Pretend City: {December} Activities & Toy Drive

The Holidays are a blast at Pretend City!

We went to a lot of the celebrations last year and they were all so fun!

This year they have even more fun things to celebrate all the

holidays and special events from different cultures.

Don't miss out!

Last year at the holiday celebrations!

Sunday, December 9 – Saturday, December 15: Lil’ Me Mornings – Hooray for Hanukkah 

Time: Monday – Friday 11:00a.m.; Saturday & Sunday 10:30a.m.

Celebrate Hanukkah at Pretend City! These rich and diverse circle times will work to explain and teach your child about the Hanukkah miracle and the importance of many of the traditional symbols of the holiday. Games, finger play rhymes, art projects and activities will ensure that your child has fun in the process.  

Sunday, December 16 – Sunday, December 23: Engaging Afternoons – Las Posadas Fiesta! 

Time:  Tuesday – Friday 3:30p.m.; Saturday & Sunday 2:30p.m.

This week we partake in a Las Posadas Celebration! Every afternoon your child will engage in activities that will help them have an understanding of the cultures that celebrate Las Posadas and some of the regional traditions associated with the holiday. Activities include “Bunuelos” cookie art, piñata party, glitter poinsettia art and the traditional Mexican game of domino trains.

Sunday, December 16 – Sunday, December 23: Lil’ Me Mornings – Christmas Countdown

Time: Monday – Friday 11:00a.m.; Saturday & Sunday 10:30a.m.

The countdown to Christmas has begun! The week that leads up to Christmas is an exciting and magical time for young children. The wait for Christmas Day can seem endless! This week’s daily morning activities will help to channel your young child’s anticipation into simple activities that celebrate the holiday.

Wednesday, December 26 – Monday, December 31: Lil’ Me Mornings – Festival of Kwanzaa

Time: Monday – Friday 11:00a.m.; Saturday & Sunday 10:30a.m.

Kwanzaa is here, and there are so many fun things to do! Each day, children will have the opportunity to participate in lighting another candle on the Kinara. Then, we will celebrate the Kwanzaa principle of the day through a variety of activities, including: working at the family stand, making gifts for family and friends, playing African games, and even having a “feast”! These morning activities are a perfect way to begin teaching your children about the meaning and traditions of this joyous holiday.

Holiday Open/Close Schedule:

• Monday, December 17 – Pretend City Open Full Day
• Monday, December 24 – Pretend City Closed Full Day 
• Tuesday, December 25 – Pretend City Closed Full Day 

In addition to the above activities - Pretend City has a Toy Drive for CHOC going on right now.
Don't miss seeing Santa on his motorcycle - it's so cool!

Friday, December 14: CHOC Toy Drive Pick up by Orange Coast Harley Owners Group

Time: 12:00p.m

Join us for a special visit from hundreds of Harley Davidson riders as they come to Pretend City to pick up all of the toys we’ve collected for the children at CHOC Children’s Hospital. Watch your child’s eyes light up as Santa comes riding in on his motorcycle. The sound of hundreds of motorcycles cruising around the corner is one your child will surely remember! They’ll even have a chance to come out and look at the motorcycles up close. With parent supervision of course!

Christmas at the OC Zoo

Don't forget that the OC Parks have several great things going on this weekend.

First is Christmas at the Zoo - come see the animals get their gifts!

And there is also the Candlelight Walk at Heritage Hill Historical park.

Don't miss out!

December 8 – Christmas at the Zoo

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Location: OC Zoo (inside Irvine Regional Park)

1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869

Cost: $2 per child over age 3 (includes 1 adult) Parking: $5 per vehicle

Contact: (714) 973-6847

http://www.ocparks.com/oczoo/

December 8, 9 – Candlelight Walk

5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Location: Heritage Hill Historical Park

25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630

Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train 2012

Although we are big fans of the Irvine Park Railroad and have taken

the kids to the train since JT was little, we've never been on the Christmas Train.

This weekend we had the chance to experience the train for the first time

and I have to say that it was magical!

There is something special about twinkle lights, trees, and a train that takes you to Santa.

I felt like I was a kid riding on the Polar Express.

The kids loved it too!

It was exciting to begin a new Christmas tradition and share

the experience with the kids and see how excited they were to visit

with Santa and share their Christmas wishes.

Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train

1 Irvine Park Drive

Orange, CA 92869

2012 dates

December 7th through 9th

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm. 

activities open at 4:00 pm.

December 14th

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm. 

activities open at 4:00 pm.

December 14th & 16th

2:00 pm – 8:00 pm. 

activities open at 1:00 pm.

December 17th through 21st

4:00 pm – 9:00 pm. 

activities open at 3:00 pm.

December 22nd & 23rd

4:00 pm – 9:00 pm. 

activities open at 1:00 pm.

Tickets for the Christmas Train 2012

$10.00 per person — Children younger than 24 months ride free.

Activity tickets — $4 or 15 tickets for $50

(Parking is $3 on weekdays, $5 on weekends, and free after 5:00 p.m.)

Purchase your tickets online NOW - the event is known to sell out.

 

Activities during the Christmas Train include:

Story Time with Mrs. Claus
Christmas Cookie Decorating
Carnival Games
Santa Claus Moon Bounce
Christmas Coloring Corner
Picture Stands

One of my favorite parts of the evening is the twinkle lights tunnel.

It is so cool! I could drive through it over and over again.

Remember to bring your camera to snap pictures and jackets to keep warm.

Disclosure: I was given tickets for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Giveaway: Discovery Science Center Private Holiday Event

I am so excited for this giveaway today!!!!

The Discovery Science Center is throwing a fabulous holiday party for bloggers and

local media on December 12th from 6-8pm and I get to give away a family four-pack of tickets

for one lucky family to be able to attend this exclusive event!

That night you'll be able to explore the Indiana Jones and the Adventure of Archeology exhibit

as well as see the over 100 entries in the annual gingerbread competition at the Science of Gingerbread exhibit.

There will also be the opportunity to decorate cookies and snap pictures with Santa.

This is an exclusive media event, but I'm excited to be able to offer 4 tickets to one lucky winner today.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Holiday Events at the OC Parks

 

 

I feel so blessed to live in Orange County and to enjoy wonderful weather
through the Holiday Season.
It means we can get out and enjoy all the fabulous things that the
that the OC Parks have planned for the holidays!

Below you'll find information on the great things there are to do
and enjoy with your family thank to the OC Parks throughout the holidays.
We attended most of them last year and the kids LOVED them!
I can't wait to experience them again this year and build more great family
memories and traditions.

November 29 – Holiday Tree Lighting

5:30 – 7 p.m.

Location: Irvine Ranch Historical Park

13042 Old Myford Road, Irvine, CA 92602

Cost: FREE Parking: FREE

Contact: (714) 973-6609

http://www.ocparks.com/irvineranch  

December 1 – 31st Annual Victorian Christmas

11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Location: Heritage Hill Historical Park

25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630

Cost: $4 Adults, $3 kids ages 3-12 Parking: FREE

Contact: (949) 923-2230 or (949) 923-2232

http://www.ocparks.com/heritagehill/

December 8, 9 – Candlelight Walk

5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Location: Heritage Hill Historical Park

25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630

Cost: $4 Adults, $3 kids ages 3-12 Parking: FREE

Contact: (949) 923-2230 or (949) 923-2232

http://www.ocparks.com/heritagehill/

December 8 – Christmas at the Zoo

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Location: OC Zoo (inside Irvine Regional Park)

1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869

Cost: $2 per child over age 3 (includes 1 adult) Parking: $5 per vehicle

Contact: (714) 973-6847

http://www.ocparks.com/oczoo/

November 30 - December 2, 7-9, 14-23– Christmas Train

Location: Irvine Park Railroad (inside Irvine Regional Park)

1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869

Cost: $10 per person (children under age 2 ride free) Parking: $5 per vehicle and free after 5 p.m.

Contact: (714) 973-6835 or (714) 973-3173

http://www.irvineparkrailroad.com/

Santa's Wonderland: Giveaway!!!

Over the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend we had the opportunity to visit
the magical Christmas experience that is Santa's Wonderland!
Nestled just off the freeway in Irvine - at 2719 White Road - is a place
where your childhood dreams of visiting the North Pole and seeing Santa's
workshop can become a reality.

Santa's elves greeted us at the door and led us to the main room where
we were introduced to this Christmas dreamland and told about all
the amazing things there were to experience.

The kids wanted to head upstairs to find the Snow Room,
but were enchanted by Gingy's Gingerbread House Making on the way.

So we stopped to fulfill candy dreams and sweet tooth wishes with the help
of a very kind elf.

The kids loved decorating their own gingerbread houses by choosing their own candies,
squeezing out the frosting and making them look just so.


Then it was off to the Snow Room - which was pure magic for these Southern Californian kids.
They made snow angels, played with arctic animals, and just generally
enjoyed the magical twinkling of the lights in the frosty synthetic snow.

We found Santa's stables and met the reindeer.
The kids even got to ride one of them!
 
 
We took a tour through Mischief Maze and wrote our letters to Santa
and checked out the elves putting the finishing touches on the Cityscape Light Show.
Then a friendly elf gave us a tour of the Control Room and challenged JT to a
toy packaging race to see who could get Santa's toys ready to go the quickest.
 

We hit up the Reindeer Games on the way to Elf Makeover Magic.
Here the kids checked out what it takes to look like an elf and then got
their faces painted by one of the elf beauty experts.

Isabella chose snowflakes and JT wanted to be a reindeer.


The Elf Academy leads participants through several challenges to earn the
right to be called an Honorary Elf.

And what would Santa's Wonderland be without Santa?
The kids first met with an elf to see if they were on the Naughty or Nice list,
and once they received their Nice seal of approval they were off to
see Santa and have their pictures taken with the special guy.

You can even check out Santa's office while you're there.


The experience was amazing and we all had a wonderful time.
We spent a full 2 hours - at least - discovering all the Santa's Wonderland had to offer.

Santa's Wonderland is located at 2719 White Road in Irvine.
You can purchase tickets HERE.

Use the code MOMS10OFF for $10 off
admission.
The code is good for tickets purchased for
M-F 10:00am-6:00pm December 3rd-December 31st.
The tickets must be purchased by November 30th.
 
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!!
I'm so excited to be able to give away 2 tickets to Santa's Wonderland.
One lucky winner will win two tickets!!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: We were invited by Santa's Wonderland to attend and experience the magic. I attended because I was wanted to create fun memories with my family. I received admission for free. All thoughts & opinions are mine.

Giveaway: Tickets Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker in Theaters

I remember the first time I saw The Nutcracker was as a student teacher

and we took a group of 2nd graders to see it at the local University.

It was the first ballet I'd ever seen, but since I'd grown up with a mom that

loves Tchaikovsky, the music was very familiar to me and I enjoyed seeing

the scenes and images associated with the melodies I'd grown up loving.

The Nutcracker ballet returns to NCM Fathom Events this holiday season and for the first time ever will be shown in RealD 3D in select locations. In collaboration with More2Screen and EuroArts Music, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker will be broadcast to movie theaters nationwide on Monday, December 3 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (local time). 

CLICK HERE to find a theater near you.

The Russian Imperial Mariinsky Theatre was the original home to Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker in 1892, when it made its worldwide debut. Movie theater audiences will experience the marvelous talents of two of the Mariinsky Theatre’s rising stars – Alina Somova as Clara (Masha in the original Russian ballet) and Vladimir Shklyarov as the Nutcracker. Conducted by Valery Gergiev, this timeless production of The Nutcracker opens with a Christmas Eve party and a young girl, Clara, being given a nutcracker doll by her godfather, Drosselmeyer. Later in the evening when Clara sleeps, she finds herself in the midst of the Nutcracker’s battle against the Mouse King and his army of mice. Coming to Clara’s aid, the Nutcracker is transformed into a Prince and journeys with her to an enchanted island where spectacular celebrations are held in their honor.

I have tickets to giveaway to you!!!!

It's open to Orange County residents that will use the tickets.

Please only enter if you're able to attend the showing.

There are two separate giveaways - one for the 2:00 showing and one for the 7:30pm showing.

Please feel free to enter both if you can attend both.

Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker performed by the Mariinsky Ballet Theatre
Monday, December 3 at 2:00pm and 7:30pm

AMC Tustin Legacy 14

Enter here for the 2:00 showing at the Tustin Legacy 14

. a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Enter here for the 7:30 showing at the Tustin Legacy 14

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Celebrate Thanksgiving a Day Early at Pretend City!

We have the entire week off school - woohoo!!!

But that leaves me with a lot of time to keep my two littles engaged and out of trouble.

So, we're headed to Pretend City to celebrate Thanksgiving a day early!

You could join us!

Here's an outline of the day's festivities:

• Art Studio - Smart Art – Have a gobbling good time with this funny smart art activity. You and your child will learn a little bit about turkeys, while having a fun snood to smile with at Thanksgiving.
• Sensational Story Time - Gobble gobble up these books for a Thanksgiving treat! From hilarious turkeys to holiday history, your children will learn and engage.
• Good To Go Game - It wouldn’t seem like Thanksgiving time without post-feast football activities. Join us in fun, physical, activity games, like Free the Fowl and Turkey Trot, to develop gross motor skills and get ready for a full holiday belly!
• Listen & Learn – Join us to Do the Turkey Poke while learning about the farm in these fun listen and learn music and movement times.

 All the day's activities are included with paid admission for the day.

Hope to see you there!

The OC Zoo Gets SPOOKY: {Halloween} Zoo-tacular!

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Come join in the Halloween fun at the OC Zoo in Irvine Regional Park 

on Saturday, October 27 10am to 4pm.

At Halloween Zoo-tacular kids ages 12 and under will enjoy trick-or-treating, 

a scavenger hunt, themed crafts and face painting. 

The darling zoo animals will receive treat-filled pumpkins throughout the day! 

The first 100 children that visit the OC Zoo in costume on October 27th will receive a free gift.

The Halloween Zoo-tacular is free to visitors with paid zoo admission.

Parking at the venue (Irvine Regional Park) is $5 per vehicle.

My Munchkins: A {Shoot} with Sylvia Galloway & Holiday Mini Sessions

I'm so excited to share my 2012 photo shoot of the kids with my

cute friend Syl of Sylvia Galloway Photography.

Last year we shot at the fantastic Orange Circle in Old Town Orange.

This year we shot on Balboa Island in and around the Balboa Fun Zone.

*****MINI SESSIONS OFFER*****
With the holidays just around the corner, Syl is offering mini sessions! 
A mini session is 30 minutes & includes 10 edited images for $150. 
Each session is good for up to 5 people ($20 each additional person). 
You can contact Syl via email at syl@sylviagalloway.com.

Syl works magic with her camera and I am always
so thrilled to get my CD full of hi-res images to see what she's captured.

She's a mama with a Little of her own,
so she works great with kids and keeps them smiling,
laughing, and showing off their new duds.

I also love shooting with Syl because she's available before the shoot
to work out they styling and clothing options.
For each shoot I take the kids shopping and then text her pictures
of the kids and I'm like "this or this" or these shoes or these ones".

She has a fabulous eye for composition and color and so I love getting her feedback
as to what will work best for the location and the feel of the shoot.

Another plus is that my kids adore her,
and they do whatever she says!
For reals - even Miss Diva Isabella - and that is amazing.

These were the boots and leggings that inspired the ensembles for the shoot.

When I saw them, I knew I had to have them!

'Hooray! We did a good job! What do we get?'

Some delicious Balboa ice cream cones should suffice :)

You can find Syl and more of her fabulousness on Flickr.

If you want to contact Syl to schedule your own session -

email her at syl@sylviagalloway.com.

And she's also on Twitter and Facebook.

Isabella's clothes:
entire outfit - Target
hair clips - Little Penelope Lane.

JT's clothes:
shirt - Target
pants - Marshall's
shoes - Payless
hat - Eli's Lids (Fedorable)