Archives for April 2026

Preschool * Constantly Amusing With Twists And Turns Constantly; It Just Keeps Getting Funnier

In London, two dads (Josh Duhamel & Michael Socha) set their sights on the last open spot at an ultra-posh preschool. What begins as a simple application snowballs into a wildly escalating rivalry packed with big-hearted laughs, outrageous one‐upmanship, and surprising consequences. As schemes spiral and families get pulled into the madness, both fathers discover what they’re really willing to do for their kids–and what it means to be a parent.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Jackson N. comments, “Preschool captures exactly how stressful the preschool application process can feel for parents. The plot is constantly amusing, with twists and turns at every moment, and as you start to understand more of the story, it just gets funnier. Josh Duhamel both directs and stars in the film, and somehow manages to pull off both roles without missing a beat.” See his full review below.

Preschool

By Jackson N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

Preschool captures exactly how stressful the preschool application process can feel for parents. The plot is constantly amusing, with twists and turns at every moment, and as you start to understand more of the story, it just gets funnier. Josh Duhamel both directs and stars in the film, and somehow manages to pull off both roles without missing a beat.

The story centers on two families competing to get their kids into the top preschool in the area, with only one spot remaining. Alan Williams (Josh Duhamel) and his wife Lauren (Charity Wakefield) are convinced their daughter deserves that spot, but so are Brian Young (Michael Socha) and his wife Sarah (Antonia Thomas). Both families want this preschool badly, which leads to some hilarious hijinks including a broken finger, a wrestling fail, and so much more.

The main message of Preschool is that both dads are so focused on winning the preschool spot that they completely lose sight of their actual kids. In one scene, Alan leaves his daughter inside an indoor skydiving machine — she is clearly calling for his help, but he is too distracted talking to Brian to notice. The physical comedy lands well throughout, especially in the final fight scene where a window gets broken and someone gets clotheslined. Michael Socha brings wild energy as Brian, and James Cosmo as Brian’s father adds grit and a grounded dose of reality that keeps things from feeling too over the top.

The music perfectly fits the film’s childlike and humorous tone — it feels playful and a little chaotic, just like the dads themselves. The locations are also a highlight, with each family’s home and neighborhood painting a clear picture of whom they are and who they want to be seen as. Alan’s world looks polished and put-together, while Brian’s has a rougher, more working-class feel, and that contrast adds a lot to the comedy.

The film’s message is about not losing sight of your parenting goals by over-focusing on things like securing the coveted preschool slot. It is such a natural part of parenting to worry about your child’s future, but worrying about it as early as preschool creates unnecessary anxiety – the film definitely mines that anxiety for lots of laughs. Be aware that the film includes themes of anger and there are a few scenes where the dads come to blows, but the film consistently finds a way to keep even those moments funny.

I give Preschool 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. The film is available on VOD starting March 17, 2025.

More Easter Gift Suggestions!

Perfect for Easter Baskets!

Sticki Rolls BFFs (Sky Castle | MSRP: $4.99 | Ages 5+ | Available March 2026 at Target) 

Get ready for the ultimate bestie collectible! This all-new Sticki Rolls line brings signature characters to life through adorable pairings, friendship-driven storytelling, and a fresh wave of collectible surprises! Each roll highlights a unique friendship between iconic Sticki characters, plus all-new BFF duos for fans to discover. With 300 new stickers to collect, trade, and share, this limited edition drop is a can’t-miss moment for Sticki fans everywhere! 

So much fun!

EggMazing EggMini Egg Decorator (Hey Buddy Hey Pal | MSRP: $14.97 | Ages 3+ | Available at Walmart )

The EggMazing Egg Mini Decorator is an egg decorating must-have! The viral decorator holds and spins hard-boiled or wooden eggs, while you use the included markers to decorate your eggs! It’s all the fun without the mess.

Great for kids and adults!

Counter Ball (GOLDEN BEAR TOYS | MSRP: $22.99 | Ages 6+ | Available at Target)

Counter Ball is the second product within Golden Bear’s Strikesphere range and the latest innovation in soccer kick-up counting. As the first of its kind on the market, players can challenge themselves and their teammates to see who can achieve more tricks up to 100 kicks! With each key milestone reached, the Counter Ball speaks words of encouragement from its built-in speaker system to keep players motivated and challenged for nonstop competitive gameplay. Plus, train with your whole body and watch the ball light up each time it makes contact with anything but the ground!

Fun for one person!!

SmartGames Jump In’ (Smart Toys & Games | MSRP $19.99 | Ages 7+ | Available on AmazonA portable, bunny-themed travel puzzle game! Help the rabbits reach their holes by hopping over mushrooms and navigating sliding foxes. Each move encourages strategy, patience, and forward planning. Features 60 progressive challenges, keeping players motivated and engaged as their skills grow. I love that this is perfect for travel during Spring Break!

PLAYMOBIL Icon Cars (PLAYMOBIL | MSRP: $19.99 | Ages 5-99 | Available at Playmobil.com & Amazon)

*You will receive 1 of the 4 cars chosen at random*

PLAYMOBIL’s latest and funkiest collectible car collection! Featuring legendary models like the Volkswagen T1 Camper, Ferrari 250 GTO, Ford F-150 Raptor, and Porsche Carrera GT. Each vehicle is packed with classic PLAYMOBIL attention to detail and is a perfect gift for both kids and adults!

Happy Easter!!

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this holiday featured post. Images were also provided.

Brindabella, April 3 Pet of the Week  

Here’s Brindabella, basking in the blooming blossoms of spring and wondering where her prince, princess or any forever-loving human is. She’s been at Long Beach Animal Care Services since August last year, a very long time for a big, active breed to be cooped up in a kennel for most of the day. Brindabella is a year-old Siberian husky — an odd-eyed girl who loves the outdoors. Her favorite spot at the shelter is the park bench, where she’ll take over most of the seating space. She’s a leaner, too, and you’d better be seated when she does that, because she’s a big girl! You also need to know the husky breed and their quirks and strengths if you want to adopt or foster Brindabella. If you do, come meet her and take her to the ball—or better yet, toss her one! Speed the process to adopt or foster Brindabella or any of our other pets by emailing PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov. You can also call (562) 570-4925. Our shelter hours are Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 7700 E. Spring St. at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors. Ask for ID#A747388.

Cute Wallpaper Ideas and Brown Wallpaper Styles That Make Kids’ Rooms Feel Cozy

The issue of designing a child room is one of a balance between fun, comfort and practicality. The children’s rooms must be both comfortable and entertaining but also capable of making the children relax, study, and be creative. Wall décor is one of the simplest methods to do so and create an atmosphere of the room immediately and make it feel like it belongs to anyone.

Walls do not continue to be plain backgrounds, but they can stimulate imagination, mirror the personality of a child, and even a certain mood. Vivid, comfortable rooms that can be expanded as the child grows yet would still be fashionable and practical can be designed by thinking carefully about wall treatments. With a little attention to the walls, a plain room may be transformed into a playground, a school and a vacation spot, which will last years of memories.

Playful Options with Cute Wallpaper

Cute wallpaper is one of the most popular trends that have been used in the kids rooms. With whims, themed drawings, the designs help children feel and inspire them in a rather fanciful atmosphere. Not only does it have animal motifs, cartoons, and stars but also educational prints such as alphabets, numbers, or maps and a combination of fun and education.

Cute wallpaper can be used by the designers to draw attention to a particular wall or corner of the room so that the wallpaper does not clutter the room. These cute patterns add balance and unity when combined with vibrant fabrics, plush carpets, and furniture that suits a child. Also, removable or peel-and-stick wallpaper makes it possible to change the design as the preferences of children change so that the room may be interesting and relevant with the progression of time.

Why Walls Matter in Kids’ Rooms

The decorations in the room of a child are not just an aesthetic value; they outline the whole environment. The right walls can make a difference to the child in the space both in terms of the bright and cheerful designs, as well as, neutral tones that soothe the child. A room that has been well designed promotes creativity, comfort and the feeling of safety.

The principal advantages of considered wall design include:

Developing creativity: Imagination is activated by patterns and playful textures, which are motivating towards learning.

Development of a warm atmosphere: Colors and textures ensure that the room is very welcoming and cozy and feels like a safe haven.

Promoting order: Zones of play, study and rest can be enhanced with feature walls.

Personal expression: Children are able to have space that represents their interests, hobbies or favorite characters.

Simple refresh: Wallpapers can be changed with the aging of the children hence changing the appearance of the room becomes simple.

The attention to the design of walls will allow parents to make sure that the room of their child is not only beautiful but also helpful in the everyday context and emotional conditions. Walls can act as a background and a playful canvas that can be modified with children.

The Comfort of brown wallpaper in Children’s Rooms

As much as playful patterns are perfect in stimulating creativity, neutral and earthly tones are balance and comforting. Brown wallpaper is a versatile interior that gives the rooms of children the feeling of warmth, depth, and grounding. It is a perfect match with wooden furniture, natural fabrics and subdued decorative elements, establishing a univing, comfortable atmosphere.

Darker brown tones are also effective at achieving a relaxing effect and making the children relax and concentrate. They also bring bright toys and colored decorations out of the picture, which creates contrast, which is visual beauty. One of the things which designers would do is to mix brown wallpaper with an accent wall or something that is patterned so that there will be no dullness in the room and the effect is that of a sophisticated but fun room.

Tips for Mixing Patterns, Colors, and Textures

The layering patterns and colors and textures are the way to a rich and harmonious children room. Neutral walls should be used to balance the playful features of feature walls, with neutral walls, e.g. brown or beige. The tactile quality of the wall can be improved by adding such textures as fabric panels, corkboards, or 3D wall stickers, which should be looked at.

Lighting and positioning of the furniture are also important. The combination of the bold and its subtle elements is done in the way that the room does not look overwhelming, annoying, or unproductive but can be considered as quite cozy, thought-provoking and practical, which contributes to the fact that the children are provided with the environment that would help to develop their creativity and comfort at the same time.

Conclusion

The rooms of children are not only rooms to sleep, but the room where the imagination meets the comfort and the environment of individual expression are combined. Considerable wall treatments, such as whimsical patterns and warm neutrals can make otherwise mundane rooms into comfortable and fashionable retreats that can evolve with the children.

Parents can create cozy and entertaining rooms with their choice of wallcovering that is both very decorative and even soothing. Walls are used to express personality, imagination and style making the children rooms a place where play, learning and relaxing are done in harmony.