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Spend a Magical Morning Participating in the 2015 CHOC “Walk in the Park” at The Disneyland Resort!

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It was such an honor to be part of the 24th Annual CHOC “Walk in the Park” at The Disneyland Resort last year that we’re participating in it again this year!

doing-it-againIn 2014, 16,000 walkers who came out to walk for the children and, as a result, over 2 million dollars was raised. The monies go straight towards helping fund care, family services, education, and research that CHOC provides for so many. As a teacher who is local to the CHOC area, I have know many families who have received services there, regardless of their family’s ability to pay. It’s a pretty amazing place!

a-little-bit-about-CHOC-Walk-in-the-ParkCHOC “Walk in the Park”, presented by the Disneyland Resort, is the largest, most unique single pediatric walk event in the nation. This year’s event will be held the morning of Sunday, October 11 and is expected to draw an estimated 15,000 participants from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia and Japan. (I think it’s going to exceed last year’s number.) More exciting news is that the CHOC Walk is celebrating its 25th silver anniversary this year simultaneously with the Disneyland Resort’s Diamond Celebration.

how-can-you-helpThere are a few different ways that YOU can help! First of all, you can participate in the CHOC Walk, yourself. Grab your friends, grab your family, even grab some of your Instagram followers, and join in! There aren’t many things that can drag an adult out of bed this early on a weekend. You’ll be beyond touched when you are surrounded by the crowd. I shed quite a few tears during the event.

youll-be-touchedYou’ll see so many families walking together as a way to say “thank you” to the doctors and nurses at CHOC, as well as honor their loved ones who have been patients there. It’s an experience I highly recommend, especially something to include your own child(ren) in.

theres-something-magicalAlso, getting to walk inside of Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure before opening hours is something you can’t even pay to do! It’s a magical experience. Trust me when I say that The Disneyland Resort will have lots of surprises awaiting the CHOC Walkers because they just don’t disappoint. To register as individual or find a team to walk with for CHOC Walk, click here.

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new-for-2015Each year, the CHOC Walk features a special ambassador. This year’s CHOC Walk ambassador is Mac Christman. Read more about Mac’s story here. As part of this year’s event, CHOC Children’s is hosting its first CHOC Walk Ambassador’s Luau on Saturday, October 10, 2015, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., in the Grand Ballroom of the Disneyland Hotel.

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The CHOC Walk Ambassador’s Luau promises to be a fun-filled afternoon for the whole family that will take place the day before the CHOC “Walk in the Park,” presented by the Disneyland Resort. For more information about this special event and to purchase tickets, click here.

walk-as-a-sleeping-bearAnother way for people to support the event is to register for the Walk as a “Sleeping Bear.” This special designation allows CHOC supporters who cannot make it on Walk day to still raise money and support CHOC Children’s.

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“Sleeping Bears” receive a CHOC Walk T-shirt and are eligible to earn prizes from their fundraising efforts. For more information about how to register as a “Sleeping Bear”, click here.

were-participatingThere are so many ways you can show support for CHOC Walk! We’re participating again this year to show our own support. Won’t you join us?

Learn more about this year’s event, register, or donate, click here.  Connect with CHOC Walk in the Park on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own. Logo images property of CHOC and Disneyland Resort. 

 

My Adventures at CosmetiCare Medspa Continue! This Time I’m Talking About Voluma!

Disclosure: I am part of CosmetiCare’s Mom Ambassador Program. I received medspa services in order to write my review. All opinions are 100% my own. 

in-an-ideal-worldI recently wrote about my first visit to CosmetiCare’s medspa for some Botox. It was the first in a series of anti-aging treatments I get to try out as part of their Mom Ambassador program.  I loved what the Botox ended up doing for my face. I feel like the wrinkles that bothered me immensely are pretty much gone, at least for now. I am amazed at all of the non-invasive and non-surgical options that are available to help fight against the aging process.

so-many-optionsThis time, I’m here to share about my experience with one of the injectable fillers they offer in the medspa at CosmetiCare, JUVÉDERM VOLUMA™ XC is my new favorite. Of course, I may actually say that about everything I’m trying at CosmetiCare because, so far, I’ve loved the Botox AND now this. It’s so convenient to have the option of getting an “instant makeover” on my lunchtime if I choose to do so.  Nowadays, patients are able to get a lot of the same results that surgery used to accomplish. with virtually no down time and minimal pain.

help-my-faceMy technician and I had a little chat before doing anything. Do you know what happens to your face as you get older? It’s just not good news. I basically learned that as we get older, we lose a lot of the volume in our faces, like in our cheeks, and it can cause our face to sometimes appear gaunt.  I swear there have actually been times when I’ve looked in the mirror and felt like my face was falling. Well, my consultant confirmed that it actually is falling as I age!

Juvederm-boxI’m not willing to stand by and let that happen though! She suggested a little bit of “plumping” using fillers and I said “YES!” to that! CosmetiCare offers JUVÉDERM VOLUMA™ XC. This product is an injectable gel that instantly adds volume to the cheek area. It gives you a subtle lift and helps to restore contour and a more youthful profile to your face, for up to 2 years!

white-lines-on-my-faceThe technician literally drew white lines on my face where she was going to fill it in. It was really fun to see the transition in my face because she showed me one cheek when it already had filler in it. If you’re wondering if it hurts, it really doesn’t. It’s a lot of little pokes and you need to sit still, but trust me, I’m a pretty big “baby” and if I can do it, anyone can. I think the technicians at CosmetiCare are also just really good with their hands. Because they’ve received extensive training, they know how to do the injections quickly and efficiently with minimal bruising.

after-botox-and-volumaSo, I’d say that I’m extremely happy with my results so far. I took this selfie after I’d had both treatments and you can see that both the Botox and the Voluma have done their “jobs”.

What do you think about my results so far? Do you have any questions for me about my medspa treatments? Ask away!

Spread the Love With SNICKERS® Teacher Emergency Kits! (With Free Printable) #EatASnickers

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser.  All opinions are mine alone. #EatASnickers #CollectiveBias

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I absolutely LOVE teaching first grade! My students are so adorable and at that age, they’re like little sponges that soak up just about everything you teach them. Many times, their questions are super random and adorable, too!

i-heart-first-gradeIt takes A LOT of energy and enthusiasm to keep up with my first graders though, especially in the afternoon. I’m pretty powered up in the morning from my coffee, but in the afternoon, I sometimes wish I had a pick me up to get me through to the end of the day. We have a very long stretch from lunch to dismissal and I sometimes feel like I start to “lose my enthuse” when I start to get hungry!

SNICKERS-personality-barsHave you seen these adorable SNICKERS® bars at Walmart yet? They’re in the check out aisle and each one has a different “personality” on the wrapper.

SNICKERS-personality-bars-checkout-aisleSome of the labels are pretty funny. I couldn’t decide which one described me best when I get hungry so I bought them all! I’m pretty sure I’m a “Drama Mama” at all times though, not just when I”m hangry! I took them to my classrom to stock up my desk so when it’s hungry o’ clock, I can sneak bites when my students aren’t looking! Shhh, just don’t tell them. Every SNICKERS® is packed with roasted peanuts, nougat, caramel and milk chocolate and they hit the spot every time.

SNICKERS-Drama-MamaI also decided to spread the love to the other teachers on my grade level because there’s no way I’m the only one experiencing those mid-afternoon pangs of hunger and bouts of energy loss. I put together some “Teacher Emergency Jars” to bring to work and surprise them with.

SNICKERS-teacher-survival-kitHere’s what you’ll need to make your own “Teacher Emergency Jars“:

  • SNICKERS® bars (about 5-7 regular size bars fit in each Mason Jar)
  • 1 Mason jar for each kit you plan to make. I found a super cute one with a brightly colored lid.
  • Decorative ribbon, burlap, or even tulle of your choice. I went with some blue tulle for mine.
  • tape or washi tape
  • “Teacher Emergency Jar” printable (Download yours for FREE by clicking on the image below.) You could also use a handwritten label.teacher-emergency-jar-printable-trio (1)

These are very simple to put together. Here’s how to assemble yours:

  1. Remove the lid from Mason Jar and fill with the SNICKERS® bars.
  2. Print out my printable I printed mine out on cardstock because it’s a little sturdier. You can also make your own, or even hand write something to stick on the jar. Use either tape on the back of it or a couple pieces of washi tape to stick it on the front of the Mason Jar. Don’t worry about the washi tape not looking perfect. It’s supposed to look sporadically placed.
  3. Replace the lid and close up the jar.
  4. Tie some ribbon or tulle around the top of the jar.
  5. Give to those special teachers in your life.

assembling-teacher-emergency-jarI guarantee that any teacher who receives one of these will be appreciate of your thoughtfulness, especially because it includes SNICKERS®!

So who are YOU when you’re hungry? Take the super fun SNICKERS® quiz below to see who you are when you’re hungry. (I took it and got “Drama Mama”! No surprise, right? )

[playbuzz-item url=”https://www.playbuzz.com/joemurphy10/a-who-are-you-when-youre-hungry” info=”true” shares=”false” comments=”false” recommend=”false”]

 

NOW Is The Perfect Time to Grab Your 2016 Knott’s Season Pass!

The opinions in this article are my own. I do not work for, or with, any brand mentioned in this article, nor do I have any official relationship with them.  I have a relationship with GigaSavvy, for whom I create original editorial content.

Now-is-the-perfect-timeI’m LOVING the arrival of Fall, even though it’s still boiling hot in SoCal! However, the “official” arrival of Fall means that all of the big holidays are just around the corner! Can you tell the holidays are my favorite time of year?

our-family-loves-knottsFor anyone who’s a lover of Knott’s Berry Farm (like me), the end of the year is the BEST time to grab Knott’s Season Passes for the upcoming year. Yep, you can buy Knott’s 2016 Season Passes right now at their lowest prices of the year!

with-snoopyYou can pay them off with Season Pass Easy Pay Payments. Yes! Knott’s will let you make payments. That makes it even more affordable.

2016-knotts-berry-farm-season-pass-regularBuy your 2016 Season Pass now and enjoy unlimited visits in 2016 with no blackout dates plus discounts on food and merchandise! Regular Season Passholders also receive a discount on tickets to Knott’s Scary Farm!

knotts-scary-farm-ticketsKnott’s is also offering a 2016 Gold Season Pass. You also have the option to make payments with Season Pass Easy Pay Payments.

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With the Knott’s Gold Season Pass you get 2 parks in 1. If you opt to purchase a 2016 Gold Season Pass you’ll enjoy 2 Parks,  including all the thrilling rides at Knott’s Berry Farm and cool slides at Knott’s Soak City Waterpark. It pays for itself in less than 2 visits! Gold Season Passholders also receive a discount on Knott’s Scary Farm tickets.

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So here’s another option. It’s one of my FAVORITE options to add onto Knott’s Season Passes, especially for families! I’m talking about the Knott’s Regular Season Pass WITH the Dining Plan! It can be expensive to spend a day out with your family and have to feed them meals. This is such an affordable option and allows you to save so much money on food for your family, when you’re at Knott’s. You also the option to make payments with Season Pass Easy Pay Payments.

kbf_2015regularpass-dining_storeWith a Season Pass Plus All-Season Dining, you get all the exclusive benefits of being a Season Passholder, plus one lunch and one dinner at participating locations throughout the park every day you visit Knott’s Berry Farm in 2016. Beverages are not included.

knotts-hatsNot only do Knott’s Season Passes make a great gift for friends and family, they are an incredible deal for any family, large or small! They’re affordable and allow you to create new memories together, throughout the year!

For more information and pricing for Knott’s Season Passes, click here.  Connect with Knott’s on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.

I’m Loving the Non-Surgical Options at CosmetiCare Medspa! First Up: Botox!

Disclosure: I am part of CosmetiCare’s Mom Ambassador Program. I received medspa services in order to write my review. All opinions are 100% my own. youre-only-as-old-as-you-feelWhen you look in the mirror, do you like what you see?  We’re all going to age eventually and basically have 2 options: embrace it and just age gracefully or be pro-active about the whole thing. In my opinion, both of these are perfectly fine options and it’s a personal choice that every individual has to make. Personally, I’m going to do whatever I can to fight this aging process. I’m going down with a fight!

do-you-like-what-you-seeThank goodness for CosmetiCare, Orange County’s leading cosmetic surgery center and medspa! They help thousands of clients each year to love the way they look. With a motto like “Love The Way You Look“, I know they totally “get” me! 

love-the-way-you-lookCosmetiCare is located in beautiful Newport Beach, California. (Yes, it’s where some of The Real Housewives of Orange County had procedures done.) They offer a variety of both surgical and non-surgical procedures. As part of their CosmetiCare Mom Ambassador Program, I’m excited to try out some of the anti-aging treatments available in the medspa and share my thoughts and results with you, my readers! Some of my girlfriends are also participating in this program and we’ll all be sharing about their experiences on CosmetiCare’s site, right here.

Cosmeticare-medspaThe CosmetiCare medspa is an amazing place. Nowadays, it’s more common for women (and men) to be seek out non-invasive, non-surgical options, as opposed to cosmetic surgery, to keep them looking their best. On my first visit, I received a private, one on one consultation. All of the consultants at CosmetiCare are highly trained professionals that listen to the clients and figure out a custom treatment plan, according to what the client is hoping to achieve.

forehead-beforeI shared with my consultant that the wrinkles in my forehead area and between my eyes really bothered me. I also told her how much I disliked my crow’s feet. I shared how frustrating it was for me to take any pictures outside without my sunglasses on,  because I’d always photograph so wrinkly or look like I was frowning. She suggested I try some Botox. I was totally onboard for trying Botox. I’d heard friends talk about getting it done before and now it was my turn. 

crows-feet-beforeOk so let’s talk about Botox. I never realized how much of a difference Botox can actually make on your face. I thought my crows feet were a lost cause. I look back and think about all of that high school tanning and cringe now!

botoxIt’s a good idea before getting any injections, like Botox, to avoid alcohol and Ibuprofin during the days prior. This helps minimize bleeding and bruising. Your technician will most likely provide you with an ice pack to numb the area she’s going to inject, a little bit. The injections don’t “hurt”, they’re just a series of tiny pokes in each area. They feel weird but there’s honestly nothing to be afraid of. I brought a water bottle to squeeze while getting the injections.

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I received Botox in my forehead, in between my brows, on the outside area of my eyes, to target my crow’s feet, and even some above each eyebrow, to help lift the area some.  The procedure was over pretty quickly too. After you get Botox, you can usually see the results within 5-7 days afterwards. I can tell a huge difference in my face now and am so pleased with my results. If you look at the picture I posted above, it was taken outside, in the daylight and is unedited and has no filters on it. The area between my brows and my forehead used to wrinkle up if I was outside without sunglasses. The Botox has worked a miracle in that area. I was told that it should last about 6-9 months.

cosmeticare-succulentIf you’ve ever been curious about Botox or any other injectables, I would recommend you just make an appointment with one of the medspa consultants at CosmetiCare and go have all of your questions answered. Most likely, you’ll want to schedule and do it right away after you meet with them because that’s how it happened for me! They say you’re only as old as you feel! Thanks to CosmetiCare, I don’t feel as old anymore!

Connect with CosmetiCare on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

 

 

 

LEGOLAND® California Resort Spins Out A New Ninjago™ Land Featuring Ninjago™- The Ride, Opening 2016!!! It’s Going to Be the Year of the Ninja!

On  Thursday, September 17, the media anxiously awaited in the theater atLEGOLAND® California Resort  for some exciting announcements revealing the latest details about the addition of a new NINJAGO™ land coming in 2016 and introducing, NINJAGO™- The Ride.

Ninjago-at-LEGOLANDTaiko drummers, ninja warriors and a Spinjitzu Master filled the theater with energy and got the crowd  as LEGOLAND® California Resort announced  After sharing the successes of 2015, General Manager Peter Ronchetti offered details of the exciting new land and unmasked the new ride which features technology guests have never experienced at any other theme park in the world.

Legoland-Ninjago-landGuests will enter the new NINJAGO land through a giant archway behind Imagination Zone leading them into a courtyard where they begin their ninja training. The new land features LEGO® building stations, a game to test reflexes, spinners to test balance, Asian cuisine and a new shopping venue. Interactive experiences will test guests’ physical skills, balance and agility before they can prep for their ultimate training session: NINJAGO – The Ride.

ninjagoNINJAGO – The Ride is manufactured by Triotech, world leader in media based interactive attractions, and features cutting-edge technology that enables guests to control the outcome of their adventure through the power of their hand gestures. Through 3D imagery, high-tech sensors and the use of hand movements in a striking motion, up to four riders per car, representing the four main NINJAGO characters, can blast animated fireballs, lightning, shockwaves and ice as they travel through dojos to master their skills before heading into battle. Riders collect points for their training and battle efforts throughout the ride and scores are displayed when their quest is completed. 4D effects such as heat, smoke and wind are also incorporated throughout the adventure, giving guests the ultimate interactive experience.

LEGOLAND-California-Resort-General-Manager-Peter-Ronchetti“I am proud and thrilled to say that this is our eleventh straight year of continuous attendance growth and we attribute much of this to our winning formula of providing our guests a family environment filled with fun, interactive experiences that create lasting memories. NINJAGO –The Ride will be the ultimate experience providing interactive fun for all,” said Ronchetti.

Based on the popular property LEGO® NINJAGO™, which is brought to life by The LEGO Group® through a line of construction toys and a TV series on Cartoon Network, guests will enjoy interactive elements and this new ride featuring key characters. For the first time, immersed into the NINJAGO universe, guests can train like a Spinjitzu Master, learn to harness the power of the four elements and use teamwork to battle the Great Devourer.

ninjago-collageLEGO NINJAGO tells the story of four young ninja heroes – Kai, Jay, Cole and Zane – who train under the watchful eye of Master Wu to master an ancient martial art – Spinjitzu. LEGO NINJAGO is one of the most successful LEGO properties. This year, brand new episodes of the popular series, NINJAGO: Masters of Spinjitzu, aired on Cartoon Network and 22 new building sets loaded with features and functions were released.

sensaiNINJAGO – The Ride is being unveiled at both LEGOLAND® California Resort and LEGOLAND® Billund Resort in 2016. The new NINJAGO area will be included in the cost of admission to LEGOLAND California Resort. To find more information and tickets prices, click here.

Legoland-California-entranceConnect with LEGOLAND California Resort on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own. Images property of LEGOLAND California Resort and LEGO®.

{Giveaway} Hispanic Heritage Month and Don Roberto Jewelers! #HispanicHeritageMonth

The opinions in this article are my own. I do not work for, or with, any brand mentioned in this article, nor do I have any official relationship with them.  I have a relationship with Gigasavvy, for whom I create original editorial content.

Hispanic-Heritage-Month-and-Don-Roberto-Jewelers-FolkloricoDid you know that there are over 50 million Hispanic Americans living in the “melting pot” we know as the United States? Each year, Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 through October 15. as a way to recognize and highlight the contributions Hispanic Americans have made here in the U.S.. Celebratory traditions for Hispanic Heritage Month vary from city to city and state to state but you are sure to find many cultural festivals, parades, and gatherings, all honoring tradition.

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Hispanic Heritage Month is the perfect time to stop by your local Don Roberto Jewelers to shop for gifts. With such an extensive collection of trendy Hispanic Heritage Jewelry, you will definitely find something for everyone on your list. Their collection includes several beautiful pieces of jewelery. Although there are several fun things that I’d love to for myself, I can never resist cute gifts for children, so I’m going to share a few of my favorites from Don Roberto Jewelers with you.

Hispanic-Heritage-Month-Don-Roberto-Jewelers-Open-Heart-Diamond-EarringsI can’t resist a baby girl with her ears pierced! These delicate 14k white gold open heart earrings contain a diamond at their center, and feature matching 14k gold bell backs that screw on and are engineered for safety, ease of use, and loss prevention. The bell design is easy to grip, protects your child from the post, and prevents her from easily pulling them off. Don Roberto also offers ear piercing. For more details about ear piecing, click here.

Hispanic-Heritage-Month-Don-Roberto-Jewelers-Baby-BraceletThis stunning multi-link ID bracelet is unique with its engraved flower and single diamond center. The pin clasp will secure your baby’s bracelet while keeping her stylish. This bracelet is 5 inches in length and is intended for babies and toddlers with a maximum of a 5 inch circumference wrist.

If you’re looking for a sentimental gift for the birthday girl to wear on her special day, this ring is perfect!

Hispanic-Heritage-Month-Don-Roberto-Jewelers-RingModeled into a pretty scalloped heart and featuring the number 15 in the middle, this quinceañera ring is cast in 10k white gold and is perfect for accessorizing and commemorating her special day.

Hispanic-Heritage-Month-Don-Roberto-Jewelers-Heart-PendantThis gorgeous diamond-encrusted 10k yellow gold “15” heart pendant is a beautiful gift also for a birthday girl on her quinceañera.

Hispanic-Heritage-Month-Don-Roberto-Jewelers-RosaryThis rosary is a handcrafted heirloom design created to last for generations. Each bead is hand wired for strength and beauty. The medals dating between the 15th and 19th century are solid bronze hand cast designs, which in time age beautifully. Each rosary contains over 150 parts creating an unforgettable old world charm. the beads are genuine high quality silver fresh water pearls with aqua crystal accents. The centerpiece medal is a replica from the 1800’s (latin america) depicting Our Lady of Guadalupe (front) and the nativity scene with child Jesus (back). The crucifix depicts a rose at each end of the cross, which represents the divine love for our Blessed Mother Mary. Above the crucifix is a medal detailing the Holy Eucharist and the chalice. Attached to the rosary are medals detailing the prayerful hands of Our Lady of Guadalupe and small roses.

my-local-locationDuring Hispanic Heritage Month, I invite you to visit your local Don Roberto Jewelers to see all of these pieces and more, in person! My favorite location is in Orange but you can find a list of locations here.

discount-for-readersDon Roberto has provided me with an exclusive discount code good for 25% off your first online purchase. You can view their collection online by clicking here. This exclusive discount code was created especially for my Over the Top Mommy readers. Just enter the code “BP25FP” at checkout. This discount is only valid online.

Hispanic Heritage Month FB1 (2)Don Roberto Jewelers is currently hosting a giveaway during Hispanic Heritage Month on their Facebook page.  They want to recognize Latinos that have made a difference in the U.S. It’s really easy to enter and you could win a $50 gift certificate. For more details and to enter, click here.

enter-to-winDon Roberto Jewelers has also provided me with one $50 gift card to give away to one of my lucky readers! To enter my giveaway, all you need to do is comment on this blog post, telling me which item you like the best from this post or from their site! I will choose a winner on October 1st, so that means you need to enter by 11:59 p.m. on September 30! Good luck to everyone!

Connect with Don Roberto Jewelers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Giveaway ends Sept 30, 2015 at 11:59 PM PST. Open to US Residents 18 and older only. Prizes cannot be shipped to PO Boxes. Winner will be selected at random and be notified by email. Winners have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is selected. Not liable for unclaimed prizes or fulfillment. Blog has represented each sponsor with the expectation they will fulfill their prize and in a timely manner. No purchase necessary to enter or win; however you must enter for a chance to win. Purchase does not increase chance of winning. Chances of winning depend on number of entries. My opinions are my own and were not influenced by any form of compensation. Facebook, Twitter or any other social media platform are in no way associated with this giveaway. By providing your information in this form, you are providing your information to this blog. I do not share or sell information and will use any information only for the purpose of contacting the winner. 

The 10th Annual Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch Opens Sept. 19th!

Disclosure: I was invited to attend a special media day at Irvine Park Railroad’s Pumpkin Patch. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own. 

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Fall is upon us and that means it’s time for the Irvine Park Railroad’s Pumpkin Patch to open again! Located inside of Irvine Regional Park in the foothills of Orange, California, the Irvine Park Railroad’s Pumpkin Patch will open for the season beginning on September 19th at 10:00 a.m. Families are invited to visit the Pumpkin Patch through October 31st.

Irvine-Park-Railroad-Pumpkin-Patch-train-2015The Pumpkin Patch is located in Locomotive Loop and Miner’s Meadow just behind the train station, where thousands of pumpkins, in all shapes and sizes, will fill the meadow. You’ll be sure to find the perfect pumpkin!

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Irvine-Park-Railroad-Pumpkin-Patch-activities-2015

  • train rides
  • hay rides
  • panning for gold
  • a child-friendly haunted house
  • a hay maze
  • a moon bounce
  • pumpkin ring toss
  • carnival games
  • cookie decorating
  • John Deere tractor racers
  • face painting
  • picture stands

Irvine-Park-Railroad-Pumpkin-Patch-face-painting-2015The Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch is open daily from September 19th through October 31st. Hours  of operation are as follows:
Weekdays 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Weekends 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Irvine-Park-Railroad-Pumpkin-Patch-Hours-2015Admission into the Pumpkin Patch is free and prices for the activities vary. For additional information and pricing, click here. Irvine Park Railroad welcomes schools and groups. Please call (714) 997-3968 for school and group information.

Irvine-Park-Railroad-Pumpkin-Patch-cotton-candy-2015Don’t forget to visit Irvine Regional Park’s other activities while you’re there including the Wheel Fun Rentals® at Irvine Park, paddle boat rentals, the Orange County Zoo, and pony rides.

Irvine-Park-Railroad-Pumpkin-Patch-giveaway-2015

Irvine Park Railroad has generously given me a package of tickets to give away to one of my lucky readers. The package includes:

  • 4 Tickets (which can be used to ride the train OR participate in Pumpkin Patch activities)
  • 1 Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park bike rental (excludes the double surrey)
  • 1 Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park paddle boat rental

Enter in the Rafflecopter below. Good luck everyone and Happy Fall!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Visit Irvine Park Railroad on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Knott’s Scary Farm Will Make Your WORST Nightmare Come True! #ScaryFarm

knotts-scary-farmI’ts almost time for Knott’s Scary Farm again! If you know me, you know that I have a serious love-hate relationship with all of the scary things at Scary Farm! They terrify me in a big way but I can’t stop myself from wanting to be around them either! Last year’s Haunt was so crazy-fun that I cannot wait to experience it again this year! Knott’s Scary Farm seems to get freakier every year, which is probably why it’s so much addicting! This year’s Scary Farm will run for 24 frightful nights between September 24 and October 31st! Are you ready for all of the details?

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Before I proceed with the the details about the mazes, scare zones, shows, and thrill rides, let’s first talk the Scary Farm Pass! The pass gives you unlimited to all 24 event nights at Knott’s Scary Farm and is such an amazing deal at just $80! Knott’s is also offering a specially discounted price on the Scary Farm Pass to current Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholders.

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kbf_SCARYFARMPASS_PLUSPARKING_storeThis year, you also have the option to add parking to your Scary Farm Pass. If you are a current Knott’s Berry Farm Season Passholder and already have parking and purchase a Scary Farm Pass, you will automatically have parking on your Scary Farm Pass and don’t need to add it! Honestly, the Scary Farm Pass is an amazing deal and pays for itself by your 2nd visit. You should go grab yours now as quantities are limited!

scary-farm-witchSo, let’s get on with the details of what you can expect to find at Knott’s Scary Farm this year! 11 mazes, 1000 monsters, 2 live shows, 12 thrill rides, and 3 scare zones! So many fan favorites are returning this year with an addition of some crazy, new things. I swear Knott’s raises the bar every year for this event!

11-mazes

Here are the 11 terrifying mazes you’ll find at this year’s Scary Farm:

  • Pinocchio Unstrung
  • Black Magic
  • Trick or Treat
  • Forevermore
  • VooDoo: Order of the Serpent
  • The Tooth Fairy
  • Special Opps: Infected-Patient Zero
  • The Gunslinger’s Grave
  • Dead of Winter (new this year)
  • My Bloody Clementine (new this year)
  • Paranormal Inc. (new this year) 

Fright-Lane-Skeleton-KeyOne of the options that Scary Farm guests have is to add Fright Lane with Skeleton Key to their ticket. This offers unlimited priority access to 10 mazes all night long. The Skeleton Key, which is included with all Fright Lane passes, unlocks a secret extra room inside of five mazes. I went into some of the secret rooms last year and whoa! Extra freaky! Guests purchasing Fright Lane with Skeleton Key will receive a commemorative lanyard and collectible keychain with purchase (While supplies last)! Click here to purchase yours.

2-live-showsThis year, both of the shows returning to Knott’s Scary Farm are big fan favorites! I loved seeing both of them at last year’s Haunt.

Elvira-scary-farmYou can always expect a great performance by Elvira: The Mistress of the Dark! She is back with a brand-new show called Asylum, which will include music, dancing, and comedy! Also, fans have the chance to meet Elvira just by stopping by Elvira’s Boo-tique and spending a minimum of $50. (Meet and Greet opportunity is only available to a limited to a number of guests each night)

the-hangingThe second live show is The Hanging®-Straight Outta Calico! This show is a hilarious and controversial parody show performed on the stage in Calico Square! I can’t wait to see what kind of political jokes they’re going to bust out this year! I also cannot wait to see which celebrity they’re going to hang!

3-scare-zones

I love the scare zones! They pretty much cover the entire park so if you’re not in line for a ride, you’re walking through some portion of a scare zone! There are 3 different ones returning this year throughout the park and each have their own theme and set of monsters and other creepers to deal with.

  • CarnEVIL (The Boardwalk)
  • Fiesta De Los Muertos (Fiesta Village)
  • Ghost Town– the largest Scare Zone at Knott’s Scary Farm (Old West Ghost Town®)
  • Also, new for 2015 is The Deadly 7  which is park-wide.

boo-fet-dinnerKnott’s offers a couple different dinner options to “feed the beast”. You can enjoy the Knott’s Scary Farm Boo-fet Dinner with seatings at Chicken Dinner Restaurant or Spurs Chophouse. After dinner, you’ll enjoy early entry into Knott’s Scary Farm before it opens to other mortals. Click here for pricing.

hotel-packages
Knott’s also offers hotel packages at the Knott’s Hotel for Scary Farm fans wanting to turn a night of thrills into a full-service weekend getaway! Packages are based on double occupancy and are subject to availability. Call the Knott’s Hotel at (714) 995-1111 or (866) 752-2444 or click here for reservations and pricing.
 my-bloody-clementine

The dates for Knott’s Scary Farm this year are:

  • September 24, 25, 26
  • October 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, and 31!

Knott’s Scary Farm hours are:

  • 7:00pm – 1:00am Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays
  • 7:00pm – 2:00am Fridays and Saturdays

Knott’s Scary Farm Parking

Parking for Knott’s Scary Farm is $20 per vehicle and can be purchased online (plus applicable fees) or at the parking booth upon arrival. All Season Parking is valid during Knott’s Scary Farm.

Other information about Knott’s Scary Farm

  • Scary Farm is not recommended for children under 13
  • Guests may not wear costumes
  • Re-entry is not permited
  • Buy your tickets early because this event is expected to sell out!
 So are YOU ready for this year’s Scary Farm? Tell me, what are YOU most excited for?

For more information about Knott’s Scary Farm, click here.