This Weekend in Orange County

So, what's on YOUR to do list this weekend? Scratching your head, trying to come up with something to do with the kidlets? We've got plenty of ideas for you... check out some of the local kid-friendly museums: Bowers Kidseum, Discovery Science Center (their newest exhibit Secrets of Circles opens Saturday!), Pretend City, or La Habra Children's Museum Or, you check out the last few days of open-air ice skating at the Holiday Ice Rink at the Spectrum (through January 18th). There's always the Irvine Park Railroad & Whale Watching in Dana Point. Or, pick up tickets for the latest & greatest event to come to the Orange County Great Park - KOOZA by Cirque du Soleil. Here are some other events to check out this weekend...

Friday, January 15th:
* Pier Plaza Art-A-Faire, an arts & crafts event at Pier Plaza in Huntington Beach, noon to sunset
* Tot Walk, 9am at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. Reservations required: 949-923-2235.
* Wetland Wee Walks at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 10:30 - 11:15am. Join the staff for a nature walk. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $5 per participant. $2-8 years old.
* Shark Lagoon Nights at the Aquarium of the Pacific, 6-9 pm

Saturday, January 16th:

* Secrets of Circles exhibit opens at the Discovery Science Center
* Junior Biologist Program at the Aquarium of the Pacific, 9:30 - 11:30 am, ages 10-12
* SaveOurBeach.org Seal Beach Cleanup, from 10am - 1pm at the 1st Street Beach Lot (corner of Ocean & 1st in the Rivers End restaurant parking lot) in Seal Beach.
* FREE crafts for kids at Lakeshore Learning Centers in Fountain Valley & Laguna Hills, 11am - 3pm.
* Train Rides at Costa Mesa's Fairview Park, 10am - 3:30pm: enjoy a ride aboard the Orange County Model Engineers miniature train & travel over 3 miles of track. For more information call (949)548-7246.

Sunday, January 17th:
* Train Rides at Costa Mesa's Fairview Park, 10am - 3:30pm: enjoy a ride aboard the Orange County Model Engineers miniature train & travel over 3 miles of track. For more information call (949)548-7246.
* Dana Wharf FREE kid's fishing clinic, noon.
* Ocean Institute's Marine Mammal Exploration Cruise, 1-3:30pm

xoxo, K

Secrets of Circles at the Discovery Science Center

The newest exhibit at the Discovery Science Center (which opens Saturday, January 16th & runs through Sunday, May 2nd) will have definitely have you seeing circles are everywhere... clocks, wheels, doorknobs, even your dinner plate! That's because this newest exhibit will celebrate "the math, science & beauty of such a simple shape & helps children and adults alike to uncover the secrets of the many circles in the world."

In true Discovery Science Center fashion, this newest exhibit will feature tons of hands-on & interactive activities designed so that both kids & adults can learn about the sophisticated mathematical and engineering concepts of circles, in a very fun & very easy way. At Secrets of Circles, I know you (& most importantly your kids) will love... glow-in-the-dark exhibits, lots of spinning objects, playing with a kaleidoscope, building a round arch bridge, shopping the the pretend market for onions, pulleys & all things circular, plus so much more!

With this newest exhibit coming to town, you definitely want to take the time to visit the Discovery Science Center with your kids. & Make sure you don't miss any of the other fabulous exhibits... the Science of Hockey, the Planetary Research Station, or my boy's personal favorite the Dino Quest, just to name a few. The Discovery Science Center is open daily (except Thanksgiving & Christmas Day) from 10am - 5pm. For The Discovery Science Center ticket prices, location & daily field trip schedule go HERE, or buy tickets online HERE.

xoxo, K

p.s. If you attend opening day, Saturday, January 16th be sure to watch (or even join!) the hula hoop competition. Really confident in your hula hooping ability? Register online for the competition HERE.

Monster Jam Winner

Drum roll please.... & the winner winners are Chrissy Liddicote & Burgin Construction. Congratulations to our winners & be sure to contact us ASAP at justspotted@gmail.com (before Wednesday, January 13th otherwise we will select a new winner) so we can hook you up! Thank you to everyone who played along & a super big, super huge thank you to Monster Jam for providing the tickets.

For those of you who didn't win, remember, you can still buy tickets for the Monster Jam tour, stopping at Angel Stadium: Saturday, January 16th, 2010 at 7pm, Saturday, January 30th, 2010 at 7pm and Saturday,February 6th, 2010 at 7pm. Tickets for the 2010 Monster Jam events at Angel Stadium start at just $10 (for kids ages 2-12) & $20 for adults, and are available for purchase at the Angel Stadium Box Office, participating Ticketmaster outlets, online HERE or charge by phone at (800)217-1700. For more ticket and event information go HERE.

xoxo, C & K, and Monster Jam

Give a Day, Get a Disney Day FREE with SaveOurBeach.org

I'm sure by now, you've probably heard of Disneyland's FREE ticket offer... "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day." Disney parks is hoping to inspire 1 million people to perform a day of volunteer service to a participating organization in their community during 2010, by giving them a FREE, one-day, one-theme park admission ticket to a Walt Disney World Resort or Dsineyland Resort theme park.

But did you know that one of our very favorite & very local, service organizations is one of the "participating organizations?" Yep! Yep! SaveOurBeach.org is one of the many local Orange County non-profits where you can volunteer your time & get a FREE one-day Disney Resort admission ticket. (You can search for other local, participating organizations HERE.) Honestly, I know it sounds too good to be true, but it is! Who would have thought that getting a FREE ticket to Disneyland would be so easy & so much fun? (All it takes is about 4 hours!)

 Ready to earn YOUR free tickets to Disneyland?  If you want to participate in the "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" you must pre-register & sign-up  HERE (the easiest way to find the SaveOurBeach.org opportunities is to search "Animals & Environment" volunteer opportunities & check the box that says "show opprotunities that allow parents/ guardians to bring volunteers under the age of 18.) Once you've registered & selected your beach clean up date (which should be easy, they have several clean ups a month), all you have to do next, is pile the entire family into the car, & head over to Seal Beach. SaveOurBeach.org  thinks of everything (all day parking passes, garbage bags, gloves will be provided), so all YOU have to do is - show up & participate.

Tickets are limited to the first million people who participate, so you might wanted to get started on this, sooner rather than later. In order to take part in the free ticket offer, participants must be a least 6 years old & each person can only receive one ticket, which must be used by December 15th, 2010.
 
To find out more about SaveOurBeach.org or upcoming beach clean-up dates, go HERE.
 
xoxo, K

Guest Post: Settler's Park in Irvine

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 Park is 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.

xoxo, K

Monster Jam & Giveaway

Woot! Woot! Can you believe it's 2010? Oh my heavens, I'm STILL getting used to. & Writing the date, definitely isn't second nature for me. Let me tell you, I am so excited for 2010, because we have got some exciting things up our sleeves. & You don't have to wait long at all...

One of my (& my boy's) all time favorite events is coming to town - the Monster Jam tour is stopping at Angel Stadium: Saturday, January 16th, 2010 at 7pm, Saturday, January 30th, 2010 at 7pm and Saturday,February 6th, 2010 at 7pm.

So funny story... last year my kids saw the commercials & were begging the hubby & me to take 'em. Considering they were only 3 & 2 at the time, I was bit surprised that they would be so interested - but, it is Monster Jam & they are boys, so I guess I really shouldn't have been surprised at all. So THE day arrives, & I (being the awesome mom I am) had never bought tickets, but we decided to chance it. We got everyone bundled up, broke out the ear plugs & headed over to Angel Stadium only to realize the event was totally & completely SOLD OUT. Luckily, I was able to immediately go home & buy tickets for the next week's event - but I will never forget the disappointment on my boy's faces. Morale of the story: be sure to purchase your tickets early, because this is one event that is definitely going to sell out every time!

But seriously, why wouldn't the Monster Jam sell out? From personal experience, I can tell you what an entertaining event it is! According to their website "Monster Jam shows consist of three main elements - the Built Ford Tough Party in the Pits, where fans can meet the drivers & see the trucks up close (my boys were dying when they realized they actually got to see the trucks up close & personal), monster truck racing & monster truck freestyle (my personal favorite)." Plus, any event that requires 300 tons of dirt being brought into Angel Stadium is going to be awesome.

Tickets for the 2010 Monster Jam events at Angel Stadium start at just $10 (for kids ages 2-12) & $20 for adults, and are available for purchase at the Angel Stadium Box Office, participating Ticketmaster outlets, online HERE or charge by phone at (800)217-1700. For more ticket and event information go HERE.

Oh, & one more tip.... you definitely don't want to forget the ear plugs, it gets super loud!
Want to attend the Monster Jam with your family for FREE? Then today's your lucky day. Monster Jam is giving two lucky readers a family four pack of tickets. (You didn't think we'd tell you all about this totally awesome event, & not you give you a chance to attend for FREE did you?)

Here's the nitty-gritty:
* You have until Midnight PST on Saturday, January 9th to enter.
* Simply leave a comment on THIS post.
* Anyone can enter (so tell your friends), although anonymous comments will be ignored unless accompanied by an email address.
* Please, just one entry per person.

* The winner will be randomly picked & announced Monday.

* Really want win? You can get extra entries by telling your friends about THIS contest. For every person that enters & says YOU referred them, you get an extra entry. So spread the news, tell your friends to enter, just make sure they tell us that YOU referred them & you will get an extra entry!

xoxo, C & K, and Monster Jam

January 2010 Calendar

Almost Daily:

* Bowers Kidseum (closed Mondays)
* Discovery Science Center
* Holiday Ice Rink at the Spectrum (through January 18th)
* Irvine Park Railroad
* KOOZA by Cirque du Soleil at the Orange County Great Park
* La Habra Children's Museum (closed Mondays)
* Pretend City
* Whale Watching in Dana Point

1st:

* Pier Plaza Art-A-Faire, an arts & crafts event at Pier Plaza in Huntington Beach, noon to sunset
* Balboa Island Stroll, 6-9pm. Shops will be open late & many will be serving cheese, crackers & other refreshments.

2nd:

* FREE admission to the Discovery Science Center with any Bank of America, check, ATM or credit card.
* FREE admission to the Muzeo with any Bank of America, check, ATM or credit card.
* SaveOurBeach.org Long Beach Cleanup, from 9am- Noon, where Temino Ave. meets the sand in Long Beach.
* FREE crafts for kids at Lakeshore Learning Centers in Fountain Valley & Laguna Hills, 11am - 3pm.
* Target FREE First Saturday at the Children's Museum at La Habra, 1:30-3:30pm. Face painting, crafts & stilt walkers.
* Bolsa Chica Wetlands Tour, FREE tours begin every 15 minutes from 9 - 10:30 am.
* Kids Workshop, a FREE kid-friendly "How-To Clinic", at your local Home Depot, 9am-12pm.

3rd:

* FREE admission to the Muzeo with any Bank of America, check, ATM or credit card.
* Target FREE First Sunday at the Bower's Museum & Kidseum
* Village Art Fair, 9 am, Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente.
* Bowers Museum, FREE day for Santa Ana Residents
* Centennial Heritage Museum, FREE day for Santa Ana Residents
* Dana Wharf FREE kid's fishing clinic, noon.

4th:

* Taco Bell Discovery Science Center, FREE day for Santa Ana Residents
* Mommy & Me Playtime at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 10:30am-1pm.
* Open Play Nights at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 5-8pm.

5th:

* Story Time, Pottery Barn Kids (South Coast Plaza or The Shops at Mission Viejo), 11-11:30 am.
* Mommy & Me Playtime at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 10:30am-1pm.
* Open Play Nights at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 5-8pm.
* Surf City Nights, 5-9pm, Main Street, HB

6th:

* Sea Tales at the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, 9:45 - 11 am. Reservations required (949)675-8915. (cost is $3 for members & $5 for non-members)
* Toddler Playtime at Scooter's Jungle in Aliso Viejo, 10:30am - 12 noon, ages 6 & under.
* Open Play at Partyopolis in Lake Forest, 10am-12pm.
* Estuary Explorers at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 12:15-1pm. Kids can discover our amazing natural world at the bay through hands-on activities, crafts & nature walks. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $5 per participant, ages 2-8.

7th:

* Tideland Tot's at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 9 - 9:45 am. Fun-filled parent & child experiences that may include hands-on activities, crafts, story telling & nature walks. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $5 per participant, ages 2-5.
* Wild Tales at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 10:30 - 11:15 am. Story telling fun. After the story, learn more about the natural history of the bay through crafts and nature walks. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $5 per participant, ages 2-8.
* Toddler Playtime at Scooter's Jungle in Aliso Viejo, 10:30am - 12 noon, ages 6 & under.
* Open Play at House of Bounce in Anaheim, 10am-12pm & 3:30pm-5:30pm.
* Open Play at Partyopolis in Lake Forest, 10am-12pm.
* Toddler Playtime at Scooter's Jungle in Placentia, 10:30am - 12 noon, ages 6 & under.
* Bayside Buddies at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 3:30-4:30 pm. Kids can discover our amazing natural world at the bay through hands-on activities, crafts & nature walks. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $5 per participant, ages 2-8.
* ABCs of Yoga for Kids at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, 3:30-4:30pm. Reservations required: 949-923-2235. Ages 6-10, fee of $4, or $18 for 6 class series.
8th:
* Pier Plaza Art-A-Faire, an arts & crafts event at Pier Plaza in Huntington Beach, noon to sunset
* SaveOurBeach.org Riverbed/ Wetlands Cleanup, from 9am - 11am, at the lot just north of the intersection of 1st Street & PCH in Long Beach.
* Way to Play at Pretend City
* Toddler Class at the Orange County Zoo, 10-11am. Come learn at the zoo... class includes hands-on learning & fun crafts. Phone registration required (714)973-6846. $5 for one child & parent (Irvine Park parking Fee not included). Ages 3-4.

9th:

* FREE crafts for kids at Lakeshore Learning Centers in Fountain Valley & Laguna Hills, 11am - 3pm.
* Sea Tales at the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, 9:45 - 11 am. Reservations required (949)675-8915. (cost is $3 for members & $5 for non-members)
* Wetland Wee Walks at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 10:30 - 11:15am. Join the staff for a nature walk. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $5 per participant. $2-8 years old.
10th:
* Target FREE Second Sundays at the Orange County Museum of Art
* Dana Wharf FREE kid's fishing clinic, noon.

11th:

* Mommy & Me Playtime at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 10:30am-1pm.
* Open Play Nights at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 5-8pm.

12th:

* Story Time, Pottery Barn Kids (South Coast Plaza or The Shops at Mission Viejo), 11-11:30 am.
* Mommy & Me Playtime at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 10:30am-1pm.
* Aqua Tots at the Aquarium of the Pacific, 4-5:30 pm
* Open Play Nights at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 5-8pm.
* Surf City Nights, 5-9pm, Main Street, HB

13th:

* Toddler Playtime at Scooter's Jungle in Aliso Viejo, 10:30am - 12 noon, ages 6 & under.
* Open Play at Partyopolis in Lake Forest, 10am-12pm.
* Estuary Explorers at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 12:15-1pm. Kids can discover our amazing natural world at the bay through hands-on activities, crafts & nature walks. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $5 per participant, ages 2-8.

14th:
* Sea Life Stroll at the Aquarium of the Pacific, 8:30 - 9:30 am.

* Tideland Tot's at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 9 - 9:45 am. Fun-filled parent & child experiences that may include hands-on activities, crafts, story telling & nature walks. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $5 per participant, ages 2-5.
* Wild Tales at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 10:30 - 11:15 am. Story telling fun. After the story, learn more about the natural history of the bay through crafts and nature walks. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $5 per participant, ages 2-8.
* Toddler Playtime at Scooter's Jungle in Aliso Viejo, 10:30am - 12 noon, ages 6 & under.
* Open Play at House of Bounce in Anaheim, 10am-12pm & 3:30pm-5:30pm.
* Open Play at Partyopolis in Lake Forest, 10am-12pm.
* Toddler Playtime at Scooter's Jungle in Placentia, 10:30am - 12 noon, ages 6 & under.

15th:

* Pier Plaza Art-A-Faire, an arts & crafts event at Pier Plaza in Huntington Beach, noon to sunset
* Tot Walk, 9am at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. Reservations required: 949-923-2235.
* Wetland Wee Walks at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 10:30 - 11:15am. Join the staff for a nature walk. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $5 per participant. $2-8 years old.
* Shark Lagoon Nights at the Aquarium of the Pacific, 6-9 pm

16th:

* Secrets of Circles exhibit opens at the Discovery Science Center
* Junior Biologist Program at the Aquarium of the Pacific, 9:30 - 11:30 am, ages 10-12
* SaveOurBeach.org Seal Beach Cleanup, from 10am - 1pm at the 1st Street Beach Lot (corner of Ocean & 1st in the Rivers End restaurant parking lot) in Seal Beach.
* FREE crafts for kids at Lakeshore Learning Centers in Fountain Valley & Laguna Hills, 11am - 3pm.
* Train Rides at Costa Mesa's Fairview Park, 10am - 3:30pm: enjoy a ride aboard the Orange County Model Engineers miniature train & travel over 3 miles of track. For more information call (949)548-7246.
17th:
* Train Rides at Costa Mesa's Fairview Park, 10am - 3:30pm: enjoy a ride aboard the Orange County Model Engineers miniature train & travel over 3 miles of track. For more information call (949)548-7246.
* Dana Wharf FREE kid's fishing clinic, noon.
* Ocean Institute's Marine Mammal Exploration Cruise, 1-3:30pm
18th:
* Mommy & Me Playtime at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 10:30am-1pm.
* Open Play Nights at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 5-8pm.

19th:

* Bowers Museum, FREE day for Santa Ana Residents
* Story Time, Pottery Barn Kids (South Coast Plaza or The Shops at Mission Viejo), 11-11:30 am.
* Mommy & Me Playtime at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 10:30am-1pm.
* FREE Vision Screening at Pretend City, 1-5pm
* Open Play Nights at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 5-8pm.
* Surf City Nights, 5-9pm, Main Street, HB

20th:

* Toddler Playtime at Scooter's Jungle in Aliso Viejo, 10:30am - 12 noon, ages 6 & under.
* Open Play at Partyopolis in Lake Forest, 10am-12pm.
* Estuary Explorers at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 12:15-1pm. Kids can discover our amazing natural world at the bay through hands-on activities, crafts & nature walks. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $5 per participant, ages 2-8.

21st:
* FREE seminar for parents/ caretakers at Pretend City, connect with your children through play, 9-10am

* Tideland Tot's at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 9 - 9:45 am. Fun-filled parent & child experiences that may include hands-on activities, crafts, story telling & nature walks. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $5 per participant, ages 2-5.
* Wild Tales at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 10:30 - 11:15 am. Story telling fun. After the story, learn more about the natural history of the bay through crafts and nature walks. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $5 per participant, ages 2-8.
* Toddler Playtime at Scooter's Jungle in Aliso Viejo, 10:30am - 12 noon, ages 6 & under.
* Open Play at House of Bounce in Anaheim, 10am-12pm & 3:30pm-5:30pm.
* Open Play at Partyopolis in Lake Forest, 10am-12pm.
* Toddler Playtime at Scooter's Jungle in Placentia, 10:30am - 12 noon, ages 6 & under.
* ABCs of Yoga for Kids at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, 3:30-4:30pm. Reservations required: 949-923-2235. Ages 6-10, fee of $4, or $18 for 6 class series.

22nd:

* Pier Plaza Art-A-Faire, an arts & crafts event at Pier Plaza in Huntington Beach, noon to sunset
* Toddler Class at the Orange County Zoo, 10-11am. Come learn at the zoo... class includes hands-on learning & fun crafts. Phone registration required (714)973-6846. $5 for one child & parent (Irvine Park parking Fee not included). Ages 3-4.
* Wetland Wee Walks at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 10:30 - 11:15am. Join the staff for a nature walk. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $5 per participant. $2-8 years old.
* Shark Lagoon Nights at the Aquarium of the Pacific, 6-9 pm
* Professional Bull Riders at the Honda Center, 8pm
23rd:
* Valentine's Day Mini Photo Sessions, 9am - 12pm, $225 (includes session fee & photo package)
* Preschool Program at the Aquarium of the Pacific, 9:30 - 11:30 am
* FREE crafts for kids at Lakeshore Learning Centers in Fountain Valley & Laguna Hills, 11am - 3pm.
* Lowe's Build & Grow Clinics for Kids, 10-11am.
* Professional Bull Riders at the Honda Center, 6pm

24th:

* Dana Wharf FREE kid's fishing clinic, noon.
* Ocean Institute's Marine Mammal Exploration Cruise, 1-3:30pm
* Professional Bull Riders at the Honda Center, 2pm

25th:

* Mommy & Me Playtime at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 10:30am-1pm.
* Open Play Nights at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 5-8pm.

26th:

* Story Time, Pottery Barn Kids (South Coast Plaza or The Shops at Mission Viejo), 11-11:30 am.
* Mommy & Me Playtime at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 10:30am-1pm.
* Open Play Nights at Hullabaloos Clubhouse in Orange, 5-8pm.
* Surf City Nights, 5-9pm, Main Street, HB

27th:

* Toddler Playtime at Scooter's Jungle in Aliso Viejo, 10:30am - 12 noon, ages 6 & under.
* Open Play at Partyopolis in Lake Forest, 10am-12pm.
* Estuary Explorers at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 12:15-1pm. Kids can discover our amazing natural world at the bay through hands-on activities, crafts & nature walks. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $5 per participant, ages 2-8.

28th:

* Tideland Tot's at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 9 - 9:45 am. Fun-filled parent & child experiences that may include hands-on activities, crafts, story telling & nature walks. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $5 per participant, ages 2-5.
* Wild Tales at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 10:30 - 11:15 am. Story telling fun. After the story, learn more about the natural history of the bay through crafts and nature walks. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $5 per participant, ages 2-8.
* Toddler Playtime at Scooter's Jungle in Aliso Viejo, 10:30am - 12 noon, ages 6 & under.
* Open Play at House of Bounce in Anaheim, 10am-12pm & 3:30pm-5:30pm.
* Open Play at Partyopolis in Lake Forest, 10am-12pm.
* Toddler Playtime at Scooter's Jungle in Placentia, 10:30am - 12 noon, ages 6 & under.
* Aqua Tots at the Aquarium of the Pacific, 3-4:30 pm

29th:

* Bird Survey at Shipley Nature Center
* Pier Plaza Art-A-Faire, an arts & crafts event at Pier Plaza in Huntington Beach, noon to sunset
* Annie at the Orange County Performing Arts Center

30th:

* FREE ice skating at the Orange County Great Park
* FREE crafts for kids at Lakeshore Learning Centers in Fountain Valley & Laguna Hills, 11am - 3pm.
* Saturday Family Fun at the Aquarium of the Pacific, 10 - 11:30 am
* Annie at the Orange County Performing Arts Center

31st:

* FREE ice skating at the Orange County Great Park
* Dana Wharf FREE kid's fishing clinic, noon.
* Ocean Institute's Marine Mammal Exploration Cruise, 1-3:30pm
* Annie at the Orange County Performing Arts Center

** Activities, dates & times are subject to change.

Celebrating New Year's Eve in Orange County

Hope you have had a fabulous holiday season... but it's not over yet! We are taking this week off to spend some time with our families, so don't be worried that we aren't posting daily. We'll be back next week, ready & roaring to go! But we couldn't leave you high & dry with nothing to do on New Year's Eve...

Looking for a fabulous party or event to fill your calender this New Year's Eve? For something catering towards adults, check out OrangeCounty.com's very complete list HERE, of things to do & places to go this New Year's Eve.

Interested in something a little more family oriented? Try one of these Orange County New Year's Eve celebrations...

Aquarium of the Pacific's Special Discounted Late Night & New Year's Eve Sleepover. You can "party" at the aquarium late into the night, or even all night, if you want. The aquarium will be open until 9pm. After 5pm everyone gets in for the kid's price ($11.95). Or, you can celebrate the new year with a family friendly sleepover. Enjoy the aquarium, make crafts, watch a 3-D movie, eat pizza & celebrate the new year with a balloon drop, sparkling cider and snacks & the Queen Mary Firework show. For more information go HERE.

Discovery Science Center's Noon Year's Eve Celebration: 10am - 3pm. Ring in the New Year just a bit early this year... "We'll celebrate at noon with a countdown, balloon drop, ginger ale toast, music, activities & more! Why should grown-ups have all the fun? Taco Bell Discovery Science Center is hosting a Noon Year's Eve party for all ages! Activities will include making seltzer rockets and constructing party hats!" Free with paid admission & open to all ages. For more information, go HERE.

Disneyland's New Year's Eve Fantasy. The "Holidays" are still happening at Disneyland & that includes New Years... it's basically a HUGE family party. Tons of bands, party favors, a special New Year's fireworks show, & did I mention that California Adventure is open until 1am & Disneyland is open until 2am?

Fullerton's First Night Celebration: 7pm - 12 am, Downtown Fullerton. The party is a family oriented & alcohol-free. Admission is totally & completely FREE, although some activities may charge a fee of $2 to $7.There will be live musical entertainment, outdoor ice skating ($7 per session), food vendors, train rides ($3 per person), street juggles, stilt walkers, a unicyclist, fireworks show at midnight & for the kids... bungee run, obstacle course, robo surf, castle bounce house, gladiator joust, pirate ship bounce house & slide. For more information & directions go HERE.

La Habra Children's Museum New Year's "Noon" Party, 11am - 1pm. Celebrate the new year at Noon with a hat and shaker craft, ginger ale toast, balloon drop & dancing. Please call (562)905-9793 for reservations. Free with paid admission.

Knott's Berry Farm's Rock On! Ride On! New Year's Eve, 7pm - 1am. There will be dancing in the streets: ballroom dancing, line dancing, salsa lessons & live DJs. "Snoopy's Cool Christmas" Ice show performances, the Peanuts gang in their own musical Camp Snoopy. & Don't forget the rides. At midnight see a special pyrotechnic show complete with music, fireworks & lasers.

Medieval Times' New Year's Eve Extravaganza. Celebrate New Year's Eve Medieval style. Complete with a Medieval feast, 2-hour live tournament, party favors, DJ and dancing, midnight countdown, balloon drop, toast & a continental breakfast.

Pretend City's Bringing in the New Year. Celebrate from 10am - 1pm. Play, craft & explore the museum. At Noon, ring in the New Year with a countdown & celebration.

Rancho Santa Margarita's Celebrating Family & Friends Event: 4:30pm - 9:30pm, at the Central Park. It is "an alcohol-free community festival featuring entertainment, food booths & fun for the whole family. Admission is FREE & the party kicks off with a Magic Show at 4:30pm (tickets are $1 & may be purchased on Wednesday, December 30th or Thursday, December 31st. For ticket information contact Erin: 949-216-9700). For more information & directions go HERE.

Rainforest Cafe's New Years Eve Party: 6-8pm, at the Rainforest Cafe located inside South Coast Plaza. For $6.99, kids 12 & under will enjoy a fabulous buffet, featuring nearly everything on their kid's menu (chicken nuggets, burgers, even ice cream sundaes), while parents can enjoy anything off the menu. Everyone will help ring in an early New Year with hats, noisemakers, a sparkling cider toast & balloon drop. For more information, or to make your reservation call (714)424-9200.

Happy New Year!

xoxo, K
image via here.

Orange International Street Fair

image by sarah lee via flickr

Every Labor Day Weekend, for over 30 years, the Orange International Street Fair takes over downtown Orange. With food, music, & dance from different countries and ethnicity's from around the world, the Orange International Street Fair is definitely a cultural experience you don't want to miss. & with every penny of the profits from the Street Fair going to non-profit charities, helping people here in our community, you can feel good about yourself by attending.

The event itself is FREE to attend, although each of the individual booths will have prices set for food, etc. & Although I always attend simply because of the food, there is so much more... Arts & Crafts vendors, tons of entertainment, as well as an entire "Children's Village" with crafts and game booths designed for the "younger crowd." If you are thinking of bringing the entire family, I'd suggest a day-time adventure. While the Street Fair is open late each night, from my own personal experience, I've found the days to be much more "family-friendly."

What: 2009 Orange International Street Fair
When: Friday, September 4th: 5-10pm, Saturday, September 5th: 10am-10pm, & Sunday, September 6th: 10am-10pm
Where: The Circle in Downtown Orange, directions & map HERE

xoxo, K

This Weekend in Orange County

Looking for something fun to do with the family? Need to get the kids out of the house? Check out this list of some of my favorite weekend happenings. (To see the entire list of weekend to-dos, go HERE.) & Don't forget, if you haven't made it to the OC Fair yet, this is the LAST weekend it will be in town!

Friday, August 7th:
* Lake Forest FREE Movies in the Park
* Movies on the Beach
* FREE Shakespeare by the Sea
* Ladera Ranch FREE Summer Concerts in the Park

Saturday, August 8th:
* South Coast Storytellers Guild at the Bowers Kidseum (1:30-2:30 pm)
* Movie at the Muzeo: Horton Hears a Who (free with admission)
* Movies on the Beach
* FREE Shakespeare by the Sea
* Cypress FREE Concerts on the Green
* La Palma FREE Summer Concerts

Sunday, August 9th:
* Target FREE Second Sundays at the Orange County Museum of Art
* Dana Point FREE Summer Concerts in the Park
* Rancho Santa Margarita FREE Summer Concerts

xoxo, K