This Weekend, Go Play In The Big Bear Snow!

SoCal got some much needed rain and some even more needed snow this past weekend. Big Bear got a whole lot of the white stuff, which is great for the ski slopes, especially around the holidays. My in laws have a vacation home in Big Bear Lake and we visit a few times of year during the winter months. We love visiting and playing in the snow for hours. It is the perfect day trip and there are so many fun places to visit , play and make special memories with the family. This post is all about having fun in the snow and not paying a penny to do so.

One of the best things to do when heading to Big Bear is to pull over and find a good spot to partake in good old fashioned snow play. There are my great spots to pull over on the way to Big Bear. We usually head to Big Bear along Hwy 38 or the “back way” as many locals call it. It is a pretty smooth ride and not windy. We take the Orange Ave exit off the 10 fwy in Redlands when heading east. Then make a left turn on Orange, go for a few blocks to Mentone Blvd and make a right. Mentone Blvd is Hwy 38 and you will take that road all the way up to Big Bear.

One of the first great places to stop off along the way is Whispering Pines Nature Trial just past Angeles Oaks. There is some parking and plenty of room for romping in the snow. You can also park alongside the road. The second spot is between mile 26 and mile 27. It doesn’t really have a name but it is right past Whispering Pines and you can’t miss it. There is plenty of open space and not many trees. A perfect place to sled and for a good snowball fight. The area surrounding the Greystone Amphitheater is also a great place for snow play. Just pull off the side of the road and be prepared for some fun.

Make sure to check for weather and road conditions. You are required to bring chains with you in the winter when traveling to Big Bear. We always bring ours but have yet to use them since we have a four wheel drive vehicle with a snow setting. If there is weather or ice be prepared for a bit of a long ride up. It just depends on the weather. Current weather reports and road conditions can be found here. Drive safe and have fun!

LUVS with Nightlock Benefits Children’s Miracle Network – giveaway

Disclaimer: This is part of a sponsored collaboration with Latina Mom Bloggers and Luvs. All opinions are 100% mine.

It’s been years since we have had diapers around the house, but there was a time when we always had stacks of new Luvs diapers, ready to go for our little babies. Luvs, a trusted name in baby care, knows that the holiday season is full of stressful moments, but they don’t want diaper leaks be one of them. This holiday, Luvs wants everyone to celebrate a Leak-Free Holiday. Luvs with NightLock offers its largest absorbency area EVER to help lock wetness away, which means less leaks during the holiday season for baby and more time for parents to enjoy the festivities.

Be sure to check out Luvs adorable “Will It Leak” video series. Tis’ the season of holiday miracles! And this year, Luvs is turning clicks into diapers. From December 9th – 25th, for every view their Will It Leak “Santa Suit” video receives on their social media channels, Luvs will give diapers to children in need through the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Another great part of all of this is a fantastic giveaway with the following prizes!

o Branded Luvs tote bag
o #LuvsLeakFreeHoliday travel coffee mug
o Hot chocolate
o Luvs branded purple star ornament
o My First Kwanzaa book
o Plush Musical Dreidel
o Hanukkah gelt
o Two packs of Luvs diapers
o A tub of Luvs wipes

To be included in the giveaway: leave a comment on this blog post with one of your favorite funny family holiday mishaps! The crazier or sillier the better. Who hasn’t had Aunt Sally drop the turkey everywhere or had Little Max eat all the candy canes off the tree when no one was looking?

Each of the following will get you an additional entry:
•Tweet about the giveaway using the #LuvsLeakFreeHoliday hashtag
•Tag a friend or family member in the comments section under the Facebook post of this giveaway.

Giveaway Fine Print:
• Entrants must be 18+up and live in the contiguous U.S. (Puerto Rico is ineligible).
• Giveaway ends January 5, 2015

For more about Luvs diapers.

The holiday fun doesn’t stop there! This holiday, Luvs is also inviting parents to whip up a baby book for their child in a few quick clicks with Luvs and Tweekaboo. Get yours here: https://www.tweekaboo.com/luvs

Wicked at The Pantages

Wicked at the Pantages Theatre

My favorite musical is back in town for three months! Wicked, is back at the Pantages Theatre from now until March 15, 2015. I’ve had the opportunity to watch the show a few times and I fall in love with it more each time. The music is powerful and the storyline is fantastic. It’s a show that you will not want to miss. My daughter who is nine has watched the show twice and has also fallen in love with it. We listen to the music often and know each song by heart.

There are nightly performances on most nights and also matinee shows on the weekends. The Pantages also has day of the show lottery tickets. The lottery is held prior to every show. Here’s what you have to do to enter the lottery.

Entries will be accepted at the box office beginning two and a half hours prior to each performance
• Each person will print their name and the number of tickets (1 or 2) they wish to purchase on a card that is provided.
• Two hours before curtain, names will be drawn at random for a limited number of tickets priced at $25 each; cash only.
• Only one entry is allowed per person.

We had the opportunity to score tickets during the lottery and were able to get amazing seats for only $25!!!

You can also of course purchase tickets in advance or at the box office. Tickets to this amazing show would make one heck of a Christmas Gift! For additional info or to purchase tickets, head here.