Magical things are growing at the San Diego Zoo for Mother’s day. The zoo will be hosting a special Garden Festival until May 13th, where visitors can participate in fun gardening activities. There will be zookeeper talks, scavenger hunts, face painting, food sampling, and more!
Visitors can reserve a special Bugs & Bloom VIP tour with a chance to interact with the zoo’s insect and horticulture experts. The tour includes a guided tour of the insect house, cart tour, and gardening activities. The tour is available for $69 per person, and is recommended to purchase online in advance.
We love to spend our free time in the garden, so my children were eager to take me to the garden festival for Mother’s Day. When first arriving at the zoo, we booked the special VIP tour that guided us all around the festival.
We were taught all about the different species of plants that are grown at the zoo, and got tips for our own garden. The children spent a lot of time with their eyes under a microscope examining the different types of leaves and bugs. It not only got my kids more excited about gardening, but excited about science too!
While on the tour we were able to get up close and personal with rare bugs that are living at the zoo. We were able to watch them move, learn about their different body parts, and even touch a few!
Our tour was not complete without a stop at the private lab where the zoo is breeding spiders. The room was hot (perfect for breeding) and wall-to-wall spiders. Big ones, small ones, and even super harry ones!
After learning all about bugs and spiders the cart tour took us for a ride around the zoo. All the animals were out and excited to say “hello” as we passed by. As we drove around the zoo our tour guide talked to us about the different plants growing on the zoo property. Almost all the plants being grown on property is food for the animals, to help reduce the expenses of the zoo.
When the tour of the garden festival was over we visited the Dr. Doolittle show that is happening throughout the festival. He had the kids jumping up and down with excitement over – yes- cockroaches! Guess what? He even got both of my kids to eat a live bug! I guess its pretty good protein. Who knew? Right!
Our learning did not stop there. We visited the various booths at the opening of the zoo where we learned about animal conservation, got more tips on gardening, and even had a chance to adopt our very own baby cheetahs!
Mother’s Day brunch is also available at the zoo on May 13th from 11am to 3pm. Brunch will be hosted in the Treetops banquet room for $39.95 per adult, and $18.95 per child ages 3-11. Call 619-557-3964 for reservations.
“It takes a village to raise a child.” Is one of the philosophies behind the successful Village pre-school, located in Yorba Linda. The school recently celebrated their 52nd Anniversary with a festive children’s art festival. Fahi Vazirian was honored at the celebration with an award by the Mayor of Yorba Linda for her 30 years of service to the community.
Fahi Vazirian with the Mayor of Yorba Linda
The curriculum at Village Pre-School places a strong emphasis on a child’s entire development. Programs provide numerous opportunities for growth, not only physically and emotionally, but also socially and intellectually, in the environment which encourages creativity independence and self-esteem.
At Village Pre-School it is their mission to create an uninhibited environment where children are free to exhibit their unique talents and thoughts through personal art. This open forum of creative expression can give children the opportunity to develop a sense of self and individuality.
As a retired preschool teacher, I understand the importance that a pre-school education can have on a child’s education. Having a location so unique like Village pre-school offers children an opportunity to explore and grown through the arts.
The festival was a wonderful celebration of the accomplishments this local pre-school has done for the community.
My children love theatre, and Segerstrom Center for the Arts always has wonderful events for children to enjoy. The Man Who Planted Trees recanted debuted yesterday, with another viewing on May 12th.
Scotland’s Puppet Theatre Company returns with its hilarious and touching production in the Samueli Theater. Based on the beloved fable and book by Jean Giono the show blends comedy and puppetry to tell the inspiring tale of a French shepherd who sets out with his dog to plant a forest and transform a barren wasteland. This uplifting story shows us that one man (and his dog) can make a significant difference in the world one seed at a time.
The Man Who Planted Trees is part the Explorer Series which is recommended for children ages 7 and above and their families. Tickets are $20 and available online at SCFTA.org, at the Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa or by calling (714) 556-2787.
Just down the coast, TOTEM by Cirque du Soleil, is playing at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Performances will be available from April 25th until May 17th for this exhilarating show.
TOTEM traces the fascinating journey of the human species from its original amphibian state to its ultimate desire to fly. The characters evolve on a stage evoking a giant turtle, the symbol of origin for many ancient civilizations.
Inspired by many founding myths, TOTEM illustrates, through a visual and acrobatic language, the evolutionary progress of species.
Somewhere between science and legend TOTEM explores the ties that bind Man to other species, his dreams and his infinite potential.
Mom will have her breathe taken away after seeing TOTEM. We are excited to be able to offer our readers a discount towards tickets for the show. Get 25% off price level 1, 2 or 3 tickets on select performances, and treat mom to an unforgettable experience.
In order to receive this special offer you will need to be a Cirque Club member–registration is fast and free, and Cirque Club members receive advance access to the best seats under the Grand Chapiteau, ticket upgrades, partner promotions and insider information on the world of Cirque du Soleil!
Applicable on select performances on Price level 1, 2 & 3 only. Prices shown during the purchasing process already reflect this offer and will appear as a 25% discount on each ticket. Maximum of 19 tickets per purchase. All tickets subject to regular service and delivery charges. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Not applicable to previous purchases. All sales final, no refunds nor exchanges. Offer expires May 14, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. Offer applicable on TOTEM in San Diego, CA.
The Aquarium of the Pacific’s seventh annual International Children’s Day is a special festival for kids. Celebrating the amazing talents of children of all cultures, this festival will feature international music and dance performances by kids.
An international choir, West African, Mexican folkloric, Pacific Islander, Cambodian, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese dance are among the children’s performances. A children’s Persian Spring Show will highlight the music, art, and peace learning of Persian culture. Also featured is the Braille Institute Johnny Mercer Children’s Choir, comprised of blind and visually impaired children. There will also be martial arts demonstrations by American Tiger Martial Arts and Fitness.
Kids of all ages can partake in an international percussion circle, Native American traditional weaving, children’s crafts, face painting, glitter tattoos, mural painting, and Pacific Island activities, including Hawaiian lei making.
Celebrate the children in your life through this special annual event.
Saturday & Sunday, April 28-29, 2012
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Families and RC enthusiasts are invited to come try out the hottest radio control cars, trucks, boats, planes and helicopters. From rock crawling mountains to wrestling robots to Make and Take airplanes, this show is sure to have something for everyone, from the youngest family members to the most avid RC fan!
Showcasing the newest radio control vehicles, industry legends and hyper-detailed show cars, RCX includes two exciting components – the Radio Control Expo and the Die Cast X Collectors Expo. Watch RC professionals go head-to-head with mind-blowing competitive and precision driving and flying skills and then head on over to see your favorite cars in small-scale models.
There will be Celebrity Appearances by:
Jimmy Shine – host of Speed TV’s Car Warriors
Mad Mike – host of MTV’s Pimp My Ride
Shirley Muldowney – NHRA Hall of Fame driver
Catharine Bach – Daisy Duke/Dukes of Hazzard & The Young and the Restless
Jarrod and Brandi – Storage Wars
Save $5, visit RCX.com and purchase discounted tickets online. General admission for RCX is $15 and children under 12 are free.
Long Beach Convention Center
300 East Ocean Blvd.
Long Beach, CA
Come to Pretend City to receive a comprehensive developmental checkup for your little one, including motor, communication, social and thinking skills by a qualified health professional. At the checkup, you can expect:
· A comprehensive developmental checkup for your child by a
health care professional in approximately 45 minutes (times vary)
· Assessment results to take to your child’s pediatrician, school, or health care professional.
Spa Gregorie’s invites women of all ages to attend the 6th annual Women are Wonderful: In Full Bloom event. The event is a glamorous social event featuring leading experts in the wellness industry. The experts will be sharing their specialities in fitness, health, philanthropy, education, and fashion.
There will be over 50 vendors participating in the expo where guests will have an exclusive opportunity to experience demos. Some of the demos will include Tanning and Shimmer application, custom skin analysis, facial prescription, Nuface brow lifts, and more.
All attendees will also receive a generous “swag bag” full of goodies and will be eligible for over 40 valuable prize drawings.
There is a $10 entry fee ($20 after April 25th) to participate, and a portion of the proceeds benefit local chapters of Susan G. Komen and Working Wardrobes charities. Tickets will be available at all three Spa Gregorie’s locations as well as at www.spagregories.com.
Monday, April 30th, 2012.
5:30-7:30 PM
Spa Gregorie’s Newport Beach
200 Newport Center Dr., Ste. 100
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(near Fashion Island)
949-644-6672
OC Family is happy to offer (4) tickets with swag bags to one of our readers.
Enter to win by leaving a comment below.
Giveaway will be open until 4/27 at 8am. Winner will be chosen via random.org
Orange County runners have a unique opportunity to experience a run through the protected Limestone Canyon. Into the Wildlands Limestone Eco Challenges will offer a 12K and 20K trail race starting at 8am. Following the races there will be an awards ceremony, reception and raffle at 11am.
When: On Saturday, April 28 and Saturday, October 6,
Registration: Available online at active.com.
For individual race and event details please visit Into the Wild online at http://intothewildoctrailrun.com
Bring your little princesses to Los Angeles on Sunday, April 29th for a special meet and greet with their favorite Disney Princesses. There will be a special opening celebration for the newly-designed Disney Store at the Glendale Galleria. A free gift will be given to the first 500 guests, and photo opportunities will be available for children.
When: Sunday, April 29th
What: 11:00 a.m. A Make-A-Wish child “unlocks imagination” during Disney Store’s signature opening ceremony. Free gift to the first 500 guests.
12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Meet and Greet with Belle & The Beast and Rapunzel & Flynn in mall center court.
*Characters alternate every 30 minutes.
Where: Disney Store at Glendale Galleria
1152 Glendale Galleria
Glendale, CA 91210
Disney Store will also celebrate World Wish Day®, a global celebration of the day that sparked a global wish-granting movement by Make-A-Wish®, in conjunction with the grand opening of the Glendale Galleria store. Disney Store will make a $50,000 donation in honor of World Wish Day and will also donate $1 for every Jiminy Cricket Make-A-Wish Vinylmation figure sold, up to $15,000. In addition, Disney Store will donate 10 percent of the grand opening day’s sales to Make-A-Wish in the United States.
