Spring into Family Fun Weekends!

It's APRIL!!! I can't believe how fast time flies by.

It's going to be busy busy busy just about anywhere you go this weekend, as thousands of kids start the beginning of Spring Break. If you're lucky enough to get some time off to enjoy with the kids, there's a ton of things to do.

FAMILY SAVINGS AND DISCOUNTS!

With more than 60 exhibits and a collection of 25 restored aircraft, the USS Midway Museum is a guaranteed adventure for the entire family. In celebration of the 100 years of Naval Aviation, the Midway is offering a special discounted ticket for San Diego residents. Beginning on Feb. 14 and for 100 days, Adult tickets are $10 and Children (6-17) are $5. Tickets must be purchased withing the 100 days, but can be used any time before Dec 31, 2011. To purchase your tickets click HERE

FAMILY FUN IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA!

This weeks family fun idea is great for a quick not so far day trip and comes to us from our Orange County neighbors. If you have ever driven up the 5 freeway through the Irvine area, you may have seen a giant orange balloon floating right of the freeway. For a long time I could not figure out what it was, until one day I googled "orange county balloon" and stumbled across something great!

Built on an old abandoned airfield, the Orange County Great Park is known as the first great metropolitan park of the 21st century. The park is filled with multi-purpose recreation fields, bike and jog trails, picnic meadows, a carousel and of course the major attraction, the Great Park Balloon. The best part about the park...everything is FREE.

If you have recently been to the San Diego Safari Park and seen their giant balloon (which I might add, cost $20 per person to ride), the Orange County park is the exact same type of balloon. With the ability to hold up to 30 passengers, the balloon soars up to 400 feet above the surrounding landscape. The view is magnificent and serves as a public observation deck for the entire park development progress. The balloon runs two different shifts Thursday - Sunday. 9am-3pm and then again from 7pm-10pm. The flights are on first come first serve basis, so it's always good to arrive early. And again...this is completely FREE and is open to all ages.

This Weekend at the Orange Country Great Park:

Saturday 4.2.2011: Movies In The Park - Enjoy a free movie in the park with the family. This Saturday at 8pm The OCGP presents "How to train your dragon". Be sure to bring your lawn chairs and blankets!

Sunday 4.3.2011: Orange County Great Park Farmers Market - Every Sunday rain or shine 10am -2pm. I'm told that kids are given free vegetables every weekend.

For more about the OCGP and future events, please visit www.ocgp.org

WHAT'S GOING ON THIS WEEKEND? 
APRIL FOOL'S WEEKEND 4/1-4/3

Don't Forget! Legoland Star Wars Mini-land is open starting this weekend! 

FRIDAY 4.1.2011

FRIDAY NIGHT MOVIE: This weekend the Easter Bunny finds himself in a bind when his son refuses to follow in the family business and instead heads to Hollywood to become a rock'n roll drummer. HOP, starring Russell Brand, James Marsden and Elizabeth Perkins, opens in theaters everywhere this Friday and is sure to be an Easter favorite.

For all you AMC theater fans, the launch of the new AMC Stubs program is officially here. The new program replaces the old Movie Watchers program and offers many more benefits. There is a $12 annual membership to join the club, however with the new  benefits it will sure pay for itself.


New Benefits Include:
 -$10 AMC Stub Rewards for every $100 you spend on tickets AND concessions-Rewards dollars can be used on ANYTHING: tickets, concessions, gift cards or even toward your membership fee
-FREE upgrades on your popcorn and fountain drinks, anytime!-No online ticketing fees on movietickets.com and or fandango.com

SATURDAY 4.2.2011

Escondido Renaissance Faire 10am-5pm: Step back in the time of Lords and Ladies, Kings and Queens as Felicita County Park is transformed into an arena of family fun fit for a king. With several stage of entertainment and dozens of demonstrations the faire is one of the biggest of it's kind. Adults are $17 and children under 4 are Free. For directions and more information visit www.goldcoastfestivals.com

San Diego Zoo Play Days: The zoo is kicking off 23 days of play this weekend. Throughout the entire park, guest will be treated to impromptu keeper talks, animal presentations and special activities. On April 2 from 10am-1130am come meet and have you photo taken with Po, the giant fuzzy Kung Fu Panda! At 4pm join the zoo animal ambassadors at the front of the park to help bust open a pinata filled with prizes. And for each day of play the entire family can enjoy Happy Hour from 4-6pm with the zoo's tasty treat and other delicious deals. And don't forget, the best way to enjoy the San Diego Zoo is with a TAX DEDUCTIBLE annual pass. For more information on the membership and all of the other exciting PLAY DAY events, click here.

SeaWorld Spring into Nights: Daily from April 1-11 and then each weekend in April, SeaWorld Springs into the late nights. With extended hours and nightly entertainment, including live music and fireworks, SeaWorld is a great way to spend what looks to be a hot spring night weekend. Shamu is back with the high energy Shamu Rocks show, as well as those hilarious Sea Lions and their parody of SNL. If you already have a SeaWorld Fun Card, then you are ready to party the night away. And if you don't, SeaWorld yearly passes are family friendly with their EZ pay monthly program. You can have a full year of fun for as little as $6.95 a month! Visit www.seaworldsandiego.com for more info.


SUNDAY 4.3.2011


San Marcos Grand Spring Festival 9am-5pm: The Grand Spring Festival is this Sunday!  Come out and enjoy the Live Music, Delicious Food, Family Amusement, Arts and Crafts, Beer Garden and over 300 Vendor booths! This event is FREE


Sunday Organ Concert: Every Sunday from 2pm-3pm guest of the historical Balboa Park are treated to an amazing FREE concert at the Organ Pavilion. Civic Organist Carol William performs a wonderful selection of music on San Diego's own, majestic piped organ. Just another one of those "Only in San Diego" benefits.

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MOTHER'S DAY ALERT (only 37 more days):
Mother's Day is quickly approaching and it's never too early to start planning. Many San Diego restaurants take reservations up to 60 days in advance. Don't wait until it's too late! In the next few weeks look out for our suggestions that are guaranteed to make mom smile!



 SAVE THE DATES! Upcoming events

-April 5 Padres Home Opener
-April 15-17 47th Annual Lakeside Rodeo
-April 16-17 Spring Busker Festival at Seaport Village
-April 17 Fallbrook Avocado Festival
-April 17 Earth Day Fair Balboa Park
-April 22 Opening Day "Disney Nature African Cats"
-April 24 Easter Sunday
-April 24 Padres Kid Sunday (First 8000 kids 14 and under get a free baseball glove)
-May 27 SeaWorld - One Ocean dress rehearsal show
-June 10 Opening Day at the San Diego County Fair


**Daddy Challenge: Request to leave work a little early for one day this week. Plan a fabulous home cooked meal and surprise the entire family with dinner!

 SAN DIEGO DADDIES OF PRESCHOOLERS