Valentine's Date for the Family

Looking for something to do as a family this weekend for Valentine's Day? How about an action packed, smiled filled evening at Monster Jam. Go online now and get $5 off per ticket for this Saturday, February 12th's Monster Jam at Angel Stadium or next Saturday, February 19th at Dodger Stadium. Tickets must be purchased online for the discount. Go to www.ticketmaster.com and enter the code word MOMMY for $5 off each $32 and $22 seats. Discount is not valid on the day of the show.

Spring, Here We Come!

Are you ready for Spring? I know I am!

Kangacoo Designs has posted some darling designs for Spring. This unique clothing line was developed by a "stay at home" mom turned designer/businesswoman. If you are looking for something for your child to stand out in the crowd visit her shop at www.kangacoo.etsy.com.

Clothing sizes range from 3 months to 6 years.

Visit www.kangacoo.etsy.com now and take advantage for their end of winter sale. Enter code BYEBYEWINTER and get 30% off all girls minky and velour clothing!

Become a fan of Kanggacoo Designs on Facebook!

A Dream of Luxury

Special Olympics of Southern California announced its 2011 Dream House Raffle. For only $150 you have the chance to own a 2.2 million dollar home in Studio City, California or a cash payout of $1.5 million. The Dream house was built in 2006 and boasts a 4,500 square-foot beautiful Mediterranean-style design. Your possible dream home has five bedrooms, six baths, gourmet kitchen, Viking appliances, marble countertops and a breakfast rotunda. You'll be welcomed into this 3 wood-burning fireplace home by a grand circular staircase, crown molding, wood-beamed ceilings, and Dark Alder wood floors throughout!

Last year the Dream House Raffle netted more than $700,000 for the Special Olympics Southern California. This funding allowed the SOSC to reinstate the Fall games after several years of being on hiatus due to the lack of funding.

The Dream House Raffle will allow thousands of individuals with intellectual disabilities to continue to participate in activities that will "change lives through the power of sport," said Bill Shumard, special Olympics Southern California President & CEO. This Dream House was generously donated by an anonymous supporter.

Purchase your ticket before the "early-bird" deadline and become eligible to win prizes leading up to the grand-prize drawing. February through May there will be monthly drawing for additional cash prizes from $1,000 to $25,000. Not only does your $150 raffle ticket put you in the running for the grand-prize, but also a 2011 Toyota Prius, Luxury vacations and more!

There is also a "refer-a-friend" drawing! Those who generate entries through a referral is entered for a chance to win $15,000 or one year's rent at Gallery421, a Lyon Communities Development.

The deadline to purchase your tickets to qualify for the "early-bird"drawing is February 18, 2011, and the final raffle entry deadline is May 13, 2001. For a complete list of "early-bird" drawing dates and prizes go to www.socalraffle.com/

THE GRAND PRIZE DRAWING WILL BE HELD ON MAY 28, 2011!

To purchase raffle tickets, view all of the contest rules and regulations, and additional photos of the Dream House go to www.socalraffle.com/. Or if you prefer to purchase your tickets over the phone, call (800) 816-6108.

To learn more about Special Olympics Southern California and how they have been changing lives for more than 40 years through sports visit www.sosc.org.

Monstrous Fun!

If you're ready for some BIG fun then the Advanced Auto Parts Monster Jam is the place to be! Monster Jam is making it's way around the United States and is here in Southern California once again.

Monster Jam is crushing it's way into town. Catch the action on Feb. 12th at Angel Stadium, or for the first time ever at Dodger Stadium on Feb. 19th! Enter the codeword MOMMY and save $5 off of $32 and $22 seats. However, you must purchase your tickets, online prior to the day of theshow to get the discount. You can purchase your ticket through Ticketmaster.com.

Don't forget to pick up your pit passes to check out the larger than life Monster Trucks before the show!

Visit MonsterJam.com for more details on Southern California dates, or for information when they will be near you!

Gentlemen, Start Your Engines! Monster Jam is Here!

Monster Jam is on tour, making it's next stop right here in Southern California. If you're looking for a family Valentine's Day date, look no further. Take the kids to the Anaheim Stadium Valentine's weekend for a show they'll never forget. Monster Jam will be in Anaheim on Saturday, February 12th. Youth tickets (ages 2-12) are just $10 and adults can save $5 using the discount code MOMMY.


If you've already got plans on the 12th, don't worry, Monster Jam is coming to Los Angeles on February 19th with the same discounts.

Tickets & Pit Passes can be obtained through Ticketmaster.

Show Info for Both Nights
Show Time 7:00 pm
Total Access Pass 2:00-3:00
Pit Party 3:00-5:30 (pit pass required)

Not a Southern California resident? Check out the US Tour, Monster Jam is coming to a city near you too!

See www.monsterjam.com for more details!

On a side note, my family attended Monster Jam last year for the first time. I didn't really think I was a "Monster Jam" type of girl, but guess what? It was a blast! Definitely worth checking out. A fun family night.

Great Gift Alert: Personalized Superstructs

If Santa is looking for ideas, tell him to look no further. I've got a GREAT idea for him that your kids are sure to love. Superstructs are award winning construction toys that are designed for children ages 3 and up. Several different building kits are available, everything from vehicles to fairy gardens, you little ones can create architectural masterpieces by following the step by step directions or let their minds run free by letting their imaginations do the creating.

Now, I know Santa likes to get personal gifts, so check out this great idea. Superstructs has a custom kit that they personalize for the holidays. Ordering is very easy and incredibly fast. You simply follow the instructions on the site, choose three sets, choose the box cover that you like and it can be personalized with your child's name along with images of the three chosen kits for no additional cost. Orders are generally shipped within 24 hours, so door to door you're looking at just a few days! We chose the Jet, Forklift and Dune Buggy for our personalized kit and all three are awesome. The instructions are easy to follow, the pieces are sturdy, and the personalized storage box is a great way to keep everything together.

Through January 31, 2011, Superstructs is offering an amazing deal: 40% off of their Big Builder set which is normally $41.95. This makes it just over $25, which is a steal for what you get. The Big Builder set includes 126 pieces and instructions on how to make a working fork lift, dump truck, crane, or utility truck. Pulleys, wheels, and characters are also included, so the possibilities are endless! Everything comes in a self contained cylinder, so no need to worry about storage. Really I don't know where you could find a better gift for under $25.


Visit the Superstructs site today and pick up a Big Builder for all of the little ones on your list. Use the coupon code KQPPB5PB for 40% off (code valid on Big Builder set only).

***OH and another great thing about Superstructs? If an important piece ever goes missing, the company will replace it. For FREE! Gotta love that kind of customer service.

Must See: Disney's Tangled Hits Theaters Tomorrow!

When I first saw the previews for Disney’s 50^th Animated Movie, Tangled, I knew immediately that I had to see it. Neither my husband nor my boys ages 6.5 & 9 were as excited as I was. A princess movie…. Ugh! So, when we were invited to a sneak preview of the film at AMC’s Downtown Disney, everyone went along wishing they were seeing a sneak peek of Disney’s Tron instead. That is until the film started. I can always tell if my boys love a film by the amount of talking during the movie that they do. If they ask me a bunch of random questions about the movie or the age old “Is it almost over?” I know they are not into it. Guess what? Not a word was said by either of them. Just lots of smiles and laughs.

What I really loved about the film was that it was the classic Rapunzel story with a twist. It was not too “princessey” and there was a character for everyone to love. Rapunzel’s spunk was adorable and she was so darn cute to look at. Disney did a great job creating the perfect side kick for Rapunzel too. Pascal the chameleon didn’t talk, but he didn’t need to, his actions spoke louder than words and he was really hilarious. Mother Gothel, Rapunzel’s evil “mother” was a great villain, not too scary, just the right amount of creepy. Flynn Rider is a classic “bad boy” but don’t you worry, Rapunzel straightens him out. Without running anything I will say that the “Snuggly Duckling” pub scene was my favorite part of the movie. I absolutely loved the pub thugs. And to top it off, wait till you meet Maximus the horse. Loved him too.

Honestly, I do think that this is one of best movies Disney has put out alone (in other words, not counting Pixar collaborations) over the past several years. The music is great, the characters are fantastic, and the story is uplifting without too much fluff. It’s a great watch for anyone, so gather the family and forget the Black Friday shopping. Go see Tangled instead!