Merry Fun At Knotts Merry Farm
Last weekend the older kids and I packed up our warm clothes, umbrellas and our happy selves and went on down to Knotts Merry Farm for a media day o’ merry fun (all opinions are my own). To our happy surprise, the rain stopped just before we arrived and we were able to ride all of the rides, eat all of the food, see all of the sights and enjoy ourselves as much as we wanted. Apparently plenty of other Knotts lovers felt the same way, because the park was actually quite busy.
This was our first time to Knotts Merry Farm and by far, our favorite. Knotts Berry Farm is the perfect natural location for Christmas. Seriously. The deco just goes perfectly with Christmas decorations.
Highlights of Knotts Merry Farm:
“It’s Christmas Snoopy On Ice” – was by far the best show on ice I’ve seen. The elaborate costumes combined with ice skating stunts and the peanuts gang all under a half hour was superb.
Santa’s Christmas Cabin - located in the Wilderness Dance Hall. It was warm and cozy, with loads of treats like cinnamon buns, ice cream, coffee, cookies and Santa!
Christmas on Engine 41 – although “Tom Sugarfoot” freaked my kids out a bit with all of his innocent questions, the ride aboard the calico steam train is always fun.
Camp Snoopy comes alive at night with lights! – Camp Snoopy came alive when the sun went down with music and millions of twinkly lights.
Although I did not intend to stay at Knotts Merry Farm for the entire day, we ended up doing just that. With a delicious dinner at the Ghost Town Grill, which I highly recommend, Christmas shopping in Calico, rides in Camp Snoopy and so much more – we had a GREAT time. Thank you Knotts Berry Farm for a truly wonderful day!
Holiday Crumbs – Wordless Wednesday
On Sunday, the “day of rest” I took the day off. I didn’t lift a finger.
No laundry, no dishes, no cooking. And no sweeping.
Because I was so lazy, this is what I got on Monday.
Yes. In just one day.
Help.
I’m going to blame the holidays for the extra crumbs because I just can’t bear the thought that this is my life now.
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The First Gift
I think whenever you’re expecting a new baby, whether it be your first or your five hundreth, choosing the babies “first gift” is huge and unforgettable. It’s like, setting the stage for what is to come.
The first gift I bought my first born was an outfit. I would wander the baby aisles alone and daydream about what my perfect angel child would wear.
The first gift I bought my second born was a lovey. Similar to this one. It was an important moment for my oldest son and I, as he helped choose the gift. He and I wandered the baby aisles daydreaming what it would be like to have a little girl in the house.
The first gift I bought my third born was also an outfit. My oldest son and daughter and I would wander the baby aisles and daydream about the chaos that our house was soon going to become.
The first gift I bought my fourth born was this lovey. My oldest daughter helped me pick it out. We chose purple, a color we don’t see around here too often – because everything.is.pink. We walked around the baby aisles daydreaming about what it’ll be like to have a full house.
The 2013 Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train
There are few things in life that make me as happy as the events and activities leading up to Christmas. I love, love, love the holidays, the genuine merriment of the season, the cold air, the twinkly lights, the warm baked cookies and seeing my children’s faces light up when they see Santa Claus. Or as my 3 year old daughter calls him “Santa Flaws”.
It is no wonder that one of my favorite holiday activities is taking my children to the Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train - where magic, beauty, genuine family wholesomeness and merriment combine to create a one of a kind experience. It’s these special experiences that I hope my children carry with them throughout their lives.
A lot of my real life friends have asked me recently what makes it worth it to go to the Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train. Being that we live kind of far away and the cost to attend is not expensive, but not inexpensive either. And I simply say: “there is no better Santa visiting experience in Southern California”. And I truly mean that when I say it.
A visit to the Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train consists of holiday activities like cookie decorating, carnival games, story time with Mrs. Claus (or Mrs. Flaws as my daughter would say), coloring and list making, hay maze, millions of twinkly light decorations, hot chocolate and popcorn, bounce house, a night time ride aboard the “polar express” train that takes riders through the historic Irvine Regional Park to the “North Pole” and lastly, a visit to see the big man himself-Santa Claus.
New to the Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train for 2013:
- All activities now take place inside the locomotive loop
- The entire locomotive loop is decorated to be a winter wonderland with thousands of twinkly lights
- A hay maze!
- Go through the Winter cottage and enter for a chance to win a train set
- Tickets to ride the train must be purchased online
I cannot express enough how wonderfully amazing the Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train is. You must go and experience it for yourself.
Tickets to ride the Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train must be purchased online. Some activities cost money.
Tickets were provided for review purposes. However all opinions are my own.
Hot Toy Of The Season: Light Up Links #WaytoGlow
I’m all about open ended toys that utilize my kids imagination and keep them occupied for hours on end. And with the holidays just around the corner I hunt for these kinds of toys specifically to offset the multitude of technological gifts my kids will receive from other family and friends. To me, one of the most important aspects of an intelligent person is creativity and any time I can help foster that in my children, I go for it. I jumped at the opportunity to check out Light Up Links, and to offer you guys the chance to win a set as well. All opinions are my own, of course.
Think it, Link it, Shake it, Watch it glow!
Light up links are a open ended, creative, light up building tool. Their motto is “think it, link it, shake it and watch it glow!” which is pretty cute and accurate. Each kit includes Lightup Pod that are spheres with 5 spokes that point in all directions that can float in water. The pods are equipped with LED lights that flash red, white, and blue. Just give them a shake to activate. Flex Links are flexible connectors twist and bend and connect to Lightup Pod spokes and Glow Stix. Glow Stix are the strong and durable stick connectors that come in 3 different lengths.
Foster Creativity!
I have to be honest and say they are pretty great. The kids and I sat around the table in the dark for about an hour having fun building things. My 3 year old daughter created a “flower wand” on her own and my near 7 year old son created eye glasses. It was really neat to see them enjoy a toy together so much.
Each 125 piece Light up Links toy set includes:
- 13 LED light up pods
- 60 flexible tubes
- 52 connector links
Free Shipping!
Now for a limited time Light up Links are offering FREE SHIPPING. This offer is very exclusive and is not being offered on TV or anywhere else. Link to http:///LightLinksWorld.com and use code LUL for free shipping and handling on the 2 kit offer. ($13.98 value).
And Now A Giveaway!
The fine folks at Light up Links have offered you, my fabulous readers the opportunity to win your own set! Just enter using the rafflecopter widget below. Thank you for entering and good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Dear Husband, this is all I want for Christmas
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The Smurfs 2 now on Blu-Ray 3D
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Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups, The Perfect Holiday Cookie
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Pregnant Foodie – Wordless Wednesday
For the past 22 weeks and for the remainder of my pregnancy, I’m calling myself the #PregnantFoodie on Instagram. Because…Food. Is. My. Life. (right now). —————————-
Guide to Southern California’s Green Spaces – CBS Los Angeles
Whether it is the busyness the season, the constant company of family and friends or the general merriment of the holidays, getting out in the open air during the holidays seems to clear the mind and do a body good. From Malibu to Luckily Los Angeles offers many open spaces to soothe the mind and take […]
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