Aquarium of the Pacific giveaway for Noche de Estrellas.

Aquarium of the Pacific is sponsoring a giveaway on Fieldtripmom.com. The giveaway is for (4) tickets to “Noche De Estrellas”. The Night of the Stars event offers live music and fun family activities. On March 24th, 2017 from 6:30pm until 10:30pm, the Aquarium will be filled with Latin music and sounds. DJ Quinto Sol, Sonsoles and Mayaztek will be performing as well as the Azteca Cultural Ketzaliztli. Children are invited to attend with their parents to dance Rumba, Salsa, Cumbias and the Cha-Cha. During the evening, there will be bilingual presentations with underwater divers, a treasure hunt with prizes, children's crafts, and other activities. Mexican food, beer, and beverages will be available for purchase for an additional fee. You can also travel the Pacific Ocean through the Aquarium exhibits to learn more about the more than 11,000 animals, including over 150 sharks that you can touch. Please note: The Australian Parakeet Forest will be closed.

Aquarium of the Pacific is located 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, Ca 90802. 

March 24th, 2017 line-up

Music: J Quinto Sol – 6:30 p.m.

Sonsoles - 7:45 pm

Mayaztek - 9:15 pm 

Bilingual dive show with: Honda Blue Cave - 6:45 p.m.

Azteca Cultural Cultural Ketzaliztli - 7:00 pm

The cost of admission is $14.95 per person. Kids under 3 years are free. 

Enter for a chance to win (4) tickets to this fun event. Please only Southern California residents. Must be 18 years or older to enter. Remember that it's for March 24th, 2017 Noche de Estrellas event only. 
Good luck and hope to see you there!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. Aquarium of the Pacific is our sponsor. All thoughts and ideas are all my own. NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER TO WIN.  Prize is (4) tickets for Aquarium of the Pacific. These tickets are  for the Noche de Estrellas event only to be claimed on 03/24/2017 The tickets will be at the front desk on the festival date from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30p.m. This family 4-pack to Noche de Estrellas, March 24, 2017, does not include food, beverages, gift shop purchases or applicable taxes. Giveaway starts 03/15/2017 and ends 03/22/2017. You must be a Southern California Resident, 18 years or older to enter.  You must be able to claim prize by March 24, 2017.  There are no substitutions or replacements.  Lost or stolen tickets are the responsibility of the winner.  There is no cash value. Entry is done through Twitter, Instagram and Facebook via Rafflecopter. Winners will picked at random through Rafflecopter. 
Privacy- all entry information is not shared with any third party. Field Trip Mom blog is not responsible for lost or stolen tickets. No Substitution or cash value replacements. Winner will be notified via social media and email. Aquarium of the Pacific is the sponsored of this giveaway. The tickets will be at the front desk on the festival date from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30p.m.

Caspers Wilderness Park an 8,000 acre park great for a family field trip.

Family field trip alert: Orange County offers many great parks. One such park is located in San Juan Capistrano.  Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park and Camping is open year round from 7:00 a.m. - Sunset. It is a an 8,000 acre park filled with beautiful wildflowers and running streams. The park is great for hiking and just spending the day in the sun. If you are looking to camp then we suggest that you make reservations through their website: http://www.ocparks.com/rnp/reservation

The park offers family events, ranger led hikes and educational programs. For wilderness fans there is a nature center that is filled with lots of hands-on exhibits.  On most weekends you will find bird watchers, hikers and nature groups enjoying the beautiful landscapes. 

Caspers offers the following:
Amphitheater:Located at Nature Center
Barbeques/Fire Rings
Bicycling/Bike Trails
Camping-Family Group: RV electrical hookups available
Dump Station
Equestrian Camping
Equestrian Trails
Family Picnic Area
Hiking Trails
Interpretive Center: Open Saturday & Sundays only, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Interpretive Programs
Playground/Tot Lot
Restrooms
Scenic Overlook
Showers

Caspers Wilderness Park
33401 Ortega Hwy.( P. O. Box 395)
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 923-2210 or (949) 923-2207

Check-in time 2 p.m. and check-out time 12 p.m.
Day Use - 7 a.m. to sunset all year. 
Office Hours: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., (Mon. - Fri.)
Parking fees (day use): $3 per vehicle entry Monday - Friday; 

$5 Saturday - Sunday; Higher for some holidays and events.

Field trip to Medi-Rub Massager

This past summer, our family visited the Medi-Rub Massager headquarters.  The Medi-Rub Massager is a device that is used to help people who suffer with leg cramps, blood flow, while strengthening the Plantar Fascia and improving reflexology.  This product is sold worldwide and is preferred by many doctors to help with diabetes and other related illnesses.  We were first introduced to this machine at our local Sam’s Club.  There, we all took turns testing the product out and found it to be very relaxing.  Our first time using the foot massager, we immediately felt tingling throughout our feet and legs.   We became fans. 

When we found out that the machine was made locally, it only made sense to find out more about the product.  Our family drove to their office in San Clemente to tour their manufacturing processes.  The family field trip was very informative and eye opening.  We all saw how a small business impacts our local economy.  The owner, Yolanda Holly, gave us a personal tour of her offices as well as shared their company history.  The company has been helping folks with circulation problems since 1976.  Doctors recommend this product for patients who need to improve their circulation.  Yolanda explained that they accept custom requests on the foot massager for folks who have trouble with lower extremities.  All they have to do is call and request it.  This small business goes out of their way to make your experience a success because they understand how important your health is to you and the ones you love. 

The tour gave us a small glimpse into what it takes to run a medical product company for over 30 years.  We saw an organized and clean manufacturing facility as well as friendly employees.  We were impressed with the kindness that was shown to us by everyone at the headquarters.  We left knowing more about a product that we own and use frequently in our home.  All of this information helped us feel confident about our health and purchase. 

We highly recommend this product for folks that do lots of sitting or have a hard time walking.  This product relieved and cured my husbands plantar fascia and is recommended for persons with diabetes, circulatory concerns, leg cramps, tired feet and legs and much more.

Contact Information: 240 Calle Pintoresco, San Clemente, CA 92672-7504

Toll Free 877-Medi-Rub (633-4782)
Office 949-369-6900
Fax 949-366-6363Disclaimer: Not a sponsored post. All thoughts and ideas are all my own. 

Valentine's Day gift idea.

Pan Dulce (Sweet Bread), an easy Valentine's Day gift for friends, neighbors, teachers, co-workers and anyone who enjoys a sweet treat.  A simple idea, budget friendly and heart-shaped; turn ordinary Mexican baked goods into a fun Valentines gift.  Use pink baked breads or cookies from your local Mexican bakery and add your own creativity to brighten someones day on Valentine's Day.

To get started, visit your local Mexican bakery and pick out your favorite cookies or breads.  We used breads and cookies with pink and red frosting as well as fun shapes.  This gave our gift box a fun "LOVE" theme.  We than asked the baker for an extra box.  We left with (2) dozen baked treats and our total was $14.00. For this price, we had enough cookies and baked items to fill (6) medium boxes.  

Papermart.com 

At home, using food gloves, we repackaged the brown box and adorned the outside with hearts and ribbon to give it an added flair.  To decorate the inside of the box, we added some special paper.  If you don't have colorful tissue paper, look around your kitchen for other creative ideas.  We used coffee filters for one gift, while parchment paper works great too.
  

We glued paper hearts and used rope to give this brown box a decorative look. It made the box look very homemade and sprinkled with love.  We made a Valentine's Day very special with this brown box and the Pan Dulce (sweet bread).  Try it and watch someone light up when they receive the Pan Dulce Valentine box. 

Don't have a local Mexican bakery, then look for a local bakery that offers a variety of breads and cookies at a reasonable price. We spent on average $0.50 per cookie or bread.  One place you may want to consider is Costco's food court as an alternative bakery.  They sell Mexican Churros in their food court.  If you are buying more than (10) Churros, then you will have to call ahead to order.  Remember to use your creativity for wrapping the Churros.  A pretty box with some ribbon goes a long way to make it look special. 

Valentine's Day for us is about showing kindness and gratitude towards our community and friends as well as family members.  We do not spend very much money on gifting; however we use creativity and effort to show our appreciation.  We feel that the love is in the details.  We hope that this helps you spread love and kindness this Valentine's Day season. 

Disclosure: Not a sponsored post. All thoughts and ideas are all my own. 

Fowler Museum at UCLA

The Fowler Museum is located inside the UCLA campus grounds. The museum covers global arts and cultures. The works of art are from Africa, Asia, the Pacific and the Americas-past and present. Here you will find thought-provoking exhibits. Our curiosities lead us into each room. As our visit came to an end, we realized that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. We are sharing a few of our pictures from our visit. 

http://www.fowler.ucla.edu/exhibitions/

The Fowler Museum is part of UCLA’s School of the Arts and Architecture. The museum is open to the public and admission is free, however donations are welcome. 

Hours of operation:
Monday: closed
Tuesday: closed
Wednesday: noon – 8 pm
Thursday: noon – 5 pm
Friday: noon – 5 pm
Saturday: noon – 5 pm
Sunday: noon – 5 pm

HOLIDAY HOURS:
Open on Veteran’s Day
Closed on Thanksgiving
Open on the Friday after Thanksgiving
Closed on Christmas Eve Day
Closed on Christmas Day
Open on New Year’s Eve Day
Closed on New Year’s Day

Phone: (310) 825-4361
Email: fowlerws@arts.ucla.edu

Directions: Enter through the UCLA campus Lot 4 from Sunset Blvd. at Westwood Plaza and turn left into the Pay-By-Plate area of the lot.  Easy, self-service, Pay-By-Plate parking is available.

The address of Lot 4 is 221 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095

During your visit make sure to see the UCLA sculpture garden, The Botanical gardens and the UCLA Meteorite collection. 
https://www.botgard.ucla.edu/
http://www.meteorites.ucla.edu/

Disclaimer: Not a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions are all my own. 

Family Field Trip to The Old Mission San Buenaventura

We had another successful family field trip. This time, we headed up to Ventura, California  to "The Old Mission San Buenaventura."  The drive was a few hours from our home and we had to stop for drinks and snacks. All that driving, looking out the window made us thirsty and hungry.  When we arrived, we were amazed at how close the mission was to the beach. The weather was a little cooler than we had expected, so we covered up. We entered the mission through their store and paid our admission.  Then, we went up the stairs to a room filled with artifacts and video of the mission's history.  There, we found a door that led us to the mission grounds.  It was like a small piece of paradise.   Almost immediately, you could feel peace as we walked through the courtyard. We made our way to the Catholic church and there we could see the history on the walls through the paintings, statues and the altar.  The church is small in size but it was clear, that in that tiny place, God resides.  We were witness to a man who while praying, kneeled and walk all the way down the altar on his knees.  This homage to God and his presence made us feel as though he was seeking a miracle. We couldn't help but pray for him.  It was a unique experience for all of us that we won't soon forget. Address: San Buenaventura Mission is located at 211 E. Main St. Ventura CA 93001.

Important facts: Mission San Buenaventura is the 9th Catholic Mission to be constructed under guidance of Father Serra, a Spanish Roman Catholic priest and friar of the Franciscan order. Unfortunately, he only spent three weeks at San Buenaventura before moving on to his next order. Founded in 1782, The Old Mission San Buenaventura has a long history. Throughout its legacy, it survived fire and several earthquakes. Additionally, in 1818, it was evacuated for a month as a result of a pirate attack by the Argentine, Hypolite Bouchard. The pirates spared the mission and it survived to become part of secularization during Mexican ownership. The mission was owned by the Mexican government until 1836 when it became part of the United States. In 1862, a petition requesting the Mission be returned to the Catholic Church was granted by President Abraham Lincoln. The popular mission was also visited by President William McKinley and his wife on May 10th, 1901. These are just a few of the historical events that took place at Mission San Buenaventura.

Other interesting facts about the mission include that it was a place for trade during the 1800's.  Ships would dock only a few feet from the mission to trade for goods and services. This gave the mission the nickname, "Mission by the Sea".  

After the mission was founded, a large wooden cross was placed on top of a hill overlooking the mission Church.  This cross was used as a highly visible road sign for travelers in search of it.  The original cross was damaged and replaced in the 1860's due to the elements.  A second cross, it's replacement, blew down during a storm in November 1875.  The hill above the mission would remain without it's landmark for nearly 40 years.  In 1912, the E.C.O. donated and replaced a new cross in it's current location as a historical landmark.  That cross is still standing today atop the hill in Grant Park and can be seen from far away. Directions to the Grant Park: 

Southbound: From the 101 take the Main Street exit. Turn right at the bottom of the ramp and drive until you reach Palm Street. Turn left onto Poli St, which becomes Cedar St. Turn right onto Ferro Dr and follow it as it twists around the foothills.

Northbound: From the 101 take the California Street exit. Be careful as you reach the top of the ramp, as it empties quite abruptly onto a major, and rather unmarked, intersection. Go straight towards the City Hall. Just as you turn left onto Poli St, which becomes Cedar St. Turn right onto Ferro Dr and follow it as it twists around the foothills.

Source: http://www.serracrosspark.com/history.html
http://www.sanbuenaventuramission.org/

California Missions

1.) Basilica San Diego de Alcala 

2.) Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Carmelo

3.) San Antonio de Padua 

4.) San Gabriel Arcangel 

5.) San Luis Obispo 

6.) San Francisco de Asis 

7.) San Juan Capistrano

8.) Santa Clara de Asis

9.) San Buenaventura

10.) Santa Barbara

11.) La Purisima Concepcion 

12.) Santa Cruz 

13.) Nuestra Senora de la Soledad 

14.) San Jose 

15.) San Juan Bautista

16.)  San Miguel Arcangel 

17.) San Fenando Rey de Espana 

18.) San Luis Rey de Francia

19.) Santa Ines

20.) San Rafael Arcangel 

21.) San Francisco Solano de Sonoma 
Disclosure: Not a sponsored post. 

UCLA Meteorite Collection Family Field Trip

Southern California is home to one of the largest meteorite collections in the West. The UCLA Meteorite Collection is located in room 3697 of the Geology Building.  This collection has been on exhibit and opened to the public since January 2014. The gallery is open weekdays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and on Sundays from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.  Admission is always free.  This past weekend, we took the opportunity to visit and learn about meteorites.  Continue reading to find out what happened.....

We arrived Sunday afternoon and parked in the visitor parking section of the garage. Parking is convenient and located directly across from the Geology building. The kids were amazed that we were able to walk into the Geology building on a Sunday afternoon. As we headed to the collection, there were many questions about UCLA. Our kids are still so young that talking about college seems way to early however looking at it, it is right around the corner for us. We offered information and suggested UCLA could be a school they could attend one day. As for today, we were just exploring meteorites even though there were many more curiosities presented.

357-pound iron chunk of an asteroid that crashed into Arizona nearly 50,000 years ago

We walked to the third floor and waited as we arrived a few minutes early. This gave us time to look around and find nearby dinosaur fossils on display. It was a fun surprise to see up close rare fossils. They are part of their teaching and research collection. To see more of  the Earth, Planetary and Space Science collection visit: http://epss.ucla.edu/teaching-research-collections/

UCLA Meteorite Collection

Once the doors to the Meteorite Collection room opened, we met a very informative and engaging volunteer named John.  He explained to us that this was the 5th largest collection of meteorites in the nation. We could tell how proud he felt about the collection and UCLA as a school. After a short visit with John, he handed us over to Jason, the docent working this Sunday afternoon.  Jason was informative and engaging while he explained how these meteorites were over 4.5 Billion years old.  Jason painted us a picture demonstrating how space particulate is lifted into the atmosphere by other asteroid impacts in our solar system, where it then heats, combines with other particles, hardens and repeats the process in its orbit around the sun. This process continues for years until a collision knocks the meteor out of orbit with destination to one of the nearby planets or moon. Jason also showed us a martian meteorite which was amazing to imagine.  We could see the love he has for the study of Geology as he explained the collection to us.  It was a very informative and eye opening experience.

Our short visit left us with a fraction of knowledge about meteorites as there is so much more to learn and study. Such as Meteorites are divided into two main classes: primitive and differentiated.  Each little spot on these meteorites tell a story and data from that story continues to be collected, studied and reported on.  To learn more visit: http://www.meteorites.ucla.edu/faq/

UCLA Meteorite Gallery Geology Building, Room 3697,

595 Charles Young Drive East Los Angeles, CA 90095

Email: meteorites@ucla.eduPhone: 310-825-2015

Disclaimer: Not a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions are all my own.