14 years and counting

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

Cutting the cord is easier then you might think. For us it started out as a way to save a big chunk of change per month. After a while we didn't miss it at all. Then came streaming TV, and our lives opened up to not just DVD's but movies, shows, and then most recently to shows that were shown on TV that we can get for free the day after. Not to mention HD Antenna's which bring free broadcasting channels to you in crystal clear form. Except for when there is a storm then you just find another channel. FREE never sounded so good. 

Honestly our children's wishlist's went down by a mile when we cut the cord which was money savings we hadn't thought of until we saw the difference in our budget. Sometimes one change can really make a big difference in your life and this is one we are glad we made.

When we moved to our current home we looked at the prices of TV services and they are just too costly and most of the channels we wouldn't even watch. With Google Chromecast Streaming Media Player we are able to watch movies, shows, live TV, YouTube, and even photos streaming on all of our devices. It is simply awesome.

So easy to connect with High-speed wireless connectivity. Built-in 802.11ac Wi-Fi connects to the Internet through your wireless home network (wireless router required and sold separately). Compatible with your existing HDTV. Easily connects to high-definition televisions with HDMI connectivity.

We never do this but now you can. Stream from your phone to TV. Just plug Chromecast into the HDMI port on your TV and to power and stream your favorite entertainment right from your phone with just a tap. Watch shows, listen to playlists, and more. And while streaming, you can still use your phone as you normally do. Works with the streaming apps you know and love.

Enjoy TV shows, movies, videos, songs, games, sports and more from over 2000 apps like Netflix, YouTube, YouTube TV, and HBO NOW. Find more at g.co/chromecast¹

Start streaming with just your voice. Just say what you want to watch from compatible apps and control your TV hands-free, with Chromecast and Google Home working seamlessly together.² Simply say things like“Ok Google, play Stranger Things from Netflix on my living room TV.” ¹

¹ Subscriptions are required to view some content. 

² Google Home, Chromecast, and compatible content required to cast to a TV using Google Home.

Web-based services and content require high-speed Internet service. Some services may require a subscription.

Don't Delay check out the Google Chromecast Streaming Media Player today and upgrade your TV for less. Expand your home entertainment without buying a new TV. It's so affordable you can get one for every TV in the house.

Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review or promote a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.

DreamWorks Animation Television Creates Two New Series for Amazon Prime Video

The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle 

and

 Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny

to debut this year

on

Amazon Prime Video

As a child growing up in the 70's this was one of my favorite show to watch with my father. Rocky and Bullwinkle was something that was always taking me on adventures, not to mention the little bits of learning thrown in. I am super excited to see what Amazon Prime Video will do with it. I hope they keep it true to the original for the older folks with a little updated stuff for the younger crowd.

The world-famous talking moose and flying squirrel are back in The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle, a serialized comedy about two goofball best friends who routinely find themselves thrust into harrowing situations but end up saving the day time and again. As Rocky and Bullwinkle's innocent and silly ambitions to become rock stars or find lost treasure end up dovetailing with Fearless Leader's sinister plans to take over the world, our heroes are set on a collision course with his notorious super spies Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatale.

The series is executive produced by Scott Fellows (The Fairly OddParents, Big Time Rush) and Tiffany Ward, daughter of the original series producer Jay Ward, and features Tara Strong (The Powerpuff Girls, Teen Titans Go!)  as the voice of Rocket J. Squirrel, Brad Norman (America’s Most Haunted) as Bullwinkle J. Moose, Ben Diskin (Hey Arnold!) as Boris Badenov, Rachel Butera (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) as Natasha Fatale, Piotr Michael (Impress Me, MADtv) as Fearless Leader and Daran Norris (The Fairly OddParents) as Narrator.

Later in 2018, Prime Video will premiere Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny, an epic adventure series from Emmy Award-winning executive producers Mitch Watson (All Hail King Julien) and Elliott Owen (All Hail King Julien), and Lane Lueras (The Adventures of Puss in Boots). When four panda kids stumble upon a mystical cave beneath Panda Village, accidentally absorbing the chi of ancient and powerful kung fu warriors known as the Four Constellations, they must realize a destiny to save the world from an evil force. Meanwhile, Po finds himself faced with his biggest challenge yet -- teaching this ragtag band of kids how to wield their newfound powers.

Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion with DREAMWORKS and Team Click. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review or promote a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.

Dinotrux Supercharged Season 2

Looking for a action packed Dino inspired show for your little ones? Why not check out DreamWorks Dinotrux Supercharged Season 1 and also Season 2 which premiers tomorrow Friday March 23rd on Netflix.

Check out the trailer below to see if it fits with your family.

Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion with TeamClick. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review or promote a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.

Back to School with Netflix

I waited a bit longer to post my post because my kids didn't start school until after Labor Day so I thought it only fitting to post this for the Northern Part of America to coincide with our first day of school.

My girls are all into Project Mc2 which started on August 7th having gobbled up all of the episodes and are awaiting more. What Netflix has to say about Project Mc2 Project Mc² is a fresh take on the typical tween girl show you’re probably familiar with. The series has S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) organically woven throughout the storyline, making it fun and breaking the stereotype that being smart, funny, stylish and capable are mutually exclusive. Project Mc² reflects today’s tweens in a relatable way, giving girls four empowered female leads to look up to.

And the offspring of favorite fairytale characters in Ever After High's new Way Too Wonderland adventure (debuting Aug. 14) empower kids to write their own life stories. Whether Royal or Rebel, your actions, behaviors and choices are your own to make.

Netflix Original: Ever After High: Way Too Wonderland Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius How the State Got Their Shapes Odd Squad

Get the little ones ready for new experiences with shows like the Netflix original Dinotrux from DreamWorks, premiering Aug. 14 -- prehistoric hybrid dinosaur-construction vehicles team-up to use their different skills to solve problems and show that even the most uncommon of duos, like Ty-Rux and Revvit, can form friendships of a lifetime.

They can also go anywhere and be anything by letting their imaginations soar on a Reading Rainbow journey, now available to stream.

Reading Rainbow Magic School Bus The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!

Movies and Shows that remind  MarksvilleandMe of school.

Ferris bueller's day off
Summer School
Sesame Street
Dazed and Confused
Matilda
A Little Princess

What are you favorite back to school movies or shows?

What MarksvilleandMe has been watching lately.

We were really busy in August between personal issues, several deaths in our family as well as a close friends dieing, on top of the regular getting ready for back to school and college stuff. 

For us school starts in the morning matter of fact it is now 3:28 AM the morning of. I have a few calls to make after the children get on the bus and then it will probably be a very busy day for both myself and my girls for the first day back. 

Along with some of the above suggestions from Netflix, we watched these movies and shows in August. Project Mc2, Spooksville, Hart of Dixie, Z Nation, Bitten, That 70's Show, Supernatural, Richie Rich, Monster Squad, and a whole host of others. We have a big family with lots of shows they like to watch so we divvy it up. Since the kids were out playing most days they only had evenings and mornings to catch up on their shows, but most of the time they put it on watched a few minutes, and were out the door. Only very few did they watch all the way through, but that will change as the weather gets cooler, more days inside, with hot cocoa, snuggled under a blanket, enjoying a movie together as family. 

#StreamTeam

Disclosure: MarksvilleandMe is a part of Netflix Stream Team receiving free streaming service and other gifts throughout the year in exchange for us blogging about Netflix and Netflix streaming services.

Family is what you make it

Although I like the thought of the Cleavers and the white picket fence, life has taken our family far from that. From grandparents who left this world long before all of my children could meet them to the other set that lives close by but chooses not to be apart of their lives on a regular basis, to families having squabbles and deciding they no longer want their family as their family. Kind of like a buffet. Luckily for my husband and myself we will be married for 25 years this coming October, have had 5 biological children while raising my biological nephew as one of our own from the age of 18 months, as well as including all of the childcare children we have watched as well as our children's friends over the years as part of our family. We always say once you visit Marksville you are family for life.

As my husband and I age we have made it even more important to take time out for family. Of course not we have to juggle our younger children with our older children's schedules as well as making time to spend time with our two grand daughters. On top of that we have a Saint Bernard, Mama cat and a mix of 4 of her kittens from her two litters, as well as my daughters beta fish. 

In a few weeks our third child will be graduating and moving on with life, joining her older siblings in the world on her own, but knowing if she ever needs support we will be here for her. Another step toward parenting and being a family, learning to let go. 

For your little kids:

1. Lily's Driftwood Bay 2. The Tigger Movie 3. Guess How Much I Love You: S1E5 Big Like You 4. Angelina Ballerina: Superstar Sisters

For your big kids:

1. Crash & Bernstein 2. Life with Boys 3. Spy Kids 4. Russell Madness (Available 5/10)

And for teens and adults:

1. Raising Hope 2. The Fosters 3. Gilmore Girls 4. Life Unexpected

New on Netflix for Kids and Families

1. All Hail King Julien (new episodes 4/3) 2. Littlest Pet Shop: Season 3 (4/21) 3. Lalaloopsy: Festival of Sugary Sweets (5/2) 4. Puss in Boots (new episodes 5/8) 5. H20 Mermaid Adventures (5/22) 6. Richie Rich: Season 2 (5/22) 7. Mako Mermaids: Season 3 (5/29)

What MarksvilleandMe has been watching lately.

We have been super busy so we didn't really get to watch many of our shows this month but we do have them in our Que to watch on a rainy or less busy day.

We have been watching Z Nation, Between, Residue, Bates Motel, Hart of Dixie, God's Not Dead, Box Trolls, Super Natural, while waiting for new episodes of Bitten, The 100, Hemlock Grove and many others. I add more shows to my play list then I can go through in a given month but give me a few days of being ill and I will plow right through a bunch.

Some movies and shows we would like to watch soon are Grace and Frankie, Wizard Paws,When Calls the Heart. I would also like to see NetFlix get other movies and shows they don't already have for instance they have Joy Ride 3 but not 2 or the first one, as well as Grimm, and Big Bang Theory.

#StreamTeam

Disclosure: MarksvilleandMe is a part of Netflix Stream Team receiving free streaming service and other gifts through out the year in exchange for us blogging about Netflix and Netflix streaming services.