• Home
  • About Me
  • Inquiries

Joie De Viv

finding the joy in every day

Review: Disney On Ice “Follow Your Heart”

December 15, 2017 ·

Last night was a most magical and memorable evening!  I got to take Kaitlyn, my sister, and my niece, H, to Disney On Ice to watch the new Follow Your Heart show!  It was a first for H and my sister, and the looks on their faces were worth the drive in L.A. rush hour(s) traffic!  Kaitlyn and I went to our first Disney On Ice show last year, and it is likely a new favorite tradition!  The show was also completely different, so we were mesmerized by all the different acts.

The beginning of the show focused on the character, Riley, from Inside Out.  The girls were SO excited to see the emotion characters, especially fan favorite, JOY.

2017 was the year of Beauty and the Beast in my humble opinion. Oh what fun to see “Be Our Guest” enacted right in front of us, especially as Kaitlyn has been very fond of Lumiere recently.

It was incredible to see how Disney On Ice was able to bring us under the sea with Finding Dory, and to see our favorite sea life characters come to life!  I especially loved the voice of Baby Dory and the realistic “kelp forest” scenery.

There was a portion for almost each princess, and a program featuring Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.  The MOST incredible parts of the night included aerial feats performed by Princess Ariel, Princess Rapunzel, and Flynn Ryder.  I was definitely in awe!  Pure Disney Magic! (You can see a couple of video clips on my Instagram!)

Of course the girls were ecstatic to see Arendelle brought to life with the mid-show scene from Princess Anna, as well as the duets with Queen Elsa.  The finale was electrifying!

The girls were up way past bedtime, but the experience was so memorable and special.  They kept thanking us for bringing them and saying it was “the best day ever!”  Talk about thawing a frozen heart!

A few additional notes:

  •  We watched the 7pm showing and got out around 9:30pm.
  • Parking at L.A. Live/Staples Center parking was $30.  Cash or CC.  I found the extra $ worth it for not having to walk too far with the little girls at night.
  • Strollers need to be parked at stroller parking areas designated inside the arena areas (walkways with food counters and restrooms).
  • No foods or drinks are permitted.  You can however bring your own beverage containers and there are water fountains located outside of restrooms.
  • Medium to Large bags may be denied and/or subjected to additional screening in a separate room.
  • The areas gets pretty chilly with keeping the ice cool.  We made our girls wear a couple of layers, as well as coats.
  • There will be plenty of vendors selling food, drinks, snacks, and merchandise.  There will also be photo booth stations, for a charge ($25 on the night we went).
  • Many of the little girls in attendance came dressed in princess or Disney garb.  Our girls love dressing up, so it was a no-brainer for the special night!

The holiday season has become synonymous with Disney On Ice for us now. It’s a tradition we will look forward to for years.  How about you?  Have you, or will you be attending a show this season?

Shows run in the Greater Los Angeles Area from December 14 through January 8, 2018 in Los Angeles (STAPLES Center), Anaheim (Honda Center), Long Beach (Long Beach Arena) and Ontario (Citizens Business Bank Arena).Tickets and show date information can be found on Disneyonice.com!  Don’t forget to use code MOM20 for 20% off on select dates!

 

 

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

Filed Under: Baby/Kids, Disney, So Cal Kids Activities, Southern California kids activites, things to do with kids, Uncategorized Tagged: Anna, beauty and the beast, belle, california, disney, disney on ice, Elsa, evil queen, family night, family outings, family show, finding dory, frozen, holiday traditions, holidays, ice skating, icecapades, inside out, Olaf, Pixar, seven dwarf, Snow White, things to do with kids

Fit FOUR A Princess!

December 15, 2017 ·

Each year, until this current one, I’ve done a photo session for Kaitlyn’s birthday.  We managed to finally get in right at her “Half Birthday” and I’m thrilled with the results.  FOUR is such a transitional year!  Once Kaitlyn turned 4, she proclaimed she was a big girl, quit sucking her thumb on her own (hallelujah!), and started having just much more mature thoughts and conversations.  Still… she’s little.  Little enough to believe in magic and fairy godmothers.  Little enough that she delights in wearing princess gowns.  Little enough to sing at the top of her lungs and skips to the beat of her own drum without any hesitation.  I love this age.  I want to soak in every minute of it and remember it all so vividly.



Thank you Alicia P. Photography for capturing my little princess in her true spirit!

 

 

SaveSave

Filed Under: Baby/Kids, Disney, Uncategorized Tagged: candid childhood, carousel photo, castle, childhood, disney, Disney castle, Disney life, Disney mom, Disney world, disneyland, family photography, four year old, magic, Mary Poppins, photography, princess, tutu dress, ware doll

Disney On Ice: Follow Your Heart!

November 20, 2017 ·

The holiday season tradition of Disney on Ice is upon us again in the Greater Los Angeles area!  Last year was the first time we went to a Disney on Ice production, and my what a favorite memory it is!  This season brings new adventures with Disney Pixar characters from Finding Dory and Inside Out.

Of course, no winter-season fun would be complete without everyone’s favorite sister duo, Elsa and Anna, and their magical snowman friend, Olaf!  Princesses Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Tiana make their dreams come true through their virtues of bravery, kindness and perseverance. And the Toy Story gang with Buzz Lightyear and Woody help celebrate the meaning of true friendship! Every Disney fan will be sure to be pleased!

Disney On Ice: Follow Your Dreams – Coming to the Southland December 14, 2017 through January 7, 2018

L O S   A N G E L E S

WHEN: Thursday, December 14 – Sunday, December 17

    • Thursday, December 14   7:30 PM
    • Friday, December 15 7:30 PM
    • Saturday, December 16 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
    • Sunday, December 17 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM

WHERE: STAPLES Center – 1111 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015

A N A H E I M

WHEN: Wednesday, December 20 – Sunday, December 24

    • Wednesday, December 20   7:00 PM
    • Thursday, December 21 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
    • Friday, December 22 11:00 AM & 7:00 PM
    • Saturday, December 23 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
    • Sunday, December 24 11:00 AM & 3:00 PM

WHERE: Honda Center – 2695 E. Katella Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92806

 

L O N G   B E A C H

WHEN: Wednesday, December 27 – Monday, January 1

    • Wednesday, December 27 7:00 PM
    • Thursday, December 28 7:00 PM
    • Friday, December 29 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
    • Saturday, December 30 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
    • Sunday, December 31 11:00 AM & 3:00 PM
    • Monday, January 1 1:00 PM & 5:00 PM

WHERE: Long Beach Arena – 300 E. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802

 

O N T A R I O

WHEN: Wednesday, January 3 – Sunday, January 7

    • Wednesday, January 3 7:00 PM
    • Thursday, January 4 7:00 PM
    • Friday, January 5 7:00 PM
    • Saturday, January 6 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
    • Sunday, January 7 11:30 AM & 3:30 PM

 

WHERE: Citizens Business Bank Arena – 4000 Ontario Center Parkway, Ontario, CA 91764

TICKETS: Ticket prices start at $25!

Discount Opening Night tickets available for as low as $15 each on select seating (not valid for premium VIP/Front Row seating)  Tickets available for purchase online at Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000   or in-person at the venue Box Office.             *prices subject to change; additional venue/ticketing fees may apply

 

COUPON ALERT!

Use code: MOM20 to save 20% off on select show dates!

I know I’m so excited about seeing the show with Kaitlyn!  Are you planning to go?!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged: disney, disney on ice, ice skating, things to do with kids

Family Photo Season!

October 30, 2017 ·

Tis the season…. that everyone is scrambling to get those precious family photos that will be cherished for years to come!  We all know that we “should” take more pics with our families, especially for the moms to be in front of the camera.  Over the years, we’ve seen holiday cards moving more and more into the photo cards, and I LOVE IT!  I save all our photo cards and file them away.  I even try to group them together by the same families, so we can flip through them once in awhile and see how our loved ones have grown and changed.  Especially in this digital, social-media age, some people never get around to even printing a picture besides a photo card.  So I say, bring it on!  Keep the holiday photos coming!

We just did our own holiday family photo session over the weekend, and I am already on pins and needles, so excited to see how they turned out.  In the meantime, I figured a trip down memory lane would hold me over during my anticipation.  Honestly, I’m always scared each year that I won’t love the photos as much as the year before, and last year’s was just my fave!

2016

Do you take annual holiday photos?  What’s your favorite card-printer service?  I’d love to know!

 

Photos by Alicia P. Photography

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged: beach, beach photography laguna beach, california, California beach, castle, family photography, family photos, formal, holiday, holiday photos, Orange County, photography, Southern California, ware doll

Kingston Files: Terrific, Terrible, Tremendous TWOs!

October 24, 2017 ·

TWO – oh yes, we are firmly in the second year now!  Kingston turned 2 last month and I wanted to document it with a photoshoot at our home away from home, mainly focusing on his current OBSESSION: the CARS franchise.  We’ve been spending A LOT of time in CARSLAND, so it was a no-brainer!

 

TWO is moody, is fun, is completely unpredictable.  Two also means you want to wear what you want to wear, no matter what mom may have planned.  Heat contributed to some not-so-happy faces, but I found it captures the true spirit of Kingston at 2.  We also managed to document a prominent bump on the head from all the running and falling you do.  hehehe #reallife

Hey buddy, I hope you know how much your mama loves you and how much effort it took to get these pics!

At age 2, RUNNING is your jam!

Dinosaurs are also the second coolest things, so this Cars Dinoco cup is a prized possession.

A lollipop break is ALWAYS a good idea.

You are sweet one instant, and then a little devilish smirk the next.  Oh how that face just gets me!

When you’re done, you’re DONE. lol

You might exude a tough-guy attitude, but your mama knows you’re a softy inside. 🙂

Love you to the moon and back my little man!  As long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be!  Here’s to a terrific, tremendous, and twist-turning year two!

 

Photos by Alicia P. Photography

Filed Under: Baby/Kids, Disney, mom life Tagged: birthday, cars land, disney, Disney cars, disneyland, Kingston, Pixar, Pixar cars, two, two years old

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • Next Page »

Welcome!

Hi! I'm Vivian, and this is my creative space to share snippets from our life in Orange County, CA and some of my favorite things!
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Categories

  • Baby/Kids
  • Disney
  • Jujube
  • mom life
  • review
  • School Life
  • Shopping
  • So Cal Kids Activities
  • Southern California kids activites
  • things to do with kids
  • travel
  • Uncategorized
  • What's In My Bag

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries RSS
  • Comments RSS
  • WordPress.org

Theme Design By Studio Mommy · Copyright © 2023