The three little words, “Mommy and Me,” were on my lips a lot when my daughters were first born. We attended Mommy and Me yoga classes, Mommy and Me music classes, and Mommy and Me book readings. Now that my girls are a bit older, the Mommy and Me programs are not as frequent, but that is about to change. SEA LIFE™ Carlsbad Aquarium has just developed a new program called Mommy and Me Under the Sea, geared for kids ages 2-5. Yesterday I had the opportunity to preview this program and I am beyond excited to start this activity with my kids in February.

Here’s how it works: You pick a day, either a Tuesday or a Wednesday, and pick a time slot, 9:30am – 11:00am, 11:45am – 1:15pm or 2:00pm – 3:30pm. Each class day will have a specific topic, assigned in advance. The kids will participate in activities, crafts, and games that geared to help both fine and gross motor skills, all while educating them about the ocean blue. Kids and parents alike will walk away with fun facts and a new appreciation for life under the sea.

The sessions will be limited to ten kids so the instructor can really engage with each child. Though the classes are geared for ages 2-5, older or younger siblings are invited as well. And of course, even though it’s called Mommy and Me Under the Sea (because who doesn’t love good alliteration?), dads are welcome too!

The cost for a four-week session is $35.00 for one kid and $45.00 for two. And Resort Pass Members can upgrade for only $20.00 a session. Check out the SEA LIFE site for more details and info.

Brick regards,
Model Mom Mary

The LEGO^® company is hitting it out of the ballpark this January.

Not only did they launch the new LEGO Friends line for girls, on January 1st (which I have since purchased and is a HUGE hit with my girls), but also, this past Wednesday night, The Cartoon Network™ launched the first ever fully animated cartoon series of LEGO Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu!

To celebrate the launch of the toy company’s action/comedy animated TV series, LEGOLAND^® California will be playing the first three episodes in rotation in the LEGO Showplace on Saturdays and Sundays in January (January 14-15, January 21-22, January 28-29).

Here are show times and details:

2:30pm Episode 1 – Rise of the Snakes
3:30pm Episode 2 - Home
4:30pm Episode 3 - Snakebit
 
Each episode is twenty-two minutes long. Schedule is subject to change without notice so please check the signage outside the theatre on the day of your visit. Also, please note that the MPAA Rating system rated the film PG for some Fantasy Violence, Crude Humor and some scary and disturbing images.

Enjoy the show!
Model Mom Mary

I am happy to see various movements across the country that are promoting health and fitness with our youth. Obesity amongst young people is at staggering percentages and one of the best ways to curb and reverse those numbers is to introduce them to various sports and get them moving. So on January 21, throw some sneakers on your kiddos and get them movin’ in the annual Kids Marathon Mile that take place at LEGOLAND^® California.

This Kids Marathon Mile is in conjunction with the Tri-City Medical Center Carlsbad Full & Half Marathon that takes place on Sunday, January 22nd. LEGOLAND California is the venue sponsor for this kids race and though the race is intended for kids 12 and under, anyone can participate.

All registered race participants receive an event T-shirt, free Child ticket to LEGOLAND California and SEA LIFE Carlsbad Aquarium, 50% off admission to LEGOLAND for two guests, a shiny finisher’s medal plus a free child UltraStar Cinemas movie pass. Parents can either be registered participants, or can sign up to be companions for a lower fee.

Entry rates go up in price in a few days so check active.com for details on how to register.

There is also an option to do a “run for your school” fundraiser if you have ten or more students, parents and/or teachers, so check out the CarlsbadMarathon.com website for details.

The race is just for fun and therefore not timed, so I won’t say, “I’ll race ya!” But, I am really looking forward to doing this race with my family and I hope to see you out there!

Brick regards,
Model Mom Mary

Yesterday I took the kids for a play date at the beach (yes, it’s the beginning of January, and we had a picnic at the beach). On the way there, I had to explain to them that we would not be going in the water, not only because the water was cold, but also because there had been a recent sewage spill in the waters just South of us and I wasn’t sure if the water was still contaminated or not. Of course their five and three year old brains started firing questions at me and I was wishing that I had one of the experts from SEA LIFE™ Carlsbad Aquarium in my back pocket there to help me answer the questions.

I answered to the best of my ability, but then got side-tracked trying to parallel park along the coast highway, so I’m sure I left them with unanswered questions. Which is why I’m excited that SEA LIFE is celebrating Underwater Parks Day on January 21. At this fourth annual special event, celebrated by all the aquariums in Southern California, kids and parents can learn about Marine Protected Areas, aka Underwater Parks, which replenish fish populations and restore the health of coastal waters. My kids can ask all the questions they want, while I sit back, checking out the coral.

At the event, kids will get to create a special “sand globe” craft in a bottle with seaweed, creatures and sand, as well as participate in games, giveaways and hands-on exhibits. Of course, they can also ride the slide forty times in a row, if they love it as much as my kids do.

Hope you can join us at SEA LIFE for this special event!

Price of admission for the special: Kids (3–12) $15; Adults $20. Parking $5. Admission is FREE for Pass Members and also included with LEGOLAND Hopper tickets.

Happy New Year, friends of LEGOLAND^® California! I hope everyone had a joyous holiday season!

One of the things I am most excited for this new year is the introduction of the new LEGO^® friend line geared for girls, that is now available for sale at LEGOLAND® California. Though my daughters are already big fans of building with LEGO bricks, I know that they are going to go crazy for these new pastel-colored, girl-centric minifigures.

For years, LEGO has been one of the most successful and trusted brands by parents around the world, however, a majority of their toy products have been predominantly aimed at little boys. Now, with pink and purple hued toy sets like Andrea’s Stage and Emma’s Splash Pool, little girls will have relatable play sets more fitting of their interests (generally speaking of course).

Though our credit cards took a beating over the holidays, l cannot wait to purchase a few of these sets for my girls. Check out the new website at http://friends.LEGO.com!

Brick regards,
Model Mom Mary