Family Fun Weekend Guide May 13-15

A Daddies guide to Family Fun!

Friday Night Movie Pick

New this week in IMAX is "Born to Be Wild". An amazing story, Narrated by Academy-Award® winner Morgan Freeman,  of orphaned orangutans and elephants and their loving human friends who help rebirth these animals back into the wild. This movie is an IMAX exclusive, runs about 40 minutes and is only showing at the Ruben H. Fleet Space Center. For tickets and show times CLICK HERE

The fun of Latin music is still going on at SeaWorld. Here is a list of this weeks concert.


Saturday, May 14 - Belanova

Belanova, a Mexican electropop band, delivered their first album "Cocktail" in 2003. Their third album "Dulce Beat Live," featured the single "Rosa Pastel" which allowed them to travel around America. Their latest album "Fantasia Pop" (2007) won a golden disc for sales in just 2 days.

Sunday, May 15 - Fonseca
Born in Bogotá, Fonseca sparked an interest in music at the age of 12. After releasing the first album in 2002 and being recognized as an "artist to watch", Fonseca launched his second project titled CORAZON two years ago. Having worked with the highest recording and producing standards, CORAZON has become a great challenge given that his creative guidelines are much riskier and surprising.

Saturday 05.14.2011

Kidney Walk & Health Fair (8am) Liberty Station- Start off your family morning with a nice walk for a good cause. The National Kidney Foundation Kidney Walk is a fun, inspiring community fundraiser that calls attention to the prevention of kidney disease and the need for organ donation. It's also an opportunity for patients, family, friends and businesses to come together. Be sure to check out our FREE Wellness Fair, Kids Zone, entertainment and MORE!!  This year the Kids Zone will include MAD Science!! Whitney Southwick of 7/39 NBC will kick start the walk and the morning team of 94.1FM will have walkers dancing all the way to the finish line! There is still time to sign up CLICK HERE to register today! After the race, bring a picnic lunch to enjoy at the park. Drinks and snacks will be provided.

Pet Day on the Bay (10:00am-1:30pm) Hornblower Cruise - If walking is not your thing, maybe you've been blessed with a dog and sea legs! The 11th annual "Pet Day on the Bay" is going on in an effort to support the Helen Woodward Animal Center. For $20 per person, you and your dog can enjoy a one hour cruise around the bay. A portion of your ticket will support the facility renovations at HWAC. Cruises are scheduled to leave at 1030am, 12 noon, and 130pm. Tickets are still available for all cruises. All well-behaved dogs are invited, for more information CLCIK HERE **If you don't want to enjoy a cruise but still want to help support the cause, stop by the Hornblower ticket office and donate a new or gently used blanket or towel.

FREE Family Day at the Kroc Center (10am) - Bring the entire family out for a day of fun and discover what the Kroc center has to offer. From rock climbing, swimming, ice skating, skateboarding and fitness classes, the Kroc center has something fun for everyone. Join and become a member during the event and your membership is FREE (a $99 savings). You can even sign the kids up for a fun summer camp for only $10 during the event. For more information on this FREE event and for other programs that the Kroc Center has to offer, visit http://kroccenter.org/

FREE Wild West Fest (11am-2pm) Carlsbad Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park - Come explore the wild wild west and see how the cowboys once ruled the land. The city of Carlsbad brings the family a fun filled afternoon with real cowboy demonstration of rope tricks and shootouts. Kids can make their own cowboy hat or ride the bucking bronco. There will also be a salsa making contest along with lots of shopping. For more information and directions to the fun CLICK HERE

Spring Fling Radio-controlled Planes (8am-5pm) Are you interested in model electric airplanes? Then come out to Mission Bay Park to watch radio-controlled airplanes take to the air in demonstrations and competitions as if a miniature airport were in the area. Many of the models are near-exact replicas of the actual planes they portray. The event is FREE to watch and $15 if you have a plane you would like to fly. 

FREE Community Band Festival (10am-8pm) Old Poway Park - In celebration and support of our local armed forces, the City of Poway turns Old Poway Park into a fun filled patriotic party! Come and enjoy live music by band from throughout California and Arizona. Kids can ride a steam locomotive train while mom and dad cruise the arts and crafts market. The military band will also close out the day with a special concert. For more information and directions visit www.poway.org



Sunday 05.15.2011 National Chocolate Chip Day

It's National Chocolate Chip Day! Bake some fresh homemade cookies with the kids, or stop by your local bakery and indulge!!!

Little Italy Stickball (10am-4pm) - Have you ever been down Little Italy? If you haven't it's definitely a "must visit" San Diego landmark. The streets are filled with wonderful shops, art galleries and many different restaurants.  You can even catch a game of Stickball. Stickball is an urban sport that was first played years ago in the streets of New York City. Stickball is played in the streets of Little Italy from April until August on the first and third Sunday of the month. Come on down, grab some gelatostickball league visit www.littleitalysd.com


FREE Escondido Dowtown Street Faire (10am-6pm) Up and down the Historic Escondido Grand Ave. there will be fun, food and family entertainment. With over 600 vendors the faire has been a family tradition since 1988.

Scripts Ranch Community Fair & Concert (11am-8pm) Scripps Ranch is hosting a family festival where people can enjoy a full day of entertainment. The Kids Zone has games, mechanical rides, a jumper, and an obstacle course. You can shop for crafts and toys, or stop and rest for a tasty lunch. The event winds down with a special evening concert.

SAVE THE DATES! Upcoming events

-May 21 Explore Mission Trails Day

-May 22 Children's Music Festival

-May 22 Jack in the Box Hoops at the beach

-May 22 Sicilian Festival
-May 27 SeaWorld - One Ocean dress rehearsal show

-May 28 Sante Street Fair

-May 29 Vista Strawberry Festival
-June 4 Sesame Street Live "Elmo's Healthy Heroes" 
-June 10 Opening Day at the San Diego County Fair - DISCOUNT TICKETS AVAILABLE AT COSTCO.
-June 10 Cars 2 Tour (Location TBA)

-July 14-17 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Fully Charged

-June 18 21st Annual Fire Expo & Firefighter Demo Derby

**Daddy Challenge: Look for a fun 3K or 5K fun run that you can sign your entire family up for. 

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Strategies to Make Anytime With Your Child Quality Time

Here's a great article I read today about spending quality time with our kids. The article was written by a mom, but the suggestions that she gives are for both mom and dad to make the most of anytime they have with their kids.

Strategies to Make Anytime With Your Child Quality Time

Working and raising children is the great balancing act that an increasing number of parents perform.

By Penny Warner

Working and raising children is the great balancing act that an increasing number of parents perform.

As a mother of two grown children, I know first hand what a challenge it is to raise kids and work simultaneously. 

Parents who work outside the home face many dilemmas and oftentimes deal with a significant amount of guilt. Am I a good parent if I opt to return to work? Will my children suffer if I put them in daycare? How can I work and still raise healthy and well-adjusted kids? 

According to researchers in a wide range of fields, the time young children spend with their parents is essential for their healthy development. As such, parents should not feel guilty about working outside the home, but they should enjoy and make the most of the time they do spend with their children. In other words, make it "quality time." 

Quality time is defined by development experts as meaningful time parents spend nurturing and teaching their children, and is not just reserved for stay-at-home moms or dads. Time-crunched working parents take note: You too can have quality time with your kids. It's what you make of the time you spend with your children that makes it quality time. 

There are many moments throughout the day that busy parents spend with their kids -- standing in line, waiting for the doctor, driving the kids to school, getting ready for bed -- that can easily be turned into quality time. All it takes is some imagination and creativity. 

I've collected over 200 stimulating activities (in my new book "Quality Time Anytime") that parents can use during daily rituals to strengthen the parent-child relationship and teach skills and values that will benefit kids long into the future. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Bath time: Give your child a toy boat to float in the bath tub and ask her to guess how many pennies (or paper clips) she has to put in the boat to sink it. Then, ask her to test her guess.
  
• Bedtime: Read a story to your child, and have her try to guess the ending before you finish the book to build creativity and imagination.
  
• Car time: Play rhyming games, make up rap songs, and play the alphabet game, by spotting letters A through Z on passing signs.
  
• Dinner-making time: As you prepare dinner in the evening, let your child help you cook or create a kitchen concoction while you cook. For example, fill a bowl with soapy water and let her beat with an eggbeater. Then add food coloring and have her continue to beat. See what happens! Meal time: While the family is gathered, play word games, such as I'm thinking of a word in the kitchen that begins with "J," or tell jokes and share funny stories to emphasize the importance of family "togetherness."
  
• Shopping time: Have your child play "find the food" to become more aware of what the family eats or "check the change" to become more aware of how much things cost.

All things considered, it just takes a little imagination plus love for busy, working parents to create activities that will help them raise happy, confident responsible children. By making anytime quality time, children will learn fundamental skills that will serve them well for a lifetime. 

Mother's Day Weekend Guide May 6 - May 8

They build the world with love and care
  One infant at a time.
Their work does more than courts and kings
  To rid the world of crime.
The interest on the gifts they bring
  This world could never pay.
And so, we pause to honor them
  Each year on Mother’s Day.

   -Wendell W. Welling

Happy Mother's Day to all of our loving Mommies

Friday 5.06.2011

This Friday, instead of our normal Friday Night Movie picks, I think it's a great idea to prepare for an even more important day that is just around the corner. And if you're a dad and you still have no idea what I am talking about...you might be in trouble! But don't worry...Dad's must stick together and I've got some ideas that are perfect, even at the last minute.

Everything you need for a beautiful and FREE Mother's Day!

Making Mother's Day Cards: Nothing says Happy Mothers Day like a homemade card and our friends at Disney Movie Rewards have created 2 great cards that you can print out and then have the kids add the finishing touches.

 CLICK HERE for a card for Mom

 CLICK HERE for a card for Grandma.

CLICK HERE for a Mother's Day Coloring Page.

Mother's Day Gift Idea: Help the kids to make a coupon book for mom. On each coupon help the kids come up with different favors that they can do for mom. Example: "Help mommy take the laundry out of the dryer" or "Help mommy take out the trash" Or you can even make coupons for free kisses and hugs. Have the kids color each coupon and then help them to organize them into a little book. What's that...you're not that creative...ok...CLICK HERE for some examples that are ready for you to click and print. Just have the kids add color!

Mother's Day Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner: Think about mom's most favorite home cooked dish and plan on making it for Mother's Day. Help the kids to create a special menu with all of the selections that you have planned. Instead of prices, put the amount of hugs or kisses it will cost. Let the kids decorate and color the menu and then hide it until Sunday. When it's time to eat, have the kids pretend they are the waiters and take mommies order. Don't forget to make her pay for her food!

Mother's Day Movie Night:  Pop some popcorn, or make some bowls of ice cream and get the family together after dinner or even in the middle of the day for a family movie. Let mom take her pick for today's feature presentation!

You're all set for Mother's Day!

 Now let's check out all the other fun around town this weekend!

Saturday 5.07.2011

National Free Comic Book Day: Start your day off with a free comic book, and encourage your child to read. Comic books are a great way to get a child into reading that would not normally pick up a book. Often times the visual aspect that a comic book provides is just enough excitement to make reading fun. In no time your child will be searching for best selling novels. CLICK HERE for a list of comic book store in San Diego that will be participating in this years FREE comic book day.

 San Diego Dragon Boat Races (9am-5pm) East Mission Bay: If you missed last weeks Asian Festival, this weekend you have another chance to celebrate! Come see the Asian racing boats out on the water. Each boat contains a drummer who sits at the helm pounding a drum to set the pace for oarsmen who paddle in synchronized motion to get the boats gliding smoothly and quickly across the water. On land, celebrate pan-Asian cultures and cuisines. For more information visit http://www.sdalliance.org/

23rd Annual American Indian Culture Days (10am-6pm) 2-Day Event Balboa Park - American Indians from across the US will participate at this Pow Wow to offer a presentation of traditional American Indian culture. Highlights include costumed dancing, drumming, storytelling, tasty food, and hand-crafted goods. The event concludes with the renditions of a solo flutist

Grand Opening of "The Yellow Book Road" at Liberty Station (9am-5pm) - Voted the #1 children's bookstore in San Diego for the last 3 years in a row, The Yellow Book Road bookstore is celebrating their newest location in Liberty Stations across from Ace Hardware. Join the grand opening with photo ops with storybook characters, balloons, raffles, storytellers and a book signing with Laurie Powers, author of Billy Bunce Booberay.

Gator by the Bay Festival (10:30am-8pm) 2-Day Event Spanish Landing Park - If you love the taste and sounds of New Orleans, you will love this Zydeco and Cajun festival. Come enjoy all kinds of music, authentic Creole food, dancing and even a New Orleans style parade. Tickets are $30 for the festival but kids 17 and under are FREE with paid adult. For more information visit wwww.gatorbythebay.com

San Diego Zoo Garden Festival - Learn how the Zoo's garden grows with fun activities and presentation throughout the day. CLICK HERE for a complete listing of this weekends events.

Seaworld's Viva La Musica Festival - Zion and LennoxZion and Lennox, representing Reggaeton on a global level, released their hit album “Motovando la Yal,” over a year ago. Their music has had a significant cultural impact and touched many audiences in the United States, Europe and Latin America. They have visited many major U.S. cities and have performed in prestigious venues including Madison Square Garden and the Miami Arena.

Sunday 05.08.2011 Happy Mothers Day

Chula Vista's Festival Cinco de Mayo (11am-7pm) Memorial Park: Take mom out to a Mexican fiesta featuring musical performances, culinary delights and a Quinceanera Extravaganza. This annual event is held a Memorial Park (Third Ave, between E and Alvarado), and since today is Mother's Day, they have added something extra special just for mom. For just $5 kids can treat mom to the Red Carpet Treatment Tent. There she will be able to receive a mini facial, manicure & pedicure, a massage, and a little goodie bag. For more information on this event visit http://www.thirdavenuevillage.com/

Carlsbad Flower Fields Mother's Day Celebration (9am-6pm) Besides being full of fun for the whole family and a great place to take pictures, the Carlsbad Flower Fields offers a calender packed with special events. For Mother's Day children can "Build Your Own Bouquet for Mommy". JUST ANNOUNCE - Due to the spectacular late-season color, the best the Flower Fields as ever seen, the fields will be extending the season through May 15.

Take Mom to John's Incredible Pizza for FREE: If you still have not had a chance to check out San Diego's newest pizza arcade, you're missing out. John's is part Chuck E Cheese, part Boomers, part buffet! Did I mention that the prices are family friendly. This Sunday ALL mom's eat free, CLICK HERE to download this special offer as well as a coupon for a free $5 fun card for military families with valid ID.

Seaworld's Viva La Musica Festival - Maria Gabriela and Peche from ISA TK+ISA TK+, a Venezuelan musical group created in 2008, is based on the popular teen telenovela, Isa TKM. Their first CD, which launched 2009, “La Fiesta va a Empezar” (the party is going to start), became a huge sensation after airing on Nickelodeon Latin America. “Ven A Bailar,” “Vamos A Vivir,” “Ella Tiene Un Amor” are a few of their popular recent singles.

SAVE THE DATES! Upcoming events-May 13 "Born to Be Wild" in theaters

-May 14 San Diego Walk for Kidney's

-May14 Family Day at the Kroc Center

-May 21 Explore Mission Trails Day

-May 22 Children's Music Festival

-May 22 Jack in the Box Hoops at the beach

-May 22 Sicilian Festival
-May 27 SeaWorld - One Ocean dress rehearsal show

-May 28 Sante Street Fair

-May 29 Vista Strawberry Festival
-June 4 Sesame Street Live "Elmo's Healthy Heroes" 
-June 10 Opening Day at the San Diego County Fair - DISCOUNT TICKETS AVAILABLE AT COSTCO.
-June 10 Cars 2 Tour (Location TBA)

-July 14-17 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Fully Charged

-June 18 21st Annual Fire Expo & Firefighter Demo Derby

**Daddy Challenge: Try to make an effort to read a short book or short story to your child every night this week.

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FAMILY FUN WEEKEND APRIL 29 - MAY 1

Get ready for another family fun weekend. As usual in San Diego, there are a ton of events going on all over town. I know you work hard all week and want to relax, but just think about all the fun family memories you can create! It's worth it!

Seaworld Viva La Musica Weekends April 30-May2 2 - Get out those Seaworld fun cards and head to the fun. The return of the fiery Latin music festival is back at Seaworld San Diego. Fill you senses with all the sights and sounds and taste of this vibrant culture. Enjoy live concerts by today's hottest acts, plus favorite local entertainers. All concerts are included with your park admission.

Don't Miss it!

Friday 4.29.11

Not much going on this Friday, however if you don't feel like staying home on a Friday night and watching all of the Royal Wedding coverage that I am sure will consume the night, there are 3 great movies still playing in theaters that your kids will love.

Saturday 4.30.11

27th Annual Children's Book Party Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park (830am-1030am) - Parents can bring their children (grades K-12) to attend a children's book party where everything is FREE! There will be delightful performances, refreshments, and tables stacked with new books. Each child that comes to this event can pick out two new books to keep for their very own. http://www.childrensbookparty.org/

38th Annual Roots Fest & Healing Arts Fest (Saturday and Sunday 10am-7pm)  The Roots Fest features five stages of musical entertainment; folk, Cajun, country, gospel, jazz, blues, and bluegrass. There's a beer garden, a separate beer-tasting area, tantalizing food, and merchandise. A Healing Arts Fest accompanies the Roots Fest with health-related products and services. http://www.adamsavenuebusiness.com/  Mission Federal ArtWalk (Saturday and Sunday 11am-6pm) Little Italy presents an adventurous art walk that showcases visual and performing art such as paintings, sculpture, photography, digital art, mixed media, music, and dance. Works are displayed in tents and shops with performances along the way. A fun Kids Walk accompanies the event. Live on the Seaworld Viva La Musica Stage - Los Tucanes De Tijuana is a Latino Regional Band founded on April 13, 1987 by Mario Quintero Lara and a group of talented friends in the City of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. From humble beginnings, starting their musical career by playing at nightclubs they rose to become the most successful and sought after Norteño Band in Mexico, Latin America and the United States. They are by far the global ambassadors of Norteña music and Corrido ballads.

Sunday 5.1.11

2nd Annual Asian Cultural Festival of San Diego
This festival showcases Asian culture in a big way. You'll experience a full day of costumed performances and exceptional music. Enjoy martial arts and cooking demonstrations, cultural exhibits, craft-making, and merchandise booths. There's also a food court, picnic area, and a playground

28th Annual Fiesta Old Town Cinco de Mayo (Saturday and Sunday)
This popular Cinco de Mayo celebration has on-going sizzling flamenco beats and Mariachi music. Visitors can have an adventurous shopping experience in the bustling Mercado, take a stagecoach ride, sample high-end tequila, eat zesty foods, and see gravity-defying hydrolic cars in the Lowrider Lane

San Diego Ho' Olaule'a/Keiki (10am-2pm) - Observe long sleek Hawaiian outrigger canoes on the waters of Mission Bay where a regatta is taking place. In aloha spirit, paddlers strive to get their boats to win the race as onshore hula dancers sway to the sound of music. This event is in conjunction with the "Ho' Olaule'a/Keiki Festival". http://www.ikunakoa.com/

16th Annual Fiesta de los Penasquitos (11am-5pm) Ranch Penasquitos is alive with a festival of fun! It's a day to showcase the musical talents of local bands, artists, businesses, schools, and service organizations. Come to enjoy music and dance performances, go on carnival rides, shop for merchandise, and sit down to a tasty lunch. http://www.fiestapq.com/

Live on the Seaworld Viva La Musica Stage - Intocable
is a Tejano/Norteño musical group from Zapata, Texasthat was started by friends Ricky Muñoz and René Martínez in the early 90's. Within a couple years as a band, Intocable had already risen to the top of theTejano and Norteño fields with a musical signature that had fused Tejano's robustconjunto and Norteño folk rhythms with a pop balladry. Currently, Intocable could very well be the most influential group in Tejano, and their tough Tejano/Norteño fusion has become the blueprint for dozens of Tex-Mex groups

Help Support The San Diego Kidney Foundation

This year, I will be walking to 2011 Kidney walk WITH and on behalf of my good friend Ray who is living kidney disease. Our goal is to raise at least $200 for the San Diego Kidney Foundation. I know times are really tough for all of us, but if you have the means, please consider a small donation to the Kidney Foundation. Every dollar counts and is very much appreciated by all those that are dealing with this disease. If you would like to make a donation today,

 CLICK HERE. 

And Thank you so much in advance for your generosity. 

Me & Ray showing off our wedding rings at Ray's wedding

SAVE THE DATES! Upcoming events
-May 5 National Day of Prayer 
-May 8 Mother's Day
-May 14 San Diego Walk for Kidney's
-May 27 SeaWorld - One Ocean dress rehearsal show
-June 4 "Elmo's Healthy Heroes" 
-June 10 Opening Day at the San Diego County Fair - DISCOUNT TICKETS ARE ALREADY AVAILABLE AT COSTCO.
-June 10 Cars 2 Tour (Location TBA)

**Daddy Challenge: Every time you kiss your wife this weekend, kiss you kids. 

If you're already a friend on Facebook, Thank you!

and if you're not...find us!

 SAN DIEGO DADDIES OF PRESCHOOLERS