August 2017 - Page 2 of 2 - Over The Top Mommy

Month: August 2017

Olson Homes Model Grand Opening Event for Single-Story Villas in Orange on 8/12

August 8, 2017 / Lifestyle

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

Are you looking for a new home in Orange County? Olson Homes is bringing 37 brand-new single-story villas to Orange in their new community Orchard Walk!Home seekers far and wide are invited to the Olson Orchard Walk Model Grand Opening event on Saturday, August 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Attendees will be treated to a tour of four fully-furnished attached model homes showcasing Olson’s expertise in home design and livability. Attendees can also enjoy an assortment of delicious food, amazing Front Porch Pops, beverages, live music, and an awesome balloon artist the kids are sure to love – all while exploring the new homes! It’s an event you won’t want to miss out on! You can RSVP for the event here.
Orchard Walk will present two and three-bedroom attached residences featuring Spanish architectural styles and modern style open layouts. Homebuyers can choose from four different floorplans ranging from approximately 1,340 to 1,566 square feet. Select floorplans have the added bonus of exterior patio spaces and varying room options!Each Olson Home includes energy efficient toilets, faucets, and other Energy Star appliances along with auto shut-off motion sensors in all baths and space saving tankless water heaters. Key safety features include automatic fire sprinklers, low VOC interior paint, and carbon monoxide detectors. See the full list of individual home details HERE.Orchard Walk boasts a prime Orange County location! Residents will be about 3.5 miles from Old Towne Orange, a hub for artisan style dining and shopping. Other popular attractions like Disneyland, Angel Stadium, Honda Center, and The Outlets of Orange can all be accessed within a 12 mile radius!Orchard Walk’s Welcome Center is currently open to help visitors get to know the neighborhood. Home Advisors on hand are ready to help prospective buyers learn about the qualifying and buying process. All interested buyers are encouraged to register for the Orchard Walk Interest List to receive information and updates about this community and future phase releases. Register for the Interest List HERE.

Olson Homes is also hosting a fun giveaway right now in celebration of their upcoming Orchard Walk Grand Opening event. You can enter for a chance to win one of 5 gift cards to Orange Hill Restaurant by doing either or both of these things:
1) Following Olson Homes on Instagram and also tag 3 friends on this Grand Opening Post for Orchard Walk.

2) Go to this Olson Homes’ Facebook event and say that you’re GOING to the Facebook event and also tag 3 friends on this Facebook event post.

Giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only and entrants must be 18 years of age or older. No purchase is necessary to enter. Entries will be accepted through 8/11 at 3:59 p.m. . Entries will be verified and winners chosen on 8/11 at 4 p.m.. Winners may pick up their prize at the Grand Opening event on 8/12. Giveaway is in no way affiliated with Facebook or Instagram or this blog.

Orchard Walk is located at:
4700 E. Washington Avenue
Orange, Ca. 92869
562.370.9544

Connect with Olson Homes on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter too!

About Olson Homes
Recognized as a leader in providing affordable urban housing throughout California, The Olson Company is dedicated to developing outstanding and long-lasting partnerships with the cities with which we work. Our approach to problem solving continues to be successful because we listen to the suggestions of city planners and officials and ultimately recognize that we are all committed to the same goal — serving the local community.

Images and logo are property of Olson Homes and used with permission.

American Girl Branches Out with New Body Book for Boys

August 7, 2017 / Lifestyle

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

For the first time, American Girl, a decades-long leader in helping millions of girls navigate through adolescence, is extending similar advice to boys and their parents with Guy Stuff: The Body Book for Boys. With boys facing many of the same questions and concerns about their changing bodies as girls do, the brand felt it was important to collaborate with Dr. Cara Natterson, New York Times bestselling author and mom of a 2 for this new book. Dr. Natterson is also a board-certified pediatrician and author of American Girl’s wildly successful The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls series has sold nearly 6 million copies and is considered the “go-to” resource for parents and health-care professionals alike.

Using a down-to-earth tone and illustrations that deliver just the right balance of facts and humor, Guy Stuff helps boys ages 8 and up prepare for the changes their bodies will go through as they grow and develop. Topics cover everything from hair care to healthy eating, bad breath to shaving, acne to voice cracking, pubic changes to moodiness, peer pressure to bullying, and everything in between.

“Parents have written to me for years, asking for the boy version of The Care and Keeping of You. And while we’ve done a good job of educating girls on puberty and their changing bodies, boys have been left behind on this topic—and that’s simply not fair. Boys go through puberty, too, and they deserve the same information that girls get about how to grow up in a safe and healthy way. It’s time we change the social norms and start including boys in discussions about puberty, health, and wellness, beyond what may or may not be taught in the classroom once or twice a year.” – Dr. Cara Natterson

Guy Stuff addresses boys directly with age-appropriate and practical information that answers their questions about how their bodies work, what will change through puberty, handling new emotions and feelings (and that it’s okay to express them!), and how to adopt healthy living strategies for a lifetime. And just like its girl counterpart, Guy Stuff empowers boys to take control over their health, while also encouraging open conversation with parents and other trusted adults about questions or worries they may have.
Guy Stuff is a head-to-toe guide, covering a wide range of physical and emotional topics, including:
Body Basics: Breaks down basic facts about boys’ bodies and explains the common changes of puberty (“You Will: Grow taller, sprout hair, sweat more, develop muscles, see changes in skin and hair texture, get a deeper voice, see changes to private parts, and experience new emotions.”) and discusses the importance of establishing healthy habits and having a good attitude.
Heads Up: This chapter covers everything boys need to know to keep their heads and face in tip-top shape, including hair care, acne, sun protection, and oral hygiene.
Reach: Explains the essentials of nail care and maintaining healthy hands, underarm hair and controlling body odor, plus breaks down the changes boys’ chests will undergo.
Belly Zone: Acknowledges that bodies come in different shapes and sizes, and shares detailed information on healthy hydration, food, nutrition, and essential vitamins and minerals.
Big Changes: Tackles changing hormones, private parts (including erections), moods, and voice.
Get Going: Covers legs, height and growing pains, feet, fitness and exercise, sport safety, the importance of good sleep, and even bed-wetting.
Your Inner You: This section delves into new feelings and emotions boys may be experiencing during puberty, including topics on peer pressure and bullying, plus letting guys know that it’s not only okay, but healthy, to express their emotions.

Guy Stuff is priced at $12.99 and is now available through the American Girl catalogue, at americangirl.com, at American Girl retail stores, and nationwide through retail and online booksellers.

Images are property of American Girl and used with permission.

Rock the Walk Thursdays at Anaheim GardenWalk

August 2, 2017 / Entertainment, Food, Restaurant Reviews

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

One of our new favorite local places to visit is Anaheim GardenWalk. Have you been there before? This outdoor dining, entertainment and shopping destination is situated in the heart of the Anaheim Resort District just steps from the Disneyland® Resort and Anaheim Convention Center, GardenWalk offers guests a variety of these popular restaurants:

The Cheesecake Factory
California Pizza Kitchen
P.F. Chang’s
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
McCormick & Schmick’s
Grasslands Meat Market
Fire + Ice Grill + Bar
Roy’s Restaurant
Johnny Rockets
McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon
McMormick & Schmick’s Grill

GardenWalk also offers a vibrant nightlife, an escape room, a magic store and cabaret, trendy shops and an upscale bowling lounge. Some of the newest tenants to join the property include House of Blues Anaheim, Mission Escape Games, Artists Republic Gallery, and Go VR Gaming.We were invited to spend a fun evening out at GardenWalk to experience “Rock the Walk”. a summer concert series. Rock the Walk, is a live music experience showcasing local artists and takes place on Thursdays from 5:30-7:30 p.m.through August 24. During Rock the Walk, guests can also enjoy free tastings from participating restaurants in the center, get free Henna, and enter giveaways. We listened to live music from Hoity Toity, an up and coming band that’s local.There’s also a DJ on hand during Rock the Walk. It’s a great way to spend time outdoors, with family and friends, on Southern California summer nights. There’s a great ambiance at GardenWalk with many great art pieces, galleries, and murals to check out too, including great backdrops for photos.We were also treated to a very special dinner that night at Fire + Ice Bar + Grill, which has got to be the coolest interactive grill I’ve ever experienced. The eatery welcomes diners of all ages and preferences, offering an incredible selection of fresh veggies, meats, pastas, seasonings and sauces. Their pro-grillers entertain the crowds as they sizzle up your culinary creation on an open grill. Here’s a fun video to give you an idea of what it’s like at Fire + Ice Bar + Grill:

It’s cool to be able to choose what you want to have for dinner, whether it be a noodle dish with an Asian flare or an Italian pasta or even a pizza cooked right there on the grill. You get to put together your creation and then watch the grillers prepare right in front of you!Fire + Ice is such a fun place to go, especially at night when it gets on the busier side because the grill gets full and it’s super cool to watch the grillers juggle all of it while still having fun with guests. The food was delicious and the staff went above and beyond. We had a great experience at Fire + Ice.

Rock the Walk will take place on Thursdays through August 24. Here is a schedule of featured artists for Rock the Walk in August:

Thursday,, August 3 – Katelyn Marie
Thursday, August 10 – Tony Gomez
Thursday, August 17 – Morgan Mallory
Thursday, August 24 – HVNTED, presented by Music Forward

Anaheim GardenWalk is located at:
400 West Disney Way
Anaheim, CA 92802

For more information about Anaheim GardenWalk, please call 714.635.7410 or visit their site here.

Some images and video are property of Anaheim GardenWalk and Fire + Ice and used with permission.

{Giveaway} 7 Reasons to Love LEGOLAND California Resort + Enter to Win 4 Park Hopper Tickets

August 1, 2017 / Uncategorized

Southern California is the hub of so many family friendly things to do. One of them is LEGOLAND California Resort and luckily for us, it’s only about a 45 minute drive from our home. Since that’s practically a hop, skip & a jump away, we find ourselves there quite often.Over the years, we’ve really come to love LEGOLAND more and more! There are just so many fun things to see and do there and even with a pre-tween daughter, I still get asked by her, to go to LEGOLAND. Here are just 7 of the reasons we love LEGOLAND California Resort:

There are fun attractions for all ages!
LEGOLAND has over 60 great shows and attractions. I love that there are some geared towards small children, some geared towards families, and even many for “big kids”, like my daughter and her friends, We are never stuck trying to find something to go on when we’re at the Park. Did I mention that my daughter and her friends enjoy all of the rides though? (including those intended for younger guests.) Miniland USA is amazing!
A visit to LEGOLAND needs to include a stroll through Miniland USA. The area is located in the heart of the park and features iconic structures and figures, made of LEGO bricks by Master Model Builders. Some of the sites to see there are the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Grand Central Station in New York City, and the strip in Las Vegas. There’s even a large LEGO Star Wars area in Miniland USA where guests can embark on a journey through the seven different LEGO Star Wars scenes.LEGO Character Meet and Greets are cool!
One of the fun ways to capture memories are by taking photos with some of the LEGO costume characters you run into in the Park. We’ve met Wyldstyle, Emmet, UniKitty, pirates and knights, friends in LEGO Ninjago World, and the LEGO friends.Granny’s Apple Fries Are a MUST! (among other LEGOLAND snacks)
It’s no secret that I love finding good things to eat. You know this if you follow me on Instagram. I cannot visit LEGOLAND without getting myself an order of Granny’s Apple Fries. These sweet treats are Granny Smith apples, cut into “fries” shapes, deep fried to perfection, and coated in sugar and cinnamon. They’re served with whipped cream for dipping and are out of this world! LEGO Friends Heartlake City is adorable!
One of my daughter’s favorite areas in the Park is LEGO Friends Heartlake City. Back in 2015, the LEGO Friends Heartlake City area opened inside the Park and it’s so much fun to visit because you feel like you’ve stepped right inside of one of the LEGO Friends episodes. The color palette and the decor in HEARTLAKE city adorable and there’s also a stage in the center of the area where LEGO Friends perform several times a day.Brick or Treat Nights are fun!
LEGOLAND offers a special ticketed event every fall called Brick or Treat. The tickets (or portion to add on to your regular ticket) is very reasonable and allows you to get into the park fora fun and not so spooky night of Halloween fun. There are trick-or-treat stations set up around the park for guests of all ages, even the adults, to go “trick or treating”. Some of the stations even give out LEGO brick sets. There are also cute Halloween decorations throughout the Park, special dance parties, a costuem contest, and a few other surprises. It’s one of our favorite things to do each Halloween season. Oh, and everyone can dress up. Even the adutls. You can read my post about our experience at Brick or Treat here. LEGOLAND Waterpark!
Our family loves the fact that we can spend part of our day at the Resort, inside the LEGOLAND Waterpark. Since the weather is so nice in Southern California, the waterpark is usually open all the way through October, so we like to visit a couple of times each season. There are all types of slides inside the waterpark, some more “thrilling” than otheres, just depending on how “brave” you are. Inside of the LEGOLAND waterpark there are also play and splash areas, a Lazy River, and plenty of seating, including Cabanas that you can rent ffor the day. (for a fee.) Also, a new area called “Surfers Cove” was recently added to the waterpark. *Please note: You need to purchase a Park Hopper ticket to gain access to the LEGOLAND Waterpark area, as it’s inside of LEGOLAND.

Are you ready for some exciting news? I have teamed up with a group of other bloggers to host an amazing giveaway! One winner will win 4 LEGOLAND California Resort Park Hopper tickets! It’s simple to enter, just leave a comment on this post AND go below and enter through the Rafflecopter. Good luck and thanks for reading!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

“Giveaway open to US Residents Only. No purchase necessary to enter. All readers have an equal chance to win, however, you must enter to win. A winner will be randomly selected via RaffleCopter and notified via email. I will attempt to contact the winner for 3 days. If the winner cannot be reached by email, a new winner will be selected the same way. There are several different ways to earn entries. One prize per household. The winner will receive, free of charge, the prize mentioned above. This prize is not available for exchanges and has no cash value. Prizes are not transferable or refundable and must be accepted as awarded. The winner is responsible for any and all other costs and expenses not listed above. Not liable for unclaimed prizes or fulfillment.”