New #MLP Season 5 Starts TOMORROW!

So much has changed for our Mane Six friends since we last saw them! Twilight has her own castle in the center of Ponyville, and the title of Princess of Friendship. Heck, even Hub Network has changed into Discovery Family Channel now.

Image courtesy Discovery Networks.

So, Pony-heads--Bronies and Pegasisters alike--are you ready for even more adventure in Season 5? Because I've had the opportunity to preview this weekend's first episode! No spoilers from me, but here's a quick synopsis:

Image courtesy Discovery Networks.

The Mane Six friends learn the secret of Twilight's new castle, and are led to an eerie village in the far east of Equestria. Something is strange about the new place (can you guess what it is from the image above?)... The utilitarian "utopia" lives much like a cultish-communist commune--very Orwellian "1984"--and has a dark secret. Twilight and her friends must figure out why they are being sent there and what they must accomplish.

Image courtesy Discovery Networks.

Strange magic is afoot here, and Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Apple Jack, Fluttershy, and Rarity must figure out how to save the day...

Image courtesy Discovery Networks.

... and THEMSELVES!

Be sure to tune in Saturday, April 4th at 11am ET on Discovery Family Channel (formerly Hub Network, check your local listings) to see what happens! All I can say is that it's exciting!

#MLPmegaMareathon! Plus, I've been NOMINATED for something!

SO MUCH GOOD STUFF TODAY YOU GUYS! KERMIT FLAIL!

First and foremost, I want to make sure my Brony community fans know about the amazingness that is about to happen on Hub Network next week! Starting on Monday, August 4th, Hub Network is going to be airing 50 HOURS of back-to-back My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. That is *EVERY SINGLE EPISODE* of MLP:FIM, plus My Little Pony: Equestria Girls and three My Little Pony Specials airing for the first time! (Phew! That's a lot of emphasis for one sentence!) So be sure to tune in to Hub Network starting at 9am Eastern/6am Pacific to catch more ponies than your eyeballs can handle!

Image © Hub Network.

Finally, I've been nominated for a Liebster Award! My new blogger buddy Kristen over at Ready, Set, Parenthood! nominated me! Thank you Kristen! I'd like to thank the academy.... wait, wrong nomination.

The way the award works is as follows: 1. Each person who is nominated must post 11 things about themselves. 2. You must also answer the questions that the tagger set for you in addition to creating 11 questions for the people you nominate to answer. 3. Nominate 5 – 11 of your favorite bloggers and link them in your post. 4. Go to your nominees’ pages and tell them. 5. Thank and link back to the person’s blog who nominated you.
Okay, so eleven things about myself... this ought to be interesting!   1. My eyes are two different colors. Like a husky. Well, one is all blue-gray and the other is half-blue-gray, half brown.  2. When I was an older kid (think 9, 10, 11), I wanted to race motorcycles like my dad. I wanted to be the youngest and first female street racer.  3. I have the early stages of Rhumatoid Arthritis. I don't have the titers in my blood yet, but everything else points to me having it.  4. I met TV Dad when I was just 13. I was a freshman in high school and didn't turn 14 until after the first quarter.  5. I used to speak German fluently. Now it's kind of Germanglish in my head, but I'm sure if you dropped me from a plane in Germany with nothing but my wits about me, I could survive just fine.  6. I've already done every single job I "wanted to be" as a kid... morning radio host (my senior year in college), teacher (the four years between college and having TV Boy), working in a brokerage firm (yes, I was a dorky kid, and I've done it several times), professional writer (About.com). I'm running out of dream jobs! 7. (Blank stare... this is how unexciting I am, haha!) I'm working at opening a pinball bar here in Columbus. Yes, for real! I'm aiming for a first of the year opening. Fingers crossed! 8. I've only ever lived in Columbus, Ohio. Even for college.  9. I'm an honors level Thespian in the International Thespian Society. However, the last time I did anything theatrical, I was 8 weeks pregnant. It's been a while.
10. I graduated with my bachelor's degree in three years and one quarter.
11. I've never had a roommate aside from TV Dad. Didn't live in a dorm or have a roommate in college, I lived alone my senior year.

Here are the questions Kristen gave me to answer:

1. Why did you start your blog? Honestly, I was bored. Yep, really. And watching a lot of kids' television shows. I figured I'd put my skills to good use and review them. Then I got hired at About.com, and it blossomed from there. Now, About is gone, and here I am!
2. What is your blog about? Kids' entertainment and geeky stuff. Because that's my life!
3. What is your theme song? Me personally? For most of my life it was "November Rain" by Guns n' Roses, so I guess I'll stick with that because I can't think of anything better haha!
4. What actor/actress would be cast to play you in the movie of your life? Natalie Portman, hands down.
5. What is your most prized possession? Tough call... I still have my loveys from my childhood, they're pretty special and irreplaceable. Aside from that, I'd have to say my autographed Star Wars t-shirt with Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett) and Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca)'s signatures on it. Which reminds me, I need to pack that for Fandom Fest in Kentucky this weekend! 
6. If you could meet anyone, dead or alive, who would it be? Well, I already met Bill Nye (although I'd have loved to have more time with him and say something not stupid like "I'm a huge fan" repeatedly like I did... derp.) and I met Neil DeGrasse Tyson back when I taught at a STEM school and before I knew who he was (d'oh!)... I think I'd like to say Zach Braff or Chris Hardwick for now. But not because I have huge crushes on them or anything.... (whistles and walks away)
7. What is your favorite post you have written? My Uncle Grandpa post. It was the only one that inspired actual hate mail. That was when I knew I'd made the big time!
8. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? California, somewhere near or around L.A. After having been out there three times in the past year, I'd give anything to move there. 
9. If you found a magic lamp with a genie, what would be your 3 wishes? 1, The money of someone making $250K a year (don't feel like dealing with taxes higher than that). 2, a second car for TV Dad so I don't have to drive him everyday I want the car. 3, A vacation home near some body of water with free flood insurance. 
10. What is the last book you read? Uh, it was a comic book... the new Doctor Who 10 and 11 comics and the 6th issue of Serenity. If we're going actual books... Charlotte's Web with TV Boy.
11. If you could give your 18-year old self one piece of advice, what would it be? If you really want to have a career, don't major in anything liberal arts. Also, you know that picture you think you look fat in? Yeah, you don't know jack sweetie. Enjoy your speedy metabolism and single digit pant sizes while you can!

On to the nominations! I would like to nominate the following amazing bloggers for a Liebster Award!

Nickida at NickisRandomMusings.com
Lynsey at MoscatoMom.com

Meredith at SanityInSurburbia.com

Becky at WhatUTalkingBoutWillis.info

Tonia at WhyNotMom.com

Misty at The-Top-Shelf.com

Amber at MeMyShelfandI.com

Claire at FastForwardGirl.blogspot.com

And now I have to come up with questions for you to answer... hmm...

1. What's your favorite cartoon and why?

2. If you had a million dollars, and you *had* to spend it, what would you spend it on?

3. What famous person would you love to sit down with for an afternoon?

4. What was your favorite subject in school?

5. What was your "dream job" as a kid?

6. What is your favorite fictional book?

7. Who is your hero?

8. Why do you write/blog?

9. What is one feature you love about yourself?

10. What is your biggest pet peeve?

11. What is the coolest thing you've gotten to do for/with your blog?

Phew! Lots of work, but be sure to check out all my amazing bloggy buddies! Thanks again for the nomination Kristen! 

*Stay tuned to my Instagram this weekend for shots from Fandom Fest in Kentucky! Seventh Doctor Sylvester McCoy is going to be there! Squee!*

#MLPseason4 What's The Hubbub with Tara Strong and Megan McCarthy!

Last night I had THE BEST What's the Hubbub chat to date! You know I'm an old hat at these by now, so this time I got to ask the first question! However, it was not before they revealed....

That's right! Coming in 2015, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic SEASON 5! From what I gathered during the chat, they are already in production for the new season. What they did not mention, however, was exactly when in 2015 we can expect our pony friends to return to our televisions. At the very minimum, we're waiting seven months. I guess we have Equestria Girls 2 to tide us over?

Anyway, there were SO many bloggers on the chat last night, so it's a long one, but I promise it's worth the entire watch through! Tara Strong is too adorable for words, and Megan McCarthy has her writers wit... and Ted Biaselli was wearing a Doctor Whooves shirt and TARDIS earrings. Yeah, these are my people!


 Tune in Saturday at 10am!

My Little Pony Season 4 Finale! #MLPSeason4

I've been teasing this for my past couple entries... this weekend is the Season 4 finale of My Little Pony on Hub Network! Leading up to the two part finale itself, Hub Network will be airing a marathon of pony awesomeness from the entire season beginning at 7:30am Eastern/4:30am Pacific (yikes, sorry West Coast-ers! Set your DVRs perhaps?) with the finale itself airing at 10am Eastern/7am Pacific.

"Twilight's Kingdom - Part 1"

To answer the question my Pony loving friends are asking: Yes, I have seen the finale. Yes, it is pretty rad. I don't want to give too much away, because there is no fun in spoilers! However, this year they have done something entirely different and the season finale is cumulative over the season, whereas before they have been stand-alone adventures. If you've read my Season 4 Wrap Up you might have an idea of HOW that all happens. Hint hint!

Here's what I can say without spoiling much: Twilight is disillusioned with her role as princess, being that she doesn't have a kingdom to protect or an important job like raising the sun or moon. She feels like the only reason she's a princess is to be a figurehead, and that's not something she jives with. When Equestria is threatened from a *new villain*, she offers to come to the rescue, but Celestia has someone else in mind for the task. Twilight, frustrated, turns her attentions to figuring out how to open the chest at the Tree of Harmony, hoping it contains some clues as to what her calling as royalty is. What happens is nothing short of fantastic!

I'm not giving you anything else! I want you all to tune in on Saturday morning, so I have to leave it up to time to share the rest!

However, tonight I will be joining another "What's the Hubbub?" chat with voice actress Tara Strong and head writer Megan McCarthy! This time I will only get to ask two questions, but I'm so excited! You can tune in to watch live tonight at 8pm Eastern by clicking this link. You can also follow all the talent and crew on Twitter using #MLPSeason4 or their individual accounts:

• Tara Strong @tarastrong
• Andrea Libman @AndreaLibman
• Tabitha St. Germain @StTabitha
• Cathy Weseluck @CathyWeseluck
• Ashleigh Ball @ash_leigh_ball
• Meghan McCarthy @MMeghanMcCarthy
• Jayson Thiesen @goldenrussett
• Daniel Ingram @dannyimusic

I will also post the whole interview video here at TheTVMom.com when it's in the can! I can't wait! Stay tuned TV Fans! It's about to get 20% cooler in here!

Our Trip to Build-A-Bear Workshop #MLP

To celebrate the season 4 finale of My Little Pony with Hub Network (which airs next Saturday at 10am Eastern), I and TV Boy were offered a trip to Build-A-Bear Workshop to make our very own pony friend!*

Our closest location is Easton Town Center in Columbus, OH. We were greeted by our Bear Specialist Amy and began our journey to making TV Boy a stuffed version of his favorite pony, Rainbow Dash.

This kid isn't happy or anything.

After we picked out our friend, we headed over to the heart station. All Build-A-Bear animals have a special heart inside that kids can choose attributes they want their new friend to have.

Making our heart

After that, you are offered the opportunity to add sounds and scents to your friend. We decided against a scent (TV Boy's room is smelly enough as it is! Ha!) but we did choose a sound: Rainbow Dash phrases. It includes "This needs to be about 20% cooler", which made me super happy. For the My Little Pony animals (or really any animal, I guess!) there is also an option to add the theme song.

Adding sounds.

After the sounds and smells, it's time to STUFF! We headed over to the big stuffing station!

Rainbow Dash takes shape!

Before the friend is stitched shut, you have to add the heart. If you haven't been to Build-A-Bear and plan to go, wear something comfy... adding the heart is a workout! You have to jump, spin, warm the heart, tap into a heartbeat, touch it to your nose, your heart, your head...

Making ponies is hard work!

And then you make a wish! For the first time ever, TV Boy made his wish silently, so I don't know what he wished for. Then you give it a kiss, and in the heart goes!

Now she has heart!

Once your pal is stuffed just the way you like it (kids can choose how soft their animal is or isn't), you head over to the bath station, where your animal gets a brush and blowout.

Taking a bath!

Then it's time to accessorize! The My Little Pony line has all the pony dresses from the show that are made for each specific character, along with some MLP themed outfits that any animal can sport. TV Boy went with the Rainbow Dash dress from the series and some sparkly pink sneakers.

All cool ponies need accessories!

Finally, you head to the birth certificate station, where you can name your new friend (we stuck with Rainbow Dash, of course) and fill out some information about yourself. Every pet has an individual identification tag that is stuffed into the animal so in case it is lost, it can be returned to any Build-A-Bear Workshop where they can get the tag out, scan it, and return the pal to its rightful owner. (I wish our loyal thrift store best buddy Doggie had the same feature!)

Filling out our information

Then it's time to head home in your awesome Build-A-Bear carrier, complete with personalized birth certificate, suitable for framing!

Going home with Rainbow!

The My Little Pony line currently in stores only features some of the characters: Rainbow Dash, Twilight (in Alicorn form!), Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity. Each pony is $25 and clothing and accessories are sold separately. Scents and sound options are also an additional fee.

Build-A-Bear at Easton

Right now, there are also mini friends to go with the ponies, featuring Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Spike the dragon. We ended up buying a Scootaloo to join Rainbow Dash, because of course you need a friend!

Pony friends!

I want to extend a special THANK YOU to our new friend Amy at the Easton Columbus Build-A-Bear location. If you're local, be sure to stop in and tell them The TV Mom sent you!

Thanks Amy!

Be sure to tune in to My Little Pony on Hub Network Saturdays at 10am Eastern, especially next week for the season finale!

*Disclosure: We were given a free trip to Build-A-Bear with a free friend in exchange for promotion for Hub Network. Please see the Disclosure tab for more information.

My Little Pony Season 4 Wrap-Up!

You all know how much I love My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. You know TV Boy is a Brony something hardcore (and you know why I think that's awesome).

What have our favorite ponies treated us to this year? Aside from epic guest stars like Weird Al Yankovic, a Pinkie Pie rap about the Wonderbolts, Fluttershy singing, and my new favorite pony of all time: Pinkie Pie's sister Maud, who is basically Daria if she were a pony. I'd say it was a banner year for my favorite of the Mane Six! (Yep, I'm a Pinkie fan... big surprise?)

Cheese Sandwich with Pinkie Pie. Image © Hub Network

Check out my recap of Season 4 on About.com and then be sure to stay tuned to the blog for my fun trip to Build-A-Bear to make a pony friend with TV Boy as well as a review of the season finale which airs on Hub Network on Saturday May 10th at 10am Eastern... yes, I've *seen* it, and--no spoilers!--you're going to be blown away! Also, there may or may not be a MLP-themed Hubbub interview coming up....... (hands in pockets, whistle whistle whistle...) All that and more coming soon here at TheTVMom.com!

My Little Pony Classic Movie Collection on DVD

If you were a kid in the early 2000's (so, you'd be in your early twenties right now and making me feel horribly old) or you had a daughter who was, you might remember this specific incarnation of My Little Pony. They came before guys fell in love with ponies. They came before ponies were "cool". But they're back and they're on DVD!

Image courtesy Shout! Factory.

Check out my review of the DVD over at the Kids' Cartoons page at About.com, and enjoy these clips!

Why It's Cool to Raise A Brony

You'd think after my Facebook hashtag fiasco (yeah, check out The TV Mom FB page... and then pick your jaw up off your desk), I'd have learned my lesson with using the term "Brony". Alas, I've had this idea for a neat article for my About.com page about why parents shouldn't freak out if they find out their son loves Rainbow Dash (as TV Boy does), and I had to go with it. My instincts tell me it's going to be a big reader hit. Here's hoping I'm right!

Also, this marks the first time TV Boy will be appearing on my official About.com website. I watermarked the image I used from my Instagram account of TV Boy wearing his "My Little Brony" shirt I made for him last February for the MLP Coronation event we went to together and playing with a pony toy we got in a kids meal someplace. Here's hoping he doesn't hate me for it in fifteen years, haha!

So, pop over and check out my article, Why It's Cool to Raise A Brony at the About.com page! Let me know what you think in the comment section below! And don't be shy to share it with all your Brony-Mom friends out there!