National Teacher Day is May 7, 2013 - Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas

Let's Play OC! Pinterest Board

It's that time of year again - National Teacher Day is May 7, 2013. Some dedicated creative moms will organize a week-long celebration to shower their beloved teachers. 

I always have the hardest time finding a gift for the teachers and their assistants (we have a lot). They work really hard all year round with my child, how could I ever repay them?

Well if I could, I would give them more than a $5-$10 gift card per person (which easily ends up being around $100 for everyone.) Yikes! 

Try the NEW Seafood Menu at Rubio's for FREE (Giveaway ends 5/12) @RubiosTweets

Rubio's (c) Let's Play OC!

We were invited to check out the new seafood options at Rubios. I ordered the Grilled Gourmet Shrimp Taco (340 calories, 19g fat) and the Grilled Atlantic Salmon Taco (240 calories, 9g fat). You can order two of the same or mixed it up like I did for the Two Taco Plate Combo (which includes two sides) for around $8.50. Beverage not included.

You can find all their nutritional facts here. Learn more about their gluten-free options here.

RECAP: AMERICA’S FAMILY PET EXPO 2013 @FamilyPetExpo

America's Family Pet Expo (c) Let's Play OC!

Last weekend we were invited to check out AMERICA’S FAMILY PET EXPO at the OC Fairgrounds. It was our first visit and if you are a Pet-Lover, this is the event for you. (Note: We currently don't own a pet but have had them in the past, and will again in future when I no longer have to change diapers and when my kids can help me with them).

Here are some of the things that we liked:

• Celebrity Pets

Meeting the Celebrity Pets and learning that some are rescued animals was pretty neat (most of them are adopted from a breeder). For example, did you know that Mick (aka Stan) from Disney's Dog with a Blog show was adopted from a shelter?

Dog with a Blog (c) Let's Play OC!

Enter the Why You Love OC Cities - Photo Contest @OCFair 2013! (by May 4th)

Alright, Shutterbugs. Who's up for a Photo Contest?

The 2013 OC Fair is asking local residents to grab their cameras and show why they love Orange County in the new OC Cities Photo Contest. Amateur and professional photographers 13 years of age and older who are either living, attending school or working in Orange County, California, are invited to submit photos of people, places or events in Orange County to fit the following categories:

Watch an all-new episode of "Littlest Pet Shop" this Saturday @HubTVNetwork

Last weekend, I went to a premiere screening of an all-new episode of "Littlest Pet Shop" at the LA Times Festival of Books before it's broadcast on The Hub. It was really cute and funny.

Chill & Relax AND CoWork+Play Mother's Day Prize! @coworkingplace #MomsPlayToo (Giveaway ends May 9th)

I have the perfect Mother's Day Prize! Remember the CoWork + Play contest for Spring Break? Well combine that with a relaxing spa treatment next door! I'm sending one Mom to Chill + Relax AND her kid next door to CoWork + Play. Enter below!

Photo Courtesy of Chill + Relax.

This Mother’s Day, we want to celebrate moms like never before! How would you like to drop off your kids at CoWork+Play in Fullerton, and head next door to Chill & Relax Spa for a 60-minute massage? Your kids are taken care of for 4 hours, so get some lunch or coffee too! Bring your mom friends and make it a mom spa party!

Kids Bowl Free all Summer! @kidsbowlfree

(c) Let's Play OC!

How many of you know of this wonderful program? Kids 15 and under get two FREE* bowling games every day at participating locations ALL Summer long beginning June 1st! These are great for play dates, and your kids will love it!


How does it work?
Register each child and you'll start receiving weekly vouchers emailed to you.


Want to bowl with your kids?
Family passes are available up to six members which include two games each for $24.95.
*Shoe rentals are not included and could run around $5 each.

Register at www.kidsbowlfree.com.

April 27 through September 3, 2015!
(Check link for most updated information. Bowling times will vary on each location).

Note: If you were in the program last year, you will need to register again. It does not automatically enroll families into the program each year. You can only enroll with one location per email. 

 

 

"This program is designed by bowling centers to give back to the community and provide a safe, secure, and fun way for kids to spend time this summer." - Kids Bowl Free ®

RECAP: Top 7 Things We Enjoyed at Youth Expo 2013 @OCFair #YouthExpo

A couple of weekends ago we checked out the Youth Expo and had a great time - TWICE! It was educational and informative with resources and hands-on demos. The Reptile Zoo was there too. Top seven things we really enjoyed (not listed in order of preference):

#1 - The Centennial Farms

I want a Super Salad Garden just like this one...

Centennial Farms at OC Fairgrounds (c) Let's Play OC!

Take the Pledge to Stand Up to BULLYING!

I just took the pledge to stand up to bullying and its damaging effect on children, schools and communities and invite you to do the same.

This week I was invited to share a story about bullying. Some of you know that my child has a mild form of Autism. He is high functioning and looks like a normal kid, but he has a hard time focusing during his lessons, because of his sensory needs which distracts him from learning.  We are faced with the difficult decision every day to mainstream him into a regular classroom, and one day he will get there, but for now, we just want what's best for him.

Celebrate International Children's Day @AquariumPacific April 27-28! (Giveaway ends 4/24)

Come out and celebrate the Aquarium of the Pacific’s eighth annual International Children’s Day Festival this weekend, April 27-28, 2013 from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Festival features traditional ethnic dance and music performed by kids, interactive programs for all ages, face painting, crafts, and more.

The International Peace Choir will be performing at the Aquarium of the Pacific’s International Children’s Day festival. Photo courtesy of the Aquarium of the Pacific.

HAPPY EARTH DAY! Things you can do with your family @Seussville

What's everyone doing to save Earth today? My kids love The Lorax movie and I love the part when Lorax says, "Unless... someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." - Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

Celebrate Nat'l Princess Week with QUEEN's DAY - April 28th! @DutchDay (Giveaway ends 4/24)

Bring your whole family with your prince or princess and come out to The Home Depot Center on April 28 to celebrate Queen’s Day.

“Queen’s Day is a fun event to teach children about their heritage and another culture in a fun way,” says Jeff Keasberry, organizer of the United Netherlands Organizations.

5th Annual Therapeutic Riding Center Derby Day Fundraiser & BBQ is Sat, May 4th

Don't miss Annual Derby Day Fundraiser & BBQ for Therapeutic Riding Center of Huntington Beach on Sat, May 4th (1-6pm): food, drinks, games, tours, riding demos and more. Please see flyer for details.

Treat Yourself to a Mother's Day Giveaway! #KimCaspersen (ends 5/1)

You enter bloggers' giveaways right? I enter them too. Last month I was treated to a hair cut, deep conditioning treatment, and blow dry by Stylist, Kim Caspersen. Thanks, Melanie@laxplorer!

Guess what? I will be sending one LUCKY Let's Play OC! Fan to get the same wonderful treatments with Stylist, Kim Caspersen!

Salon Gallery Too (c) Let's Play OC!

Big Air Trampoline Park Play Date Adventure @BigAirOC #LagunaHills

Getting a work out at Big Air Trampoline Park (c) Let's Play OC!

My friend Jenn and I were on Spring Break last week and had plans to check out the new trampoline park in Laguna Hills off Lake Forest Drive. "What's this?" is the question of the day.

Birthday Month Freebies - ENJOY!

If you're like me, I love Birthday freebies. I've shared this a few times already, but just in case you missed any, here is my list of birthday freebies. I'll try to add to the list later if I know of more (not listed in any order of preference):


BREAKFAST:

1. Starbucks - "My Starbucks Rewards" gifted me a FREE
   super-special handcrafted drink or food for registering.
2. IHOP - Join the "Pancake Revolution" movement and you'll get FREE birthday meals and more.
3. Denny's - Sign up for their "Rewards" program and get a free Grand Slam breakfast on your  birthday. 

RECAP: Austrailia's @TerrapinTheatre: "Boats" @SegestromArts #puppetry #theatre

Samueli Theater at Segerstrom Center for the Arts (c) Let's Play OC!

Terrapin Puppet Theatre -  Performers
Quinn Griggs and Jeff Michel © Peter Mathe

A couple of weekends ago, I took my son to go see a puppet theater show at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. "Boats" (presented by Australia’s Terrapin Puppet Theatre) was about friendship, a love story, and life as a mariner. Jof and Nic are really creative in telling their story through everyday objects. It was entertaining and they had us laughing.


Pre-Show Creative Play:
If you arrive early, they have an interactive play session an hour before the show.

NOTE: The Center’s Education and Community Programs Department offers these enriching experiences to provide young people and their parents more opportunities to play together creatively. Studies show that this is critical to helping children develop their ability to think and problem solve.

Hiking the Scenic Shelf Road Trail in Ojai, California #Travel

Shelf Road Trail is an unpaved trail along the cliffs overlooking Ojai Valley.  It is THE hiking trail in Ojai.

How do you get there?

As I mentioned before, a staff member from Ojai Valley Inn & Spa offered to drop us off at the end of the trail at Shelf Road and Gridley Rd. (Most park their cars at the beginning of the trail at Signal Street and Shelf Road.) Since we didn't think to take our cars, being dropped off at the end of trail was a more direct route for us. The Shelf Road Trail from Signal to Gridley is only 45 minutes and it took another 45 minutes into town and onto Ojai Valley Trail to Country Club Drive. It was simple enough and we only had to remember two turns. It took us a total of an hour and a half.

What we would have missed...

As we're driving up there, we see things we would have not seen if we stayed at the resort. We drive through Tangerine Farms and learn a little about "Pixie" Tangerines which are locally grown and can only be found in Ojai. WOW! You can learn more about all the fruit and their growers HERE. In no time, we arrive at the trail.


Check out the view from the top:

Hiking the Shelf Road Trail in Ojai (c) Let's Play OC!

What is "Ojai Hospitality?" (Ojai, CA) #Travel @OjaiResort

(c) Let's Play OC!

Many of you may have seen pictures I've shared from Ojai. We were there Easter weekend celebrating our birthdays this year. Darren especially is turning 40 and his baby sister came all the way out from Louisiana on their Spring Break to celebrate with us. (There was a total of five celebrating birthdays with us this weekend including mine.) We were blown away by all the amenities and "Ojai Hospitality" (let's call it that whenever they go above and beyond with their services). I invite you to count it all up with me.

Why we celebrate April Birthdays all month long (in my family)

This is one of the multiple birthday cakes at the event.

Happy Birthday Month to myself and seven family members. What do I mean?
We're celebrating all these birthdays:

TRAVEL: Inside the LEGOLAND Hotel (Carlsbad, CA) | @LEGOLAND_CA

In case you missed the BIG announcement, the LEGOLAND^® Hotel is officially open!!

Last week we were honored to be among the first few to "preview" and be their "first" guests in the all NEW LEGOLAND^® Hotel in Carlsbad before it opened to the public not two days later.  Can I just say how unbelievable the whole experience was? Every moment of it was an unforgettable experience -

• from the moment we were invited, 
• to stepping into their vibrant and LEGO-adorned lobby, 
• to being in complete amazement in our LEGO-themed rooms and 
• fighting over who gets the top bunk bed,
• to our LEGO-dining experiences, and 
• to playing in the LEGOLAND park the next day.

We were oooooh-ing and ahhhhh-ing all the way. We didn't want to leave. And when we left, it wasn't by choice.  Follow along as I take you with us on Our Adventure to LEGOLAND^® Hotel.

FUN TIP: There are four LEGO dragons at the LEGOLAND Hotel. I found them all. Let's look for them together, shall we?

LEGOLAND Hotel (c) Let's Play OC!

Valet or Self-Parking?

This is the first thing you'll see when you know you've arrived.

DISCOUNT for Disney On Ice's "Treasure Trove" (in SoCal May 1-12) #LongBeach #InlandEmpire

Disney On Ice will be in SoCal May 1–12 at the Long Beach Arena and Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario.  I hope you entered my GIVEAWAY for a chance to win TWO tickets to see the show. Need more tickets? As promised, I have a discount code for you.

(c) Disney on Ice

Highlighting eight Disney movies and more than 50 Disney characters featured, Feld Entertainment’s Disney On Ice presents Treasure Trove has a magical story for every generation to relive!

@OCAutism's Carnival Party is April 20th

FREE EVENT: OC Autism's Carnival Party is April 20th (12-3p) in Garden Grove, CA. RSVP required. Please see flyer for details.

A Dining Experience at Roy's #SanDiego @RoysRoy

At this point, we're still in San Diego rushing to make it to our dinner at Roy's Restaurant. It's a waterfront dining experience, but since we got there too late, it was already too dark to really enjoy it. Bummer.

The nice thing about entertaining out-of-town guests is sometimes they get you try new things you wouldn't normally even think to try. My sister-in-law loved her dining experience at The Original Roy's in Hawaii and so we all tagged along for dinner while she rekindled her cravings for a famous Roy’s Melting Hot Chocolate Soufflé.

Roy's Restaurant - San Diego, CA (c) Let's Play OC!

Try the NEW McWrap for FREE @McDonalds_SoCal #UnWrapSoCal (Giveaway ends 4/28)

Last week I was invited to attend an event "open to the public" to try the NEW Premium McWraps at McDonald's.  Everyone who came were able to try the McWrap for FREE.

TIPS for a @BelmontPark Adventure #MissionBay #SpringBreak

When we were staying at the Bahia Hotel in Mission Bay, Belmont Park was seen across the way. Sure we could walk over, but have you seen my sister-in-law's itinerary?? We were on a "tight" and I mean "tight" schedule. After all, they were touring sunny SoCal in one week remember? With a couple of hours to play before dinner, we drove ourselves over.  =)

Belmont Park/(c) Let's Play OC!

CHOC Childrens Opens the First Emergency Department Just for #OC Kids!

Just in case you missed it, here's update on the latest exciting news on CHOC Children's Hospital. CHOC Children’s officially opened Orange County’s first fully pediatric-dedicated emergency department on March 26, 2013. The 22,000-square-foot facility has 31 treatment rooms with capacity to add more. The department’s exam rooms are spacious and can accommodate family members and strollers. Also, family members may stay with their child continuously to help make treatment decisions.

Photo Courtesy of CHOC Children's Hospital.

As a first-response pediatric emergency department, the facility will receive critically ill children by ambulance. An ambulance bay can accommodate up to four emergency vehicles at once, and children can also arrive by helicopters that can land on either of CHOC’s two rooftop heliports.

@PretendCity celebrates EARTH and will raise #AutismAwareness @AutismSpeaks all month long in April

This month Pretend City's Children's Museum celebrates EARTH all month long.

I think you know how much we love Pretend City.  I've written and shared about it numerous times. (My kids definitely have their favorite rooms). You can read all of them HERE. They always have these great themed events depending on the season and host these monthly Family Autism Event.

The Family Autism Events allows children with Autism and their parents, siblings, and caretakers to play in an autism-friendly environment along with other families. We like it because one ticket admits a family of 5 which allows you to bring your own Therapist to facilitate social play. We also like that they turn off the music and dim the lights which allows imaginary and social play in a calming environment.  Thanks to the generosity of the Watson Family Foundation, it is FREE again this month. Only the first fast 80 families that register will be admitted. Please see below for more info.

(c) Let's Play OC!

How to Save Money for Easter (Next Year)

Easter is over but who says you can't take advantage of the deals for next year? Yesterday I was at Target and everything was 50%. Here's my tip to you: always shop the "after" holiday clearance sales!

These were $1 each!

I don't mean the candy of course, but for Easter, I recommend picking up two or three boxes of the dye kits, dyeing cups if you don't already have them, and plastic Easter eggs which are now $1 each. At some point they will mark them down again to 75% but by then it might sell out so why chance it?

Other stores I recommend are Walmart, Michaels (for the crafts), drug stores, and grocery stores.

@DisneyPixar's "Finding Nemo" gets a sequel! #FindingDory hits theaters Nov 2015!

Did you hear??  

Disney•Pixar’s "Finding Nemo" has a sequel and it's hitting theaters November 2015!

STILL SWIMMING!

Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Dory” to Dive into Theaters

November 25, 2015

REVIEW: Gourmet Food Trucks at OC Fair and Event Center #FoodTrucks

My visiting sister-in-law's husband is a huge fan of Food Network's: The Great Food Truck Race Show so when I got her detailed itinerary, I saw that they wanted to visit gourmet Food Trucks. She mentioned there was one in Yorba Linda, but there are quite a few in OC and I remembered OC Fairgrounds have them so off we went to visit a Food Truck Fare adventure. (WARNING: You might get hungry looking at my pictures).

OC Fair Food Truck Fare/(c) Let's Play OC!

Upcoming Sensory-Friendly Films @AMCTheatres @AutismSociety #UPDATED

Did you know -

"The idea for the program began with a request from a parent with an autistic child for a special screening at AMC Columbia Mall 14 in Columbia, MD. More than 300 children and parents attended the first screening." - AMC Theatres

Thanks to AMC Theatres (AMC) and the Autism Society, families affected by autism and other disabilities can enjoy watching current movies which are sensory-friendly. They turn down the sound and brighten up the theater. What's also nice is there are no previews or advertisements, audience members can bring their own GFCF snacks, get up and dance, walk, and laugh out loud as the "Silence is Golden®" policy will not be enforced.

DEAL: 65% OFF @Picaboo Photo Books

Time to put all your Easter memories in a photo book. Get 65% OFF with this deal.

Please visit Picaboo's website to browse their photo books at www.picaboo.com.  Use promo code: FUNNY65 upon checkout to receive 65% OFF now through April 3rd.   

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links which means I will get credit for new sign-ups. 

Family-Friendly #SpringBreak Options in Mission Bay @BahiaHotelSD

You don't have to spend a fortune to stay on the beach! Last week, we took a mini-vaca to meet up with my husband's sister's family visiting from Louisiana in San Diego. (They were on their Spring Break and wanted to explore SoCal: Palm Springs, San Diego, OC, LA, and lastly Ojai).

You know the last time I was there I stayed at Catamaran Resort so this time I wanted to check out their sister hotel - Bahia Hotel which is known as their family-friendly hotel.

Mission Bay access from Bahia Hotel/(c) Let's Play OC!

See BOATS by Australia’s Terrapin Puppet Theatre @SegerstromArts #SCFTA (Giveaway ends 4/4)

Terrapin Puppet Theatre - Performers Quinn Griggs and Jeff Michel 
© Peter Mathe

Australia’s Terrapin Puppet Theatre 

performing in 

Boats 

as part of their Discovery Series

(for children ages 7 and up)

April 6 and 7

$20; tickets go on sale March 10 

Saturday at 1 p.m., Sunday at 1 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. 

(The performance on Sunday, April 7 at 1 p.m. will be sign-language interpreted.)

This will be the company’s Segerstrom Center debut!

DEAL: @Wrightslaw - Special Ed Law and Advocacy Products on Sale! #AutismAwareness @PeteWrightslaw

Hey remember the Wrightslaw Conference I went to in February in San Diego and when Pete mentioned during the conference... "you lose 90% of what you learned within 23 hours. Repetition, Repetition"?  Well their products are currently on sale and you can listen to his lecture over and over again.

I took a picture with the famous Pete Wright (c) Let's Play OC!

"you lose 90% of what you learned within 23 hours. Repetition, Repetition." - Pete Wright

Don't Miss @IndianaJones Exhibit @DiscoveryCube! (Ends April 21st) See also PROMOS

Indiana Jones™ and the Adventure of Archaeology: The Exhibition at Discovery Science Center is leaving us.  (April 21, 2013 is their last day).

The exhibition, which made its debut last October, has drawn in thousands of fans from around the southland.

“Hosting the U.S. debut of this world-class Indiana Jones exhibition has been something special,” said Joe Adams, president of Discovery Science Center. “This exhibit is truly a first of its kind and has been a perfect fit for the Science Center as it blends technology, dynamic learning, pop culture and excitement in to one experience.”