Jellyfish Discovery at LEGOLAND SEA LIFE Aquarium

My lovely friend Jillian of mommytesters.com is guest blogging for me in this post - she did an amazing job and it is wonderful to see her daughter Kayla's cute face grace my blog!  (Girl envy!)  Thank you Jillian & Kayla!  (raisedbyculture.com was invited to a media preview)

In case you haven't heard, it's about to get extra stingy in SoCal. Okay, don't freak out or anything. Jellyfish are invading but it seems like they are very well contained (and really cool to check out) at the SEA LIFE Aquarium in LEGOLAND. While Xenia was playing nurse to a house full of sick kids, Kayla and I headed to LEGOLAND to check out the little creatures.

If you've never been, the SEA LIFE Aquarium is a really neat add on to LEGOLAND.  Quite frankly, I think it's kind of a genius escape from the sun during the summer months when theme parks get hot and everyone needs a little time to cool off.  Also, who wouldn't get a kick out of walking through a huge underwater tunnel while rays and sharks swim by overhead?  

Plus there are lots of ways for your child to satisfy their need to be hands on.  Like multiple touch pools filled with starfish, abalone and super squishy sea cucumbers just waiting to be discovered.

But back to the real reason why we came.  Those jellyfish.  They've got a serious party pad at the SEA LIFE Aquarium.  I'm not kidding, think neon disco party pad.  Which of course is awesome for showing off their little details as they move around the water. And very modern for creatures that actually pre-date dinosaurs.

Yes, Kayla's mind was fully blown when she heard that jellyfish have been around since before the time of dinosaurs.  Her response - "that's SO old mommy, way older than daddy."  That's my child!  But honestly, not only are there cool jellyfish to look at, there is a lot of education available to learn about them and a couple of experts on staff to share their impressive knowledge.

We learned about a variety of jellyfish including how they eat and get around.  Which is pretty interesting if you take into account the fact that they lack brains, hearts, nerves or blood!  All of the kids loved watching the different jellyfish float around the tanks with their ghost-like movements.

And we had plenty of time to check out a crystal jellyfish up close  and ask questions before moving on to some more fun.  Think LEGO fun...

That's right, in keeping with the theme and knowing that kids really need lots of chances to get tinkering there is a giant LEGO sand castle near some of the touch pools that encourages kids to play and help add on to the build.

We finished off the evening with a very fun and easy jellyfish craft.  I've created my own jellyfish craft for you with step by step instructions that’s perfect for play, a school craft or party decor.

And of course Kayla had to take her jellyfish down the slide with her.  Yes, there is an awesome slide inside of the SEA LIFE Aquarium that continues to integrate that hands on fun while surrounding your child with lots of nature and cool aquatic creatures to seek out.

If you're thinking about heading to the SEA LIFE Aquarium at LEGOLAND California, you can find out more here.

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 Top 10 Tips for Traveling With Kids #CulturelleKids

My sons are pros when it comes to traveling.  We travel at least once a year and if we're lucky, up to 3x.  We fly, we road trip and we have fun!  We haven't had an unhappy kid yet.  Even after a 24+ road trip so hey, maybe I know a thing or two about traveling with kids!  We have a travel routine that works for us and I'm going to share my tips for keeping your kids happy.
Happy kids = happy parents = more trips!  

• Discuss your travel plans with your kids.  I can't emphasize how important this tip is.  The more your kids know about the trip, the more enthusiastic and easy they'll be.  Easy.  None of that pesky question: "Are we there yet?"  
• Prepare fun facts / history about your destination.  When we took a road trip from CA to TX in 2010, I researched Roadside Attractions and cities we would be stopping in.  The kids were definitely interested in where we were passing through.  
• Have each kid pack his/her own backpack.  I gave each kid a general list (pair of socks, underwear, one comfy outfit) and it was up to them to add whatever else they wanted.  Make sure you check those backpacks!      
• Bring portable tv's or iPods.  Download fun apps and movies.  Talking Tim is still a fun one in our house.  It will keep them busy for a few hours.  
• Pack snacks and drinks.  This should be a no-brainer!  One time I forgot that Duke had a Capri-sun in his backpack and we passed TSA Screening with it!  He was happy.  I was kinda scared we would get in trouble!    
• Give them a travel allowance.  Trust me on this.  Hand each kid $20 and tell them that's their spending money (even if you plan on splurging on them later).  It will teach them how to budget.  
• Assign each kid a job.  My sons are seasoned travelers and it's because we've taught them how to be responsible during trips.  Anything from making sure we don't forget anything in a hotel room to listening for gate changes at the airport.      
• Group restroom trips.  Our boys only use public restrooms together or with Dad.  We know that traveling can lead to "tummy troubles" so Culturelle Kids Probiotic Packets can help with digestion.  Kids don't want to feel blah on a vacation!  Just empty a packet into a water bottle, it's tasteless and odorless!  
• Let them choose a store they want to shop at.  This goes back to having a travel allowance.  Damien (our 13 year old) loves games so I can guarantee you he almost always wants to check out the used game section of Game Stop.  
• Make a surprise pack for each kid.  Even though I have teenagers, they still like being surprised.  When you create a fun kit (notebook, stickers, markers, funny books, Lego) for a kid, it'll keep them busy for a couple hours (maybe more).  

Our favorite staycation trip is to Carlsbad, home of Legoland.  We love staying at Grand Pacific Palisades.  You bet we used my top 10 tips for this trip!  Makes travel easier for Chris and I!  See those smiles!?!

Did you know that 70% of your immune system is in your digestive tract?  Having a healthy and balanced digestive system plays a vital role in strengthening your child's overall health and well being!  Culturelle is trusted by parents, trusted by pediatricians and #1 pediatrician recommended!  

Disclosure:  I was compensated for this post.  All opinions expressed are my own.