How to have fun in the car with your kids...great article for all you parents!

Loved this article from Jenny Angelici, a local HB resident!



Here’s what we do in our minivan:

Ditch the DVD player. Do we really need this?
Roll down all the car windows. Children are like puppies — the breeze invigorates them. I recommend doing this at the end of the day when you don’t mind sacrificing your carefully coiffed hairdo.
Music is a must. Our favorite used to be The Wiggles. I was heartbroken when Greg left the band. Now, I pretty much rule the playlist with Pink and the Red Hot Chili Peppers currently leading the pack. However, I’ve had to explain to my boys that some questionable lyrics should not be repeated at school.
Bring a friend for pickup. Your little (and even not so little) ones will get a big kick out of seeing their favorite stuffed animal buckled-up and waiting for them in the car after school.
Ask open-ended questions. Each day after school, I will ask my boys what was their favorite thing about school. Now, before I have a chance to even ask, they are always ready with their answers.
Let the kids kick off their school shoes. I keep extra flip-flops in our minivan just for this reason. This way they don’t have to put their school shoes back on when we arrive at our destination. Also, it’s nice not to have to look for shoes when you want to quickly jump in the car and go.
Play flight attendant. Pretend like your kids are the passengers and you’re the super nice (not like that JetBlue guy) flight attendant. Have snacks and kids magazines ready. Our favorites are Ranger Rick and Highlights. Have fun hamming it up with announcements.
Give yourself plenty of time to get where you’re going. It’s better to arrive early and have to wait, than stressing out everyone by having to rush.
Read the signs. Have your early readers tell you what the traffic signs say. Who doesn’t remember reading the STOP sign when they were little?
Enjoy the journey and talk about what you see. There is a whole world out those car windows and learning opportunities at every corner.

Jenny Angelici is a mother of two boys and a resident of Huntington Beach.



http://www.huntingtonbeachmazda.com

The reviews are starting to flood in on the All New Mazda2!

From Car and Driver
The 2’s price is nice, starting at $14,730, and our test example rang in at $16,985. As for the competition, the Ford Fiesta hatchback starts at $15,795, the cheapest Honda Fit is $15,650, and the Nissan Versa five-door can be had for as low as $14,270. But add options to those models to equip them comparably to the 2, and their prices zoom past this Mazda’s; we stand behind our conviction that it represents a good value. Besides, the 2’s lively handling makes it among the most rewarding to drive of the bunch, even though it loses in cargo versatility to the Rube Goldbergian Fit. If you want to keep the price down, though, the Mazda 2 Sport should drive exactly the same as this Touring, and it still has features like A/C, power windows and locks, and keyless entry as standard. In either guise, the 2 provides clear proof of that secret we mentioned up top: Small, cheap cars can deliver ample fun during everyday driving, and they don’t come much more enjoyable than the Mazda 2.

See full story here http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/10q3/2011_mazda_2_touring_automatic-short_take_road_test

http://www.ocmazda.com/

Zoom-Zoom Concentrated is here! The all-new 2011 Mazda2 has just arrived! And true to our nature, we're going to celebrate in style!

Just off the truck moments ago, and a party in the works already!!

You are cordially invited to attend our 2011 Mazda2 Test Drive Event, starting Friday, August 6 and lasting through Sunday, August 22! You will not find this invitation at any other dealership in Orange County.

To make a reservation for the most fun you'll every have on a test drive simply click here!

http://www.ocmazda2.com/

Here's an extra treat for all families signed up for the OC Mazda 2011 Mazda2 Test Drive Event ...Angel Tickets! Box seats will go first and then general admission seats. So sign up early!! To receive the Angel Tickets, you must make a reservation on our Mazda2 site (www.ocmazda2.com). You must also print the response you will receive after making the reservation, and bring it with you for the test drive. No exceptions!

For every family making a reservation and taking a test drive, two Angel Baseball tickets will be given out between Friday, August 6 and Sunday August 22, at Tustin Mazda and Huntington Beach Mazda! The all-new 2011 Mazda2...great things really do come in small packages!