Field Trip Mom

This year 2011 has been a year with many new experiences for everyone in my family. Early Spring 2011 my family and I  traveled to Central California and had a blast visiting Monterey Bay Aquarium, The Mystery Spot and Dennis the Menace Park.  Along the way up and coming home we visited the Missions that are along the California Coast. Each Mission was rich with history and spirit. One mission was so unique it had a secret passage. We accidentally used it. It was closed off to the public, but we had to go to the bathroom and got lost. By accident we found the secret passage. We completely found that experience amazing. Then Summer 2011 came and we spent days at the beach, gardens and parks enjoying the sun and water. The pool in our Irvine Community was not bad either. We did lots of swimming. (I did lots of watching not swimming.) Then as soon as September came it was back to school volunteering and running around driving kids to and from school. In all that crazy family life I added

This weekend there will be lots of fun things to do in Southern California. One of the most exciting events is the "Pasadena Tournament of Roses". The event is a parade of beautiful floats decorated with roses, flowers, seeds and herbs that are stories high. Image a building walking down the street decorated with roses. These floats are super tall and amazing works of art that smell rich with floral rose fragrance.  In 1890 Pasadena's Valley Hunt Club began the parade to draw people from the East Coast to come to California to see the life without snow and experience paradise. Every year it is celebrated on January 1st except never on Sundays. This year it falls on Sunday therefore it will be celebrated on Monday January 2nd, 2012. It will be broadcasted on Television for the world to see and for those who can not make it to Pasadena. After the parade the floats will be parked for all to view up close.  We will be going after the parade to see all the beautiful float

Living in Southern California means that you can play and have fun 99% of the time. My family and I enjoy playing outside and getting sun by going to Castle Park aka Northwood Community Park. Another place that you will find me is at the OC Great Park that is a few minutes away. There you can ride a hot air balloon for free and have a picnic. There is also free Carousel rides. Not too far is the beach where you can go watch the waves crash and relax while the kids play in the largest sandbox. This Spring the OC Great Park will be hosting Free Field Trips for the 1st grade students in  Irvine, Tustin and Santa Ana. Please tell your teacher if you live in those cities. It is a great opportunity. Read more...                    Field Trips Reporting Live from the Orange County Great Park Every Thursday and Friday from March 15 to June 15, 2012 Cost: FREE, no fee for students to participate Open to: First-grade classes from Irvine, Santa Ana

Each year around the holidays, we visit La Placita Olvera, aka Our Lady Queen of Los Angeles, in the heart of Southern California. My family and I visit early in the morning and light a candle for our loved ones. This historical place is known for miracles and reviving hope. The birth place of Los Angeles has many more reasons for you to visit. Continue to read and we will share our list. We visit the church during the happiest times of the year to offer prayers for our loved ones. This is our way of sending a gift with love to those we care about. Many in the Hispanic community have told stories of miracles taking place after placing a candle in the church while rejoicing in prayer. We think that miracles are possible and this is a holy site. Sometimes, we leave prayer requests for friends and families who we know are having a hard moment. Other times, we will light white candles and pray for miracles to shine upon us and others. You could say that it is a religious r

Did you know why the candy cane has those stripes and how it got it's shape?   A candy maker wanted to make a candy that would be a witness of his faith, so he made the Christmas Candy Cane. He incorporated several symbols of the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ. He began with a stick of pure white hard candy. White to symbolize the Virgin Birth and sinless nature of Jesus; and hard to symbolize the Solid Rock, the foundation of the Church, and the firmness of the promises of God. The candy maker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth as the Savior of all mankind. It could also represent the staff of the Good Shepherd with which He reaches down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs, who, like all sheep have gone astray. Thinking that the candy was some what plain, the candy maker stained it with several small red stripes representing the stripes Jesus received when He was beate

Christmas and Candy Cane's go hand in hand.  Today, I took my friends and family to a very special place where they make candy cane's by hand.   Logan's Candy Shop is located at 125 W. "B" Street, Ontario, Ca 91762.  Every winter Jerry, the shop owner, hosts handmade candy demonstrations most evenings at his candy store.  Reservations can usually be made starting in September by calling the store.  If you have a small party or it is late fall, you may want to call to see if he has any cancellations. The candy cane demonstration begins outside the shop.  Patrons gather outside the big store windows to see the candy maker twist, mold and create sweet treats for us.  The moment is very magical with the cold weather outside and festive candy being made. Standing there you will want to reach in and take a bite.  Be patient kiddos, everyone gets to try warm, freshly made peppermint candy canes as part of the tour. After watching the candy being b

Let's begin with saying "Thank You"! I want to say thank you to all who have read my blog and who continue to read it. I hope that my writing inspires and touches you. My hope is to challenge you to do more and love more.   What you should know is that every post that has been written was done with fear. I was fearful no one would read them.  As of today "Field Trip Mom" has received hundreds of visitors on this blog. I am very thankful to all who have read my posts.  Thank you!!! What makes me so Thankful this holiday season: The luckiest girl is me! I am married to a wonderful man who supports my Lucille Ball hair-brain ideas and does not complain.  I am thankful for him and for his love. He loves me unconditionally and with all his heart. (Tim, I hope you know I love you with all my heart too!) The luckiest mom in the world is me! My oldest son told me the other day he loves his life. He gave me a hug and said he always loves to go places. M

In the middle of the night when all my work is done, I Sometimes write a little poetry. It brings me back to when I first began to love writing.  My draft of what is happening right now in my head.  I wonder... I often wonder what you will be when you grow-up I wonder how you will look and what you will do when you are all grown-up.  I wonder if you will remember all the fun field trips we shared. I wonder if you will love paper and pencils just the way I do. I wonder if I showed you enough love and kindness. I wonder if you feel loved, protected and cared for.  Most of all I wonder if you have learned that I love you with all my heart In the middle of the night, when everything is quiet, I often think how lucky I am to have such a loving family. Then morning comes and my day begins. Rushing to get ready, to eat, to leave, to make it on time. I hope I will remember to slow down enough to love and be loved. Happy Holidays, Alma like Alma Mater

Ever since I was a kid, I can remember driving past and on a few occasions going to Knott’s Berry Farm. There are so many fond memories that bring back excitement and joy when thinking back. From the “E Ticket rides” to the “Western Stunt Show”, panning for gold and the famous Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinners, great memories come from these words. Although Knott’s in the 1970’s and 1980’s was far different than it is today, however, it still has that great fun feeling. Knott’s Berry Farm has had a very long history, starting out as a very simple business concept and emerging into America’s first amusement park. Now, I know what you are thinking…Knott’s isn’t for small children and Grandparents with all of those speedy roller coasters and huge dropping devices! That could not be further from the truth….Knott’s Berry Farm allows Grandparents to re-live their youth and enjoy memories with their Grandchildren. Sit back and enjoy the rides . Our Adventure to Knott’s

October is the perfect month to visit the apple farms in Southern California. One of our favorite places is Riley's Apple Farm in Oak Glen, CA.  On a beautiful October day, I headed on a family field trip with my two kids. My plan was to meet up with a group of friends and their kids for a fun filled day of picking apples and drinking cider.  The drive was really easy because we made a few stops to rest and stretch our legs.  My two little ones were very cooperative and super excited to see apples on a tree.  On the way there, I encouraged my boys to look out the window and tell me what they saw.  Making fun games out of reading road signs and giving directions helps pass the time with longer travels.    I gave a few instructions on signs to look for and how to read them.  My plan was to cover maps, roads and apple education all in one day.  Of course, I made it into a fun game with music and dance (light movement).  The dance was more like moving your upper body t

Pumpkins and hardware go together this Halloween season. Get creative and try this new way of carving pumpkins. Your children will enjoy working with tools, wires, washers and nut bolts to make an art piece.         Field Trip Mom This weekend we attended a very special art class hosted at the local grocerystore "Produce World" in the city of Orange. The art class was offered by "Dragonfly Shops and Garden". We arrived a little late to class, because my kids wanted to stay home to play the Wii. It was Saturday and they did not want to do anything. To get them in the car I promised them a fun time with pumpkins. As we drove to the class my kids asked many questions. What is non-carving pumpkin carving? Why do we have to go? Are we going to get candy? I answered the questions as best as I could. We finally arrived and I was ready for the kids to get curious . We walked up to the table and noticed that there were no paint brushes or paint. The tools and d