Right now, I'm really wishing my baby girl was just a few years older so that I could take her to THIS sure-to-be-magical performance of Cinderella, performed by the Maple Youth Ballet at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. The story we all know & love is coming to life, for one day only.
I realize it's only March, summer seems forever away, but trust me - it's going to be here before you know it. & As much as I love the thought of no school (just as much, if not more than my kids), I'm so not looking forward to my kid's uttering that one phrase, known all-too-well to moms around the world - "Mom, I'm bored." Never fear... the 2010 OC Family Summer Camp & Activities Fair at Pretend City is just around the corner.
While your kids are busy playing, learning & discovering the always fabulous Pretend City (I can't help it, my kids & I just LOVE that place), you can explore a variety of sports, music, art, education, outdoor camps, overnight camps options that will keep your kids busy & entertained this summer. Whether you are looking for an occasional distraction, or something a little more daily... you can be sure that you will be the find the perfect summer activities & camps, & that your kids will never be bored this summer!
On the second Friday of every monthPretend City hosts Way to Play Days. Although any day is a great day to visit Pretend City, these days are special because "each Way to Play Day will highlight a particular developmental skill, like communication, & offer community specialists on-site for support." It's a great opportunity to learn more about your child's growth & development, while interacting with your child in a variety of fun activities!
Have I mentioned yet that by attending a Way to Play Day Friday you can get TWO FREE Pretend City Admissions? If you've never visited Pretend City (or even if you already love it as much as we do) this is the perfect opportunity! The first way to get a FREE admission to Pretend City is to print out the coupon below, good for a 2-for-1 admission any Way to Play Day this year (the second Friday of every month: March 12th, April 9th, May 14th, June 11th, July 9th, August 13th, September 10th, October 8th, November 12th, & December 10th 2010). Once you've attended a Way to Play Day event, you can complete an Ages & Stages Questionnaire with your child & mail it (in the prepaid envelope provided), & you will receive another FREE admission in the mail. Woot! Woot! We love getting things for FREE!
For more information about the Way to Play Days at Pretend City go HERE. Pretend City is located at 29 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92618. Way to Play Days are the second Friday of EVERY month: March 12th, April 9th, May 14th, June 11th, July 9th, August 13th, September 10th, October 8th, November 12th, & December 10th 2010.
By now, you know we LOVE Pretend City. Seriously, what's not to love? This Saturday though, they are doing something super special that we are totally excited about.... the Good to Go from Head to Toe Family Fun & Wellness Fair. Happening from 10am - 4pm, in the parking lot in front of Pretend City, this event is totally FREE. That's right no Pretend City admission required!
Seriously, you heard it here first. The Good to Go from Head to Toe Family Fun & Wellness Fair is something you definitely don't want to miss. More than 30 Pretend City partners will be on-site providing FREE language, dental, vision & hearing screenings! In addition to that, there will be fun games & activities, story times, a special appearance by the Anaheim Ducks mascot, Wild Wing, a fun obstacle course & raffles will be happening throughout the day. Not to mention, that EVERY CHILD who participates in activities & screenings will receive FREE admission to Pretend City valid on the day of the fair (with purchase of a regular adult ticket).
What:Good to Go from Head to Toe Family Fun & Wellness Fair When: Saturday, March 13th, 10am - pm Where:Pretend City Parking Lot, 29 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92618 (additional FREE parking will be provided at the Verizon Amphitheater with complimentary shuttle to the museum)
If your looking for a quick, easy & FREE activity this weekend, check out the Radio Disney event happening at the Irvine Spectrum this Saturday. You & your family will enjoy getting the "star treatment"... singing contests & karaoke on stage & look-alike contests. The Radio Disney "road crew" will also be on hand to to provide live entertainment with music, dancing, games & prizes. Did I say prizes? Yep! Radio Disney will be giving kids the chance to win a lunch with the star of the new upcoming movie Starstruck, Sterling Knight (also of the Disney Channel's "Sonny With a Chance"), a private tour of some LA hotspots (including Beverly Hills, Bel-Air, Rodeo Drive, Sunset & Hollywood).
What: Radio Disney's "Starstruck" Event Where:Irvine Spectrum (in front of Edwards Cinemas Movie Theatre) When: Saturday, January 30th, 2010, 1-3pm
Please help me welcome, Michele of Fun Orange County Parks. I don't know about you, but as a mom to little ones, I'm always on the look out for new parks to check out. Although we definitely have our favorites we like to visit, it's always fun & exciting to "play" somewhere new... that's why I LOVE Michele & her website Fun Orange County Parks. Each & every month Michele is going to be featuring some of her favorite Orange County Parks....
Settlers Parkis in a quiet setting among the citrus orchards and pepper trees at the edge of the foothills. This playground sports lots of fun for little climbers, a creative trike/scooter track, basketball courts, sand volleyball, and a soccer field. It's good for birthdays with an adobe-like picnic shelter with arched entrances. See the slideshow and more OC playgrounds and play ideas at Fun Orange County Parks.
Thanks Michele! For a more detailed information about Settlers Park, or to find out about other local parks, be sure to visit Michele at Fun Orange County Parks.
Coming soon to a train station near you... the Metrolink'sHoliday Toy Express. So what exactly is the Holiday Toy Express? It's a "450-ton train decorated with holiday displays and 50,000 twinkling lights that delivers a live musical performance, Santa, Mr. Clause & their friends... Santa's glittering train will travel from city to city, entertaining families and collecting toys for those in need of some holiday goodwill." So, before you bundle everyone up & head out to see Santa & his holiday train, please remember to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to the the Southland Firefighters' "Spark of Love" toy drive. Local firefighters typically collect more than 100,000 annually during the toy drive. All toys collected will be distributed by firefighters to families in their local communities who may not be able to afford gifts this holiday season.
Below is a list of the Orange County train stations where Holiday Toy Express will be stopping. However if you are looing for the ENTIRE schedule of the 47-city tour, which will visit six counties go HERE.
Saturday, December 5th Tustin, 5:45 pm Irvine, 6:30 pm Laguna Niguel/ Mission Viejo, 7:30 pm San Juan Capistrano, 8:30pm
Sunday, December 6th San Clemente North, 5:45pm Camp Pendleton USMC, 7:15pm San Clemente Pier, 8:45pm
Saturday, December 12th Anaheim, 5:15pm Orange, 6:00pm Santa Ana, 7:00pm Fullerton, 8:30pm
Cancel any plans you might have Friday, December 4th or Saturday, December 5th, because you don't want to miss the Paul Frank Warehouse Sale. I can't wait to see all the "goodies" I'll be bring home just in time for the holidays... my boys are particularly fond of Skurvy.
Here are all the details... Dates: Friday, December 4th 10am - 6pm, Saturday, December 5th 9am - 4pm Location: 686 Warehouse, 20 Goodyear, Irvine, CA 92618 Forms of Accepted Payment: MasterCard, Visa & cash
It's definitely warehouse sale season. Which is fabulous, considering everyone is pinching their pennies & really watching what the spend. Unfortunately, my kids are growing like weeds, so I love that I can outfit them "on the cheap" at all these sales. The latest one I've been "alerted" to is the Lost , O'Neill, Rusty & Metal Mulisha Warehouse Sale happening Thursday November 19th - Sunday, November 22nd.
Here are all the details...
Date:Thursday, November 19th - Sunday, November 22nd Time: Thursday & Friday 11am - 7pm, Saturday & Sunday 9am - 5pm Location: 17 Pasteur, Irvine, CA 92618
Have you heard? The Hurley Holiday Warehouse Sale has been extended! You can still stock up on jackets, fleece, t-shirts, boardshorts, walkshorts & more for both you & your kiddos. With everything is 50%-75% off, how could you miss it?
Here are all the details... Dates: Wednesday, November 18th, 12pm - 8pm Thursday, November 19th, 12pm - 8pm Friday, November 20th, 12pm - 8pm Saturday, November 21st, 9am - 3pm Location: 2323 Main St., Irvine, CA 92614 (Corner of Main & Von Karman) Forms of Accepted Payment: American Experess, MasterCard, Visa & cash
Looking for something a little different to do? Why not head on over to the Irvine Spectrum for a little shopping, food & ice skating? Yep, you read that right. Right now, the Irvine Spectrum has an outdoor ice skating rink located in their Giant Wheel Court... perfect for a little holiday fun!
The ice rink will be open nearly every day, now through Monday, January 18th, 2010. Skate sessions are one hour long. The price for adults & children is $11 with a $4.50 skate rental.
For more information about the schedule & pricing go HERE.
No tricks, just treats at the Rascals to Rebels sale happening this weekend. With 30% off ALL clothing (even new merchandise) this is one SPOOKTACULAR sale you definitiely don't want to miss...
As C mentioned on Monday, we were lucky enough to check out Pretend City before it opens to the public. & Let me tell you, I know what's going to the top of my "wishlist"... a Pretend City Membership for my entire family. I seriously could see myself going EVERY single week - at least for an hour or so. My boys were sooo entertained. The museum totally captivated them & kept them busy for hours. Let's just say, that when it was time to go home, they weren't exactly thrilled. In fact, the question they asked as we left Pretend City (& have asked every 5 minutes since then) is "Mom, when are we going back?"
Pretend City isn't like other children's museums. It's a "hands-on" experience that combines education & recreation. The museum is designed to represent a small city. Inside the city gates children can explore 15 interactive exhibits including an art studio, amphitheater, grocery store, farm, construction site, marina & beach. Children can play dress-up, paint pictures (& you don't have to clean up the mess! what a plus!), pick fruits & veggies, play at the beach & so much more.
For more information on Pretend City go HERE. If you want a sneak peak, then check out our video... but really & truly, it's a whirlwind of a tour. To get the "full" experience, you really need to visit Pretend City for yourself!
Pretend City 29 Hubble Irvine, CA 92618 For hours & ticket information go HERE.
Project Playhouse debuted in 1992 and has become HomeAid Orange County's signature fundraiser. In 18 years, the event has raised more than $5 million to help the organization fulfill its mission to build and maintain dignified housing where homeless families and individuals can rebuild their lives.
The success of Project Playhouse is attributed to the incredibly generous builder teams who donate their time, talent and resources to construct each fantasy cottage. These whimsical playhouses contain working electrical systems and include such amenities as flat screen TVs, entertainment systems and video game players.
Over the next couple of weeks you can "tour" the playhouses weekends, from noon until 6pm. The cost is $10 per person (according to their website, but they charged me just $5 per person), children ages 3 & under are free. You can buy tickets at the Irvine Spectrum Center or online HERE. (Just realize, that you can't actually "tour" each playhouse. It's more like a sneak peak through the Dutch door.) Don't worry, you don't have to necessarily "tour" the playhouses to get a view. Even though the playhouses are closed during the week, you can still catch a good look at their exteriors. &, If you are just itching to buy a playhouse of your very own, the entire event culminates with the public auction of all the Project Playhouses.
Right now, I'm really wishing my baby girl was just a few years older so that I could take her to THIS sure-to-be-magical performance of Cinderella, performed by the Maple Youth Ballet at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. The story we all know & love is coming to life, for one day only.
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