Cherry picking family field trip in Southern California.

Cherry Picking Update - Please call the farm ahead to confirm times and dates. 

Let’s go cherry picking this summer. A few weeks ago, I received a reminder that cherries were in season. Our schedule is very tight so I immediately began to plan the best day for us to travel to a local farm. Finding a cherry farm that was open during the Memorial Day weekend was almost impossible. Most of the cherry farms were opening weeks after the Memorial Day weekend or later in the month of June. I had given up when I suddenly found Cherry Hill Farm in Leona Valley, CA, near Palmdale, open for one day only. This was the first time I would be taking the family to go cherry picking and therefore, I did not know what to expect. Saturday arrived; I packed a small picnic lunch and mapped out our destination. The ride was just shy of 2 hours long. The route that we took was the 5 freeway heading north connecting to the 14 freeway exiting San Canyon Rd, turned onto Bouquet Canyon Rd and drove for several miles through The Angeles National Forest. The address of Cherry Hill Farm is 39300 Bouquet Canyon Rd, Leona Valley, CA 93551. This is the one who chose to visit however there several other farms located nearby. I have a list of them at the end of this post. Please call ahead to confirm dates and times.

The drive was far for us however we really enjoyed taking several rest stops throughout the road trip. We arrived right as the doors opened and we were lucky enough to have great weather. The farm charged $20.00 for one bucket per two people. We ended up buying two buckets for the four of us. The kids were excited to pick the cherries. The experience was great because we picked as a family. The trees were full of cherries and were short enough to easily pick to the top of the trees approximately 8 foot tall. Although a smaller farm compared to a few others we passed, there were plenty of trees for all of the families to enjoy. The cherries are sweet and far better off the tree than buying them in the store. The fruit easily separates from the pit and they are so juicy. When picking the fruit, choose the deepest, darkest maroon colored cherries to ensure the best pick. The buckets used to collect your pick can hold 3 to 3.5 lbs of cherries. This farm is an organic farm so the price is well worth it. The farms are a first come first serve basis and crop conditions can change daily. It is important you call or check their website prior to making your trip to ensure the best time for your entire family. Go cherry picking this season!!!

Cherry Parade in Leona Valley is this June 3rd, 2017 start time is 10am.

List of farms that are open for the season 2017 and other places you should visit that are nearby. Please call to confirm that they are not sold out before traveling.

http://www.upickcherries.com/index.htm - Opens May 30th 

https://www.facebook.com/WhalleysOrchard/ - Opens June 3rd in Little Rock, California 

http://www.cherryhillfamilyfarm.com/ - Closed for 2017 

U -pick cherries 7651 EAst Ave U, Little Rock, California. (no website. We drove by it and saw the sign.)

http://www.myleonavalley.org/CHERRY_PARADE___FESTIVAL.html

https://www.facebook.com/Joshuatreecollective/

http://charliebrownfarms.com/

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

Southern California Family Field Trips for May

Family field trip opportunities are abundant in the month of May throughout Southern California. The list of adventures that are waiting for you and your family include blue berry picking, discovery of over a million bug species and even an Italian festival. 

Blueberry picking at Temecula Berry Company farm is now open. They are open from 8 AM until 6 PM.  Enjoy the sunshine and beautiful rows of blueberry bushes while capturing some incredible family photos.  The freshly picked berries will be a family favorite.  Visit their website at: http://www.temeculaberryco.com/

Temecula Berry Company is located at 39700 Cantrell Road Temecula, CA 92591

The Temecula Berry Company is a pick-your own blueberries farm. Walk up to the little red barn and get a cute bucket for picking. Make sure to apply sunscreen and bring water because it gets super-hot out in the field. Once you pick your desired amount of blueberries, bring your basket back to the pay station. Only wash the ones you are going to eat as the washing speeds up the aging process and your berries will spoil faster. The farm only takes cash and they do not allow eating while in the fields. The experience will leave your family with a full belly of yummy blueberries. It is a great road trip adventure for our family.  Prices are subject to change, please check the website frequently for more information.

Bug Fair 
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

900 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90007
https://nhm.org/site/activities-programs/bug-fair

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County has an extraordinary Bug Fair, May 20th and 21st. Over 50 vendors will have hundreds of species of insects on display and for sale. Interact and enjoy a hands-on experience with research and collection staff members while enjoying live animal presentations. Adult admission is $12.00 and kids 3-12 are $5.00. This admission price does not include the Butterfly Pavilion which is an additional $5.00 per person.  There are other exhibit options to choose from, visit their website for additional information. Make sure you arrive early because it does get really crowded and busy. 

Photo credit IMadonnari 

Old Santa Barbara Mission 
2201 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Italian Festival - http://www.imadonnarifestival.com/
Old Mission Santa Barbara will host a fun street chalk painting festival during the Memorial Day Weekend, May 27th - 29th. Walk around and experience colorful chalk paintings by local artists. The festival is named after Italian street painters who traditionally depicted the Madonna. This event raises funds for the Children's Creative Project, a nonprofit arts education program. 

Find more events and field trip ideas on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FieldtripmomFTM/?fref=nf

Disclosure: Not a sponsored post. To ensure a great adventure always check the website and or vendor for hours of operation. 

What Is Free Comic Book Day?

Free Comic Book Day happens every year on the first Saturday of May. Participating comic book stores across the US will be giving away special comic books while supplies last. This popular event is geared towards getting new and existing readers into local stores. We attend almost every year and it helps to get the kids excited about reading. While it is a free event, once you are inside the store you won't be able to resist buying a few comics. 

Wondering what is a comic book? Comic books are considered an American Art form. The start of this art form began in the 1930's. Many people around the world collect them. Throughout the years comic books expanded their genres and categories. There is almost something for everyone like Hello Kitty, Superman, The Simpson's or Horror stories. 

Find a participating comic store: http://www.freecomicbookday.com/StoreLocator

Get more information by going to Freecomicbookday.com 
http://www.freecomicbookday.com/Article/116108-FCBD-Site-FAQs#Q14

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

State Testing and a letter of encouragement

State Testing CCSS SBAC is starting next week for our area. This semester, my son's fourth grade teacher has asked that I write him a letter of encouragement.  She gave us a few weeks notice. I have, in the past few days, written a few handwritten notes of encouragement. Then, I would wake up the next day realizing that it was not loving enough and second guessing myself. This task has been a little hard for me. 

Then, the final email reminder came from the teacher. It read as follow: "This is just a friendly reminder to please send a letter of encouragement to your student to be opened this coming Monday, May 1. Students will be given the letters prior to taking their first test."  Oh my goodness, I have to get it done!!! So, I put on my big girl pants and re-wrote the letter for the 5th time. This time, I made it classroom friendly and left out lots of the I love you's and all the mushy stuff I had written before. The letter went something like this: 

Dear Son,

I am so proud of you. You have shown great growth this year. I see your hard work every Friday when I get your completed assignments. I couldn't be more proud of your great listening skills and kind personality. You are a bright boy with lots of patience and amazing reading skills. I believe in you. Soon you will be taking a state test in your classroom. Please do not be nervous because you have prepared for it and you are ready. Do not worry about the score because no matter what happens you will still be a great kid who is smart and compassionate. 

Remember that Dad and I love you to the moon and back and then some more. 

Love,

Mom 

State testing starts next week and my hope is that my son does not stress over it. The teacher has been instrumental in giving us tips on how to help our child get through this period. Here is a few of her tips:

1.) Before the test make sure your child sleeps well and is rested. 

2.) Student should have a well balanced breakfast.

3.) Encourage your child to read each question on the test carefully.

4.) Visit CCSS SBAC parent guide:http://www.smarterbalanced.org/parents/

5.) R.A.C.E. is an an acronym for a simple writing strategy that can help students construct more thoughtful and thorough responses. This strategy can be modified to fit all grade levels and with a few modifications can also be used in mathematics.

Here’s how to help your students win at writing!

RESTATE – Students restate the question in the form of a topic sentence.

ANSWER – Students answer ALL parts of the question.

CITE – Students cite examples from the text that support their answer.

EXPLAIN – Students explain how their evidence supports their answer or connects to another text.

6.) Websites to help review: 

https://www.khanacademy.org/

http://www.k12reader.com/

7.) Offer words of encouragement before you drop them off at school. 

I wrote this post with the intend to help other parents. Send me a note if you find this helpful. 

Fieldtripmom@gmail.com

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. All thoughts and ideas are all my own. 

Travel accessories that will make you say, "Wow!"

Travel is fun and exciting with colorful accessories. The other day I found these cute "MUST HAVE" items. They include a key chain, sun hats, bath soaps, makeup bag and a clutch handbag. They are bright as well as very practical.  I found these must have travel items at the Charming Charlie store in the city of Tustin: http://www.charmingcharlie.com/gifts.html

http://www.charmingcharlie.com/gifts.html

The store carried a watermelon sun hat that fit me just perfect.  This bright, fun hat is perfect for lounging near the pool, a family BBQ or a shopping at the beach city shops.

If you enjoy sitting by the pool then you will love these cute diamond shaped inflatable cup holders. 

I love to bring fun face masks when I travel. It makes bedtime so much fun while on vacation. If the day doesn't go as planned then I have something to look forward to along with a hot bath to decompress. 

Usually travel involves hanging under the sun and so caring for our skin is very important. After the kids have taken their bedtime bath, I rub in Aloe Vera to hydrate and repair their skin.

These are just a few things that I suggest you add to your travel gear to make your adventures memorable and joyous.

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

2017 Regal Summer Movie Express for $1.00

The list of Regal Summer Movie Express for June 6th through August 2017 is out. Every summer Regal theaters offer two days of $1.00 movies that are rated G or PG. Tuesday and Wednesday theaters are packed with movie fans trying to catch great movies on the big screen. 

For only $1.00 you can see the most popular G or PG movies that were released within the last 12 months. It is a great way to spend time with friends and family.  Here's a list of  free summer movies playing at Regal theaters this summer for only $1.00. Both of the movies will play on both days. The start time is 10:00 am sharp. 

• Week 1: Kung Fu Panda 3 and Ice Age: Collision Course
• Week 2: Trolls and Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
• Week 3: Monster Trucks and Penguins of Madagascar
• Week 4: RIO 2 and The Boxtrolls
• Week 5: The Secret Life of Pets and Sing
• Week 6: Kubo and the Two Strings and Ratchet and Ratchet and Clank
• Week 7: The Spongebob Square Pants Movie: Sponge Out of Water and 
• The Adventures of Tin Tin
• Week 8: Happy Feet 2 and Cats & Dogs 2: The Revenge of Kitty Galore
• Week 9: Storks and The LEGO Batman Movie

Visit the Regal Summer Movie Express website to find a movie theaters near as well as times and dates.  
http://www.regmovies.com/Movies/Summer-Movie-Express

Orange County, California Movie schedule:

Week	Dates	Movies

Week 1	Tue June 20 Wed June 21	Kung Fu Panda 3 Ice Age: Collision Course ***BOTH MOVIES PLAY ON BOTH DAYS***
Week 2	Tue June 27 Wed June 28	Trolls Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked ***BOTH MOVIES PLAY ON BOTH DAYS***
Week 3	Tue July 4 Wed July 5	Monster Trucks Penguins of Madagascar ***BOTH MOVIES PLAY ON BOTH DAYS***
Week 4	Tue July 11 Wed July 12	Rio 2 The Boxtrolls ***BOTH MOVIES PLAY ON BOTH DAYS***
Week 5	Tue July 18 Wed July 19	The Secret Life of Pets Sing ***BOTH MOVIES PLAY ON BOTH DAYS***
Week 6	Tue July 25 Wed July 26	Kubo and the Two Strings Ratchet and Clank ***BOTH MOVIES PLAY ON BOTH DAYS***
Week 7	Tue August 1 Wed August 2	The Spongebob Square Pants Movie: Sponge Out of Water The Adventures of Tin Tin ***BOTH MOVIES PLAY ON BOTH DAYS***
Week 8	Tue August 8 Wed August 9	Happy Feet 2 Cats & Dogs 2: The Revenge of Kitty Galore ***BOTH MOVIES PLAY ON BOTH DAYS***
Week 9	Tue August 15 Wed August 16	Storks The Lego Batman Movie ***BOTH MOVIES PLAY ON BOTH DAYS***

Please make sure to call ahead and confirm dates and times. The theatre may change the movie or times at any time without notice.

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

Cookbook Giveaway: Switch It up by Corinne Trang

It is giveaway time! Cookbook, Switch It Up by Corinne Trang. Corinne is an award-winning chef, cookbook author, wellness coach and an expert in healthy living. She is sharing her quick, easy meals to help you manage diabetes and other health conditions that require healthy meal planning. This giveaway is for one copy of the cookbook. The retail price is $14.99. All you have to do is enter for a chance to win.  This giveaway will run from 04/19/2017 through 04/29/2017. Must be 18 years or older. NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN! 

To enter, click on the Rafflecopter icon below: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This colorful cookbook offers soups, whole grains and legumes, as well as many other options to healthy cooking and eating. This cookbook is endorsed by the American Diabetes Association who is leading the fight to end diabetes. Eat your way to a healthier you with this incredible cookbook. ISBN: 978-1-58040-549-2