12/29/11

Pasadena - New Year 2012

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 floats. We pack a light lunch and wear our most comfortable shoes and take our time walking around. The kids love just getting out and riding the bus that takes us to the floats. They think that taking a bus is cool and fun. The bus is a short ride through Pasadena. We see all the local shops in our route to see the floats. Once off the bus you see people. I won't lie. There is a ton of people of walking and looking at the floats. But because the floats are so fantastic it does not matter how many other millions of people are there as well. Just make sure you wear comfortable shoes.

There are lots of other fun places in Pasadena and surrounding area. Plan ahead and have fun on your next field trip/ travel adventure. Here is my list of must see or experience:

Tournament of Roses link

kidspacemuseum

Huntington Library

Armory Center for the Arts
Art Center College of Design
Art Walking Tours around Pasadena
Brookside Golf Course
California Institute of Technology
Castle Green
Carnegie Observatories
El Molino Viejo (The Old Mill)
Fuller Theological Seminary
Gamble House
Public Memorials and Monuments
City Hall
Kidspace Children's Museum
Norton Simon Museum
Old Pasadena
Pacific Asia Museum
Pasadena Museum of History
Pasadena Museum of California Art
Places of Worship
The Pasadena Symphony
Rose Bowl

(source: SunBelt Books)

12/27/11

Parks and a Large Sandbox!

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 and Tustin unified school districts.

Transportation costs are fully reimbursed through support from ScottsMiracle-Gro .

What is it?
Reporting Live from the Great Park is a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math)-focused program for first graders using “disguised learning” to build knowledge of scientific investigation, physical science, geography, earth science, technology, language and visual arts.
What will the kids do?
Children ride the Great Park Balloon and tour the Farm + Food Lab, conducting fieldwork and experiments, then articulate what they learn by recording a news report at the OCGP-TV Studio. Garden instruction is conducted by the University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners.
How big is the program?
Last year, more than 400 first graders participated in this program and in 2012 the program is being expanded to host 2,000 students from the Irvine, Santa Ana and Tustin unified school districts.
Space is limited and will fill quickly – register today.
Registration closes January 20, 2012.
To register, please contact:
Gina Staropoli
Orange County Great Park
949-724-6593
gstaropoli@ocgp.org

Selling great Resource book

If you are interesting in purchasing a great resource guide for field trips. Please email me directly to get a one delivered to your home for $25.50 includes shipping.

You see more on http://www.funplaces.com/products.htm

12/4/11

Traditions, Hope and Miracles.

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 road trip.

There are so many other reasons why you should visit this cultural mecca. The church hosts many special events throughout the year. These events include Virgin de Guadalupe Celebration, Los Posada, Blessing of the Animals and Dia De Los Muertos celebrations. All these events celebrate a rich Mexican history within the Catholic Church.

Another reason for visiting the church is the rich history that it holds. La Placita Olvera known for being the birthplace of Los Angeles. It is the first Mexican market plaza in Southern California built and created in 1930. The Market place has now been in business for over 80 years.

Nearby, you can also visit other historical buildings that offer a peek into Los Angeles’ past. Within a short walking distance of La Placita Olvera is the Chinese-American museum and Los Angeles’ first fire-station, now a historical museum. It is very thought provoking that everyone can visit a holy site and feel its history. We suggest that you visit this historical place with family or friends.

The prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Source:http://www.prayerguide.org.uk/stfrancis.htm

If you do decide to visit "La Placita Olvera" look with your heart not with your eyes when you enter. May God keep you well and bring much happiness to you this holiday season.

Merry Christmas,

Alma

The small business owners of Olvera Street share their beloved holiday tradition annually with all on Olvera Street, preserving the best of both cultures with their children and grandchildren, as well as the public.

Las Posadas runs on Olvera Street from December 16 to 24. The children's piñata breaking and entertainment begin at 6 p.m. Processions starting at the Avila Adobe at 7:30 p.m.

The public is invited to participate at our Las Posadas on Olvera Street!

http://www.olvera-street.com/Calendar/Las-Posadas/las-posadas.html
Olvera Street
Los Angeles St. at Alameda St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
12/16/2015 - 12/24/2015
6:00 PM

Las Posadas on Olvera Street

Las Posada is the name given to the traditional way of celebrating Christmas in the

villages and homes of Mexico and other Latin American countries. This celebration of

the holiday season is presented by the Merchants of Olvera Street for nine nights

beginning December 16th and ending on Christmas Eve, December 24th.

In Spanish, Las Posadas means “the inns” or “shelters.” The journey of Joseph and

Mary to Bethlehem is depicted each night in a candlelight procession, led by the

Merchants of Olvera Street. Each night the procession stops at a different shop, or puesto

on the street serving as the posada or inn where the group asks for shelter.

The procession starts from the historic Avila Adobe and winds its way around Olvera

Street with the merchants leading singing traditional hymns and holiday songs in

English and Spanish. Free champurrado and pan dulce is served after the procession

as well as a piñata for the little one to enjoy.

Many of the founding Merchant families continue to preserve this wonderful event,

sharing the joy of the season with their children and grandchildren. We warmly invite

you to make our tradition a part of your own Christmas celebration and we thank you
for joining us and being a part of one of Los Angeles oldest and Christmas events.
Las Posadas

11/29/11

A Candy Makers Witness.

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 beaten before His Crucifixion; the stripes that the Bible says we are healed by. The large red stripe is for the blood shed by Christ on the cross that mankind would have the promise of eternal life.

As time passed the candy became known simply as a candy cane. It is now a standard decoration we see at Christmas time, but not nearly carrying the meaning that was originally intended. But the meaning is still there to those who have "eyes to see." Perhaps this story of the origin of the "candy cane" will help you to witness the wonder of God's Gift at this blessed time of the year.

Source: Santa Search

11/21/11

Candy Cane Making Field Trip to Logan's Candy Shop

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 boiled in a large copper kettle, poured onto the cool granite counter top and folded over and over on the table, we were escorted inside to see the rest of the demonstration. Jerry made the whole process seem effortless. In what seemed just a few minutes, he had us tasting fresh candy canes.

In the picture above, you can see all the beautiful candy canes ready for tasting. There weren't any candies left after we got done sampling. This was a field trip we won't soon forget. The experience got us into the spirit of the season. Happy Holidays.

Here is video from 2010 found on YouTube for you:

Disclaimer: This was not a sponsored event. We paid a group rate to attend this demonstration. All thoughts and opinions are all my own.

11/19/11

What I am most thankful for this holiday season...

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. My youngest son tells me I am the most beautiful mommy. I won the lottery when it comes to having a fun and loving family. Love my kids to the end of the Universe and back.

I have the best friends a girl could ever have in the world. Although I can't name all that inspire me, but I will name a few: Araceli, Brenda, Cathy, Janiece, Letty, Paula, Rachel, Senida, Susan, Violeta and Mrs.Hui have believed in me and have encourage my hair-brain ideas. These ladies are only a few of many great people that are in my life. They love me just the way I am with all my faults. Great people who have shown me unconditional love. I am thankful for having them in my life. Thank you!

In the end I am thankful for all the things I did not get, because things happen for a reason. Thank you God for all your blessings and all your gifts.

Happy Holidays!!!

Alma like Alma Mater

11/18/11

In the Middle of the Night....

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

Field Trip Mom