Over The Top Mommy

Why I Want To Stay in a LEGO® Friends Room at LEGOLAND® Hotel #UltimateBFFSleepover

February 29, 2016 / Legoland, Travel

Have you heard about the new LEGO® Friends rooms yet at LEGOLAND® Hotel yet? They’ll be available to stay in starting March 10 and they sound adorable! I’m dying to stay in one and be able to take my daughter and her friends so they can have the Ultimate BFF Sleepover! Each of these rooms, which are part of the hotel’s newest theme, comes complete with the Café, Stables and your very own LEGO® tree house! The colorful décor and LEGO models incorporate a level of detail that will have your imaginations running wild. Kids can even use clues to explore the tree house and join the LEGO Friends in a game of hide and seek with their LEGO pets! LEGOLAND® Hotel rooms are designed to accommodate playful adventure as well as privacy and relaxation. The rooms include:

King bed in the adult sleeping area
Kids’ own sleeping area with bunk beds, pull-out trundle bed and entertainment unit (sleeps up to 3 kids)
Welcome treasure hunt with LEGO prize
LEGO bricks to build with during your stay
High-speed internet
2 high-definition flat panel TVs with complimentary On-Demand content
Mini-fridge and coffee maker
Air conditioning
Cribs available upon request
Fully Themed rooms sleeps 5 (max 2 adults)
Suites sleep 7 (max 4 adults)
ADA accessible available

Today I’m going to share with you why we want to stay there so badly! (because I’m trying to win a contest for a free night’s stay in one of these rooms.)

My daughter and her friends are huge LEGO Friends Heartlake City fans! In my opinion, they actually look like they stepped right out of Heartlake City! I sometimes think they each believe they are one of the real characters! What do you think? My daughter seems to know everything about the LEGO Friends and Heartlake City. Seriously, just ask her a question about the name of each one, what they wear, what they like, or even who their pet is. She adores the LEGO Friends Heartlake City area in LEGOLAND California Resort. It’s a must-visit for every trip we make there! Have you been there yet?Since Heartlake City is one of my daughter’s favorite parts at LEGOLAND, for her to be able to stay in one of these themed rooms and live like one of the real LEGO® Friends for a day, would be a dream come true for her!

I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I’d be equally excited if we had the opportunity of the Ultimate BFF sleepover for the girls to experience! Who wouldn’t want to win a stay like that? Availability of LEGO Friends rooms is limited, so be sure to book your stay in advance.To make a reservation, click here or call 877.534.6526.

This is not a sponsored post. I am a LEGOLAND Ambassador and this post was written by me as part of a promotional contest. All opinions are 100% my own. Some images are property of LEGOLAND Hotel.

{Giveaway} Irvine Park Railroad’s 9th Annual Easter Eggstravaganza

February 29, 2016 / Family Fun, Irvine Park Railroad, Lifestyle, Orange County

Are you ready for Spring and some Easter fun? Ok it might be a little early for it to be officially Spring but the weather sure feels like we’re there and I’m super excited about having an early Easter this year! You know what that means? It means that the Irvine Park Railroad’s 9th Annual Easter Eggstravaganza is beginning earlier than usual! This year’s festivities will run from Saturday, March 5th through Saturday, March 26th. Watch this fun Easter Eggstravaganza video from Irvine Park Railroad’s YouTube channel.

This annual event has become a tradition for our own family and is so much fun! Irvine Park Railroad’s Easter Eggstravaganza seems like a family favorite of many Southern California families. This year, event activities will include:

Train rides – The cost for train tickets is $5.00 per person; children younger than 12 months ride free.
Easter Bunny meet and greet with photo opportunities – For the cost of $10.00, children can meet and have their photo taken with the Easter Bunny. This cost includes one (1) photo that will be taken by Irvine Park Railroad staff. Each additional print of the same photo will $6.00. Photos will be printed in a few, short minutes at the Easter Bunny booth.
Easter egg hunts – Easter egg hunts begin daily at 10:00 AM and tickets may be purchased and exchanged for a wristband to participate in an egg hunt at a specific time. Please bring an Easter basket for each child that will be participating in the Easter egg hunt. Irvine Park Railroad will also offer Easter baskets for sale. Tickets must be purchased on the day of the event in order to receive a wristband for the Easter egg hunt. Please visit http://www.irvineparkrailroad.com for complete details on the Easter egg hunts including times and costs.
Hay rides
Moon bounce
Easter cookie decorating
Carnival games
Picture stands
Face painting

Please visit http://www.irvineparkrailroad.com for full details including costs. Irvine Park Railroad opens daily at 10:00 AM and is located at 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869. While you’re at Irvine Regional Park, be sure to visit the park’s other activities including Wheel Fun Rentals® at Irvine Park bike and paddle boat rentals, pony rides and the Orange County Zoo.

Please note: There is park entrance fee , charged by the County of Orange, which is $3.00 per vehicle on weekdays and $5.00 per vehicle on weekends. Connect with Irvine Park Railroad on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Irvine Park Railroad is also providing 8 acitivity tickets for the Easter Eggstravaganza and 1 Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park Bike Rental (excludes the double surrey) for one of my lucky readers. Enter to win on the Rafflecopter below! Good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This is not a sponsored post. I was invited to attend a media day at Irvine Park Railroad’s Easter Eggstravaganza. All opinions are 100% my own.

Get Ready For Seasonal Ticket Pricing at Disneyland Resort & Walt Disney World Resort Beginning 2/28

February 27, 2016 / Disney, Travel

The topic of Disney is always such a popular one, especially with all of the new happenings around all of the Disney Parks! There’s always something new and exciting in the works for park guests. Today, the Disney Parks Blog announced some news relating to a shift in the way ticketing prices are going to be structured. Beginning on Sunday, February 28, at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World, a new “seasonal” pricing will go into effect for 1-day/1 park and 1-day park hopper tickets only. So, how is it going to work?
The way it’s seems to be broken down is that the ticket pricing varies according to park demand and projected attendance levels. (per Disney Parks) It’s divided into 3 categories or “tiers”:
Value dates cover about 20% of the year and are mostly weekdays (M-Th) during the “off season.”
Peak dates cover about 30% of the year, including all dates during the Christmas-New Years season, all of spring break, and weekends (F-Su) in the summer.
Regular dates include all of the other days not labeled as “value” or “peak”.

New pricing for the tickets at Disneyland Resort will be as follows:
Value tickets

Adult 1-day, 1 park $95 and 1-day park hopper $155
Child 1-day, 1 park $89 and 1-day park hopper $149

Regular

Adult 1-day, 1 park $105 and 1-day park hopper $160
Child 1-day, 1 park $99 and 1-day park hopper $154

Peak Tickets

Adult 1-day, 1 park $119 and 1-day park hopper $169
Child 1-day, 1 park $113 and 1-day park hopper $163

For more information, please visit the Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort pages.

This is not a sponsored post. The opinions in this article are 100% my own.

My Daughter Loved Using The SOCKIT Soccer Trainer

February 26, 2016 / Lifestyle

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 editorial content.

From an early age, my daughter has always been interested in sports. She was ready to jump in the water and swim, even before she knew how to. She loves to run around at the park, ride her bike, and even started playing on a soccer team at age 4! Have you seen how teeny, tiny those shin guards and cleats are? So adorable!My daughter also enjoys doing other things such as playing playing with dolls, painting and drawing, cooking, reading, and hosting tea parties with her teddy bears. She’s a girly-girl who’s athletic! In my opinion, she is the perfect combination of a kid! As she’s grown up, she’s continued to play Fall soccer each year. During the season, she has regular coached practices and plays a full schedule of games. During the off-season though, is when she needs to continue practicing so she doesn’t lose her game by the time Fall rolls around again. When we received a SOCKIT in the mail, I knew this was the perfect way to help her while she practiced.

The SOCKIT is a wearable soccer trainer that lights up as a way to provide instant feedback to your child, relating to how they’re kicking. It’s a great tool to help improve your child’s game. Basically, it lights up to signal perfection when a player strikes the ball correctly. This helps teach your child how to practice the correct foot-to-ball technique. It is one size fits all and is available in four different colors. (blue, pink, yellow, and orange) It’s very easy to stretch around your cleat. My daughter had to practice with it on her regular shoes since she’s currently outgrown last season’s cleats. Could someone please make her stop growing up? Your soccer star will immediately understand the ultimate feeling of a solid strike in real time with the only wearable training aid that joins how it looks and feels when they strike a ball correctly. The SOCKIT was created by Joe Briganti, a dad who wanted to find a simple and effective way to help his two young daughters become more skilled at soccer. Since there was no product available for him to purchase at the time, he created one himself!

The SOCKIT helps:

build confidence
empower players to practice more
improve foot-eye coordination
create dialogue between players, parents, and coaches
eliminate self doubt

Ultimately, we need to remember the reason for kids to play sports in the first place…BECAUSE IT’S FUN! Having a little extra help though, with The SOCKIT is great too!

I have an exclusive discount code just for my readers that you can do to receive 25% off your first online purchase of The SOCKIT. Just enter “overthetopmommy25” at checkout! I’m also giving away one (1) SOCKIT to one of my lucky readers. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment below telling me who you would like to win it for? I will select a winner via Random Number Generator on March 10th. (Giveaway will close on March 9th at 11:59 p.m.) Open to U.S. Residents only

The Angry Birds Movie Is Hatching In Theaters May 20

February 24, 2016 / Entertainment, Movies

I don’t know who is more excited for The Angry Birds Movie, me or my daughter? These adorable characters had us all addicted way back when on our iPhones and now they’re coming to the Big Screen in a 3D animated comedy, On May 20, 2016, when the film hits theaters, we’ll finally find out why the birds are so angry! My contributor, Cynthia, spent a morning at Sony Pictures Studios, grabbing a “Sneak Beak” screening of the upcoming film. Although she can’t really tell us specifics about the movie, she did say that it’s a must-see for the entire family and that we’re all going to love it and laugh a lot!The movie takes us to an island populated entirely by happy, flightless birds – or almost entirely. In this paradise, Red (Jason Sudeikis, We’re the Millers, Horrible Bosses), a bird with a temper problem, speedy Chuck (Josh Gad in his first animated role since Frozen), and the volatile Bomb (Danny McBride, This is the End, Eastbound and Down) have always been outsiders. But when the island is visited by mysterious green piggies, it’s up to these unlikely outcasts to figure out what the pigs are up to. (Bill Hader is the evil pig leader Leonard.)
Watch the trailer:
Not only did my contributor get a “Sneak Peak” at the film, she also got to sit in on a group interview with the film’s producer, “John Cohen” and Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Danny McBride, and Bill Hader, from the voice cast. These guys had the media-filled audience in stitches as they talked about details from behind the scenes. I’m even more excited to see it now! Overall, it seems that casting hit the nail on the head with these four! The combination of their humor and what each of these actors brings to the table is something that definitely translates into a hilarious film that’s going to cater to an audience of all ages! Remember, the film “hatches” in theaters everywhere on May 20! Will you be there?

Find The Angry Birds Movie on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

This is not a sponsored post. I was invited to a media presentation in order to facilitate my post. All opinions are 100% my own. Photos are property of Kinda Silly Mommy.

Family Fun in the 2016 Kia Sorento

February 20, 2016 / Automobiles, Lifestyle

I was provided with a vehicle on loan from Kia in order to facilitate my review. All opinions are 100% my own.

It was so much fun to drive around a 2016 Kia Sorento SX Limited AWD! This SUV drives so smoothly and was the perfect vehicle to take on a weekend family getaway to Palm Springs! The Sorento seats 7 people safely and comfortably, so although our family is smaller than that, I can rest assured knowing there’s plenty of room, when my daughter wants to bring some of her friends in the car with us. For more storage in the back trunk area, you can just fold down the 3rd row of seats. There was a ton of room for all of our weekend necessities!

The interior upholstery was a stylish 2-tone leather that was super soft. It’s as if we were meant to spend the weekend together because the interior even matched my handbag!

You can pretty much find every bell and whistle you might want on the Sorento. One of my favorite features is the Smart Key. I am rarely without a bunch of stuff in my hands and this technology allows you to lock and unlock the vehicle by just having the Smart Key nearby. (like in your purse or your pocket). Unlocking and getting in saves makes life so much easier. With this feature, you can also start and stop the car with the simple push of a button. Also incorporated is the immobililzer function which prevents the vehicle from starting without the Smart Key. In addition to the Smart Key feature, our Sorento was equipped with a ton of other features! Here are just some of them:

Infinity^® Surround Sound Audio System with Clari-Fi™, Ten Speakers, External Amplifier & Subwoofer, HD Radio™
Rear-Camera Display
Back up Warning System
Surround View Monitor (SVM)
Blind-Spot Detection (BSD) System
BLUETOOTH^® Wireless Technology Hands-Free Connectivity
Steering-Wheel-Mounted Audio, Hands-Free Phone and Cruise Control Buttons
USB 2.1 Charger Ports & 12 Volt Power Outlets
Power Windows with Driver & Passenger One-Touch Auto-Up/Down

To see more features available on the Sorento, click here.

This Kia Sorento drove so smoothly. With such variations in the weather here in Southern California, we got to experience it all while we were driving it. Talk about great handling!
“She” shines beautifully in the warm SoCal Winter sunshine! I like the way her wheels sparkle in the sun! At some point during our weekend getaway, we experienced high winds and rain in Palm Springs. Let me just share with you that I felt beyond safe driving in that weather and never felt like we were being blown around at all. It also stayed really quiet inside the car, even when there was heavy wind and rain just right outside! The windshield wipers kept the windows clear for the driver to see out WAY better than my daughter’s glasses handled the rain! Overall, it was a great weekend spent with the Kia Sorento. I love the way it looks, I love the way it drives, and I love how many safety features are built into it. You can purchase a Sorento starting at just $25,100! To learn more and even virtually build your own model, click here. It’s truly a great vehicle that I think you’d love too!

{Giveaway} “The Good Dinosaur” On Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere February 23

February 19, 2016 / Entertainment, Movies

From the innovative minds of Disney•Pixar comes a hilariously heartwarming adventure about the power of confronting and overcoming your fears and discovering who you are meant to be.

If you didn’t catch it in theaters, here’s a synopsis:

The Good Dinosaur asks the question: What if the asteroid that forever changed life on Earth missed the planet completely, and giant dinosaurs never became extinct? In this epic journey into the world of dinosaurs, an apatosaurus named Arlo makes an unlikely human friend. While traveling through a harsh and mysterious landscape, Arlo learns the power of confronting his fears and discovers what he is truly capable of.

Watch the trailer, too!

Starting February 23, you can bring home this original story full of humor, heart, action and imagination on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere.

Extensive Bonus Features Include the Academy Award© Nominated Theatrical Short “Sanjay’s Super Team,” Making-of Featurettes, Deleted Scenes and More!

“The Good Dinosaur” is such a heartwarming story and is perfect for the whole family!

I’m partnering with Disney-Pixar, to be able to offer a giveaway for one (1) a copy of “The Good Dinosaur” DVD for my readers! Enter below on the Rafflecopter. Good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Connect with The Good Dinosaur on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

This is not a sponsored post. I received products in order to write this post. All opinions are 100% my own. Images and logos are property of Disney-Pixar.

Kaleidoscope Center To Host 6th Annual Easter Garden Party on 3/26

February 18, 2016 / Family Fun, Lifestyle, Orange County

Get ready for Kaleidoscope’s Sixth Annual Easter Garden Party on Saturday, March 26 from 12 to 2:30 p.m. The Easter bunny will hop into town and arrive at the center for the party which will be located in the center’s courtyard.

The free family event will kick off with an Easter egg hunt at 12 noon. Youngsters should bring their own basket to collect Easter eggs. Passport cards will be given out to the first 250 children directing them to all Kaleidoscope businesses where they will each receive one candy-filled egg per business.

The Easter Garden Party will also offer a complimentary photo opportunity with the Easter Bunny, for guests who bring their own camera. Adding to the fun will be cookie decorating from Donna B’s Bakery, free face painting, and a petting zoo with bunnies, baby goats, chicks, and ducklings.

Hope to see you there!

Connect with Kaleidoscope on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own. Images and logos are property of Kaleidscope Center.

The 2016 Easter Bunny Photo Experience at The Shops at Mission Viejo Starts March 5

February 17, 2016 / Family Fun, Lifestyle, Orange County, The Shops at Mission Viejo

With Easter arriving a little early this year, the Bunny Photo Experience will too! Guests can visit the Bunny at The Shops at Mission Viejo from Saturday, March 5 through Saturday, March 26. The Bunny will be located on the lower level, near Nordstrom. Kids will have the chance to visit with the Bunny and families can take home a treasured snapshot of the fun occasion. To view a full schedule of dates and hours, visit here. .

The Shops at Mission Viejo’s Caring Bunny™ event will offer families that have children with special needs a subdued environment to participate in the Bunny Photo Experience on Sunday, March 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.. Many steps will be taken to reduce sensory triggers, creating a more comforting environment for children’s cherished visit with the Bunny. The subdued environment is likely to include (specific elements or aesthetics may vary):

Turning off in-mall music, stopping escalators located near the photo set, dimming the
lights and shutting down fountains for the duration of the event.
Eliminating queue lines through the use of a numbering system whereby guests approach the set when their number is called.
Special activities geared toward the needs of the child during the ‘wait’ period to help the child understand what activities will occur during the visit.

Families can reserve a spot for Caring Bunny here.

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own. Images and logos are property of Simon Malls and Noerr.