Alive in Wonderland

Please read my "Alive in Wonderland" blog now at OC Family.  I'll be writing there daily. Thanks for continuing to read and follow me!

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World of Color lives up to the hype. Read my review...

On Thursday night Disney's California Adventure premiered its new nighttime show, "World of Color." I was there for the red carpet event, the pre-show, and then the fantastic debut of the long-anticipated show. Packing the punch of both Disney and Pixar characters, the water show projected images onto water screens 200 feet in the air and 380 feet long across Paradise Pier. 

The show lives up to its moniker "water spectacular." World of Color will both blow your mind and warm your heart at the same time. It's the kind of show you've come to expect from Disney, but with so many fresh twists and surprising elements, you'll want to go back again and again to catch everything.

"Every child is blessed with a vivid imagination." --Walt Disney.

Projected across the water, this quote kicks off the show and sets the mood as 1,200 fountains, 36 flame projectors, bubbles, fog, lasers and phenomenal surround sound launch you into the stories of  Disney and Pixar amidst a torrent of technical feats that keep delivering the "oohs and ahhs" throughout the show. 

"World of Color is all about the lyrics: 'each dream you chase, each wish you embrace will lead you to a magical faraway place,'" said Steven Davison, Director and VP of Parades and Spectaculars. Quite an undertaking for a 26-minute, standing-room-only show. But Disney delivers by making the show at once grandiose and very personal. 

Scary parts? No, Sir. 

I'd like to frame this portion by saying my kids are afraid of the Winnie the Pooh ride at Disneyland--capisce? They are scaredy cats and although they enjoy Fantasmic and portions of the fireworks show every year, they view the more scary, villain-packed portions through their fingers.  

Now that I've seen World of Color twice, I can confidently say my kids won't be watching any of it from behind my legs.  I would call the Buzz vs. Zurig and Pirates of the Caribbean sequences "intense," not scary.  Fire and loud music ramp up the action, but never the nerves.  The Lion King bit with Simba and the stampede is more emotional than frightening. 

That's the word I would use to describe the whole show World of Color: emotional. Kids will respond to the music, the colors, the characters and the surprises with the delight and wonder that only Disney can deliver. I know that's how I responded--at one point hugging the utter stranger who was standing next to me. I could tell, we were both having a moment as Pocahontas started to sing "Just Around The River Bend" and the entire screen became a panoramic, crystal-clear scene of wilderness.  

World of Color is really that good. So, go.  Maybe not this week, maybe not even this summer, but put it on your bucket list of things to do in the next four months.  Starting in the fall, the pre-show will change with every showing and there is talk of a holiday show as well. So carve out the time to go see it soon with your family.

The lowdown 

"It's like our [Disney's] version of diner and a movie,"  Bob Iger, The Walt Disney Company's President and CEO, told me on the red carpet.  Here are some of the ways Disney is making that happen:

Picnic meals with reserved viewing tickets: Order a picnic meal online or pick one up at Sonoma Terrace, Golden Vine Winery the day you want to see the show.  Adult meals are $14.99--Taste of Asia, European Antiposto, Mediterranean Vegetarian--and the smaller kids's meals are $9.99.  Click here to get the details and order.  

All these meals come in a large World of Color tote and the kids' meals include a glow bracelet in each tote.  Important to note here; you'll receive a ticket for a reserved viewing section with each meal.  In my opinion, this is the way to go.

Dining packages with preferred viewing: Wine County Trattoria and Ariel's Grotto Restaurants offer pre-fixed meals at $36.99 for adults and $20.99 for the kiddos. It's the highfalutin' way to experience the show. Call (714) 781- DINE to order, or click here for more information. After dinner these lucky guests will be escorted to their own premier viewing area. 

FASTPASS: To get the best view of the show you'll need to get some sort of preferred or reserved viewing--at least not through the summer.  So, if these meal options aren't in your budget or don't sound delectable to you, there's always the FASTPASS option. 

Pick up your World of Color FASTPASS at the Grizzly River Run Terminal.  **They will not interfere with your other FASTPASS tickets of the day.**  

The World of Color FASSPASS tickets are available every morning when the park opens and the four to six thousand passes that are available have sold out quickly, so get there early. 

It will take some planning on your part, but it will be worth the effort.  

I call the play-by-play of the Premier of World of Color

Please check out my photo slideshow of the Red Carpet event (Teri Hatcher, John Stamos, Jason Segal, Jamie Lee Curtis) along with photos of the exclusive pre-show, four different views of the show, and random facts about World of Color--all accompanied by my running commentary. This will really give you a feel for the show. Click anywhere on the photo below to get started...

Can't get enough World of Color? Check out these blogs.

Marcy of "The Glamorous Life." The World of Color Red Carpet (Unless I'm color blind.)

Lisa from "Babes in Disneyland."  World of Color Review with Lots of Pictures.

Find the beauty in your life

I took this photo on the windy terrace of the breathtaking Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Coast. I love the idea of adding my reflection to the stunning scene behind me. I was there for a mom blogger getaway event for OC Family.  You can read all the glorious details by clicking right here.  

The photo was taken on my well-loved iPhone and spruced up by an app called "Best Camera."  I'll wait while you go download it right now....**tap**tap**tap**...

I learned about the app, and about a brillion other things about photography on Saturday at a class given by the crazy talented gals of Any-Time Art. For 4 hours 15 gals were taught about aperture, and shutter speeds, and dozens of tricks to make our photos of our kids and lives look their very best.  Women helping other women make their lives more beautiful..is there any better way to spend a Saturday morning? 

For the full scoop, please watch the slideshow below: 

Mom Bloggers are the new rock stars

Need proof you say? Check out me and five other OC Mom Bloggers dorking it out in this lip dub.

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Sheesh! Mom bloggers are sure getting a beating in the traditional media and online world lately. With articles like this one from the New York Times and the following comment and commentary bloodbath that followed, you'd think we are advocating tossing our children into a rushing river, instead of simply reaching for our dreams and expressing ourselves--in small and big ways--through our blogs. Who knew creative, smart, driven women could be so divisive? (Said with sarcasm, naturally.) 

I believe in the power of the mom blogger. I think blogging is revolutionary for women. I honestly do. It's radically extended the reach of some women who before blogging, didn't have much of a voice. I'm proud as all get up to be a mom blogger, because I've seen first hand how it's transformed the lives of women--in a positive way. In an empowering way. Again, sometimes in little ways, like giving her a creative outlet or building a community of support, and sometimes in larger ways, like leading to a new career. It's all good stuff and all equally important in my opinion.

Here's the thing, as moms we have more things in common than we have differences. I try to embrace the differences and then get all giddy and syrupy when I meet (read) a mom who has the same struggles, triumphs and burns with the same hatred for laundry as me.  Blogs can function as a conduit for these connections.  

So, now you know my stand on mom bloggers and you've been properly primed for this video. Six OC mom bloggers, including moi, dorking it up in a lip dub we made to "Our Lips Are Sealed." Because whenever a PR person or brand representative asks me, what's the best way to reach moms, I always tell them the same thing: '80s music.

The bloggers in the lip dub are:

Andrea from the blog Hip Moms Who Work.

Marcy from The Glamorous Life Association and Publications.

Beckey from Hippo Brigade.

Roxanne from Me and My Monster.

Kara-Noel from Eli's Lids.

Me from here...and here.

**disclaimer: 

These bloggers may or may not share my ernest opinion of mom bloggers.

Breaking News: Irvine Mom Survives Being Left Home Alone

Irvine, Ca.  Suzanne Broughton, mother of two, survived a day alone in her Irvine home without her family. "I'm not going to lie, I was pretty confused and scared at first when I realized there wasn't anyone in the house," said Broughton in a phone interview.  "I kept hearing this weird noise that was freaking me out, but then I realized, it was just silence."

 "A mom who suddenly finds herself home alone can get disoriented easily," said Dr. Warren Turkle, an Orange County doctor who specializes in modern parenting issues like Chuckephobia (fear of going to Chuck-e-Cheese) and OCTEID (the need for a mom to compulsively talk in lengthy detail about their child's reoccurring ear infections). 

"It's best if a mom can wean herself slowly from the raucous atmosphere she is used to by replicating the noise with Sponge Bob on in the background or giving the cat the dog's bone in order to emulate sibling bickering." These are just a few tips in his book, "The Pottery Barn Kids Catalog Mystique: Parenting is about more than heirloom quality quilts and color coordinated storage baskets. "Moms simply need to affirm themselves by saying things like 'I used to be an attorney, I'm certainly capable of spending the afternoon by myself.'" 

In a press conference yesterday, Suzanne's husband, Larry Broughton, who was initially regarded as a sort of "local hero" by Suzanne's friends after offering to take the kids for the day, was on the defensive as accusations of insensitivity started to circulate,"Listen, Suzanne was mostly able to function before she had kids and I had every confidence she would be just fine by herself for one day," Mr. Broughton said to a smattering of reporters.  "I even thought she might be able to get some stuff done around the house while I was gone."  At that, an audible gasp was heard from the female journalists in the crowd.

Though local officials didn't return our calls for a comment on the legality of leaving a mom home alone for an entire day, there was a statement from the guard at the Broughtons' community gate. "I don't know. I don't think I like it,"  said Kerby Williams as he wrote down the license plate of an AT&T truck.  "What next? Walking alone through the community or worse, OUT of the community? I just don't like it," shaking his head as he turned away an unauthorized bus full of school children.

When asked how she filled the time when she was alone, Mrs. Broughton admitted she had lots of plans--like sorting the orphan sock basket, getting the family's taxes together, organizing her photos on iPhoto--but, she said with a spark of energy, she ended up taking a nap, looking-up old friends on Facebook, and then watching 10 shows that had accumulated the last two years on her DVR.  "It was one of the best days of my life," she said, obviously emotional when thinking back on the day. 

Written for my blog at the ever-awesome: OC Family.

"Wow, sign me up for that!" and other sarcastic remarks Ma could have made

Emily loves the "Little House on the Prairie," books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. They are the intermediate reader versions, which are abbreviated with big colorful illustrations and simple text.

Every time I come across this page in the first book called "Going West," I laugh to myself.  This is where Pa TELLS Ma they are movin' out West.  The reason?  Not as many people, no trees and the grass grows thick and high...just what every young mother wants. Yep, Pa's a closer alright.  

I kind of wish there were dialogue from Ma on the second page. The sarcastic remark potential is endless, but I think her face tells you the whole story.  Pa would have been wise to ask her to put away the knitting needles before he told her his plan.  Strange, I thought pioneers were supposed to have heightened survival skills. 

The Curious Pair

 

This is my column in this month's OC Family out today.

    

I always wonder how other couples’ relationships work--what they talk about, if they brush their teeth side-by-side in the mirror every morning, how they decide on big-ticket items. It's the little things couples do in public that make me stare and stand too close, trying to eavesdrop on their conversations. 

Like at Trader Joe's the other day, a couple was standing in front of the boxed fruit. The man was holding a box of Asian Pears and the woman was diligently trying to pry the perfectly square plastic box open (despite the galvanized tape) in order to...touch them, I guess. Calmly, the man used his long (freakishly, btw) index finger to lift the side so she could...yes, yes, she wanted to touch them and when she did, she immediately shook her head and waved them away. 

He picked up another box and they began another hushed and passionate conversation about--Asian Pears. I tried to hear what they were saying, pretending I cared deeply about the Clementines sitting next to the pears. But they were enormously secretive and careful not to let the rest of us know what was so flippin' interesting about--Asian Pears. 

Naturally, this made me think about my husband Larry and me. I can't even imagine having a conversation that long about pears. I remember once having a pretty lengthy conversation about how much we loved cheese, but it was more because we were hungry. We started asking each other outrageous questions like, “If you could make a deal that you never could eat cheese again, but you would then be able to fly, would you?” Seriously, who would make that deal? Like, nobody, but that's the kind of thing Larry and I talk about. 

So you can understand my fascination with this couple at Trader Joe's. Larry and I had lots of conversations about them. Asian Pears just seems like a very particular and much more sophisticated thing to talk about than cheese. I mean, we would have flown by those pears at breakneck speed and thrown them in our cart (period). No discussion. 

It made me wonder if we’re missing out on something. Don't things like this make you speculate about how different other people’s lives are? Are they happier? Their kids more intelligent? I see couples on weekend mornings who’ve obviously been out with their baby joggers, sipping their lattes, the Times in hand, and I think, "Huh, are we the only ones who wave our children away on weekend mornings, muttering from under our pillows about cartoons and directing them to the special 'Saturday' cereal?" 

 I guess it comes down to perspective--appreciating who I am and what I value. Being able to say to myself, "We're a couple who sleeps in and gives our children sugary cereal on Saturdays." And, I suppose, accepting that Larry and I are the type of couple that talks about the couple who talks about the Asian Pears…and being okay with that. Which I most certainly am.

My new blog: When Girls Love Hockey

I've started my very own hockey blog: When Girls Love Hockey. This way, I figure, I won't have to pester, whine and pontificate about hockey here in this space.  This is my latest story over there. Believe me, girls who love hockey will find this story interesting. Really! 

 (Larry and me at Morton's for our anniversary dinner.)

As soon as I became a hockey fan, hockey stories seemed to follow me everywhere. Really, I have the best luck.  I almost ran over Matt Beleskey in a cross walk once.  I ran into Ryan Getzlaf at The Lazy Dog Cafe and then the time I sat next to Ilya Bryzgalov's family at a Ducks game. This tale is further proof of my hockey luck. 

My husband, Larry, and I were celebrating our 12th wedding anniversary at Morton's last November when in walked four men.  

They were hockey players.

Don't ask me how I knew they were hockey players. I just did. Like some girls know how to fold a fitted sheet or the correct way to peel a pineapple (apparently, it's to be done with a knife not a peeler), I just knew they were hockey players.  

They had hockey hair. 

After settling down at the table next to us I heard their accents and, again,  there was that hair, so I was just sure. I  lean over to my husband and said, "They're hockey players." Then I gestured with my chin over to their table.  He glanced over his glass of wine half interested.  "How do you know?" he started. "Never mind," he wisely said after thinking about the manic logic that would follow that question. 

As we ordered our dinner the waiter noticed the Ducks logo on my phone and said, "Those are four Pittsburgh Penguins sitting at that table." At that, just like a teeter-totter,  Larry sunk down in his chair a little and I perked right up in mine.  Just like that the night suddenly became about hockey. 

The Ducks were playing the Penguins the next night and they were there for steak and potatoes...and to talk about the Ducks.  I'm not saying I'm proud of myself, I'm saying I have no self control when it comes to hockey; I had to eavesdrop.  I had to.

Here's what I heard:

"Oh, man.  I think Jiggy should retire. He's had his time," said the first Penguin who was quickly rebutted by another. 

"He has..." and that's as far as he got.  

"You'll get your turn," continued the first Penguin in a thick accent.  "He was a great goalie. He should leave it that way."  

"Can I talk now?"  asked the second Penguin.  The first one nodded. "Just wait,  he'll recover and be back..." 

Then I was asked by my patient husband if I wanted more wine.  I waved my hand at him and nodded quickly. "They're talking about Jiggy!" I said in an excited whisper and then told him what I heard.  There was something so wrong about listening in on their conversation, yet,  I couldn't stop myself for doing it (and now telling you about it).  

After that, I listened in now and then, but they mostly talked about stupid 'ol golf. When I got up to leave I wanted to say something to them. But, what should I say?  It was our anniversary after all.  I was trying my very best to not make the night about hockey. 

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Special thanks to Marcy Massura for her blog design on When Girls Love Hockey.  If you're looking to start a blog or just want a makeover of your current blog, check her out here.  She's very reasonable...and she doesn't cost very much either. 

How we spent our Memorial Day

 
For the past five years we have been taking our kids to the Memorial Day Service at Fairhaven Memorial Park in Santa Ana.  The service runs about 2 hours and we bring our blankets and snacks and sit among the hundreds of families there to honor the men and women who have served our country.  

I love seeing the different generations come together during the ceremony.  My favorite part is when they honor the different branches of service by asking soldiers to stand up as they call out: Marines, Army, Navy, etc.  It touches me every time.  They also recognize soldiers from different wars and conflicts. This was the first year there were no Pearl Harbor survivors represented--not one. It was a shocking reminder we need to take the time to remember. 

Take a look at my photo slideshow below from the service.  It's a valuable OC tradition and I'm happy to say every year it grows!  More people attended this year than any other year! 

If you've served in our county's military "Thank you."  

LOST without LOST? I'm here for you

 

 

I've never watched LOST.  I'm not some sort of social deviant.  I'm not out of step with the times--I really want an iPad just like everyone else.  I'm not against LOST.  I just never got into it.

It seemed to me from the beginning, based on my friends' conversations, the Facebook updates, the Tweets, that LOST was more like a dysfunctional relationship, than an enjoyable form of entertainment.  

Things like this:

"Argh! LOST! I don't understand what's going on!"

"LOST is driving me crazy!"  

"I just want some straight answers from LOST!"

" I totally blew off all my friends just to re-watch the last 4 seasons of LOST. So psyched!"

"LOST! How am I going to live without you?!"

I don't have the time or energy for that sort of thing anymore.  I learned my lesson years ago from Melrose Place that these relationships never work. It's all about them.

So I have been relegated to the loyal friend, just there to listen and comfort.  I made every effort to help my friends who were having LOST issues.  A couple them even swore off LOST; broke it off entirely.  When they did I told them they were doing the right thing and that I never liked it anyways. Then I found out from other friends that they were back on LOST a few days later and I couldn't get them to return my calls. 

Now that LOST is over I feel all the fans can finally have some closure.  They can move on.  Maybe start watching something else, like Rules of Engagement or 30 Rock.  I have been in a good, healthy DVR relationship with these shows for a while now.  They tell it like it is. They get to the point and don't string me out for days...weeks...years. They're also very, very funny and we all know laughter is one of the best remedies for a broken heart.  

If you need me, I'm here if you want to talk.  
 

Put down the Purell and go see the movie 'Babies'

 

Babies are resilient.  Babies are tough. Babies have a wicked sense of humor. Babies can spend the first year of their life licking dirt, spending time unsupervised, and cuddling with cows and still enter into the toddler stage healthy and happy. 

These are all things I learned after watching the brilliant documentary "Babies."  

Every parent should take the time to go see this movie. It follows the first year of life of four babies living in Africa, Mongolia, Tokyo and San Francisco.  It wasn't only the dramatic differences in the way the babies were being raised that was fascinating--the African baby has his 'hair cut' with a machete, the Mongolian baby taken home from the hospital on the back of a motorcycle--it was also the underlaying truth that babies are babies, no matter where they hang their...well, I would say diaper, but only two of the four ever wears one.

Take a look at this video about the movie with an interview with its French makers-- Thomas Balmes, Director and Alain Chabat, Producer. (Unrelated: Is there anything cuter than a French man saying the word "babies?") 

 

 I think they hit on it in their interview, as long as there is love, the babies were happy and healthy.  So, put down the Purell and go give your baby a rock to play with, really, it's fine.  

I ♥ my iPhone, have we covered this already?

I took this photo of the window at Anthropologie at The Irvine Spectrum this weekend (go here to see the entire photo sideshow).   It was taken with my iPhone and the spruced up with the "Best Camera " app.  It's my submission to Mommy iMoments.

I love the colors and cheerfulness of this photo.  When thinking of a song to go with it, this one came right to my mind.  Hope everyone has a colorful and cheerful Monday.  

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Madalenine Peyroux signing 

"Some fun out of life"

I can't get over how much she sounds like my beloved 

Billie Holiday.