Memorial Weekend - Spontaneous

Happy Memorial Weekend. We hope you are enjoying your weekend. We are staying close to home and being spontaneous. There is so much to do in Orange County that our family can pick up and go at anytime. In a few minutes we can go to the OC great park for some outdoor fun or to the Ocean Institute for some science. Either way we will not make plans we will just go where ever the car takes us. So look for the pictures and the story to follow in the days to come.  But if you are interested in getting out and  making your own adventure then here is what I suggest:

Orange County Events:
You can look at the OC register:
Free or discounted places OC Deals

Inland Empire Events:
You can look at IEShineOn Blog

San Diego Events:
You can look at Random San Diego

Have fun planning your field trip and share your ideas with me.  Love hearing about field trips and family fun.  Take care!

Zevia - Keeping a promise

A few months ago I met the great people of Zevia. An all natural soda with zero calories. I received a few samples to take home and share with my family. I have to say that I enjoyed the lemon lime over ice.  When I met them they took my information and promised to send my school a few samples for us to try. I thought how great it would be to share with my son's school this great product.  A few days ago I received an email confirming that they would deliver cases to our Elementary school. I was in shock that they remembered after all these months and that they followed through. 

Zevia kept their promise and delivered 14 cases of all natural soda to our campus. The school secretary was in shocked too. (Well not too much. Since the week before we received 800 copies of  Sunset California guide.)  The schools PTA was very thankful for the donation. Right now the soda is behind lock and key. No one has access to these yummy drinks. They will be unveiled at the Silent Auction and Teacher Appreciation day.

Thank you Zevia for keeping your promise and donating drinks to our public elementary school. I can't wait to see the students, teachers, parents and others enjoying  Zevia.

Zevia Soda

You can find Zevia at a store near you:

Ralph's
Albertson's
Sprout
Whole Foods
Henry's

Hidden Valley Nature Center - Riverside County

Hidden Valley Nature Center is located near Norco, CA. This nature center is one of the best kept secrets in Southern California. It is next to the Santa Ana river, off the 15 freeway bordering Norco, Ca. Here you will learn about California wildlife and it is wild life habitat. The center has many nature classes you can attend. The center is open to the public on Saturday from 10AM until 4PM. Groups need to make an appointment Monday through Friday. You will find many live animals, such as rabbits, snakes, turtles, birds and toads. The instructors are very knowledge and ready to teach you about California wildlife.

Join Louis Robidoux Nature Center Saturday, November 14, 2015 from 10 am to 3:30 pm for their Annual Pecan Festival. Make this event a wonderful fall family tradition and gather pecans in the Pecan Grove. Bring your lawn chair or blanket and enjoy Folkloric dancers, Live Country Music, Line Dancing, Exhibits, Hay rides, Games, Kid crafts and more! Admission is $4.00 per adult and $3.00 per child (cash only) and includes a bag to gather pecans, no outside containers allowed. For more information, please call (951) 683-4880.

Check their calendar of events and sign-up to take a class. During the summer they offer summer camps and other fun activities. There is horseback riding in the local area, so you may see riders on the trails.

This is what they have to say about their amazing nature center:

"Hidden Valley Wildlife Area is located along the Santa Ana River, east of Norco on Arlington Avenue, one mile west of La Sierra Avenue. It is set on 1500 scenic acres and has access to 25 miles of hiking and equestrian trails. Visitors can get away from the noise and lights of the city and enjoy the beautiful views of the river or the bluff overlooking the wetland pond. In the winter, Canada geese, northern shovelers, white-crowned sparrows and yellow-rumped warblers make their home here."

Hidden Valley Nature CenterHidden Valley Nature Center‎

Not true? Show all edits Not true?

Placement on map is approximate 11401 Arlington Avenue Riverside, CA 92505 Get directions ‎ (951) 785-7452 Parking is $5.00 make sure you bring cash.

Experience Archeology at our fun filled workshop! Kids will learn about Archeology while enjoying and undertaking a series of interactive activities. Join us Saturday, December 5, 2015, as we open the doors to the world of rock art, glass, bones, and pottery! Kids will dig, explore and find hidden treasures in the kid-friendly archeological pits, use tools to retrieve buried items and log their finds, create a Huntsman necklace, measure skulls and bones and much more! As night approaches, the excitement will continue with a campfire, kids will enjoy roasting marshmallows and making hot chocolate!

Pre-registration is required, space is limited so sign up early. Registration fees are $45 and include all activities and a snack; workshop will be held rain or shine. For more information, please call (951) 683-4880, or review the registration form below.

Wordless Wednesday

Mother's Day Field Trip Ideas

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms of the World! Feliz dia de las Madres! This weekend enjoy a picnic with your mom, shopping at the local mall or just a nature walk at the local botanical garden. Keep reading to find out more…..

快樂的母親日 !heureuse fête des mères! 행복한 어머니의 날  hạnh phúc các bà mẹ ngày  ΓΙΟΡΤΗ ΤΗΣ ΜΗΤΕΡΑΣ   شاد روز    مادر 

"Love is doing small things with great love." Mother Teresa

Orange County 

Take a picnic lunch and enjoy the local beach. Make sandwiches, fresh fruit and some cold drinks to take with you to Laguna, Newport or Malibu beach. Want to make things easier than buy take out at the local market. Now a days grocery stores offer sushi, salads, fried chicken and other great food options. What you will need to set-up a picnic is a blanket, folding chairs, an umbrella and sunscreen. Bring beach toys for the kids to play with and self entertain while the adults sit and enjoy the day. Clean up is easy and there was no mess at home or long lines to stand in makes for a great day for your mom. 

http://www.ocparks.com/beaches/salt
http://www.visitnewportbeach.com/things-to-do/
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=835

Don't make mom cook or clean this weekend. Take her to the park and cook on the barbecue.  Everything you need is at the grocery store or Costco. Make things easier by buying already prepared food and just laying a blanket to sit and picnic. Avoid the mess and buy take out. Try to bring snack foods like grapes, oranges and bananas for the kids. Parks now have rides and activities for special days like Mother's Day. Just look on their calendar to see what is happening this weekend and show mom a great time. 
http://www.ocparks.com/parks/irvine/
http://www.ocparks.com/parks/william/
http://parks.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/dpr

Take mom to a local Museum- My favorite is the Los Angeles Natural History Museums. They have a Gem area with some of the most gorgeous diamonds, Sapphires and Ruby's in the world. Mom can touch and see first hand some of the most beautiful gems in the world. A girl can make a wish on these diamonds and sapphires.  Outside they have a large rose garden with a water fountain. I love taking pictures there and the kids are welcomed. There is an admission fee, please call or visit their website for update information. 

https://nhm.org/site/explore-exhibits/permanent-exhibits/gems-minerals

12 carat Blue Moon Diamond Photo credit: NHM 

Botanical gardens – Botanical gardens are great for adults and kids because kids can run around and discover new plants. Moms and dads can sit and watch the kids have fun while getting their energy out. Bring a picnic lunch and get fresh air. Everyone can de-compress and connect with nature. Here is a list of local botanical gardens. Please visit their websites for admission fees and hours of operation as they are subject to change. 

http://southcoastbotanicgarden.org/
http://fullertonarboretum.org/home.php
https://www.botgard.ucla.edu/

http://www.huntington.org/
http://www.fieldtripmom.com/2016/05/university-california-riverside.html

Peonies Roses Trader Joes 

Make a memory- Try making an appointment to the Color Me Mine or a place that offers make your own Art work. It is something you will love for years to come. I made one last year and I love it.

Local Church events -Some churches have special events for Mother's Day. Call around and find out what your local church offers for Sunday services. They sometimes offer childcare. 

Buy Costco gift cards to get a great deal. Costco offers discounts on spa gift cards and selected restaurants.

Fun shopping ideas:

Wholesale flowers: http://www.ocwholesaleflowers.com/

http://www.shopirvinespectrumcenter.com/directory/map-of-center/

http://www.southcoastplaza.com/

http://www.thegrovela.com/

Free events in your area: https://www.facebook.com/FieldtripmomFTM/

Disclosure: Not a sponsored post. Our goal is to get you out enjoying your family and friends. All thoughts and opinions are all my own.