Join Netflix For A Fun Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire Theme #StreamTeam #ad

My favorite personal lie story involves my now nearly 12 year old daughter. When she was a toddler she went through a phase of leaving the water running in the sink often. One day I found the water flowing yet again. When I confronted her, she looked up at me wide eyed and innocent and blamed the DOG!

Disclosure: ChiIL Mama is a proud member of the Netflix Stream Team. We've been compensated for sharing monthly posts with our readers.  As always, all opinions are our own.

"A-Yah did it!"

This rescue dog sweetie is Alia Serendipity, who did NOT, by the way, turn both handles & leave the water running in the bathroom sink.

As much as we may discourage it in our kids, and attempt to avoid it, lying is a part of our collective human behavior and nobody I've ever met has made it a lifetime without indulging in at least a few lies. This month, our Stream Team Theme is Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire! Check out some fun movies and TV show ideas via Netflix, that maximize lying as a plot device or teaching tool.

Let’s face it, we all lie sometimes, even if they're just little white lies to make life easier for parents (the park is closed today) or make our kids happy (Santa Claus is coming!). Young kids make up stories as they learn the difference between fact and fiction, while older kids sometimes lie to cover for each other or to keep themselves out of trouble.

How do you cope when you catch your kid lying? What's one of the funniest lies you've ever busted them in? Check out Bloodline along with some additional kid-friendly titles related to lying and honesty for inspiration.

For your little kids: 1. The Gruffalo 2. Care Bears: S1E8, Untruths and Consequences 3. Veggie Tales in the House: S1E9, Lie-monade 4. Little Princess: S1E9, I Didn't Do It

For your big kids: 1. Totally Spies! 2. A.N.T. Farm: S3E9, Pants on Fire 3. Spy School 4. Jessie: S1E14, World Wide Web of Lies And for teens and parents: 1. Bloodline 2. Revenge 3. The Bling Ring 4. Pretty Little Liars The Rayburns, from the new Netflix original series, Bloodline, have some dark family secrets they’re willing to do anything to keep from coming out -- lying included. While you may not know the Rayburn clan just yet, The Philadelphia Inquirer calls Bloodline “an intricately drawn and superbly cast portrait of a family in crisis.” Starring Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights) and set in the Florida keys, the series follows a family caught between the ugly truth and the terrible lie that covers it up - a storyline that conjured our friends at Variety to predict that, “.. those who give Bloodline a chance will, pretty quickly, find themselves hooked.” Also check out these NEW ON NETFLIX fun picks for kids and families...  They're some of our favs, no lyin'. 1. Monster High: Haunted (3/10) 2. How to Train Your Dragon 2 (3/11) 3. Inspector Gadget (3/27) 4. SUPER 4 (4/10)

Disclosure: ChiIL Mama is a proud member of the Netflix Stream Team. We've been compensated for sharing monthly posts with our readers.  As always, all opinions are our own. ChiIL out with ChiIL Mama next month, for more Netflix fun in Chi, IL and beyond!

A Kid's Eye View: Mako Mermaids Season 2 Makes a Splash on Netflix #StreamTeam #GuestPost #NetflixKids #Sage

Here at ChiIL Mama our whole family has enjoyed watching the Mako Mermaids since the original H2O episodes so we were pretty happy to hear that another full season was going to be added to Netflix this month! When Netflix Stream Team asked my daughter to check out the series and guest post, we were even more excited! (*We’d like to give Stream Team kids a chance to test the waters of what it’s like to be a blogger. So we’re asking your daughter to post a guest review of Mako Mermaids on your blog.) 

Check out 11 year old Sage's guest post/review on Mako Mermaids below.

Disclosure: ChiIL Mama is a proud member of the Netflix Stream Team. We've been compensated for sharing monthly posts with our readers.  As always, all opinions are our own.

The mermaids are back: season 2 of Mako Mermaids, a Netflix original series for kids, started streaming as of Feb. 13, only on Netflix. 

Sage Words: Hi I’m Sage, and I’m 11. I’m reviewing Mako Mermaids season 2. Lots of kids are excited Mako Mermaids is on Netflix now. I just watched 7 episodes over a few days. They’re only 24 minutes with no commercials so it’s easy to watch a few, especially when they start the next one automatically. There are 39 episodes so I won’t run out any time soon.  I love the underwater reef photography. The shots are so cool. It’s shot in Australia so it’s beautiful and everyone’s accents are cool, but not hard to understand. They’re good episodes. My mom used to pretend she was a mermaid when she was little and had hair down to her waist. I always pretended I was an otter. I think anyone from about 2nd grade and up would like this show.  I think season 2 isn’t as good as the original H2O episodes, but it’s better than Mako Mermaids season one. I like this one because it’s more of a mystery. And they have more magic powers. It’s a little weird when they switch actresses for season 2 without an explanation, but keep one the same.  In the first original season of H20 there was more physical comedy around humans becoming mermaids by accident and trying to protect themselves from getting splashed and turning. Now there are still human mermaids but also girls who are born mermaids getting used to having legs, and pretending to be land people. It’s a little weird there are mermen now, but it can lead to more story ideas. And the boys’ tails are cooler because they’re blue instead of orangie.  I’m not a big fan of Serena singing in a lot of the new episodes, but I don’t really mind either. I just don’t think it adds much. If you liked the original H20: Just Add Water episodes you can still go back and watch those on Netflix too. I highly recommend those more than Mako Mermaids even. They’re my favorites. Stream Team sent Sage a super cool Mako Mermaids Island Escape “BeachBox” kit as a thank you for guest posting. She was thrilled with her tropical scented lotions, lip balms and polish.  My Mako Mermaid goodie box was very nice and now I smell good. Thanks Netflix! It’s 35 below zero wind chill right now in Chicago where I live, and it’s summer in Australia. I like winter but it’s fun to watch adventures on a tropical island while I’m snuggled under an electric fleece blanket by the fire. I want to be an actress and if I had a chance to audition to be a Mako Mermaid I would totally do it as long as I could move back after we shot the season. But I don’t know if I have strong enough swimming skills. I can hold my breath for a pretty long time and I can do the mermaid swim with my feet together like a tail.  When a young merman finds he has a powerful connection with Mako Island, a pod of mermaids have their lives turned upside down. As they struggle to take back control, the mermaids discover that his link with Mako might not be an accident. Dive into an all-new season of Mako Mermaids. The other great thing about watching stuff on Netflix besides no commercials is it’s easy to find stuff. I have my own name and kid settings and it shows me recently watched stuff plus suggestions like stuff I watched, From Books, Comedies, Animated, Girl Power, Popular, Watch With Family and more. Thanks for reading. Bye.

Disclosure: Once again, ChiIL Mama is a proud member of the Netflix Stream Team. We've been compensated for sharing monthly posts with our readers.  As always, all opinions are our own.

Netflix Launches Puss in Boots Series and Celebrates Animals #StreamTeam

Here at ChiIL Mama we're big fans of animals in movies and TV shows, especially animated ones like the world's greatest feline fighter, whose swashbuckling adventure-comedy series, The Adventures of Puss in Boots, just launched on Netflix this month. Our family members include tropical fish, 3 adorable Guinea Pigs, and 2 big dogs who think they're people. They love to cozy up on the couch with us to watch animal flix! We particularly loved Red Dog and Hachi: A Dog's Tale, since we have an adventurous rescue dog and an Akita.

Disclosure: ChiIL Mama is a proud member of the Netflix Stream Team. We've been compensated for sharing monthly posts with our readers.  As always, all opinions are our own. Watch the New Series! The world's greatest feline fighter, lover and milk connoisseur is back in this original series filled with daring adventures, great boots, and laugh-out-loud fun! The entire family will be entranced by Puss' fantastical CG world filled with new characters, exotic locations and mystical tales that make up the stuff of legends. There's nothing that can get in this celebrated swashbuckling kitty's way...except maybe a hairball. Genres: Kids' TV for ages 11 to 12, TV Animated Comedies, Kids' TV for ages 8 to 10 This show is: Family-friendly, Imaginative, Goofy Four-Legged Stars to Stream on Netflix For your little kids: 1. Pet Party 2. Clifford's Puppy Days 3. Littlest Pet Shop 4. The Adventures of Milo and Otis 5. Snow Buddies 6. Sabrina, The Animated Series For your big kids: 1. The Adventures of Puss in Boots 2. Annie 3. Step Dogs 4. Jumanji 5. Hachi: A Dog's Tale 6. Air Bud 7. Monkey Trouble And for teens and parents: 1. Anchorman 2 2. Frasier 3. Family Guy 4. Friends 5. Red Dog 6. Wilfred Check out Puss in Boots and check back with ChiIL Mama for monthly family fun, Netflix style!

Disclosure: Once again, ChiIL Mama is a proud member of the Netflix Stream Team. We've been compensated for sharing monthly posts with our readers.  As always, all opinions are our own.

Celebrate an Early New Year Worthy of A King With Netflix Kids #StreamTeam #KingJulien

NETFLIX TO PARENTS: ON NEW YEAR’S EVE, 

WE WON’T TELL YOUR 

LITTLE PARTY PEOPLE IT’'S NOT MIDNIGHT 

IF YOU DON’T!

Looking for a fun, family friendly way to celebrate tonight with the littles in your life?! It just got even easier to ring in the New Year, jungle-style! Now on Netflix, King Julien is hosting his very own kid-sized countdown special that you and your family can use to celebrate, no matter the time of day.

Disclosure: ChiIL Mama is a proud member of the Netflix Stream Team. We've been compensated for sharing monthly posts with our readers.  As always, all opinions are our own.

King Julien, Star of the Latest Netflix Original Series for Kids, Hosts Dance Party & New Year’s Eve Countdown On Netflix

Dec 29, 2014

Even if your New Year's Eve countdown is closer to 7 p.m. than midnight, you're not alone. According to a recent survey from Netflix, a third of parents (34%) admitted they either had or planned to start the party early and fool their kids into thinking its midnight long before the ball drops. If that 34% includes you, then follow the hashtag #KingJulien countdown and move it move it into a rockin' new year any time this evening!

Thanks to Netflix, 

ChiIL Mama's ChiILin' out in Chi, IL 

with King Julien party hats, balloons, streamers, noisemakers and 2015 glasses 

for a house full of our young friends!

The Big NYE Deception:

Tonight sneaky parents with young kids are changing the clocks, blowing the noisemakers at 8 p.m., and searching for that New Year’s Eve countdown on the other side of the world! Some parents will do whatever it takes to give their kids their own countdown and get them into bed before the ball actually drops. More than a third of U.S. parents (34%) admitted to starting the party early to fool their kids into thinking it’s midnight*, citing their kid’s or their own bedtime as the reason. These findings are according to a recent survey from Wakefield Research on behalf of Netflix. 

World renowned party animal King Julien, star of DreamWorks Animation’s ALL HAIL KING JULIEN on Netflix, took matters into his own paws when he heard 36% of parents said they would search for a countdown in a different time zone in order to celebrate earlier and 22% would go as far as to stage a countdown of their own. 

For the first time, King Julien will host his very own kid-sized countdown “special” on Netflix that families can use to ring in 2015 whenever they choose to celebrate. It'’s three minutes of high-energy, music-filled fun that lets kids celebrate the New Year no matter the time of day. The countdown will be available in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, UK, Ireland, the Nordics, the Netherlands and France beginning on Dec. 29th at Netflix.com/KingJulien. 

"“I was totally bummed when I heard that some of my favorite little party people aren’t allowed to stay up until midnight for the biggest party of the year,"” said King Julien, King of the Lemurs. "“But then I realized I'’m king, I make the rules! So move over, Ryan Seacrest, I’ve got my very own on-demand countdown party on Netflix. That means the New Year’s Eve party is always on - just how it should be! What better way to ring in Julien-uary?”"

The new Netflix original TV series ALL HAIL KING JULIEN launched on Dec. 19, 2014 and the first five episodes are available for Netflix members to watch instantly. To find out more about the show, visit Netflix.com/KingJulien or www.facebook.com/AllHailKingJulien. 

Congrats again to Thomas Murphy, ChiIL Mama's winner of a year of FREE Netflix out of 945 entries. Click here for details.

About Netflix

Netflix is the world’s leading Internet television network with over 53 million members in nearly 50 countries enjoying more than two billion hours of TV shows and movies per month, including original series. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on nearly any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments. 

*34% is a combination of parents who have celebrated in the past or who plan to celebrate New Year’s Eve early with kids this year. 

Disclosure: ChiIL Mama is a proud member of the Netflix Stream Team. We've been compensated for sharing monthly posts with our readers.  As always, all opinions are our own.

FLASH GIVEAWAY: 2 Family 4 Packs to All Hail King Julien at Logan Theatre & Kids Activities Too! #ChiILFlixPicks

ChiIL Mama's a member of Netflix' Stream Team, so we're able to offer 2 of our lucky readers exclusive access to a screening of All Hail King Julien in Chicago, and we’d love for you to join us! In addition to a first look at two all-new episodes of the Netflix original, you and your family will be able to create crowns fit for a king, learn King Julien’s signature dance and pose Hollywood style with the King himself.

ENTER HERE:

This is a quick one. The first two readers to comment below (on this actual blog post) with the words "Me Please" and the adult name for the guest list WIN 4 tickets. It's that easy!

**PRIVATE INVITE ONLY SCREENING**

Netflix is Perfect for A Friendsgiving Food Coma Weekend #StreamTeam

Ah... Thanksgiving. This year that means a 5 day weekend where we're thankful for lazy pajama days, sleeping in, a roaring fire, tons of food, and family down time. We're embracing the food coma, the fabulous, bountiful leftovers, and hangin' with a few favorite friends.

Disclosure: ChiIL Mama is a proud member of the Netflix Stream Team. We've been compensated with a free year of Netflix and a rockin' engraved iPad Mini for sharing monthly posts with our readers! As always, all opinions are our own.

Photo Credit: Kenaz-Mara 2014

We're usually super busy with events and shows to shoot and cover daily (we hit 8 theatre openings in 7 days last week) and international film crew travel. Hubs will soon be off to Hawaii-LA-San Diego-San Francisco-Atlanta over a 10 day span. And the kids are usually on the run to team gymnastics, tumbling, honors classes, Girl Scouts, ultimate frisbee, darkroom photography, and mentoring younger kids after school. So we treasure the few times our whole family has nowhere to go and can veg and watch Netflix together. This Wednesday through Sunday that's exactly where you'll find us!

ChiIL Mama is elated to be back again for another year as an official Netflix Stream Team blog. Once a month we'll be sharing fun content with you. One of the things we dig about this partnership is the creative flexibility. They send a suggested monthly topic, but ultimately we have the freedom to cover anything we want. This month we're loving their suggestions for "Friendsgiving" and famous/infamous TV and movie friends.

This month we're all about Friendsgiving, a popular take on Thanksgiving when friends come together to celebrate good food and great company. We kept our Thanksgiving feast traditional but low key, with just our immediate family, but we've been enjoying hanging with out of town friends over the long weekend and introducing the kids to some of our favorite buddy movies too, while we nosh on leftovers like pumpkin pie, turkey sandwiches and carbs galore. 

Our real life friends are one of the biggest things we're thankful, and so are some of this month's ‘dynamic duo’ titles to stream on Netflix for a wide range of ages and interests. We've marked some of our favs with an asterisk * below. 

If you need some thought starters on how to spark a conversation around friendship with your kids, check out these tips from Common Sense Media.

20 Dynamic Duos Available on Netflix 1. Bob and Larry: VeggieTales in the House 2. *Bert and Ernie: Sesame Street: Elmo and Friends (You can't beat the classics and these roomies rock! The ultimate odd couple for the tot lot set. We've got a life long love for Ernie & Bert.) 3. Bo and Dezzy: Bo on the Go! 4. Justin and Olive: Justin Time 5. Tod and Copper: The Fox and the Hound 2 6. Clifford and Elizabeth: Clifford 1. *Phineas and Ferb (Here at ChiIL Mama we LOVE Phineas and Ferb.) 2. *Shaggy and Scooby: Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated (There are so many generations and incarnations of Scooby-Doo movies and episodes dating back to the originals from my childhood. My kids have caught them all.) 3. Vada and Thomas: My Girl 4. Martin and Chris: Wild Kratts 5. Finn and Jake: Adventure Time 6. Mario and Luigi: The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! 7. *Charlotte and Wilbur: Charlotte's Web (Forget arachnophobia and embrace a love for smart and helpful spiders. This sweet story is one of our long time favorites.) 1. Rory and Lorelai: Gilmore Girls 2. Schmidt and Nick: New Girl 3. Ted and Barney: How I Met Your Mother 4. Liz and Jack: 30 Rock 5. Walter and Jesse: Breaking Bad 6. *Mulder and Scully: The X-Files (We're always down for a good supernatural mystery and have seen all the X-Files episodes at least once.) 7. *Wayne and Garth: Wayne's World (Classic Chicago burbs comedy and still as funny as ever!)

Speaking of friends... "Friends" -- all 10 seasons of them -- hit the service Jan. 1. Mark your calendars!

Explore lessons about friendship from a few of the greatest duos, including Rory and Lorelai, Charlotte and Wilbur and Bob and Larry, whose all-new Netflix original, "VeggieTales in the House," starts streaming Nov. 26.

Disclosure: Once again ChiIL Mama is a proud member of the Netflix Stream Team. We've been compensated with a free year of Netflix and a rockin' engraved iPad Mini for sharing monthly posts with our readers! As always, all opinions are our own.