Winter Fest Returns to Orange County #WinterFestOC #Giveaway

Winterfest Returns to OC in a Whimsical Winter Wonderland

Last year we had such a great time at Winter Fest! 

From the Ice skating, food, tree lighting and entertainment everything was winter ready. 

It is so nice to see efforts put into a winter wonderland in Orange County. 

You can read last years recap and our must do's here... But I am sure that this year's favorite will be the Large Ornaments, Ice Skating and The Largest Rocking Horse but we will have to wait and see what my kiddos say!

Here is the latest scoop on all the fun available to be had at Winter Fest: 

Holidays in LA with 2nd Annual Go Little Tokyo Holiday Marketplace This December

2nd Annual Go Little Tokyo Holiday Marketplace 

Shop Local in Little Tokyo & Celebrate the Season December 3-4

PC Go Little Tokyo

Celebrate the Holiays in Los Angeles with Festive Fun at the Go LIttle Tokyo Marketplace!

WHAT:
2nd Annual Go Little Tokyo Holiday Marketplace

WHEN:
Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4, 2016, hours vary per business

WHERE:
Little Tokyo - Downtown Los Angeles

DETAILS:
Shogun Santa is coming to town! Experience another exciting holiday season of gift-giving and merry-making at Downtown LA’s most unique holiday shopping tradition on Saturday, December 3rd and Sunday, December 4th with the 2nd Annual Go Little Tokyo Holiday Marketplace! 

Universal Parks Unite With NINTENDO To Bring the Fun to Life

UNIVERSAL PARKS & RESORTS AND NINTENDO WILL BRING THE FUN OF NINTENDO TO LIFE WITH EXPANSIVE, HIGHLY THEMED ENVIRONMENTS AT OSAKA, ORLANDO AND HOLLYWOOD

Nintendo-themed areas are coming to Universal Studios Japan, Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood.

Have you heard? I am excited and thrilled to see what each update of this new addition will bring...

Nintendo’s most iconic games will come to life in Hollywood, Orlando & Osaka. With themed areas and immersive experiences, guests will be transported into the exciting world of their favorite games.

See what is in store for Mario and the gang... 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPjTaLzYwN4&feature=youtu.be

Hot off the press...

Discovery Cube Winter Wonderfest Returns December 17th #DCOCWinter

Winter Wonderfest is Back for It's 2nd Year!

SNOW MEETS SCIENCE AT DISCOVERY CUBE’S 2nd ANNUAL WINTER WONDERFEST THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Last year we attended Winter Wonderfest and it was the first time my son went sledding! 

As a family we had a lot of fun. There is always a lot of different activities for all ages. What I loved most last year was the different areas of snow and sledding play. From tiny to tall there is sport for everyone to have fun. (Recap of Last Years Fun)

This Year we are rapidly moving through the Holidays... I wanted to give you guys the heads up on all the news and happenings at Winter Wonderfest... so here are the latest deets on the festivities!

Winter Wonderfest 2016/2017

Winter Wonderfest Offers Kids the Chance to Learn About the Science of Snow with Interactive Exhibits Featuring Over One Hundred Tons of Real Snow

Santa's HQ Experience at Lakewood Center HGTV

Happy holidays everybody from Santa HQ at the Lakewood Center!

With all the mad rush of shopping cooking cleaning and getting ready for all the festivities sometimes it's nice just to take a break and enjoy family mom before the Rush continuous....

Yesterday we went as a family to visit Santa's headquarters at the Lakewood Center. 

It's hosted by HGTV and it is Decked Out literally Hall to Hall...

There is a naughty and nice list and everything is very Interactive. How Cute is that!

While I loved watching the names roll up and down the naughty and nice list my kids were most interested in the command center. Control over Santa's workshop... didn't have to ask them twice...

Our Knott's #MerryFarm Favorites Not to be Missed

Merry Farm has Come to Town...

Visit Knott's Merry Farm for Holiday Festive Fun Now Through January 8th!

Last weekend we had a Peanut's of a grand time. It was more than a day at Knott's, It was a mom and daughter day, a much needed one. 

Sometimes we get wrapped up in school, soccer, rules, schedules and all that goes into being responsible that I forget what my most favorite responsibility is... making memories with my kiddos!

I love doing that. I also forget that sometimes it is good to spend one on one time with each of my kids as well as my husband. It was sad that my hubs and son were not feeling well but the decision was made for me, it was a girls day, so let's enjoy it.

To say we had fun would be an understatement - it was cool, overcast and kind of raining. Perfect Knott's weather. 

You can see our re-cap videos here and here!

Ready for our Run down.....

Holiday Tree Lighting December 2nd Kaleidoscope Mission Viejo

More Local SoCal Tree Lighting Festivities at Kaleidoscope in Mission Viejo

Ring in Holidays at Kaleidoscope with Tree Lighting Ceremony & Carolers Throughout the Season

Kaleidoscope in Mission Viejo will ring in the holidays with a festive Tree Lighting Ceremony for the community on Friday, December 2 from 6 to 8pm. 

The St. Kilian Choir will kick off the event in the center courtyard, singing holiday classics and modern favorites. More than 30 dancers from Acceler8 Ballet Co. with the Pave School of the Performing Arts will then perform a Story Book Nutcracker. The celebration will end with Santa Claus himself appearing to light Kaleidoscope’s fresh noble fir.

Outlets at San Clemente Holiday Festivitiy Favorites

Outlets at San Clemente Holiday Festivities are in Full Swing!

Over the weekend the Outlets at San Clemente held their official Tree Lighting ceremony and kicked off Holiday Shopping. 

We had a few of our mini contributors check out all there is to do aside from shop. I know that sometimes the kids don't always have as much fun shopping but this was their first visit to the Outlets at San Clemente and they are giving us the scoop on all the Holiday fun they had. 

As first timers to the Outlets our contributors are giving us all a look at the outlets themselves and the kids favs on the other things to do during the Holidays!

Top Fav's of San Clemente Outlet Mall: 

Outlets at San Clemente Holiday Shopping and Tree Lighting this Weekend #OSCHoliday

OUTLETS AT SAN CLEMENTE KICKS OFF THE HOLIDAYS WITH TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATION ON NOVEMBER 19

Family-Friendly Entertainment Includes Santa, Live reindeer Meet-and-Greet and “Snow” Fall! #OSCHoliday

PC Outlets at San Clemente

Hot off the press:

Families are invited to create warm holiday memories during the Tree Lighting Celebration at Outlets at San Clemente. Hosted by Santa and his reindeer, the event features a live reindeer meet-and-greet, roaming Christmas carolers, a photo booth, crafts, face-painting, balloon animals and the Grand Finale – the lighting of a fresh-cut 40-foot tall White Fir tree from Mt. Shasta covered in more than 6,000 twinkling, multi-colored lights as “snow” falls over San Clemente. Plus, after the event, guests can get a head-start on Christmas shopping.

Event Deets:

ODYSSEO Back by Popular Demand Returns to Irvine November 16th DISCOUNT CODE

The Beauty and Finesse of Odysseo's Performance Returns to Irvine

I can not tell you how excited I am over the return of this amazing show. 

Last time Odysseo was here in So Cal I was able to take my daughter, niece and father to see the pairing between equestrian and performers come to life. 

It is hands down the most captivating performance I have ever seen. The live music is powerful to each step the horses take. The direction of movement and precise timing each rider has with their paired horse is breathtaking to see live. 

This November Cavalia brings Odysseo back to Orange County for another run. The show's opening night is November 16th and with many dates already filled up, get your tickets fast, so you do not miss out. 

Last week I had the opportunity to go behind the scenes and welcome not only the remaining 25 beautiful horses back from their San Diego sandy beach vacation, but I was honored to see 25 Veterans walk these large beauties down the red carpet with pride beaming all around. 

Merry Farm is Coming to Town This Weekend!

Knott's Berry Farm Brings Back MERRY FARM!

As if the 75th Anniversary of Ghost Town was not enough to celebrate, Knott's Berry Farm always goes super Holiday, over the fantastic festivities of Merry Farm.

Merry Farm Returns November 19th - Jan 8th! PC:MerryFarm

We have attended this Holiday event in the past and the kids love it...who am I kidding... we all love it!

Here are some of the deets on Merry Farm - The celebration kicks off on November 19th!

Hot off the press...

HOLIDAY FUN AT LEGOLAND® CALIFORNIA RESORT 2016

CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS AT LEGOLAND® CALIFORNIA RESORT

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT, TWINKLING LIGHTS AND FESTIVE CHEER AWAIT AT HOLIDAYS AT LEGOLAND® CALIFORNIA RESORT!

The winter holiday season is always a special time of year and the family theme park is gearing up for its holiday celebration: Holidays at LEGOLAND® California Resort! 

  

Beginning Nov. 25 through Jan. 1, children and their families can get in the festive spirit at the annual winter holiday celebration and enjoy festive lights, live entertainment, the world’s largest LEGO® Christmas tree, snow flurries and more!

Los Cerritos Center Welcomes SANTA HQ Holidays Kick Off November 5th!

HO, HO, HO, Santa Claus is Coming to Town

There is a new SANTA HQ Experience coming to SoCal!

I love the Holidays and all the opportunities to be festive that come along with it. 

There are a lot of things going on and the rush of it all gets a bit much but you know you can't wait for it all just like me. 

When I plan ahead for the Holidays, I know two things, one... get gifts and two... make memories. 

The gifts are a process but the memories don't have to be. I like to search out fun things to do with the kids and family. We love to visit Santa and see his helpers too. 

The new SANTA HQ is coming to Los Cerritos Center and Santa makes his debut on November 5th to kick off the Holiday Experience!

Get all the deets below on the fun - 

Irvine Park RR Christmas Train Tickets On Sale Now Plus Giveaway

The Christmas Train is Coming to Town!

Irvine Park Railroad brings back our favorite Train Ride to Santa for it's 21st year. 

We are always so excited to take the train to Santa each year. This has become one of our most favorite traditions. Inside the Rail Road park there are games, treats, story time with Mrs. Claus and so much more for the kids young and older to do. 

My kids have different favorites each year as they get older. I am curious to hear what their favs are this year too. 

I love that I can see my kids playing, laughing, running around and celebrating festive Holidays where I too spent a lot of my childhood. 

When we are all together in places my parents used to take me when I was younger I feel my heart most full, both of nostalgia and the Holiday Spirit, love it!

You can read all about our previous visits the Santa on the Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train here.

Winter Fun in SoCal 2016

Hello Fall, Winter is Just Around the Corner!

Now that Halloween is over I always feel like the rest of the year goes so fast.

Thanksgiving is just weeks away and with that you have the Holidays in full effect. 

Holiday Gift Guides are making it to social media already and with all the shopping ahead I always like to look at what fun I can have with my family too!

Here is a list (I will feature specific blog posts on some) of the fun things to do in SoCal that I am finding or have done in the past.

Winter Fun In SoCal:

Alice In Winterland Comes to Queen Mary's CHILL with DISCOUNT CODE

Queen Mary's CHILL is BACK and COLDER Than Ever with...... Alice in Winterland!

Get ready to take a wandering stroll through CHILL's WONDERLAND!

PC QM CHILL

Last year was our first time attending CHILL - We had a blast and can not wait to check out all the Alice in Winterland Fun This year too.

Read all about last year's fun and my kids top favorites here.

Here are all the deets on CHILL so far but check back soon, I will have more details as they become available...

For now I have a discount code for you - Until Friday November 4th at 11:59pm - you can enter ALICE at check out and save 45% on select nights tickets to CHILL! Book Now Here!

TROLLS Have Taken Over the Flavors at Yogurtland!

Yogurtland Brings Fun Flavors and Colors Inspired by the TROLLS Movie

Get Wild, Get Colorful, Get Tasty goodness NOW at Yogurtland!

Yogurtland and DreamWorks Animation bring us TROLLS and TROLLS Flavored FROYO...

PC NYCSingleMom

~ Adventure to Yogurtland for 10 Hair Raising Flavors ~

Here is the official press release and all the yummy deets on the creations of and more...

Yogurtland Introduces Most Colorful Flavors Yet, Inspired by DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls 

Inspired by the colorful characters of the new DreamWorks Animation film Trolls, Yogurtland, the ever-popular self-serve frozen yogurt pioneer, is introducing 10 colorful flavors, a new fun topping and two collectible spoons, available October 20th – December 21st.

Have You Heard What's New at “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at Universal Studios Hollywood?

Happy Holiday Cheers and Wizard Fun with Tasty Additions to Drinks!

Get Your Butterbeer On....

Hot Butterbeer has arrived at “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at Universal Studios Hollywood

Have you been yet? We have not and are so itching to go. I hear there is so much to see and well taste!

What did you think? What was your favorite eat or drink?

PC USH

Here is the Official Press Release - 

CHOC Walk Teamwork Our Top 6 Reasons To Participate

CHOC Walk Success with Another year of 15k Walkers Raising Funds!

We did it!! My mini me and I, along with 15k others, joined up to Walk for CHOC!

It was a magical Sunday morning meeting up with some of our closest friends to support our favorite local Children's Hospital.

A few weeks ago I let you all know just how important CHOC is to our family. 

Ready to Greet the morning!

You can read about my family bond to CHOC and the CHOC Walk here... and this past weekend participating in the walk once again was an emotion filled morning.

It's important that my kids understand empathy and appreciation. Not only for life but for those giving so much effort to help someone live.

I'm grateful to have spent this time one on one with my daughter, answering her questions about families, why they were walking and who they were there for. It's amazing to see an innocent heart open up to even more understanding of what it means to appreciate living, breathing and even walking...

5 Children in our family have bee cared for by CHOC - We Love you CHOC!

You know CHOC is near and dear to us, you know we love all things Disney but, I'd love to let you know our top 6 favs about the Walk, maybe you too will want to give back in your own way for next year!