WON'T BACK DOWN is Heartfelt and Inspiring!

I was invited to a pre-screening this week for the new upcoming movie of  Won't Back Down and was asked to write a review.  This movie was inspired by actual events and the works of dedicated parents, teachers and advocates across the country.  It is about two moms (one was a teacher) who had nothing in common other than they did not want their children to get lost in the system.

MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL (Oscar® nominated actress), as Jamie Fitzpatrick, is a single mom working two jobs and has a child with dyslexia. Her daughter, Malia, was taken out of a good supportive school, because they had to move for more affordable housing. In

FREE Ride to SeaWorld!!

Photo by Let's Play OC!

Did you know you can ride from Anaheim to SeaWorld San Diego for FREE? Thanks to the Southern California Gray Line, you can do just that if you purchase your tour tickets from their website. Departs daily at 9:15am. Tour Length: approximately 11 hours. Offer expires 12/31/12.

See list of Tours available here.

  

Pretend City celebrates turning 3 with “WHEN I GROW UP DAY”!!

Pretend City Children's Museum is turning 3 this month and has a special event planned for their celebration!

You'll want to join them this Friday, August 24th as they invite special guests from around the community such as:

• Angels Baseball Player (he's now retired)
• Doctor
• Personal Trainer
• Shoe Designer
• Dentist
• Firefighter
• Policeman
• Lifeguard
• Chef
• Hairdresser and more!

Pretend City Children's Museum's

3rd Annual

"When I Grow Up Day"

Friday, August 24, 2012  
29 Hubble, Irvine, CA

Splash Pad at Atlantis Play Center in Garden Grove! #updated

  

We've been wanting to check out the new addition to the City of Garden Grove's infamous Atlantis Play Center since it opened in June 2012. It did not disappoint with lots of room for the kids to run around and play in the water. With the sea turtle, seahorses, and other sea creatures, it fits the park's theme perfectly.

Toddler Trails Back-to-School Event @Seascape!

You won't want to miss 

 Toddler Trails' Day  

at 

Seascape Kids Fun!

 

 Toddler Trails is hosting a special back-to-school event with
lots of fun giveaways for their fans.

Tuesday, August 21st, 9am-1pm*

San Diego Zoo Safari Park Discount!!

Are you feeling adventurous? Back by popular demand, Living Social is running another deal for San Diego Zoo Safari Park!

Our family have done this before and were simply amazed. We took the Africa Tram Safari and didn't even feel like we were in California anymore. You will see herds of giraffes, rhinos, ostriches, zebras, buffalos, etc. in a replica of their natural environment. Fun for the whole family! You'll want to pack some comfortable shoes and water to stay hydrated.

EXPLORE THE WONDERS OF AFRICA!

"Travel through a bit of Africa on the Park's Africa Tram Safari, an exciting expedition that gives you a chance to connect with our African wildlife on a closer level. The safari's brightly colored tour vehicles take you on a relaxing tour around some of the Park's large field exhibits, where you can enjoy our extraordinary animal collection."

-SD Zoo Safari Park

ZOOKEEPER Movie Night at the OC Zoo! 8/10

Photo owned by OC Zoo

Tonight,  OC Parks Ranger Reserves is celebrating
their 25th Anniversary with
a "Zookeeper" Movie Night at the OC Zoo!

You'll want to arrive early to enjoy the Zoo and pack blankets or small chairs to enjoy the film. This special event includes:

• FREE admissions to the Zoo starting at 5pm 
• Ranger Reserve stations at various animal exhibits
• "Zookeeper" Movie will be under the stars and
  will start at dusk around 7:45pm  
• Craft activities for the children throughout the night 

Back-To-School at The Children's Place! @ChildrensPlace #PLACEfall

If you are already fans of The Children's Place, you will love them even more with their new Fall collection!

Yesterday when we were shopping for Back-to-School, I couldn't stop grabbing stuff off the shelves. Here's why - it's their new Designer Michael Giannelli's first Back-to-School collection. (Michael used to work for Gap Inc.) His new collection for girls is all about the "sparkle & shine" and boho. For boys, he doesn't disappoint either with trendy rugby and rocker-looks. Let me post a few pieces that I love.

From the School Uniform Collection

Aren't these dresses and shorts too cute?

Autism Night @ Dodger Stadium!

The Los Angeles Dodgers teamed up with Autism Speaks for
Autism Night at Dodger Stadium!

A portion of every ticket purchased for this event will go back to Autism Speaks.

Wednesday, August 22, 12 at 7:10pm

Giants vs. Dodgers

 PREFERRED FIELD BOX $30 (regular $40)
INFIELD RESERVE $22 (regular $28)
LOWER RESERVE $15 (regular $20)

To purchase tickets:
www.Dodgers.com/AUTISMSPEAKS
enter promo code: AUTISM

For GROUP tickets, please contact:
Eric Boujo
323-224-4287
EricB@ladodgers.com

Autism Night @ Dodger Stadium's Event Flyer

FREE again this month @ Pretend City's Family Autism Event!

Thanks again to the generous sponsorship of the Watson Family Foundation, you and your family of 5 can play at Pretend City Children's Museum for FREE.

Photo credits: Let's Play OC!

This event is especially designed for families with children of all ages who have Autism. My kids love this place. Let your imagination run wild while you pick apples from the tree or carrots from the farm, go grocery shopping or work at the market, deliver mail, pump gas, be a doctor at the clinic, or fish in the water-play area (to only name a few). They close it to the general public, dim the lights, and turn off the music which makes it even more enjoyable. It's limited to the first 80 families so don't forget to RSVP for your free ticket - 1 ticket admits 5.

We're in C.A.N.'s August Newsletter!

Let's Play OC! is featured in Community Autism Now (CAN)'s
August 2012 Newsletter!

Less than 30 days ago, Let's Play OC! launched and with everyone's support, it has been growing every day. Thanks for all your continued support and patience as I work hard to share these invaluable resources.

You can check out their newsletter here:

Community Autism Now's August 2012 Newsletter

 

CAN is a nonprofit organization that aims to promote autism awareness, assistance and resources to families, children and individuals affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder in Southern California. Each month, they share local upcoming events, valuable resources and helpful tips. You can sign-up for their monthly newsletter by emailing them at CommunityAutismNow@gmail.com.