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!

My Epic Playdate

What would you do on an EPIC PLAYDATE?



I know exactly what I would do.  Actually there are a million scenarios exploding in my mind.  But to start it off, I would fly my nephews in from San Antonio, Texas.  We miss them so much.  I can't help but feel close to them out of all the nieces and nephews because I am a mom of boys.  And my sons love their cousins.  C and I would pick them up from the airport, sign the boys out early from school and surprise them.  And then we would blindfold them and whisk them off to Vegas.  Just kidding!  I think we would stay at a swanky hotel in Hollywood, order in, eat out, walk on Hollywood Blvd. check out all the characters, do some shopping, sightseeing and hang out by the pool.  Doing all the fun tourist stuff just because we can!!!

The last time our nephews were out here together was in 2008.  We had a blast.  We enjoyed hanging out at their hotel in Anaheim because the pool was open 24 hours a day and it had the best view of Disneyland's fireworks without actually being at Disneyland.  The kids really let loose and so did we.  I wish we could do it all over again!



Hyundai is hosting their own Epic Playdate and it sounds AWESOME!!!  It is going down on April 27th from 9am-5pm in Santa Barbara, CA.  Some of the most popular bloggers on the planet will be hosting this epic event.  Would you like to camp on the beach with Dooce, BoingBoing and Oh Happy Day?  Perhaps a paint fight with Mighty Girl or eating ice cream sundaes till you can't no more with Girls Gone Child...  There will be hula hooping with How To Be A Dad!  Crafting with Oh Joy and Say Yes To Hoboken! (Okay I just totally made that one up because that would be dreamy for me)

Sounds fantastic, right?  You can enter to win a trip for four to Hyundai's Epic Playdate Weekend!  It is an invite-only event so you definitely should get in on this (I know I am) because there are FOUR GRAND PRIZE PACKAGES up for grabs!

To enter, you must have a Pinterest account and you must choose Clever Girls Collective when the form asks "How did you hear about us?"

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Celebrate #KnottsSpring & Giveaway!

We love our city and one of the big reasons is because its also home to one of our favorite amusement parks in Southern California Knott's Berry Farm!  It has been one crazy cold & wet Winter here in Southern California and I am looking forward to Spring!  Knott's always has fun activities planned for every season and this year they are doing it up with their first ever Spring Fling!  

Knott’s Berry Farm, where fun is always growing, will be celebrating the coming of spring in a BIG way with live entertainment, interactive games and a food and wine events starting March 23 through April 7. From Ghost Town to the Boardwalk the park will be alive with new activities and décor for the entire family creating a park-wide experience that welcomes the new season.

• The Search for the Easter Beagle will have kids (3-11) scurrying across the park to find images of the famous beagle. All participants who complete the quest have a chance to win egg-mazing giveaways.
• Warmer weather means enjoying the great outdoors, which is just what the Peanuts characters are doing in “Peanut’s Party in the Park,” a new interactive live show located in Charleston Circle. This musical revue includes some of today’s top ten tunes that will have the whole family singing along.
• Looking for a little friendly competition? Then head over to Knott’s Boardwalk area for the big game, the Big Boardwalk Board Games that is. It’s family game night to the extreme as everyone becomes oversized game pieces in some of their favorite board games. From dominoes to tick-tack-toe – it’s game on! 
• For all those who get into art, Knott’s invites you to do so, literally. At the Grande 3-D Art Show at the Silver Bullet midway, guests can step into life-size drawings of some of nature’s most beautiful spring scenery for priceless photo opportunities. The park will also be filled with giant interactive displays that scream “spring”!
• For some refreshment, guests won’t want to miss a trip to Knott’s Towering Topiary Gardens located in Wilderness Dance Hall. Everyone will enjoy the display of sculpted greenery while the adults can enjoy a tasting garden featuring wines from around the world, craft beers and farm fresh food offerings (additional fees may apply).
• For the younger set, “Lucy’s Really Big Show” in Camp Snoopy features Lucy Van Pelt in her very own show at the Camp Snoopy Theatre. The darling diva is joined by her brother, Linus and good friends, Charlie Brown and JT in a show that’s sure to delight kids of all ages. For the teens, tweens and anyone who has rhythm, the nighttime Spring Fling Dance Party in Fiesta Village will provide an opportunity for everyone to take to the floor with some of their favorite dance music.

All of the exciting Knott’s Spring Fling activities are included with admission to Knott’s Berry Farm which also offers a full day of thrilling coasters and family fun rides. Knott’s will have extended hours, from 10 am to 10 pm for families to take advantage of all the Knott’s Spring Fling entertainment offerings.

For information about the day you plan to visit and available discounts, call (714) 220-5200 or click on www.knotts.com or download the Knott’s Berry Farm mobile app for your smartphone.

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Disclosure:  I am a member of GigaSavvy Blogging Network and will receive tickets for this event as well as for the giveaway.  All thoughts are my own.

Shutterfly Valentine's Day Cards Giveaway!

Valentine's Day is our 3rd favorite Holiday.  I wasn't a fan till I met my husband.  Chris makes it special for me every year by bringing me beautiful roses and the best card.  Sometimes he makes the card and sometimes he buys it, all that matters to me are his words.  Our Valentine's Day is complete when we go out to lunch or dinner.  Last year was sweet because I was pregnant and Duke was in school so we enjoyed a precious hour of alone time.  But we're funny and rushed over to Duke's school after lunch to surprise him at his Valentine's party.  What can I say... we love our kids and Valentine's Day is a family tradition for us.

With four sons, we hope we're teaching them how to share the love on February 14th and it starts with cards.  I live for choosing the right card.  Yes, I'm a dork like that.  I checked out Shutterfly's Valentine's Day Cards and so excited to order our first personalized cards for family and #culturefanclub!  There are over 50 new styles, fresh color stories, artistic typography and 5 different card sizes!

I couldn't help but check out Shutterfly Photo Gifts and would love a Woven Photo Blanket!  I know my mom would love one with a picture of the boys.  Other fun photo gifts are iPhone cases that can be personalized with photos or monogram - this would be perfect for my sister!  The photo mugs are perfect for my parents - my mom drinks tea and my dad drinks coffee so I was thinking of making a gift basket with teas and coffees with photo mugs of funny pictures of my sons!    

Check out Shutterfly Photo Gifts and tell me your favorite for a chance to win 50 4x5 Cards and 5x5 Desktop Plaque!  
 

Get Social with Shutterfly:  Shutterfly Blog / @Shutterfly on Twitter / Shutterfly on Facebook / Shutterfly on Pinterest / Shutterfly on Instagram / Shutterfly on Google+

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Disclosure:  Shutterfly is providing products in exchange for this post and giveaway.  All thoughts are my own.

#GiveEmRagu Commercial Starring Omie & Duke!

Watch Duke & Omie's super cute Ragu commercial and then I'll tell you how to make one too.  Its easy and fun!  


This Holiday Season you can play filmmaker and create your own commercial starring your kids with Ragu's Give 'em Ragu app on Facebook, iTunes and Google Play.  Inspired by the brand's Long Day of Childhood campaign, parents select adorable, hilarious or silly photos or videos from mobile phones, Facebook or Instagram, add a title and using that phrase, the app will pair the video with an original Ragu jingle. The video can then be shared with family and friends through Facebook or YouTube, and is a great way to connect and share a laugh.

Give 'em Ragu app on Facebook

My thoughts:  I was raised on Ragu and now I use Ragu with my family so I was excited for this app.  I used the Give 'em Ragu app on Ragu's Facebook page, I had no idea how many pictures I could upload but did 20+ and the app only allowed 6-7 pictures.  I added my title and in a couple minutes, my video was ready.  I laughed at the jingle.  It was cute and sorta/kinda went with the pictures.  I made a couple videos including one with video (use a 15 second video) but this was my favorite jingle.  I think its a cute idea, my littles will appreciate their "commercial" when they get older.  I keep watching it and I think in a few more days, I'll have the jingle memorized!  I love when a brand creates something fun for their consumers!    

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post.  All thoughts are my own.

Southern California Day Out With Thomas 2012 & Giveaway

My 6 year old son Duke LOVES Thomas & Friends.  I heard about this tour earlier in the year when a fellow blogger blogged about it so it was on my radar.  We're excited that the tour is finally here!  I can't wait to come back and blog all about it!  This is Thomas the Tank Engine's only trip to Southern California so make sure you see him!  Not only will it be a great time for you and your family but you'll be helping raise money for Orange Empire Railway Museum!

Help our favorite No. 1 engine find the clues and solve the mystery! Thomas the Tank Engine™ is pulling into Orange Empire Railway Museum for Day Out With Thomas™: Mystery On The Rails Tour 2012, presented by HIT Entertainment, a worldwide leader in children’s entertainment, and sponsored by MEGA Brands, a leading toy company.  This fun-filled event offers little engineers and their families the opportunity to take a ride with a 15-ton replica of Thomas the Tank Engine, star of the popular Thomas & Friends™ series.  Children will take a ride along with their favorite engine friend on his latest adventure and participate in Thomas-themed activities.  The tour, now in its 17th year, will make stops in more than 45 US cities and is expected to welcome more than one million passengers in 2012.

WHO:                   Thomas the Tank Engine
WHAT:

• A 25-minute (approximate) ride with Thomas the Tank Engine
• Games and activities featuring a mystery element
• The opportunity to meet Sir Topham Hatt™, Controller of the Railway
• A Thomas & Friends Imagination Station; featuring stamps temporary tattoos, hands-on arts & crafts, train tables, and coloring sheets.
• Commemorative activities, merchandise and giveaways including a special reveal poster previewing new engines and a new destination from the upcoming 2012 Thomas & Friends feature, “Blue Mountain Mystery”
• Storytelling , live music, and much more
• Petting Zoo
• Mike The Knight (first weekend!)

WHEN:                 November 10, 11, 12, 17 and 18th – 9:00 – 4:00 PM
WHERE:               Orange Empire Railway Museum, 2201 South A Street, Perris CA 92570

Day Out with Thomas™ is the biggest annual fundraiser for the Orange Empire Railway Museum whose mission is to kindle interest in the integral role the rail industry has played in Southern California history. Tickets for Day Out With Thomas™ are $19.00 for ages two and up. $21 at the gate. Advanced ticket purchase is recommended to reserve the most popular times to ride Thomas the Tank Engine. For tickets and information, visit http://www.dayoutwiththomasperriscalifornia.com, email events.oerm@gmail.com or call (866) 468-7630 or (951) 943-3020.

For information on Thomas & Friends™, visit www.thomasandfriends.com/dowt

Follow Thomas & Friends on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thomasandfriends and Twitter @TrueBlueEngine.

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Disclosure:  This is not a sponsored post.  We were graciously offered tickets to attend for our family and for the giveaway.  All thoughts are our own.