Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus Comes to So Calif July 10-August 4 - Tickets on Sale Now

Family Entertainment

Giveaway details below

All images in this post from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus

I'm just as excited as when I was a Baby Boomer kid growing up in the 1960s -- the Circus is coming to town and you're invited. Not just any circus, it's the one and only original Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus. Yes, this is definitely still The Greatest Show on Earth! Tickets are on sale now for all shows in Southern California July 10 - August 4, 2013.

This year's show theme is Built to Amaze featuring more than 100 of the world's best performing artists and athletes -- representing 17 countries around the world -- as well as 95 classic and new animals doing amazing things.

Highlights of some of the unique acts you'll see this season

• Nine-time international award-winning comedic animal presenting duo Alex and Irina Emelin of Russia who will introduce their uniquely-designed brand of magic and humor with animals ranging from poodles and ferrets to rabbits, snakes and a few surprise creatures.
• The Trampoline Tower Tumblers, a troupe of ten competitive aerial athletes from the Ukraine who launch themselves from trampolines to scale, rapel and pass through a three-story high translucent tower.
• The popular King Charles Troupe from New York City bring choreographed, spirited and comedic one-wheeled excitement and basketball competition to the ring featuring 10 whirling unicyclists shooting hoops.

2013 Southern California 

Performance Show Times Schedule

Come Early: All shows include Animal Open House and All-Access Pre-Show Experience

Los Angeles July 10 - July 16
STAPLES Center, 1111 Figueroa Street, L.A., CA 90015

Wednesday, July 10   7:30 pm
Thursday, July 11        12 pm & 7:30 pm
Friday, July 12             12 pm & 7:30 pm
Saturday, July 13         11:30 am, 3:30 pm & 7:30 pm
Sunday, July 14            11:30 am, 3:30 pm & 7:30 pm
Monday, July 15           7:30 pm
Tuesday, July 16          12 pm & 7:30 pm

Ontario July 19 - July 23
Citizens Business Bank Arena, 4000 Ontario Center Parkway, Ontario, CA 91764 

Friday, July 19              7:30 pm
Saturday, July 20         11:30 am, 3:30 pm & 7:30 pm
Sunday, July 21             11:30 am, 3:30 pm & 7:30 pm
Monday, July 22           7:30 pm
Tuesday, July 23          12 pm & 7:30 pm

Anaheim July 26 - August 4
Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92806

Friday, July 26             7:30 pm
Saturday, July 27         11:30 am, 3:30 pm & 7:30 pm
Sunday, July 28            1:30 pm & 5:30 pm
Wednesday, July 31     1:00 pm & 7:30 pm
Thursday, August 1      10:30 am & 7:30 pm
Friday, August 2           1:00 pm & 7:30 pm
Saturday, August 3      11:30 am, 3:30 pm & 7:30 pm
Sunday, August 4         11:30 am, 3:30 pm & 7:30 pm

Ticket Prices
Ticket prices range from $20, $26, $42 (VIP), $70 (Front Row) and $100 (Circus Celebrity). Opening Night tickets are only $12 each (not valid for VIP or premium seating). Tickets available for purchase online at Ticketmaster.com or HondaCenter.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or in-person at the venue Box Office. *Tickets may be subject to service charges, facility and handling fees.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey 
GIVEAWAY

WIN a Pair of Tickets $52 value

Enter Now 

FTC Disclosure: This is a compensated post and I will be receiving tickets to take my own family to this circus in exchange for hosting the associated giveaway. In addition, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey is providing the prizes for the contest. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Baby Elephant Frolicks in Ocean for First Time - A Lesson for Us to Enjoy Simple Things in Life

Nature

Animals Inspiring Human Emotion

Here's a YouTube featuring a darling playful baby elephant in the wild frolicking in the Andaman Sea off an island along the west coast of Thailand. 

If this doesn't steal your heart away while it goes viral, I don't know what will. As an elephant lover that recently brought you the My Lucky Elephant movie review about an elephant that learns to paint masterpieces, I couldn't resist sharing another elephant focused post with Mommy Blog Expert's like-minded readers.

I think you'll enjoy it as much as I have. Spend 3 minutes watching this clip shot by amateur videogapher Nancy Belal and I can practically guarantee you that it will truly make your day.

For sure this sweet animal without a care in the world is a boost to the human soul...

Wishing that you find as much joy living in the moment as this infant pachyderm has found already.

Have a GREAT Baby Elephant kind of Day!

FTC Disclosure: I did not receive any payment or other compensation for this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Best of Father's Day Gift Guide Showcase

Celebrations

Give Dad A Present He'll Love

Ask just about anyone, young or old, Father's Day is most probably the hardest holiday to shop for. This year can be different, though, when it comes to shopping for Dear Old Dad -- especially if you consider buying one or more of the really cool and unique items featured in this gift guide each hand picked for its originality by Mommy Blog Expert.

Image from Tom and Teddy

Father Gifts for $100 or less

In the pool, on the lake or at the beach this Father's Day and throughout the summer, boys and men have a new option for trendy quality swim trunks from Tom & Teddy. The company founded by former Sydney resident husband-wife team Jelle de Jong and Michelle L'Huillier just launched in 2012 in Australia to critical success. Now they're bringing the stylish brand's same vibrant colors, contemporary designs and universally flattering fit stateside to the U.S. with their Summer Swimwear Collection. The designers have thoughtfully created this line -- with plentiful design details, all made to stand up to both ocean water and flag football -- to cater to families that seek well-made coordinating swim trunks for father-son swim wear. $60 for Boys Sizes for Ages 1-12 and $89 for Men's Sizes Small to XXL, Available online direct from TomandTeddy

txTylz will challenge the mind, MommyBlogExpert.com

Looking for a really hip engaging game to play at the picnic table at your backyard Dad's Day BBQ that is modern but not electronic? Then look no further than txTylz, a primitively modern way to say it game. Proper grammar, spelling and English are not required -- that's what makes this game involving wood tiles so engaging and creative. This game, created by model/actress Joan Severance, is not only fun, it challenges the mind so it's no surprise that it was part of the 2013 Mensa Mind Games Challenge. This will literally be a conversation piece at your Father's Day gathering as well as whenever friends and family get together. Small and compact, this would also be great to take along on vacation this summer. $45, Available online direct from txTylz

Grill Daddy HeatShield BBQ Tool Set, MommyBlogExpert.com

Speaking of barbeques, how about giving the master griller of the house something both practical and fun to use while he's flipping burgers and grilling steaks for the family? From Grill Daddy, the Heat Shield BBQ tool set isn't just another bunch of grilling tools -- these actually help keep that special father in your life safe from getting burned while he cooks for you. In fact, Grill Daddy’s patented rotating heat shield hand guard which maintains continuous protection from flare-ups, searing grill heat, and burning hot food splatters. Another thing I like about this sturdy BBQ tool collection that sets it apart is that you can mix and match tools with the included specialty attachments. Available at Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, Ace Hardware, True Value, Amazon and direct from Grill Daddy

Grill Daddy Steam Cleaning Tool, MommyBlogExpert.com

Since he'll be cleaning up too and you'll want to "help" out as much as you can, why not throw in another really functional Grill Daddy gift, one that uses steam to clean the grill? The Grill Daddy Steam Cleaner tool features replaceable heavy-gauge stainless-steel brush heads. With this product's unique steam cleaning feature all you do is pour water into the handle's reservoir and before you know it, baked on food, grease and black residue comes right off. This greatly speeds the time it takes Dad to thoroughly clean and sanitize the grill so he can spend more time enjoying himself with you and the rest of the family not only on Father's Day but whenever he's grilling.  Available at Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, Ace Hardware, True Value, Amazon and online direct from Grill Daddy

Image from Cherry Moon Farms

If Daddy has a sweet tooth this Beer Cookie Gift Basket will not only make a great dessert it can also double as a party decoration or centerpiece for this year's Father's Day celebration. It would also be a very thoughtful and memorable ready-to-give present you can either deliver in person to a beloved father or that you can have shipped directly to that special Dad across the miles that you aren't able to be with this year. This yummy non-alcoholic gift full of giant hand-decorated colorful beer theme cookies includes two beer mug cookies, two beer glass cookies and one "Cheers to Dad" cookie and comes festively packaged as pictured. Each cookie measures 4-4.5 inches tall. Available online direct from Cherry Moon Farms

FTC Disclosure: I received all the products featured in this post to facilitate review, except for the Beer Cookie Gift Basket. I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.