iT'Z Family Food and Fun Pasadena

***Disclosure-Thanks to USFG and iT'z Pasadena for providing my family with a 4 pack pass which included buffet and $5 playing cards.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

When it is hot outside, you look for some place to keep the kids entertained.  Or when it is time to decide what are we going to do this weekend?  My teen is always asking, this is the first thing that comes out of his mouth on Saturday mornings.  This past weekend was Labor Day weekend and we really did not want to be out in the heat.  Lil Bit is a toddler and we really did not want to have her out midday in the hot sun.  Plus my husband got out of work at 2, so it was not like we could head to the beach at that time.  We needed and indoor place where we could eat and have fun at the same time.  I told you before about iT'Z.

 We had a blast with the boys.  Now we have a toddler and the experience was great.  We started out with everyone getting food at the buffet.  There is plenty to choose from for everyone.  For Lil Bit, we served her mac n cheese, weenie, cheese pizza, spaghetti, and she loves tomatoes!  My husband hooked himself up with nachos with all the fixings.  I grabbed me some gumbo, yes, gumbo.  My teen enjoyed all the BBQ pizza and said keep it coming.  His favorite!  I also couldn't get enough of the meat lovers!

After we indulged on the dessert buffet-jello, cookies, brownies....so good!  We headed to enjoy the games.  Everyone grabbed their card and took off on their own.  My favorite part of the evening was watching Lil Bit enjoy the Jett Rider ride with her daddy.  Did it 3 times-sat there, enjoyed it, and was not scared at all.

There is a kiddie section perfect for the little ones in the back.  The carousel is free to ride, all you have to do is jump on and hit the button.  If you have a smaller infant, there is a seat available with a seat belt that they can ride and you don't have to worry about they falling off.  My daughter rode this and kept coming back.

Another favorite moment I had totally forgotten about was when my daughter decided she wanted to drive a race car.  Watch out Nascar and Danika-Lil Bit is ready to drive!!

 And for your entertainment, check out the video I took of her driving experience...almost pee'd my pants-

Our mission is to create a fun experience for families. We do this by combining affordable family dining with quality entertainment.  Unlimited buffet? Check. The latest and greatest games? Without a doubt.  Guaranteed good times? Absolutely. 

 iT'Z all here! Kids Eat Free at iT'Z every Thursday!

iT'Z the place to PARTY! iT'Z the place for FOOD! iT'Z the place for FUN!

Every Tuesday, they still offer $2.99 buffet and $.99 drinks.  Check out their online specials, here.

Aren't You Suppose to be on Vacation?

So, yesterday my boss walks in and says, "Aren't you suppose to be on vacation?"  See I had a trip that was tentatively planned from May 1-3 that I had put in vacation time for but it got postponed until further notice.  While I was bummed about that, I wasn't going to be able to take my family with me.  I feel so selfish taking trips without them. 

Then a couple of days ago, I was invited to a blogger retreat that I could take my family on.  And right about now, I could really use a vacation-a real one.  My job is very stressful, especially around the end of the month/beginning of the month.  There is so much to do, and take care.  But now I get to pack up my family, forget about work/schedules/etc, and go relax for a weekend getaway.  Guess where we are going?

We are headed to South Padre Island on a weekend getaway sponsored by Schlitterbahn Beach Resort.  Our weekend getaway includes a 2 night stay and 2 provided meals.  I visited Schlitterbahn New Braunfels for a Senior Day trip many years ago and my family has visited Schlitterbahn Galveston several times.  This weekend we get to learn about Schlitterbahn South Padre Island Beach Resort.  So I know, you are asking yourself isn't too cold to visit a waterpark?  Well lucky for us, Schlitterbahn is an indoor waterpark.

So I am packing our swimsuits and trunks and we are headed to South Padre Island.  I along with other Texas bloggers will be sharing our experience.  If you would like to follow along on twitter, follow #bloggerretreat.

***Disclosure-As stated above, we will be guests of the resort for 2 nights and 2 meals will be provided complimentary to our family.  All opinions expressed by myself or my family will be based on my personal experience and as always will be our HONEST opinions.  If you would like more information on Schlitterbahn and their parks, please visit http://www.schlitterbahn.com/.  All pictures were provided for us by Schlitterbahn Waterpark and Resorts.

Check out Aquatica's Wildside

Do you like swimming with Sharks?  Well I don't either....what about Stingrays?  Did you know that they are close relatives of sharks?  I didn't.  They bury themselves on the sea floor in the sand. 

This is my wild child, I guess she gets it from her mami.  My dare devil of a daughter, my son, and I all got to get in the water with these Stingrays.  (disclosure-no animals, kids, or parents were harmed)

So we got a briefing first and learned how to act around the Stingrays for our protection and theirs.  My 15 month old daughter was not scared at all and was loving the enviroment.  Once she got in the water, she laughed every time a Stingray passed her, brushed by her, or came up for food.  My son and I were really intrigued by this wild experience.  We walked on the wild side, now will you?

Would you go in the water with Stingrays?

***Disclosure-I am a Seaworld Wildsider.  All experiences are my very own.  All interactions and opinions are my own and are honest.  The Stingray experience has been Independentmami and kid tested and is Independentmami and Lil Bit approved!