2017 is here and Pretend City Children’s Museum is celebrating! Kick off the New Year with some fun activities during the month of January. 
Celebrate Art Resolution Month this month! Each week in their newly renovated art studio, a new form of art will be highlighted. Children can come experience new materials and new types of art in the PROCESS-based studio! 
Here are some other fun events you’ll find at Pretend City in January:
- Cuddle Up Day | January 6
- Bubble Bath Day | January 8
- Letter Writing Week | January 8 – January 14
- Baby Steps through Pretend City | January 9
- National Hat Day | January 15
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day | January 16
- National Popcorn Day | January 19
- National Hugging Day | January 21
- National Opposite Day | January 25
- Lunar New Year Celebration – Year of the Rooster | January 28
- National Puzzle Day | January 29
- Family Autism Event | January 30
For more information about the events at Pretend City Children’s Museum, go here.
This heartwarming, holiday movie is based on American Girl’s previously launched BeForever character Maryellen Larkin. The special is set during Christmas in 1955 in Daytona Beach, Florida, where middle child Maryellen longs to stand out amidst the hustle and bustle of her big, busy family. A boisterous and artistic girl, Maryellen’s adventurous spirit is sometimes at odds with the era she’s living in: when conformity was valued above individuality. When Benji, a family friend afflicted with polio comes to stay with them and visit Daytona Beach’s hospital for care, Maryellen is inspired to help the polio patients have the best Christmas ever. With guidance and advice from Maryellen’s wise and sympathetic mother, Maryellen learns the key to helping others is through listening. 
The story centers around 10-year-old Melody, who is coming of age in Detroit in 1963. In the film, Melody’s eyes are opened to the racial inequality surrounding her, including the 1963 Birmingham Church Bombing. As a result, her belief in the “indivisible” promise of our country’s Pledge of Allegiance comes into question as she challenges her teacher on the validity of this given the horrific tragedy. After an emotional journey of self-reflection, her mother gives her the courage she needs by instilling in her that love brings out the best in everyone; reminding Melody that it’s important to “stand up for what’s right, even when it’s hard or scary.”
Open select dates through January 8, 2017 CHILL is Southern California’s coolest holiday adventure complete with ice-skating, ice tubing, swingin’ sleigh rides, visits with Santa, gingerbread decorating and the all-new interactive attraction, Alice in Winterland.
The Fall weather in Southern California never lets us down, so I put on my best Fall concert outfit (a.k.a. jeans and a tank top), my husband put on his cowboy boots, and we were off!
When we arrived at Stub Hub Center in Carson, California, we were ready for some good old-fashioned country music fun. This private concert was one of Brad Paisley’s stops while he was out on his “Country Nation College Tour“. Frontier Communications sponsored the concerts on bringing the experience to fans across the country, as a way to show appreciation to its customers.
Before the concert started, we spent time in the Fan Appreciation Zone. In addition to a relaxing outdoor lounge area for us to relax in there were also several different stations for us to play at including a Plinko game, a bean bag toss game, “Design Your Own Trucker Hat”, and a fun Fan Appreciation Photo Booth, where photos were instantly emailed to you for social sharing. It so fun to hang with our group over there.
I loved the venue because it was held in an intimate location in the Tennis Theater, which is an open-air amphitheater. The warm Southern California weather didn’t even leave us wishing for a jacket that night.
I’d never seen Brad Paisley in concert and let me just say that he was amazing! It’s so fun to sing along with him and the venue was so small that you could practically see his face. Actually, you could see it on the big screens surrounding the stage! I also loved all of the videos playing as he performed on the surrounding big screens. The Brad Paisley South Park footage was priceless! He even looks adorable when he’s animated! 
Have you seen Brad Paisley in concert before? If not, he’s a must see! For more information about Brad Paisley’s latest tour dates, go 
Get Insider Access by following Frontier SoCal on 
When I received a very special opportunity to attend an advanced screening and a press junket with some of the cast of Trolls, I walked around asking my friends to pinch me! I think my family was equally excited to see it early! Can you tell we’re big movie fans in our home?
The Story of Trolls 
Here’s a synopsis:
Once I screened Trolls, I found that I’d completely fallen in love with it! By the time I walked out of the theater, I felt so happy, colorful, invincible, empowered, and positive. Part of my empowerment may have come from the adorable Trolls wigs they gave us! 
1. It features an all-star cast.
And did I already mention that I got to meet Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick?
3) The music
4) Princess Poppy
I don’t believe in posting spoilers or any sort of details that will ruin it for someone who has yet to see a film, so don’t worry, nothing I’ve written will spoil any of it for you! I can honestly say that Trolls is appropriate for all ages and will definitely keep anyone from young child to senior citizen engaged and interested! DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls is in theaters November 4th! Please come back and tell me how much you loved it, ok?
The Amazon Studios special is set to premiere on Friday, October 21 on Prime Video in the US and UK and is the first of four original American Girl specials that will be made for Prime Video.
“Melody Ellison” is one of American Girl’s newest historical dolls and she’s beautiful. Each of the American Girl historical dolls has her own “story”. Melody’s story is an extremely important one and is based in Detroit, in 1963, during the civil rights movement.
The Amazon Original Special is based on American Girl’s Melody character and inspirational story. 10-year-old Melody’s eyes are opened to the racial inequality surrounding her, including the tragic 1963 Birmingham Church Bombing. As a result, her belief in the “indivisible” promise of our country’s Pledge of Allegiance comes into question, as she challenges her teacher on the validity of this given the horrific tragedy. After an emotional journey of self-reflection, her mother gives her the courage she needs by instilling in her that love brings out the best in everyone, reminding Melody that it’s important to “stand up for what’s right, even when it’s hard or scary.” 
You’ll instantly fall in love with Marsai Martin (Black-ish) as the title character Melody. Idara Victor (TURN: Washington’s Spies) who stars as Melody’s mother, Frances Ellison and Frankie Faison (The Wire) who stars as Melody’s grandfather, Frank Ellison. Together, these 3 have such a special family that you just want to be a part of it. Frances Fisher (Titanic) also stars as Miss Abbot, Melody’s teacher. The feature is Executive Produced by Alison McDonald and Common. 
My Own Thoughts
The Amazon special addresses a big issue that was presented as being in the 1960’s but sadly, there is so much of these kinds of things that still happen in today’s world. It was an eye opener for me and as I sat there with my 7 year old niece. I did have to explain some of the scenes to her but I believe it was an important her to see how so many other children lived (and live) this way as their reality. 
This story presents themes that are very timely and relevant for the world we live in today and in my opinion, it is a way to start a healthy dialogue in families about the topic of racism, both historically and present day.
Melody’s character was one that was filled with so much grace. She endured so much ugliness in her little world and because of her momma, she continued to have hope and respond with kindness and kept love in her heart.
I won’t post a complete spoiler of the film but I will say that it’s a must-watch for everyone. It’s a topic that may be uncomfortable to watch but that’s all the more reason to watch and maybe even learn something. Also, it is an American Girl story, so rest assured that it will have a happy ending…but the story will always remain in my heart. Melody Ellison is one special little girl and I’m happy we will always have her doll, her books, and her movie in our home. 
Where to Shop for Melody
Don’t Forget to Watch
A very special thank you to American Girl and Amazon Video for hosting us at this very special event and also for the beautiful Melody Ellison doll. It was a night to remember! 
Now through January 16, when you visit the Discovery Cube, these four heroic ninjas-in-training will show you how to leap to the rescue and learn teamwork, collaboration, and problem-solving as you work your way through puzzles, mazes and obstacles. Guests can explore the turtles’ sewer-like lair, where good guys win and bad guys lose!
Since 1984, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have rocked it with their talent and teamwork, inspiring and teaching generations of fans that being part of team lets us discover and exercise our own hidden strengths and those of our teammates. Together we can achieve more than we can on our own. 
Now you can join the pizza-eating, crime-fighting “Heroes in a Half Shell” to hone your own ninja skills and problem solving intellect while learning the secrets of the sewer!
The exhibit includes:
The Common Room
Donatello’s Workshop and Lab
New York City Streets
For more information about the Discovery Cube Orange County, go 
This all-new take on the SMURFS features an all-star voice cast which includes Demi Lovato (Smurfette), Rainn Wilson (Gargamel), Joe Manganiello (Hefty), Danny Pudi (Brainy) and Jack McBraye (Clumsy), and Mandy Patinkin (Papa Smurf).