10 Movies to Watch this #MothersDay #WhatToWatch #What2Whatch

Ten Movies to Make You Laugh This Mother's Day

Looking for some ideas for what to watch on Mother's Day? Below you'll find my suggestions for What To Watch this Mother's Day, all of which are currently available to stream on Netflix Canada. Whether you're a mother or not you're sure to be entertained by these mothers trying to navigate the sometimes tricky, often underappreciated, but never dull job of being a mom.

1) Mother's Day (2016, 14A)

2) Prime (2005, PG-13)
3) Tyler Perry's: The Single Mom's Club (2014, PG-13)
4) Freaky Friday (2003, G)
5) Just Go With It (2011, PG)
6) The Family (2013, R)

7) Monster-In-Law (2005, PG)
8) All Relative (2014, NR)
9) Love, Wedding, Marriage (2011, PG)
10) Life As We Know It (2010, PG-13)

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms, and Happy Streaming to everyone!

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about what to watch on Mother's Day. 

Note: My What To Watch posts are not sponsored, and I do not receive compensation in any form for these. Their purpose is merely to share something I believe is of interest to my readers. Please also note these posts are separate and unrelated to my participation with the Netflix Streamteam. 
Image courtesy of Pixabey

30 Movies Perfect to Stream on #ValentinesDay #WhatToWatch #What2Watch

Stream Romance this Valentine's Day 

What To Watch this Valentine's Day: 14 movies to stream that you'll LOVE!

1) Valentine's Day (2010, PG-13)

2) When in Rome (2010, PG)

3) Baggage Claim (2013, PG-13) 

4) Leading Lady (2015, NR)

5) Man Up (2015, R)

6) Kate & Leopold (2001, PG)

7) Sleeping With Other People (2015, R)

8) American Women (2000, PG-13)

9) Cuban Fury (2014, R)

10) Before We Go (2014, NR)

11) My Last Day Without You (2011, PG-13)

12) Sunshine on Leith (2013, 14A)

13) The Longest Ride (2015, PG-13)

14) Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014, 14A)

For the teens in your family 14 more all about the trials and tribulations of first love.

1) Prom (2011, PG)

2) Clueless (1995, 14A)

3) Endless Love (2014, PG)

4) Freaky Friday (2003, G)

5) Bandslam (2009, PG)

6) Be Somebody (2016, PG)

7) Here On Earth (2000, PG-13)

8) The Lizzie McGuire Movie

9) The First Time (2012, PG-13)

10) Family Party (2015, TV-14)

11) Expelled (2014, PG-13)

12) Drive Me Crazy (1999, PG-13)

13) Step Up (2006, PG)

14) Step Up 2 (2008, PG)

And just because I love these ...

Red Carpet (subtitles - Korean) (2014, NR)

Enchanted (2007, G)

Wishing everyone a Happy Valentine's Day! 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about What to Watch this Valentine's Day. 

Note: My What To Watch posts are not sponsored, nor do I receive compensation in any form for these. The purpose of these posts is merely to share something I believe interests my readers. Please also note, these posts are separate and unrelated to my participation with the Netflix Streamteam. 

Tortoise vs Hare approach to @Netflix_CA Streaming #StreamTeam #NetflixBingeScale Savour or Devour

I have a split personality when it comes to my Netflix Spirit Animal

Sometimes I'm a Tortoise slowly savouring a show over time, other times I'm a Hare speeding through a show and devouring it in a single day. 

VS 

It's a complicated ...
For me the process of deciding which series fall into the tortoise vs the hare category is complicated and many factors come into play, such as the number of seasons a show has. Series like White Collar (6 seasons) or Drop Dead Diva (6 seasons) take time to watch. If the show has more than 2 seasons, then it becomes challenging to binge watch all the seasons at once without neglecting feeding my family or sleeping. For this reason they often fall into the combo category; binge 1 season at a time over a period of several days or even weeks. New seasons of shows I've been (not-so-patiently) waiting for like Grace and Frankie (Season 2) Daredevil (Season 2) and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Season 2) immediately jump to the top of the devour list, and are given priority status on my binge scale. 

Sometimes it's "Me" time binge time ...
Whether I'm watching with someone or on my own impacts what and how I stream. If sub-titles are involved such as in the Korean TV Dramas, or Bollywood Movies I need to be well rested to keep up, and I know there is no way others in my family are going to watch these with me, so they are reserved for "Me" time. "Me" time binging may or may not require my "This is MY Netflix Shirt" depending on the duration of the individual "Me" time bingefest. 

One thing leads to another ...
It is not usual for me to watch one show that turns into the catalyst for an entire theme related bingefest, resulting in binging on a certain theme over time. It takes time to watch all the shows that follow a certain theme, yet easy to binge on individual shows that fall into a category or theme. For example: Spies & Special Agents, or Sci-Fi & Fantasy, or Detective, Mystery & Crime.

• It might start by watching Covert Affairs, which leads to White Collar, which leads to Crossing Lines, which leads to Homeland.

OR

• Being Human leads to Roswell that leads to Wolf Blood that leads to Angel, and Life On Mars and The Almighty Johnsons. 

OR

• Luther leads to Lie to Me that leads to Vexed that leads to Wallander that leads to The Fall and Ripper Street and Death in Paradise and Jack Taylor and Sherlock.

I think you get the idea. 

Whether your Netflix spirit animal is a Tortoise, a Hare or a combination of the two (would that be a hartoise or tortare? Either way ... scary visual) you'll find plenty that's binge-worthy for your summer streaming. For news on new releases and recently added streaming options follow Netflix on twitter.
Below are some my Tortoise/Savour and Hare/Devour favourites I'm binging on now. 

Happy Streaming Netflix Binge Buddies! 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about the tortoise and the hare. 

Note: I was not compensated for this post, however as a Netflix Streamteam member I do receive Netflix and a streaming device free of charge for the purpose of my Netflix Streamteam posts and reviews. All opinions are my own. 

Netflix Binge Scale image courtesy of Netflix.

Tortoise and Hair images courtesy of Pixabay.

Summer Streaming with @Netflix_CA #StreamTeam #NetflixSummerPreview

Starting the summer with friends, family, a BBQ and Netflix!

Gotta love that! 

I was lucky enough to receive an invite to the Netflix Summer Escape - Summer Preview BBQ

There's lots for everyone to enjoy this summer. Thing 1 and I got a sneak peak of what's streaming now and what's coming soon at a Netflix hosted BBQ at Archeo in the Toronto Distillery District.

Family... 

My eldest son (aka  Thing 1) joined me for this event, and I loved that my friends had a chance to meet him in real life. He makes an excellent runner for food and drinks, and unlike his mother can take a selfie without cutting off half of anyone's head. 

Friends...

Always great to see friends and fellow #StreamTeamers IRL (in real life) and to meet new ones. Good food, yummy cocktails, and friends makes for a winning combination.

Shows to Stream...

There's a great selection of shows and movies to stream for all interests and age groups. With more added all summer long, you're sure to find just the right mix of summer streaming.

Inside the Guide:

For the Adults:

Bloodline

(streaming now)

The Do-Over

(streaming now)

OITNB - Orange Is The New Black - New Blood, New Rules

(Premieres June 17th)

Stranger Things

(premieres July 15th)

Not in the Guide but some I recommend you add to your streaming list:

The Ranch 
(Netflix Original Series)

Spotless 
(Season 1)
Grace and Frankie - Season 2 
(Netflix Original Series) 
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - Season 2 
(Netflix Original Series)
RAKE
(season 1-3)
Daredevil - Season 2 
(Netflix Original Series)

The Divide
(season 1)
Doctor Foster
(season 1)

For the Kids:

Voltron: Legendary Defender

(premieres June 10th) 

Lego Friends: The Power of Friendship

(season 2 - premeires June 10th)

All Hail King Julien 

(season 3 - premieres June 17th)

Dragons: Race to the Edge

(season 3 - premieres June 24th)

Jim Henson's - Word Party

(premieres July 8th)

Lego Bionicle: Journey to One
(Season 2 - premieres July 29th)

Beat Bugs

(premieres August 3rd)

Project Mc2

(season 2 - premieres August 12th)

The Get Down

(premieres August 12th)

Don't forget you can use the #StreamTeam hashtag to follow along on the Netflix Stream Team adventures. And follow Netflix on twitter for up to date news about shows and movies streaming, recently added, and coming up. 

Happy Summer Streaming! 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about summer streaming.

Note: As a member of the Netflix Streamteam I receive Netflix and a streaming device free of charge for the purposes of my Streamteam posts and reviews. All opinions are my own. 

Netflix show and movie images courtesy of Netflix.

Parenting 101: Bedtime Stalling Styles - Just #5MoreMinutes Pleeease! #Streamteam @Netflix_CA

When it comes to bedtime avoidance is your child a stall-stylista or a single stall-styler? 

I chuckle thinking of the ways my kids tried to negotiate just one more: story, snack, drink, or show. 

Just 5 more minutes Mom pleeeease!

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but, even Evil Teens try to push the bedtime limits!

But until then, parents of younger kiddies have a new tool thanks to Netflix to help combat 5 minute run-on! 

You know when 5 minutes keeps going and turns into 10, 15 or even 20 minutes. 

DINOTRUX 5 MINUTE FAVORITES: 

A parent's solution to the nightly pleas for just #5MoreMinutes 

DINOTRUX 5 MINUTE FAVORUTES: BIG BUILD

DINOTRUX 5 MINUTE FAVORITES: TARPIT RESCUE

DINOTRUX 5 MINUTE FAVORITES: TORTOOL'S SURPRISE

Fast Forward:

Kids are asleep, and you've settled in for some Netflix-ing of your own. Just don't be surprised when it's time to turn Netflix off if your partner turns to you and says:

"Just 5 More Minutes Pleeeese!"

Where do you think your kids learned their "mad stalling skills" from?

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about Netflix streamteam and 5 more minutes. 

Note: As a member of the Netflix Streamteam I receive Netflix and a streaming device free of charge for the purpose of my Netflix reviews and posts. All opinions are my own. 

Costume Inspiration via @Netflix_CA #NetflixHalloween #StreamTeam

When it came to Halloween costumes at our house, the kids would let their imagination run wild and then expect me to be able to recreate that in costume form. 

I don't think they understood there was a possibility I might not be able to do it, so the costume requests were anything from Mario and Lego Knights to a Giant Rat and the Burger King King costume. Figuring out how I was going to make the costume required as much creative thinking and imagination as the costume idea itself.

That time I spent with the kids discussing and planning their Halloween costumes are some of my fondest memories.

Many of the costumes and Jack-O-Lanterns were inspired by their favourite show or movie characters. 

 

How about your kids? Are they looking for a bit of costume inspiration? Why not take a peek at their favourite shows or movies to get the creative juices flowing. Below are a few of our favourites.

Marvel Ultimate Spider-Man

Despicable Me

Scooby-Doo

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Be sure to follow the hashtag #NetflixHalloween on social media for a look at what great costumes and ideas my fellow #streamteam members have come up with!

Wishing everyone a Happy Safe and Spooky Halloween! 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about a #streamteam #NetflixHalloween.

Note: As a member of the Netflix Streamteam I receive Netflix and a steaming device free of charge for the purpose of my Netflix Streamteam reviews and posts. All opinions are my own.

Wah Wah Wah... @Netflix_CA counteracts Wah Wah Syndrome #StreamTeam

There's always a buzz and energy as summer comes to an end and we start our "back to school" rituals and traditions. 

New knapsacks, lunch bags, and shopping for school supplies. There are discussions over teachers, and who might be in their classes. My kids are teens, one in high school and the other starting college so there's also focus on tech to purchase, schedules, managing the work load, pressures around marks, and college and university. 

And there's the mandatory parent-child discussion about working hard, making this year count and how decisions you make now can impact your future for many years to come. My kids have heard it for so many years I'm sure to them I sound like the teacher from Charlie Brown. "wah wah wah ... wah wah" and another thing "wah wah wah" 

Notice the smile set in place, and the eyes are starting to glace over. Soon the automated nodding of the head to appear to be listening will begin!  I call this the "Wah Wah Syndrome" and find one way to counteract it is watching some of the great series on Netflix Canada based on the life of teens with my kids. Not only does it keep the kids attention, it also gives me as a parent insight into some of the issues kids are facing at school today. 
It can be a good parent-child bonding opportunity, and a great way to segue into important conversations with your kids. 

Here are some of my favourites for teens: 

About a Boy

The Fosters

Switched at Birth

There are lots of great series for the younger kids too! 

Project Mc2

DinoTrux

Ever After High

So starting this year I'm adding watching relevant shows and then talking about back to school with the kids to our "back to school" traditions. I feel it's important to talk with (not at) my kids about acceptance, tolerance, peer pressure, not to mention academics and the importance of a good education. I think Netflix might be the perfect way to do that without the Wah Wah Syndrome. 

To keep up on all the new releases and news follow Netflix Canada on twitter or Netflix Canada on facebook. If you have some favourites to counteract Wah Wah Syndrome please share them with me in the comments section. I would love to hear them!

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about Netflix Streamteam ... wah wah wah.

Note: As a member of the Netflix Streamteam I receive Netflix and a steaming device free of charge for the purpose of my Netflix Streamteam reviews and posts. All opinions are my own.

Summer: Synonym for Adventure #Dragons @Netflix_CA #Streamteam

"Summer" is just code for adventure waiting to happen. 

There's something about summer that makes it perfect for adventures and quests. As a child I knew and embraced it and as a parent I encouraged it. Summer is when the lack of school and schedules allows us to step out of our routine and comfort zone and try something new. 

I don't think any of us really loses that childhood dream of adventure or to have that one great quest, I think it just gets muted with the business of life. But it's important to remember what dreaming of an adventure that is only limited by imagination, ability to dream big and tenacity feels like. 

I believe that's why adventure themed movies and shows continue to be so popular for kids of all ages. They allow us to share that sense of adventure with our kids in an afternoon right in your own home. 

With the right survival tools (snacks) and navigational tools (X marks the spot map) a cape made from a towel thrown in for good measure, your adventure is ready to begin!

Netflix Dragons: Race to the Edge is the perfect summer afternoon Adventure!

Image via Netflix 

Below are just a few of the other excellent viewing options to watch from your magic flying carpet or couch castle fort:

Image via Netflix 

Image via Netflix

Image via Netflix 

Image via Netflix 

I 'd love to hear about your favourite adventure movies to share with your family, and how you prepare for watching them together. Do you have special snacks or rituals you do while watching a movie together?

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about Netflix Streamteam.

Note: As a member of the Netflix Streamteam I receive Netflix and a streaming device free of charge for the purpose of my Netflix Streamteam posts and reviews. All opinions are my own.