Just Another Post On Parenting

2014 is turning in to a banner year for me and my son Tyler.  I feel incredibly close to him and he's definitely opening up to me.  This is all important for me because I was not close to my parents.  At all.  I came to terms with my issues with them years ago and have forgiven them for being so so strict with me.  There really isn't any rhyme or reason how they parented though - I couldn't do certain things and if I did want to go out with friends I had to take one or both of my siblings.  Looking back at it, I can't believe my parents trusted me as a 16 year old and let me drag my 3 year old sister around.  Best believe that everything I went through made me who I am today and the parent I am now.  For my oldest son to share his life with me is freakin' amazing.  

I wanted to write this post after the tattoo post because I finally met his girlfriend.  We got to attend a soft opening of the new Farrell's in my city (which is open now so go!) and I told him he could bring her.  She's quite lovely.  And she didn't bat an eye at our conversation and warped sense of humor. Boys are hard but she handled it like a champ.  I like her.  

I don't ever want my kids to wonder if they are loved.  I want them to know my hugs and kisses.  I want them to know my door is always open and I want them to make mistakes and own up to 'em.  I want them to find their place and just be happy.      

My parenting advice: If you think your parents did good with you, follow their parenting style.  If you want better for your kids, do better.  It's that simple.

The Jungle Book With Mi Familia #LoMasVital

Disclosure:  This is part of a sponsored collaboration with Latina Mom Bloggers and Disney Studios.  However, all opinions expressed are my own.

One of our favorite family activities is watching movies, especially when we're at home.  My chulos actually sit down and we get to enjoy quality time with them.  I happily participated in a fun photo-a-day challenge that highlights how we're enjoying life and it led to finally watching The Jungle Book Diamond Edition, which is now available for the first time on Blue Ray™ and Digital.  The Jungle Book is a new one to us, I vaguely remember watching it as a kid but the Bare Necessities song always stood out to me... not only is it catchy but relates to life!  A topic we always talk about is the importance of our familia!  We're currently plotting our next fun adventure - to visit our families in Texas this Summer and the movie set everything in motion.  

Omie loves movies he can dance to!  Duke couldn't believe Disney made movies "way back then".  I don't know anyone that can hold back when The Jungle Book is on - we were a singing and dancing party over here!  The conversation was also deep with a question like, "why is that kid living with animals?" and celebrated with the realization that animals do care for humans.  I explained that it's a two way street and we have to take care of each other.  I guarantee we'll watch this movie again and again!        

The Jungle Book inspired me to create a fun trail mix for everyone.  It will be perfect for our travels or hanging out at home when you crave something different!  All you need are apple chips, banana chips and chocolate chips!

Put all the chips in a cup or bag and you are good to go!

Eight Candles At Pirate's Dinner Adventure, Buena Park

Disclosure:  Pirate's Dinner Adventure graciously provided tickets for my family and I to check out the show.  All thoughts are my own.

We surprised Duke for this 8th Birthday by celebrating at Pirate's Dinner Adventure.  We live in Buena Park so we drive by all the time and wonder what fun goes on in there!  I have a tendency to be a little ocd when it comes to planning but promised myself that I'd let loose this year and not look at reviews. This is what I knew: dinner would be served and there would be pirates.  What I didn't expect was an interactive adventure from start to finish.

Get there early for the h'orderves and pre-show.  Yep, a show before the show.  We roamed around and found most of the h'orderves were being served in the area farthest from the entrance.  Our favorites were fresh veggies and dip, sweet potato tots and corn fritters.  We happened to be standing right in front of the bar when the pre-show started.  We got a little startled but I'd say it was the best place to be.

The show takes place on a replicated 18th-century Spanish galleon measuring 46 feet long, 18 feet wide with 40-foot masts and anchored in a 250,000 gallon indoor lagoon with night sky lighting.  We were ushered to our seats in ships surrounding the lagoon and got to meet our pirate, the red pirate Cutthroat Jack!

Dinner is served during the show and you start off with soup or salad.  I requested the VIP (Very Important Pirate) Kids Meal for the two littles - it was chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes and corn.  My birthday boy ate it up and wanted me to ask for another serving (that's a rare request from him).  The rest of us chose the roasted half chicken with rice and veggies.  Dessert was brownie a la mode.  

The show is a classic tale of good vs. evil with the perfect blend of action, comedy and romance.  We were amazed at the special effects wizardry, aerial artistry, swashbuckling swordplay and dynamic duels.

Rise of the Sea Dragon is very interactive, my birthday boy loved having the opportunity to board the ship!

A birthday cake for a birthday pirate!

After the show you can take pictures with the pirates!
Cutthroat Jack & Duke!


Our family had the best time!  The all-new show, "Rise of the Sea Dragon" is only a couple years old - we want to return in October for the Halloween-themed show, "Vampirate's" and in December for the holiday show, "Pirates Take Christmas".

Tickets for the 2014 Season are $58.95 plus tax for adults (12 years and older) and $39.95 plus tax for children (3-11 years old).  Show times vary, please call for show times & schedule (714) 690-1497

Pirate's Dinner Adventure is located off the 91 Freeway in Buena Park at 7600 Beach Blvd.

It Snows At LEGOLAND #HolidaySnowDays

Disclosure: I was invited to a media preview of #HolidaySnowDays at LEGOLAND. All thoughts are my own.

A few weeks ago we surprised the littles with a trip to LEGOLAND for Holiday Snow Days.  It was their first time experiencing snow and they were naturals!  Over 50 tons of real snow happens in Fun Town - make and throw snowballs at LEGO themed targets, build snowmen using LEGO accessories and go snow tubing down a 7-foot tall snow-covered run!  I absolutely loved watching them play.  This is the perfect alternative for us because even though we are only an hour from the mountains, I can't handle the drive up anymore.  Right in the middle of Fun Town is the 30-foot tall Christmas tree, created with more than 245,000 forest green DUPLO bricks and adorned with more than 400 LEGO ornaments  It was absolutely breathtaking!  I especially loved the holiday characters you could meet in front of the tree.  We had an amazing time, I could easily see this being a tradition every year!

What we missed:  the tree lighting.  I really wanted to see it but with a toddler that was out all day, it was rough and we decided to head home.  There is live entertainment and on different dates during the holiday season - special activities like fireworks!!!  Holiday Snow Days concludes on New Year's Eve with a party just for kids!    

From November 21 through December 31, buy a one day admission to LEGOLAND California and return a second day for FREE between January 1 and March 31, 2014.  

The special Holiday Snow Days + Winter Nights map at the beginning of the park.  If you need assistance throughout the day - you could email or text Help@LEGOLAND.com


Sometimes my kids just want to enjoy stuff without me having to take pictures all the time!

A life-size LEGO Santa!

We returned for more fun in the snow - they were making it all pretty again!

This yummy plate goes away in January - very tasty Bavarian Bratwurst with cream sauce, butter mash potatoes and sauerkraut.  Chris and I couldn't stop talking about it, so good!

Caution! This churro with strawberry sauce (or you can also get it with chocolate sauce) is addicting!

Holiday Treats Truck in Fun Town features Bavarian Bratwursts, buttery mash potatoes, sweet potato fries, churros, warm spiced apple cider and holiday cookies

The littles loved the LEGO Factory Tour - especially my little Omie when he found out he could "print" the faces on mini-fig heads!

Skipper School is always a fave!

In the Imagination Zone, don't forget to visit the massive LEGO Star Wars X-wing.  This beast is made from over 5 MILLION bricks, weighs 32 tons and took 32 model builders more than three months to build.  This is the largest LEGO model ever constructed!


See more of our fun day at LEGOLAND with Tee of ThatsItMommy.com
Check back for my post on our stay at the LEGOLAND Hotel!

Happy #KnottsNYE! Win Two Tickets For 2014!

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post in collaboration with GigaSavvy.  All thoughts are my own.  #KnottsNYE

One of my favorite memories of New Year's Eve is driving on the 5N freeway from Anaheim and seeing the fireworks from Knott's Berry Farm right at midnight.  It was perfect timing and quite poetic if you ask me.  We actually were on the way home after fireworks were cancelled due to strong winds at another place.  I was bummed about it, my kids were bummed about it and my visiting nephews were bummed about it but life is funny like that sometimes - you live life making plans and following through but it's the unexpected surprises that give you the most meaning.  This whole year has been a defining moment for me and made me slow down on planning and just going with the flow.  This year make plans for New Year's Eve at Knott's but just go with the flow because the party will be everywhere!  The park will have extended hours, live entertainment, special fireworks, Knott's signature rides and attractions AND Midnight Party on the Midway!

Count down the New Year with music, stilt walkers, party hats, and noisemakers for everyone. And new this year, the Knott’s Sky Cabin, adorned with special lighting effects, will dramatically rise to the top of the “K” tower to count down the final moments of 2013. The cabin will reach the top at the stroke of midnight and the skies above Knott’s will be ablaze with colorful fireworks!

Win Two Tickets to visit Knott's Berry Farm in 2014 - enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Knott’s New Year’s Eve Celebration is included with regular daytime admission. Park hours are 10am to 1am. A 2014 Knott’s Season Pass is a great way to visit on New Year’s Eve. 2014 passes offer a year of family fun and includes one free visit in 2013. And for a limited time, purchase a Season Pass for as low as six easy payments of $13! To purchase Season Passes or tickets, or for more information about Knott’s Berry Farm, visit www.knotts.com or download the Knott’s mobile app for your smartphone today. And join the conversation using #KnottsNYE.

I Want More Of My Family For The Holidays #MoreIsBetter

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cottonelle.

The holidays are super stressful for me.  Maybe it's stressful for everyone... My guess is that when you are finally getting into the routine of Summer vacation after a couple months and then bam, it's Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.  We try to only splurge on the kids 3x a year - birthdays, back to school shopping and Christmas.  The past few years I was able to finish our shopping in October and it did so much for my sanity and I'm sure saved a few lives along the way...  there's just the satisfaction of not having to deal with low stock in stores and crazy last minute shoppers.  It's a big thing to have on your plate every single year and let me be the one to say it - that stress is heavier on women - whether you are a mom, wife, sister, daughter, girlfriend... After working on my own business and working from home for a few months, I was able to runaway to Vegas this weekend with four blogger friends to reset my brain.

The trip to Vegas was physically exhausting - we did so much walking, talking, laughing but it was all so relaxing at the same time.  I have new wrinkles from laughing so hard.  Vegas is the remedy, ladies.  I'll sign your prescription slips!  The trip refreshed me and after Wednesday when I wrap up my last deadline for the year, I'll be relaxing with my family because I want more of them!

Cottonelle Clean Care - 25 percent more sheets than the competitor.  Not just for this season but for all seasons!  Having that more this holiday season can make a big impact.  It's just that simple - more is better!  Follow the conversation on Twitter #MoreIsBetter

What do you want more of this holiday season?

Everyone loves them in Snoop.  I loved visiting him in Vegas...
Look who I found!

• The giveaway opens on Monday, December 9 and ends on Friday, December 20.
• Readers may enter this promotion daily for a chance to win.
• One winner daily will be selected to receive a $100 American Express gift card.
• Winners will be announced daily on the SITSGirls Facebook page: facebook.com/SITSGirls.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cottonelle.

Start New Family Traditions At Knott's Merry Farm

I'm officially ready for Christmas!  I know we're still in November and Thanksgiving hasn't happened yet but I'm itching to get my shopping done so we can focus on our annual visit to Knott's Merry Farm! I had an amazing time with my family - we didn't expect to love The Gift of the Magi show so much and can't wait to see it again this year.  Another unexpected surprise was the It's Christmas Snoopy! Ice Show.  We were blown away by the ice skating moves.  Blown away.  This year we plan on visiting Santa's Christmas Cabin where you can take photos with Santa, sample wine and craft beer and fill your tummy up with Santa's Sundae Bar.  There's also Snoopy's Tree Lighting, Snoopy's Magical Night of Lights, Calico Carolers, Lucy’s Wish List at the Camp Snoopy Theater and MORE!  New traditions made our family stronger - how do you celebrate the season?



I wanted to share this amazing deal - Knott's 2014 Season Passes with unlimited visits can be purchased online starting at $78.00 or with six easy installment payments of $13.00, for a limited time. Knott’s Season Pass program offers its members discounts, special Season Pass Holder events and more.

2014 Season Passes Include:

• Easy pay payment program (for a limited time)
• One FREE visit during the 2013 season
• Additional visits for just $9.99 each through December 31, 2013*
• Unlimited visits for the entire 2014 season with no blackout dates
• Access to Knott’s great seasonal offerings, including Knott’s Merry Farm, Knott’s Berry Bloom,
and Camp Spooky
• Discounts at select food and merchandise locations
• Discounts on Knott’s Scary Farm Tickets
• Early Ride Time on select rides during summer season
*Per Pass Holder/non-transferrable 
** Per Pass Holder /per day/ non-transferrable.

To purchase passes and find additional information on all Knott’s Berry Farm has to offer, visit www.knotts.com

New Children's Play Area At Brea Mall

Last month was full of fun for Halloween but one of the best things I have ever experienced in my life was the balloon drop for the grand opening of the new children's play area at Brea Mall.  It definitely makes my top ten list of awesome things I experienced this year.  And trust me, I've done some awesome things this year.  My child who loves Brea Mall for the Apple store, Game Stop and Auntie Anne's now has another reason to beg me to take him to the mall - the new play area has comfy, surrounding seating and get this - charging stations.  Add that to the mall's free wifi and I am sold!

Features of the new play area which is located on the lower level in front of Macy's:  a play house featuring a chalk board, and various cars, boats and plane play fixtures inspired by the Simon Kidgits Club characters.   The new area also has new Family Restrooms, which feature five changing stations, two nursing rooms and amenities for both adults and children.

There are a lot of fun things happening - stay informed by following Brea Mall on Twitter and Facebook!

November 8: Santa's arrival (ribbon cutting for the new Santa's set and storytime and snacks with Santa's Elf at the new Play Area)