Halloween Time at Disneyland Made Me Less Cranky and I'll Tell You Why

A few days ago I updated my Facebook status with, "I hate Halloween" and with the responses I got you would have thought I'd just stepped on a kitten. But in my defense, it's not Halloween I hate - it's the preparation leading up to the day. Years of having to scrounge for pieces to put together girl ninja and evil fairy costumes have really taken their toll. Oh, and then there was that time I had to go to five different Disney stores to find a Jessie costume, or the time I stayed up until 4am making pumpkin-shaped PBJ sandwiches. Not to mention stringing up all that fake spider web - I'm getting cranky just thinking about it.

But what I do like about Halloween is seeing how excited my girls are about it, and luckily there is a way to get into the spirit of Halloween without feeling like I want to gouge my eyes out. Last week we were guests of Disneyland at a special preview of their Halloween Time, an event to showcase all that they've got going on at Disneyland and California Adventure for the season. My family and I got all the benefits of Halloween, and I didn't have to spend two hours scrounging around in the costume department of Target or make a single sandwich. I might just have to change my Facebook status after all.

Here's what we saw:

Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy

This is Space Mountain revamped for Halloween and let me just say THIS SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF ME. But really, in a good way. Space Mountain is one of my favorite rides (besides the parking tram) and when I heard they were spicing it up I figured they'd insert a ghost or two, add in some howling noises and then end the whole thing with a big whirling candy corn. WRONG. Let's just say it's Alien meets Disney, and it's a blast.




Haunted Mansion

If you've been to Disneyland around this time of year, you've probably seen the Mansion decked out with the Nightmare Before Christmas characters. I've seen it before, but I never get tired of it and neither do my kids. In fact, I feel like I see something different everytime I ride through. Is it an evil spirit at work? Or just too much Diet Coke and churros?



(We also did something we'd never done before, and that was have dinner at the Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue. Our hosts treated us to an all-you-can-eat family style dinner with chicken, ribs, sausage and all the fixins, which I highly recommend. I say there's no way you can have a bad time when there's unlimited buckets of meat coming across your table. Also note: My 13yr old is a vegetarian, and they offer a grilled tofu and vegetable kebab.)

Fantasmic

You've probably seen Fantasmic, the crazy incredible show that takes place over the Rivers of America. But have you seen THE DRAGON? I didn't think so. It's an impressive, towering creature that seemingly appears out of nowhere and will scare the bejesus out of you if you happen to be checking email on your iPhone at the time. Not that I was doing that. But go see it - you won't be disappointed. Your email can wait.

Halloween Screams Fireworks Show



Disneyland has, hands down, the best fireworks show I've ever seen. And everytime I think they can't top themselves (what could be cooler than Dumbo flying around the castle?) they do. This time it's with a giant Jack Skellington that appears above the castle and Jack's dog Zero flying around. This is the best fireworks show I think I've seen there yet. I dare you to top this one, Disneyland!

So, thanks to Disneyland for making me a little less cranky as Halloween approaches. But Christmas is on its way...

Halloween Time runs at Disneyland through November 1.

Also, don't miss Mickey's Trick-or-Treat party at California Adventure. We've done this the past couple of years, and it's become a tradition.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Compensation: No; Product Received: Four park passes, hotel accommodations for one night. Opinions and remarks contained in this review are the author’s. The content of the review is determined by the author, and there is no agreement between parties that a review, if written, will be a positive one.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

tags: disneyland halloween time | space mountain ghost galaxy | halloween screams fireworks | fantasmic | mickeys trick or treat party | california adventure

Tweet Pin It

Travel Savvy Mom: Can’t We All Just Get Along? Yes, If We Have Our Own Beds

This past summer I did a review for Travel Savvy Mom about a local hotel I was invited to review, the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn at Universal Studios Hollywood. I'm posting a link to it here because I frequently get requests from people looking for accommodations that are close to attractions such as Universal Studios and Hollywood, and this would be a perfect solution so that they don't have to stay with us that is both comfortable and reasonable.

For my husband and me, staying in a hotel with our two daughters has become a little tricky. At 11 and 13, they can barely breathe the same air without arguing, so getting them to share a bed in a traditional room with two double or queen beds is next to impossible. Suites are always ideal since they will often come with a sofa-bed that one of them can sleep on, but it’s hard to justify the extra cost when traveling on a budget, especially since on family vacations we spend so little time in the room and most of the time sightseeing. Well, that and arguing. Did I mention sisters like to argue?

We were recently invited to stay at the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn at Universal Studios Hollywood and became fans of the KidSuites that are being offered at many Holiday Inns – a room with a partitioned area that’s furnished with bunk beds, a set of drawers, a flat screen TV and a game system. Our two girls loved having their own area and most of all their own beds. And while it doesn’t offer total privacy since there’s no door and the top of the partitioned area is open, we found that it provided just the right amount of separation to keep peace in a family of four. Not having to share a TV? Awesome. Not having to listen to your kids accuse each other of hogging the covers? Priceless...Read More...

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

tags: beverly garland holiday inn | hotels near universal studios | hollywood highland hotels | hotel reviews hollywood

Tweet Pin It

'The Good Wife': Finally Something to Fill My 'ER' Void

When ER went off the air after its final season this year it left a huge gaping hole in my weekly viewing. Seeing as I only have time to watch a couple of hours of TV every week and usually only after 10pm, that one hour of 'me' time was now gone. What was I supposed to do - clean the kitchen? Interact with my kids? It was enough to make a girl go out and buy the entire season of Sex and The City on DVD (which I haven't done yet, in case you're stumped as what to get me for Christmas.)

But then a few weeks ago I was lucky enough to get invited to a preview showing of the new CBS drama, The Good Wife, starring Julianna Margulies. It already fit my criteria before I even saw it - 10pm to 11pm time slot, not science fiction or period drama, and better yet it starred ex-ER actress Margulies AND Sex And The City's Chris Noth - how perfect was this? And then I saw the first episode and I immediately put the kids to work cleaning my kitchen - mommy had found a new show.

In a nutshell, here's what the show is about (I copied it from the CBS website, in case you were about to be impressed by my synopsis-writing skills):

THE GOOD WIFE is a drama starring Emmy Award winner Julianna Margulies as a wife and mother who assumes full responsibility for her family and re-enters the workforce after her husband's (Noth) sex and political corruption scandal lands him in jail. Pushing aside the betrayal and public humiliation caused by her husband, Peter, Alicia Florrick starts over by pursuing her original career as a defense attorney...Alicia transforms herself from embarrassed politician's scorned wife to resilient career woman, especially for the sake of providing a stable home for her children. For the first time in years, Alicia trades in her identity as the "good wife" and takes charge of her own destiny.

The Good Wife premieres tonight, Tuesday, at 10/9c on CBS.

Don't miss it.

And, here's a clip:



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

tags: the good wife | julianna marguiles | chris noth | cbs

Tweet Pin It

Their Milkshakes Bring All The Bloggers To The Yard

A couple of weeks ago I got to spend a few decadent hours tasting different varieties of milkshakes and sampling elegant pastries. And for once it wasn't just in my dreams! The whole thing took place at the über hip bld restaurant, and was put on by the Got Milk? team. These people know how to put on a party.

There were tables set up throughout the room, each one with a blender and ingredients to make a different milkshake. I had my two daughters with me, and as you can imagine my 11-year-old thought this was THE BEST PARTY EVER. A room with tables full of huge bowls of ice cream? She thought she had died and gone to heaven.





















Here she is making one* of our favorites, the Blueberry Malt Milkshake. I'm not a big fan of overly sweet drinks - this one was surprisingly light and refreshing. Well, as light as a drink made with half a pint of ice cream and whipped cream can be. But hey - we weren't here to watch our waistlines.





















*I say 'one' of our favorites, because my very favorite milkshake was the Tequila Milkshake. Not surprisingly, most of the other mom bloggers liked this one, too. Although we all joked that the next round would be Tequila Milkshake, hold the milkshake. Us mom bloggers are hi-larious!

But once you got tired of making your own drinks, there were milkshake baristas behind the bar whipping up all varieties of creamy goodness.





















Then you could just kick back and relax, and wait for the waiters to float by carrying their trays full of shot glasses of milkshake samples. We all just layed around and knocked 'em back like milkshake drunks. It was decadent I tell you, like Willy Wonka meets La Dolce Vita.

Behold the pastries! They were all made by Mariah Swan, bld's pastry chef. No, this isn't Mariah holding the tray, but this girl was so sweet I asked her to be in the photo. Also, just so you know, I wasn't responsible for the three pastries missing from that tray.





















They also had a couple of psychics there, and my daughters and I sat down for a reading with one of them. We were told the usual things - future riches! True love! Exciting adventures! But she also told me something different, that I would, and I quote, "Adopt an older boy who walked around all day wearing stereo headphones." This made us all laugh, but secretly I couldn't wait to give Eminem a call to let him know he'd be moving in soon.

So, an afternoon spent drinking milkshakes and noshing on gourmet pastries - definitely a nice way to break up the work week. It's even inspired me to finally replace my old, noisy 16-year-old blender so I can try out some of these recipes at home. I wonder if that's what the psychic meant when she told me there would be a shake-up in my future.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hey, if you want to try out some milkshakes yourself, bld hosts occasional Milkshake Madness events, where Mariah Swan whips up her concoctions at the counter. The next ones are on 8/23 and 9/27. Check the bld website for details.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

tags: got milk | bld restaurant | milkshake madness | mariah swan

Tweet Pin It

Fresh & Easy: My New BFF

A few weeks ago I was invited to an event sponsored by Fresh & Easy market. At the time I hadn't yet visited one of their stores, and to be perfectly honest I had no intention of two-timing my trusty market, Trader Joes. So what if I risked my life every time I drove into the TJ's parking lot, or was subjected to douchebaggery in the checkout line? Ours was a love built on great, fresh, healthy items at a cheap price. And on their 69¢ bags of pasta.

But I was willing to give the new supermarket and their wares a once over (Besides, the event was taking place in the kitchen of one of my favorite stores, Sur La Table.) Under the tutelage of Fresh & Easy's own Chef Mike, we were taught how to make a few simple dishes using items produced under the Fresh & Easy brand. First up were pizzas we made using their pre-made dough and pizza sauce (serves four for under $8), then salmon simply drizzled with their peanut sauce and baked - everything was delicious, and I'm not just saying that because I didn't have to clean up afterwards (although can I just say Oh what a feeling.) Chef Mike cooked up some other dishes for us, including fajitas that he made from their fajitas kit which included fresh strips of beef and vegetables. Everything was served with a seemingly never-ending supply of different wines and served by a cheerful and helpful staff. As you can imagine, I never wanted to go home.

But you can only attempt to hide under the table for so long so we were finally sent on our way. But first they gifted us with a bag full of Fresh & Easy items; A delicious bruschetta and a sourdough baguette to go with it, individually wrapped packets of trail mix perfect for tucking into lunches (and into my purse) their own version of Pirate's Booty, a nice bottle of red wine among many other tasty things. It was sort of like that scene in Mary Poppins, where she keeps pulling things out of her magic bag. Only this stuff was better because you could eat it.

Last week I, along with my two daughters, set out for our first Fresh & Easy market experience, and I have to say Trader Joes might not be seeing quite so much of me anymore. Fresh & Easy has an amazing selection of their own products, but they also have a good sampling of major brands, which means no more having to go to two stores to get my fresh mozzarella and then my bottle of Tide (not that I serve the two together. I usually serve the Tide with a nicely aged cheddar.) Not to mention their great prices! A bag of lemons for 99¢! A big tub of their fresh salsa for $1.99! Also, an impressive selection of gourmet items, like Illy espresso and several varieties of fresh hummus! You know I'm excited, because I rarely use exclamation points in reviews!

One of the minuses, which my 11-year-old daughter thought was a MAJOR MAJOR PLUS, was the fact that you have to scan and bag your own groceries. For my daughter, this is a dream com true - for reasons unknown to me she absolutely loves using the supermarket scanner, but I would rather hand that job to the pros. Plus, waiting for my groceries to be checked out is my prime tabloid-reading time. When else am I going to be able to see Kate Gosselin's tummy-tuck up close?

But overall I'd say the market is a great addition to our neighborhood, and while I won't be sending a Dear John letter to TJ's anytime soon, let's just say I'll be spending lots of time with my new BFF, Fresh & Easy. Oh, and forgot to mention the best part - no putting my life on the line when I'm trying to park my car.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

tags: fresh & easy neighborhood market | trader joes | sur la table

Tweet Pin It

I Saw 'Funny People' and I Thought It Was Funny

Last week I was invited to a screening of the new Judd Apatow movie, "Funny People," that stars Adam Sandler and Seth Rogan as stand-up comedians. And guess what - it really was funny. Not only that, but I went to see it with my friend Amy, who is a stand up comedian herself, and she thought it was funny too. That's a pretty big endorsement, sort of like your cat giving a big 'Two Thumbs up' to the 'Garfield' movie. Well, not really, because 'Garfield' was awful and I guess that would just mean your cat's taste really sucked.

On with the review.

Along with Sandler and Rogan the movie stars a few people you've probably seen in other Apatow films (Jonah Hill, Leslie Mann) and also Jason Schwartzman who is great as Rogan's egotistical roomate Mark (Schwartzman also wrote the music for the film.) To be honest, I love Apatow's movies but I was hoping this one would venture away from the usual dude-living-with-his-friends-and-trying-to-get-laid scenario and I wasn't disappointed. Sure there was plenty of that, but the storyline involving Sandler is more dramatic (I won't give it away. Okay, I can't help myself - he's dying) and while he certainly plays a lot of lines for laughs, there's a serious side that gives the movie another layer.

(Disclaimer: I was one of the five people on the planet who actually liked 'Spanglish' and Sandler in one of his serious roles. Anyone else out there like it? You over there, Adam's mom, is that a hand being raised? That makes six of us.)

Sandler plays actor George Simmons who has successfully made the move from stand-up to feature films (hey, just like Adam Sandler) who befriends struggling comedian Ira Wright (Rogan) and hires him to be his writer and personal assistant. George confides in Ira about his illness, and also about his obsession with ex-girlfriend Laura (Mann.) This is the part of the story that seemed to go on way too long - George and Ira take a trip up to Laura's Marin County home while her husband is away, and I just kept hoping the guys would get back in their car and drive back to L.A. where the lines were snappier and the jokes funnier. I may have even yelled out something inappropriate like, "Dude, get back to your friends and try to get laid!" It's the sad truth - give me a bucket of buttered popcorn and a jumbo box of Junior Mints and there's no telling what I'll do.

One of the things I would have liked to see more of is the relationship between Ira and Daisy (Aubry Plaza) a comedian who starts off dating Ira's roommate but then falls for Ira. I have to stop here and say OMIGOD THIS GIRL LOOKS EXACTLY, I MEAN EXACTLY LIKE MY DAUGHTER. Not only that, she has the same mannerisms, and the same dry sense of humor. Here's a picture of her, and for any of you that know my 13-year-old you might just fall off your chair, or out of your bed depending on where you like to be when reading my reviews (I'm going to ignore the smartass who just said 'toilet.')

But overall I liked the movie, and would guess that Apatow fans won't be disappointed although they should prepare themselves for a slightly more melancholy ride. And Apatow fans like me who are looking for a little more will like it as well, and may be inclined to give it an enthusiastic 'Two Thumbs Up' as I did. Not sure what my cat would give it - he's been grounded ever since he dragged me out to see 'Garfield.'

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

See the trailer for 'Funny People' here.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

tags: funny people | judd apatow | adam sandler | seth rogan | leslie mann | aubrey plaza | funny people reviews

Tweet Pin It

Whales are Smart and Other Things We Learned From Our Visit to Sea World

The nice people at Sea World in San Diego recently treated our family to a day at their park. We hadn't been there for at least four years, so it felt like a whole new experience for us. Besides having an awesome time, I think we learned a few things.

1) Whales are really, really smart. How do they get them to jump on command, and so perfectly synchronized? I can't even get my cat to bury his own poop.



(This was shot during our Dine With Shamu lunch, which I highly recommend for getting a great up-close look at the whales and their trainers. And for having a nice, civilized lunch buffet. As you know, I'm a big fan of the lunch buffet, with or without a five-ton mammal splashing around in front of me.)

2) Penguins are cute. (Okay, so we knew that already.) As part of our special behind-the-scenes tour, we were allowed into a private penguin enclave. This little guy just wandered around between us. I really wanted to put him into my bag and take him home but I hear they frown on things like that.



3) There are fish that look like people you know. Relatives, even. I'm not saying which one, but when I saw this swimming towards me I half expected it to be carrying a big casserole and telling me how much I'd grown.


















4) There are rides at Sea World. Really good ones! We took the awesome Bayside Skyride that gave us an incredible view of the surrounding bay. My husband and I reminisced like old people do, about how they used to have the same thing at Disneyland. Then we told our kids how we used to walk five miles home from school. In the rain. Barefoot. While being attacked by killer bees. But our kids still loved this ride.

Then there's this Atlantis thing, that I wouldn't touch with a ten-foot-pole but my husband and kids loved. I just sat on a bench and waited for them. And had some coffee. And checked my email on my iPhone. They don't call me wild and crazy for nothin'.

5) There is a great circus there. Really, why haven't I heard more about this? It was an incredible, Cirque-du-Soleil-like circus that was funny, action-packed and entertaining for kids and adults. Make it a point to see Cirque de la Mer - you won't be disappointed. Plus, when was the last time you saw an outdoor circus? On the water?


















6) Whatever you do, avoid the cappuccino cart. This was our only real downer of the day. We were looking for our caffeine fix, so we paid almost $18 for four coffee drinks. After a really, really, long wait I finally got my double-cappuccino, but I swore there wasn't a drop of espresso in it, and turns out I was right because we found out the espresso machine was broken. Were they even going to tell us? The woman working the machine didn't even bother to explain, just took my drink back and tossed it in the trash can. We saw her and her co-worker trying to call someone to fix the machine, but they didn't offer up a refund, an apology or an explanation to us or anyone else patiently waiting for their drinks. After waiting for a good ten minutes we finally just asked for a hot chocolate for our younger daughter, an espresso-less mocha for our older daughter and two drip coffees for my husband and I. They never apologized, never offered to refund the difference for our drinks and by that point we just wanted to get out of there. Eighteen bucks for two small coffees, a hot chocolate and a faux-mocha.

We didn't let our coffee cart debacle ruin our day, though. We had a great day, and enjoyed that our kids aren't all that jaded yet and still get excited at the sight of dolphins swimming and being able to touch a starfish. We ended the day with the fireworks display, and were having such a great time we stayed until closing. Another thing we learned: Kids will never complain of being tired until you start the walk through the parking lot to your car.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

tags: sea world san diego | dine with shamu | cirque de la mer | journey to atlantis

Tweet Pin It

Another Reason to Stay Up Late: Nightastic at Disneyland!

Recently the girls and I were treated to an amazing evening at Disneyland previewing the new nighttime attractions there. But who am I kidding - do we need new nighttime attractions to have a good time at Disneyland? Not really - my girls turn into giddy, jumping, crazy monkeys as soon as we walk in the gates. If there was a Disneyland bath they would jump in and roll around until the sun went down. (Did that last sentence make sense? Well, you get the picture: MY GIRLS LOVE DISNEYLAND.)

Summer Nightastic is the summer lineup of after-dark entertainment that is being featured at Disneyland and California Adventure through August 23: a newly enhanced Fantasmic,; New Pixie Hollow Enchantment ; a new fireworks show, Magical; the beloved Electrical Parade with new floats; and the new TLT Dance Club on Tomorrowland Terrace. Whew - that oughta keep you busy for a couple of days. Or ten.

Our night started off with a preview of the TLT Dance Club and a performance by Mitchell Musso from Hannah Montana. My girls loved it, and since it's the closest they'll come to being at a club for at least another few years, they were soaking it up. I have to think this place was designed by a parent, since the seating area is elevated slightly above the dance floor - perfect for keeping an eye on your kids while they get down to Katy Perry and Lady Gaga. (And for making sure those boys don't get anywhere near your girls.) If only Disneyland loosened up a little and I could get a nice glass of wine there at the Tomorrowland Terrace restaurant, I'd be content to stay there all night while my teens danced the night away.

Next up was the new Magical fireworks show, with a soundtrack by Wicked star Eden Espinosa. (I dare you not to cry when she sings 'Baby Mine' from Dumbo.) But the best part was the appearance of the flying elephant himself, making a trip around Cinderella's castle. Take a look:



Our next event was a viewing of a re-vamped Fantasmic, presented on the Rivers of America. We never get tired of this show, no matter how many times we've seen it. Some friends recently let us in on their viewing secret - get some dinner at the French Market restaurant, grab a table on the patio and enjoy the show!

Last but not least we had a chance to see the Electrical Parade over at California Adventure. I haven't seen this since I was a kid, so it was great to be able to share it with my girls. We all loved it - I mean, how could you not love this:



Still not convinced a trip to Disneyland should be in your future? Check out the special Summer FunPass, where So. Cal. residents can get a 3-day Park Hopper ticket for only $33 a day. Makes alot more sense than that Disneyland bath.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

tags: disneyland | summer nightastic | fantasmic | pixie hollow enchanted | electrical parade | tlt dance club | discount tickets for disneyland

Tweet Pin It

This Ain't Your Daddy's Circus: Ringling Brother's Zing Zang Zoom!

For the past couple of months my 10-year-old has been obsessed with magic, diligently teaching herself tricks she's learned from YouTube videos and books. I don't know how many times I've heard, "Pick a card, any card," and "Wanna see this (fill in the blank) disappear?" in the past few weeks. After my husband taught her the "Pull my finger" trick, he told her about The Magic Castle in Hollywood - an exclusive venue for professional magicians that is usually invitation-only - and she was mesmerized but disappointed that she'd have to wait until she was an adult to try and score an invite, since kids aren't usually allowed. YouTube would have to do for now.

So imagine the squealing that took place when I got an invite to a special preview of the new Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus being held at - you guessed it - The Magic Castle. It took some talking to convince her that she would be merely watching and not performing, though.

Titled Zing, Zang Zoom, this new version of The Greatest Show on Earth has a new twist - a theme of magic and illusion, and features world class illusionist Alex Ramon as the Zingmaster (the term 'Ringmaster' is so five minutes ago) and his sister, the beautiful and talented (ex-Oakland Raiders cheerleader) Leah Christiana. These two have a hipness and youthfulness that seems to have been missing from the traditional circus, and I think they'll go a long way in attracting a younger crowd. Throw out your image of the circus as a show filled with tired-looking elephants being paraded around by an old, even tireder-looking clown. I haven't been to a traditional circus since I was a kid, and this is the first one my kids have shown an interest in going to. My 13-year-old even thought the Zingmaster was 'really cute.' Sure, disturbing for my husband and I to hear, but if it'll get her to the circus and away from Gossip Girl reruns for a few hours, so be it.

To give you an idea of the sophistication of the show, the illusions were created by Jim Steinmeyer, who has worked as a consultant for Orson Welles and Harry Blackstone and was responsible for helping David Copperfield make the Statue of Liberty disappear. And Alex is an accomplished magician in his own right, having performed since the age of 13 and even co-authoring a book on card tricks, which of course my 10-year-old had to rush out and buy the very next day. (We're hoping to get it autographed by Alex at the all-access Pre-Show that takes place before every performance.) I always wondered what kind of kid would want to run away and join the circus - who knew it would be my own?

Here are a couple of videos, one where Alex appears to saw his sister in half (and what brother hasn't dreamed about doing that?) and another where he pulls cards out of thin air. Call me a sucker, but I swear I have no idea how he does this.





If you're in Los Angeles, Ringling Brothers' Zing Zang Zoom will be at the Staples Center July 8-12. (Don't show up a day early, on the 7th - that's the day Michael Jackson's memorial will be taking place at the same venue.)

Check out Ringling Brothers Zing Zang Zoom here.
Find a show near you here.

Hey, if you're interested in seeing Zing Zang Zoom for yourself, here's a special discount offer: Get a specially-priced four-pack of tickets for $44 by entering the codeword 'MOM' in the Ticketmaster coupon code. This is an actual offer, not an illusion.

Code is the word “mom”. Code needs to be entered in the “MC Promotion Box” on Ticketmaster. Must purchase AT LEAST 4 tickets for code to be valid. Each additional ticket after 4 is still priced at $11. Not valid on Circus Celebrity/Front Row/VIP seats and facility fees do apply.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

tags: ringling bros. barnum and bailey circus | zing zang zoom | alex ramon | staples center | discount tickets for circus

Tweet Pin It

MySims Racing is Keeping the Peace in My House

I have two daughters, ages 10 and 13. When it comes to playing video games, the scenario goes like this: The 10-year-old spends a huge amount of time begging the 13-year-old to play with her, while the 13-year-old does her best to ignore her and then finally promises to play with her as soon as she's done updating her Facebook page, re-charging her iPod and IM'ing with her 75 closest friends that are usually online at any given time. Because discussing the latest Gossip Girl episode is apparently more important than crushing your little sister in a video game any day.

But all that changed when we got a copy of MySims Racing for Wii to review. My 13-year-old? Suddenly a world-class racer who is determined to conquer the Burning Lap Challenge no matter how many of her friends are waiting for her to text them back. She's a fan of the Story Mode version of the game, where you can customize your car and chart your own course. In fact, she was so engrossed in a race through a snowy field the other day that she was unplugged from her iPod for an entire 30 minutes, a record. And crushing her little sister in a race has once again become a priority. I'm so proud.

The 10-year-old, who was already a fan of all things MySims and Sims, didn't need any convincing. and is expertly racing her customized kart around the track. And now, she's happy to have her sister along for the ride.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

tags: ea games | my sims racing | nintendo wii | video games for teen girls

Tweet Pin It