Sunday, June 27, 2010

Welcome SITStahs!

I am so excited today is finally here! It's my day to be featured on SITS. I can hardly hold my excitement in. The neighbors must think we've won the lotto. This is GREAT! What is SITS you ask? The SITS Girls as in The Secret is in the Sauce is a remarkable community of over 6,000 bloggers who support each other through comments. Let me tell you, these SITStahs are awesome. I have connected with countless bloggers and found the most amazing blogs that I follow and really love. Each day they feature one blogger and our day is here! Before you read on, you've got to check these SITStahs out, if you don't know about them already. You may find yourself at their next Bloggy Boot Camp. That's right, a boot camp for those new at blogging or those wanting to learn more. They have these Boot Camps in several cities across the US each year and they provide real valuable knowledge for each type of blogger. They aren't afraid to share, which I find refreshingly helpful.
Welcome to our little corner of the earth I like to call home, Orange County, California. While most of us here don't live like "The Real Housewives of Orange County" or "The OC" we certainly have a great place to call home. From the beaches to the amusement Parks and everything in between, we do live on a little piece of heaven on earth.

I started this blog to chronicle the fun times in Orange County with my family to be able to share our experiences with others. Orange County is a great place packed full of FUN but sometimes it is difficult to find all the happenings and activities in one place. I became a Stay at Home Mom sort of by accident. I was laid off from my job and instead of moping around feeling sorry for myself, I decided to begin my search to get out of the house and have some fun but the catch was, not a whole lot of money in the "fun fund". My goal was to create a place where those in my community could find fun FREE and Low Cost fun things to do with their kids. In my quest for fun, I have found so many activities for FREE. I thought this was so amazing, I had to share. OC Fun Guide's the website was born. Although it's far from completion, you will find some great places to see and much more on the way. In fact, much like a child, I don't think it will ever stop growing. Come take a look at all the fun activities there are to experience in Orange County. You may just change your summer vacation plans and come here instead:)
The Target Corporation is generous enough to grant funds to sponsor the Arts in many cities across the US. Target sponsors certain days of the week and pay for your admission so many are FREE or at least generously reduced in price. Take a look to see if there are any FREE days in your area. I encourage you to share all the awesome deals in your area because most of us are living these days on a budget, unless you were lucky enough to miss the bullet in this poor economy.
Feel free to take a look around. Read about what my daughter calls "the most awesomest place on earth", besides Disneyland of course. You can check out how much fun Disneyland birthdays can be. If you are interested in a little history, check out The Mission in San Juan Capistrano. For nature excursions be sure to visit The Environmental Nature Center or Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center. If you are interested in Ocean Ecology or Marine Biology, you may want to check out our visit to The Pacific Marine Mammal Center.
Even if you are not close to Orange County, California, always remember you are only a blog away. Thanks for coming and I hope you have enjoyed yourself. For those of you who live in or near Orange County you may want to sign up to receive our monthly activities and calendar to be sure you don't miss another event only to hear about it after.
Happy SITS Day!

Friday, June 25, 2010

OC Kid's Restaurant Week


Summer is here and the kids are finally out of school. To kick off your summer check out The Launch of OC Kid's Restaurant Week which is Saturday, June 27th (tomorrow) @ The District in Tustin from 12noon - 4pm. There will be mini-bounces houses, live music, face-painting, balloon art, cupcake decorating and interactive booths. You can enter the many raffles with either one canned good for the local food banks or $1 to win cool prizes like a Nirve beach cruiser bike, Knotts Berry Farm tickets, Wild Rivers Water park tickets and lots of other fun prizes. Why not enjoy the festivities on Saturday and all week for that matter. My idea of a good time definitely includes NOT COOKING. So for all of those in favor of a week off from cooking and deals at OC "kid friendly" restaurants hop on down to The District tomorrow and enjoy yourselves. You can feel extra good about this because eating at participating restaurants this week will give a portion of the proceeds to Share our Strength to support ending child hunger.

To take part in this week's family dining out celebration, visit OC Kid's Restaurant Week for a list of participating and "kid friendly" places to eat in Orange County.
In addition to Saturday's festivities at The District in Tustin, you can enjoy SUNDAY FUNDAY at Don The Beachcombers in Huntington Beach. This FREE event will take place this Sunday, June 27th from 4-5:30pm. Family's will be transported to the restaurant's Hidden Village to a tropical wonderland featuring Tapua Hula classes, shaved ice stations, sugar dumplin makin, indoor surf lessons by Katin and Tiki mask painting. If you are interested in attending RSVP by email to mona@moxxepr.com.
Enjoy this week and celebrate families dining out! Be sure to check out www.ocfunguide.com for FREE and Low Cost activities in Orange County this summer.
Happy Dining!




Monday, June 21, 2010

The Winner is.....

The winner of The family pack of (4) four Muzeo tickets is "ladybug777" who wrote "My 3 year old daughter just discovered frogs! Recently we took a hike up to the local "Frog Pond". She was beside herself with excitement. Would love to take her on another froggy adventure!

Congratulations! Email ocfunguide@gmail.com with your mailing info.

Stay tuned for more giveaways! Be sure to visit www.ocfunguide.com for FREE and Low Cost activities in Orange County!

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Upclose & Personal with FROGS: Giveaway

What kid doesn't like frogs? I can remember my own frog experience. When I was a kid, I had my own adventure with the slimy green creatures. Much to my mother's disgust, I filled up my little plastic pool in the backyard (meant for me to play in) with Frogs and by the next day, there were little tadpole's swimming around inside. After hours of pleading with my mother to let me keep the tadpole's in the baby pool (with the strict orders not to go in it), I had my very own Frog farm:) Once the buzz had gotten around the neighborhood, there wasn't a kid nearby who hadn't ventured over to see for themselves. Frogs are big with kids.


Well now there is a place in Orange County you can bring your kids to see over 100 Live FROGS. The Muzeo in Anaheim has an amazing exhibit featuring over 15 Frog Habitats with 12 interactive stations. Now this is the kind of exhibit that your kids would probably even clean their rooms for. If you bring them on Saturdays between 11am-3pm, they can even take part in Froggy Crafts for FREE.


In this exhibit you will learn about the evolution of these colorful creatures, their biological importance to ecosystems, and the threats they face in changing environments. Wow! Education and fun all in one, that's the kind of excursions I like to bring my kids on.

On to the exciting news...

One lucky follower of OC Fun Guide will be the winner of a family 4 pack of tickets to MUZEO in Anaheim. So if you haven't had the opportunity to see this exhibit or museum, or maybe you are dying to see it again, this is your chance.

Giveaway Rules:

First Entry
To enter, leave a comment here letting us know what you that you want to win and why
please leave you email address in first entry to be eligible

Additional Entries
  • Like OC Fun Guide on Facebook and leave a comment here after (1 entry)
  • Leave a comment on Facebook Fan Page (2 entries)
  • Follow us on http://twitter.com/ocfunguideand leave comment here after (1 entry)
  • Tweet this tweet about giveaway "I just entered OC Fun Guide's latest giveaway to win 4 tickets to see Muzeo visit http://www.ocfunguide.blogspot.com" and leave the link in a comment here (2 entries) (limit once per day)
  • Display OC Fun Guide's badge (located to the right of this post) on your blog leave comment here with your blog link (3 entries)
  • Like Muzeo on Facebook and leave a comment here after (2 entries)

Giveaway will run until Sunday, June 20th at 12 midnight and winner will be posted Monday, June 21st. Winner must contact us within 24 hours of notice or alternative winner will be chosen.

For more information on FREE and Low Cost activities in Orange County visit www.ocfunguide.com . Be sure to subscribe to our activity and event calendar so you won't miss another event only to hear about it after!

Happy Froggy Day!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

And the Winner is.....

Congratulations to:

"The Barlers" who answered: "that is super AWESOME. I was going to get tickets for my children, but I could not afford the tickets...due to being let go at work and a limited amount of income. I hope that you choose us to be your lucky winners"

Please email me at ocfunguide@gmail.com with your name and to confirm that you will be able to attend the event tomorrow (Friday, June 11th) at Pretend City from 10am-2pm.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Sid the Science Kid & Pretend Cty Giveaway

Big News for all your little ones! Sid the Science Kid will be at Pretend City this Friday, June 11th from 10am - 2pm for a very special Way to Play Day. During this fun celebrity visit Sid will be inviting all attendees to join in the various activities during the day including Special photos with Sid the Science Kid, VIP Viewings of a Brand New Sid the Science Kid episode titled "No School Singalong Special" which won't air until June 21st, a sing along parade with Sid featuring "I'm looking for my friends" (my daughter's fav), and of course prize giveaways from Sid the Science Kid and Pretend City Museum. This is a day you won't want to miss.

Giveaway time: One Lucky reader of OC Fun Guide's Blog will win two ( 2) tickets to this Friday's Way to Play Day with Sid the Science Kid at Pretend City AND their very own special "Sid the Science Kid, Gotta Know" microphone. Just leave a comment here telling us why your child would love to win! My daughter absolutely loves Sid the Science Kid and cannot wait to see him live! Getting a chance to interact and play with Sid will be a highlight and an awesome memory for years to come. Be sure to bring your camera for all the photo ops. This is a short giveaway and will run until Thursday, June 10th at 12noon. The winner will be announced at 1pm.

We also have a special coupon for you for this day! A 2 for 1 admission for this Friday's Way to Play Day at Pretend City Museum. The Way to Play Day with Sid the Science Kid is a partnership between KCET and Pretend City's Good to Go From Head to Toe. On this special Way to Play Day with Sid, activities will focus on the importance of exercise, discovering healthy foods and more.

Can't wait to see you all there!

Happy Pretending!

Winner must be a Southern California Resident or able to attend Way to Play Day on Friday June 11th. Prize will be redeemed at Pretend City along with a special goodie bag for your little one.

OC Fun Guide received complimentary tickets to museum and a Sid the Science Kid Gotta Know Microphone as compensation for this post.

Friday, June 4, 2010

The Circus is in Town


The big top is back! California's very own Circus Vargas is in Orange County through June 28th. If you have not had the pleasure of seeing this wonderful show, you have got to check it out! The acts are simply amazing. If you have little ones, they will love the clowns hilarious contribution to the show. The acrobatics are stunning as with most of the acts in the show. This year they have an all new show so if you have seen Circus Vargas in the past, you are in for a treat this year.

Some of my most favorite memories as a child were going to the circus with my family. Summer is here and there is so much fun to be had, so start off with bang this year and visit Circus Vargas while you have the chance.

They have shows scheduled in Costa Mesa until June 7 and then will move on to Santa Ana from June 10-14, and finally on to Westminster from June 17-28. You can visit the Circus Vargas website for the exact location as well as to purchase tickets. If you have children be sure to take advantage of this $10 off child coupon. Tickets start at $15 for children and $20 for adults. If you get there a little early you can participate in the pre-show where you can take part in a quick crash course of stamina and skill and learn the ropes Circus Vargas style.

For additional information on activities and events in Orange County be sure to visit http://www.ocfunguide.com/ . To stay up to date on FREE and Low Cost activities and events be sure to check our calendar and subscribe to updates so you won't miss another great event only to hear about it after.

Happy Juggling!