"Ears" To the Holidays

When I was growing up – a long way away from Southern California in more ways than one – I went to Disneyland twice. That's two times. In about 30 years. And on my first trip, I was 6 months old. My dad traded his driver's license for one of the park's strollers, which was a relatively new invention back then. My second? I was a junior in high school.

So my life as a Southern Californian began as a Disneyland-starved adult, never quite getting my fill of swirling tea cups, space-themed roller coasters and over-the-top parades. My kids have the life I used to daydream about: Living within 60 miles of the Happiest Place on Earth. Of course, as an L.A. family we are also on a tight budget and don't always have the time or wherewithall to brave the 5 on a Saturday morning. So our treks to the park are carefully planned and quite measured. We've settled upon the holidays as our favorite time to make our big annual trek: When I need a dose of extreme holiday spirit and the kids feel as though they've been transported to our own version of the North Pole.

The park gets a holly-and-big-bow makeover this time of year, and the mood everywhere is infectious. The Haunted Mansion has enough Christmas "spirit" to haunt even the Scroogiest of visitors. The "A Christmas Fantasy" Parade routinely brings tears to my eyes, even when those silly reindeer walk by on two legs instead of four. The "Believe ... In Holiday Magic" show mixes fireworks and snow, and I still can't figure out how they get Tinkerbell to flit above Sleeping Beauty Castle. It's a Small World remains my all-time fave, and this DL standard gets decked out with snowflakes and Feliz Navidads-aplenty.

So part of your "tax" as a Southland family is to make the pilgrimage to this hallowed ground in Orange County. I recommend the holidays, but you have to find your own special schedule and create your own traditions.

In case you're in need of motivation, Disneyland Ambassador Danielle DuBois took a moment during my family's trip last weekend to chat with me about some of her favorite holiday treats and treasures in both Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure. Watch this, and see if you can resist (she had me at "giant, handmade candy canes.").

Shooting Stars Alert!

There's so much great stuff to report about L.A. Parent's Shooting Stars Cover Kids Contest on Saturday (10 a.m.- 3 p.m.) at the Skirball, I almost don't have room – or the time – to reveal it all.

First of all, the event itself is not a shallow beauty contest. Here at L.A. Parent, we know every kid is amazing and special, and photographer Valerie Tabor Smith is there to bring out both the inner and outer beauty of every child she photographs. It's truly an enriching experience to get to sit in front of her lens!

And it's always difficult to pick the top winner in each age category, but pick one we must. Those three will be featured on a future L.A. Parent cover (an incredible thrill indeed!) and will also receive an incredible prize package courtesy of Paul Frank Industries.

Aside from the chance to become L.A. Parent's official Shooting Star Cover Kid, for $25 you'll be getting a lot of bang for your buck. First of all, your kids get to play inside Noah's Ark at the Skirball for free (that's a $10 adult ticket and $5 child ticket savings right there!). Plus, crafty kiddos can join the drop-in art workshop or assemble funky structures in the "Ark-itecture" activity in the Family Amphitheater (again, all free!). There will even be a few props on display from the production of Where the Wild Things Are. And in about six weeks, we'll mail you the "mock" cover of L.A. Parent featuring the Valerie Tabor Smith photo taken on the day of the event.

Plus, L.A. Parent has received some amazing prizes to give away throughout the day in "A," "B" and "C" level categories. A few include:

• Wii, Nintendo DS and Playstation games from THQ, Atari and many others


• Forever Friends Dolls


• KAZAM push bikes


• Paul Frank clothing sets


• Ugly Doll & Snugaboo pkg


• Green Toys brand toys


• Blu Ray DVDs from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment


• BRAVO - Tony Hawk Huck Jam series skateboard, Pulse Kick Scooter and Slither Scooter


• WOW WOW Wubzy DVDs and books from AnchorBayEntertainment


• Kickboard USA g-bike, Kickboard Scooter and Mini Kickboard Scooter


• Mr. Toast and Shakey Bacon plush toys


• Gamewright games


• Hasbro card games


• Yo Gabba Gabba, Dora and Spongebob DVDs from Nickelodeon


• Freaky Creatures Set from Abandon Entertainment


• Roundabouts cupcake sleeves basket


• Animal Planet Nintendo DS and Wii games as well as animal totes and other toys from Discovery Toys

So don't miss out!