Archive for September, 2010

Today’s post about the San Diego Zoo’s new Tortoise Exhibit, comes from the very talented Caryn, who blogs at Rockinmama.net

When my son was about a year and a half, we visited the San Diego Zoo with him for the first time. We only covered about half of the zoo at the time because it’s huge! At 100 acres, it’s one of the largest zoos in the world and home to 4,000 rare and endangered animals which represent more than 800 species and subspecies.

Last week, we had the privilege of attending the grand re-opening of the Fetter Family Galapagos Tortoise Exhibit. Apart from the Ecuadorian Islands, the Zoo has one of the largest colonies of Galapagos tortoises in the world. And now, they have a brand new living space, thanks to San Diego Trustee Emeritus Tom Fetter, and 1,700 donors. You may not know that the zoo has been home to 17 Galapagos tortoises since 1928, which means many of them are over 100 years old.

With a bigger living space, enhanced landscaping, three new pools and state of the art amenities, these tortoises will be living the next several years of their life in luxury. Located in Reptile Mesa, visitors can pet and feed the tortoises at certain times of the day.

While we were visiting, we learned a few fun facts about tortoises:
They can live to be 100 years or more, with the oldest living to be 171 years old.
Their favorite foods include flowers, leaves, grass, and carrots
They can go without eating or drinking for up to a year. You know those shells? They actually serve a purpose and can store food and water.

The San Diego Zoo is dedicated to the conservation of endangered species and their habitats and participates in research and education around the globe.

For more information, just visit their website.

No compensation was received for this post. I was invited to attend a media preview at the zoo.

Im trying to make some healthy changes in our family. I’m slowly integrating organic products and trying to change our eating habits. Last week Stonyfield invited bloggers to a special evening out to learn about healthy eating and the amazing benefits of yogurt.

I love yogurt and have recently become hooked on Greek Yogurt. It is creamier, more satisfying and in my opinion it is much tastier than regular yogurt. We learned about the benefits of yogurt and in particular the benefits of Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt. We were also able to try some amazing entrees, appetizers and even some delish dessert and  all were  made with Greek Yogurt. I learned that we can easily substitute Greek Yogurt for mayonnaise, sour cream and so much more. The dishes were out of this world and so tasty! I’m making chicken salad tomorrow and plan on using Oikos Greek Yogurt instead of mayonaise.

I also learned that there are only a few true Greek Yogurts on the market. There are plenty of Greek Style or Greek Inspired Yogurts but one a few are true Greek Yogurt.  Do you know how to tell if it is authentic Greek Yogurt? Grab a spoonful and hold it upside down. If it stays and doesn’t move, it is authentic.  Stonyfield’s Oikos Greek Yogurt is 100% authentic and certified organic.

Ready to try out some Stonyfield Greek Yogurt? Enter to win a goodie bag from Stonyfield. All you have to do is leave a comment and you will be entered to win a gift bag. Contest ends on Sun, October 3rd at 11:59pm. Winner will be selected at random. Good Luck!

Categories : Uncategorized
Comments (35)
Sep
27

Be Our Guest

Posted by: | Comments (0)

“Beauty and the Beast Sing-a-Long” is currently playing at the El Capitan theater in Los Angeles. If you use the code “Daytripping Mom”, you can get tickets at the special rate of $9.00 a piece. The discount for Tiny Tot Tuesday or any other day Monday through Friday (Sept 27-Oct 7). Show times are at 10:45, 2:00, 4:45, and 7:30 and tickets are on sale now at the theater, online, or via phone (1-800-DISNEY6).

If you or the kiddos love Beauty and the Beast, this is one fun show you do not want to miss!

Categories : Uncategorized
Comments (0)

Halloween time is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the weather, decorations, costumes and visiting Disneyland for Halloween has to be at the top of my list! This year Halloween Time at the  Disneyland Resort  is better than ever and the new Mickey’s Halloween Party  is out of this world!

This year Mickey’s Halloween Party has moved from Disney’s California Adventure to Disneyland and it promises to be amazing! The party will be held every Tuesday and Friday nights in October plus Halloween night. The dates are as follows. October 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29 and 31

•Tuesday Nights: 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

•Fridays and Halloween Night: 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
 

There will be more Trick or Treat Stations than ever before and almost all of the park will be open with the exception of Toontown. Guests will also be able to enjoy the park for three hours before start time and be able to enjoy the party before it  even starts! One additional treat is that the Halloween Fireworks Spectacular will be exclusive to Mickey’s Halloween Party.
 
I had the opportunity to attend a special media preview for Halloween Time at the resort and I can’t rave enough about the decorations, Haunted Mansion Holiday and my absolute favorite, Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy. It is out of this world! I also had the opportunity to visit Big Thunder Ranch Halloween Roundup and let the kiddos join Woody and Jesse as they got their craft on! I could go and on about how much I love the Disneyland Resort during Halloween but don’t take my word for it! Go out and explore the resort, you will love it!
 
To purchase tickets for Mickey’s Trick or Treat Party Head Here.
Tickets sell out fast! Make sure to purchase your tickets ahead of time.
Advance Purchase Ticket Prices*

Ticket Prices are as follows:

•$49 Special Discount for These Dates

October 1, 5, 12, 19 and 26

Day-of-Event Ticket Prices*

•$54 If Purchased and Used on These Dates:

October 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22 and 26

•$59 If Purchased and Used on These Dates:

October 29 and 31
 
Stay tuned for additional coverage. We had such a great time and I can’t wait to share more!

Sep
27

Peter Pan

Posted by: | Comments (1)

Peter Pan opens tomorrow night at the OCPAC for its only Southern California stop on its world tour. It’s performed in the round so there are no bad seats! You can get discounted tickets at Goldstar for shows starting next week.  It’s for all ages.  We can’t wait to see it.

Categories : Uncategorized
Comments (1)

                                    * photo courtesy of Irvine Park Railroad

I love visiting the Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch during Halloween time. It is now open and we will be heading there next weekend. I want you to be able to join in on the fun!. It’s giveaway time!

Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch has generously given us a 15 pack of tickets for various pumpkin patch  to giveaway and an family bike  rental for an hour.  All you have to do is leave a comment and you are entered to win. For additional entries you can:
- “like” Irvine Park Railroad on Facebook
- “like” me on Facebook
- “follow” me on Twitter. 

Good luck!

Sep
27

Winner of Disney on Ice

Posted by: | Comments (0)

Happy Monday! The winner of Disney on Ice is comment #44 selected at random.
Cel who said…
My kids would LOVE this! My husband would LOVE this! I would LOVE this!

Please  email me asap at mom@daytrippingmom.com. If I don’t hear an answer by tonight, I will select another winner. Thanks!

Thank you all for participating and stay tuned for a fun giveaway coming up. 

Categories : Uncategorized
Comments (0)

The Susan G. Komen Orange County Race for the Cure is coming up soon on Sunday, Sept. 26 at Fashion Island in Newport Beach .

There is a one-mile fun walk that takes place at 8 a.m. where parents and children of all ages are invited to walk for the cure. There is a  great area called the KidsZone sponsored by FreeCreditScore.com in the Wellness Expo, which will be open from 6:30 a.m. to noon. Parents must accompany their children in the KidsZone, but there are fun activities that the whole family will enjoy. Some of the activities to look forward to are the Home Depot Plant-a-Pot, Hollywood Glamour Girls trailer, rock climbing “ Mt. Komen ,” face painting, “Mad Science” activities, and CHP motorcycles.

 Race participants are encouraged to take the 125 challenge – a call-to-action for each person to raise at least $125, the average cost of a life-saving mammogram. For Facebook users, raising money for the cure is made even easier with a new application allowing users to extend fundraising efforts to their networks of friends.

To learn more about the race and the cure head here.

Categories : Uncategorized
Comments (0)
Sep
24

Free Wagon Rides at Tanaka Farms

Posted by: | Comments (0)

If you are looking for something to do this weekend and would love to help a great cause, head to over to Tanaka Farms this weekend .  There is a bone marrow drive on Sept 25 and Sept 26 at Tanaka Farms. There will be  FREE wagon rides will be given to anyone who fills out a very simple questionnaire available at their website or at the produce stand.

Tomorrow is the opening of the pumpkin patch season at the farm and would be the perfect opportunity to take the kiddos for a fun Free ride! There will also be a corn maze, pumpkin picking, petting zoo, and so much more!

To fill out the questionnaire head here.

Categories : Uncategorized
Comments (0)

Green Port Fest Long Beach is taking place on Saturday, October 2nd. Don’t know what Green Port Fest is? Well let me tell you, if you or your kiddos have ever wondered how one of the biggest ports in the world works and functions, this is the opportunity you have been waiting for!

You will be able to learn all about the Port of Long Beach with a free tour. There will be a harbor tour which will take you by sea lions, the massive cargo ships and the massive cranes. Boats will be departing every 15 minutes from the docks next to the Queen Mary. Shuttles will take you  from the Port’s Administration Building, near the festival, to the docks. Tours depart every 15 minutes from 10:45am  to 3:30pm .

There will also be train tours. You will be able to tour the port and be able to see it in full working swing. You will be able to see the longshoremen in  action as the load and unload the cargo from the large ships. Trains will be departing every hour beginning at 10:30 and ending with the last train at 2:30 pm.

Green Port Fest is held in the grounds of the Port Administration building. The event is absolutely free and open to the public. You can part at the Long Beach convention center and will be shuttled for free to the event.

There will also be activities, entertainment, exhibits and a children’s area were the kiddos will be able to jump around, craft or learn all about marine life from the Aquarium of the Pacific’s exhibit.

There is something for every member of the family!

Green Port Fest
Port of Long Beach
Saturday, October 2nd
Begins at 10:30 am

For directions and to learn more about this free event, head here.

Comments (2)