Baby Friendly L.A.

Big City Deals

If you are looking for unique things to do in Los Angeles and you love finding a bargain, BigCityDeals.com is definitely a site worth investigating. Today's deal is for a helicopter ride above either the coastline, Hollywood or Downtown Los Angeles for a reduced rate of $192 instead of the normal price of $320 - a 40% savings.

Along with each deal a well written review is provided of the featured business with more details of the company and the excursion. The website also offers a "Daily Deal" newsletter featuring - you guessed it - a deal for the day. Here is how their interesting service works (text directly from their site):

•  Each day, they offer one amazing deal per city.
•  Every week, they offer one unbeatable national deal–one that can be used in virtually any city.
•  You log in and purchase the deal, and a confirmation email containing the Big City Deal certificate will be sent to you immediately. Deals are not valid until the following business day.

Big City Deals features most major cities which is also beneficial for traveling or out-of-state gift giving. It's an interesting site and I am looking forward to seeing more unique deals and fun finds for Los Angeles.

www.BigCityDeals.com

Family Halloween Events

Halloween events compliments of Mommy Adventure Club

Ava is almost two and half now and is at the prime age when big fears start settling in. She's not overly thrilled with the spooky Halloween decorations we've seen around town and she's also not a big fan of the dark. So what do we do for Halloween? We want her to experience the fun of wearing a costume and trick-or-treating (we know she'll love the candy collecting), but what's a mom to do with a tiny, scaredy tot? Thanks to our good friend, Carrie, over at the Mommy Adventure Club, here's a list of fun, non-scary things to do with the family this Halloween season.

Be sure to sign up for the Mommy Adventure Newsletter for incredible outings, events and fun time tips for the whole family.  Thanks, Carrie!

 #1

Dia de Los Muertos at Olvera Street

#2
Spooky Science: Skeletons exhibit at the Discovery Science Museum

#3
Halloween Family Fun at the Leonis Adobe
Saturday, October 24, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

 #4
Manhattan Beach Pumpkin Race Festival
Sunday October 25, 12:00pm - 6:30pm, Manhattan Beach Pier

#5

Halloween Singalong at the Music Center
Friday, October 30, 6:30-8:00m
Halloween songs include: The Addams Family Theme, Riders in the Sky, Love Potion #9, The Phantom of the Opera Theme, Masquerade from Phantom, Spiderwebs, Bad Moon Rising, Somebody's Watching Me, Superstition, Every Little Thing She Does is Magic, People are Strange, Defying Gravity from Wicked, Purple People Eater, Unchained Melody

#6
Goblins in the Garden at the L.A. Arboretum
Saturday, October 31, 9:00am - 1:00pm

#7
Safe Haven Trick-or-Treating at Heritage Square Museum
Saturday, October 31, 4:00-7:00 p.m.

#8
Boo At the Zoo, Moorpark College Teaching Zoo
October 31-November 1, 11:00am-7:00pm

 

#9
Spider Pavilion at the Natural History Museum
Now through November 8

#10
Pumpkin Launch, Fullerton
Saturday, October 31, 9:00am - 12:30pm

 

For more events, this weekend and next...

Mommy Adventure Club's Halloween Guide 2009

Mickey's Trick-or-Treat Party

Halloween family fun - Disney style!

If you are looking for something enjoyable to do with your kids this Halloween season, Mickey's Trick-or-Treat Party is a fun, safe night out for the entire family.  The folks at Disney were kind enough to invite us down to check out the festivities and we are happy to say that it was an entertaining night had by all.

The California Adventure Park is closed to anyone without a party ticket to host this private, Halloween extravaganza. The streets are lined with dance areas and DJs playing modern mixes combined with Halloween favorites. You might get asked to dance by Sully from Monsters Inc. or take a twirl with the Little Einsteins. Beloved Disney characters are there to mingle and pose for pictures.

If you are all about the treats, never fear… there are plenty of trick-or-treating stations throughout the park offering a variety of sugary pleasures along with an assortment of healthy options such as apples, raisins and cranberries. There is a treat for every palate and you won't go home empty handed.

Over all, the Mickey's Trick or Treat party was an enjoyable, family night out. It was Ava's first real Halloween experience and while she wasn't quite sure what to make of some of the spooky attractions (although nothing was overly scary), she still had fun in her Snow White costume. She even got to blow kisses to Dopey! Our buddy, Christopher – or Captain Hook, had a blast partying it up on the dance floor and snacking on apple treats. There was something fun for everyone and we look forward to spending many more Halloweens with Mickey and the gang!

Tickets purchased in advance are $32 most days, while tickets purchased on the event day are $39.  For Oct. 30 and 31, all tickets to Mickey’s Trick or Treat Party are $42. Kids 2 and under are free.  For more information visit: www.disneyland.com/halloween

Snow White

Once upon a time there was a little girl who loved Snow White. Yes, that little girl would be me. My father made a big production out of taking me to see it for the first time in the theater and I remember getting all dressed up for the special event.  If you asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, without hesitation I would tell you, "Snow White." I'm sure the fact that I look very similar to Snow has nothing to do with it. Honest.

Flash forward to present day. I still love Snow White and her seven little friends. I still collect vintage and vintage looking memorabilia and best of all - I now have my very own mini-me, er, I mean mini-Snow in my daughter.  Thankfully she loves her as much as I do (ok, I admit it, she might have been influenced just a little bit) and just like me her first movie in the theater will be none other than - you guessed it - Snow White.

The movie comes to theaters about every 10 years so for us to be able to experience it on the big screen is incredible. To add to my excitement, it's playing at the very special Disney theater in Hollywood, The El Capitan. The El Cap provides a live action pre-show before the movies with dancing Disney princesses and an elaborate, interactive exhibit after the movie. I’m in Snow heaven.

The movie is playing for a short, limited time from September 19-October 1st only. There is also a character breakfast before the 10:00 a.m. showing. Show times vary.

For more information, visit: www.ElCapitanTheater.com

THE END.

Picture People Coupon

Picture People coupon for a FREE portrait plus 35% off.

We all love photos of our kids. No matter where you go to have them taken, you'll generally end up walking away with a picture that you love. But some places stand out for having a better quality and experience. I've tried several studios to capture Ava's milestones such as Sears, Kiddie Kandids and Picture People.  All achieved my goal catching cute images of my kiddo, but one stood out as my favorite - Picture People.

I love the simplicity of their plain, white backgrounds. I was pleased with their level of patience and ability to bring out Ava's adorable expressions even on one of her most uncooperative days. They were fast and friendly, but most importantly I was impressed with their quality and pricing. There is a package for every budget and they will work with you until you are satisfied.

The coupon they are offering is incredible. From now until September 12th, you can receive one FREE portrait PLUS 35% off additional portraits and merchandise. Enjoy!

Here's a direct link to print their promotional coupon.

Free Fun in Sherman Oaks

Summertime means family fun at the Sherman Oaks Galleria.

Last Monday night we decided to take Ava to see a swing band at the Sherman Oaks Galleria. If she's anything like her mother, then she is certain to love a step back in time with a swingin' big band while couples spin their partners on the dance floor. And she seems to be following in my footsteps... 

We had dinner at my little secret - the Arclight Movie Theater. This place is a hidden gem since most people only eat there if they plan to watch a movie after dinner. I have taken Ava there numerous times because the food is good, reasonably priced and often times the restaurant is empty (especially if you go between movie times or during the week). It's the perfect combination for an unpredictable toddler. 

Our dinner ended just in time to see The Dave Bertiz Swing Combo take the stage and for the dance floor to fill up with mostly old-timers showing off their slick moves.  I forgot how much fun it is to people watch and there certainly was plenty of entertainment swirling around. 

Ava really enjoyed the evening too. She danced and twirled and clapped and yelled, "Yeah!" after each song. She had a blast and burned up a lot of energy which made bed time that night a breeze.  Overall, it was a very nice evening spent together as a family, one we hope to experience again before the summer season ends.

The Galleria has another series of summer shows for children on Wednesday mornings at 10:30. Ava and I went today for a fun-filled hour of silly songs and goofy dancing.  Next week is a magic show and I hope we'll get to catch that too.  It's fun. It's free and it's a lovely way to spend the last few days of summer.

Sherman Oaks Galleria Calendar of Live Events
Kids Zone

Haunted Mansion Turns 40

The Grim Grinning Ghosts turn 40 this year!

The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland is my hands down my favorite ride. Most of my friend's are fanatics about it as well and know every word, every detail, every bit of trivia associated with this attraction.  Who knew that after 40 years the Hitch Hiking Ghosts would still have you hurrying back for more? Walt did!  Here's a video about the history behind this incredible Disney ride.

(40th Anniversary artwork designed by one of my favorite artists, Shag. It can't get any better!)