Free Event: 5th Annual Butterfly Day at Mile Square Reg'l Park Sat, Feb 1st @OCParks

Photo Courtesy of OC Parks.

YOU'RE INVITED!!

OC Parks invites children and families to learn all about Monarch Butterflies and their natural habitat with an up-close look at the magnificent creatures at the Fifth Annual Monarch Butterfly Day on Saturday, February 1 at Mile Square Regional Park.

Recommended for children ages 4 to 12, this free event takes place inside the Butterfly Garden at the park's Camp Sycamore located near parking lot E. Bringing a camera is recommended.

THEATRE REVIEW: CHICAGO @SegerstromArts is Extremely Entertaining! #AllThatJazzOC #SCFTA

Disclosure: We received media tickets for reviewing purposes.

This week, we went to opening night of CHICAGO at Segerstrom Center for the Arts! It was the perfect setting for a Girl's Night Out or a Date Night. As soon as the curtains opened and All that Jazz started playing, I knew my girlfriend and I were going to have a blast!

John O’Hurley was incredible. He portrayed the character of Billy Flynn to another level; his stage presence and talented voice was very engaging. Roxy Heart (Paige Davis) and Velma Kelly (Terra C. MacLeold) showed their great vocals and dancing abilities, as well as the rest of the cast.

Terra C. MacLeod as Velma Kelly and Ensemble. Photo by Paul Kolnik.

It was such an awesome interpretation of the musical filled with great humor. I loved the fact that not only the actors participated in the musical, the audience was involved too! Even the Music Conductor Jesse Kissel had a few things to say, but I won’t give it all away. You'll need to see it for yourself!

9th Annual LA Travel & Adventure Show Returns to Long Beach Feb 8-9, 2014! @TravAdventure

The country’s largest travel show will return to the Long Beach Convention Center on February 8 and 9. Named as one of Southern California’s top 10 trade shows by BizBash, the 9th Annual Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show will feature over 400 exhibitors from around the globe, prominent travel experts, consumer seminars, interactive family-friendly activities, and industry-focused trade events.

Photo Courtesy of Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show.

Strategically located between L.A. and Orange Counties, the show is expected to draw record-breaking attendance from Southern California and the surrounding area.

Knott’s for the Cure 2014 | @Knotts @KomenOC #KnottsPink

Knott's Berry Farm is partnering up with Susan G. Komen Orange County to raise money for breast cancer awareness, services and research. In February and through March, Knott's will offer a specially discounted "Pink Ticket" and limited edition specially designed "pink" merchandise to support the organization!

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 Now on Blu-ray and DVD! | @CloudyMovie #Cloudy2

The film starts off with a short recap of the first movie which we really enjoyed. (Meaning we didn't have to re-watch the first one to understand the second one).


The film is about friendship, trust, and believing in yourself. After deactivating his greatest invention in the first movie, Flint Lockwood is faced to decide between keeping his prior commitment to creating a new home and lab with his friends or to work with his idol Chester V (a once in a lifetime opportunity).  With the support, encouragement, and understanding of his friends, he takes the job with Chester V.

Special Promo: Kids' Night on Broadway (KNOB) During The Wizard of Oz (2/12 and 2/13!) @SegerstromArts #WizardofOZoc #SCFTA

Segerstrom Center for the Arts in partnership with The Broadway League, the national trade association of the Broadway industry, welcomes the next generation of theater-goers by presenting KIDS’ NIGHT ON BROADWAY (KNOB) during two performances of THE WIZARD OF OZ.

KNOB is an audience development initiative that involves both touring shows and NYC productions to introduce young people to the magic of live theatre and make Broadway accessible to all families.

Danielle Wade as Dorothy, Mike Jackson as Tin Man and Jamie McKnight as Scarecrow -
The Wizard of Oz Photos by Cylla Von Tiedemann © 2013 Canadian Cast

SPECIAL PROMOTION:

For each full-priced adult ticket purchased, a child’s admission will be free. 

Play Date/Play Day at Pretend City | @PretendCity

Last week, we were off work and school for MLK Day so I wanted to take my kids somewhere they loved. Pretend City Children's Museum in Irvine is still a favorite so off we went.

With all the cool and safe things to play with (just let your imagination run wild), oh and I have to warn you - your child will guide you. It won't take long before they find something they want to do. Here are few things you will find there:

THEATRE: Casting for THE WIZARD OF OZ @SegerstromArts! (Feb 11 - 23) #WizardOC #SCFTA

Segerstrom Center for the Arts recently announced casting for the Orange County engagement of the first North American tour of the new stage adaptation of THE WIZARD OF OZ. It will perform at Segerstrom Hall from February 11 – 23, 2014.

The North American tour features many of the same talented Canadian cast as the original Toronto production including, as Dorothy, Danielle Wade, who was chosen for the show by the Canadian public through CBC TV’s reality casting show, Over the Rainbow. Joining Wade are Mike Jackson as Tin Man, Lee MacDougall as Lion, Jamie McKnight as Scarecrow and Robin Evan Willis as Glinda.

Danielle Wade as Dorothy and Jamie McKnight as Scarecrow - The Wizard of Oz Photos by Cylla Von Tiedemann
©2013 Canadian Cast

Taking the Family to Monster Jam | Highlights and Tips @MonsterJam #MonsterJam #Anaheim

Last night, we took the family to Monster Jam at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. We always wanted to find out what the hype was all about and now we know why...

We saw Monster Trucks drift, race, go flying through the air, do one wheelies, bounce upon landing, break before they crash, catch on fire, and get this - some rolled over, got back up and still keep going. What the??

FOOD: NEW Turkey Tacos at Del Taco PLUS a Giveaway! | #LetsTalkTurkey @DelTaco

This month Del Taco introduced Turkey Tacos (making the company the first Mexican fast food chain to offer ground turkey as a protein option.)  We sampled them tonight and thought it was pretty good! My husband said he liked that it tasted fresh and it didn't lose any of it's flavors.

You might like that:

• It has 33%less fat than its seasoned beef yet offers the same flavor. 
• Each Turkey Taco has only 150 calories. 
• It's priced at $1.29.

The new Turkey Tacos are served in a crunchy corn or warm flour tortilla with freshly grated cheddar cheese, crisp lettuce and pico de gallo, made fresh daily at each Del Taco location. 

Valentine’s Day Spa Packages at Burke Williams | @Burke_Williams #Spa

Are you looking for a wonderful gift package for V-Day? I had an amazing time last winter at Burke Williams in Orange. You can read more about it here.

Burke Williams announced three exclusive spa packages to pamper the ones you love. Each relaxing package, “Romance,” “True Love,” and “For Two” offers a unique combination of soothing treatments and services to create the perfect way to experience romance this holiday.

COMING THIS WEEK: Monster Jam Slams into @AngelStadium Anaheim | @MonsterJam #MonsterJam

Photo Courtesy of ToddlerTrails.com

Monster Jam® slammed into Angel Stadium in Anaheim on January 11th and will again January 25th and February 8th. SoCal motor sports fans will experience a massive collection of the world’s best monster trucks battling it out in the ultimate event of high-octane speed, racing and destruction as Monster Jam® returns for another season of three dirt-flying, high-energy events.

This year’s incredible truck lineup is highlighted with appearances by:

Monster Jam powerhouses and World Finals Champions GRAVE DIGGER® driven by the infamous Dennis Anderson and MAX-D℠ driven by the highest awarded World Champion Tom Meents who will perform a remarkable Max-D truck back-flip for the first time on the West Coast! 

 

American Premiere of The Hamburg Ballett's Liliom @SegerstromArts February 7 – 9

The International Dance Series at Segerstrom Center for the Arts is pleased to include the American premiere of The Hamburg Ballett's Liliom for February 7 - 9!

Carsten Jung and Anna Polikarpova in The Hamburg Ballett's Liliom by John Neumeier. Photo by Holger Badekow

For all you Broadway lovers out there, this ballet will remind you of Rodgers Hammerstein’s Broadway classic, Carousel. Neumeier, the company’s director and choreographer, based his work on Ferenc Molnár’s play Liliom which was also the inspiration for the musical.

Win a Limited Edition 2014 Public Storage Rose Parade Pin! (ENDED)

If you were following the Rose Parade this year, you must know that Public Storage's "Space that makes sense" float won the Grand Marshal’s Award for excellence in creative concept & design.

Photo Courtesy of Public Storage.

Here are some fun facts about the float provided by Public Storage:

RECAP: Disney's Beauty and the Beast Broadway Hit Musical at Segerstrom Center for the Arts | @SegerstromArts #BeOurGuestOC

I went on a Date Night with my baby sis this week. She's super preggo at the moment so I thought it would be nice to spend some quality girl-time together before baby arrives. We both love theater and musicals so Disney's Beauty and the Beast came at the most perfect time!

Darick Pead as Beast and Hilary Maiberger as Belle © Joan Marcus

Disney's Beauty and the Beast was AMAZING! We just loved the costumes, the singing, and the dancing. Hilary Maiberger played Belle perfectly, Darick Pead made a strong Beast, and Tim Rogan, as Gaston, was Jim Carrey-funny.

Tech Thursday: Hard Candy Phone Cases #Review @HardCandyCases

In our house, we're big on phone accessories. If you're like us, you have a drawer full of cases to switch out to whatever mood you're in. Some will protect better than others.

Recently, we tested this Triple Slider Case by Hard Candy Cases in a neutral color. (We chose a neutral color that is unisex). What's neat about this product is it comes with three different bottoms and it slides right off.

Monster Jam®'s “New Earth Authority Police Truck” with Anaheim Police Dept | @MonsterJam #MonsterJam

Last Friday, the Anaheim Police Department and Monster Jam® partnered up and gathered at Salk Elementary School in Anaheim for kids outreach with Anaheim YMCA. Kids from the Anaheim YMCA were greeted by officers and got up and close with the brand-new futuristic law enforcement inspired Monster Truck, “New Earth Authority” (along with its driver Oregon Police Lieutenant Norm Miller).

Photo Courtesy of ToddlerTrails.com

THEATRE: CHICAGO @SegerstromArts Jan 28 – Feb 2! #AllThatJazzOC #SCFTA

CHICAGO was my first Broadway musical experience in New York City, and it had me hooked!  

This winner of six 1997 Tony® Awards (including best musical revival) is the longest running American musical in Broadway history, and it's coming back to Segerstrom Center for the Arts January 28 through February 2, 2014!

Terra C. MacLeod as Velma Kelly and Merry Murderesses. Photo by Paul Kolnik.

Time calls it “A Triumph,” Newsweek raves “Smashing” and Entertainment Weekly sums it up by calling CHICAGO “Broadway’s Most Electrifying Show.”

PRODUCT REVIEW: Teethers that Don't Fall on the Floor @TeetherTops PLUS a Giveaway! #babyproducts

Recently we received some samples of Teether Tops.  They're teethers that you attach to the baby's wrist so it doesn't fall on the floor. 

You might like that it's machine washable, freezable, 100% cotton, and BPA free. 

January Highlights @PretendCity #CommunityHeros #MLKJrDay #ChineseNewYear

Pretend City is a great place for children to use their imagination. It is one of our favorite places for a play date with lots of areas to explore. Highlights this month include:

• Exploring emergency service and rescue crew careers plus children will have the opportunity to “Be a Hero”, 
• Celebrate fairness and equality with Martin Luther King Jr themed activities, and  
• Learning new traditions and culture from Chinese Lunar New Year. 

Children often observe heroes quickly trying to help and save others. They see bright lights, big trucks and loud sounds associated with many emergency vehicles. Through educational and playful interactions, children will learn the different careers within those fields and learn how to become a hero themselves.

I've highlighted some key dates below...

RECAP: Ringing in the New Year @Knotts #KnottsNYE #PhotoJourney

We're usually out of town for the holidays, but this year we decided to stay local and needed a family-friendly place to celebrate the New Year so when Giga Savvy invited to us to cover Knott's New Year's Eve, we said, "Yes!"

Oh and did I mention that I worked that day too? Let's see how long we all lasted...

They were doing sound check in Calico Square. So pretty. 

We started out the night on the nicely decorated Calico Railway. (Zero wait time). 

Dining Experience at Amor Y Tacos PLUS a Giveaway! | @AmorYTacos #Cerritos

My family and I were invited to a dining experience at Chef Thomas Ortega's new restaurant in Cerritos - Amor Y Tacos.  Check out what we ordered, and you'll want to enter for a chance to win a $25 Gift Certificate below!