OC Family - Moms. Kids. Life. - (Rockin' Mama)

A Day at the L.A. County Fair

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 21:51:00 GMT

Earlier this summer, we took our kidlets to the fair. My son, in particular, couldn't stop talking about the Ferris Wheel, the Cotton Candy, and the cows. Because we're in Southern California, we get the privilege of being close to both the Orange and L.A. County Fairs.

I haven't been to the L.A. County Fair since I was a child, so my recollection was limited to farm animals and sweet treats. There is so much to see and do that I don't think one trip is sufficient. Young or old, there is really something for everyone. Where else can you find pig racing, clogging, and Peking Acrobats all in one place?

The L.A. County Fair is also your one-stop shop for all things deep-fried, battered, and breaded...sometimes they even cover the food in chocolate. But rest assured that you'll also find an assortment of healthy, ethnic, and gourmet cuisine.

I recently learned that people come to the fair to shop! *GASP*! And with over 600 vendors in one location, you're certain to find something to commemorate they day.

There are just 2 weeks left to visit the L.A. County Fair. Remember to check out their daily discounts, which will save you money on admission and carnival rides.

More check-ins at LA County Fair

Nanny McPhee Returns...Screening and Giveaway

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 18:19:00 GMT

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winners are Teri, Sarah, and Sue. Congrats!

Sometimes, when my son is bouncing off the walls and my daughter doesn't want to be put down for a second, I secretly wish I had a nanny with special powers that could magically transform my children into well-behaved little people. If you share that same dream (I know you do), indulge for two hours with Nanny McPhee!

On August 20th, the family comedy Nanny McPhee Returns opens in theaters nationwide. I actually didn't see the first one, but here is a brief synopsis from the site:

Oscar—winning actress and screenwriter Emma Thompson returns to the role of the magical nanny who appears when she’s needed the most and wanted the least in the next chapter of the hilarious and heartwarming fable that has enchanted children around the world. In the latest installment, Nanny McPhee appears at the door of a harried young mother, Mrs. Isabel Green (Maggie Gyllenhaal), who is trying to run the family farm while her husband is away at war. But once she’s arrived, Nanny McPhee discovers that Mrs. Green’s children are fighting a war of their own against two spoiled city cousins who have just moved in and refuse to leave. Relying on everything from a flying motorcycle and a statue that comes to life to a tree—climbing piglet and a baby elephant who turns up in the oddest places, Nanny McPhee uses her magic to teach her mischievous charges five new lessons.

If you'd like your chance at attending a special pre-release screening this Thursday in Irvine, just leave a comment below before Wednesday, August 18th at 11:59 PM PST. We have five family 4-packs to give away. Winners will also receive movie-themed items including T-shirts and notebooks. Tickets will be available for pick-up from me at the venue. Here is the screening info:

Irvine Spectrum

65 Fortune Ave.

Irvine, CA 92618

Screening starts at 7pm

1. No Purchase Necessary

2. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis

Summer KidFlick: Despicable Me (Giveaway)

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 12:00:00 GMT

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Jennifer B. Congrats!

Summer is in full swing, and while we'll be spending a majority of our time outdoors, it's nice to get some downtime. My son is just at an age where he enjoys (and can actually sit through) a kid's movie.

On July 9th, the animated, 3-D film Despicable Me opens in theaters nationwide. We haven't seen it yet, but here is a brief description from the site:

In a happy suburban neighborhood surrounded by white picket fences with flowering rose bushes, sits a black house with a dead lawn. Unbeknownst to the neighbors, hidden beneath this home is a vast secret hideout. Surrounded by a small army of minions, we discover Gru, planning the biggest heist in the history of the world. He is going to steal the moon. (Yes, the moon!) Gru delights in all things wicked. Armed with his arsenal of shrink rays, freeze rays, and battle-ready vehicles for land and air, he vanquishes all who stand in his way. Until the day he encounters the immense will of three little orphaned girls who look at him and see something that no one else has ever seen: a potential Dad. The world’s greatest villain has just met his greatest challenge: three little girls named Margo, Edith and Agnes.

If you'd like your chance at attending a special pre-release screening next Thursday in Buena Park, just leave a comment below before Wednesday, July 7 at 11:59 PM PST. We have 2 family 4-packs to give away. Tickets will be available for pick-up at the venue. Here is the screening info:

Buena Park Metroplex

8290 La Palma Ave.

Buena Park, CA 90602

Screening starts at 7pm

1. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY

2. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis

Fun in the Sun With Sunnystuff

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 18:21:00 GMT

The weather is warming up and the days are getting longer! Summer is almost here and I'm looking forward to beach trips and lazy days around our community pool. Orange County offers much in the way of beaches, community pools and water parks. And if you're looking for fabulously affordable outdoor toys and pool accessories, check out Sunnystuff.

Sunnystuff offers competitive pricing on everything from inflatable pools to sun protective clothing. The Orange County based online store offers a large and diverse selection of items to help you make the most out of our warm summer days. The company boasts quality products and superior customer service. They have over 50 items priced under $5.

Because we primarily visit our community pool, I spent some time on their "inflatables" section. Several of their adorable ride-on floats are priced between $10 and $15. Many of their products include age recommendations which is beneficial, particularly for online shopping.

Whether you'll be spending your summer lounging by the pool or partying in your backyard, check out Sunnystuff for your outdoor needs.

A Vegan By Default

Sat, 03 Apr 2010 21:02:00 GMT

For almost a year, I've suspected that my son is allergic to dairy. It may just be coincidence (or genetics), but after last year's flu season, he was no longer able to tolerate milk. Not wanting to believe what was staring us right in the face, we spent the last year "testing" my son (in essence alternating between giving and not giving him milk). Once we admitted to ourselves that he was reacting to cow's milk, we eliminated it entirely from his diet. Yet he continued to react. We finally decided to officially test him for allergies. And last week we received the official confirmation of his allergy to both cow's milk and eggs...which pretty much eliminates most packaged foods at conventional grocery stores. All we have to do is eliminate meat and he'd be a vegan.

Last week's adventure to the market was more like a science experiment. I pride myself on being an avid label reader. But when you're searching for things like casein, it gets a bit tricky. I'm no Martha Stewart, but I love to bake. I even prefer baking from scratch versus baking from a box. But when it comes to baking without eggs or milk, I prefer to leave that to companies who have perfected this art.

At the store this week, I picked up a couple boxes of cake and frosting mixes from Cherrybrook Kitchen. The company was started by a mom who developed food allergies as an adult. Their entire line of mixes are free from nuts (including peanuts), dairy, and eggs. They also offer a selection of gluten-free mixes.

Since my son wasn't able to eat the cupcakes that arrived on our doorstep last week, we made a batch from Cherrybrook Kitchen's Yellow Cake Mix. With only two ingredients (water and margarine...I use Earth Balance Buttery Spread), it was quick and easy to prepare (and bonus points for the ability to eat the batter since it's egg-free!). In less than 30 minutes we had a dozen cupcakes my son could eat!

The cupcakes were moist and soft and resembled the consistency of a conventional cupcake (only a bit moister). The frosting was smooth and sweet and spread as well as conventional frosting. While the taste is pleasant and sweet, it's different than a conventional cupcake. But your children, particularly if they're younger, won't notice the difference.

I'm an avid believer in giving children real foods. I appreciate that the ingredient list is simple and mainly things you'd find in your own kitchen. While the mixes cost a little more than conventional baking mixes, I think you'll be pleased with the Cherrybrook Kitchen's line of baking mixes designed for children with allergies.

Do you have a child with food allergies? What palatable substitutes have you found?

The Digital Mom

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:31:00 GMT

Every morning, before the sun rises...before my husband's snoring ceases...before my toddler starts singing...before the baby stirs...I open my laptop in the quiet of dawn...excited to see what my inbox has in store for me. It's my "You've Got Mail" moment. Two years ago, I knew nothing about Twitter, Facebook, and Wordpress. Today, it's my main source of communication with people all over the country. I'm a digital mom. Texting, tweeting, status updating, writing, and vlogging are all normal parts of my daily life. Just like nursing, rocking, reading, playing, cooking, and cleaning.

It's amazing to me how much can be completed online. I can pay bills, shop, order takeout, seek technical support, and a myriad of other tasks...all from the comfort of my pajamas. But even more importantly, I get to connect with other moms, just like myself on everything from potty training to growing a business.

It used to be that men were the only ones deemed tech savvy. Today's mom is influential, educated, creative, and proficient. Her online presence is powerful. And her success comes from the fact that she is transparent and trustworthy. Ten years ago, moms would get together at the park, seeking advice about everything from how to potty train to what product was best for removing laundry stains. That hasn't changed. Moms are still seeking advice from other moms. They've just gotten savvier about how it's done.

The online world has opened up many opportunities for relationships and networking among moms. And whether the technology and resources available are used to effect change or simply be heard, the digital mom is here to stay. Excuse me. My smartphone just alerted me to a DM I received on Twitter.

Milkalicious: OC's Premier Breastfeeding Resource

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:44:00 GMT

What do new moms need more than anything, particularly in the first several weeks (besides sleep)? Support...validation...reassurance that what they're going through is normal and that they can in fact do this thing called parenting.

As a NICU nurse with almost 10 years experience working with babies, I should have been a pro. But I had the same questions and concerns every new mom has. One of the most challenging aspects of having a newborn was learning how to breastfeed. It's supposed to come naturally for both mom and baby. But it didnt...at least not for me. After many sleepless nights and tears, my son and I managed to nurse for almost 15 months. I was determined to nurse my son for a year and with support from a knowledgeable lactation consultant in my area and a breastfeeding resource center, I had the support I needed to persevere through the challenges we faced.

Last week I delivered our second child...a healthy baby girl. The second child is definitely easier in so many ways. Nursing came naturally for me (although there was still some initial discomfort) and I'm happy to say that at one week, we're doing well. I needed a few things and since I didn't have a chance to visit the hospital lactation center, I decided to make a trip to Orange County's only breastfeeding boutique, located in Aliso Viejo.

Milkalicious was started by lactation consultant Jennifer Ritchie to provide long-term support for nursing moms. At first glance, it appears to be a quaint little boutique. But inside is a wealth of resources available to the nursing mother. One-on-one lactation consults (in store or at home), baby and breastfeeding classes, and free breastfeeding workshops. And if you need to speak to someone at 3 am (because that's when I always had difficulties and questions), you can call their after-hours support line (949. 831.MILK). The site itself is incredibly resourceful and you'll find information on topics such as colic, increasing your milk supply, thrush, and plugged ducts.

The store itself offers everything you would need to help you be successful and comfortable with nursing. And for green mamas like myself, you can rest assured that every product sold in store is free from BPA (one less thing to have to worry about). If you bring your child or your hubby into the store, they'll be entertained. The store has a neat little play space I know my 2 year old would love. And if you're an online shopper (like I am), check out their product demo videos. I really like being able to see the products in use before purchasing them.

For more information check out their site. They also have a Facebook page which lists their upcoming events. Right now you can buy one item and get the second for 50% off by using the code "milk".

27111 Aliso Creek Rd. Ste. 195
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
Tel: 949-831-MILK
email: info@milkalicious.org

Spotlight on Cirque Du Soleil’s Kooza

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 23:01:00 GMT

Kooza – “circus in a box”

Saturday night my husband and I had an opportunity to see Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza. It “tells the story of The Innocent, a melancholy loner in search of his place in the world.” This was our fourth Cirque production and it was as spectacular as I imagined it would be. The pre-show sets the stage for the production as clowns entertain and amuse you. We, as an audience, are already drawn into the production before it officially begins.

What ensues is a story (as opposed to just a series of acts) that will thrill and move you. The show, while weaving thematic elements reminiscent of timeless circus acts, is so much more than that. The musical entertainment, including amazingly talented vocalists and musicians, reminds me in some ways of a theater performance (as opposed to a “circus”).

From the costumes, which are brilliant, to the music, which provides depth and emotion to the show, to the performers who are talented, professional, and stunning…Cirque Kooza gets two thumbs up (and received a standing ovation on Saturday night). You will laugh one minute, and be on the edge of your seat the next. I wish I could tell you I had just one favorite act…to have to choose would be impossible. But I was incredibly moved by the “Contortion” act, which reminded me more of a modern art piece. The performers flowed so beautifully, almost as if one at times.

Kooza’s performers will display incredible strength intertwined with refined movement. You’ll be silent, in awe and concentration one moment…then laughing and engaging with the cast the next. The irony of the title, which means “circus in a box,” is that Kooza cannot be neatly packaged into a stereotypical show. You will never see such an amazing display of talent including acting, acrobatic performance, comedy, vocal and instrumental performance in one show.

Tickets to Kooza are on sale now (but the performances often sellout!). Performances in Santa Monica end on December 20 and run on the following days: Tuesdays through Thursdays at 8:00 pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm and Sundays at 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm.

Here is a preview of the show:

The show will then move to Irvine (opening January 8th) and then San Diego on February 25. Pricing is as follows: Prices range from $60 to $125 during the week (Children $42 to $87.50) and $65 to $135 on the weekend (Children ages 2-12 $45.50 to $94.50). Students and seniors are offered special pricing at $54 to $112.50. You can also purchase a VIP Tapis package which includes the best seats in the house and access to the VIP Suite one hour before the show and during intermission (now that’s the way to go!). Adults are $250 and children ages 2-12 are $175.

About Cirque du Soleil:

"From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is a major Quebec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has more than 4,000 employees from over 40 different countries, including more than a 1,000 artists. Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to close to 90 million spectators in over 200 cities on five continents. In 2009, Cirque du Soleil will present 19 shows simultaneously throughout the world." (Cirque du Soleil)

I’ll leave you with one final bit of trivia I found on their Twitter page:

There are more than 175 costumes & 160 hats in KOOZA – 1,080 items in all, including all the shoes, props & wigs!

Toddler Moments: Shower in less than 5 minutes

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:26:00 GMT

My husband gently kisses me on the cheek goodbye, so not to wake me, not knowing that I’ve been awake (for the second time) since his alarm went off. The first time was earlier in the night when my son wanted out of his toddler bed and into “mommy and daddy’s bed.” These days, I don’t need an alarm. I have a 2 year old…who just happens to be sleeping peacefully next to me. But that won’t last long. As soon as I think I’m falling asleep, I hear “Mommy, Mommy….What are you doing?” Yes…he speaks in complete sentences these days. I unsuccessfully try to coax him back to sleep. My day has begun and it’s not even 7 am.

The days when my husband goes into work before the sun rises, I find myself struggling to figure out how to do basic things…like take a shower. There is no “safe” place these days, since my 2 year old has figured out how to climb over the gate we put up in his room. And I don’t like closed doors. Or crying toddlers. So this morning, like most, I close my bedroom door (he knows how to turn the knob to get out, but hopefully it’s early enough that he isn’t that brave…yet). I scan the room looking for anything dangerous. Medications…check…anything that uses electricity…check…anything that can be spilled or otherwise cause a gigantic mess…check. Ok…I look at my toddler in the eye and say “Mommy needs to go take a quick shower. Can you sit here and watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse for a few minutes?” (Yes…I just said that!) He looks at me with those big brown eyes and says, “Ok mommy.” I scan the room one more time, from the perspective of a toddler (meaning on the floor) to make sure there isn’t anything he can get into in the less than five minutes it will take me to feel normal (i.e. odor-free).

I jump in the shower, checking on him one last time. What once was a relaxing activity is a race against time to get clean and odor free. I can mostly see him from the mirror in our bathroom. My hair needs to be washed…don’t even ask about my legs…it’s been over a week (but who’s counting?) but I don’t dare…one more day isn’t going to hurt anyone. I shut the water off in a record 3 minutes and peer out from behind the curtain.

Silence.

I’ve learned that silence means trouble…mischief. Something inside me intuitively knows he’s not in the same place….he’s not sitting watching Mickey do his Hot Dog Dance. It takes only a second for a curious toddler to find something interesting to get into. I look at him and he looks at me, knowing he’s been caught in the act.

Fortunately I decided not to wash my hair…or our brand new carpet would be a lovely shade of red. I managed to catch him right as he was about to smear lipstick either all over himself or all over the carpet. I’m not certain which would have been worse (although I know exactly what my husband would have said). How in the world did he find my lipstick? No matter…crisis averted…this time.

Last week we weren’t as fortunate. And there were two of us. Why is it that my 2 year old waits until I’m on the phone…with my doctor…to decide that he’d like to color the carpet a lovely shade of black. Yes…there were two of us in the room with him and he still managed to find a pen (um…where did it come from?) and mark all over the carpet.

And then there is the moment I pulled away from the grocery store parking lot, wondering why it suddenly smelled like an apple orchard? It was timed perfectly with my son’s outcry of “That’s yuck!” In the time it took me to pull out of a parking space, my toddler managed to pull a bag up (with his feet, might I add), pull out a bottle of kid’s shampoo, and pour it all over himself and the seat next to him.

Just when you think that there is no possible way your child would ever do ____________ (fill in the blank), they manage to prove otherwise.

This is just the happenings of one week. Oh the joys!

What has your child done that surprised you lately? How do you manage to fit in simple things like cooking, cleaning and showering with little ones?