Showing posts with label san diego. Show all posts
Showing posts with label san diego. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

it's a girl!



this post is sponsored by rachael ray's nutrish. the thoughts and opinions are my own.


after being a happy #boymom to my favorite 6 & 8 year olds on the planet i am happy to say that we have added a girl to our little family! not the human kid, friends. this gal recently brought home a bundle of cute kitten goodness to complete our family.

a couple of weeks ago, genelle and i were able to spend an amazing girlfriends weekend together at catcon (thanks to our favorite people at nutrish). living across the country from each other, genelle and i get giddy with happiness when we have the opportunity to travel together for the blog and be able to spend time together. catcon is a huge convention that takes place in los angeles for all the cat lovers of the world to unite, participate in all sorts of fun activities, peruse cat related merchandise and learn more about the best of the best in all cat products.



we knew we were going to have a fun time at catcon, but even though my boys had been begging for a pet for months, i had *zero* intention of coming home with a kitten. the last few years of my life have been filled with lots of highs and lows that were beyond my control so i find myself not often doing things impulsively. however, upon entering the spca's area with adoptable kitten and cats from local shelters and seeing the cutest kitten ever i was head over heals for miss lola.




after a little disbelief in my own desire to add a kitten to our family, and a little gentle push from genelle....i adopted her. my heart was warm and we left the area with instructions to come back to pick her up at the end out the day. i practically skipped with glee out of there to tell our friends at nutrish. everyone shared in my joy....and then the panic set in. what the heck was i going to do?! we were in la, staying at a hotel, with *nothing* there to be able to bring home my newly adopted fur baby. in a mad dash, we rushed to the closest target in an uber for the essentials (who knew there were so many litter options?!), rushed back to our favorite vendors to grab more goodies and, of course, nutrish cat food for miss lola.




with the hotel set up for my newest addition, we headed back to catcon to pick her up, introduce her to her new nutrish family members and head back to the hotel.

we cozied in for a "say yes to the dress marathon" in our pj's and started taking a ridiculous amount of sleepy kitty photos (like any good cat mom should, correct?!)








after our return to san diego, miss lola settled in nicely and i prepared to surprise my sweet boys when they returned home.....and boy were they surprised!




after deciding that she needed an additional name was needed.....miss lola ohana was officially a member of our little clan (ohana means family, and family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten...for my fellow lilo & stitch fans out there).




lola has settled in nicely and the boys are obsessed with learning how to care for her and make her feel welcomed. sweet lola follows them around everywhere they go and has already rounded out our family with love and happiness. moral of this story? maybe i should be impulsive on a more frequent basis and happiness often comes when you least expect it.



about nutrish:

nutrish is the fantastic line of super premium pet food created by the brilliant pet advocate, rachael ray. nutrish is made with simple, wholesome ingredients like real meat or fish, and do not contain poultry by-product meal or fillers.

rachael's personal proceeds go to rachael's rescue which was created to help shelter pets in need. to date, she has donated over $10 million. this money has gone toward food, medical supplies and treatments for those unfortunate animals. all of the rachael ray nutrish products are available where you shop for your family's groceries, making specialty recipes accessible and convenient for every pet parent. if you are considering adding a new member to your family, please consider adoption.

please follow nutrish on social media:
twitter: http://twitter.com/nutrish
facebook: http://facebook.com/nutrish
instagram: http://instagram.com/nutrish



Wednesday, July 30, 2014

san diego: come join me at the greatest show on earth®!






i am thrilled that the greatest show on earth®. ringling bros. and barnum & bailey® presents legends will be returning to san diego at the valley view casino center (formerly known as the san diego sports arena) from august 7-10th. i was able to attend last year with my oldest little and we had such an amazing time making memories. this year will be the first time my 4 year old gets to experience the circus with us and i can't wait to see the sparkle in his eyes as he watches the wonder and amazement of the circus come alive. this year, tickets are only $10 on opening night and a legendary $20 on other performances, so it is an affordable memory-making experience for the whole family. come join us!



be sure to arrive early for several exciting interactive elements they have before the show starts! opening 90 minutes prior to each performance, *all* ticket holders are invited to tour the animal open house to get up-close with their amazing animals. as if that isn't enough, one hour before show time, families can step onto the arena floor to meet the circus performers and animals at the interactive all access pre-show, *free* admission to all ticket holders. how wonderful is that?! plan on arriving early, because it was very crowded last year.



this year, iconic ringling bros. stars meet fabled mythological creatures at the place where legends live…the greatest show on earth®! experience unimaginable family fun, as amazing circus athletes perform awe-inspiring feats of daring, spectacles of strength and thrills of wonder in a celebration of the LEGENDS that have captured imaginations for centuries. ringmaster johnathan lee iverson guides paulo the legend seeker on his quest to discover real, living circus legends from around the world…along the way encountering the fantastical pegasus, a unicorn and the remarkable woolly the mammoth!




when: 

thursday, august 7th – sunday, august 10th

•thursday, august 7th at 7:00 pm

•friday, august 8th at 11:00 am & 7:00 pm

•saturday, august 9th at 11:00 am, 3:00 pm & 7:00 pm

•sunday, august 10th 1:00 pm & 5:00 pm


where: 

valley view casino center (formerly san diego sports arena)

3500 sports arena boulevard, san diego, CA 92110





tickets: 

all ticket prices are $20 with the exception of $40 (vip), $110 (ringmaster zone).

special discounted opening night tickets for only $10 each (select seating only; not valid on vip/premium levels)

all seats are reserved; tickets available for purchase online through axs.com, charge by phone at 888-9AXS-TIX or visit the valley view casino center box office.

*tickets may be subject to service charges, facility and handling fees.



hope to see you there! 



Wednesday, September 25, 2013

san diego: disney on ice presents passport to adventure - september 25-29




tonight i had the wonderful experience of attending opening night of disney on ice, passport to adventure at the valley view casino center (former sports arena). 


passport adventure is a fast-paced, high energy show that kept my littles, and everyone around us happy and entertained the entire time. it is a family friendly adventure where children of all ages (yep. even me.) were smiling, clapping and singing along with familiar friends and songs from the lion king, little mermaid, lilo and stitch and peter pan. 

happy times with our old nanny, hillary. what a fun night all together!

mommy & silly, first born.

passport to adventure features an international team of award-winning figure skaters, high-energy choreography and a colorful set that captures all four unique worlds. audiences will be entranced (as my oldest, pictured below) as they experience this exciting excursion — one that will fill the arena with magic, music, and best of all, mickey and minnie (as well as donald, daisy and goofy too!

fun times with the little mermaid

those are bubbles coming from the celling! so fun!

hilarious timon and pumba

singing along with lilo and stitch

off to neverland with peter pan!

mesmerized by the entire experience. love.

passport to adventure is in san diego through the weekend. it truly was a wonderful experience for all four of us. don't miss out, buy tickets and take the family this week to disney on ice....you won't regret it.


when: 

wednesday, september 25 – sunday, september 29

wednesday, sept. 25 7:00 pm

thursday, sept. 26 7:00 pm

friday, sept. 27 7:00 pm

saturday, sept. 28 11:00 am, 3:00 pm & 7:00 pm

sunday, sept. 29 1:30 pm* & 5:30 pm

*spanish language performance

where: 

valley view casino center (formerly known as the san diego sports arena)

3500 sports arena blvd., san diego ca 92110

tickets: 

ticket prices range from $17, $25, $39 (VIP) and $55 (front row)

all seats are reserved; tickets are available for purchase online at ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or in-person at the valley view casino center box office.

*tickets may be subject to service charges, facility and handling fees.


Tuesday, September 17, 2013

san diego: disney on ice presents passport to adventure, september 25-29



san diego friends, join me on a globetrotting tour of disney destinations in disney on ice presents passport to adventure coming to san diego, september 25 – 29. I am always looking for fun experiences to share with my kiddos and this is truly fun for the whole family!

pack your bags and get ready to embark on the ultimate sightseeing adventure in disney on ice presents passport to adventure performing at the valley view casino center (former sports arena) from september 25-29, 2013. join mickey mouse and minnie mouse as your tour guides on this magical getaway as they travel to four exciting disney destinations all in one fun-filled ice production!




audiences will be transported straight from their seats into the enchanting worlds of disney’s the lion king, the little mermaid, peter pan and lilo & stitch in this sightseeing spectacular created for the entire family! explore the pride lands with simba, timon and pumbaa; voyage under the sea with ariel and all her aquatic friends; tour jolly old london with peter pan and tinker bell, before flying to never land; and travel to hawaii to visit lilo and stitch.

disney on ice presents passport to adventure features an international team of award-winning figure skaters, high-energy choreography and a colorful set that captures all four unique worlds. audiences will be entranced as they experience this exciting excursion — one that will fill the arena with magic, music, and best of all, mickey and minnie!



when: 
wednesday, september 25 – sunday, september 29

-wednesday, sept. 25 7:00 pm

-thursday, sept. 26 7:00 pm

-friday, sept. 27 7:00 pm

-saturday, sept. 28 11:00 am, 3:00 pm & 7:00 pm

-sunday, sept. 29 1:30 pm* & 5:30 pm

*spanish language performance


where: 
valley view casino center (formerly known as the san diego sports arena)
3500 sports arena blvd., san diego ca 92110

tickets: 
ticket prices range from $17, $25, $39 (vip) and $55 (front row)

special opening night discount tickets available for only $10 each (not valid for vip/premium level)

all seats are reserved; tickets are available for purchase online at ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or in-person at the valley view casino center box office.

*tickets may be subject to service charges, facility and handling fees.


for more information, visit www.disneyonice.com or visit us on facebook, twitter and youtube.

Friday, August 9, 2013

san diego: the circus is in town! ringling bros. and barnum & bailey® presents *built to amaze!*


i grew up in san diego and vividly remember when i was 6 or 7 and my parents took me and my sister to our first circus at the sports arena. i was dazzled by all of the lights, sounds and amazing acts. i have never forgotten the feeling of excitement and anticipation i had, sitting on the edge of my seat, watching the elephants, tigers and death deifying acts by trapeze artists and the like.

last night, that moment came full circle when i had the privilege to go to the circus once again with my sister, as we introduced our own sons to the wonder and excitement that is ringling bros. and barnum & bailey® circus at the very same arena that we experienced it over 30 years ago. 

mama and s-man

my sister and nephew

happy cousins!

the the all-new circus spectacular "built to amaze!" is currently at the valley view casino center (former san diego sports arena) from august 8-11.

with more than 110 of the world’s best artists & athletes representing 17 countries along with 95 exotic and domestic animals assembled together, there truly is something for everyone to enjoy. 

my first born's favorite was watching the youngest female Human Cannonball shoot across the entire arena to land safely on the other side. other highlights of our night included alex & irina and their talented poodles, the remarkable hand-balancing duos, the always hilarious Clown Alley…and of course, no ringling bros. circus experience would be complete without their four-legged star performers, including the majestic bengal tigers (17 of them!!) and a fun-filled asian elephant dance party.


be sure to arrive early to the circus for several exciting interactive elements before the show starts! opening 90 minutes prior to each performance, *all* ticket holders are invited to tour the animal open house to get up-close with their amazing animals (an awesome experience). then one hour before show time, families can step onto the actual arena floor to meet their circus performers and animals at the interactive all access pre-show*free* admission to all ticket holders. 

photo courtesy of first born

there are rare moments when we have the opportunity to make memories that last a lifetime. my childhood experience at the circus with my family has stayed with me for over 30 years and i hope my son's first time at the circus last night will also be one of those moments. take the time this weekend and go make memories with your family at the circus too----it truly is a magical moment.

so happy watching the circus

when: 
this weekend! friday, august 9 (today) – sunday, august 11

showtimes:
friday, august 9 -- 11:00 am & 7:00 pm
saturday, august 10 11:00 am, 3:00 pm & 7:00 pm
sunday, august 11 1:30 pm & 5:30 pm

where: 
valley view casino center (formerly san diego sports arena)
3500 sports arena boulevard, san diego, ca 92110

*free parking* in all official arena parking lots; visit arena website for more info

tickets:
ticket prices are $20, $25, $40 (vip), $55 (front row) and $90 (circus celebrity)*

all seats are reserved; tickets available for purchase online through ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or visit the valley view casino center box office.

*tickets may be subject to service charges, facility and handling fees.

Friday, July 26, 2013

friday fun finds: the circus is coming to town! the greatest show on earth®. ringling bros. and barnum & bailey® presents built to amaze



the greatest show on earth® is coming to san diego!

many moons ago i remember my parents taking my sister and me to our first circus---it was a magical experience and i can't wait to share that feeling with my first born and my nephew when i take them.

the greatest show on earth®. ringling bros. and barnum & bailey® presents built to amaze will be performing at the valley view casino center (formerly known as the san diego sports arena) from august 8-11. 



i can't wait to arrive early for several exciting interactive elements they have before the show starts! opening 90 minutes prior to each performance, *all* ticket holders are invited to tour the animal open house to get up-close with their amazing animals. as if that isn't enough, one hour before show time, families can step onto the arena floor to meet the circus performers and animals at the interactive all access pre-show, *free* admission to all ticket holders. how wonderful is that?!





when: thursday, august 8th – sunday, august 11th

•thursday, august 8th at 7:00 pm

•friday, august 9th at 11:00 am & 7:00 pm

•saturday, august 10th at 11:00 am, 3:00 pm & 7:00 pm

•sunday, august 11th 1:30 pm & 5:30 pm


where: valley view casino center (formerly san diego sports arena)

3500 sports arena boulevard, san diego, CA 92110

*free parking* in all official arena parking lots; visit arena website for more info





tickets: ticket prices are $20, $25, $40 (vip), $55 (front row) and $90 (circus celebrity)*

special discounted opening night tickets for only $10 each (select seating only; not valid on vip/premium levels)

all seats are reserved; tickets available for purchase online through ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or visit the valley view casino center box office.

*tickets may be subject to service charges, facility and handling fees.


hope to see you there!


Monday, June 24, 2013

making memories at the newly remodeled home depot genesee

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this is a sponsored post by me on behalf of the home depot.

on saturday i had the pleasure of attending the grand re-opening of my local, san diego home depot store located on the corner of genesse and balboa.

the newly remodeled store features a 40,000 feet outdoor garden center, larger kitchen and appliance showrooms, a millwork showroom, an improved pro-desk and expanded tool rental. the store is beautiful, clean and open with large aisles and the associates were so kind and helpful.

the event was made extra special for me because it was a time for just me and my first born. as a single mama with two fun loving boys there isn't a ton for time for just one-on-one special moments----i seized this opportunity as one of those times and we had so much fun!




first up, we went straight to the kids diy workshop to learn how to make our own mini soccer game/foosball table. we worked together and ended up with an awesome new game to take home with us and enjoy. 






home depot kids workshop runs the first saturday of every month from 9am until noon. there is no signing up and it is *free*. if you are local, check out the home depot genesee on facebook for information on all of their frequent events. you can also find information on all of the home depot workshops for kids and adults on their website. i am really looking forward to attending more diy workshops in the future!

aside from the diy workshop, my little man's favorite things were spinning the prize wheel and the awesome balloon artist. he won a baseball on his spin and the balloon artist was even able to make the "buzz lightyear spaceship" that he requested. impressive!






we had a blast participating in the scavenger hunt around the store searching for clues and riddles hidden in homer buckets--what a fantastic way to explore the store and enjoy a little friendly competition with my little man. we downloaded the home depot app and it provided us with a helpful advantage to locate items and needed information.



mommy's favorite part of the newly remodeled store was the incredible 40,000 square foot garden center. it was filled with so many beautiful plants, flowers and veggies that it made this aspiring gardener truly inspired to try my hand at some new landscaping/gardening projects that have been on my pinterest "to-do" list.






a wonderful time was had by all and the only dilemma i am left with is what project i want to start first. once i decide, i will be headed back to the beautiful, home depot genesee store to stock up on supplies and get to work!




the newly reopened home depot genesee now features a 40,000 square foot outdoor garden center, larger kitchen and appliance showrooms, a millwork showroom, an improved pro-desk and expanded tool rental.
it also provides workshops and events year-round that the whole family can participate in. please visit https://www.facebook.com/Home.Depot.Genesee.Ca for more information.


this is a sponsored post by me on behalf of the home depot.