Last summer, I had the pleasure of meeting Ilina P., a blogger from North Carolina, at a national blogging convention. During our conversation, I mentioned that I write the blog for LEGOLAND^® California, at which point she practically fell on the floor with excitement. It turns out that Ilina’s name might as well be Ilego because she is a huge fan of all things LEGO^®. She has two little boys who keep her in check, but they can’t keep up with her model building prowess. Recently, Ilina brought her family out to the west coast for a family vacation; number one for the sun and number two for LEGOLAND. I had a chance to catch up with her again on her visit to ask her a few questions:

1) I've heard you are a big LEGO fan. At what age did you first get interested in building with LEGO bricks?

I remember playing with LEGO when I was a little kid in Philadelphia. It was the one thing that both my older brother and I played with. I love that the toy isn't gender specific, and it opens up your imagination. I'm almost 43 and still love LEGO. In fact, my sons gave me a tub of pick-a-brick LEGO for Mother's Day last year!

2) What's the most unique and/or labor-intensive model you've built?

I never use a model kit, I prefer to take a pile of bricks and make my own construction. Once I made a Christmas scene with a Santa, reindeer and sleigh, and tree, all without a kit. Even my LEGO fanatic neighbor kid was impressed. I also made a killer haunted house once, complete with a head floating in a glass jar. I really should start taking photos of my creations.

3) Who is better at building with LEGO bricks: you or your sons?

Me, hands down (but I'd never tell them that). I create intricate apartments with furniture and even a full kitchen. My sons, however, are masters at building vehicles and spacecrafts that they use to stage battles with their guys.

4) What was your favorite model at LEGOLAND California?

San Francisco floored me. I couldn't stop oohing and aahing the way people do when they watch fireworks.

5) Who was more excited to go to LEGOLAND: you or your two sons?

We gave our sons the option to go to France or Spain this summer (we went to Italy last summer) or LEGOLAND for spring break. As you can imagine, there was no contest. They screamed "LEGOLAND!" in unison. I moped for a bit but was secretly ecstatic. I had high hopes, and LEGOLAND didn't disappoint.

6) Was there anything about LEGOLAND that surprised you?

I wasn't expecting so much to do for all ages. There was - such a good mix that we as adults had just as much fun as our sons. I was impressed that there were actually healthy (and tasty) food options. What a departure from the theme parks we have visited!

7) What model would like to see at the Park next time you visit?

I'd love to see Italy in Miniland. We saw a LEGO Barack Obama at the LEGO Discovery Center in Chicago, that was pretty cool. I'm amazed at how those builders can make people out of LEGO...way cool.

8) Just how good are Granny’s Apple Fries?

A to the Mazing! I was particularly fond of the little fold out nest for the whipped cream. I wish LEGOLAND delivered. I could go for a tub of those right now.

Brick regards,
Model Mom Mary

“So, is everything at LEGOLAND^® California made out of LEGO^® bricks?” This is probably the most frequently asked question I get about the Park.

The long short answer is, “NO, not everything is made of LEGO bricks, but you will be amazed at what IS made out of bricks.” Each time I visit, I see something new I’ve never seen before and am even more amazed than the time before.

Here is a list of my top five favorite models at LEGOLAND California:

1) Albert Einstein: Just to the right of the entrance, as you enter the Imagination Zone, there is a gigantic replica of Albert Einstein’s world-renowned mug emerging from the LEGO Hero Factory. Einstein is made of over a million standard gray bricks and was one of the first large scale models in the Park.

2) New York Skyline: This concrete-jungle–turned-plastic-brick marvel is a must see! The mini “Big Apple” has all of the typical New York City sites including cab congestion, street corner hot dog vendors and a glorious replica of the Statue of Liberty made entirely of LEGO bricks.

3) Volvo: This model makes me want to buy a Volvo, no lie. Be sure to check it out when you’re in Fun Town. Most people I show it to think that it’s a real car at first glance.

A little inside scoop: Though the inside of the Volvo model is hollow, with nothing resembling the interior of a car, the model builders hung some fuzzy LEGO dice where the rear view mirror would go for their own inside joke.

4) Elsie the Elephant: One of the first models you’ll see as you enter the Park, and also a great Photo Op to send to the grandparents, is Elsie the Elephant. She resides in the lagoon, spurts water out of her trunk and makes that cool trumpet noise that only elephants can make. My kids ask to stop and wave at Elsie each time we visit the Park. They think she spurts water out just for them.

5) The Mariachi Band: Growing up here in San Diego, so close to the US/Mexico border, Mariachi music has a special place in my heart. This trio of animated models, located in Fun Town, makes me want to eat some tacos and dance around a sombrero, not necessarily in that order. Ole!

What are your favorite models in the Park?

Last week, before taking the kids to the Park for a midweek playdate with some friends, I checked the weather to find it was going to be 80° and promptly texted my girlfriend to say, “Bring suits!” Since the Water Park was not open that day, we headed straight for Pirate Shores, where water and fun abound. I knew this buccaneer themed area of the Park would be perfect for a sunny afternoon.

Though bathing suits aren’t required for adults in this area I do recommend wearing an outfit you don’t mind getting wet because whether your toddler is splashing about in the water fountain area called Swabbies Deck or you’re riding Treasure Falls with your older kids, the chances of getting wet are pretty high. All of the rides and attractions in the area involve water, except the carnival games, the air brush tattoos and the pirate ship ride, Captain Cranky’s Challenge.

Speaking of Captain Cranky’s Challenge, I have something to confess. Ever since I began taking my kids to the Park on a regular basis, I have been terrified to ride Captain Cranky’s Challenge. I would walk past it quickly, pointing out various models and landscaping in the area, hoping my kids didn’t notice how fun it looked, and, every time, my diversions worked. Until last week, when my two year old yelled, “I want to wide that one!” I thought to myself, time to put my brave-mom-face on.

Of course I should’ve realized that LEGOLAND® California is a theme park for kids and therefore none of the rides should terrify a grown woman, but nevertheless, I was terrified. I think at some point in my youth I had been traumatized by a similar swaying ride at a local carnival when my lunch made a surprise appearance upon disembarking. Regardless of my inner turmoil, I caved to my kiddos and rode the ride that I’ve been wary of for years and I am SO glad I did. It was an absolute blast and nothing like the carnival ride that has haunted me all of these years. Captain Cranky’s Challenge has just been added to our list of “must rides” at LEGOLAND.

Other attractions in the area include the family ride Splash Battle where you can shoot water at other family members and unsuspecting on-lookers, and a huge play structure called Soak~n~Sail where older kids can utilize interactive water pumping and spraying devices. My two year old does not yet meet the height requirement for these rides so I haven’t been able to enjoy them yet, but I know my time will come soon.

The day was full of successes all the way around: the kids got soaked and tired out while I chatted with my girlfriend and enjoyed some sun, we found yet another ride that all of us can ride together, AND I conquered a fear, all in the same afternoon. Be sure to check out Pirate Shores on your next visit. There is something for the whole family, and though your kids might be saying “Ahoy me hearty” for the rest of the day, they will sleep like rocks that night.

As we approach my younger daughter’s third birthday, our dinner conversations frequently turn to the topic of “All the Things a Three Year Old Gets To Do.” She goes from quizzical and uncertain, when I mention the Binky Fairy who comes to take her beloved binkies, to smiley and excited when she hears that she’ll get to share a bunk bed with her sister Lily and that she’ll start preschool soon after. And then? The excitement gets kicked up a notch to ecstatic when I say, “And you also get to drive a car at the Volvo Junior Driving School ride at LEGOLAND.” “I get to drive a car, Lily!” she proclaims to her sister as she jumps up and down, flailing her little arms everywhere. She has been watching her big sister ride the Volvo Driving School ride for a year and a half, and now she’s so close she can taste it. Literally, if I let her, she’d try to taste it. She’s putting everything in her mouth these days).

Nestled in the back corner of Fun Town, Volvo Driving School and Volvo Junior Driving School, are always crowd pleasers, as kids can drive, steer, reverse and signal miniature LEGO^® cars on a trackless course, without the aid of a parent. Even if I could help, my daughter wouldn’t stand for any help though. She’s quite the independent one these days.

Rather than having height requirements, like most of the other rides, the driving schools have age restrictions. Volvo Junior Driving School is for ages 3-5 and Volvo Driving School is for ages 6-13.junio

Upon exiting the ride, the kids will get an actual driver license! For those that want to upgrade, for an additional $5.00 you can get a plastic version with their photo on it. It makes for a perfect souvenir from the day.

Be sure to check out the life-size LEGO model of a Volvo XC90 that sits just outside the Volvo Junior Driving School ride. It is one of my top five favorite models in the Park (I wonder what my other four are? I feel another blog post coming on). If the model doesn’t make you want to run out and buy a Volvo, I don’t know what will, except for the fact that Volvo drivers get preferred, rock star parking in the LEGOLAND parking lot. Sign me up!

I’ve heard of the Binky Fairy (in fact her second visit to my home is slated for June when my younger daughter turns three) and I’ve heard of cutting the tips of pacifiers until they just don’t work anymore, but SEA LIFE Carlsbad Aquarium has just come up with a brand new scheme to help parents wean their kids from their beloved binkies. This coming Friday, April 15th, the Carlsbad Aquarium is helping kids say bye-bye to binky in exchange for saying hello to Inky, the Aquarium’s newest octopuses. All you have to do, is come on down to the Aquarium with your kid’s pacifier in hand and trade it in for tickets to SEA LIFE, which just happens to be celebrating the opening of Octopus Garden, an interactive exhibit introducing families to the world of cephalopods.

Getting rid of that binky is all about distracting your kid so there is no time for thoughts of longing, so what a perfect carrot to dangle with offering free admission to the Aquarium. I think it’s genius. I might even consider moving up the date of my binky trade in. I wonder if the ticket agent at SEA LIFE will consider wearing a fairy costume for me?

Keep in mind that the tickets are good for admission on Friday the 15th only, and if you’re not ready to completely wean your kiddo, you can always keep a stash for emergency purposes and only turn in a few at the door. The pacies that you do decide to hand over will be recycled, in keeping with the Aquarium’s pledge to be eco-friendly.

Pacifiers will be collected at the main entrance to the Aquarium and for every pacifier turned in by a child, that child will receive up to four complimentary SEA LIFE tickets to use that day to enjoy with their family.