Happy President's Day.

Happy President's Day! 

hope you all had a fabulous president's weekend.

just for fun i made these president photo booth props and they were VERY easy to make.  here's how....

Abe Lincoln Hat

you will need:

1 sheet of black cardstock

1 strip of grey cardstock

wooden stick

glue gun & glue

directions:

• cut a 1.25" x 9.75" piece off each side of the black cardstock to make the hat

• glue a 2.75" x 6" band of grey cardstock onto hat

• glue wooden stick to back of hat

George Washington Wig

you will need:

3 sheets of white cardstock

wooden stick

stapler

glue gun & glue

directions:

• cut white cardstock into wig shape. 

• cut 2 sheets of cardstock into 4.25" x 1" strips. (that makes 44 strips)

• staple the ends of 22 strips together to make flat loops

• glue 22 strips into circles

• glue the loops to the bottom half of wig shape

• glue the circles onto the top half of wig shape

• glue wooden stick to back of wig

say cheese!

Activities this weekend. 2/18 - 2/20

Happy President's Weekend! so sorry for not getting this weeks activities list up. it's just been one of those weeks. but...here is what's going on in the OC this President's weekend. enjoy!

all weekend
• Star Wars Exhibit - Discovery Science Center
• Medieval Times All New Show!
• Knott's Berry Farm Twogether is Better Valentine Special!
• Dora & Diego Let's Explore Exhibit - Discovery Science Center
• Ice Skating at the Irvine Spectrum (last weekend)
• Irvine Park Railroad
• Centennial Farm - OC Fair Grounds, Cosa Mesa free
• Discovery Science Center - Santa Ana
• Pretend City
• Bounce House Places in the OC
• OC Parks free
• Our Beaches free
• Library Storytimes in the OC free
• Butterfly House - Environmental Nature Center free
• California Science Center free
• Sky High Sports - Trampoline House - Costa Mesa
• The Ocean Institute - Dana Point
• Santa Ana Zoo
• Daily Activites at the Mission San Juan Capistrano free with museum admission

saturday, february 18th
• MONSTER JAM!!!!!!! - Dodger Stadium
• Free Miniature Train Rides - Fairview Park, Goat Hill Junction - Costa Mesa free
• Nature Walk - O'Neill Regional Park free
• Campfire Program - Caspers Wilderness Park free
• Humming Bird Walk  - Environmental Nature Center
• Native Plant Sale - Environmental Nature Center
• Harlem Globetrotters - Honda Center, Anaheim
• Special Events at the Ocean Institute - Dana Point
• The Great Park Balloon & Carousel - Orange County Great Park free
• Great Back Yard Bird Count - El Dorado Nature Center, Long Beach free
• Monthly Clean-up - El Dorado Nature Center, Long Beach free
• Astronomy Night - The Conservancy, San Juan Capistrano
• Kid's Fairy Garden Class - The Shops at Dragonfly Hollow
• Miniature Garden Class - The Shops at Dragonfly Hollow
• Seed Starting Class - The Shops at Dragonfly Hollow
• Smiling Monkey Yoga for Kids - Center for Living Peace
• Wyland's Art Adventures in the Wild - Dana Point
• Yoga in the Garden - Fullerton Arboretum free
• Nature Tour - Fullerton Arboretum free
• Saturday Sunrise Car Cruisers - Huntington Beach free
• Farmer's Market - Huntington Beach
• Farmer's Market - Dana Point
• Old Towne Orange Farmer's Market - Orange
• OC Swap Meet - OC Fair Grounds, Cosa Mesa
• Discover Nature Program - Oak Canyon Nature Center, 1:00 - 2:00 pm free
• Lakeshore Learning Store Free Crafts - My Little Log Cabin free
• Parent and Me Chinese Class - Irvine free
• Morning Storytime - Barnes and Noble, Fullerton free
• Arts & Crafts Storytime - Huntington Beach Central Library free
• Toddler Storytime - Huntington Beach Central Library free
• Read to a Dog - Irvine University Park Library free
• Homework Help - La Palma Library free
• Family Storytime - Newport Beach Central Library free
• Storytime - Orange Library free
• Little House on the Prairie Workshop - Rancho Santa Margarita Library free
• Spanish Read to a Dog - San Clemente Library free
• Family Storytime - Westminster Library free
• Family Storytime - Yorba Linda Library free
• Lego Mania - Yorba Linda Library free
• Natural History Museum Events
• Family Programs at the Getty free
• Open Studio - Averyboo Arts
• Barbie, A Mermaid Tale Movie - Ultra Star Cinema, Anaheim Garden Walk, $2.50 for 3 & up
• Griffith Observatory - Griffith Park, Los Angeles free

sunday, february 19th
• Engineers Week at Discovery Science Center
• Chess Club - Irvine Katie Wheeler Library free
• Wiggly, Squiggly Worms, Kid's Program - Fullerton Arboretum free
• Free Miniature Train Rides - Fairview Park, Goat Hill Junction - Costa Mesa
• Kid's Fish Free & Fishing Clinic - Dana Wharf
• Wyland's Art Adventures in the Wild - Dana Point
• Harlem Globetrotters - Honda Center, Anaheim
• Smiling Monkey Yoga for Kids - Center for Living Peace
• Bolsa Chica Wetlands Tour - Huntington Beach free
• Special Events at the Ocean Institute - Dana Point
• Nature Hike - Caspers Wilderness Park free
• The Great Park Balloon & Carousel - Orange County Great Park free
• Free Public Lecture at Griffith Observatory - Griffith Park, Los Angeles free

• Back Country Nature Walk - Crystal Cove State Beach free

• Tidepool Walk - Crystal Cove State Beach free

• Farmer's Market - Orange County Great Park
• Family Boccee Ball - Orange County Great Park free
• Barbie, A Mermaid Tale Movie - Ultra Star Cinema, Anaheim Garden Walk, $2.50 for 3 & up
• Family Programs at the Getty free

monday, february 20th
• Engineers Week at Discovery Science Center
• Doggie Date Night - Fred's Mexican Cafe, Huntington Beach
• Harlem Globetrotters - Citizen's Arena Bank, Ontario


{please double check these events before you attend. i do my best to make sure everything is accurate and up to date, but cancellations can occur and i can makes mistakes once in a while}

A Month of Love at Knott's Berry Farm.

there's a Twogether is Better celebration happening right now at Knott's Berry Farm! 

from february 1st-28th, Knott's Berry Farm will be celebrating the season of love with special events for families, teens and kids. with special pricing when you bring a friend! because...Twogether is Better!

last weekend our family headed back to Knott's Berry Farm to celebrate the season of love.  Knott's has quickly become our favorite place to celebrate each holiday. and with this month being february, there is no better place to celebrate Valentine's Day than at Knott's. 

as i went through our pictures from our day at Knott's, i could do nothing but smile. the kiddies were so happy you could see the joy on their faces. and there was lots of love at Knott's!

we got some Snoopy love.

 some Peppermint Patti love in the hugging booth.

and the boys wanted to make sure Charlie Brown got some love.

 the "Love is in the Air, Charlie Brown" show was super cute. 

and the kiddies got to go up on stage and dance with the Peanuts Gang....

mommy got some love when the boys made me valentines at Cupid's Craft Corner in Camp Snoopy. 

and of course we love the rides. we went on all our favorites. plus, almost no lines!

to end the day, we headed over to the Calico Bakery and made some chocolate dipped yummies. 

thank you Knott's for such a wonderful day filled with love. we ♥ you!

♥   ♥    ♥   ♥   ♥

if you are looking for fun way to celebrate february, the month of love with your family....where should you go? where else but "Knott's Berry Farm"!  it's affordable fun for the whole family.

Twogether is Better ticket special!

February 1st-28th tickets online are only:

$34.99 for adults ages 12+
$24.99 for those 3 – 11 & seniors

season passholders: 

bring a friend for only $24.99!
season passes for 2012 are only $64.99 for the year, with no blackout dates.
(such a fantastic deal for the price)


leap year special: 

everyone gets in for only $29.99!

for more information about Knott's, visit www.knotts.com.

and keep up to date on the latest Knott's Berry Farm fun by liking Knott’s on facebook
and following @Knotts on twitter.

{disclosure: my family received complimentary media tickets to attend Knott's Berry Farm. the opinions expressed are mine. we had a fabulous time. thank you Knott's Berry Farm we love you!.}

Irvine Park Railroad: California History Education Program Public Day

open to the public - one day only

saturday, february 11, 2012

this saturday, families can participate in one of Orange County's most educational and fun field trips! a program that meets curriculum requirements for 4th grade history/social science content standards for California state public schools. during the field trip, children and parents can go back in time and experience the life of a miner, the history of California, the routes people used to travel to get to California and more.

Irvine Park Railroad train will take passengers on a 12-minute ride through beautiful and historic Irvine Regional Park. during the narrated train ride, passengers will learn about the history of the continental railroad and the State of California. other stations include an authentic mine shaft, miner’s camp, water wheel that runs a replica sawmill and a historic old west building complete with a jail cell and saloon. visitors can also pan for gold just like the 49’ers did during the gold rush.

admission

 $12.50 per person (children and adults).

times

10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. each session will last for two hours.

rsvp today!

call Irvine Park Railroad today at (714)997-3968 for reservations. 

reservations must be paid for in full at the time of booking and space is limited.

picnic tables are available for those that would like to enjoy lunch at Irvine Park Railroad.

lunch may be purchased from the snack bar or you may bring a sack lunch.

for additional details, information on school field trips, including home school field trips, click here.

Red Hots Apple Pie

if you haven't noticed that i LOVE red hots from reading my blog...i tell you now....i love red hots.  i have made red hots jello with them, red hots popcorn with them and now i have just made red hots apple pies!

what i love about this apple pie recipe, it that the apples turn a blush pink! perfect for Valentine's Day. and the recipe can be adjusted if you would rather add different spices. and you can even use your favorite apple pie recipe and just use red hots instead of the cinnamon.

ingredients:
pastry for a double-crust pie or small tarts
1 c. sugar
2 tbsp. flour
1 tbsp. cornstarch
1/8 c. Red Hots cinnamon candies
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/8 tsp. salt
7-8 c. apples (peeled and sliced)
1 tbsp. butter
1 tbsp. vanilla (half-strength) optional

directions:
♥   prepare your pie crusts. combine sugar, flour, cornstarch, red hots, nutmeg & salt; mix thoroughly.
♥   in a large bowl, mix your sliced apples with the dry ingredients.
♥   heap into a pastry-lined pie pan.
♥   dot with butter, and sprinkle with the diluted half-strength vanilla.
♥   add top crust, flute edges, cut steam vents.
♥   bake at 425 degrees for 50 minutes.
(if the edges start to burn, use a ring of aluminum foil.)

to make heart shaped mini pies:
♥   using a large heart shaped cookie cutter as your guide, cut the rolled-out pastry dough slightly bigger than the heart for the bottom of your pies.
♥   place a mound of apple filling on the center of the dough. (smaller pieces of apple work best for mini pies)
♥   lay another piece of rolled out dough on top of apples and press along the outside to seal.
♥   using your heart shaped cookie cutter, cut excess dough to create your heart.
♥   using a fork, press softly along the outside edges to further seal and create decorative edge.
♥   cut steam vents.
♥   bake 30 minutes or until golden brown

Activities this week. 2/6 - 2/13

here is what's going on in the OC this week. enjoy!

all week

• Star Wars Exhibit - Discovery Science Center

• Medieval Times All New Show!

• Knott's Berry Farm Twogether is Better Valentine Special!

• Dora & Diego Let's Explore Exhibit - Discovery Science Center

• Ice Skating at the Irvine Spectrum

• Irvine Park Railroad 

• Centennial Farm - OC Fair Grounds, Cosa Mesa free 

• Discovery Science Center - Santa Ana

• Pretend City 

• Bounce House Places in the OC

• OC Parks free 

• Our Beaches free 

• Library Storytimes in the OC free 

• Butterfly House - Environmental Nature Center free 

• California Science Center free 

• Sky High Sports - Trampoline House - Costa Mesa

• The Ocean Institute - Dana Point

• Santa Ana Zoo 

• Daily Activites at the Mission San Juan Capistrano free with museum admission 

monday, february 6th

• Family Stories Under the Stars - Environmental Nature Center $5 or $6, must rsvp

• Preschool Storytime - Brea Library free 

• Family Arts & Crafts - Brea Library free 

• Storytime - Cerritos Library free 

• Homework Help - Cerritos Library free 

• Toddler Storytime - Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library free

• Storytime - El Toro Library free

• Preschool Storytime - Garden Grove West Library free 

• Pajama Storytime - Garden Grove West Library free 

• Homework Help - Irvine Heritage Park Library free 

• Winter Family Storytime - Irvine Heritage Park Library free 

• Preschool Storytime - Irvine Katie Wheeler Library free 

• Read toa Dog - Irvine Katie Wheeler Library free 

• Preschool Storytime - Irvine University Park Library free

• Homework Help - Irvine University Park Library free

• Homework Help - La Habra Library free 

• Read to a Dog - La Habra Library free 

• Preschool Storytime - La Palma Library free

• Books & Babies - Newport Beach Central Library free

• Pajama Storytime - Newport Beach Central Library free

• Morning Storytime - Orange El Modena Library free 

• Read to a Dog - Orange Taft Library free 

• Celebrate Chinese New Year - Orange Library free 

• Preschool Storytime - Rancho Santa Margarita Library free 

• Storytime - Seal Beach Library free 

• Homework Help - Seal Beach Library free 

• Preschool Storytime - Stanton Library free 

Happy Groundhog Day.

ground hog, ground hog,

will you say,

if you saw your shadow

today?

will we still

have cold and snow?

or, will spring come,

and flowers grow?

♥ happy groundhog day ♥

{ peekaboo groundhog craft made by my kindergartner.....love it. }

It's february. Red velvet whoopie pies.

it's february, so that means a month full of pink, red and hearts all over ♥ so excited to get a little pink into my house....something that i never see since i have a house full of boys!

♥   ♥   ♥   ♥   ♥

aren't these heart shaped, red velvet whoopie pies adorable?!?  

i saw them over at annie eats, and you can see how to make them here.