Oceanside Harbor Days Sept 27-28

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This weekend on September 27-28, 2014 the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce present Oceanside Harbor Days at the Oceanside Harbor. The FREE family-friendly event will feature arts and craft exhibits, great food and fun activities for the entire family. The event is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.oceanside harbor days 1

Two fun filled days of sun, sand, and surf provide a great experience for fun activities for all ages.   New this year is the Sandcastle competition, you will not want to miss the Entertainment Stage with live music, there will also be Arts & Crafts. The Food booth areas will not want to be missed, and my personal favorite is the Nail ‘n’ Sail Competition, where people make a boat and then try and see if it floats across the harbor!  It is really fun seeing which boats make it and which boats sink!

Parking – There is free parking in downtown Oceanside at the Oceanside transit parking garage located at Cleveland Street & Seagaze Drive.  Free shuttle on the double decker busses is at the North County Transit Center.  Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.  

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Medieval Times

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Have you ever been?  There is a full list of special offers for our readers that may be found by clicking here.

Last week I was able to experience a very special behind the scenes tour of Medieval Times.  Redha, the horse trainer, took us around the stables and let us meet the horses.  Medieval Times has around 30 horses that preform in the show.  Redha explained their daily grooming and training routines. Most of their horses are born and raised on a ranch in Texas, and once they are mature enough, they move to their new home to perform in the tournaments.  You can tell the horses are well loved.

IMG_2367We were also able to meet Jesse, the head knight. He showed us the arena where the tournament is played. Jesse explained the weapons that are used in the show.  They are REAL!  The knights train 5 hours daily before the live tournament.  Safety is the number one priority, and since the weapons are real, they practice, practice, practice! Although, most of is choreographed, the weapons used during fighting are real weapons.   The knights train for months before they are able to to preform in the live tournaments.

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As soon as you enter the castle the entire ambiance changes.  The decor and costumes are so real it’s as if you stepped back in time.  The staff does an amazing job at making you feel welcome and making it such a magical experience for the whole family. As you walk in, you are given a team color, ours was blue.  The color you are seated in is also the color of the Knight you are cheering for to win.  Before entering the arena, you have a chance to order drinks, take your seat, and watch as people are Knighted.  If it is your birthday, or it is a special occasion, let them know (before you arrive) because you will get called and the king will “Knight” you.  As the doors open up to the arena, I was surprised to see that every seat in the house has a terrific view.  We took our seats and were excited for the tournament to begin!  Who will win?

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As it beings, we are introduced to the Knights of the Realm who will be fighting in the name of Honor and Chivalry. Thrilling theatrics, heart pounding battles with real swords, and elctrifying jousting  all for the sake of being honored by the King and Queen.  During the games, dinner is served.  A feast fit for a king! Delicious roasted chicken, garlic bread, yummy tomato bisque, spare rib, and a roasted potato, and for dessert, the castles pastry.  Vegetarian options available. Did I mention you don’t get utensils to use.

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During the tournament, cheering on your Knight is the best part.  Kids are really enthusiastic cheering their team waving the colored flags, catching the roses thrown in the crowd, and booing the opposing teams.  Each Knight chooses a “queen” of his color and passes her a sash.  Then, the winning Knight chooses a Queen of Love & Beauty. She will be crowned and referred to as “your majesty” What a thrilling moment for one lucky girl!!

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After the show is over, the cast are very gracious and come out to take photos with everyone.  You get a chance to mingle with them and see their costumes up close.

Overall this was a truly amazing experience.  We loved every moment of it.  Everyone was entertained and enchanted.

If you join the Knights Court on their website you can go for free on your BIRTHDAY!

For the most up to date specials and discounts offered visit the website here to check it out and buy tickets.  When you visit please let us know your experience and we will share!

Giveaway to BooMont Park Fall Festival at Belmont Park

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SoCal Savvy Mom is hosting a giveaway for a family 4-pack to BooMont Park Fall Festival & Haunt! Leave a comment on this post to be entered into the giveaway. Fall is just around the corner and we can not wait!  Fall is such a fun time of year with the weather changing and of course Halloween.  Back for the second year Belmont Park will host BooMont Park Fall Festival & Haunt every Friday, Saturday and Sunday throughout October.  The BooMont Manor Haunted House is a must see!  The famous roller coaster turns into the spooky coaster.  There will be a zombie laser tag, superhero zip line, rockwall, pumpkin patch, costume contests and I saved the best for last TRICK or TREATING!

All of the fun starts every Friday, after 5 p.m and all day on Saturday and Sunday.   The free trick or treating times vary – Fridays from 6:30-7:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 1:30-2:30 p.m. and from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

BP_Header_BoomontParkFree Trick-or-Treating
Fridays | 6:30-7:30pm
Saturdays & Sundays | 1:30-2:30pm & 6:30-7:30pm

Boomont Manor Haunted House
From the makers of the Scream Zone and The Haunted Hotel,
this scary maze is sure to bring out the chills and thrills of the season!
$6 per person | Recommended for ages 7-12 years

Zombie Laser Tag
A Halloween spin on your favorite game!
Zombie creatures join you on this adventure-packed three flour maze.
$8 per person | $20 unlimited

The Spooky Coaster
The Giant Dipper roller coaster transforms into a ride of chilling dips and turns!
$6 per person | Must be 52″ to ride

Pumpkin Patch & Painting
Pick out your perfect pumpkin to style your way
Pumpkin pricing varies by size; painting is free

Superhero Zip Line & Rock Wall
Dressed to save the day? Receive half off Zip Line & Rock wall play!
Superheros must be between 50-250lbs to participate

Costume Contests
Every Saturday at 5pm. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners score Belmont prize packages!

 

 

#SaveX3 at Staples! Free iTunes gift cards!

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This summer my family has been busy, we have traveled both in and outside the US.  In mid-summer my husband, my son and I all traveled to San Jose del Cabo in Mexico.  We try to visit every year for my son’s birthday (he has no idea how spoiled this makes him.)

This month we had a family reunion in Denver and in Vail.  My parents flew out a few days before the rest of us and I was in charge of everyone’s boarding passes because apparently I’m the responsible one.  My job was pretty simple to print boarding passes for my younger brother, my older brother, his daughter and his wife, my son and myself.  The day before our flight I checked us all in and attempt to print our boarding passes, only to find that I am out of toner.  Why?  We are 24 hours before our flight with no boarding passes because I didn’t check my ink. Has this happened to you as well?  Running out of ink has to be one of the most annoying things ever!  Do yourself a favor and stock up with this amazing offer from Staples! Simply go to Staples anytime between now and September 27 to not only stock up on the low price toner but to also receive $15 iTunes gift cards for free!

DownloadedFileYes, I said FREE iTunes gift card for buying something you already need!  The breakdown: Staples is offering a $15 iTunes gift card with a $75 purchase in HP ink.  Bonus if you are a Staples Rewards Member you will also receive 5% in rewards!

My brothers with my son on our flight to Denver – we made it!

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This is a sponsored post, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Pumpkin Station Deal is back!

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Pumpkin Station

Pumpkin Station is the fall activity the whole family will enjoy!  Choosing a pumpkin is one of my child’s favorite things to do around Halloween time (besides all the candy of course!)  Pumpkin Station has five locations throughout San Diego with locations in Del Mar, Mission Valley, El Cajon, National City and Chula Vista.

With fun rides, slides, play centers, petting zoos and much more the kids will have a ball!  Pumpkin Station has a variety of pumpkins, gourds, corn, corn stalks, and pumpkin carving kits.  All locations open on September 26th this year with the exception of Mission Valley which opens on October 3rd.

Please note the Circle Buzz deal is not valid at the Rancho Bernardo or Bonita farm locations.  But all locations mentioned above will accept the voucher.

On to the deal… for only $16 you will receive a $32 ride package at Pumpkin Station.  This is an amazing deal, hurry and purchase one now, it has sold out in the past few years.  For more information or to purchase this deal click here.

Pumpkin Station

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Disney Cruise Line… Disney Dream

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The Disney Cruise Line and our trip on the Disney Dream.  This is NOT a paid post this was our vacation (one of many vacations) this vacation was a cruise my amazing mother in law took my son and I on.  We are not selling anything, just sharing our experience.

 It is exactly as it sounds, it truly is a dream aboard the Disney Dream Cruise ship.  SoCal Savvy Mom set sail in March of 2014 for a 4-night Bahamian cruise.  As soon as you enter the terminal you know this is not an ordinary cruise.  Everything is Disney, and I do mean everything, I have never seen Mickey ears in so many different ways than on the Disney Dream.

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Upon entering the ship, you are greeted by your family name and all the crew members clap and welcome you aboard.  As if that wasn’t surprise enough, the whole gang there to greet us.  Mickey, yep he was there, Minnie, yes her too, Goofy, him as well, Donald was there too and you encouraged to have your pictures taken with them.  My child is a little weary of characters he always has been, and rather than force him to take a picture my mother-in-law and I decided we wanted our picture with Goofy!

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Disney sends you all the information you need to plan your trip months before hand.  One of the things they mentioned was your state-room may not be ready when you board the ship, however you are welcome to start enjoying the pools.  We wore our bathing suits onboard so we could go straight to the pool while our state-room was being prepared for us.  The Aquaduck is an amazing enclosed slide and also our reason for choosing the Disney Dream.  Disney has different ships with different highlights, the Dream cost a little more but was very worth it.

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The AquaDuck water coaster boasts a thrilling 4-deck drop and safely carries guests over the side of the ship and back.

AquaDuck is the first water coaster on a Disney Cruise Line ship—or, for that matter, any cruise ship—setting the standard for height, length and excitement.  It was our favorite thing to do together while on the Disney Dream because it was so exciting!  For a full length video of the AquaDuck in action click here.  Make sure your child is tall enough before you board, children must be at least 42 inches tall to ride with an adult or 53 inches to ride by themselves.

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When choosing a state-room there are many options on the Disney Dream.  The options range from a standard inside room to Royal family suite with concierge.  Because my child was 7 at the time we set sail my husband did not feel comfortable with us having a room with a verandah.  We decided upon the Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom, and we were very overjoyed when we saw our stateroom.  The room was larger than we thought it would be, we had more than enough room for everything and everyone.  Disney thought of things you will need that you have never thought of before!

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The split bath allows for multiple people to use the facilities at the same time. The full bathroom includes a vanity, sink and full tub/shower, while the half bath has a vanity, sink and toilet. Both luxurious and practical, most of the staterooms have round tubs with a built-in seat, a rain-style shower and a hand-held showerhead—perfect for bathing children.

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This is part one of our series on the Disney Cruise Line, the items touched upon in this article are reasons for choosing the Disney Dream and your state-room.  Next we will discuss the food options not just for children but the delicious meals for adults.  We will also go into detail the adults only areas on the ship including the spa which we were lucky enough to have a few treatments in.  The last and most important in our series will be about the on-board entertainment and the kids club that my child never wanted to leave.

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