Disney's Halloween Time Starts TODAY

Psst...

Wanna know one of the best-kept secrets of the Disney Parks?

Although summer vacation and Disneyland go hand in hand, there's a time to visit when you can see a whole different side of the Disney Resorts -- autumn. Have you ever seen their decorations? Living in So. Cal. we often miss out on a real fall season... not at Disneyland! The parks are transformed with fall decorations that turn the park into a autumn wonderland. Can you tell this is my favorite time of year? Starting today, the weather is often nicer than summer, the crowds are mostly gone, and the Parks are bustling with special events and harvest fun.

Halloween Time Fun starts by clicking here!

At Disneyland Park, there's the much-beloved Haunted Mansion Holiday, which transforms the spooky attraction into Jack Skellington's "Nightmare Before Christmas" domain, this year's Halloween Time brings some new twists. Space Mountain has had a spine-tingling transformation into Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy – a spooky twist that's truly out of this world! There are also the brand-new fireworks extravaganza "Halloween Screams," hosted by Pumpkin King Jack Skellington himself.

Mickey's Trick-or-Treat Party at Disney's California Adventure Park is an extra special treat– with live music, candy to collect, games to play, and more. Even the youngest Disney fans can run-a-muck through candy corn acres and enjoy all the fun with none of fright! This special limited-admission event only happens on select nights and sells out every year, reserve your spot at the party.

I have to admit, making this a tradition was a total accident, but we all look so forward to it, we wouldn't miss it!!! Check out all the fun we had last year (click here)

Photo Album 2006-2008

P.S. HappyHourMom and family will be at Mickey's Trick or Treat Party on October 2, hope to see you and your little goblins too!

~Trick or Treat~

Halloween Time ends November 1

Entertaining Your Kids - Summer Series - The Greatest Show On Earth Part II

When asked if my family would like to go to the Circus, we adjusted our clown noses and "stepped right up". As I shared before (read more) I haven't been to a Ringling Brothers Circus since I was nine, now that Nick is nine the timimng couldn't be more perfect. Our day started early as we watched the elephants eat breakfast and have a bath a "Pachyderm Scrub Down", if you will. We met and chated with Libby Morris, senior animal specialist. Libby, mother of 2, spends so much time with her "other kids, the elephants" they have become a part of her family. Thanks Libby for spending time with us!!! And thanks Jennifer for giving my son memories he can share with his children. This was a very special day!

That is Nick feeding the elephants!!!

They were so gentle and playful.

After feeding the elephants, they were best friends with Nick!

The show was fantastic....

Yes, even HappyHourMom had to get into the act

with this cutiepie~wink. (no comments please... hubby took the picture)

So.... any other circus people out there?

Share your memories of the circus with us. I want to hear about it, and if you've never been....what are you waiting for???

Entertaining Your Kids - Summer Series - Sea World Summer Nights

We love Shamu!!!
Which is why when we got an invitation to experience
Sea World's Summer Nights

we jumped at the chance! Our last visit to Sea World was a once in a lifetime memory maker.... (read about it here)

We had never been to Sea World after dark. We usually get there early and head out at sunset, with wet clothes. The boys love the water rides there. This trip we planned on staying into the night and I'm so glad we did. We headed to the car and changed into warmer (dry) clothes. They have lockers near the enterance, but the parking is so convienent (we always upgrade $5 to prefered parking and park really close) we don't even need the lockers. Parking close is a lifesaver when little legs get tired after a long day!

Click here for a slide show of our wonderful summer staycation at SeaWorld

After exploring Sea World's website at http://www.seaworld.com/ I am so impressed... If you were on the fence about making Sea World part of your vacation this summer visiting their website, hearing the music, watching the beautiful slide shows makes you want to get in the car and go now~ Another totally unique feature Sea World has on their website is the ability to share the Sea World photos of your personal family trip. Easy to use, follow the instructions to upload your Sea World photos and watch as they are displayed with other families' memories online. It's a gem of an idea! And the music is a nice Sea World touch!!!



Living in L.A., San Diego is just a hop, skip, and a jump away which makes for the perfect little weekend getaway. There are many family friendly hotels to choose from...... more on that later.

Entertaining Your Kids - Summer Series - The Greatest Show On Earth

Lions, and Tigers, and Bears, oh my!!!

Or should I say Clowns, Elephants and a Human Cannon Ball, wowzers!!!

I have such fond memories of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. My grandparents took me in July 1982, for my ninth birthday. I was mesmerized from the minute we got there until I fell asleep in the car on the way home. I remember looking through the program for weeks after and I had my first ever "flashlight spinning wand thingy" to remind me of that magical night called the Circus!

I can't explain my excitement when I heard:

"The Circus Is Coming To Town"

The timing is perfect, my son is nine. My husband and I can hardly wait to share the magic of the circus, it's a family event that happens at least once in everyone's lifetime!!! The Circus promises an "experience that will surprise and delight Children of All Ages, rendering us speechless and reminding us that the magic of The Greatest Show On Earth® lives forever in our hearts and imaginations."

This sounds like the kind of memories I want to make with my family this summer.

Now more than ever, the Circus will be part of my families'

"Staycation Summer 2009"

Share the magic with your family this year...
as an added value I have been given a discount code to share with your family:

A SPECIAL OFFER FOR YOU!
Purchase a 4-pack of tickets for only $44

by logging onto http://www.ticketmaster.com/

and entering the coupon code: MOM*

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls...Southland Performance Schedule
Los Angeles – Staples Center, July 8-12
Wednesday, July 8th 7:30pm
Thursday, July 9th 7:30pm
Friday, July 10th 12:00pm & 7:30pm
Saturday, July 11th 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm
Sunday, July 12th 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm

Orange County – Honda Center, July 15 – July 26
Wednesday, July 15th 7:30pm
Thursday, July 16th 1:00pm & 7:30pm
Friday, July 17th 10:30am & 7:30pm
Saturday, July 18th 11:30am, 3:30pm & 7:30pm
Sunday, July 19th 1:30pm, 5:30pm
Tuesday, July 21st 7:30pm
Wednesday, July 22nd 1:00pm & 7:30pm
Thursday, July 23rd 10:30am & 7:30pm
Friday, July 24th 1:00pm & 7:30pm
Saturday, July 25th 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm
Sunday, July 26th 1:30pm & 5:30pm

Ontario – Citizens Business Bank Arena, July 29th-August 2nd
Wednesday, July 29th 7:30pm
Thursday, July 30th 7:30pm
Friday, July 31st 7:30pm
Saturday, August 1st 11:30am, 3:30pm & 7:30pmSunday, August 2nd 11:30am, 3:30pm & 7:30pm

*Use promo code MOM when purchasing tickets at Arena Box Offices, Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Enter code in the “MC Promotion Box” on Ticketmaster. Minimum purchase of 4 tickets required; additional tickets above 4 can be purchased at $11 each. Not valid on VIP, Front Row and Circus Celebrity seats or combinable with other offers. Service charge, facility fee and handling fees may apply.

The KidBlogger is Born

The adventure begins...

School is Cool

but

"RECESS ROCKS"
The good, the bad, and everything in between....

The average life,

of a not-so-average nine year old.

a kidblogger's adventure

with a little help from his "HappyHourMom"

Food And Wine Festival - Wines Down

Looking for something fun to do this weekend?

Saturday and Sunday June 6th & 7th is your last chance to sip some wine in the warm California sun at the "Food And Wine Festival Ala Disney"

My hands-down favorite is Chef Jamie Gwen

Saturday June 6th ~ 6pm-11pm

Disney's Food & Wine Festival
At California Adventure

Bob Brassfield had lots to share about his wine.

In 1940 Heart O' The Mountian was purchased by renowned director Alfred Hitchcock. In 1978, Bob and Judy Brassfield acquired the Heart O' The Mountain estate located in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Read more....

Heart O' The Mountian

A special thank you to HappyHourMom's Mom!

You are officially a "HappyHourGrandMom" It was a perfect day!

I love you, cheers to us!!!!!!!

Food and Wine Festival Ala Disney

The Fourth Annual Food & Wine Festival at Disney's Callifornia Adventure
is in full swing and continues through June 7th.

This years' 45-day "World Celebration" spotlights the flavors, people, cultures and traditions from around the world.

This unique event is not something I'd expect at any Disney Resort and pleasantly caught me off guard.


California Adventure had me at "hello" the minute I heard I could get a Margarita from Mickey there. Add a Food & Wine Festival... "Mama Like!"




This is my first year visiting the park during the Festival to enjoy the all the activities (drink, drank, drunk) giggle~



This would make a perfect "Girl's Night Out", or "Date Night". If you have a pass it is an absolute "Disney Must Do". So go ahead get a sitter and head on over to California Adventure's Food & Wine Festival-

Tell them HappyHourMom sent you~