. The action zone is also where you will find live bands and fireworks at dusk. This will be a highlight yet again at the Chevrolet Silverado 250 Series in August.

Of course, we had to visit the various team paddock areas, located on the circuit infield at the north end near the start/finish straight. All the team transporters, cars, crews and drivers are based there, and access to the paddock is included with your event ticket purchase. Bring a marker, autograph book, and camera to take advantage of the many opportunities to meet and speak with the drivers.

Personally, I felt like I was in the movie Cars, surrounded by so many race cars, transporters and spare wheels. It was truly a sight to behold.

Plus, the crews were incredibly friendly and you could even ask to sit inside an actual race car. I think the one above would suit me quite well, wouldn't you say?

The highlight of our visit took place just prior to the NASCAR Pinty's Series. We were granted a unique insider's vantage point from on the pit lane and watched as the race car drivers were introduced and headed into their cars to begin the race.

It was truly awesome to be right there, on the track, next to so much talent and some pretty cool rides. While this was a special blogger perk, I am happy to share that attendees can enjoy a similar experience during the Mobil 1 Sportscar Grand Prix taking place from July 5-8, 2018. For the Open Grid Walk on Sunday morning, spectators are allowed to gather in pit lane, along with all the cars, drivers and crews!

And is if this family friendly experience couldn't get any better, children 16 and under are free with paid adult admission! For more information on Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and any of the major events hosted here, visit canadiantiremotorsportpark.com https://canadiantiremotorsportpark.com.

Disclosure: Our family enjoyed a special VIP experience courtesy of CMTP to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Thursday, May 31, 2018
10 Comments

How I Celebrated Earth Day with a 2018 Ford Fusion Energi Plug-In Hybrid

Earth Day

A few weeks ago, the family and I opted to go a little greener and test out the 2018 Ford Fusion Energi Plug-In Hyrbrid for a week, all the while learning more about our amazing universe and ways in which we can live a more eco-conscious way of life. This was all in celebration of Earth Day. Seeing as I have often wondered what it would be like to drive an electric vehicle, I felt this was the perfect opportunity to see how our family could incorporate an EV into our busy lifestyle. With more and more charging stations popping up, the idea of owning a Ford Hybrid is more intriguing than ever. But what I failed to realize is that the Ford Fusion Energi that was loaned to us by Ford Canada is an incredibly brilliant plug-in model that can be easily plugged into a standard 120-volt wall outlet using the convenience cord that is included. Not only does this help to maximize battery capability and allow you to operate longer in EV mode, it offers peace of mind knowing that I can plug in the vehicle before I go to bed and can wake up to a full charge. Plus, owners can easily monitor and schedule battery charging via the MyFord Mobile smartphone app. Say what?

When I first stepped into the Ford Fusion Energi Platinum model, I couldn't help but notice the luxurious premium leather interior with ample space both in the front and in the rear. Power windows, power locks, a power tilt steering column and a power moonroof are all standard specs on this model, along with rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry and remote start. But what impressed me the most was the incredible Quiet Start feature. Honestly, I didn't believe the car was really on the first time I started it. Thankfully, the display has a green light that indicates that the car is on and ready to go. The rest of the display, however, was full of gauges and display modes that were quite overwhelming at first. It took some getting used to, especially when a battery indicator would light periodically and I would slightly panic because I wasn't sure how long I could go before I had to recharge. But then I discovered the range meter and oh, yeah! It's a hybrid and it has a full tank of gas, I reassured myself. While I was used to the lane keeping system and the sensitive braking system from our Ford Edge test drive last fall, the Brake Coach was handy because is coaches you to brake in a way that maximizes the amount of energy returned through the regenerative braking system on the Ford Fusion. It made for a really smooth and enjoyable ride. The ability to drive in the HOV lane thanks to the Green Vehicle plates was an added bonus.

Ford Fusion Energi Hybrid interior #FordFusionEarthDay

Throughout our week with the Ford Fusion, not only were we treated to a smooth, quiet ride while on the road, we also celebrated Earth Day by planting our very own organic herb garden at home thanks to a handy Sow & Grow kit provided by Ford Canada. It was a great activity for the whole family and, because the kit included herbs that we use regularly, we can continue to celebrate Earth Day every day with fresh, homegrown herbs.

But that's not all. We were pleasantly surprised with a special delivery of Farm to Table sustainable meals that were not only incredibly delicious, but prepared fresh using locally sourced foods and Ontario meats and poultry that are raised without the use of hormones or antibiotics. The Mac n' Cheese with Cauliflower was our favourite!

Farm to Table Sustainable Meals #FordFusionEarthDay

Finally, our #FordFusionEarthDay experience also included naming a star. Yes. You read that correctly. We received a super cool Name a Star kit that contains the details of a unique unnamed star that our family can register and name after a friend or a loved one. It includes a nifty Star Facts & Figures poster that the kids loved since they could learn more about the galaxy. And now that the weather is finally cooperating, it would be the perfect time take the Ford Fusion for a spin to a remote area, open the moonroof and use our telescope to find our registered star. All in all, our family had a fun time exploring ways to be eco-conscious and learning about our beautiful planet. Thanks, Ford Canada!

Disclosure: Our family received a week-long loan of a Ford Fusion Energi Hybrid and other perks to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in the post are our own. This post includes affiliate links.

Thursday, May 03, 2018
7 Comments

Pages

Peter Rabbit 2, Rent it at Home NOW!

Synopsis:

Dolittle - Now Available on Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital!

Giveaway!

Reading Fun for Kids with the TD Summer Reading Club

Disney's The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, Now Available on Blu-ray and Digital

Download The Nutcracker and the Four Realms Colouring Pages!

Win a Blu-ray and Digital copy of Disney's The Nutcracker and the Four Realms!

Merry Everything from YTV and Treehouse!

Explore the Unknown Universe with Starlink: Battle for Atlas

Slava's Snowshow is Coming to Toronto!

Enter to Win a Family 4-Pack to Slava's Snowshow

Disney's Christopher Robin

Enter to Win "Christopher Robin" on Blu-Ray/DVD

Wishfart in the Park! Arts & Crafts by VIBE and a Special Screening

Free Art Making and Screening for Youth!

Win Blu-ray Copies of Disney's A Wrinkle in Time and Peter Pan

DISNEY’S A WRINKLE IN TIME

DISNEY’S PETER PAN

Win Blu-ray Copies of Disney's A Wrinkle in Time and Peter Pan!

Family Fun at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park

How I Celebrated Earth Day with a 2018 Ford Fusion Energi Plug-In Hybrid

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