Urban Ocean Festival Returns to the Aquarium of the Pacific

AQUARIUM TO CELEBRATE SOCAL’S UNIQUE COAST AT URBAN OCEAN FESTIVAL 

We love the Aquarium of the Pacific!

Visiting about 4 or 5 times a year never gets boring or old. There are always things to do and it is very Autism friendly.

Both of my kiddos love to start at different areas each time we visit but when there is a special event going on we know we will not only see something new but learn something cool as well!

What's coming up? Here are the deets on the Urban Ocean Festival...

Powerpuff Girls On Hulu Plus #Giveaway & Contest to Enter

The Powerpuff Girls are on Hulu!

Last weekend we were able to have our lovely friends cover the Powerpuff Girls Day!

 

 

The experience was meant to show the girls they can do anything they put their minds to - and it totally did. With Mad Science, Dancing, Arts and more the girls were able to experience some new things while having a extreme Powerpuff FUN time.

 

From the start the girls were treated like Powerpuff Girls in action...

 

The girls arrived and were greeted and immediately. They were escored on a mini red carpet to get their picture taken. Fancy!

Yummy ,tasty snacks and treats were served upon arrival.( Powerpuff girl themed of course)

There was a green screen Powerpuff Girls photo op station. We love photo booths.

Special treat to the girls ... the Parents were sent to a loft while the girls were sent to the fun workshops.

The girls grouped together and three workshops were offered to experience the fun.

Deets on the workshops for the lovely ladies...

Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que Teams Up with Autism Speaks to Giveback in a Big Way!

Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que Teams Up With Autism Speaks

To Increase Acceptance and Understanding of Autism Family-owned, award-winning barbeque destination Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que is teaming up with Autism Speaks to help increase understanding and acceptance of autism. The April campaign marks World Autism Month.

 

 

 

 

Our family was blessed with our son 5 years ago. Around 18 months I noticed behavioral and cognitive delays. Autism diagnosis came at age 3 and we have worked very hard with our son and his team to bring him to meet and exceed goals at hand.

 

We are so grateful to Lucille's for giving back and helping spread awareness for Autism.

 

Here are the deets:

4 Reasons Irvine Park Railroad Easter Eggstravaganza is Tradition for our Family

Irvine Park Railroad Easter Eggstravaganza Favorites

We always love attending IPRR events but when Spring has Sprung you can bet were headed to the Easter Eggstravaganza at Irvine Park Railroad... hop along with us in our recap and favs!



Love it..why?!

Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria Opens Wine Bar for Disney'sFood and Wine Festival Plus #Giveaway

 Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria Wine Tasting is a Must Try!

  

Date night, girls night out, family dinner after Disney, a meet up after work... any excuse really will work, but use one & get to Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria at Downtown Disney stat!



This past weekend we had the amazing opportunity to visit Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria to sample their new Wine Tasting, appetizers and ambiance of their expanded outdoor patio addition.


           

The Wine Bar pairs well with the festivities of Disney's California Adventure Food and Wine Festival going on now inside DCA.

Irvine Park Railroad 10th Annual Easter Eggstravaganza Plus #Giveaway

Hippity Hoppity The Easter Bunny is on His Way..... Are YOU Ready?!

Irvine Park Railroad's Easter Eggstravaganza 2017 Returns to IPRR in Orange County. 

PC IPRR

On Saturday, March 25th through Saturday, April 15th, Irvine Park Railroad will hold its annual Easter Eggstravaganza. Event activities include meeting and having your photo taken with the Easter Bunny, egg hunts, train rides, and more. 

This is one of our Families most Favorite IPRR Events!
There is so much to do for all ages and as a parent there is a lot of fun to be watched with a smile. 

Easter egg hunts begin daily at 10:00 AM and tickets may be purchased and exchanged for a wristband to participate in an egg hunt at a specific time. 

Please bring an Easter basket for each child that will be participating in the Easter egg hunt. 

Irvine Park Railroad will also offer Easter baskets for sale. Tickets must be purchased on the day of the event in order to receive a wristband for the Easter egg hunt. 

Please visit www.irvineparkrailroad.com for complete details on the Easter egg hunts including times and costs.

More Deets...

Spring into fun this Spring Break with Great Wolf Lodge at Springapalooza

Spring-a-Palooza Is In the Air at Great Wolf Lodge

Always a HOWLING good time at Great Wolf Lodge in SoCal!
 
Before we get into the deets on the Spring Break fun, I wanted to share some tips from our visit, hope they help in your family fun planning.
 
Great Wolf Lodge Family Fun Tips:

* We stayed one night and two days - Honestly I would have loved to stay 2 nights and 3 days. There is so much offered as part of your stay in addition to the water park play, that you really need just that extra time to soak it all in, I mean who wants to miss the evening story time or the morning yoga? So much more too! I would have loved to take it a bit slower to really do all we could at no extra cost. There is always something going on or being celebrated to take part in too!
 
* Cabana Rental - I know this sounds silly since you may have a room on site but some just need that extra quiet or comfort zone for quick breaks. For Cabana in the action of it all I would suggest one in the main area or toddler area so that small and big can be seen and play. For a quieter moment for sensory breaks (we need those at times with my sons ASD) the outdoor cabanas are perfect and less of a crowd too. Not to mention they are cozy and private too.
 
* Autism Friendly - There are lifeguards all over and attentive... thank goodness since I am on top of it but my boy is all over the place at times. He just enjoys life and wants to run wild with everyone and everything. He actually needed First Aide and they took the best care of his scrape and he was ready to play again a few hours later after a snack. At 5yo he LOVED everything about Great Wolf Lodge. He was able to take it at his own pace with smaller water rides as well as keep the life vest tat is provided if needed on hand all day. Mikey really enjoyed the outdoor pool ply area as well as the family tubing. We loved that too. It's fun to have your kids watch you scream laugh... yes that's what I do! 
 
* Staff - The Team at GWL is amazingly friendly and very customer service savvy! Everyone wants to see you having fun safely. I loved how sweet everyone was to the kids all over the water park with patience and empathy to the indoor arcade friendliness. Great training on your staff GWL. SO great that my brother in law has an interview to Lifeguard there... good luck Richie!
 
* Girl Time - This is where that third day would have been great. First two days do all there is for family fun and even relax and take it slow. But... I would like to try the Salon on our last day on our way out so that my daughter and I can really feel refreshed and bond over nails for a bit. How cute and fun!
 
There really is so much to do and a lot of family entertainment to be had at Great Wolf Lodge. My husband agreed we needed more time, he didn't want to leave either!! Win Win! Local Staycation Perfection for us.
 
Okay enough about our visit, below are all the details about the upcoming Howling Fun of Springapalooza!!
 
Hot Off The Press Friends....

The Habit Burger Grill Rewards CharClub Members with Free Charburger & New Salad For Limited Time

Calling All Hungry FOODIES!!

The Habit Burger Grill Rewards CharClub Members with Free Charburger

Here are all the deets -

The Habit Restaurants, Inc. is giving all existing and new CharClub members a free Charburger with cheese during the month of March. OMG! Get on that, their food is delish and a healthier option for sure.

The Habit CharClub is a free program that offers members perks including exclusive updates from The Habit executive chef, a special treat on your birthday, invitations to grand openings and special events, first-hand information about new menu items and limited time offerings, and more.

Not a member? Sign Up Today to Receive Your Free Charburger

For a limited time, March 1-31, 2017, The Habit will be rewarding existing CharClub members with an offer for a free Charburger with cheese.

Everyone is invited to participate, and if you are not a member, ‘make it a habit’ and sign up for the CharClub by visiting http://www.habitburger.com/charclub. Once you have signed up for the CharClub, your free Charburger offer will be sent directly to your email, no strings attached.


BUT WAIT!!!! That is not all that is new at the Habit!

Dunkin' Donuts Fountain Valley Grand Opening March 9th & Donating $1000 To CHOC Childrens

Welcome to Fountain Valley - DUNKIN' DONUTS!

We are excited to welcome another SoCal Dunkin' Location

I have to agree that Dunkin ' is America's number one stop for fresh amazing coffee and goodies on the go! I am an Iced coffee lover for sure.

On March 9th at 5pm, the Fountain Valley Location, located at 18022 Brookhurst St., will offer the full line up of yummy menu items!

But.... At the Grand Opening, Dunkin' FV will commemorate this day with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and a $1000 donation to CHOC - Children's Hospital of Orange County.

A little about CHOC and WHY this donation means a lot....
CHOC Children’s began as a regional hospital in 1964. Today, it has grown to be a regional healthcare leader that treats patients from throughout the United States and around the world. CHOC Children’s is now made up of two hospitals, as well as 30 specialty clinics, access to more than 180 specialists and four renowned centers of excellence – the CHOC Children’s Heart, Neuroscience Orthopaedic and Hyundai Cancer Institutes.

For years we have given back to CHOC. CHOC hits close to home for us, for me and for my family.

About 9 years ago my nephew was born, yes born, with Stage 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme that covered 70% of the left side of his head. It was on the brain stem. We were all sitting there hearing that he may not make it and they needed to talk to the Neurologist and Oncologist Doctors at CHOC and immediately operate and get the tumor out.

HEART DROPS

Fast forward to almost 10 years later, my nephew, George is alive, we can kiss him, hug him and he is here! CHOC acted fast on that emotional day, they immediately took action. Doctors came up with the best plan and after multiple surgeries, a stint shunt, g-tube and recovery, George is in remission and Cancer Free... he has been to this day. He continues to work on his motor skills and is in a wheel chair and has brought our family closer than we would have ever imagined. Thank you Dr. Muhonen for never giving up your faith that your steady hands would serve their purpose.

We have so many reasons to be grateful to CHOC, my heart will always support, so I am so so glad to see others in our community giveback too!

GREAT JOB DUNKIN' - Love your Coffee and now I see you are as sweet as your baked goodies! Happy Grand Opening to you all.
Head out to the Grand Opening of Dnkin' in FV and you can sample menu items and get a photo with their cute mascot Cuppy!

Happy Friday,
Penny

Inside Energy in Motion at Knott's Berry Farm #EduFun Plus #Giveaway

Knott's Berry Farm Gets Educational With our Girl Scouts!

Girl Scout and Proud... but thrill seeker and proud too.

 

 

When my daughter heard that there was an opportunity for her Girl Scouts to attend an Energy in Motion trip to Knott'sBerry Farm and learn all about the in's and out's of the rides she loves to ride...she jumped on the opportunity.

 

 

To say she loved the experience is an understatement!!

"It was so cool and super fun to see how it all works together to give us thrills but keep us safe!"  Zoe

 

That's how it's described from a 4th grader that is pretty harsh on education while ecstatic about everything else.