Do an ALL NIGHTER at the Happiest Place on Earth!

Haven't pulled an all nighter since college (or having an infant)? Have you ever wanted to ride the Matterhorn at midnight? What about a 3 AM teacup spin? Or maybe you want to see the sun rise over the Cadillac Mountain Range? 

Well, this weekend you can. 

Disneyland Resort is kicking off their "Monstrous Summer" with the park being opened for 24 hours. Start your Memorial Day Weekend on May 24, 2013, at an amazing 24-hour all-nighter in Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Scream with delight as monster hosts Mike and Sulley drop in from Monsters University. There will also be special limited-edition "all nighter" merchandise available for those who visit the park for this 24 hour Mouse-athon. 

Click here for more information

And since you will have PLENTY of time to explore both park, be sure to swing by the new Fantasy Faire - a new extension of Fantasyland! Meet princesses in the Royal Hall and listen to new stories with Rapunzel and Belle. 

Also debuting next weekend is the new show, Mickey and the Magical Map:

“Mickey and the Magical Map” presents Mickey in his timeless role as the sorcerer’s apprentice. Wise sorcerer Yen Sid directs his Mapmakers, a singing-dancing ensemble cast that paints a wondrous map – capable of taking dreamers to any place imaginable and so large it spans the entire stage of the outdoor Fantasyland Theatre.

Apprentice Mickey lets his curiosity get the better of him and he stumbles upon the map’s magical powers, which take him, along with the audience, on a fantastic journey of imagination in the company of the Mapmakers. The journey, presented through theatrical stage wizardry, unveils wonderful worlds of music, color, adventure and beloved characters with each new direction – all set to an original song, “Journey of the Imagination,” and music from classic Disney films.

It's going to be a monstrously fun summer at Disneyland Resorts... are you planning on going?  

*disclosure: I have been invited to a press event at Disneyland next week that includes a hotel room and tickets to the park. I have not been monitarily compensated for this post or any upcoming social media posts about the event. 

Mother's Day + Hot New App "PTCH"

Today was the Mother's Day Tea in Zoe's class... can you say SOB? 

The teacher tortured us by having all the 5 Year Olds sing a song called "Fingerprints." There was not a dry eye in the house. 

This little video was made with the coolest new App called PTCH. It's an Instagram/Vine combo that allows you to make these fab little 60 second videos with your pictures and video clips. I have a feeling I'm going to become very addicted to this app. Kimberly Blane introduced it to me last week at Mom 2.0 - of course the "Go To Mom" would know all about the coolness!

Inspiration?

Confession. I don't leave conferences inspired. 

I want to leave them with a million thoughts busting out of my head, but honestly, I don't. I take copious amounts of notes. I doodle, I dream, I have all the best intentions to come home and sit down and write for hours - even days! Products! Experiences! People! The thoughts jumble in my head on my way home; All that creativity that I know is in me just waiting to get out.

Then I come home and stare, blankly, at my computer. 

Then I go lay down. 

Then I stare at my unpacked suitcase. 

Then I put away a few pieces of swag. 

Then I go back to my computer and try to force the words from my head. 

Then I play candy crush or bejeweled blitz.

Then I sink into a bit of a post-conference depression. For months I looked forward to the weekend, and now it's over. Did I accomplish what I wanted to? Did I meet all the people that I wanted to? Did I really connect the way I wanted to? The insecurities and pang of possible regrets go flying...

But deep down, I now understand that this is MY way of processing. I will never be the girl whose suitcase is unpacked within an hour of getting home. I will stare at products in branded bags for a few weeks before putting them to use or finding a home for them. My blog may lack new content for days, or weeks, as I decompress and let all that I learned, and all that I did, filter down. 

And I let myself be okay with that, because this is ME. And I know that once the dust settles, my inspiration will be waiting for me.