Entertainment Guide

When You Want the Dads to Bond, Throw a Football Social

I think you all know that I love my Autism support group. I look forward to seeing my very special moms every month. We talk about our challenges, we share our successes, sometimes we cry together, but most of the time, we just laugh a lot. After seven years of getting to know one another, I think we just “get” each other. When the children were younger, we used to meet every month, sometimes twice a month – one is a Family Social and the other is Moms’ Day Out. Dads need support too and we love it when they come out with us to help us with the kids, but the funny thing is – the Dads don’t really talk to each other. I can’t speak for all of us, but we joke about us Moms being the social butterflies in our families and the Men just need some nudging.

Disneyland’s Halloween Time Takes Over Disney California Adventure Park!

Oogie Boogie, the boogeyman from “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas”, has casted a spell over Disney California Adventure Park! For the very first time, Halloween Time at Disneyland is now celebrated at both parks! You’ll first notice Oogie Boogie at the main entrance. Did you hear what he said? …Watch out! Throughout the night, he will also unleash a swarm of bats. Want to see where they congregate? The bats are circling the tower of the Carthay Circle Theatre! Cars Land has completely transformed and all your favorite Cars characters are all dressed up in their “car-stumes” to celebrate ‘Haul-O-Ween’. It’s so much fun! Thrill seekers will try to embrace themselves but it won’t help in Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark. Scream all you want because you can’t get off until the ride is finished. Come hungry! There are several themed treats. I just love this time of year, don’t you? This year, a ticket to Mickey’s Halloween Party gets us into Disney California Adventure as well as Disneyland during the three hours prior to the beginning of the party in Disneyland Park. More details below!

Happy Birthday, Pretend City! Special Events in August + Ticket Giveaway!

Pretend City Children’s Museum in Irvine turns 8! If you’re looking for ways to beat the heat, the last full month of the summer is jam-packed with fun educational activities and daily themed events at Pretend City. Hint: There are special discount days for some of them. Their annual “When I Grow Up” Day is the biggest event of the year. With the help of volunteers and a variety of generous professionals from all over the community, children can explore their future and dream big with the help of firefighters, police officers, librarians, and more! They are bringing in a real fire truck for the children to touch and explore, along with multiple professional cars in their free outside exhibit! Other special events to note – National Chocolate Chip Day, Bring a Friend on Friendship Day, Way to Play Day with Free Dental Screenings, Free Family Autism Day, and it’s also the final days of their summer exhibit, “Adventure Under the Sea!” Check the calendar below!

Guide to LEGOLAND Water Park + Giveaway!

LEGOLAND® Water Park is located inside the park (additional ticket required) at the north end of LEGOLAND® California adjacent to Fun Town (see map below). This part of the park has been opened since May 2010. It includes Legends of Chima Water Park, Pirate’s Reef, Soak-n-Sail, and new this summer – Surfer’s Cove! Surfer’s Cove features six water slides which extends 100-feet where guests can race each other for the fastest time on Riptide Racers water slides. Look for a LEGO winner’s trophy for a great photo opportunity! There’s a new spray ground called Wipeout Lagoon where multiple water jets splash on and off creating a wave effect. New eatery offers Beach Street Tacos and new seating area. Find new LEGO models throughout in beach themes – LEGO surfers, LEGO seagulls, LEGO crabs, a LEGO lifeguard, and a surfing dog model sits on top of a wave at the peak of Riptide Racers.

UPDATE: We were there June 30th, and Surfers’ Cove was nearly finished.

Behind the Scenes with SeaWorld San Diego + Ticket Giveaway!

A few weeks ago, we had a great opportunity to go behind-the-scenes at SeaWorld San Diego. It was a jammed packed day – Dolphin Days show, stayed after for a meet and greet with dolphins, animal encounters (I pet a penguin named Bruce), watched the new Orcas Encounter show, toured the Animal Health and Rescue Center and more! It was a full day of fun and we were spent, but if you are not ready to leave, they have a new Electric Ocean experience during summer nights that will keep the party going. More details below and be sure to enter for a chance to win four tickets!

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