Another Wet One! Feb 25-27

Southern California prepares for another wet weekend. Hopefully the weatherman is right this week and we can plan accordingly. Last weeks epic flood like rain turned out to be mostly light showers during the day, with the heaviest downpours in the evening. Saturday morning would have provided for a gorgeous morning out. Nevertheless, the time spent with the kids is always a blessing no matter what the weather brings.

This weekend the snow level in San Diego are reported to be dropping to about 1800 feet, so popular areas like Julian and Mount Laguna are sure to have snow. Again if the weatherman is on target with these reports, you may not need to even drive that far to see and/or play with snow.

The Viejas Outlet center off the 8 freeway is at about 2000 feet. If they get snow, as expected, then fun is only about a 20 minute drive from San Diego. The Outlet Center itself has many name brand stores. There is an interactive water play area that will more than likely not be in operation this weekend, but is great fun during the summer. The Outlet Center is also home to Viejas Bowl. This 12 lane bowling alley is not your everyday bowling alley. Viejas Bowl is East County’s only boutique bowling center, styled in contemporary finishes. Remember, while the casino is just across the street…AVOID IT! It’s family time.

Back in town, there are 2 great family shows this weekend.



Feb 25 & 27 At the Valley View Center



The Harlem Globetrotters return once again to the Valley View Center (aka Sports Arena) on Friday night and then again on Sunday (2/25 & 2/27) with their hilarious basketball comedy. For the 2011 tour, these basketball idols are bringing a new twist to the traditional game by adding a new 4-point shot. The 4-point shot is basically a half court shot from 35 feet out. Check out the officially Harlem Globetrotters website for all the details and fun in store.

http://www.harlemglobetrotters.com/schedule/tix/?location=ca

Feb 26 Spreckles Theatre

For our younger kids, Disney is in town with the Emmy Award-winning children's rock band, Imagination Movers. The "In a Big Warehouse" tour will  be performing 2 shows on Feb. 26 at the San Diego Spreckels Theatre.

If the weather will permit, there are also several outdoor events this weekend. However, you probably won't know until last minute if they are canceled or not.

Saturday and Sunday the San Diego Bay will give way to a thrilling cannon battle between historic tall ships and their crew. The mock battles will employ the same tactics used in the mid-to late 1800's. Amid cannon blasts and bellowing smoke, you can watch the excitement of battle from ship or from shore.

Heritage Weekend- In celebration of the heritage in the community of Southeast San Diego, the Heritage Day festival is held offering music, food, activities, and art & craft items. This event is in conjunction with the "Heritage Day Parade" which  starts at 10am and will run from Imperial Ave to Euclid Ave. This colorful parade is presented and composed of marching high school bands, various marching groups, costumes, floats, and dignitaries

Don't forget, this weekend is the last weekend for the February discounts for our local museums. Your FREE discount cards are still available at Macy's. If you happen to be at Balboa Park on a Sunday afternoon, you'll hear beautiful sounds of music drift through the park. It's performed by Civic Organist Carol Williams who is seated before the majestic piped organ at the Organ Pavilion presenting wonderful selections of music for all to hear.

And last but certainly note least, with all the rain coming, it might be safer to just stay home. Rent a few movies, or bust out those old board games and enjoy the family. Hope you and your family have a great and safe weekend. Try to stay dry!

Rainy Day Weekends Feb18-21

After such a beautiful San Diego weekend last week, we are now getting ready for a cold and wet winter storm for this weekend. But don’t let a little wet weather ruin your holiday weekend. There is still fun to be had all around this town!

Rainy Day Indoor Fun:

If you have not stopped by Macy's to pick up your FREE museum of the month discount cards, you'll want to get it before this weekend. The discount card get's you into 40 different museums in San Diego for up to 50% off regular addmission. If you have little ones, most museums offer free addmission to kids under the age of 2. A good majority of our museums are located in Balboa Park, so it is very easy to make an entire day out of it.

* Some of the Kid Favorite musuems include:
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
San Diego Natural History Museum
San Diego Air & Space Museum
San Diego Automotive Museum
San Diego Hall of Champions

Don't forget, if you miss out on the half price special, there's an even better special every Tuesday, when select museums offer free addmission to local residents. See the complete listing here.

While you are in the area, and if you're lucky to get caught in a pocket of sunshine, there's always something fun and exciting going on at the San Diego Zoo. The San Diego Zoo is a gold mine of family fun. A one day zoo addmission is a little over $35 per person, multiplied by an entire family, this might have to become the family vacation for the year...but wait....there's a way to save money here.

Invest into becoming a zoological member. Yearly memberships for the zoo are very affordable, given the amount of fun instore for you and your family all year long. A dual membership runs about $106 for 2 adults and includes free admission tickets to both the zoo and the Safari Park (formally known as the Wild Animal Park). In addition, you also get 2 free tickets for a guest and many more additional discounts. A child's year pass starts at $35. The best part of buying a membership...IT'S TAX DEDUCTABLE!!! That's right! The San Diego Zoo is a non-profit organization so save your reciept and your family fun is a tax deduction.

This weekend the San Diego Zoo kicks off Koalapalooza. There are many schedule activities for this event. Be sure to check the zoo's website for all the details. http://www.sandiegozoo.org/

Another great family fun idea for a rainy day is having lunch at John's Incredible Pizza in National City.

If you are familiar with the old Mervyn's building at the Plaza Bonita Mall, then you know exactly where John's Incredible Pizza is. This combination pizza and pasta buffet / family fun center, is a perfect way to stay dry this weekend. There are tons of games and rides for the kids and the all-you-can-eat food ain't too bad either. One of favorites is the mini donut making machine they have in the dessert section. There are several dining rooms, each with a different theme that is sure to meet everyone's needs.  What is nice about this place is only paying guests can be inside the restaurant.  So you don't have to worry about it being too crowded with the mall crowd loitering around.

Once the sun goes down, you probably won't want to be out and about this weekend. So rent a movie, bring out all the pillows & blankets and have a slumber party! Here are a few ideas for some new movies that the entire family will love.

Despicable ME
The Legend of the Guardians
Toy Story 3
Nanny McPhee Returns
The Sorcerer's Apprentice

No matter what you do this weekend, enjoy every moment with your family and take a few moments each day to thank God for each of those blessings. Have a great weekend!

Happy Family Valentines Day!

While Valentines Day is normally known for being a lovers holiday, there are still many romantic things that you and your lover can do that involve sharing that time with your kids. Sure it's nice to go out and just be alone, but sometimes it's just hard to find a babysitter. Or as the case may be this year, Valentine's Day falls smack dab at the beginning of a busy work week. And plus, you and your wife have your wedding anniversary to be all lovey dovy. lol

For the last 2 years, my Valentine's and I have gone to SeaWorld for Valentine's Day. Normally SeaWolrd has a really nice romantic dinner package along side Shamu's pool. But what's just as enjoyable (and about $100 cheaper) is doing the Breakfast With Shamu on Valentine's morning. Now before you get your hopes up for this year, I'm sad to tell you that the Shamu dinning is currently doing some renovations, so there are no Valentine's day events at SeaWorld for 2011. But it's definitely something to think about next year.

For 2011 here is a list of some of my favorite romantic, yet kid friendly restaurants for Valentine's Day.

Anthony's Fish Grotto - 1360 North Harbor Drive, San Diego - beautiful views of San Diego Bay.

The Cheesecake Factory - 7067 Friars Road, San Diego

Coronado Brewing Co. - 170 Orange Avenue, Coronado

If going out for dinner on a school night is not your thing, a nice home cooked meal is always just a nice. And if you can't cook, don't worry, there's still hope. Bring home something you know the entire family will like. Pizza, Chicken or burgers and a movie, when enjoyed with loved ones is always a Happy Valentines.

Feb 11-14, 2011

WHAT'S GOING ON THIS WEEKEND???

It's a very busy weekend and the weather looks like it's going to cooperate as well.  Here are my top picks for the weekend.

Friday: If you are looking for something fun to do with the kids after work, Disney has a new movie called "Gnomeo and Juliet". I tried to take my daughter to watch this movie last weekend, and now I know why it wasn't playing at the Parkway Plaza Regal...it wasn't out yet.  Okay, I admit, I even tried taking her last month, only to realize it wasn't out yet back in January LOL  Is that just a dad thing?

This fun looking movie takes a new spin on the classic Shakespeare story of Romeo and Juliet. Only in this version, the characters are garden gnomes that rock out to the music of Sir Elton. And it's a Disney movie...so the sexual romance, suicide, murder and unhappy endings are all missing. Perfect for your little ones. Opens Friday night!... for sure, this time.

**Helpful Tip: On your lunch break, go to Costco (If you don't have a membership, find someone in your office that does, and tell them you'll buy them a hot dog for lunch if they will take you. Don't worry, Costco hot dogs and a soda are only $1.50) and purchase your movie ticket vouchers. Costco carries both Regal Edwards and AMC. These vouchers can be used anytime, even the opening night of any movie

Saturday: Saturday's a hard one. So much to do and so little time!

Padres 2011 Fan Fest 10am-5pm: This FREE event is held every year at Petco Park before the team leaves for spring training. Fan Fest is a great chance for your kids to meet current players and even get autographs. The field is usually open and they let the kids run the bases. One of the gems about Fan Fest, is the Padres garage sale that is held in the Omni restuarant inside Petco Park. Every year they have tons of merchandise such as signed baseballs, practice bats, art work, game worn jersies, the list goes on and on. The money raised goes towards the Padres Foundation. The line to go into the store may look long at times, but trust me, it goes by fast and is so worth it if you are a baseball or Padres fan. For more information on Fan Fest Cick Here

100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation 9am-4pm Naval Air Station North Island: The Navy is kicking off it's 100th year anniversary of Naval aviation right here in San Diego. On Saturday, the North Island military base  will be open to the public. There will be static displays on the tarmac similar to the Miramar Air Shows. At 1pm over 200 planes will take to the skies of San Diego for the "Parade of Flight". The fly-over is said to be the biggest one since World War II. Oh and did I mention that the BLUE ANGELS are in town? If you don't want to drive all the way into Coronado, another good viewing area for the air show, would be anywhere along Shelter Island. Parking is very limited along Shelter Island, so arrive early. This event is also FREE.

San Diego Chinese New Year Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm: It's the Year of the Rabbit! The 29th Annual Chinese New Year Celebration kicks off this weekend on 3rd Ave in downtown. There will be lots of entertainment for the entire family, including Chinese Lion and Dragon dancers. Like any street fair in San Diego, there will be many different FOOD booths and other merchandise booths.

Sunday:  After you and your family go to Sunday morning service, there's still lot's of fun waiting for you!

If you didn't make it to the Chinese New Year street fair, there's still time. Sunday is the last day to catch a dancing dragon and celebrate the year of the rabbit.

Circus Vargas Balboa Park 2/11 thru 2/22: The Tabares Family returns to the San Diego area for their 2011 edition of the classic Big Top Circus. The first stop is in Balboa Park for 11 days. It's not everyday a circus comes to town. And not everyday is that circus actually in a big top tent. Circus Vargas is classic family fun. Over the years, the circus has changed from being an animal based circus to more of a performer based circus. They still have some horse and dog acts, but they no longer have the tigers and elephant acts that we remember growing up. Nevertheless, the show is still fun and the thrills of watching the flying trapeez act still gets me. Tickets can be a little expensive. My suggestion is to get the general addmission ticket ($15) the seats are about 10 feet behind the $50 and you see the exact same thing. Of course you sit on a bench instead of a singl seat chair, but it's really not that bad. Circus Vargas is really good about dropping discount coupons all over town, so be on the look out for those as well.  If you miss the circus at this stop, you can still catch them at any of these locations

NATIONAL CITYWestfield Plaza Bonita
Feb.24 - Feb. 28

EL CAJONWestfield Parkway
March 3 - March 7

VISTAHwy 78 at Vista Village Dr.
March 10 - March 21

DEL MAR FAIRGROUNDSVia de la Valle exit from I-5
March 24 - March 28

San Diego Daddies of PreSchoolers

Welcome to my new blog! This blog and the motivation that inspires it, is fueled by my love for God and my desire to enjoy every moment on earth with the loving family that HE has blessed me with.

I affectionately nicknamed  this "DOPs" because my wife is a member of "MOPs" (Mothers of Preschoolers) and I wanted something for Daddies :)

Each and every weekend, I look for fun things for our family to do. In my family, Saturday is designated as "Family Day". But like most families, both my wife and I work, so often times my daughter and I have a weekend where it's just the two of us. When I would search online for fun things for the two of us to do, I noticed there were many websites that were more geared toward mothers. So I thought to myself, "wouldn't it be cool if there was a site geared towards dads who were looking for something fun to do?"  I could do that!

So my goal for this blog is to each and every week, share upcoming events in the San Diego county and local southern California area, that provide great family fun for Daddies and the kids or even the whole family. I will also follow up the events that I am able to attend with a quick little review, so that if you miss an event, you can at least see what there is to expect for the next time it comes around.

Quality time with your kids is very important. And there are MANY ways to spend that time, without having to spend all your money. I hope you all enjoy this new adventure.