Alive in Wonderland

Larry and Barry, that's right

My husband, Larry, has a twin brother, Barry, who is visiting us for a week.  I labeled each of the guys so you could tell who is who--hope that is helpful.

Funny thing about my husband having a twin brother, not only do they look alike, they have the same expressions and mannerisms.  So, you know "that look" your husband gives you when he thinks you're crazy?  The one he gives you when you do something silly?  That look.  Barry gives me that same look.  Exactly the same. 

We've been taking him around Orange County to see the sights and meet some of the locals--like this pelican.  

These are the Jr. Lifeguards. They are a common sight in Huntington Beach all summer long. 

 It's been fun showing off Orange County.  It has reminded me how much I love it here.  

I have more photos but my computer isn't uploading them tonight (insert "that" look directed toward my computer).

Me, me, me, me, me

I have been taking some time to learn a little more about photography and spending some time with my kids.  I took a few private photo lessons from David Moyle , which have given me some new skills to capture images I never could have gotten without a little instruction--like the clown shot below.   If you are interested in what David has to offer, email him at David@davidmoyle.com.  

I also needed a little time to adjust to my new summer hours as a mom.  It's been kind of like jet lag--call it kidlag.  I love summer and I love those kids of mine, but 24/7 takes some getting used to again.   I think I've found the balance which includes a little me-time. 

✻✻✻✻✻✻✻

O.A.R. "Shattered"

"Give me a break let me make my own pattern."

Little moments of wonder

My kids and I headed to the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific today.  It was crowded--real crowded. We had to waive through the tight, dark corridors lined with big tanks of every kind of sea life.  

I was a little stressed being there with the kids by myself and struggling to keep my eyes on them in the dim light and among all the people pressing their way to the glass.  But, there were little moments of wonder that made it all well worth it.   These Jelly Fish, Pacific Sea Nettles were our favorite part. We stayed in this part of the aquarium for a long time, just watching them glade and dance around. So beautiful.

Ben, my five-year-old, who just minutes before declared he would only be a fish if he could be a shark, now included jelly fish as an option for fishness. "It's good to have choices," I agreed with him.

✻✻✻✻✻✻

Jason Mraz "Bright Eyes." 

"Cause smilers they never lose and frowners they never win."

✻✻✻✻✻✻

This was written for my blog at the OC Register, MomCrush. 

Send in the clowns, really I'm fine

(I snapped this photo from the second row.)

I bet you never thought you'd see this picture on my blog! That's a clown from the Ringling Brothers Circus"Zing Zang Zoom" that's coming to Orange County in two weeks. 

My family and I went to a sneak peek show this weekend and I was fine with the clowns, really I was.  Seeing my kids busting up over their pratfalls and wacky antics smoothed over any weirdness I felt towards clowns. Kids can do that to you--make you brave.  

That's not a fake smile, I was totally fine standing right in between two heavily made-up, wig donning, giant shoe wearing, checkered nosed clowns.  

And speaking of their shoes, I had to clear one thing up while I was there. As you might know Larry, my husband, is a big guy--huge--and along with that comes some pretty big feet--size 16.  So I just had to know, does Larry really have "clown feet" as we all enjoy call them?  I mean, whose shoes are bigger--Larry or a real live clown? 

(Larry's is the shoe on the right.)

So, I guess that settles it.  

"You don't always have to hold your head, higher than your heart"

I'm going to take a week break from blogging to get this summer jump-started. 

We aren't taking vacation this year, but we plan on roller skating, making some art with chalk, catching the $1 movies, celebrating Emily's 8th birthday, and exploring on the beach.  It's going to be awesome!

See you next week.  

❇❇❇❇❇❇❇

Jack Johnson's "Hope."

"You don't always have to hold your head, higher than your heart."

Oh. Oh. Oh, It's Magic-al! The new fireworks show at Disneyland

I was invited last Thursday night, along with some other OC Mom Bloggers, to attend a preview of all the new summer Nightastic shows at Disneyland--Magical, the new fireworks show, Fantasmic, and The Electric Light Parade.  

I admit, the show I was looking forward to the most was Magical. One reason was that Magical is entirely new; the other shows are given a makeover, but are classics. Also, its new star is one of my favorite Disney characters--Dumbo, with Eden Espinosa signing my all-time favorite Disney song, "Baby of Mine." 

But, the most compelling reason of all was personal.  I had been dying to see Magical after I was wowed by Steven Davison, creator and director of the show, last spring after seeing him perform a full reenactment of Magical live on stage at another press event.  It's fascinating to me to get a glimpse into the creative process behind such a massive show.  Please watch his entire presentation here, captured by the always awesome, MousePlant. It is well worth the time:  Steven 

Davison's Presentation of Magical: Part 1. and Part 2. 

The show lived-up to his inspired vision and also to its name--Magical.  I think I enjoyed the show more knowing the artistic craftsmanship behind every fireworks shell, storyline, and song.  

When I was given the chance to interview John Addis, Senior Show Director at Disneyland the show, but I also wanted to see if he had the same same flare and kinetic energy as Steven. Watch my video above for the answer.  

What has been one of the most rewarding things for me about being included in Disneyland's press events is being able to meet some of the people behind the scenes. It just served to reinforced in my mind the idea that greatness, begets greatness.  That following your passions and your dreams is the right path and will make you shine in whatever it is you do...and isn't that what Walt Disney was all about?  

Here is the show in its entirety. At the very beginning, you hear Debbie Lavdas' daughter squeal with delight. Debbie wrote about it here on her website, Peace, Love and Momminess; Magical, Part 1 and Part 2. 

I encourage you to go see the show this summer, it premiered last Friday night, June 12th and will light up the Anaheim sky though the summer.  I hope after seeing these videos, it will mean something even more special to you than just a great show.  

Fancy free

We went to a graduation party for my friend LeAnn's daughter on Saturday night.  I felt like dressing up, but a new dress was not in our budget.  So, standing in my closet,  I went through my older clothes.  

I mean, I bought everything in there.  I should be able to find something I loved, or at least liked.  Then I saw this sequenced, corduroy, girlie skirt I bought at Anthropologie years ago.  

This skirt I do love.  So I went to the party--fancy free. 

✽✽✽✽✽

At the party, one of my favorite bands played, 

"Mike Brady's Permanent Wave." Heard of them?   

They sang this song, which I also love, it's so sad, but so hopeful at the same time...Train's "Calling all angels."

"I won't give up if you dont give up"

Disneyland keeping me busy

I've been busy the last couple of days. Disneyland invited me and some other mom bloggers (... and those other "media" people, too) to preview their Summer Shows--Fantasmic, Magical, The Electrical Light Parade--on Thursday night and then I spent Friday at their Press Junket interviewing some of the cast and creators.

It was an extraordinary experience that held lots of unique one-liner opportunities, like when I was introduced to Alice in Wonderland, I couldn't resist saying, "Hello, I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name." Wish I would have gotten that one on tape...

Marcy from The Glamorous Life and I yucked it up with Mickey and his buddies, got our make-up professionally done, and basically ran around like...well, like the excited Disneyland fans that we are, just unabashedly happy to be there.

I will post each of my professional videos in the coming week. I have been feverishly editing them, along with going to grad parties, roller skating, and keeping my laundry hamper at a livable level. I will also get around to all my favorite blogs. I'm sorry I've been too busy to stop by, I miss you.

1982: Don't stop believin'

(Lori, Christine, Suzie (me), and Bridgett) 

I can't even tell you how much I love this picture.  It's my friends and me graduating from 8th grade in 1982. 

I know some are going to hate me for saying this, but I loved Jr. High.  I loved the music, the roller skating, my friends, 7-up Lip Smakers, the boys, my teachers, my pets, and the new freedom being a little old brought me.  

Just thinking about this time in my life brings me a small, warm feeling deep inside my heart.  I'm fortunate to have had that kind of experience as a young girl.  I am so grateful I did. 

I wanted to bring you back to that time with me, so I made you this mixed tape with some of my favorite songs of 1982.  

(You can just click through it to hear a little bit of each song.) 

✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼✼  

 

This is my entry for Marcy's "Fro Me To You."