Random Pix
12
Nov, 2012
Family Time At Cirque du Soleil's IRIS
My brother, and Aubrey’s uncle, Eric recently relocated to SoCal to help us out with child care and chihuahua wrangling and the other day I was telling him about Cirque du Soleil’s IRIS at the Hollywood & Highland complex. I saw it last fall with a friend and was absolutely blown away. It’s on the list of my top two favorite Cirque du Soleil shows (I’ve seen 5 of them so far).
Anyway, Eric told me he had never seen a Cirque show and had always wanted to and I felt Aubrey was finally old enough to check one out, so we set up some tickets and off we went to Hollywood!
After braving over an hour and a half in Barbara Streisand/Hollywood Bowl traffic (there went dinner plans), we made it and it was definitely worth the wait. Like anything by Cirque du Soleil, IRIS is a full feast of the senses and even though this was my second time seeing it, I saw 100s of new things I missed the first time. That’s just one of the things I love about their shows. The totally ripped guys in shirtless gladiator costumes would be one of the other things.
Aubrey, Eric and I backstage with a cast member after the show
I know a lot of people think Cirque shows are only for adults and teens, and while some of their shows are, IRIS is one that you can bring your family to. I probably wouldn’t suggest it for children under 5 because of the attention span required to sit quietly for the duration of a show, but I think most children would love it. Aubrey was awestruck throughout the entire show and on the way home told me she wanted to see it again “tomorrow night”! If a Cirque show looks like magic to most adults, imagine the wonder through the eyes of a child. I loved how she gripped my hand during some of the more daring acrobatic feats and how she would let out little gasps during the stunning visuals.
Aubrey strikes a Cirque pose!
The only down side is that now I have to listen to weeks of begging for “circus lessons” but I can think of worse things for a 5 yr old to beg for… like that “Pop The Pig” game or a baby brother.
It you’d like to take your family to check out IRIS here in Hollywood, visit their official website. The show is in residence at the Dolby Theater in the Hollywood & Highland complex and tell the gladiators, Amy & Aubrey sent ya.
13
Oct, 2012
Knott's Camp Spooky & Mickey's Halloween Party
Well, it’s that time of the year. Someone just said to me the other day, “I can’t believe the holiday season has already begun!” and I almost slapped them in the mouth. Let’s just get something straight, Halloween does NOT count as part of the “Holiday Season”. Am I right? Costumes and candy is all about fun and no stress, no relatives, no travelling. FUN!
I wasn’t sure if I should write about Knott’s and Disney in the same blog post, but you know what? They are really close to each other and I know a lot of locals go to both. Some from the city even get a hotel room and do both parks on consecutive days. We did both and we had a blast at both, so let me tell you about the Halloween haps at the Happiest Place On Earth and the, um, Knottiest Place On Earth (?).
Both are having special Halloween celebrations throughout the month of October, ending on Halloween night and both have events that are appropriate for young children. Disney’s is at night and Knott’s is during the day. Do NOT take your little ones to Knott’s at night, unless you want to make the Guinness Book for youngest heart attack ever. Starting at 7pm, Knott’s Berry Farm transforms into Knott’s Scary Farm’s 40th Haunt and it is SCARY. Like crazy scary. HOWEVER…
My Really Rosie (Google it people) with Snoopy At Knott’s Berry Farm
During the day, on the weekends, there is a lot of really fun stuff for families and young children including a “Spooky Ookie Scavenger Hunt,” “Peanuts Spooktacular Show,” “Creepy Crawler Critter Cave,” “Snoopy’s Costume Party & Parade” and more! There is no additional cost for these activities and you can find the information on the Knott’s website.
Ready for trick-or-treating, panning for gold & riding the big rigs!
In Anaheim, join up with Mickey and his friends at night for Disneyland’s Mickey’s Halloween Party. This is a separately ticketed, evening/night event for $69 and, according to Disney’s website, all of the night’s are currently sold out except Mon, October 29 & Halloween night, Wed, October 31. So hurry! Get a ticket now if you want to go!
Snow White In Halloween Ears
Ticket holders are treated to a special, family-friendly night in the Disneyland park with trick-or-treating, dance parties, a Halloween Screams Fireworks Spectacular, Mickey’s Costume Cavalcade parade AND, most importantly, free parking. They even have guidelines for appropriate, non-violent costumes to keep it the night fun. Of course there’s even more fun, plus all the regular Disney magic and rides and you can read all about it on the Disney website!
Mickey’s Halloween Party With Our Friends
Aubrey and I had a blast at both of these events and we feel so lucky to live here in L.A. So much to do and so much fun to be had! Have a SAFE and FUN Halloween!
*I was not compensated for this post, but I did receive admission to both theme parks to facilitate this post. The opinions expressed here are mine and my kid’s only and I’d just like to state for the record, that neither of us likes bloody clowns or zombies. We’re sticking with Snoopy and Mickey.
24
Sep, 2012
2012 Emmy: Modern Family FTW!!
A quick update!!! Aubrey will be interviewed by Nick Watt tonight on Diane Sawyer World News on ABC!! 6:30pm PST
What a great night! I couldn’t be prouder of my little Aubrey and Modern Family had a great sweep of the Emmys! Congratulations to Steve Levitan, Julie Bowen, Eric Stonestreet and the entire cast, crew and staff who make this hilarious show happen every week.
If you didn’t see the Emmy broadcast, there was a really funny video skit that the cast did and it centered around Aubrey being an on-set mini-tyrant! Hilarious, and of course a joke, but Aubrey loved getting to play a naughty kid! Here it is:
You can also go to TheClicker.com and vote for their sketch, although it’s pretty much a land slide already.
I’ll be writing some more thoughts about the Emmy weekend very soon. We are still in the whirlwind now and heading out the door to get to another interview.
Thanks for following our journey and for all the wonderful well-wishes and congrats for Aubrey! She is having a blast!
