Tiny Oranges – Fresh, fun blog for OC moms

Aracely, creator of the fabulous blog, Daytrippingmom.com and mother to two little ones ages 4 and 2, sent me some great tips on making the most out of your theme park visit!  She writes…

“With summer upon us and kids out of school- one thing is certain – It’s theme park time. Our family usually pays a visit to one of our local theme parks at least once a week. Through trial and error , I have learned what it takes to have a fun and stress free day at any theme park. I wanted to share with you the two most popular questions that I’m asked about theme park visits.

I’m usually asked- What do I bring with me? followed by – How can I make my visit go as smooth as possible?

What do I bring with me??

1.   You need a good backpack – I’m usually prepared with a great backpack- I never leave home without one .
2.   Bring a stroller if you have small children. If you can, make sure to bring a light or umbrella stroller. They are easier to fold up and store- and this is always a plus if you have to take some sort of tram to the theme park entrance. Make sure to have some kind of labeling on your stroller to help yours stand out in the sea of strollers.
3.   Make sure to pack a jacket /sweater/blanket. – I’ve left home without one thinking that there was no possible way that I would be cold on a summer day. Boy was I wrong!! The nights cool off and there is nothing worse than shelling out $50.00 for a cheesy sweatshirt because your three year old is cold. Trust me on this one!!
4.   Pack a swimsuit. Many theme parks have water fountains or water play areas. Your kids will want to dive in and there is nothing worse than having to say no because you are not prepared. I always pack an extra set of clothes and a swimsuit.
5.   Make sure to bring cash. While most theme park restaurants accept credit cards- some of their vending carts do not. I hate paying for ATM Fees – I always bring cash in hand.
6.   If you have little ones make sure to pack a couple of snacks. I usually bring a baggie or two of
goldfish and fruit snacks. Just keep it simple.
7.   If you can bring a bottle or two of water. I usually freeze mine the night before and throw them in a Ziploc bag- I pack them in at the bottom of my bag and they have been a lifesaver!!
8.   Bring baby wipes. I always carry them even if I don’t have my youngest with me. They are great for sticky hands and clean ups. I think they are a necessity !!
8.   Last but not least – Bring your camera. You want to make sure to capture your fun filled day.

Now on to the other question- How can I make my visit stress free and as smooth as possible?

1.   I think the most important thing to do is to be prepared and do a little research- Make sure to visit the theme park’s website or blog. They usually have useful tips and some blogs can tell you about the the crowds the day before your visit. This is usually a good indicator of the crowds on the day of your visit.
2.  Get there as early as possible. You’ve heard the saying “the early bird catches the worm” and this holds quite true with theme parks. You will be able to make the most out of your day this way.  In my opinion it’s the best time of day to ride your favorite attraction-you usually won’t have to wait in line and if you do- you won’t usually mind because it will be nice and cool.
3.   Pick up a map/event guide at the front entrance- The first thing I do is try to plan out my day as soon as I have the map in my hands. Head to the most popular attractions first and plan out your day with the help of your map/event guide.
4.   Avoid the lunch time rush. I would try to stay away from eating between 11am to 2pm. Usually the lines to attractions are shorter at this time because everyone is heading out to lunch. If you can , try to eat before 11 am and after 2pm.
5.   Avoid attractions between 2 to 4 pm. This is usually peak time at a theme park. We usually use this time to grab a bite to eat and catch a couple of shows. Most restaurants and shows are air conditioned and it’s a great time to take a break. If you have little ones- it’s the perfect time to catch a snooze in the stroller.
6.  If you can, splurge on a VIP or front of the line pass – They are usually more expensive but well worth every penny. If you are at any of the Disney Theme Parks take advantage of their Fastpass system.
7.   Keep hydrated. Most theme parks have a souvenir cup deal- where you can buy a souvenir cup and either get free refills or very inexpensive refills throughout the day.
8.  Make sure your family is well rested the night before and also well fed before you arrive at the your park of choice. There is nothing worse than dealing with cranky and hungry kids.
9.   Last but not least- Enjoy yourself- Don’t feel rushed. If you’re visiting on a super busy day- odds are you probably won’t be able to take everything in one day and that’s fine. It will give you the perfect reason to come back- or even better- upgrade your pass to an annual pass and come back as often as you like.”

In addition to being a mom of two kids who are four and two, Sally Bartz is the owner and designer of Halsea – a beach-chic travel bag and accessories company based in Newport Beach, CA.  She wrote some great tips on packing the perfect beach tote this summer! 

“Sometimes feel like a Sherpa, pack mule, personal servant? Don’t worry. You are not alone. All moms have a tendency to pack “extra” everything!! So this summer, get your beach essentials down to a minimum so you can spend less time getting ready at home and more time at the beach with your kids creating memories. Here is my failsafe list to get your beach tote ready to go.

1. Find a bag with lots of pockets. You will need it to be organized. This way all of your goggles, sunscreen and swim diapers can find a place rather than end up at the bottom of the bag. At Halsea we have a large tote with 6 interior pockets that I love – it is also laminated on the outside so it won’t get soggy sitting on the pool deck.

2. Pack a “dry bag” – This is my favorite trick. I use a small make up bag with a zipper to pack my phone, camera and wallet – all the things that I want to stay dry or sand free.

3. Get a multi-tasking sarong – A sarong can be a cover up for mom, provide a light weight blanket for baby, be a towel if needed or even turn into a scarf if you stay a little later at the beach than you anticipated.

4. Use a spray sunscreen – For sandy kids (and adults – because I know I am covered in sand every time I go to the beach with my kids!), I love a spray sunscreen. My favorite is Neutrogena’s Ultimate Sport because it comes in SPF 70, with helioplex and sprays on clear.

5. Just the essentials – A few bottles of water and one easy to eat snack (that won’t result in sticky fingers!) are a must because everyone gets hungry and thirsty on the beach. I also limit the number of toys – not because I am a mean mom, but because kids inevitably find a way to entertain themselves at the beach without bringing their entire playroom. So I pack a shovel for everyone (what kid doesn’t like to dig at the beach), a wiffle ball and bat (they are light weight and encourages your kids and friends to play together) and a bottle of bubbles.

6. The Secret Weapon – A mom’s secret weapon for de-sanding kids before you load them back in the car – Baby Powder!! Gets the sand out of even the hard-to-reach places. I never hit the beach without it!”

The Halsea Shop is located at 409 31^st Street, Newport Beach, CA 92660. Raised in Corona Del Mar and having spent nearly a decade designing accessories for surf apparel giants such as Roxy, Volcom, Modern Amusement and Paul Frank, Sally continually draws inspiration from her coastal lifestyle and loves spending afternoons exploring the shoreline with her family. www.halsea.com

Throughout the year we get together for holidays, school functions, sporting events and family activities. But SUMMER should be the time to relax and soak up some good old-fashioned “no other reason than for the season” celebrating.  As a busy mom and business owner of GeTogethers.com, Noel Vogt, who still loves to entertain, has put together a Get Together that is simple, fun and stylish, just the thing for your summer festivities.  She writes…

The Food:  Don’t try to do it all. Summer is a perfect time for pot lucks and picnics. Set the theme with a main dish and suggest your guests bring the appetizers, sides and desserts that compliment the theme. This gives everyone a chance to be creative and share their special recipes. No more humdrum potato salad and onion dip. To keep it simple you can find delicious “fast food” at specialty markets or places like Trader Joes. One of their chefs provided our family with three great summer BBQ recipes, which take no time at all to prepare. Temp your taste buds with these simple but not so traditional ideas for the grill. One only requires a TJ’s bottled up marinade.
Kansas City Baby Back Ribs 
Thai Chix Satay 
Grilled Halibut with Basil Balsamic Vinaigrette

The Fun:  The temperature goes up and your entertainment space goes out. Summer is perfect for entertaining outdoors and so easy to keep simple. It’s amazing what a little festive music and a colorful cold beverage will do for atmosphere. Might I suggest the universal appeal of Jack Johnson, and others from his genre, accompanied by a pseudo island cocktail such as Pacific Splash.  Add a couple of classic games like horseshoes, croquet or badminton and you’ll magically transport your guests into vacation land.

The Style:  Color is back and a summer soiree is exactly where it should be found. No need to get crazy with inflatable palm trees and plastic leis. Keep is classy. Decide on a festive color palette and carry it throughout, using coordinating invitations, party favors, tableware and much more to give your party that put together look.

Tying elements from your invite to the elements of your party is easy with GeTogethers Stationery and Paper Products. Every classic GeTogethers design theme or color pallet seamlessly coordinates with whimsical icons, tall and trendy cards and envelopes, and fancy papers, allowing infinite possibilities for celebrating in style. Round it all out with coordinating solid color tableware and you are set to go.
So, get the party started. It’s that simple!

  
The all-new Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents ZING ZANG ZOOM coming to Southern California this summer and they have a special offer for Tiny Oranges readers! 

You can purchase a 4-pack of tickets for only $44 using the promo or coupon code “MOM” when purchasing tickets at the Arena Box Offices, Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000.  When buying through Ticketmaster, enter the coupon code in the “MC Promotion Box.”

Minimum of 4 tickets is required to get the discounted price; additional tickets above 4 can be purchased at $11 each.  Not valid on VIP, Front Row or Circus Celebrity seats and you can’t combine with any other offers.  

In Orange County, the show runs from July 15th – July 26th at the Honda Center in Anaheim.  Click here for showtimes! 

The circus is also coming to Los Angeles, Ontario and San Diego this summer.  Click here for showtimes!

Looking for a fun camp to send your kids to this summer?  Want to get them interested and excited about golf at a young age?  

Amy Connelly, Santa Margarita Catholic High School Varsity Golf Coach and 2008 OC Register’s Golf Coach of the Year, is offering youth golf camps this summer FORE (hee hee..) kids ages 4 - 12 in July.

Kids will learn the fundamentals of the golf setup and swing and participate in all sorts of fun age specific activities.  Rental golf clubs are available. 

Click here to download the flyer.  You can email Amy with questions at connellya@smhs.org.