Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Fire and Ice
Went to see a Mad Science show at the Valencia library. It was entertaining and the girls enjoyed it. He experimented with fire and special paper, Low and high air pressure with balls, and used dry ice with "potions" to create science experiments. My 6 year old was excited because he was using science terms of gas and liquids that she's learning in school.
Monday, February 21, 2011
President's Day
The Ronald Regan Library normally has a couple good free events during the year; so we thought we check it out for President's Day. It was not a good event in terms of free activities for kids. I guess that was not the emphasis though. The main attraction was the museum; which we don't visit. Because what 6 & 3 year old want to visit that?
If you don't get there when the event starts, then you will have to park down the hill and wait for a shuttle to pick you up. Well, we got there about an 1 1/2 later and we had to park at the adjacent park. It took about 25 min. for the shuttle to pick us up. Luckily, we were at a park, so the girls could just run around. They were also entertained when the family in front of us found a caterpillar. Finding a caterpillar is very exciting when you're waiting in line that long.
Finally, we get there and there is a huge line waiting to get into the museum.
I think some people thought it was free; but it wasn't. We found the activities for kids and were disappointed. There were 2 crafts to make a president's hat and a penney necklace. There was also a table to make a Lincoln log cabin. The girls had fun making the 2 crafts and then we sat and ate our sack lunch while listening to George Washington tell his life story, followed by a jazz band. The highlight was making the Lincoln log cabin.
I could have just bought some Lincoln logs at the store and used some construction paper to make the crafts at home. If it wasn't as far, I wouldn't have minded because I like to just get out of the house and do something different. Now, I know for next time, that the museum is the main attraction on President's Day. I'll stick with coming back for their 4th of July event.
If you don't get there when the event starts, then you will have to park down the hill and wait for a shuttle to pick you up. Well, we got there about an 1 1/2 later and we had to park at the adjacent park. It took about 25 min. for the shuttle to pick us up. Luckily, we were at a park, so the girls could just run around. They were also entertained when the family in front of us found a caterpillar. Finding a caterpillar is very exciting when you're waiting in line that long.
Finally, we get there and there is a huge line waiting to get into the museum.
I think some people thought it was free; but it wasn't. We found the activities for kids and were disappointed. There were 2 crafts to make a president's hat and a penney necklace. There was also a table to make a Lincoln log cabin. The girls had fun making the 2 crafts and then we sat and ate our sack lunch while listening to George Washington tell his life story, followed by a jazz band. The highlight was making the Lincoln log cabin.
I could have just bought some Lincoln logs at the store and used some construction paper to make the crafts at home. If it wasn't as far, I wouldn't have minded because I like to just get out of the house and do something different. Now, I know for next time, that the museum is the main attraction on President's Day. I'll stick with coming back for their 4th of July event.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Candyland-Japanese American Museum
The Japanese American Museum's Target Free Saturdays have not failed us yet; so we had to check out their candyland event. No, not the candyland board game - just a bunch of free candy to help celebrate Valentine's Day.
We got there and immediately stood in a line to get to the candy buffet table. They had an assortment of candy from different countries around the world. The girls got to pick 3 pieces to put in a box. If they wanted more, they could get back in line. As the line got shorter, we went back a couple times so they could get candy that is not very common to get in US stores. It was fun to try candy from the different countries. A favorite was the Taiwan(I think)Jello type candy.
The girls had fun making candy leis using 8 pieces of candy, a long cello bag and some yarn. They also made a cupcake flower using paper cupcake wrappers and a pipe cleaner. Last, was the sweet message box, where they took a wooden circle to decorate and wrapped it like a piece of candy, put it in a box to decorate to give to their Valentine.
They snuck in something healthy among the candy fest. How dare they! A table to make your own fruit kabob lined the wall. It was full of bananas, apples, strawberries, and pineapple. My youngest, who loves fruit, put everything on her stick and gobbled it right up. My oldest, who is not a fruit eater, just made hers from apples, took a couple bites and gave the rest to me.
Another highlight was the photo chocolate lollipops. We stood in line to have the girls picture taken, then we could watch as they printed their picture with edible ink onto chocolate lollipops. They girls have not eaten their faces yet. They look to cute to eat.
The last treat of the day was a Japanese dessert called Mochi. He demonstrated how they make it and gave out samples. It is made from rice and looks and tastes like a rainbow marshmallow. But unlike marshmallows, I could only handle eating just one. The 1st one tasted good; but not so much after that.
The girls only had one complaint with their fun filled candy day. Which was, I want more candy!
We got there and immediately stood in a line to get to the candy buffet table. They had an assortment of candy from different countries around the world. The girls got to pick 3 pieces to put in a box. If they wanted more, they could get back in line. As the line got shorter, we went back a couple times so they could get candy that is not very common to get in US stores. It was fun to try candy from the different countries. A favorite was the Taiwan(I think)Jello type candy.
The girls had fun making candy leis using 8 pieces of candy, a long cello bag and some yarn. They also made a cupcake flower using paper cupcake wrappers and a pipe cleaner. Last, was the sweet message box, where they took a wooden circle to decorate and wrapped it like a piece of candy, put it in a box to decorate to give to their Valentine.
They snuck in something healthy among the candy fest. How dare they! A table to make your own fruit kabob lined the wall. It was full of bananas, apples, strawberries, and pineapple. My youngest, who loves fruit, put everything on her stick and gobbled it right up. My oldest, who is not a fruit eater, just made hers from apples, took a couple bites and gave the rest to me.
Another highlight was the photo chocolate lollipops. We stood in line to have the girls picture taken, then we could watch as they printed their picture with edible ink onto chocolate lollipops. They girls have not eaten their faces yet. They look to cute to eat.
The last treat of the day was a Japanese dessert called Mochi. He demonstrated how they make it and gave out samples. It is made from rice and looks and tastes like a rainbow marshmallow. But unlike marshmallows, I could only handle eating just one. The 1st one tasted good; but not so much after that.
The girls only had one complaint with their fun filled candy day. Which was, I want more candy!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Jam Packed Day
There were a lot of little things that I wanted to do which made for a jam packed day. To start the day, Barnes and Noble had story time for kids. Biscuit the puppy made a visit to the kids. My youngest loves dogs and Biscuit; so she was very excited to see him. They also listened to Biscuit stories and colored a Biscuit page.
After story time, we went to Home Depot to do their monthly Kids Workshop. They were making heart shelves. My oldest loves hearts and she was very excited to build her shelf and paint it when we got home.
We ate a quick lunch and back out again to go to the Animal Presentation at Placerita Canyon Nature Center. This did not appeal to my oldest; but my husband was interested in checking it out. It is an hour long presentation and brought out and talked about some kind of bird, a snake, taranchilla, and a skunk. It was interesting; but both the girls were bored and wanted to leave. We didn't stick around for the last animal.
After the animal show, we went to McDonald's to get the girls a chocolate fudge sundae treat. We are doing 'Kids of Character' at home to be kind. My oldest got enough stamps to pick a treat; and she chose ice cream.
Once the ice cream was scarfed down, it was time to go to Castle Park for a birthday party, where the kids had fun playing skeeball, eating pizza and cake and golfing.
After all the days activity, the girls still had a ton of energy in the evening. I guess all the sugar they ate didn't help any.
After story time, we went to Home Depot to do their monthly Kids Workshop. They were making heart shelves. My oldest loves hearts and she was very excited to build her shelf and paint it when we got home.
We ate a quick lunch and back out again to go to the Animal Presentation at Placerita Canyon Nature Center. This did not appeal to my oldest; but my husband was interested in checking it out. It is an hour long presentation and brought out and talked about some kind of bird, a snake, taranchilla, and a skunk. It was interesting; but both the girls were bored and wanted to leave. We didn't stick around for the last animal.
After the animal show, we went to McDonald's to get the girls a chocolate fudge sundae treat. We are doing 'Kids of Character' at home to be kind. My oldest got enough stamps to pick a treat; and she chose ice cream.
Once the ice cream was scarfed down, it was time to go to Castle Park for a birthday party, where the kids had fun playing skeeball, eating pizza and cake and golfing.
After all the days activity, the girls still had a ton of energy in the evening. I guess all the sugar they ate didn't help any.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
California Science Center
I had just found out that the California Science Center has FREE admission with $8 parking. It was a rainy day; but decided to take the drive anyway. I think this place is the best FREE place for the family; especially kids.
There are a lot of interactive things for the kids to do, such as building bridges, making buildings with Tinker Toys, learn how solar energy works when driving a car using a remote, touch an ice wall, building structures to make them earthquake proof and more. They had an earthquake simulator as well. I don't know why anyone would want to wait 15 min. line to feel and earthquake. I guess it's a good experience for kids to know what one will feel like if they never felt one.
They also have a couple play areas for kids. One area is for kids 7 and under and the other is for kids maybe 10 and under. The aquariums filled with fish and sharks as well as the small touch tank was fun to see. You can also pretend you're a barnacle trying to catch food (ping pong balls).
The place closed before we got to finish. We spent about 3 1/2 hrs there and could have probably spent at least another hour. We will definitely be back for another visit.
There are a lot of interactive things for the kids to do, such as building bridges, making buildings with Tinker Toys, learn how solar energy works when driving a car using a remote, touch an ice wall, building structures to make them earthquake proof and more. They had an earthquake simulator as well. I don't know why anyone would want to wait 15 min. line to feel and earthquake. I guess it's a good experience for kids to know what one will feel like if they never felt one.
They also have a couple play areas for kids. One area is for kids 7 and under and the other is for kids maybe 10 and under. The aquariums filled with fish and sharks as well as the small touch tank was fun to see. You can also pretend you're a barnacle trying to catch food (ping pong balls).
The place closed before we got to finish. We spent about 3 1/2 hrs there and could have probably spent at least another hour. We will definitely be back for another visit.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
We Need CHNOPS! Comet at Griffith Observatory
I had not been to the Griffith Observatory in a very long time. The last time I was there was before the remodel and when the laser shows were around. I would really like someone to bring back the laser shows!
I thought my 6-year-old daughter MIGHT have some interest in watching a presentation on how to make a comet using household ingredients while exploring the nature of water as well as where we might find water or other life in our solar system. Here's a little science lesson that I took back from the presentation. We need Chnops! No, I'm not talking about the drink. Although some may need that too. In order for life to exist we need Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphate and Sulphate. The last 5 minutes of the presentation was spent on making a comet from water, sand, charcoal, Windex and dry ice. It was an interesting and fun presentation that my 6 year old actually enjoyed. My 3 year old on the other hand barely got through it as expected.
The girls also enjoyed looking through the telescopes, weighing themselves on each planet, determining who got the better constellation that appears on their birthday month, watching the different phases of the moon and learning about eclipses. The views are great! My oldest kept trying to spot our house which is nowhere to been seen; but she insisted she saw it! She also enjoyed getting a closer look at the Hollywood sign. She seems to have a fascination for Hollywood. I don't get it. Hollywood is overrated and it not pretty to look at IMO.
The observatory has free admission except for a few shows, and free parking. If you go on a weekend, be prepared to walk at least a mile to get up there. We sure got our exercise.
I thought my 6-year-old daughter MIGHT have some interest in watching a presentation on how to make a comet using household ingredients while exploring the nature of water as well as where we might find water or other life in our solar system. Here's a little science lesson that I took back from the presentation. We need Chnops! No, I'm not talking about the drink. Although some may need that too. In order for life to exist we need Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphate and Sulphate. The last 5 minutes of the presentation was spent on making a comet from water, sand, charcoal, Windex and dry ice. It was an interesting and fun presentation that my 6 year old actually enjoyed. My 3 year old on the other hand barely got through it as expected.
The girls also enjoyed looking through the telescopes, weighing themselves on each planet, determining who got the better constellation that appears on their birthday month, watching the different phases of the moon and learning about eclipses. The views are great! My oldest kept trying to spot our house which is nowhere to been seen; but she insisted she saw it! She also enjoyed getting a closer look at the Hollywood sign. She seems to have a fascination for Hollywood. I don't get it. Hollywood is overrated and it not pretty to look at IMO.
The observatory has free admission except for a few shows, and free parking. If you go on a weekend, be prepared to walk at least a mile to get up there. We sure got our exercise.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Snow in Santa Clarita!
It's hard to believe that we actually got snow in our own backyard! This was not man-made snow. This was the real stuff! It must have been about 20 years since it last snowed out here. It was neat to look out to white covered grass and see cars blanketed in snow who were parked on the street. The girls really enjoyed going outside and catching snowflakes, trying to make a snowman and having a snowball fight. The best part is that we didn't have to travel anywhere to play in it. It was dark and very cold; so we didn't stay out very long. It was long enough to have some fun, take pictures and video tape the rare occasion.
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