LimByLim

Spring Break: Madame Tussauds Wax Museum

April 2, 2018 No Comments

Disclosure: We received free tickets from Madame Tussauds in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

While D was busy at the Adobe Summit, the kids and I had a lot of free time. We decided to check out Madame Tussauds Wax Museum located in The Venetian Hotel. This was the first time we have ever visited a wax museum.

The idea of a wax museum has always sounded kind of creepy, but fascinating at the same time. k is supposed to do a wax museum project for school where she dresses up as a historical figure, so this was a good experience for her.

The likenesses of the celebrities definitely had me doing double-takes.

There are a ton of good photo opportunities! This museum is pretty hands-on; no velvet ropes that you need to stand behind.

Warning: a couple of the scenes were rated PG-13, i.e. not very “family-friendly”. This is Vegas, after all. I quickly scooted the kids to the next scene.

Since our kids are not very aware about celebrity culture, they did not recognize most of the figures. However, if you are into celebrities, this would be a fun place to visit. Where else can you have your picture taken with the likenesses of George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and Shaquille O’Neal?

The kids’ favorite part of the museum was watching the 4D Marvel movie at the end. Although it was only about ten minutes long, I thought it was a nice addition that added value to the price of the museum ticket.

Get your selfie sticks ready! Madame Tussauds Las Vegas is the only place with no velvet ropes or barriers holding you back from getting photos with your favorite stars! Located on the Las Vegas Strip, under the Venetian Bell Tower, Madame Tussauds invites you to pose with countless figures of internationally renowned musicians, A-list celebrities, sports legends, world leaders, super heroes and more. With several newly renovated spaces, the world famous interactive wax attraction is bigger and better than ever!

Plus, don’t miss your chance to fight crime alongside Nick Fury and your favorite Marvel Superheros, before immersing yourself in the wild Marvel Super Heroes 4D Cinema Experience, featuring high-impact special effects!
Save $5 Off – Show and save! Get $5 off your admission to Madame Tussauds Las Vegas when you present the box office with this coupon. *Present this coupon at the box office and receive $5.00 off each admission. Coupon valid up to 10 people. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Not valid on previously purchased tickets. No cash value. Not for resale. Management reserves all rights. The images show depict wax figures created and owned by Madame Tussauds. 2017 Madame Tussauds. TM & Warner Brothers Entertainment, Inc. Promotional Code: USFAMILY

Book Review, Sponsored

Sage Advice: Always Fall Forward

April 1, 2018 No Comments

Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

There are many life lessons that can be learned through playing sports. As I watch my kids play team sports, I see them developing both their skills and their character. In Always Fall Forward, Todd Gerelds recounts the many lessons that his father taught him, as well as all of the football players he coached over the years. His father, Tandy Gerelds, was the football coach featured in the movie Woodlawn. After reading this book, I see why a movie was made about his life.

The book consists of 52 short chapters, Each chapter begins with an applicable Bible verse and ends with additional verses and questions to think about. The advice is practical, yet profound. For example, in the chapter with the same name as the title of the book, the author remembers his dad coaching him and all of the ball carriers to “always fall forward,” in order to get every inch out of every play. He relates this to Paul’s determination to continue on despite adversity and suffering and to not look back. I could see this being a great book to go through over the course of a year for anyone who is interested in sports. It also contains a lot of good teaching points for coaches that want to develop their players on a deeper level. There are also applications to working in the corporate world and life in general. Now I want to go watch Woodlawn!

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Vacation

Spring Break: Our Stay at The Palazzo in Las Vegas

March 31, 2018 No Comments

The reason for our trip to Las Vegas was that D attended the Adobe Summit for work. When he told me that he was staying at the Palazzo and that the dates coincided with our spring break, it was a no-brainer.

I was afraid that in between checking out from the Rio and checking into the Palazzo we would be homeless for a few hours. However, we lucked out because the Palazzo let us check in early (before 11:00 a.m.), free of charge and gave us a prime room on a higher level with a view of the Strip. Nice!

Waiting for D to check-in.

We had a Bella Suite, which is 720 square feet. Bigger than our first apartment-ha!

The sunken living room made it feel really spacious. There was also a desk and a dining table so D and I could both be on our laptops.

The kids enjoyed having three televisions, including one in the bathroom!

#1

#2

#3

Three-sided alarm clock–genius!

View from the 35th floor!

Night view. The kids fought over who pushed the electronic curtain buttons.

Kids, don’t get used to this!

Restaurant Reviews, Vacation

Spring Break: Rio + Pho Bosa + Hash House A Go Go

March 29, 2018 No Comments

After our failed attempt at visiting Red Rock Canyon, we drove back to Las Vegas to check into our room at the Rio. The room was super cheap–I think the resort fees were more than the room itself! Sometimes it is nice to be off of The Strip’s hustle and bustle. Our room was a long way from the elevator, which made it really quiet.

Rio is known as an all-suite hotel, and it was nice to have some extra room, although you cannot really tell from this picture.

Spacious bathroom.

The kids quickly made themselves at home.

I looked up restaurants nearby and we ended up at Pho Bosa. We had a prime parking space at the hotel that we did not want to risk losing, so we walked to the restaurant which was about one long block away. The sun was still up and there were no shady people around, so it was fine.

Yelp did not disappoint us! D ordered pho. I tried a little and the broth was really good!

I had the Brisket Banh Mi. The meat was definitely a step above what I am accustomed to in a banh mi.

The kids split a brisket panini. I was wondering if it would be enough for them, and it was.

Especially since we also ordered garlic parmesean tots!

I am a big garlic fan, so this dish was right up my alley.

For dessert, we ordered boba tea to-go.

For breakfast, we ate at Hash House A Go Go in the Rio. According to a quick search of LimByLim, the last time we ate here was pre-kids!

This location is quite more spacious than the one we went to in San Diego.

Knowing about the large portions, we only ordered two entrees for the four of us. We still could not finish our food.

Andys Famous Sage Fried Chicken Benedict served on a fresh split biscuit with tomato, spinach, smoked bacon, griddled mozzarella, chipotle cream scrambled eggs with mashed potatoes. This dish was an explosion of flavors!

We also had the apple cinnamon flapjack. This one was kind of disappointing because it was still dough-y around the apples. I guess it is difficult to cook a pancake when it is this huge!

If we go again, I want to try the chicken and waffles.

Food coma! Hash House A Go Go in Las Vegas has a kid-friendly atmosphere with meals that are perfect for sharing.

Food, Sponsored, Vacation

Spring Break Road Trip: Red Rock Canyon Attempt + Bobo’s Oat Bars

March 28, 2018 No Comments

Our next stop was supposed to be Red Rock Canyon. Apparently, A LOT of other people had the same thought, because when we arrived, it was closed off to incoming cars. We parked on the side of the road and D talked to the ranger. He said that the situation would be reassessed in a couple of hours! Well, we did not have time to wait around, so we headed back a couple of exits and pulled off at Calico Hills, which was still open to the public.

You could still see some red rocks, so that was cool.

We did a short hike. I recently became a Friends of Bobo Ambassador, so I thought that I should bring some Bobo’s Oat Bars for sustenance.

Yup, I’m even rockin’ the Bobo’s t-shirt!

Bobo’s Oat Bars were invented by a mother-daughter duo in Boulder, Colorado. They started selling them at local cafes, and their business took off from there. (Love those types of stories!) These oat bars are so delicious and hearty. I like that they are not overly sweet. They are also dairy-free and gluten-free. These bars make a perfect on-the-go snack! You can find them in stores near you here, Amazon, or order directly from their site. I also visited them at Expo West, and was able to try their new toaster pastries–yum! If you want to become a Friends of Bobo Ambassador, please tell them that LimByLim referred you!

I need to get these two to loosen up for photos!

Although the rocks we were able to see were pretty impressive, I was disappointed that we were unable to drive the scenic loop. I guess we will have to make a return visit!

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Vacation

Las Vegas Road Trip Stop: Seven Magic Mountains

March 27, 2018 1 Comment

D had a work conference to attend in Las Vegas that coincided with our Spring Break, so we decided to tag along. On our way to Las Vegas we stopped to check out a public art installation called Seven Magic Mountains, created by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone. It is located about ten miles south of Las Vegas. Currently it is scheduled to be on display through the end of 2018, but its run may be extended. There is a free parking lot, and admission is free. There are no restrooms, so plan accordingly. When we went its popularity was quite apparent.

It would be nice to be there to take pictures when no one else is around.

The colors are so cheerful. I can see why people are attracted to this work of art.

It is always fun to make stops on road trips like this. If you are driving to or from Las Vegas, check it out!

Celebrations, Restaurant Reviews

Ladies Who Lunch Birthday Celebration

March 26, 2018 No Comments

My college roommates decided to get together for a joint birthday celebration. We kind of had a difficult time figuring out what do since we all have different interests. First we ate lunch at Las Brisas in Laguna Beach. I had never been to this restaurant before, so I was excited to try it out. Parking was a hassle, so it was a good thing that we carpooled.

We started out with the fried calamari appetizer.

I ordered the tostada salad with shrimp. Underneath the salad there was a tostada shell and black beans which made it more filling. The guacamole was also really good.

Then we went outside to take some pictures with beautiful backdrop. It was a gorgeous day after a couple of rainy days.

We walked around a little bit and had some ice cream.

Then we drove to Irvine to do an escape room called Unlocked OC. Two of us had done an escape room before, but it was my first time. It ended up being really fun! We ended up “escaping”, but not without asking for a lot of clues via walkie-talkie. It was definitely challenging, and not scary, which one of us was concerned about.

It ended up being such a fun afternoon. I am so glad that we have kept in touch after all of these years.

Celebrations, n, Restaurant Reviews

Nine Year Old Birthday Party @ Benihana

March 23, 2018 No Comments

After we went skiing we had a birthday dinner scheduled for n at Benihana in Newport Beach.

The chef hat kids menus kept them busy while waiting to be seated.

Hosting seven active 8 and 9 year old boys was quite an experience! D saw a co-worker and they were joking how we have a big family–ha!

I was going to skip the fried rice, until I remembered that it is a big part of the “show”. The boys’ commentary during the onion volcano is pretty funny.

There was a lively rendition of happy birthday for n. I think we heard it about three other times that night for other parties as well. Are they really singing in Japanese the second time? I do not even know!

For dessert, there was a choice of rainbow sherbet or vanilla, chocolate, or green tea ice cream. n received a special sundae with some whipped cream, chocolate sauce and a pocky stick.

This was our keepsake photo taken by the server. The boys also chose a ceramic mug to as a souvenir since I signed up for Kabuki Kids. I also bought Ramune soda from Cost Plus World Market as a favor.

All in all, the party worked out well. I think it works for a wide range of ages, too. I liked that there was minimal planning, and that the Benihana experience includes food and entertainment. I do not know why, but hosting birthday parties makes me anxious. My only regret is that I should have told the parents to pick up the boys in two hours, instead of one and a half hours. I felt bad that they had to wait around while we were eating dessert and picking out the mugs since the service was a bit slow.

Family Field Trips

Southern California Skiing: Mountain High Ski Resort

March 22, 2018 No Comments

As residents of Orange County, our options for local skiing are limited. Last weekend our family had the opportunity to ski at Mountain High because I won tickets. Unfortunately, I was not confirmed for tickets until 10 p.m. the night before and did not read my e-mail until that morning at 6:30 a.m. After a mad scramble to borrow ski pants for n from a nearby friend, we were on our way.

The drive is easy from Orange County. It only took us about an hour and fifteen minutes, and there is no windy mountain driving.

When we were fifteen minutes away, this was the view out of our window. It seems impossible that there is a ski resort near by.

Then you turn a corner, and it seems a little more plausible. There was a snafu in picking up our tickets, and a lot of frustration ensued as the crowds grew larger. Thankfully, the blogger that I won tickets from was gracious in helping me over the phone, and eventually everything was straightened out.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgfSL2KF-DW/?taken-by=derek.cal

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgfS4JhlOJK/?taken-by=derek.cal

This was the second time skiing for both k and n, and they did not want to take lessons this time. I am pretty sure they are already better skiers than me. It really is better to learn to ski as a child as opposed to as an adult. They were able to get a lot more runs in, even though we had a later start. I would definitely recommend getting there as soon as it opens to avoid long lines at the ticket booth and rental hut. Our lunch was overpriced and mediocre, which I guess is to be expected when there are not many options. I witnessed an employee threaten to kick out one family because they had a full-on lunch spread that they brought from home, including a hot pot and noodles. (I guess it is ok to bring food from home if you eat outside). We lucked out because it snowed the night before. D was happy to get his annual ski trip in.

Food, Girl Scouts, Sponsored

Learning Healthy Habits with Lilly’s Hummus

March 21, 2018 No Comments

Recently, k’s Girl Scout troop had a meeting where they earned the Global Action Award. One of the Global Goals is Good Health & Well Being. When the troop leader asked me to bring a healthy snack for the meeting, I decided on cucumbers, carrots, and Lilly’s Hummus.

Lilly’s Hummus is one of the products that caught my eye at the recent Expo West because it is kid-friendly and nutritious. My kids really like this hummus, and it is a great way to make cut vegetables more appealing. What sets Lilly’s Hummus apart is that it is made with organic chickpeas and has a clean ingredient list.

It is so exciting that Lilly’s has single serve, shelf-stable hummus. This makes it a great option for lunchboxes and road trips. The brand rep told me that they did not have to change the recipe of their hummus to make it shelf-stable; just the packaging.

Teaching kids to love healthy food will benefit them for a lifetime! You can find Lilly’s Hummus at Ralphs and Amazon. For more locations, search here.

For the Global Action award, k presented about gender equality. We also had presentations from the Irvine Water District and a retired dentist.

The girls in k’s troop were each paired with a younger Brownie to help during the meeting.

At the end of the meeting, the girls drew pictures of the global action that they want to work on. The sign was then displayed near the lunch tables for the school to see. I really appreciate how our troop leader tries to incorporate topics that apply to the girls on an individual, community and global level!

*Although I received a free product sample, all opinions are my own.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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