Halloween Fun at Knott’s Berry Farm

Disclosure: Expedia partnered with us to present this Halloween travel adventure. Visit their Viewfinder travel blog for more insider tips and tricks.  During the month of October, Knott’s Berry Farm transforms the park into what is probably the most well-known Halloween events in all of Southern California ~ Knott’s Scary Farm.  But what many might NOT… Continue reading Halloween Fun at Knott’s Berry Farm

Guest Blog: Why Adults Need to Go Out and Play!

Why Adults Need to Go Out and Play

Today’s post on nature outings in Orange County (for adults!) is written by my friend Michele of NaturePlayTrips.com. I love the reminders of how therapeutic a nature outing can be for all ages – not just our children. Here is what she writes…

Why Adults Need to Go Out and Play

by Michele Whiteaker, Nature Play Trips 

It’s obvious, isn’t it? Because we feel better when we go out on a walk!

Rich Louv, author of The Nature Principle, wrote an excellent blog post about the “Ten Reasons Children and Adults Need Vitamin N.” He sites all sorts of research about how your time out in the wilds of Orange County will make you feel better, unleash your creativity, and help you feel a part of your community.

I get outdoors a lot with my kids, but there are some special places where I go to be alone and take in the quiet. Check out  “Where Mommies Dare to Play” for a few ideas. We just need to make it a habit to go to some of these outdoor places rather than our regular Target or Starbuck’s rut!

On Jen’s Free Daily Charge Ideas list, I was happy to see playing outdoors appear more than once. Jen is awesome at giving ideas on WHAT to do and I’m really good at knowing WHERE.

So let me fill you in on some amazing places you can visit for nature outings in Orange County….

Staying at the Wyndham Anaheim Garden Grove Hotel

[Disclosure: My family received a complimentary room to facilitate this Wyndham Anaheim Garden Grove Hotel family review.]  This Wyndham Anaheim Garden Grove Hotel review is for anyone looking for a fun, comfortable, family-friendly hotel near Disneyland (as well as lots of other great Orange County parks and attractions).  My family and I recently had the opportunity to… Continue reading Staying at the Wyndham Anaheim Garden Grove Hotel

My Top 10 Beach Tips for Kids

My Top 10 Beach Tips for Kids

Today, I want to share my top beach tips for kids.  Summertime for our family means lots of beach time – kid play time, water time, sandcastle time (and most of the time) bliss.  My husband and I LOVE to take our kids to the beach to play, and we feel so lucky to live fairly close.  It doesn’t matter how many times we go…playing in the sand, chasing waves and collecting shells never gets old…

Beach Tip #1

Sunscreen them up before you get there.  Once you get to the beach, you will be juggling towels, toys, bags, umbrellas, coolers, and excited kids.  It will take you a little while to lug all of your stuff to the sand, all while kiddos are jumping up and down excited.  Believe me, it is much easier to take the time to do the sunscreen before you arrive.

Timree Summer Paint Play Dates!

Timree Summer Play Dates

I have been to Timree Paint Studio twice in the past month ~ once for my daughter’s 8th birthday party (SO cute!) and again with my mom and two friends for a recent painting class.

For those of you not familiar, Timree is a local artist, with the cutest art studio ever in Newport Beach.

Not only is she an incredible self-taught artist, but she has this amazing ability to provide step-by-step instruction to help you create your own work of art.

My family shares a deep love for Crystal Cove Beach so my mom and I recently went for her Crystal Cove painting class to learn to paint this…