What we did this past week...

MONSTER JAM ANGEL STADIUM ANAHEIM, CA

Saturday!!, Saturday!!, Saturday!!! Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam Returns for more Engine-roaring thrills and car crushing Monster Truck action here in Anaheim, CA. Monster Jam rolls into town with huge tires, loud monstrous sounds and drivers full of heart and passion. On Saturday Jan 28th and Feb 11th, the largest, baddest trucks in the circuit come to Anaheim Stadium to race and rumble, crushing cars and racing for victory.

Monster Jam - Anaheim Stadium

Jan 28th and Feb 11th

Connecting with the drivers before the show is a great experience for the entire family.  The public is encouraged to buy tickets to the Pre Pit Party to get up and close to the vehicles.  

This year’s lineup will be: Grave Digger, who is celebrating their 30th Anniversary of car crushing. World Finals champions Maximum Destruction, El Toro Loco (Crazy Bull), Monster Mutt and Bounty Hunter. New Monster Jam trucks will be showcased for the 2012: Son UVA Digger, (driven by Ryan Anderson, son of Grave Digger icon Dennis Anderson) Captain America, Metal Mulisha and Monster Energy. A Southland appears debut appearance of Mohawk Warrior, Spider-Man, Tasmanian Devil (TAZ) and Lucas oil Crusader.

When these boys roll into town, Angel Stadium is converted into a scene like you have never seen before. Every year, 700,000 cubic yards of dirt fill stadiums across the Nation bringing crowds out in full force to witness the power and magnitude of these massive trucks.

Field Trip Mom had an incredible opportunity to catch up with the drivers of Excaliber and Amsoil, Kevin Koszala & Jon Zimmer before the races. We got a down and dirty view of the track set up and watched the pit crews work on their trucks days before the start of the event.

We interviewed Jon and here is what he had to say:

You can find more information about Monster Jam at:
http://www.monsterjam.com

To buy your tickets for the February 11th race go to:

http://www.ticketmaster.com

Whale Watching Aquarium of the Pacific Long Beach

The Whale

The whale is swimming out to sea,

Out to sea, out to sea,

The whale is swimming out to sea

Early in the morning.

The whale is diving far below,

Far below, far below,

The whale is diving far below,

Early in the morning.

The whale is coming up for air,

Up for air, up for air,

The whale is coming up for air,

Early in the morning.

 Unknown Author

 

 Ocean waves

Ocean breeze

Ocean air

Ocean life

Where have you been all my life?

The Whale

The whale is swimming out to sea,

Out to sea, out to sea,

The whale is swimming out to sea

Early in the morning.

The whale is diving far below,

Far below, far below,

The whale is diving far below,

Early in the morning.

The whale is coming up for air,

Up for air, up for air,

The whale is coming up for air,

Early in the morning.

Whale Sailing
Helen H. Moore

Would you go for a sail
On the back of a whale?
Would you sail through the ocean, so blue?

There's a lot you could see
(If the whale would agree)
It's more fun than a trip to the zoo!

So please take the chance,
if the chance you should get,
You'll get mighty wet,
But it's worth it, you bet,
Just be sure to rub on suntan lotion!

An Invitation

Maria Fleming

Let's take a trip, just you and me,

Through the blue and sparkling sea.

I'll give you a ride upon my tail.

You'll see what it's like to be a whale.

We'll leap and dive and chase the fish,

Then swim and splash as long as we wish.

And when we're done and playing in the icy deep,

We'll let the waves rock us to sleep.

California Whale Watching January 2012

"The endangered Fin Whale was spotted in large numbers off the coast of Long Beach near Aquarium of the Pacific. " Source: Media letter from Aquarium of the Pacific

We went whale watching and it was great to see the kids get so excited about these beautiful animal. We made a whole day out of visiting the Aquarium of the Pacific Long Beach. We set sail early morning and headed out to find out what was in the ocean. I told my kids that we were going to meet a few whales. We would be scientists for one day. Once we were out on the boat everyone forgot to ask questions. We were just amazed at how beautiful it was sitting in a boat along side whales. The day we went we saw Fin Whales and seals about every 10 minutes. It was great to share the field trip as a family. We did not see Orcas on the day we went. But a few days later others found them in Long Beach. We are sharing that video to give you a glimpse into how fun whale watching can be for everyone. Please email me if you have any questions. I will be updating this post with more pictures in the days to come. Please come back and look for them. You are welcome to  send me pictures of your own whale watching experience.                                       

Go visit a whale...go to the Aquarium of the Pacific Long Beach.

 (Video by Moms LA who just happens to be super nice and shared her video through You Tube.)

This month in Southern California...

This month is already filled with lots of fun field trips.  We have walked the streets of downtown Los Angeles, toured China Town, and learned how to take the bus in a busy city.  We were given the opportunity to ride on a boat to go whale watching thanks to the wonderful people at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.  In the next few days, we are going to art museums and a few other events.  As I write, I am finding myself pressed for time and I want to leave you with these images of what we have done so far.  More posts with fun and exciting adventures are on their way for 2012.  Keep checking for the latest events and tell all of your friends to look at my blog for trip ideas and fun.  Remember...I couldn't have shown my kids half of these exciting trips without the "Fun Places" book.  To order your copy today, view my blog history for details on this incredible book.

Children learn through the sights, sounds, smells and physical things they can touch; why would you not want your children to experience everything in life, even if you haven't.  Be inspired to teach your children about the world, maybe you'll learn a thing or two yourself....I have. - Tim Bosek

Chinese New Year Celebration Jan 28 Los Angeles

Get there early and enjoy the fun parade. There will be lots of walking, wear comfortable shoes and clothing. Happy Chinese New Year and good luck for 2012.

Source: http://chinatownla.com/calendar.php?eventId=80

Saturday, January 28, 2012 and Sunday, January 29, 2012
113th Golden Dragon Parade: Sat, Jan 28th 1pm-4pm (commencing at Hill and Ord Streets and concluding at Broadway and Cesar Chavez). Grand Marshals are Disney's Mulan and Mushu and international bestselling author Lisa See. Honorary Grand Marshals include David Lee, Collin Lai and James B. Wong. For Parade information, contact the Chinese Chamber of Commerce at (213) 617-0396.

Chinese New Year Festival
Central Plaza & West Plaza
943-951 N. Broadway
Saturday, Jan 28: 12pm-8pm
Sunday, Jan 29: 12pm-5pm
(213) 680-0243

FREE to the public

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Celebrate the weekend's festivities with us by taking METROLINK! METROLINK is offering a $10 special weekend pass. Please bring your pass to the Chinatown Business Improvement District information booth at the festival site and receive a special something from us for supporting public transportation and METROLINK. For more information the weekend pass please visit:

http://www.metrolinktrains.com/spevents/?id=90
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STREET CLOSURES
Saturday, January 28th, starting 11am to 12:00 noon
• Ord Street from North Broadway to Hill Street
• Cesar Chavez Avenue from North Broadway to Main Street

Free Museums Days Jan. 28-29th, 2012

http://museumsla.org/news.asp
MUSEUMS FREE-FOR-ALL
Free Admission Days January 28th and 29th, 2012
In a joint effort to present the arts and culture to the diverse and myriad communities in Southern California, the Museum Marketing Roundtable announces the seventh annual ‘Museums Free-For-All’ Saturday-Sunday, January 28th and 29th, 2012. The museums—presenting art, cultural heritage, natural history, and science—will open their doors wide and invite visitors free of charge.* Make a note that some museum require early registration. See below for the links to those museums.

Download PDF -
Press Release: Los Angeles Museums Band Together for MUSEUMS FREE-FOR-ALL (55 KB)

Participating Museums:

• The Annenberg Space for Photography - Both Days
• The Autry National Center - Both Days
• California African American Museum - Both Days
• California Science Center - Both Days
• Chinese American Museum of Los Angeles - Both Days
• Fowler Museum at UCLA - Both Days
• The Hammer Museum - Both Days
• The Getty Center - Both Days
• The Getty Villa**- Both Days
• Laguna Art Museum- Both Days
• Los Angeles Fire Department Museum and Memorial
  (Both Hollywood & San Pedro Locations)- Saturday, January 28th Only
• The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA) - Saturday, January 28th Only
• Museum of Tolerance - Sunday, January 29th Only
• Museum of Latin American Art - Both Days
• Pasadena Museum of California Art - Both Days
• Santa Monica Museum of Art - Saturday, January 28th Only
• Skirball Cultural Center*** - Saturday, January 28th Only
• Zimmer Children's Museum - Sunday, January 29th Only

*Regular parking fees apply. General museum admission only. May not apply to ticketed exhibitions.
**Timed tickets are required. Visit http://www.getty.edu.
***Timed entry to the Noah’s Ark exhibition will be on a walk-up, first-come, first-serve basis on this date.

Please share with me if you have other fun places that are free of charge or have low cost.
http://museumsla.org/news.asp