OC Summer Camps – Deals Galore This Week!

My oldest daughter is one that loves to stay BUSY!  She thrives on routine, schedules, and activities, so needless to say, summer can sometimes pose to be a little challenging.

This summer I plan to keep her entertained at various summer camps, and Plum District is running 14 different deals for OC Summer Camps this week. Deals galore! I wanted to summarize them for you in case any of you are in the same boat and looking to keep the kiddos busy this summer.

Click here to see them…

My Thoughts on “Don’t Carpe Diem”

My sister, a fellow mommy of a toddler in the trenches, forwarded an article on HuffPost Parents a couple months ago with two words: GOOD READ. In CAPS. She never forwards me articles so I was intrigued.

The article obviously struck a chord with mamas all over, as it has been shared and shared again, so I am sure many of you have read it already, and if you have, it is worth reading again.

But for those who haven’t, I wanted to write about this article today because her words have stayed with me.  And because the article stirred up so many emotions in me, I also felt compelled to share my thoughts on “Don’t Carpe Diem.”

At first I was intrigued by the title. I am sort of a “Carpe Diem~glass half full~positive” kind of gal, so I couldn’t see myself totally agreeing with whatever was going to come next….

Click here to see it…

Bel Bambini Grand Opening Weekend

If you are a mom and live in Orange County this Grand Opening event this weekend at Bel Bambini Newport Beach is not to be missed!

So Cal families are invited to join them this Saturday and Sunday, March 24th and 25th for two fun-filled days of food, music, kids’ entertainment, overflowing (ROCKIN’) raffle prizes, gifts with purchase and more. The event is free and open to the public.

Click HERE to see the itinerary of activities, including a special story time reading of Monster Removal Guide on Saturday by author Garett Gruber, which I just reviewed. Yay Garett!

At the event, you can save 10% off your baby registry for your friends and family when you make a registry appointment in person this weekend and you can save 10% off the ENTIRE STORE (with the exception of furniture, strollers and car seats.)

But speaking of furniture, car seats and strollers, they have RAFFLES of those items and others on the hour EVERY hour.  Seriously mamas, please CLICK HERE and scroll down to see the list of raffle items. I mean a stroller worth $1,100 and a $400 mini crib to only name two?! Unbelievable. Like I said, this event is a MUST!!

Click here to see it…

My First Horseback Riding Lesson at Ivy Gate Farm [Video]

Last week I checked off one of one of my Life List things. Life List = Bucket List but I prefer it as I think it sounds a little more uplifting, don’t you?!  And one of my Life List things was to take a horseback riding lesson.

(Side note: I had bad experience on a horse one time on the beach in Ensenada when I was about 19 so I hadn’t been back in the saddle since and had always wanted to tackle this fear by taking a lesson the RIGHT WAY!)

And there is no better place in Orange County to do so than Ivy Gate Farm in San Juan Capistrano. Ivy Gate Farm is a hunter / jumper training facility in OC and trains people of all levels from children up to adults, beginner (like me) up to people that go to the top horse shows. I wrote about Ivy Gate HERE if you want more info on the amazing facility.

And it was completely exhilarating. I am also afraid it might be a tad addicting.  My experience is outlined in the short video above. Hope you enjoy!

Click here to see it…