Kid Time | SoCal Savvy Mom

Nov 13
2014

Why we LOVE the Munchkin LATCH bottle

Munkchkin has done it again, they have come up with an amazing new product every new mother must have! As most of you know when you are exclusively breastfeeding, one of the biggest worries is finding the perfect bottle to feed your baby milk that is pumped. Babies are used to their mother’s breast and when you offer anything else they usually are not happy. We all know it is frustrating when we know our child is hungry but won’t eat. Why child, whyyyyy? If you are hungry won’t you just take any bottle? No, babies are very particular and they won’t take just anything. With so many choices out there it is often hard to find out which bottle your baby will take. If you are anything like me, you have bought a plethora of baby bottles hoping your baby will like at least one. My prayers have been answered because Munchkin has sent over the new LATCH bottle for us to use and go over everything we like about it in this sponsored post.

The Munchkin LATCH bottle seems to have completely figured it out for us! This bottle, is specially designed for breastfeeding babies, which makes it easier to go from breast to bottle and back to breast without skipping a beat. When nursing, it is all about the latch, making sure the nipple is reaching the back of the baby’s mouth. LATCH has a unique accordion style nipple to move with baby’s mouth. This nipple flexes, stretches, and moves just like a mothers breast would. Since the nipple moves when baby moves her head, the nipple moves with her so she will not lose her latch and ingest air. She has complete control of milk flow by applying pressure to the base of the nipple. The LATCH bottle also has a one-way, anti colic valve at the bottom which allows air flow to enter without causing bubbles reducing colic, as seen below.

Something terrific about this bottle is how easy it is to assemble. The nipple, the collar, the anti-colic valve, and the bottle! That is it, 4 easy parts and you are done! It is an exciting thing when you don’t have to search high and low around the kitchen looking for small pieces that some bottles require. I love that this bottle offers colic reduction with just four easy parts. It is a blessing for mother and baby!

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The very first time using this bottle my son took to it right away. No hesitation whatsoever. No air, no gas, no fuss! It made for a good nights sleep for this mama and baby.

As a special offer to SoCal Savvy Mom’s readers Munchkin is offering free shipping at Munchkin.com with the purchase of any LATCH bottle or pacifier using the code LOVELATCH, the code is valid now until 12/31/14 (one per customer; U.S. residents only please).

This amazing LATCH bottle system is also available both in stores and online at Babies R’ Us.

This Express Yourself post is brought to you by Munchkin LATCH as part of the #LoveLatch campaign. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Nov 10
2014

Coaster Holiday Express! Ride the train with Santa!

by Nicole Connerley

For tickets for the 2017 Coaster Holiday Express click here

To find the updated link for 2016 please click here.

See the 2015 post on the Coaster Holiday Express by clicking here.

Families can take a ride on a magical holiday train with Santa, Mrs. Claus and friends on Saturday, December 6. North County Transit District’s Coaster Holiday Express is a specially decorated train ride that features photo opportunities with Santa and classic carol singing for children of all ages. Each 65-minute Holiday COASTER Express ride travels non-stop and roundtrip from Oceanside to Solana Beach. The ride is recommended for families with children between the ages of 3 and 10.

Last year we had so much fun taking our son on the Coaster Holiday Express! It is only $8 per person this year with departure times of 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. from the Oceanside transit center. Please note tickets are not available day of and it will SELL OUT AND FAST! Tickets may be purchased on Wednesday, November 12th in person at a transit center or online here.

Nov 6
2014

Bates Nut Farm – Christmas on the Farm

by Nicole Connerley

This Saturday, November 8, 2014 and Sunday, November 9, 2014 Bates Nut Farm will host “Christmas on the Farm”

The fun day starts with a pancake breakfast actually an all-you-can-eat Pancake Breakfast! Provided by the Valley Center Lions Club. $6 adults/$5 children and it runs from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Enjoy pancakes, eggs, bacon, coffee and orange juice. Proceeds benefit local charities.

From 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. the event will run. If you want to start your holiday shopping early, Bates Nut Farm’s “Christmas on the Farm” Arts ‘n Crafts Fair is the place for you! With over 80 artisans selling a variety of handmade crafts and fine art, the hardest decision will be what not to purchase! Take a break from the shopping and enjoy some great BBQ and listen to Calico Ridge on the Bates stage from 12:00 -3:00. Pony rides and the Bates Petting Zoo are sure to be popular with the kids. Admission and parking are free. For more information click here.

Oct 30
2014

No Bake Halloween Treats – mini pumpkins

by Nicole Connerley

Fun and easy Halloween treats to make with kids! Last night my 8-year-old and I made these adorable mini pumpkins for Halloween. The pumpkins are very simple and a blast to make. This was our first time making these and they didn’t turn out too bad considering my 8-year-old did most of them!

Ingredients needed:

1 box Rice Crispy Cereal
1 bag of marshmallows
1 bag of tootsie rolls
Orange food coloring (we used Color Garden because it is 100% plant-based)
Black sparkle gel
Green decorating icing

To make:

In a microwave safe bowl add 40 marshmallows, melt for 1 min, then 30 seconds until it is melted
Add orange dye to melted marshmallows

4 cups of rice crispy cereal, add more if needed
Roll into balls, about the size of a tennis ball
Set on a cookie sheet and allow the little pumpkins to set (20 min)

Use black sparkle gel to draw on eyes and mouth
Use green decorating icing to add leaves
Roll out tootsie rolls to use as stump and add-on top

The mini pumpkins have been a HUGE hit! I gave them to the his teacher, school nurse, the wonderful women who help at the office in his school and everyone on our street. I just got back from lunch with my brother and just walking through the restaurant everyone was telling me how cute they were. I hope your friends and family love them too, Happy Halloween!

Oct 23
2014

Safe Trick or Treating in San Diego

by Nicole Connerley

For the list of 2015 Safe Trick or Treating click here.

Halloween is just next week, do you have a tradition? Do you trick or treat only in your neighborhood? I love the idea of trick or treating at a shopping center or mall because there are not cars everywhere. I am always worried about children on Halloween and being struck by a car, this almost happened to us last year! The driver of the car got an ear full from myself and the other parents with us. So this year we will be trick or treating at one of the events listed below. Of course my child and probably yours too LOVES Halloween because of the candy, which is another reason I love this, I know who the candy is coming from. Happy Halloween!

Carmel Mountain Plaza Halloween Trick or Treat – Children 12 and under dressed in costumes are invited to trick-or-treat at participating stores from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Parents can enjoy live music with the 80’z All-Stars, or kids can enjoy balloon art, and more! Register near Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf or Reading Cinemas and receive a Free treat bag, while supplies last.

Carlsbad Forum Celebrate Halloween – Trick or treating for children 12 and younger in costume from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dress up your pups and enjoy the doggie treat and water station outside of Anthropology, for more information click here.

Carlsbad Premium Outlets Halloween Trick-or-Treating – From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. costumed children escorted by their parents are invited to trick-or-treat at Carlsbad Premium Outlets on Halloween. Participating merchants will distribute wrapped candy and treats adding to the fun, for more information click here.

Westfield Carlsbad Trick or Treat & Scare Away Hunger – At participating retailers from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. scare away hunger by donating a non-perishable food item at JC Penny to benefit the Salvation Army. Receive a free gift with donation (while supplies last) Children 12 years and younger are invited to hunt for treats, no masks or toy weapons, for more information click here.

Carlsbad Village Halloween in the Village – Stop by the FUN ZONE at 3:30 p.m. to pick up your merchant trick or treat map, check out the jump house and have your face painted. At 3:45 p.m. the kids costume contest will begin, from 6:30 p.m. to 0 p.m. the hounted house will be open. At 7:30 p.m. there is a costume contest for adults.

Chula Vista Village Walk Trick or Treat – Village Walk merchants will provide free treats for children ages 12 and under dressed in costume and accompanied by an adult. Two registration areas, one by HSBC bak and one near the children’s sandbox area next to T.J. Maxx, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. for more information click here.

Encinitas Safe Trick or Treat – Along a stretch of South Coast Hwy 101, from Encinitas Blvd. to K street, will transform into Pumpkin lane from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. It will be decorated with elaborately carved pumpkins at different viewing locations. Downtown businesses generously participate and join in the fun. Don’t miss the kids zone where children can enjoy games, music and activities at The Lumberyard Courtyard. Downtown merchants hand out candy in a tranquil, safe setting where tricksters of all ages have loads of fun. For more information click here.

Westfield Escondido Halloween Spooktacular – You’re invited to the Westfield Spooktacular at Westfield North County. Bring the kiddos by for some family Trick-or-Treat Halloween fun. Select retailers will be passing out treats from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Halloween night, for more information click here.

Westfield UTC Mall-O-Ween – Stop in for some fun trick or treating with participating retailers at UTC. From 3 p.m. to 7p.m., select retailers will be participating with in-store “carnival” festivities and bounce back deals available for you to use through the weekend. From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., more mall retailers will be joining on the festivities, distributing candy for trick-or-treating and Plaza Unplugged performer, Ryan Brolliar, will be joining us in Palm Plaza for musical entertainment! For more information click here.

Westfield Horton Plaza presents HortonHalloween – Horton Plaza is hosting a fun night for kids on Halloween. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. join in for tricks, treats, & awesome beats! There will be a costume contest, Spooktacular Savings, Giveaways & More! Jamba Juice will have FREE smoothies for kids from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. for more information click here.

Oct 22
2014

Brick-or-Treat at Legoland California

by Nicole Connerley

Early bird tickets for Brick-or-Treat at Legoland may be found here for 2016

Brick-or-Treat is a family tradition in our house, Legoland AND trick-or-treating? We are so there! Every Saturday in October plus Friday the 24th Legoland hosts its annual Brick-or-Treat party nights. There are costume contests, dancing, live entertainment, treats, dancing, rides, giant Lego^® Halloween models and the night comes to an end with fireworks.

Hop, skip, or jump down the the Brick-or-Treat Trail with fun surprises and snacks along the way including a collector LEGO Brick and LEGO toys. (Peanut and tree nut allergen warning) The West side of the Park closes at 5 pm, entry to Brick-or-Treat Party Nights begins at 4 pm. For more details, please click here.

Please note additional fees do apply.

If you are a Merlin Annual Member (as we are) there is no additional fee to enter Brick-or-Treat party nights.
If you are a standard annual pass member it is $15 per person, same price for adults and children.
Non members will pay $40 per person at the walk up window day of.
Friday, October 24th tickets may be purchased online for only $30, click here to purchase.

We hope your family will enjoy Legoland Brick-or-Treat party nights as much as ours!