Night at the Museum Battle of the Smithsonian DVD and Giveaway

Last week, I had the opportunity to take my hubby and daughter to the Fox Studios in LA for a preview of the Night of the Museum, Battle of the Smithsonian DVD. It was fun to hear the director, Shawn Levy, talk about the fun extras (including a fun Jonas Brothers cherub boot camp extra- so funny!) included in the Night of the Museum DVD which will be in stores December 1st. We also were able to take pictures with the monkey from the movie. It was hilarious! I wish I could post the pictures but my scanner isn't working. We had an unbelievable time.

I think if you've read my blog for some time now, know that I love a day at the museum. I loved the first movie and I actually think that the Battle of the Smithsonian is even better! It's cute, funny and my daughter and I laughed throughout the entire movie. It's a fun family movie that your entire family will enjoy.

There is an amazing deal going on at Walmart.com. . Basically, if you pre-order the DVD on walmart .com it’s only $9.98 AND there is FREE shipping. Since the retail value is $29.98 – it’s 20 bucks off and you don’t even have to step into a store. It would be a great Christmas present!

I also have 5 copies to giveaway! All you have to do is leave a comment letting me know your favorite museum and you are entered to win. You have until next Friday 11/27 to enter.

NexGen @ LACMA- Free membership and Admission

I'm always on the lookout for Free Museum Days around town and the NexGen program at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)is one that can't be missed. NexGen is a free membership to the LACMA to anyone 17 and under. The NexGen LACMA offers free general admission to the member as well as one accompanying adult. This includes permanent collection galleries and selected special exhibitions. To join, visit the LACMA box office or visit the LACMA website and print out the enrollment offer and send it in. Among the many NexGen offerings are:

• Art Camps
• Art Classes
• Art Tote
• Artwork of the Month
• Children's Audio Tour
• Families & Children in American Art: Online Game
• Family Guides
• Family Days
• Just For Teens

It's a great program and if you have not had the opportunity to visit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art- You are missing out!! The LACMA is great for children and trust me they will love it!! For additional information click here- Have fun and explore away!!

Target Free Family Sundays at the Museum of Latin American Art

I am a serious fan of Target and find any excuse to take a trip to my favorite store. There are many reasons why I love this fantastic store but as a huge fan of the arts- my biggest reason is that Target is a proud sponsor of the arts. Their Family Free days at local museums is an amazing program and it seems that the list of museums they sponsor keeps growing and growing by the month. Here is another one to add to your list. Every Sunday- Target sponsors the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA)'s Free Family Day. Every single member of your family can enjoy free admission to the museum and partake in family gallery tours and art projects. It's a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon and it won't cost you a single penny!! Your family will absolutely love it!! For additional info click here. Museum of Latin American Art- 628 Alamitos Avenue Long Beach, CA 90802 Phone 562.437.1689 Have a great week and stay tuned because this week I will be doing 3 awesome giveaways that you will not want to miss!!

Laguna Art Museum's Imagination Celebration 2009

I love any excuse to visit Laguna- No kidding- we are there at least once a month. Here is an event that you will not want to miss out and it's located in my favorite city!! The Laguna Art Museum will celebrate be the power of the imagination with "ignite the power of art". The celebration will take place on Saturday April 25th from 11am to 2pm. Prepare the kiddos for a feast of art. Your kiddos will be able to partake in various hands on activities, face painting, musical and dance performances, student and professional art exhibits, refreshments and the traditional 'Art Detective' game!! The best part of this experience is that it is absolutely FREE!! Do not miss out on this fantastic event!! Laguna Art Museum's Imagination Celebration 09 307 Cliff Drive Laguna Beach, CA 92651 11am to 2pm Free Admission For additional information click here

Target Free Family Saturday @ Japanese American Museum

Here is one more reason why I will always shop at Target over their competitors- Target Free Family days at the local museums. They are great and allow us to visit these wonderful museums without having to pay a penny. It's a great way to spend a day with the family and not have to spend any money. I would say that it's crucial at this time. Target has brought another Free Family Day at the Japanese American National Museum. Generously sponsored by Target, these special Saturdays are filled with fun activities giving families unique ways to learn, play, and grow together. The Free Family Saturdays are held on the second Saturday of the month. I hope you can all take advantage of this wonderful opportunity!! I know I sure will!! Here is a list of the upcoming events- Saturday, Apr 11, 2009 Family Festivals Target Free Family Saturday: What's Cooking? FREE ALL DAY! Celebrate shared traditions and family fun cooking demonstration, activities and workshops within the Asian American community. Keeping checking back for program schedule! All day craft activities:

• Decorate your own apron for when things get messy.
• Roll a candle that looks like a tasty bite of sushi!
• Careful when you’re cookin’! Design a fun potholder to get a handle on hot stuff in the kitchen.
• Test your chopstick chops by trying our chopstick challenge!

Ruthie’s Origami Corner: Fold an origami candy bowl! 12:00 – 3:00 PM Kidding Around the Kitchen: Parents and children’s drop in cooking workshops featuring the famous “rainbow stir fry” dish 12:30 & 2:30 Fugetsu-Do Sweet Shop: Mochi demonstration and tasting 1:00 & 3:00 Sushi Chef Institute: Sushi making demonstration and tasting Kidding Around The Kitchen: It is such a common problem in today's world that families rarely get to eat together anymore. Kidding around the Kitchen shows that families can make and eat food together without a lot of fuss or a huge time commitment. The family food demo helps families with tips on smarter shopping, fun recipe ideas, advice on how to incorporate healthier choices when possible and advice on how to delegate tasks in an age-appropriate way. This family food demo is a “how to” get everyone involved in the family meal. Kidding around the Kitchen is for families that have full plates in life as well as wanting a full plate of food to enjoy together. It's about time well spent. Saturday, May 9, 2009 Family Festivals Target Free Family Saturday: Aloha! * FREE ALL DAY Enjoy a day of family fun that explores shared traditions within the Asian American community. May’s theme is Hawai‘i. Keeping checking back for more program schedule! Generously sponsored by Target, these special Saturdays are filled with fun activities giving families unique ways to learn, play, and grow together. Saturday, Jun 13, 2009 Family Festivals Target Free Family Saturday: Try This On For Size! FREE ALL DAY Delight in a day of family fun that explores clothing and costumes within the Asian American community. Generously sponsored by Target. Saturday, Jul 11, 2009 Family Festivals Target Free Family Saturday: Books Galore! FREE ALL DAY Come explore the wonderful world of Asian American and Japanese American books with us. Generously sponsored by Target. Saturday, Aug 15, 2009 Family Festivals Summer Festival on the Courtyard Celebrate summer at the National Museum with a day of fun activities and performances for the entire family. Keep checking here for more program information

Target Free for Families- Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA)

The Orange County Museum of Art is offering free admission on the second Sunday of the month thanks to a generous contribution from Target. The Target Free Second Sunday of the month is a great way for families to explore art together. The Target Free Sunday's will offer all day family friendly activities and offer a unique opportunity to spend time as a family. Here is a calendar of the upcoming family events. TARGET FREE SECOND SUNDAYS 2009 CALENDAR Sunday, March 8, 2009 11-4 pm California Dreaming View contemporary artwork by California artists and create hands-on projects that explore the symbols and images of California culture. Stay and enjoy live entertainment by Razzle Bam Boom - a musical performance that teaches children how the art form of Rock n' Roll has developed and changed through the decades. Free tours of the of the 2008 California Biennial will also be available. Sunday, April 12, 2009 11-4 pm Art in Motion Experience art through motion! Activities include kinetic sculptures, action art, and live performances. Stay for family-friendly entertainment and free tours of Moving Images: Scan to Screen, Pixel to Projection. Sunday, May 10, 2009 11-4 pm Color, Form & Flora Create expressive and colorful representations of the natural world inspired by works in the exhibition Illumination: The Paintings of Georgia O'Keeffe, Agnes Pelton, Agnes Martin, and Florence Miller Pierce. Stay for live entertainment and free guided tours of the current exhibitions. This event is held in conjunction with the annual Orange County Imagination Celebration. Sunday, June 14, 2009 11-4 pm Art & Animation Discover the world of animation as you build your own kinetic sculptures, create simple animation and more! Entertainment includes animated children's films and free tours of the exhibition Moving Images: Scan to Screen, Pixel to Projection. Sunday, July 12, 2009 11-4 pm Fun with Flowers Create abstract and colorful floral representations inspired by works in the Illumination exhibition. Stay for family-friendly entertainment and free tours of Illumination: The Paintings of Georgia O'Keeffe, Agnes Pelton, Agnes Martin, and Florence Miller Pierce. Sunday, August 9, 2009 11-4 pm Sizzling Summer Fun! Create cool projects inspired by the summer heat. Take a free guided tour of Illumination: The Paintings of Georgia O'Keeffe, Agnes Pelton, Agnes Martin, and Florence Miller Pierce and stay for the live entertainment. Sunday, September 13, 2009 11-4 pm The Learning Curve Make fun and funky projects just in time to get back into the school groove! Create unique journals, bookmarks and other academically-inspired art. Don’t miss the free guided tours of Moving Images: Scan to Screen, Pixel to Projection. Target Free Second Sundays is generously sponsored by Target. This is an excellent way to spend a Sunday and the best part is that you can enjoy all of it for free. For additional inf0rmation click here Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) Museum Hours & Information 850 San Clemente Drive Newport Beach, California 92660 Phone | 949-759-1122 Admissions Desk: ext. 243 Fax | 949-759-5623 info@ocma.net

Bowers Museum - Free Admission Friday Nights

I'm always looking for something fun , inexpensive and educational to do with the kids and this definitely hits the mark. The Bowers Museum in Santa Ana with a sponsorship from the PIMCO foundation will extend its evening hours and cover the cost of admission on Friday evenings during the exhibition, Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor. To make the museum more accessible, PIMCO’s Free Friday Nights offers free admission to the exhibition for up to 100 visitors per hour at 4, 5, 6, and 7 pm, and the museum will stay open until 8 pm. In addition to seeing the famed terra cotta warriors, visitors can roam around the museum, and explore other special exhibitions and collections on view in the galleries, see a film in the auditorium, or purchase specialty drinks and dinner at Tangata Restaurant. Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor runs through October 12th, 2008