Disney Baby Launches Adorable Collections

Finding Nemo Fun Tub

You wouldn't think so much would change in five years ... or maybe you would. In the five-plus years since I've had CC, products for babies have gotten better and better. And that says nothing about how much has changed since I was little. (Two words: car seats.)

Last week, I visited a Disney Baby luncheon at one of the gorgeous villas at the Sunset Marquis Hotel in West Hollywood. On display were dozens of new items that the company had just launched. Blending in fun Disney characters such as Simba or Minnie Mouse, the strollers, bodysuits and bath toys were heavy on fun while also opting for a more subtle approach.

What I gravitated toward was the Finding Nemo Fun Tub (SRP: $39.99 and pictured above). I remember being so scared to bathe CC when she was barely out of the womb. I remember holding her and giving her a little sponge bath because even the baby tub seemed too big. With this tub, newborns fit snugly onto a sling that can be removed as baby grows. How cool!

Disney Cuddly Bodysuit

As I mentioned at the Disney Baby BlogHer party, the new cuddly bodysuits that sport two rows of snaps for a growing baby are wonderful, too.

Disney Baby has also launched a new website, DisneyBaby.com, that spotlights both products as well as important moments in baby's early life. I love that it's arranged by important moments of the day, such as In the Nursery, Dressing Baby and Mealtime. Parents can also upload pictures of their own special moments and read tips on how to, say, transition baby to solid foods.

Whether you're expecting, just had a baby or know someone who has, it's fun to explore just how far we've come, with parents helping parents and babies looking cuter than ever.

Zimmer Children's Museum Teaches Kids About Community

CC floats in a blue ball pit at the Zimmer Children's Museum.

I'm constantly amazed by how many educational and fun places there are for children here in Los Angeles. The Zimmer Children's Museum, which we visited for the first time on Friday, is definitely one of them.

We've driven by the museum, which is tucked into the lobby level of The Goldsmith Jewish Federation Center on Wilshire Boulevard's Miracle Mile, so many times over the years, but it's only now that I've realized what we've been missing.

Dedicated to teaching kids -- and families, really -- about global citizenship, community responsibility and cultural sensitivity, the Zimmer has created a kid-sized neighborhood of sorts that's totally interactive and engaging.

CC and I visited during a "Cupcakes for Bloggers" event, during which delicious mini cupcakes from SusieCakes were served, and my little explorer had the chance to don a firefighter's uniform, walk on a rescue boat that was used to help people during Hurricane Katrina, pretend to go grocery shopping, and make all kinds of art.

Firefighter CC!

In fact, CC asked why it was called a museum because, as she said, it doesn't look like one. I think for her it looked like a huge play area and a place where she was welcome to pretend all she wanted.

The Zimmer offers open play with admission, but the museum also provides programs during the week, such as a sing-a-long, freeze dance, a puppet show and story time.

CC pretends to buy and prepare dinner at the Zimmer.

After we had checked out nearly every inch of the museum -- and after I had chatted with a few vendors I'll talk about in future posts -- it was time to head home.

"Can we come back tomorrow?" CC asked in the parking lot. Absolutely!

Zimmer Children's Museum
6505 Wilshire Blvd., #100
Los Angeles, CA 90048
323-761-8984
Admission: $8 (adults), children 2-17 ($5), children under 2 (free)

Coming Attraction: Story Pirates at the Geffen Playhouse

The Story Pirates (Photo courtesy of the Geffen Playhouse)

Who wouldn't love to hear one of their child's stories performed on stage? At an awesome L.A. theater. By professional actors.

Well, Angeleno parents, you're lucky, because the Story Pirates at the Geffen Playhouse do just that.

And because February is Blogger Month at the Geffen, the kid-friendly Story Pirates invited CC to submit her own story for them to turn into a sketch-comedy musical! We're very excited to see what they come up with on Saturday.

Not to give anything away, but CC's story involves a rascally crew of animals, salt and pepper shakers, and a Christmas tree. Folks, I think we're looking at a smash.

The troupe performs its Flagship Show every Saturday at the Geffen at 2 p.m., and they always welcome new stories from little ones. In fact, click here to submit your child's story. Or click here if you'd like to check out the show with the kiddos first.

We're looking forward to Saturday, and I'll be sure to update you next week with how CC enjoyed her theatrical writing debut.

The Story Pirates
Saturdays at 2 p.m.
Geffen Playhouse Kinross Annex
10920 Kinross Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
310-208-2028
Tickets: $15

Giveaway: Day2Day Printing Business Cards *Sponsored*

UPDATE: Congrats to Silvia and Jessica New Fuselier, who each won 1,000 business cards from Day2Day Printing. Please email me at losangelesstory@gmail.com with your contact info. Thanks to everyone who participated (and to Random.org for helping me decide.) Also, all links to the company have been removed from this post as of Nov. 8, 2013.


This post is sponsored by Day2Day Printing, a Los Angeles-based business printing company that offers a variety of custom products. Whether you need business cards printed with eco-friendly ink, calendars or invitation cards, Day2Day Printing guarantees quality printing at low prices. 

And speaking of business cards, I know a lot of bloggers and business owners who would like to try out different designs. Here's your chance to win 1,000 business cards that you can design yourself online.

*** GIVEAWAY ***

I'm giving away 2 sets of 1,000 standard-size, full-color business cards, courtesy of Day2Day Printing. Yes, that means 2 winners!

To enter, please visit Day2Day Printing and leave a comment below saying what you would use the business cards for. Your blog? A newly opened business? An update on a previous design?

For more chances to win, retweet this giveaway on Twitter or share it on your Facebook page. Just be sure to leave comments telling me you did so.

And check out Day2Day on Facebook, Twitter and their printing blog.

Keep in mind that to enter, you must be 18 or older and a U.S. resident.

Good luck, and I'll announce the two winners on this post Thursday, March 8.

Tecca: Great Apps for Kids

For parents who are wondering which apps out there are great for their kids, please check out two fun stories I wrote for Tecca.com.

The first, "Best iPhone and iPad apps and games for kids," spotlights educational apps that promote science, reading and art -- and a couple just for fun. The second, "Best iPhone apps for homework management," directs kids, teachers and parents to apps that help organize the daily deluge of school work.

Let me know what you think -- and if you recommend other amazing apps!

How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love Floss, aka the Listerine Oral Care Challenge *Sponsored*

CC rinses with Listerine Smart Rinse after brushing and flossing.

When it comes to brushing, I've had varying degrees of luck with CC. While she brushes on her own or with my help twice a day, she also tends to want to rush the process. After all, there are toys to play with and books to read.

Cute toothbrushes and her own personal (and pink!) timer have helped keep CC interested, but I've also wondered how to get her more engaged. And that's just brushing. What about flossing and rinsing?

Just in time for National Children's Dental Health Month, I've joined Listerine and Reach for their Healthy Habits for a Lifetime Oral Care Challenge.

That means the whole family will brush, floss and rinse twice a day every day for three weeks! The good news: We've already started! Our challenge: Keeping it up!

CC jumped on board immediately once she saw the generous box of oral-care products that Listerine and Reach sent to us. She loved checking out the variously colored kid-friendly Smart Rinses. Barbie pink. Phineas & Ferb blue. And Batman green.

For me, it was learning that 50% of children will have a cavity or filling between the ages of 5 and 9, according to the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services. Eek! And did you know that brushing alone misses around 75% of your mouth?

That's why flossing and rinsing are so important.

So, you might ask, is it OK for my little one to rinse? I mean, isn't that stuff harsh on your teeth, and what if she swallows it?

According to pediatric dentist Dr. Kaneta Lott, kids should start rinsing between the ages of 5 and 6. Before that, they might not be able to spit out well.

Also, based on laboratory tests, using Listerine Smart Rinse Anticavity Fluoride Rinse, which has no alcohol, helps strengthen teeth 99% better than brushing alone. Not bad!

So, how can you encourage your kids to enjoy -- or at least get into the habit of -- flossing, brushing and rinsing twice a day?

1. Make it fun! Make it a game, says Dr. Lott. Challenge your child to see who can brush the longest. Make funny faces while rinsing, and see who can rinse the longest without spitting.
2. "Show, Don't Tell." Brush with your child to show that it's not just a chore for her.
3. Give your child fun, kid-friendly products. (CC really went for this one!)
4. Reward good behavior. A calendar with stickers works wonders! That's what we're using.

One day down!

And CC is very proud!

(Disclosure: I received products and compensation from Johnson & Johnson and The Motherhood as part of my participation in the Oral Care Challenge. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post, however, are my own.)

Back to Escondido Canyon Trail and Waterfalls ... This Time for Real

A gorgeous day in Malibu!

Back in October, when Ian's cousin was in town, we drove out to Malibu to check out Edward Albert Escondido Canyon Trail and Waterfalls.

We didn't make it very far that time. CC was tired, and it was difficult to convince her that there was, in fact, a waterfall at the end of our hike -- which begins in a beautiful residential area in Malibu.

This time, though, we rocked it.

We crossed multiple streams -- after one fall, without tears(!), CC mastered walking over slippery rocks -- braved muddy passes and even befriended a couple of sheepdogs on the way.

It was a gorgeous Saturday and perfect for hiking. And once we got to the waterfall? Well, it wasn't as majestic as I had imagined but beautiful nonetheless. Southern California needs a bit more water for outright majesty right now. But it was cool seeing the 150-foot falls in the Santa Monica Mountains and all of the gorgeous landscape that's right in our own backyard.

Ian and CC at the falls.

Tchuess, Berlin!

Bye-bye, Berlin!

Well, our Berlin-centric week has come to a close. We're back in Los Angeles now -- got back on Wednesday -- but I wanted to share some pics of famous places that we visited around the city.

Thanks again, Berlinale! We had a great time. I also wanted to give a shout-out to the hotel where we stayed, Hampton by Hilton. The room was comfy, the complimentary breakfast was delicious, and the free wi-fi came in very handy!

Posing with the Berlin Bear on Unter den Linden, in the former East Berlin.

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

Walking through this sea of gray blocks on a snowy day was so moving. Of course, CC didn't understand the magnitude of this Holocaust memorial; she only knew that it was supposed to honor people who died. The blocks were tall, short and placed on land that requires you to walk up and down small hills.

"What are these blocks supposed to be?" CC asked.

"They're supposed to make you think of the people who died," I answered.

"But how am I supposed to think about them?" she continued. "They're just blocks."

I thought that was such a clever question. She didn't really know how to process something so abstract. And I think that's the challenge of this memorial -- for adults and for kids.

Apparently, Checkpoint Charlie wasn't as fascinating for CC.

CC rides the U-Bahn.

Los Angeles and Berlin Sister Cities

And, finally, we have the sign for the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It's only 9,269 km from Potsdamer Platz. A mere 5,759 miles.

Bye-bye, Berlin! Hope to see you again in our traveling future!

Legoland Berlin Builds Kids' Creativity

Legoland Discovery Centre Berlin

Whether it was watching a mini Berlin Wall fall in front of a Lego-built Brandenburg Gate, sidling up next to the huge Lego giraffe outside or watching a 4D Lego-based movie for kids, CC had an amazing time exploring Legoland Discovery Centre Berlin in Potsdamer Platz, particularly on a snowy February day.

The giant indoor play space offers lots to do for little ones. While CC at first wanted to compare it with the Legoland that's closer to home -- ours, after all, has a water park, she said -- once inside, she turned into a Lego brick maniac, building princess castles, cars that raced down curved tracks and riding dragon and wizard rides.

The fall of the (Lego) Berlin Wall at Legoland Discovery Centre Berlin.

Kids and parents can move around freely, up and down floors, checking out the different parts over and over again. Which we did. What I loved was that they provided buckets and buckets of regular Legos for kids to use as they pleased. It's certainly spectacular to see the mini cities that Legoland builds, but it's also cool to see what your child can build for herself.

Lego shark attack!

CC enjoyed walking through the Jungle Expedition area, which takes visitors through a dimly lit cave that sports Lego alligators, snakes, a hippo, explorers, Indiana Jones(!) and a huge tarantula that kind of freaked me out.

"Touch it!" CC shouted.

"Uh ..." I hesitated.

Finally I relented, overcoming my admittedly ridiculous fake-spider phobia.

"See, Mommy," she said. "It's OK. It's not real."

Whew!

Eek! Lego tarantula!

While we spent a wonderful half-day at the Discovery Centre, I can't imagine staying all day long. That might be a little much. What was great, though, was the snack bar and eating area that was located right in the middle of the downstairs action. Parents could relax with coffee, hot dogs or Berliners (the donut kind, not the actual city dwellers) and watch their kids play and play.

And, on a lightly snowy morning, being inside -- even with a freaky tarantula -- was all right by me.

Berlinale Film Review: 'Lotte and the Moonstone Secret'

"Lotte and the Moonstone Secret" (Photo courtesy of the Berlinale)

Shining a spotlight -- or perhaps a moonbeam -- on the joy and wonder that come from traveling and exploring, "Lotte and the Moonstone Secret" (or "Lotte ja kuukivi saldus" in its original Estonian title) was perhaps the best note to end on here at the 2012 Berlin Film Festival.

Directed by Janno Poldma and Heiki Ernits, the animated film follows little girl dog Lotte and her adventures with her explorer-friendly Uncle Klaus as they go in search of three mysterious stones. It just so happens that they're not the only ones in search of the stones. Two little rabbit creatures need them for something very important themselves.

Along the way, Uncle Klaus tells Lotte important lessons about traveling -- the main one being, you just have to believe. Believe that obstacles can be overcome. Believe that you will find what you're looking for.

Although the film played in its original Estonian (with a German translator speaking over a microphone) and English subtitles, CC was riveted. Of course it helped that I whispered some of the dialogue in her ear throughout the movie.

The story was sweet, and it always helps to have a femme character at the center of the action for my little girl wonder. But "Lotte" encouraged not only exploration but also kindness, friendship, curiosity and learning about other kinds of people. Well, in this case, three-eared rabbits.

The animation was beautiful -- and often a little mesmerizing. While some of it was simple, such as the characters themselves, details like fire, rain and leaves were startlingly realistic.

Of course, it was CC's favorite film. Here's hoping it makes its way to the U.S.

Happy Valentine's Day!

While reading one of my favorite blogs, I was reminded of one of the best -- probably the best -- gift Ian has ever given me.

Have you ever read this adorable book, "I Like You," written by Sandol Stoddard Warburg and illustrated by Jacqueline Chwast?

It's meant for friends, boyfriends, spouses, family, whomever, and it has cute little pages that say, for example, "I like you because you are a good person to like," and "When I say something funny, You laugh, I think I'm funny and You think I'm funny too. Hah-Hah."

Well, several years ago, Ian took six pages from this book and had them framed in one big frame along with three pictures of us. It was so lovely and special. And it's hanging on our wall.

Thank you again, Clarkie.

Happy Valentine's Day!

[Photo courtesy of Loving the Dream]

Berlinale Kindergarten Gets Two Thumbs Up

CC spends a few hours at the Berlinale Kindergarten.

You might remember me mentioning the Berlinale Kindergarten, a bilingual -- and wallet-friendly! -- daycare option for festival goers? Besides giving me a few hours to check out a film at the Berlin Film Festival, the Kindergarten also gave CC the chance to mingle other little ones. And it didn't seem to matter that those little ones were all speaking German.

In fact, I made the mistake of picking her up too early. Leaving her there for three hours, I started getting nervous, thinking she might be uncomfortable or worried that I had left her alone in too-unfamiliar territory.

Nope! Even though she was happy to see me, she asked if she could go back again the next day.

The daycare, which operates out of a real German Kindergarten space that's huge, colorful and full of wonderful playthings, turned out to be a wonderful respite for a little girl who just wanted to play with kids. CC told me they climbed up an indoor treehouse, read books and rode around on little cars. (Mercedes, of course.)

Not bad for only 5 Euros ($6.60).

CineStar Theater at the Sony Center in Potsdamer Platz.

I was happy to hear her so happy. And happy, too, to check out a film on my own at the super-cool Sony Center called "Kid-Thing," by David and Nathan Zellner, which explores the dark side what happens when a neglected, disgruntled 10-year-old girl is left to her own devices.

Maybe it was watching that film that made me rush back a little early to pick up CC. Either way, I was more than happy to have her in wonderful hands.

Berlinale Film Review: 'Die Kinder vom Napf'

"Die Kinder vom Napf," a film about kids growing up in rural Switzerland, screened at the Berlinale. (Photo courtesy of the 2012 Berlinale.)

Opening on a group of school children trudging through the dark, in the snow, with what looks like miner's flashlights on their foreheads, the first scene in "Die Kinder vom Napf" reminds me of that old parental admonition: When I was your age, I walked uphill to school in the snow. Both ways!

Well, if you're these kids, who live in the village around Mount Napf in Switzerland, you wouldn't exactly be lying.

Director Alice Schmid followed several Napf children, who live in the municipality of Romoos, for a year, documenting how they lived -- their days at school, their chores at home and the cable car one girl rides to get to and from the classroom.

While this lifestyle seemed so foreign on screen, the charming children reminded CC and me of what's universal for families and kids -- namely, for CC, making cookies, which is what the kids did in school. Although, as CC said, "We can't make cookies at preschool because they have sugar." Score one for Napf.

Watching the film, I found it fun listening to Napf's version of "Kids Say the Darndest Things." Some choice quotes included: "We catch mice only six days a week," says a 10-year-old Thomas. "Never on Sundays or holidays." and "We should make Romoos more famous," says Carolin, also 10. "Like Hollywood."

The young boys and girls of the village, which is dwindling in population, are hard workers. They help cut grass using a scythe, help with slaughtering animals, groom cattle and deal with such rural issues as wolves on the loose and hawks snatching up chickens.

It was amazing to see their work ethic and adorable to hear their voices. While the film included English subtitles to translate the Swiss-German dialect, it was hard for CC to stay focused -- namely because she can't yet read, and two, because of some serious jet lag. But she said she liked the film, the cookie-making standing out as a highlight.

A cute coda to the film was when four of the kids came up on stage, in their Swiss best, to show the audience a bit of their culture. So cute!

Bundled Up in Berlin

CC sidles up next to the Berlinale Bear in Potsdamer Platz.

We made it! After multiple flights, a long wait on an Atlanta tarmac, a mad dash through a Paris airport and misplaced luggage, CC and I arrived yesterday in a super-cold (by L.A. standards, certainly!) Berlin.

Let's just say we've definitely gotten to know the beauty of layering.

CC has already experienced several firsts since arriving -- seeing snow in a cityscape, which she loves; her first subway, aka U-Bahn, ride; and hearing a language not her own spoken by nearly everyone she sees.

"Why does everybody speak German here?" she asked at one point.

One first she still has yet to try -- a tasty Berliner, aka jelly donut.

While we missed going to the zoo -- it was that cold! So cold, in fact, that CC asked if the zoo was indoors. -- we did catch our first 2012 Berlinale film, "Die Kinder vom Napf," about kids' lives in beautifully rural Switzerland. Stay tuned for that review.

Berlin, Here We Come!

Today, CC and I are boarding a plane (well, a couple of planes) for Berlin! We're so excited. CC has been talking about it in preschool for weeks now.

Before we take off, I just wanted to share with you a few things that I bought for our trip -- to make things a little easier on the plane and in the airport.

Also, don't forget to check this space. I'll be posting from Berlin on a regular basis -- with kid-friendly film reviews, highlights of the city and how I'm surviving the trip alone with a 5-year-old!

Embark All-in-One Adapter

I bought this all-in-one adapter at Target for $9.99. Since I'm only bringing my laptop (not my cell phone), I don't need an all-out electricity converter. Newish laptops are able to convert the electricity through some sort of magic. (That's obviously the technical term.) This adapter has plug-ins for all continents. Very cool!

Spinbrush with Stickers!

The key word here is: stickers. I bought CC a toothbrush that she can decorate on the plane. Hoping this provides hours (yes, hours) of fun!

Dinosaur Erasers

I also picked up this little bag of dino erasers for $2 at Target. What with all of the Valentine's Day loot on the shelves, there were lots of little toys to choose from. I'm also hoping these little guys provide hours -- hours! -- of fun.

And finally, can't forget CC's LeapPad. This has been an amazing gadget for my curious 5-year-old. Not only can she play a ton of games, but she can also take pics and video on her own with the device!

Stay tuned!

Must-Have Book: 'City of Angels: In and Around Los Angeles'

CC and I read a lot of books. One, however, stands out not only because of its intricately illustrated pages and fun, kid-friendly facts, but also because of its familiarity. 

"City of Angels: In and Around Los Angeles," written by Julie Jaskol & Brian Lewis and illustrated by Elisa Kleven, is a magical and informative book perfect for little Angeleno explorers.

Pat, who blogs at Eating LA, passed it along to me a few years ago, and CC and I have gotten such enjoyment out of it the more we've explored the city ourselves.

The colorful pages show a bustling Chinatown, Griffith Park showered in greenery and curious families eyeballing the sculpted elephants at the La Brea Tar Pits. And, don't forget Hollywood, the Getty Center and Angels Flight.

CC has seen all of these Los Angeles hot spots in person and remembers those experiences all over again every time we read this book. I would recommend "City of Angels" to any parent or child who lives here in the city or is visiting L.A. or has far-away friends or family in the City of Angels.

For CC, it's a wonderful way to learn about her hometown.

Super Bowl Commercials: Yep, We Watched Them!

While Ian was happy to watch the New York Giants defeat the New England Patriots last night during Super Bowl XLVI -- he's a New Yorker, after all -- CC and I were happy to watch commercials and indulge in terrible foods such as pizza and brownies. Well, we all did that.

You might remember my post about a certain LA-centric ad, but I wanted to include a few more here that made me smile:

Giveaway: 'Dino Dan: Dino Trackers' DVD

UPDATE: Congrats to It's Just Me, who won the "Dino Dan" DVD! Thanks so much to everyone who participated.

Do you know the difference between a Brachiosaurus and a Diplodocus? CC does now, thanks to "Dino Dan."

CC has caught a few episodes of the paleontology-friendly kid series on Nick Jr., and she's learned even more dino tidbits from the new NCircle Entertainment DVD "Dino Dan: Dino Trackers" ($12.99) that I received for review. (I'm giving away 1 copy of the DVD, too, thanks to NCircle!)

If you haven't seen the show, "Dino Dan" is a live-action/CG-animated show that spotlights 10-year-old Dan, who's obsessed with dinosaurs. He imagines them in his everyday life -- at school, at home, trotting around his neighborhood. Every time he spots one, Dan's curiosity is piqued, and he researches everything from what the dinos eat to how they defend themselves.

And that part has totally inspired CC. It also doesn't hurt that he has a smart-cookie friend named Angie, who's described as a "typical type-A overachiever." She even corrects Dan a bit on his dino knowledge.

I've noticed that for CC it's important that shows feature smart, strong-minded girls. She mentions it every time I ask her what she likes about certain programs. I can tell she's looking for a role model or someone she can relate to. After all, she's not shy about asking questions.

I had to give her a high-five during one of the episodes, "Name-A-Saurus," when Dan wanted to name a dinosaur he had never seen before. Its primary feature? A long tail that it used as a kind of whip in battle.

"What would you call that dinosaur?" I asked CC.

"Smackosaurus!" she said.

Dan found out later, via Angie, that it was actually called a Diplodocus. But I think Smackosaurus works just as well, too.

*** GIVEAWAY ***

I'm giving away 1 copy of "Dino Dan: Dino Trackers," from NCircle Entertainment.

To enter, please leave a comment telling me your child's (or your) favorite dinosaur.

For more chances to win, retweet this giveaway on Twitter. I'm at @la_story. Or you can "Like" the L.A. Story Facebook page.

Just be sure to leave extra comments telling me you did so.

Good luck, and I'll announce the winner on this post (not a separate one) Friday, Feb. 17!

Giveaway: 'Expressing Motherhood' Tickets

UPDATE: Congrats to Ann, who won the pair of tickets to "Expressing Motherhood." Ann, please email me at losangelesstory@gmail.com and let me know which show you'd like to attend. Thanks to everyone who participated in this giveaway (and thanks to Random.org for helping me choose between all of these wonderful ladies!).

Happy February! I have some great news. "Expressing Motherhood," the live show in which moms offer entertaining tales about raising little ones (and big ones), is coming back to Los Angeles in March. Not only that, but I'm giving away a pair of tickets to one of the shows. (See below.)

If you haven't seen a performance of "Expressing Motherhood," I highly recommend it. I attended one of the Mother's Day shows last year, and it was both poignant and hilarious. Created by two moms, Lindsay Kavet and Jessica Cribbs, the show features real moms who write and perform their own work.

On stage at the intimate Elephant Space in West Hollywood, the atmosphere is supportive and moving. Seeing these women talk about such personal moments, including the frustrations of childbirth or the challenges of raising a child with special needs, is inspiring and empowering. You can really hear your own voice in the words of another mom. I know I did.

Bonus: Click here to read my interview with Lindsay Kavet.

"Expressing Motherhood"

March 9 (8 p.m.); March 10 (8 p.m.); March 11 (2:30 p.m. & 7 p.m.)
The Elephant Space
6322 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
Tickets: $15

*** GIVEAWAY ***

I'm giving away 2 tickets to a performance of "Expressing Motherhood."

To enter, please leave a comment about a funny, moving, crazy moment in your life as a parent. We all have them, that's for sure!

For more chances to win, follow me on Twitter. I'm at @la_story. Or you can "Like" the L.A. Story Facebook page.

Just be sure to leave extra comments telling me you did so.

Good luck, and I'll announce the winner on this post (not a separate one) Monday, Feb. 13!

[Image credits: Expressing Motherhood/Lindsay Kavet]