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What a FEBRUARY!

Last week in February....looking forward to March

By Chanin Victor February 22, 2018

Wow, what a February!  It's our shortest month, but there was a lot packed into it!  Does anybody else feel like you've sneezed and BOOM it's almost March?  


WHAT's BEEN HAPPENING?

Let's start off with movies...Black Panther, Peter Rabbit, and Jumanji are among the films that opened in February for your kids, all good choices.  We're looking forward to March 9th when "A Wrinkle In Time" opens in theatres nationwide.  From visionary director Ava DuVernay comes Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time,” an epic adventure based on Madeleine L’Engle’s timeless classic which takes audiences across dimensions of time and space,  examining the nature of darkness versus light and, ultimately, the triumph of love. Through one girl’s transformative journey led by three celestial guides, we discover that strength comes from embracing one’s individuality and that the best way to triumph over fear is to travel by one’s own light.  ***Parents - Please NOTE: this is the LAST WEEKEND to see those Oscar-nominated movies you need to see before the Academy Awards on March 4th.***

          

Last Saturday, we attended the Chinese New Year celebration presented by Santa Monica Place and it was Amaaaaaaaaaaa-zing!  They really know how to put on a show and we heard they booked the amazing performers months and months ahead of time to get the BEST!...and they did!  Hosted by Katherine Ho from The Voice on NBC, the celebrations included authentic cultural performances and activities such as the traditional Chinese dragon dance, Korean fan dance, stilt walkers, classical folk music from a Chinese musical duo, New Year’s Wishing Trees and family-friendly arts and crafts for all to enjoy.  Everything was incredible, but I have to say @ChrisDoughArtist was mesmerizing to watch. He probably made hundreds of tiny dough sculptures for a line around the mall, without a break, and they were just about the cutest things we ever saw!  If you'd like to see a little bit of Chris Lee's amazing talent, plus other cool things that happened during the event, be sure to look at my Instagram Story and I will post a video on our NEW YOUTUBE CHANNEL as well. 







By the way, that's right, Santa Monica Macaroni Kid has started a YOUTUBE Channel and we are going to fill it with videos or happenings, events, and businesses in the coming months.  So be sure to SUBSCRIBE HERE!  Also, Santa Monica Macaroni Kid subscribers will get a discount at ADVANCED SKINCARE using the Code.... if you didn't see me get micro-needled with PRP, you can view it on our YOUTUBE CHANNEL!

The L.A. ZOO thought the Year of the Dog was the perfect time to get to know the Zoo's African Painted Dog Siblings!  They hope to educate guests on a species of canine – the African painted dog. This particular wild species may be lesser known than domesticated dogs, but like your dog at home they also share a few key similarities to humans born in the Year of the Dog, namely being loyal, clever, and very social.  Guests can view the three-year-old siblings, females Zahra and Ayana, and male Maji, in their habitat near Gorilla Grill, weather permitting. Also, it is the LAST CHANCE TO SEE THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PHOTO ARK EXHIBITION AT THE L.A. ZOO BEFORE IT’S GONE on FEBRUARY 25th!




EVENTS THIS WEEKEND:

The Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their “Amazing Feats of Basketball 2018 World Tour” to the Staples Center on Sunday, February 25th at 2PM. It’s a great family adventure of wholesome fun that makes for
special memories.  As America’s icons of sports entertainment, they have broken down barriers and dazzled and dunked their way into the hearts of more than 142 million fans, performing in 123 countries and territories on six continents over the past nine decades.  Their one-of- a-kind show is unrivaled in the world of family entertainment with incredible ball handling, hilarious comedy and loads of fan interaction, including a post-
game autograph signing.  You can still get Tickets HERE!  For $7 off your tickets use the promo code: CALI when you checkout.  ***Congratulations to Aileen Chase, who won our GIVEAWAY of a family four-pack of tickets and maybe we will see you at the game on Sunday!***

                    

Also, don't miss Mista Cookie Jar perform at Children's Book World and then join STAR Education at the STAR Eco Station to celebrate diversity and culture at this year's 18th Annual STAR African American Art Festival! This cultural celebration brings together students, performers, and local artists to honor African American history through exhibits, poetry, dance, singing, and drumming! We look forward to seeing you there!

CANDYTOPIA is coming to Santa Monica Place on Friday, March 2nd and tickets go on sale THIS FRIDAY at NOON!  This four-month event celebrates the vibrant colors and flavors of our favorite sugary delights through a series of interactive art installations in over a dozen environments, from flying unicorn pigs to a marshmallow tsunami.  I've been to it and it was AWESOME!  More info on how to buy tix will be announced on our FACEBOOK page so make sure you are a follower.  While you're there, we'd LOVE and appreciate a review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ . 

For the first time ever, The Honest Company is selling their ultra-soft, super-absorbent and adorably printed diapers in new “Super Club Boxes” at select Costcos on the West Coast, including Los Angeles (Inglewood, Long Beach and Marina Del Rey areas) Launched last week, February 15th, and available in sizes 3,4 and 5, the Super Club Boxes include the equivalent of 4 packs of diapers and sold for $38.99, which values at an over 30% discount. Considering that little ones go through more than 200 diapers a month, the Super Club Boxes definitely make parent’s lives easier with less trips to the store. Featuring the brand’s popular "Pandas" and "Multi-Colored Giraffes” prints, these diapers are made without chlorine, bleach processing, latex, synthetic fragrances or lotions, making them a great fit for baby’s sensitive skin.

Finally, it lasted for two weeks and every moment was awe-inspiring.  My daughter begged to eat her dinner every night in front of the television and now has NEW heroes that she talks about all the time! The Closing Ceremonies of the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea will air on Sunday, February 25th in REAL TIME (without commentary) before the crack of dawn (South Korea is 14 hours ahead).  NBC will air the produced broadcast on Sunday night.  There will still be four final events before the Closing Ceremonies.  So many memories from these games... including Shaun White winning the 100th (Winter Olympics) Gold Medal for the USA, the Women's Hockey Team historic Gold Medal win, the women's Snowboard Slopestyle Gold medal winner Jamie Anderson and men's Snowboard Slopestyle Gold medal winner Red Gerard.  Mikaela Shiffrin won a Gold medal for women's Giant Slalom and my absolute favorite was 17-year-old Chloe Kim, the youngest woman to win Olympic Gold for women's Snowboard Halfpipe.  We are so proud of ALL of our Olympians!



UPCOMING EVENTS:

THE FRED HALL SHOW, ULTIMATE OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE, is coming to the Long Beach Convention Center, March 7-11. The Fred Hall Shows have always strived to provide a full day’s worth of family fun activities for the entire family included with the price of admission. Families can take part in the Mammoth Lakes Kids Fish Free Trout Pond, the Hobie kayak test rides on the Hyatt Lagoon, the Ram Ultimate Air Dogs, an archery range, the Great American Duck Races, casting on the Hyatt Lagoon, Fishing In the City Kids Casting Contests, kids face painting, sand drags and more.  Tickets are $18 for adults, seniors 62 and older $16, and Military $13.  Kids 15 years old and younger accompanied by a paid adult are free.  You can get tickets HERE, but we will also be doing a GIVEAWAY for a family four-pack (4 tickets) next week.  Follow our Twitter so you don't miss the chance to enter.  

The L.A. Zoo hosts PBS SoCal KIDS Weekend at the Los Angeles Zoo on Saturday, March 10, and Sunday, March 11, 2018, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The event fills the Zoo's Eucalyptus Grove with a variety of engaging fun for families with book readings, themed crafts, activities and a kids’ dance party. Guest can also enjoy a special opportunity to take photos with PBS KIDS’ characters Curious George and Nature Cat.  Curious George is available for photos both days from 10:15 to 12:45 p.m.Nature Cat is available both days from 1:15 to 3:45 p.m. 

The Summer Fun and Camp Fair will be held on April 15th from 10AM-2PM at Crossroads School.  Get more info HERE

Disney On Ice presents Frozen!  IF you missed the dazzling ice skating, special effects and unforgettable music when they were at the Staples Center, you can still be a part of Anna’s fearless adventure to find her sister, Queen Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom in an eternal winter.  Join the hilarious snowman Olaf, rugged mountain man Kristoff and his loyal reindeer sidekick Sven as they help Anna in a race to bring back summer. Encounter Everest-like conditions and mystical trolls as you sing along to Academy Award®-winning songs like Let It Go and ultimately discover true love is the most powerful magic of all! Performs Long Beach & Ontario April 19-29.  Get tickets HERE!  OR win a family four-pack coming soon.  Be sure to follow TWITTER for all the 411. 

America’s Family Pet Expo returns to the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa from Friday, April 27 - Sunday, April 29, 2018.  The annual family-friendly event features all creatures cute and cuddly, furry, feathered and scaled of all sizes, shapes and colors.  The West Coast’s Largest Pet Expo Returns to Orange County Featuring Cats and Dogs, plus Fish, Birds and Frogs…and More! Thousands of animals and the people who love them!  Buy TIX HERE!  Or WIN a family four-pack ot tickets soon.  Follow Twitter for the announcement!

The 5th Annual SOCAL Great Big Family Play Day will bring together the best activities and experiences for kids on Sunday, June 10th. Many new surprises coming in 2018! Whether you come for a few hours or the whole day, the event is packed with family fun.  It is the ultimate family festival and expo and we will be offering a family four-pack of tickets soon.  Follow us on Twitter so you don't miss out.  For more info or to buy tix, click HERE


We strive to keep you in the know for fun family events and entertainment!  Be sure to check out our Calendar Of Events for all the great activities and upcoming excitement! 


Have a great week!

XX,

Chanin