Archive of ‘SoCalSavvyMom’ category

That time of year when everything turns pink

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It is that time of year again when everything turns pink for Breast Cancer Awareness month, and it stabs a knife right into my heart. I was going about my normal life and on October 2nd like most American’s on a Sunday was watching the NFL. Then there it was staring right at me, what can really only be described as a pink vomit explosion on every player, referee, coach and supporting staff as far as the eye can see. I used to think it was really ‘cute’ when the big players wore pink, but that was about as far as that went, I wasn’t thinking about Breast Cancer. They don’t have an area in the stadium of women who have battled or are battling breast cancer that they show on TV. They don’t have the players mothers, wives, sisters, friends, and daughters tell their story of their battle of breast cancer, They just turn shit pink. How does this  help women who have or are battling breast cancer?

Although it is rare, men too suffer from breast cancer, I have a family member who is towards the end of his treatment soon. What does the NFL turning everything pink do for him? Is his breast cancer any less than my own mother who passed away last year from breast cancer because he is male? Breast Cancer Awareness month is a farce, who among us hasn’t been affected by breast cancer? I had my own breast cancer scare only 4 months after my mom passed away from breast cancer. All of us know someone who has had, or is in treatment for breast cancer, so raising awareness for something we are all aware of is idiotic.

I understand raising money for finding a cure but the ‘race for the cure’ only donates 21% of the billions of dollars raised to actually finding a cure, maybe they should change their name? My mother walked ‘for a cure’ multiple times to raise money to find a cure, unfortunately it didn’t happen before the disease took her life.

October has hit me hard this year, I cried pretty much every single day for a week so far. Unless I stay inside my house and don’t turn on the TV I don’t see an end in sight. Somedays I don’t remember my mom is gone and I think I should call my mom she will know the answer to this or that. Sometimes I want to call her to tell her something funny my son has done, sometimes I just want to hear her voice. To hear her call me honey once more, one more hug, one more anything. I am so jealous of my friends who have the relationship with their mothers that I once had. I don’t want to be the dead mothers club, it is the worse club to be apart of and no one really understands it unless they are too.

momandI

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Howl-O-Ween Helen Woodward Animal Center

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Howl-O-Ween Harvest Family Day OCTOBER 30th 9 a.m. to 1p.m.

Howl-O-Ween Harvest Family day includes animal interactions, face painting, crafts, access to the Mansion of Mystery, and pumpkin picking.

NEW this year: trick or treat stations, a magical maze, plus costume and pumpkin decorating contests. The people with the cutest animal-themed pumpkin and/or animal-themed costume will win 10% off of Thanksgiving or Winter Critter Camp! REGISTER NOW!

When: October 30th 9am-1pm
Cost: $13/child, $5/adult

Family Day Schedule
9:00-9:20- Snake
9:20-9:40- Sheep in Costume
9:40-10:00- Madagascar Hissing Cockroach
10:00-10:20 Alpaca in Costume
10:20-10:40-Snake
10:40-11:00- Sheep in Costume
11:00-11:20: Madagascar Hissing Cockroach
11:20-12:00 Alpaca in Costume
12:00-12:30- Dog in Costume
12:30-1:00 Costume & pumpkin contests

*“Mansion of Mystery” Excursions Leaving every 20 minutes beginning at 9:00am*

Howl-O-Ween Harvest

Howl-O-Ween Harvest is the perfect program for your fall field trip! The lessons can be customized to compliment California Common Core & Next Generation Science Standards for K-4th while providing a unique opportunity to meet some of our “spookier” animals. Also, for the first time in Howl-O-Ween Harvest history, they can bring this program to your classroom! Call at (858) 756 4117 x318 or e-mail education@animalcenter.org to book your adventure!

With hands-on animal interactions, a mini pumpkin patch, and team-building activities in our Mansion of Mystery, this program is also great for play groups and scouts! You can wear your costume or just enjoy our animals in theirs but either way it’s sure to be a howlin’ good time.

Howl-O- Ween Harvest Information:

Ages: Toddlers, preschools, K-5th
When: Time slots available from October 1st-31st
Cost: $13/child ($75 minimum onsite, $150 minimum offsite)
*Parent chaperones are admitted free for the purpose of supervising children. The chaperone to child ratio is 1:5. Extra chaperones are $5 each.
To Book Your Adventure: Contact at (858) 756-4117 x 318 or education@animalcenter.org


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Kids Free Month Starts 10/1/16

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The San Diego Museum Council is bringing back by popular demand an amazing program for families. Based on its huge success in the first four years, Kids Free in October, is back for a fifth year. Inviting families to enjoy free kids’ admission to more than 30 museums across San Diego County with an adult ticket purchase.

kids free

The breakdown:

  • The coupon allows up to TWO CHILDREN 12 and UNDER to get in FREE with one paid adult.
  • The ticket does not apply to special events, special exhibits or field trips.
  • Can not combine with any other promo/discount/coupon/offer.
  • Valid during the month of October only 10/1/14 – 10/31/14.
  • You must provide the PRINTED the coupon, which may be found below.

To take advantage of the offer, download the free coupon from the website for each museum you wish to visit in October.

Visit the Birch Aquarium in La Jolla and see the living tide pools.  The U.S.S. Midway is a fun floating museum that children love!  One of the most popular in San Diego is the Ruben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park and it too is free for children during the month of October.   For the full list of museums participating in Kids Free in October click here.

Kids are also free to the San Diego Zoo & Safari park during October for more information read our post about it here.

kids free

* The coupon allows up to two children 12 and under to get in FREE with one full-price paid adult. Children must be accompanied by the adult during the visit. This coupon cannot be used for specially ticketed events, Maker Faire San Diego, special exhibitions/exhibits, field trips or group visits. Coupon cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. No cash value. Coupon is valid October 1-31, 2016.


Costco delivered for Free & $15 Credit with Google Express

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It is hard to get out of Costco without dropping a hundred dollars, even when you go in just for paper towels. Which is why when someone said I could have it delivered I was thrilled! Not having to spend my Saturday going to Costco and dealing with the massive crowds is a great plus too. It is all possible with Google Express. Have you heard of Google Express yet? All of the stores below can be delivered to your door the same day or the next day.

goggle-express

Sign up for a membership now for FREE with code FREETIME, for 3 months, and use my code 7BF5KL4CQ for $15 off your first delivery. I ordered from Costco and it was delivered within 24 hours, with no shipping fees. Some of the stores have a minimum to receive free shipping, but most as low as $15 minimum. It will automatically sign you up for membership so be sure to mark in your calendar if you do not want to continue with the service. Also be sure to use the code 7BF5KL4CQ to receive $15 free credit towards your first order. Let me know how you liked the service, I hope you enjoy as much as I do!

google

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Bates Pumpkin Patch open 9/24

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Bates Nut Farm is opening its Pumpkin Patch on Saturday September 24th and will remain open until October 31st. Over 50 years of fall traditions and memories have been created at the Bates Nut Farm Pumpkin Patch. Family and friends enjoy the tractor hayrides, straw maze, petting corral and Snows Pony Rides.

Grab a wheelbarrow and pick from variety of pumpkins: Big Macs, Ghost, Cinderella, Jack O’ Lantern, minis, squash, gourds and other fall décor. In addition, weekends at Bates include live entertainment from 12:00 -3:00, BBQ, kettle corn, food trucks, rock climb, bounce, slide and other family friendly events. Check our calendar for details and schedule.

$5.00 parking on October weekends.

Dogs on a leash are welcome at the farm.

$2.50 tickets can be used toward any activity vendor: hayride (1), straw maze (1), bounce (1), slide (1), pony rides (3), petting corral (1), face painting (varies), rock climb (2), kids ‘n paint (varies), caricatures (varies), Frisbee (varies), horse drawn carriage (2), tattoos (varies), balloons (varies).Note: Does not include food. A cash different may occur for various vendors.

Family Fun Day Package:

  • 4- Pumpkins $7.00 or $28.00 for Pumpkin Patch
  • 30 Tickets- $2.50 each
  • Value $103.00
  • For $90.00
  • Save $13.00

Entertainment Package:

  • 22 Tickets- $2.50 each
  • Value $55.00
  • For $50.00
  • Save $5.00

Bates Pumpkin Package:

  • 1 Pumpkin $7.00 value
  • 2 tickets $2.50
  • Value $12.00
  • For $10.75
  • Save $1.25

bates

Visiting Rancho Valencia

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Rancho Valencia is a beautiful resort set on 45 acres of gardens and olive groves, in Rancho Santa Fe, a 20-minute drive north of San Diego. A few years ago the property underwent a 45 million dollar renovation, and there is not one stone that when unturned. Most recently Rancho Valencia was voted #1 resort in the U.S. by U.S. News & World hotel rankings. It is no surprise as everything at Rancho Valencia is 5 star down to the heated toilet seats, and all is perfection. The resort features a spa, fitness center with exercise classes, sports facilities (including tennis, croquet and bocce ball), 2 heated pools and hot tubs (1 adults-only), 2 restaurants and a wine bar, plus complimentary use of luxury cars.

Rancho Valencia PatioRancho Valencia really does stand apart from most 5-star hotels, you will find everything has been perfected. There are no resort fees, no parking fees, complimentary WiFi, and waiting for you in your room are delicious snacks and drinks to enjoy during your stay at no extra charge. In the morning any newspaper you would like will be delivered to your door along with fresh squeezed orange juice. Enjoy coffee on the private patio, while reading the newspaper.

Rancho Valenica Fireplace

Suites feature flat-screen TVs, stereo systems and private patios, plus high-thread-count linens, espresso machines, designer toiletries and 24-hour in-room dining. My husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary at Rancho Valencia during this trip. The resort knowing it was a special anniversary celebration for us, had a bottle of wine and an artisan cheese plate with dried fruits and nuts upon arrival.

Rancho Valencia Hot Tub

After we were settled in, we hopped down to the Pony Room for a drink by the outdoor fireplaces while watching the sunset. For dinner we decided to opt for in-room dining and we ate out on the private patio. The patio hosts an outdoor fireplace, and a two person hot tub, perfect for a romantic getaway.

Rancho Valencia

After dinner we took a stroll around the property and found the beautiful brick lined Wine Room. The room is perfect for an intimate birthday dinner or just nice dinner for a small group of friends. The wine cave has over 250 of some of the finest bottles of wine I have ever seen, the sommelier is one of the best in California. With wines from France, Italy, Turkey, Mexico, South Africa and of course California you will be able to find a perfect wine for the occasion.

IMG_1651For breakfast we went to Veladora, one of the two restaurants on property. Veladora is beautiful and refined without being over the top, although can you really have too much luxury? We enjoyed latte’s and fresh pressed slow juices, as well as the famous fresh squeezed orange juice. My husband ordered the crab Benedict with vine ripe tomatoes, grilled asparagus, country bread with a chipotle hollandaise. I ordered the California breakfast panini with free range eggs, smoked bacon, avocado, white cheddar and herb roasted potatoes, it was divine! The only problem with breakfast is we couldn’t finish it all, but they were nice enough to box it up for us and had it waiting for us to pick up after we dined.

Rancho Valencia Bedroom

Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa is offering an exclusive offer right now of 15% off room rates. During the summer and during Del Mar Race season the resort will be booked solid, don’t wait make a reservation to visit this beautiful resort now!

Accommodations, meals, and spa treatments were complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are my own. See full disclosure policy for more information.

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