SoCal Savvy Mom

Apr 25
2016

Legoland Ninjago World opening May 5th

Legoland has announced the opening date of Ninjago World which will be May 5th! The new world will host a new ride with technology that is just been brought to North America! The first ride of its kind will open on May 5th, the ride name is Lego Ninjago – The Ride. There is no height requirement to ride but if children are under 48 inches they must be accompanied by an adult. Watch for: Fireballs! Lightning! Shockwaves! Ice! You control these elements to defeat the Great Devourer and earn ninja status. This is what you’ve been training for!

Because the ride is not open yet, I thought I would share some of my pictures from the media event a few weeks ago. The images below are of the actual ride you will sit in, and the icons that are throughout the ride.

There will also be Zane’s Temple Build for a NINJAGO activity. Zane, the Ninja of Ice, will want your help building a massive model of the old Ninjago Monastery. There is no height requirement for this activity. Kai’s Spinngers activity will be great for all wanting to master Spinjitzu! If you’re going to master Spinjitzu, you have to be able to spin! On to Cole’s Rock Climb activity. Rock climbing teaches balance, endurance. and patience. Do you have those qualities, give it a try with Cole! Jay’s Lighting Drill activity where your reflexes are tested. Find out if they are “lightning” fast!

We were able to try some of the new food options available in NINJAGO world. The sandwiches were delicious! After the media preview in late April I will share more up-to-date pictures of NINJAGO World at Legoland California.

Apr 24
2016

Say yes to Grass-Fed beef from Jones Creek

by Nicole Connerley

Eating a healthy diet is very important to my family, my husband and I rarely eat any meat that isn’t grass-fed, free range or organic. Which is why I was overjoyed when Jones Creek reached out to ask if I would review some of their steaks. First let me tell you what Jones Creek is about and that is grass-fed, 100% free range, and grass-finished premium beef. Jones Creek cows don’t ever seen the inside of a cage, and they are also fed grass their entire lives. All of the beef has no added hormones and no added steroids.

Jones Creek has a range of products including ground beef, roasts and a full line of steaks. The steaks offered are Top Sirloin, Filet Minion, Ribeye, and New York steaks. I was able to choose 5 steaks, I choose 3 New York steaks and 2 Ribeye steaks. My husband and I prepared and cooked the Ribeye steaks with just salt and pepper and cooked on the grill for a few minutes per side. We were both amazed at the flavor and how tender the steaks were, to say they were delicious would be a huge understatement.

The following week my mother in law was in town and I wanted to see if she could tell the difference between grass-fed and regular steaks. Her and my father in law live in Jacksonville and are big red meat fans. I was excited to see if she would like the steaks, my husband cooked the New York steaks for us which turned out to be perfection. My mother in law Carol loved the steak and asked where we got it and how we prepared it. She was shocked when I told her I picked it up from Walmart. And that Jones Creek Beef has an entire selection of beef to choose from at Walmart stores across the nation. It is sold in store only at very reasonable prices. For more information on Jones Creek Beef you may visit their website here. To find a store near you that has Jones Creek Beef click here for a store locator.

Apr 22
2016

Murder Mystery With a Side of Spaghetti

by Robyn Lass

SoCal Savvy Mom’s Nicole Hughes planned the best birthday surprise a mystery-loving girl could have asked for, organizing a night of suspense, intrigue and … murder.

Nicole kept the details of our night under wraps, so I had no idea where we were going or what we were doing. Only that I was supposed to dress the part. The theme was 1950s, a fun and fairly easy costume to whip up.

When we arrived at our destination, The Old Spaghetti Factory in San Marcos, I was excited to see my friends had all embraced the theme as well. They looked great!

Once seated in the dining room, surrounded by costumed hosts and similarly dressed guests, it took just a few minutes to solve the first mystery of the night—we were at a murder mystery party!

For this real-life version of “Clue,” one of my favorite movies by the way, we had a super-sleuth crew consisting of Holly Bacca, Molly Burke, Kara Brem, Allison Gardner, Nicole Hughes and my sister Lynne Hakes. We had the brains and the beauty. The other teams didn’t stand a chance.

Dubbed “team cheerleaders” we were instructed to “be loud.” Five minutes in we were on our way to successfully annoying the rest of the partygoers. And oh yeah, solving the murder.

Hats off to our hosts, along with the amazing group of servers who kept the food and drinks flowing all night—and of course side-splitting laughs. Throughout the night we were all encouraged to mingle, ask questions and get to know the our fellow detectives in the room. But we didn’t want to get too friendly, they were our competition after all.

I think my favorite part of the night was when my dear friend Kara solved the who-dun-it after one quick round of questions. Smart cookie that one. We spent the rest of the evening trying to determine motive, because every good murder has a good back story.

With some dancing, fun games and other silliness blended in (my sister got to ham it up as one of the chosen sock-hop role-players) the night was a blast. And yes, I wasn’t kidding, our team did solve the case. We have the certificate to prove it.

A great date night, girls’ night, or family night (though I’d recommend it for older kids who have the attention span to join the fun), The Murder Mystery Co. hosts public events at two locations, plus private parties. Check out the full details at MurderMysteryDinnerSanDiego.com.

Nancy Drew, Sherlock Holmes, Jessica Fletcher… all good detectives. But last night my girls and I put them all to shame.

Apr 18
2016

National Parks free this week!

by Nicole Connerley

park-week-header-1

Each spring, the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation invite everyone to celebrate National Park Week. Which means you can visit one of over 400 national parks for FREE!

From April 16 – 24, you are invited to celebrate all that America’s more than 400 national parks have to offer. And in honor of the National Park Service Centennial this year, all parks are offering free admission the entire week. From diverse wildlife and iconic landscapes, to vibrant culture and rich history, our National Park System has something for everyone.

This year join in the fun at a National Park Week in-person! There are special events and online, and when you visit be sure to share your memories with using #FindYourPark and #EncuentraTuParque!

Celebrating 100 Years

The National Park Service turns 100 on August 25, 2016! Please join our Centennial celebration.

Learn more »

A park can be different things to different people. Find yours. It might be closer than you think.

Find your park »

Explore Your National Parks

Calendar of Events

We’ve got fun National Park Week events in national parks all across the country. Find an event near you!

View Calendar of Events »

Travel Ideas

Get the inside scoop on what not to miss, discover hidden gems in your national parks, and more!

View Travel Ideas »

Mar 30
2016

Legoland Community Day only $35

by Nicole Connerley

The Kid’s College Community Day at LEGOLAND® California is coming soon! On Sunday April 24, 2016 from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. you may gain entry into Legoland for only $35!

Every year Legoland hosts a Community Day to say thanks for being such great neighbors. Legoland will also donate $5 of every $35 Legoland California ticket sold to the Kid’s College, which is a non-profit organization. The Kids College provides extended learning programs to children of North San Diego County.

Community Day 2013 Singing

This year Mission Federal Credit Union is a major sponsor for this wonderful community event.

Tickets $35: for LEGOLAND Community Day

for any adult or child (3 years and older) valid on April 24th only.

Tickets: $9: SEALIFE Aquarium

SEALIFE tickets good for either Saturday, April 23rd or Sunday April 24th.

Mar 25
2016

Solana Beach Spring Festival & Egg Hunt

by Nicole Connerley

The City of Solana Beach is happy to invite you and of course the kids to the Children’s Spring Festival and Egg Hunt! It will take place at La Colonia Park located at 715 Valley Avenue in Solana Beach. The egg hunt begins at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 26th please bring a basket or bag for the egg hunt, none will be provided. After the egg hunt at 10:45 a.m. to noon there will be fun games and refreshments for all to enjoy. There is no fee for the festival or egg hunt, but they do ask that all children be in the 3rd grade or younger. For more information visit the City of Solana Beach website here. The full list of Egg Hunts for San Diego will be up soon.