When I was a young girl, the phrase “Give a hoot, don’t pollute,” was drilled into my brain via the lovable “Woodsy Owl.” The message was simple. Keep our forests, our earth, and our planet clean and free of pollution. It is messaging that has stuck with me for the past 30+ years, a little voice in the back of my head that reminds me to not litter and to pick up other people’s trash if I see it lying around.

Now, our kiddos will get to learn a similar lesson thanks to the darling new puppet show at SEA LIFE Carlsbad Aquarium, only instead of the lessons coming from an owl in the forest, it’s a sea star in a tide pool. In this entertaining and educational show, Sunny the Sea Star, Hermi the Hermit Crab, and Jay Octo demonstrate to the kiddos how easy and important it is to pick up trash to keep our environment clean. I am also going to put these lessons into practice tonight, in my own living room, with picking up LEGO bricks. Hope it works!

Enjoy the show!

Invariably, when my kids and I spend a day at the Park, we see a family or two on the brink of emotional disaster. Traveling with kids, especially to theme parks, inherently lends itself to spinouts, meltdowns and tantrums, both by kids AND parents. The first few times I visited theme parks with both my girls, I had to learn many of these lessons the hard way.


Five ways to avoid spinouts, meltdowns and tantrums:

1. Prepare—This one is hard for me because I am not the most organized Model om on the block, but I notice on the days when I am prepared on the morning of, with clothes laid out and bags packed from the night before, then the day at the Park will run more smoothly than on days when I am disorganized and frazzled, trying to get everyone ready.
2. Snack & Hydrate—The Park does not allow outside food or drink (except water), so I recommend stopping by The Market just to the left as you enter the Park, to grab some healthy snacks that are easy to eat on the go like cheese sticks, yogurt drinks, granola bars, and cheerios in a tub.  You can bring your own water bottles or buy some at the Park. It gets really hot in the middle of summer so being hydrated will help all the way around.
3. Set Expectations—Talk about the theme park experience on the way there with your kiddos so they know what to expect. Discuss some of the things they will see, that they might have to wait in line and what approximate time you are planning to leave. Then again, when it is almost time to leave, give them that beloved “five minute warning.” (The five-minute trick was a godsend to me when my daughter turned two. I don’t think I could survive motherhood without it).
4. Plan Ahead—Take a peek at the map online and read up on the blog on the things to do for the various ages. For example, if your kids are on the younger side, you’ll want to head to the left upon first entering the Park, since the attractions on that side of the Park are geared for toddler age. The families with older kids may want to start off by going to the right to hit the Technic Coaster as soon as possible. Also, measure your kids before you go and note the height requirements on some of the bigger rides so you know which ones your kids can and cannot ride.
5. Take Precautionary Safety Measures— I wrote a post a few months ago about how I “misplaced” my two-year-old while at LEGOLAND. From that experience I put together a list of a few safety precautions parents can take to help prevent something similar happening to you. CLICK HERE to read them before your trip.

Thirty-six years ago, a jaw-dropping, blood-curdling film came out that put sharks on the top of the nightmare-inducing list. I was three years old when Spielberg’s classic, Jaws, hit the big screen (stop doing the math, I’m twenty-nine-forever). I don’t think I saw it until I was older, but I do know that it has haunted me all these years and most certainly contributed to my fear of swimming in the ocean.

Next week, to celebrate the Discovery Channel’s National Shark Week, SEA LIFE™ Carlsbad Aquarium is dedicating itself to eliminating the myths and mysteries surrounding sharks. Though they’re gigantic, have sharp teeth and have been known to attack humans, sharks are apparently largely misunderstood. In addition to all the current entertainment at SEA LIFE™, like the Shark & Ray Show, Shark Talk, the Daily Dive and the Quiz Trail scratch card, the Aquarium will also feature a special SEA LIFE Shark Scavenger Hunt. According to the fin facts you and your kiddos will learn during the scavenger hunt, you’re more likely to win the lottery than to be bitten by a shark.

Another highlight of Shark Week will be the photo op with the Great White model in the Beginning of LEGOLAND California. Be sure to stop by and have your family photo taken.

SEA LIFE™ Aquarium is open every day this summer, from 9:00am – 8:00pm and the Shark Week celebrations take place in the week of Sunday, July 31st through Sunday, August 7th. Now if you excuse me, I’m off to buy a lottery ticket.

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.

Not only can an Octopus’s Garden be found on The Beatles’ Abby Road, which happens to be one of my fave albums by the “fab four,” but now, SEA LIFE Aquarium at LEGOLAND California will soon have eight-legged bragging rights as well.

Yes, by the time my kids have recovered from the excitement of the new STAR WARS area in Miniland in March, they will have a new treat to look forward to with the opening of yet another interactive exhibit inside SEA LIFE Carlsbad Aquarium, called Octopus Garden. I love the idea of having an attraction dedicated to cephalopods as it seems that kids always get the biggest kick out of watching octopuses at work. Something about all of those tentacles waving around willy nilly that makes kids either fascinated or giddy, or both. Then when you add in their sneaky tricks like camouflage, ink clouds and jet propulsion, forget about it.

I must admit, I honestly didn’t even know the term jet propulsion ‘til I wrote this post, which is another reason I am excited for this exhibit. My knowledge of underwater life is limited so now I can learn all about octopus, cuttlefish and nautilus right alongside my kids. I love being able to make learning activities with the kids interactive and fun. Now the fun factor just multiplied eight times over!

See you at the OG tank in May! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go find another song to get stuck in my head.

Brick regards,
Model Mom Mary

Don't miss your chance this coming Saturday to visit SEA LIFE™ Aquarium and join in on the Brick-or-Treat festivities with decorated tanks, cleverly themed shows and a Bonus Treat Station.

One of the highlights during our typical trips to SEA LIFE™ Aquarium is the “Daily Dive” show where the kids can actually talk to the diver who is just on the other side of the glass, in the tank in full scuba gear. In the special Brick-or-Treat shows, the diver demonstrates how to carve a pumpkin under water. It totally boggled my mind. As my two year old said, “Dat is coo, Mommy.”

I also recommend checking out the “Shark Talk” puppet show where Hammy the Hammerhead Shark puppet discusses ways to create Halloween costumes at home by reusing materials. I only wish I could be creative enough to come up with homemade costumes like that! (Thanks Hammy for the ideas!)

The Bonus Treat Station was a BIG hit with my entire family. The kids went crazy for the tattoos and I promptly hijacked the Swedish Fish since they are my all time favorite candy.

And before you head out, be sure to check out the crabs in the Southern California Tide Pool that create their own costumes with orange and green sponges. You haven’t seen anything like it.

There is endless fun to be had at SEA LIFE™ Aquarium and LEGOLAND^® California this October. Hope to see you next Saturday!

Brick regards,
Model Mom Mary

SEA LIFE Aquarium, next door to LEGOLAND, is proud to present not one, not two, but THREE new shows for your viewing pleasure. With the addition of the live entertainment, the aquarium experience has gone from a hands-on journey through the maze of magical tanks to a playful, interactive experience where kids will laugh, play and move along with the aquatic animals.

The first of the three new shows is called Shark Talk, featuring three adorable puppets your kiddos are certain to flip for. Based on the concept of a late night talk show, Jay Octo the Octopus interviews his guest, Hammy the Hammerhead, and pure comedy ensues.

A third puppet, Hermit the Crab, plays the stage manager and gets the kids clapping and laughing right from the get-go. One of the highlights of the show is the Q & A session at the end, where kids can ask questions regarding anything they’ve seen that day at the aquarium. Since both the questions and answers are completely unscripted, this part of the show is sure to leave the entire family in stitches.

The Daily Dive is a show like none other. Grab a seat early in the Shipwrecks Seating zone and be amazed as an underwater scuba diver, a SEA LIFE aquarist, talks through the tank via specialized communication equipment.  The kids are led in a game of Simon Says which gets the kids involved and learning all sorts of diver sign language.

And finally, in the Shark and Ray Show, a modern day, female version of Jacques Cousteau, played by the aquarist Elizabeth, hands out lab coats and clipboards to the kids, encouraging them to use their inner marine biologist while learning the Sting Ray shuffle. This show takes place upstairs at the Ray Lagoon and is a perfect hands-on lesson in Elasmobranchs (sharks and rays).

All three of the shows incorporate interaction with the children, and hold their attention, allowing parents some time to relax a bit. The element of entertainment is a unique twist to the aquarium experience, allowing for playful interactive learning and a whole lotta laughs. I think I laughed louder than kids at certain points since the puppeteers like to throw a few jokes out for the parents too. It’s a win/win for everyone! View our Feeding Times and Show schedule for details.

Enjoy your day at LEGOLAND California Resort!

Brick Regards,
Model Mom Mary