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.

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!)

Summer Session at The Grove

FREE arts and crafts entertainment for kids and families!

A big thank you to the MommyAdventureClub.com for reminding me on Twitter about this awesome program hosted by The Grove and various Los Angeles cultural centers!

Free L.A. Book

The Ultimate FREE Guide to the City of Angels.

My dear friend, Bianca, came over the other day and saw this gem of a book lying on my coffee table. She quickly snatched it up and started flipping through the pages. Her eyes widened and she exclaimed, "This is the best book EVER." What could possibly cause such excitement? A clever little book called, "Free L.A. – The Ultimate Free Fun Guide to the City of Angels."

My friend's enthusiasm is very justified when it comes to this must-have book. Free L.A. is packed with over 300 pages of unique, free things to do in this generally over-priced city.  They provide a detailed paragraph on each listing along with a host of important information such as web addresses, times, locations, parking, whether it's kid friendly or wheel chair accessible.  They also include annual event listings and L.A. specials and venues. 

There's something for everyone – from complimentary outdoor movies, concerts, Shakespeare festivals and botanical exhibits to unique museums (I can't wait to take Ava to the Bunny Museum www.thebunnymuseum.com), meditation gardens, artsy jazz events and everything in between, Free L.A. really is the ultimate guide to fun at the perfect price - free!

Free Fun Guides also creates books for Orange County, San Diego, San Francisco, New York City and Seattle as well.  The only thing not free is the book itself which retails around $14.95 - and it's absolutely worth it!

www.freefunguides.com

Kids ROCK Festival

20% off this amazing event for kids of all ages this Sunday!

If you are looking for something fun to do as a family this weekend, be sure to check out Kid's ROCK Music & Nature Festival at the Children's Nature Institute in part with Faith2Green.  It's a special afternoon of good, "green" fun filled with rockin' kids music and eco-friendly activities. You can pack your own picnic or purchase a healthy meal provided by Green Truck and Jamba Juice.

Ava's favorite place, My Gym is also a sponsor of this event along with REI and Whole Foods. In addition to a special music concert, there will be craft and activity stands for children of all ages. Make your own jewelry, dig for dino bones or pet some live animals – it's all part of the fun of the Kid's ROCK Festival. 

When: May 17th 3:30 - 7:00 pm
Where: Children's Nature Institute
Price: Tickets are $15 but because you’re a BFLA reader you get a 20% off discount code! Just enter BABYLA to receive the discount when purchasing tickets online.

For more information, details and to purchase tickets visit: http://kidsrock.eventbrite.com

Hope to see you there!

101 Things to Do

Compliments of The Mommy Adventure Club

There are so many amazing things to do in the City of Angels and The Mommy Adventure Club is the perfect host for fun family outings. Carrie, the founder of this new way for moms to explore Los Angeles, is not only super sweet, but she knows all of the ins and outs to having a great time with children of all ages. She created this incredible list of 101 Memory Making Adventures for a Childhood in Los Angeles™ and posted it on her Mommy Adventure website.  How many have you tried? I know I can't wait to start checking off her list!

Here are the first ten must-tries of The Mommy Adventure Club's list:

1. Disneyland! Enough said.
2. See the Getty Center.  The art, the gardens...and the tram
3. Explore the Discovery Center at the Natural History Museum
4. Trot in the fast lane at the Griffith Park Pony Rides
5. Pretend to be the engineer at Travel Town
6. Catch a turtle in Franklin Canyon
7. Eat dim sum at the Empress Pavilion in Chinatown
8. See saris, eat barfi, and see a Bollywood show in Little India
9. Feed the baby fish at the Fillmore Fish Hatchery
10. Watch dolphins play at Point Dume (Pay Zuma) beach

To continue reading the rest of the 91 awesome adventure ideas on Carrie's list, visit her post here. And to learn more about The Mommy Adventure Club and their special events, tours and outings, visit www.mommyadventureclub.com and sign up for their insightful newsletter. It's time to start making memories!