Kids Night at Chick-Fil-A.. I don't think I will make dinner on Tuesday nights ever again!

Last Tuesday, after picking up my daughter from dance class, I was tired and trying to figure out what to do for dinner. I couldn't think of anything to whip up and decided to head over to the new Chick-fil-a that opened in our neighborhood.  Boy was I pleasantly surprised.

Every Tuesday, most Chick-fil-a's host Kids Night. On Kids Night, your kiddos will eat free with every adult combo/entree you purchase. It's a great deal! A family of 4 can eat for around $12. It's perfect! Yummie and pretty darn reasonable. The best part is the activities that take place. My kids had an absolutely fun time.

Last Tuesday they had a Valentine craft area where the kiddos made cards, today they had a face painter and of course the indoor play area is great and clean. My kiddos are also big fans of the "cow" mascot that comes out to greet the kids. They wanted to take pictures and dance with the cow all night long. There are usually also balloons for the kids to take home.

 I know many of you probably already know about Kids Night but I thought I would share just in case you didn't. We had such a great time and my picky kids ate all of their food. Chick-Fil-A Kids Night will definitely become a Tuesday night tradition for our family. Before you head out next Tuesday, make sure to call your local Chick-Fil-A to make sure they particpate(most do). To learn more about Chick-Fil-A and Kids Night head here.

*please excuse my camera photos

*I was not compensated for this post or given anything to review. I just plain old liked it!

L.A. County Fair is almost here and you can get in for a buck!

I love county fairs and nothing quite says the end of summer like the Los Angeles County Fair. The fair kicks off its almost month long run on Saturday September 5th and runs through October 4th. It will be filled with everything that you expect with a county fair- fun musical acts, great themed areas for the kids that range from Under the Sea to Jurassic Planet, farm animals, competitions and all the fair food that your heart desires!

Here is the best part- if you head over this opening Labor Day weekend - you can get in for a buck! Yes, only one dollar. This is a great deal considering that admission for adults on the weekends is $17! Yikes!

Not only can you get in for $1, you can also take advantage of $1 drinks on all beverage stands between 1pm-4pm this weekend and $1 games, carnival rides, and select food items between 4pm-7pm this weekend.

If you are planning on heading out there- this is the weekend to go!

For additional info head on over here

Los Angeles County Fair

Pomona Fair Plex

1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA 91768

Opening weekend - September 5 - 7 Saturday, Sept. 5 10 a.m.-midnight Sunday, Sept. 6 10 a.m.-midnight Monday, Sept. 7, Labor Day 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Admission the rest of fair-

Sept. 9 - Oct. 4 Weekdays Ages 13+ (Weekdays) $12 Ages 6 -12 (Weekdays) $7 Ages 60+ (weekdays) $9 Ages 60+ Senior Wednesdays $6 Ages 5 and younger (every day) Free Weekends Ages 13+ (Weekends) $17 Ages 6-12 (Weekends) $12 Ages 60+ (weekends) $14 Ages 5 and younger (every day) Free

Hours Sept. 9 - Oct. 4 Wednesday noon - 10 p.m. Thursday noon - 11 p.m. Friday noon - midnight Saturday 10 a.m.- midnight Sunday 10 a.m.- 10 p.m.

General admission parking is $10. There are several parking options that range from $10 general admission parking up to $25 valet parking.

Kidspace Children's Museum- Pasadena

We had the opportunity to visit the Kidspace Children's Museum last week and I can't wait to head back in the next couple of weeks for another visit. We were only there for two hours and easily could have stayed for another two. My children loved everything about this museum.

The Kidspace Children's Museum is located in Pasadena and is adjacent to the Rose Bowl. You will park in Rose Bowl Parking Lot I and walk through Brookside Park to find a fun land of

exploration. I love museums that incorporate indoor and outdoor exhibit areas and Kidspace is able to do both.

We had the opportunity to explore the Early Childhood Learning Center, which is geared for children ages four and under. My son Mikey, who is a two and a half, was in tot fantasyland. He loved everything about the exhibit, especially the stuck together area, where the tots can interact with Velcro walls to create designs with large foam blocks. We had to coax him out of the area with a promise(aka "bribe") of an Popsicle.

My daughter Lauren's favorite exhibit was the Digging Deeper Gallery. She loves make believe and had a great time serving up patrons in Bugsy's Diner. The Diner will teach your kiddos about the feeding habits of insects. Another favorite of my kiddos was "The Dig" and "The Shake Zone". They are both interactive experiences that will not only educate your children but also provide them with hands on fun! I could not get either one to budge from this area. I had to tear them away in order to discover the other exhibits and areas.

After some inside play, we headed to the outdoor exhibits. The kids had a fun and very wet time playing in Kirby's Kids Corner. It is an area that is designed for the four and under crowd and boy did they have a great time. They were completely drenched by the end of the night but also grinning from ear to ear.The kids also had a great time playing in the Splash Dance Fountain. If you are heading in the summer, make sure to pack a towel and extra clothes! I'm glad I packed some clothes because let me tell you -the kiddos were wet!!

We didn't have the opportunity to explore the Gardens, Kids Basin (another wet area) and the climbing area. I can't wait to head back and discover the areas that we missed.

Make sure to take advantage of their Free Family Nights- which are held on the first Tuesday of the month. Admission is free!! Pack a picnic and be prepared for a great time!!

Hours

September through May-.

Tuesday through Friday, 9:30am to 5pm

Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 5pm

June, July and August-Open 7 days a week!

Monday - Friday, 9:30am - 5pm

Saturday and Sunday, 10am - 5pm

I was able to visit on their Free Family Nights which are held the first Tuesday of the month from 4pm to 8pm.

Admission on any other day is

Children.$10.00

Adults$10.00

Infants (under 12 months)Free

Kidspace Children's Museum

480 N Arroyo Blvd

Pasadena, CA 91103

For additional information head on over here.

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro

I have the perfect place to head to today that is not only fun and of course educational- it will only set you back a couple (think $5 or less) of dollars and provide you and your family with a memorable experience. My kiddos have been obsessed with marine life recently as you can probably tell. I believe that learning should be through immersion and when my kids show an interest in something, I want them to experience things hands on. This past Friday we had a couple of hours to play and decided to take them to the Cabrillo Aquarium in San Pedro. The Cabrillo Aquarium is a smaller aquarium that is steps away from the ocean. Many people are unaware of it's existence. It was great because even on a busy 3rd of July, the aquarium was easy to maneuver around with a double stroller and it was nice not to bump into other people or strollers. The Susan Lawrencz Miller Exhibit hall is home to three major environments- rocky shores, beaches and mudflats and open ocean. Your kiddos will be able to learn about the different marine life that lives in each habitat and much more. The aquarium is also home to an aquatic nursery and this was a big hit with our family. The nursery at the aquarium is staffed by the friendliest and incredibly helpful volunteers. The volunteers were able to answer all of the kids questions and also explained what was going on in each tank. There is also a fun little craft area designed specifically for the kiddos, which was also a bit hit with our family. I would have to say however, that our favorite part of the aquarium was the exploration center. The kids loved the ecological play area. They were able to dress up as different sea life and also able to put on a sea life puppet show. My personal favorite was the crawl in aquarium. You can crawl into a real life aquarium and be surrounded by different ocean life and never get wet. It's the perfect photo opportunity. There is also a naturalist corner where you can study the different organisms through a microscope. My 13 year old niece absolutely loved this area. We had a fantastic time learning about the wonderful sea life found in Southern California waters. You want to know the best part- we had a great time for only $7.Admission to the aquarium is FREE but donations are suggested. The suggested donation is $5 for adults and $1 for children or seniors. We had an incredible couple of hours for only a little more than $5. Parking is a $1 an hour - make sure to take cash with you. The Cabrillo Aquarium is open Tue- Sun. The hours of operation are 12-5 Tue- Fri and 10am to 5pm on the weekends. Cabrillo Marine Aquarium 3720 Stephen M White Drive San Pedro -90731 For additional information head on here. Have a wonderful weekend!!

AMC Theaters Summer MovieCamp

I've been meaning to post this for some time and keep forgetting. I am always looking for a great deal and when a great deal just so happens to support a great cause - it sweetens the deal even more. If you are looking for something to do this summer make sure to check out AMC Theaters Summer MovieCamp. Every Wednesday morning at 10 am from June 17- Aug 5 you can enjoy a fun family flick for only $1.00. The proceeds from admissions and concessions from the Summer MovieCamp will benefit Variety- The Children's Charity and the Will Rogers Institute. It's a fantastic deal and a sure way to keep the kiddos entertained and beat the heat. The best part is that you will be helping two great organizations. Here is the upcoming schedule

June 17: Space Chimps

June 24:Kung Fu Panda

July 1:Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

July 8: Tale of Desperaux

July 15: Horton Hears a Who

July 22: The Spiderwick Chronicles

July 29: Nim's Island

August 5: Star Wars: The Clone Wars

For additional info click here. To learn more about the Regal Entertainment Group's Free Summer Movie Deal on Tues and Wed mornings -click here

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!!

Free Admission - The Arboretum of Los Angeles County

The Arboretum of Los Angeles is a fantastic place to take the kiddos. The 127 acre botonical garden is a wonderland for the kiddos. You can hike with them, take them to one of the many classes that are offered or just stroll around and observe nature in all its splendor. The Arboretum offers free admission on the third Tuesday of the month. Plan accordingly this month and enjoy a wonderful day with the kiddos. The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden is located at 301 North Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, CA, 91007.

Hours:

9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., grounds close at 5:00p.m. For additional information click here P.S. Don't forget to enter the Australia DVD- You have until Sunday. Please enter- I want all of you to win!!

Monday Morning Mommy Movies

If you have real little ones you know it's almost impossible to go to the movies. I've always read in a couple of parent magazines of the mommy and me movie deals but never was able to actually find one in the So Cal area. I've doing some research and I finally found a program that is geared for those with little ones. Pacific Theaters offers Monday Morning Mommy Movies offers a chance for all you sleep deprived mom of babies or toddlers every Monday morning. Bring your crying baby and stroller for a chance to see a first run grown up movie. No one will mind if your baby cries because chances are their little one will be fussing along. The Monday Morning Mommy Movies is offered every Monday at 11am except on holidays at 4 local theaters. 1. Pacific Theatres at the Grove 189 The Grove Drive Los Angeles, CA 90036 (323) 692-0829 2.Glendale 18

322 Americana Way

Glendale, CA 91210

(866) 722-9790

3. Paseo 14 336 East Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91101 (626) 568-8888 4. Beach Cities 16 Cinemas 831 S. Nash Street El Segundo, CA 90245 (310) 607-0007

Los Angeles Maritime Museum

There are so many places that I love or would love to visit in Southern California and this is at the top of my list. The Los Angeles Maritime Museum is the largest Maritime Museum in California. It's home to more than 700 ship and boat models, navigation equipment and an operating amateur radio station. The museum is currently home to 5 exhibits that are sure to be a hit with your family. The current exhibits on display are 20,000 jobs under the sea, Neptune's Favorites, USS Los Angeles, Caught, Canned and Eaten and The Long Beach Earthquake 1933. My children love ships and anything that is related to sea life and if you or your kids love ships this place is a must. The best part is that the museum is free for children, $1.00 for Senior Citizens and Youth and $3.00 for adults. Here's an insider tip that will delight the kiddies- take a spin on the Port of Los Angeles Waterfront Red Car line. With a stop in front of the maritime museum- this 1920's era trolley - is a must ride. Fare is $1.00 for everyone with children 6 and under free. The fare is collected on board and is good all day for unlimited rides. I will be doing a more extensive review of the trolley and museum next week. If you're looking for something fun and inexpensive to do this week look no further, you've found it!! Open Tues-Sat 10am to 5pm Sunday from noon to 5pm Los Angeles Maritime Museum Berth 84 Foot of 6th Street San Pedro 90731 For additional information click here

The Getty

The Getty Center/Museum has been around for quite sometime and we finally made it out for a great visit yesterday. I have wanted to visit for years, but something always came up. I woke up yesterday and decided that was it. We were going to visit the Getty and we did. It was scorching hot yesterday but the Getty's location perched above the city and with a great view of the Pacific Ocean provided an ideal setting. It felt at least ten degrees cooler than the rest of Southern California.

I was impressed from the moment we arrived at the Center. There were two very organized lines to lead us into the parking lot. Parking is $8.00 and the only thing that you will have to pay for when visiting the center. We found a spot and headed up to load the tram that would lead us to the museum. Here's a good tip if you don't want to bring a stroller, The Getty provides complimentary use of strollers on a first come, first serve basis. They are located at the Lower Tram Station or at the coat check desk in the Museum Entrance Hall. I noticed that there were quite a few around while we were waiting for the tram and thought I would pass the tip along. The tram was a major hit with the kiddos and was spacey enough to hold the kids in a double front/back stroller. The kids loved the museum from the very start.

The Center is truly breathtaking and there are some many exhibits to take in. While we were deciding what to check out first- the kids started the chant that makes all parents around the world stop dead in their tracks.. hungry.. mommy I'm hungry.. Since the kids were " starving" we decided to have lunch first. We had a fantastic lunch at the Grand Terrace Cafe. The food was unbelievably delicious but a little on the pricey side. The Cafe offers pizza, grilled cheese, and peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches that your kids will love. If you are on a budget or just want to have a picnic I would strongly suggest bringing a picnic basket and having a fun picnic with the family. You can enjoy your picnic on the lawn adjacent to the Central Garden or at any of the Getty Center's public seating areas. Picnic tables and lawns for lounging are located at the Lower Tram Station (T1). The picnic area is open every day until 30 minutes before the Museum closes. We will definitely be bringing a picnic lunch the next time that we visit.

After finishing up lunch we strolled through the museum's Central Garden. The Central Garden, created by renowned artist Robert Irwin, lies at the heart of the Getty Center. The garden is truly breathtakingly beautiful and although the kids loved seeing all of the beautiful flowers and admiring it's beauty I couldn't help but daydream of coming back for a wonderful date night with Daytrippingdad. It truly is a spectacular place. We wanted to take in all of the many exhibits but we were on a little bit of a time crunch and decided to spend a big chunk of our time at the Center's Family Room. The room is quite popular with families and there might be a little of a wait since only a certain number of people are allowed at a time. Here's the deal on the family room- your kids will LOVE it!! It's a great way to learn about art together and play together. You can make a mask or create a sculpture but to be honest my kids loved their bed display the most. It was a replica of a beautifully crafted french bed surrounded with children's art books and we had to literally tear them away from the exhibit. It's a must stop on your visit!!

There's a lot more for families to see and do together. The Family Fun at the Getty brochure, available at the Museum Information Desk and the Family Cart, offers ideas, tips, and clues to make your family's visit an adventure. All family materials and activities are free and most are offered in English and Spanish. You can also ask stop any of the staff (dressed in blue vests) and they will gladly answer your questions and provide useful tips. There are many programs at the center geared specifically for families. The Family Art Lab, Art Adventures for Families, Family Festivals, and Garden Concerts for Kids are just some of the special programs held throughout the year to engage the entire family. For more information, visit the Family Cart, the Museum Information Desk, or check the event calendar. There is also storytelling available on selected Sundays (January–May and October–December): 11:30 a.m. and 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 p.m. Sign up at the Museum Information Desk the day of the program.

I have to be honest, I think the reason why we had not visited the Getty before was because the thought was a bit intimidating. I love taking the kids everywhere but for some reason I was afraid that a museum of art would be too much for them. I was way off base. The Getty provides a great experience for people of all ages and nationalities. It's a cultural wonderland and as we were riding the tram back to the parking lot I couldn't help but start planning our next visit. From now on it will be the first place I take when we have family and friends visiting fro out of town. I would also recommend it as a must visit for everyone in Southern California. If you've yet to experience the Center - run don't walk to The Getty. It truly is a national treasure.

The Getty Museum
1200 Getty Center Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90049


Opening Hours The Getty Center site and galleries are open:
Tuesday–Thursday
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday
10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
Sunday
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Closed Monday and on January 1, July 4, Thanksgiving, and December 25.
Admission to the Getty Center is FREE—no tickets or reservations required for general admission. Parking is $8.

For additional information click here

Free Day - Admission to the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens

The Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens is offering free admission on the first Thursday of the month. Hours on Free Day are from 10:30 am to 4:30pm. All non-member visitors to The Huntington must have a ticket. Tickets are free and can be requested by calling The Huntington's ticketing agency at 800-838-3006. You may also reserve your tickets online: selecting from two arrival times: morning (10:30 a.m.) or afternoon (1:30 p.m.). A limited quantity will be available the first day of each month preceding the month you wish to visit. (For example, if you wish to visit on October Free Day, you may call for tickets beginning Sept. 1). Please note that Free Day tickets are not available at The Huntington, and may only be reserved by phone or online For additional information click here

Universal Studios Hollywood Eco Fair

Looking for something green to do with with your kiddos? Then head over to Universal Studios TODAY, for their second annual free family friendly eco fair.


WHAT: Universal Studios Hollywood hosts its second annual free “Eco-Fair,” showcasing 30 engaging and educational displays, special guest appearances, an offer of free parking for hybrid vehicles, and a hazardous waste disposal drive sponsored by the City and County of Los Angeles.


WHO: Lauren Koslow and Arianne Zuker from “Days of our Lives” and Allen Alvarado from “Flight 29 Down” as well as participating organizations, including Arbonne International, Baldwin Hills Conservancy, Beyond Learning, BioBags, Bell’s Bugs, Buygreen.com, L.A. City and County Departments of Public Works, Eco Totables, Environmental Media Association, G-Diapers, GOOD Magazine, Green Bliss Eco-Spa, Green Clean L.A., GreenIQ.com, Greenopia, Heal the Bay, Healthy Child Healthy World, Hollywood Beatification Team, Images and Trademarks, International Bird Rescue, L.A. Conservation Corps, LADWP, Lucky Earth, Nestle Waters, Pixxlz.com, Reuseniks, Sheraton, Soaptopia, TreePeople, Verde Bag, Verde Paperie, Vetraceuticals, Vy & Elle and the Studio City knitting yarn emporium La Knitterie Parisienne.


WHEN: Saturday, April 26, 2008
Free Eco-Fair – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – at theme park main entrance
Mobile Collection – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WHERE: Universal Studios Hollywood – Universal Globe Fountain at main entrance
to theme park. (100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City , CA 91608 )

I'm going to be taking my family to this event tomorrow and will also be taking in a screening of the Little Mermaid Sing-A-Long at El Capitan. I can't wait to see this!! I will post my review tomorrow. Hope to see you there.

LA Times Festival of Books

If your a book lover or better yet if your little ones are - mark your calendar- This one is a must the 2008 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books — Saturday & Sunday, April 26 and 27 — is an event with something for book lovers of all interests and ages.

• 50+ book/poetry readings
• 100+ author panels
• Hundreds of book signings
• Dozens of literary/cultural/musical presentations

You can browse among more than 300 booksellers, publishers and book-related exhibitors showcasing every type of literary work — from classics to comics.

Bring the kids and explore two fun-filled children’s areas offering storytelling, crafts, costumed characters and lots more activities for the entire family.

The Festival of Books takes place on the UCLA Campus on Saturday, April 26, 10 am to 6 pm, and Sunday, April 27, 10 am to 5 pm. Admission is free. Parking is $8.

An Evening with Author Jennifer Weiner

I don't usually talk about things to do outside of family events but I figure that every mom needs a good night out every once in a while. My perfect night out usually involves dinner and a stop at a bookstore. Next Thursday, May 1st, best- selling author Jennifer Weiner will be in Santa Monica to promote her new novel Certain Girls, a continuation of her debut best-selling novel Good in Bed. She will be speaking, answering questions, and signing books at Barnes & Noble on the 3rd Street Promenade at 7pm. It sounds like a perfect night to me. Dinner on the Promenade and a great night with Jennifer Weiner. Mark you calendars as this sounds like a great night. See you all there!!

Holiday Light Festival - Griffith Park

With Thanksgiving just a couple of days away, I am starting to get excited about the upcoming holiday season. I just love this time of year. I love the music, yummy food, decorations and my favorite part of it all is the wonderful lights. I've been searching for fun things to do this weekend with my family to really get into the holiday spirit, and just as I was searching for something to do (other than shopping), I caught a segment on the local news about the Los Angeles DWP Holiday Light Festival at Griffith Park. I've been a couple of times and have decided to begin visiting it a new family tradition. It's a really unique Angeleno experience. The section of Griffith park runs about one mile with the displays of lights along Crystal Springs Drive. The displays even feature music. It is a must see. I'm planning on visiting sometime this weekend. If you will be attending this weekend and possibly beating the crowds make sure to bring a good pair of walking shoes, a jacket, and a stroller for the little ones. Most of all, bring your holiday spirit. If you are planning to be in the Los Angeles area this holiday season include this on your list of things to see and do. The festival will be a walk-through only event from Nov 21th -Nov 25th from 5pm to 10pm. Then it becomes a drive-through event from Nov 26th -Dec 30th, also from 5pm to 10pm. Make sure to arrive early!!! The best part is that it's absolutely free!!! For more information: here is the website

Griffith Park Observatory

Today we had the chance to visit the newly revamped Griffith Park Observatory. I remember that I was a little sad when I heard that they were closing the observatory for renovations about 5 years ago and that a 5 year shutdown was a long time. Well it's been open now for about 6 months and to be honest those 5 years flew by. I've been wanting to go but was always finding an excuse to not go - well yesterday I decided that it was going to happen today and it did. Admission is free of charge. Okay here is the truth- This is not the best place for children under 8 . It's a fantastic place but it's best enjoyed by older children and adults. It's a bit of a pain to bring your stroller on the bus and the shuttle ride from the parking lot to the observatory takes about 30 minutes. The exhibits are not too child friendly and its just not really fun for them. I do however think it's a great place to visit as a couple. The observatory has some great new exhibits and a new theater. There is also a new wonderful cafe called The Cafe at the end of the Universe. The cafe is operated by Wolfgang Puck and the food is fantastic but the best part is the breathtaking views. You have an amazing view of the Hollywood Sign and of Los Angeles. If I could do the visit over - which I plan on redoing over the next couple of weeks I would try to pick one of the last shuttles on a Saturday night- which would be any of the shuttles between 6 and 7pm. I would go straight to the cafe since it closes early and have a nice romantic dinner with some amazing views. We watched a beautiful sunset over the Hollywood Sign. It would have been breathtaking if it wasn't so darn hazy. I hope next time I visit it won't be a smoggy. After dinner I would try to catch one of the last shows at the planetarium. I would then take my time strolling through the exhibits. After you finish touring the observatory the best thing to do is just enjoy the grounds and the view. You will not be disappointed. This place is definitely more of an Adult adventure and a must see. I enjoyed visiting today but learned that it's just not the place for my family. I will definitely be heading back but next time it will just be my husband and I. Griffith Observatory 2800 East Observatory Road Los Angeles, CA 90027 General Information Line: 213-473-0800 Griffith Observatory is open six days a week Weekdays (Tuesday-Friday) Open Noon - 10:00 p.m. Weekends (Saturday-Sunday) Open 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Mondays Closed The Observatory is open on most holidays, but closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.