SoCal Family Adventures| Making Memories One Adventure at a Time| Page 2

Family Night at HomeTown Buffet

Posted on November 13, 2015 4 Comments

One of our favorite family restaurants is Hometown Buffet and love that every Thursday is Family Night. 🙂

From Nov 12 – Dec 31st Hometown is teaming up with the newly launched animated series Thomas Edisons Secret Lab series. This series airs on Netflix, PBS stations and Comcast X finite. The kids really like this series, its very informative I was happy to see that the 1st episode covered Minerals since lately they’ve been very interested in different rocks they’ve found. The cartoon went over how they are formed and how to identify them 🙂

Every Thursday from 5-8pm not only do kids eat for $1.99 (my fav part) 😉 But they will also be participating in a science themed event. Examples are– showing kids how candy is made to why we dream and the importance of quiet time before bed.

The activities featured are:

Thursday Nov 12 “Why do things Float”

Thursday Nov 19 “Sweet Dreams/PJ Party”

Thursday Nov 26 Thanksgiving DVD Sweepstakes (each Restaurant will giveaway a DVD) 🙂

December 3 Cotton Candy Experiment — can’t wait to see this!

December 10 Dress up

December 17 What’s your Bright Idea!

December 24/31 Thomas Edison Secret Lab activity sheet available.

Some locations will also be showing episodes of the popular series each Thursday night. Check with your local Restaurant to double check.

We will be doing a GiveAway!!!! We will be giving away a special Thomas Edisons Secret Lab “Genius” Prize Pack 🙂 complete with themed collectible products including a secret millionaires club (smc) “Business in a Box” Lemonade stand, a SMC car wash and SMC DVD and of course our very own Free Meal coupons from any of our more than 300 Ovation Brands Restaurants. This prize is valued at $100 🙂 please Like/Share/comment and let us know what your kids fav food is 🙂 Winner will be announced on Friday Dec 11th.

To celebrate the promotion as well as our Sweepstakes which are you ready??? Includes a trip for 4 to Florida! Including Air, hotel, admission to Edison and Ford Winter Estates as well as a $250.00 gift card for ground transportation. Along with an extensive collection of Thomas Edisons Secret Lab videos. The trip is courtesy of Entertainment Marketing Group, Ovation Brands, and our friends at VisitFLORIDA.com

visit http://www.secretlabsweepstakes.com to enter!!!!!

I also recommend signing up for the Crave Connection over on the Hometown Buffet website 🙂 you will recieve coupons, FREE meal for your bday and all the inside scoop on all promotions going on. http://www.hometownbuffet.com

Irvine Park Railroads 20th Annual Christmas Train

Posted on November 11, 2015 10 Comments

Time to start thinking about some Christmas Fun!!! This year we are so happy to be going over to Irvine Park Railroad and riding the Christmas Train all the way to the North Pole! 😉

This is a perfect event for the whole family 🙂 Find your Santa hats get your warm clothes out and get ready to ride this night time train ride. The train ride will take you through historic Irvine Regional Park all the way to the North Pole to meet Santa.

Christmas Train tickets may be purchased to ride the train at a specific date and time. Get in line and board the train any time during the hour for which you purchase tickets. Tickets may be purchased online only and can be purchased now. Tickets may not be purchased in person. Visit http://www.IrvineParkRailroad.com for more details.

Lots of activities will be available for children to enjoy in Santa’s Village next to the train station. Activities open 1 hour before The Christmas Train runs.

Activities include:

Story Time with Mrs Claus

Christmas Cookie Decorating, Carnival Games, Ice Fishing, Santa Claus Moon Bounce, Christmas Coloring Corner and Picture Stands for tons of pictures 🙂

Prices for all activities vary visit http://www.IrvineParkRailRoad.com for more info

Once you get to the North Pole, visitors can purchase Coffee,Hot Chocolate,Pop Corn,Hot Pretzels and Cookies from the Elf House snack bar. A full kitchen menu is also available at the Train Station. You will be able to take your own pictures with Santa or you will be able to purchase a picture taken by Irvine Park RailRoad each 5×7 will be presented with a Irvine Park RailRoad border and will be ready shortly after taking. After chit chatting with Santa 🙂 hop on back aboard the Train and enjoy all the Lights! We can’t wait to see the “Tunnel of Lights ” 🙂

Remember to dress warm, Bring extra batteries for your Camera and get there early to avoid crowds. The Christmas Train will be open beginning Friday 11/27-Wed 12/23 visit the website for hours. Cost of the train is $12.00 per person. Children under 24 months are FREE 🙂 Parking for Irvine Regional Park is $3.00 per vehicle on weekdays and $5.00 per vehicle on weekends. Parking for the Christmas Train is FREE after 5pm.

To complete your Christmas Adventure make sure to stop by Irvine Park RailRoads Christmas Tree Ranch. Trees available are Noble Firs, Douglas Firs, and Grand Firs. What a great way to complete the evening by picking out a tree!!

and also remember Irvine Park RailRoad offers other super fun activities during the day. Including wheel fun rentals at Irvine Park. Bike rides and Paddle Boat rides the whole family can participate in. Along with the Santa Ana Zoo and Pony Rides (cash only for pony rides).

We are having a GiveAway!!!!!!!!!!! 4 Christmas Train Tickets,4 Activity Tickets and 1 Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park Bike Rental. (excludes the double surrey)

Please Like and Share this post along with commenting on a Christmas Tradition you all have. Winner will be announced on Sunday Nov 15th!!!!!

Irvine Park RailRoad

1 Irvine Park Rd.

Orange,Ca 92869

Irvine Park RailRoad’s 10th annual Pumpkin Patch

Posted on September 24, 2015 1 Comment

Its Pumpkin Patch Time!!!!!!!!!!!!! One of our Favorite Family Traditions is going to Pumpkin Patches 🙂 Irvine Park Railroad has a great one with tons of picture opportunities. Irvine Park RailRoads Pumpkin Patch is now Open! So much Fun for the entire family. 🙂

The Pumpkin Patch Opens at 10am now through Oct31st. and is located over by in Locomotive Loop and Miners meadow right behind the train station. Once entering Irvine Regional Park there will be signs to guide you. Admission to check out the Pumpkin Patch is FREE!!!!! there is a couple of Free activities like the Hay Maze, Picture Cutouts and Spooky house.

Other Fun activities are :Train Rides, Hay Rides, Panning for Gold, Moon Bounce, Pumpkin Ring Toss, Carnival Games, Cookie Decorating, John Deere Tractor Races, Face Painting and FOOD!!!! all these activities require tickets which you can purchase there. The number of tickets required for each activity are different check out http://www.IrvineParkRailRoad.com to get an idea of Pricing. I also recommed signing up for the newsletter to get coupons! on the Irvine Park RailRoad website you will also find a Coloring page that the kids can color and once turned in they get a prize. (didn’t get a pic because the kids ran over and turned them in asap ) 😉 Check out the tabs also you will see one that says Events and Coupons you might find something you can use.

Irvine Park RailRoad is Open daily now through Oct 31st. Weekdays 10am-5pm Weekends 10am-6pm. Parking for Irvine Regional Park is $3.00 per vehicle on weekdays and $5.00 per vehicle on weekends.

Make sure to go early to really enjoy everything Irvine Regional Park has to offer 🙂 Other activities are Wheel Fun Rentals, Bike Rentals, Paddle Boat Rentals and Pony Rides! and not to mention all the beautiful green grass where you can have the kids run around 🙂

Bike and Paddle boat rentals open at 10am Visit http://www.IrvineParkrailRoad.com for more info!

and Ready!!!!! We have a Giveaway!!!!!!!!! 4 tickets which you can use to ride the Train Or participate in Pumpkin Patch activities 🙂 1 Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park Bike Rental (excludes the double surrey) and 1 wheel fun rental at Irvine Park Paddle Boat rentals.

to enter the giveaway Like our SocalFamilyAdventuresPage Like and share our post! and if you leave a comment here on the site you get another entry!!!!!! Good Luck! winner will be chosen on Sunday morning!!!!

Irvine Park RailRoad is Located over at 1 Irvine Park Road Orange,Ca 92869

Our Adventure In LegoLand!!!!!!!!!

Posted on August 6, 2015 Leave a Comment

A week ago we decided to have our Family Adventure over at Legoland in Carlsbad Ca. We Love surprising our kids and really never tell them where we are going 😉

We Love seeing and hearing them trying to figure it out. I think at this point they are learning the freeways and exits. We gotta be sneaky and use another destination that is close by so the GPS doesn’t give it away. Once they realized we were at Legoland they were so excited!! The First ride we rode was the Coast Cruise. This was a great way to start our day because we saw what was instore for the rest of the day. It was amazing and we all appreciate all the work that went into the sites. So much detail and having the kids point and tell us what they recognize is great:)

Its great to see so much color and so many Legos!!!

It was a pretty warm day and our next ride really hit the spot The Aqua Zone Wave Racers

what a FUN Ride!!!!!!!!!! all 5 of us had a blast and we definitely got nice and cool. 🙂

While my husband got on another ride with our bigger kids.

There was plenty to do with our three year old close by. He got on an airplane ride played in the ball area and even went fishing and caught two fish 😉

Once they were done we made our way to My favorite part of the park Castle Hill a must for me is having the kids ride the Royal Joust. I think its the most adorable ride out there 🙂

Happy kids in line for The Dragon Roller Coaster (Josh didn’t realize he was going on his first Roller Coaster)

We ran into this Piece of valuable information Kids Eat Free!!!!!!!!!! This was music to my ears!!!!!!!! Thank You LegoLand!!!!!!!

If you haven’t tried the famous Granny’s Apple Fries you gotta do it!!! as you can see they are excited 🙂

Now its time to get someone wet!!!!!!!!!!! well thats what I thought until……. Other people got us soaked! Over at Pirate Shores on the Splash battle

Gotta Love live performances over in Heart lake City

and the Heart lake City girls made our daughter feel special 🙂 she was so happy they talked to her.

The day kept getting warmer and at this point it was hot so decided to go over to the Water park. We had our change of clothes in the car with parking being so close it wasn’t a issue. But they do have lockers you could rent.

Our first stop at The Water Park was The Build a Raft River.

After The Build a Raft River we went over to the Chima section of the Water park, Here they are giving it two thumbs up. I also give it two thumbs up I gotta say it was my favorite. The waves felt calm and I felt relaxed. It was busy and it was noisy but it didn’t matter the calm waves our kids having fun it was the best 🙂 I didn’t take to many pictures here at the Water Park because there was a lot of people and didn’t want to make anyone feel uncomfortable.

All around the park you find beautiful flowers Even if the water isn’t for you its nice to grab a chair and relax. The music was great nothing like some Bob Marley to complete the mood. I felt happy everything was just right.

Pirate Reef is something we will be going to next time but Wow!!! thats a lot of water splashing into the ride!

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The Kids were thrilled to get on water slides.

This was our first time at a Water Park and it was such a Fun and Memorable experience. We wish we lived closer so we can go every other day 😉 after our Water Park fun we went over to Fun Town the kids were so excited to ride The Driving school. They couldn’t believe the cars didn’t have tracks!! The Driving school is Divided so the Little toddlers are separate from the bigger kids. Our Little three year old was in heaven driving the car.

Sadly we were running out of time 🙁 But ended our day on a Roller Coaster over on Explorer Island the Coastersaures it was so much fun we got on twice!!!!!!! Even though the line was a little long the Beautiful dinosaurs kept the kids busy 🙂

We had a Fun filled day with lots of Memories Made 🙂 we had a couple firsts — Our first time at a Water Park and our little guy getting on a roller coaster for the first time.

Remember to check for coupons before going to the Park. McDonalds has a Buy an Adult Park Hopper ticket get a Child Admission FREE. Sometimes School PTA’s or Libraries give them out. Our Summer Reading program at our local library gave them as a prize. Another way to save is by participating in the Kids Eat Free for dinner 🙂 If It gets late and its a Saturday check the local Dennys because Kids Eat Free on Saturday Nights. Have Fun don’t forget your Sunscreen and Make those Memories 🙂

LegoLand is over at 1 LegoLand Drive Carlsbad Ca 92008 Phone-760-918-5346 LegoLand Hotel 877-Legoland (877-534-6526)

and did you know you can text Legoland if you have any questions I had a question about bringing in snacks and they replied. What a great tool!

the number is 760-203-3604

http://california.LEGOLAND.com

Family Night at Home Town Buffet

Posted on May 15, 2015 3 Comments

Family Night at Home Town Buffet is Every Thursday from 5-8pm Kids eat for $1.99!!! (Drink Included)

We went on over to Home Town Buffet for dinner tonight and the kids had a Blast 🙂 We Love taking the Kids to Home Town because they always eat very well. Being a Buffet you can always pick exactly what you want and have well balanced plates for the kids (and yourself) 😉 But sometimes when you just want the kids to have a treat and let them splurge this is the place! Tonight was one of those nights. If they want pizza fine by me!!! The school year is almost over they’ve been doing great why not!!! Eat what you want kid!!!

I started by letting them get their plate and choose-

The Choices were all great!

We Even had some of their Pals Join in on the fun 🙂

See the Happy Kids 🙂

Family Night also has different activities for the kids They Had Coloring,Different Board Games,Playful Hats for them to wear and each child received a Garfield & Friends Finger puppet sheet for them to take home. The Sheet also includes a 20% off discount for any Garfield & Friends purchase over at http://www.cafePress.Com/Garfield This Garfield & Friends event will run until the end of June.

Fun night for all!!! and this all happens Every Thursday from 5-8pm.

We will be giving away 4 Dinner passes and a copy of the Garfield Show to one lucky family 🙂 Please leave a comment and tell us what you want to eat at Home Town Buffet!!!!!!!!!!!! Like/Share and Comment on our FaceBook page and you will get another Entry 🙂

Spring Family Fest!!! by Club MomMe

Posted on April 10, 2015 Leave a Comment

Club MomMe will be having their Annual Spring Family Fest on Sunday April 19th from 11:00-5:00pm. Over at The Muckenthaler Estate & Cultural Center in Fullerton Ca.

This is a HUGE!!! Event that’s fun for all!!!! There will be lots of activities for the kids along with 7 interactive lounges and popular speakers and panels. Just like at other Club MomMe events you will -Try tasty and healthy snacks and drinks for you and the kids. I personally love this part because you really do find new favorites Josh calls them all snackeys! 🙂

Club MomMe Hosts 3-6 events per month in 5 cities and at the events you will meet other parents with children the same age as yours. You will also try out and learn about new products for the different stages. Not to mention trying new snacks for both parents and children 🙂 and ready for it……. Everyone takes home a gift bag filled with goodies and discounts! But most importantly everyone will have lots of fun 🙂

Club MomMe is a Great Parents club that gets you out there whether it’s out having fun or learning new things for your kids. Club MomMe was made for Moms, Dads, families with kids under 6 and expectant parents. 🙂

Going to Spring Family Fest will really give you a good idea of what they are about. And I’m happy to be doing a GiveAway!!!!!! One lucky winner will win a Family Ticket which admits 2 adults and the kids are FREE to check out all the fun. Please like, comment and share for an entry!!! Winner will be announced April 15th.

Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!

Check out Club MomMe over @ http://www.clubmomme.com

SeaFood Fridays @Hometown Buffet

Posted on March 9, 2015 3 Comments

Its SeaFood Fridays!!!! Over @HomeTownBuffet!!!!!!

SeaFood Fridays Started on Feb 20th and will run until April 3rd every Friday after 4pm. SeaFood fridays is a perfect option for People that celebrate Lent because there is just so much to pick from and at a very affordable price. Its also great because if anyone in your group doesn’t like SeaFood or doesn’t participate in Lent there is many choices for them also. When we were there they had plenty of meat options available as well as chicken and pastas.

Some of the Shrimp options available that night were ButterFly Shrimp and Popcorn Shrimp 🙂

Both were very Tasty!! but our Family Voted and all Loved the Butterfly Shrimp Including our 3 year old. 🙂

The Fish Options we had were Atlantic Salmon, Baked Fish,Italian Herb and Southern Fried.

All were very good But my Favorite was the baked with a little squeeze of Lemon 🙂 Ok now Im hungry writing up this post is making me remember what I ate!! Wether its SeaFood or any of the Other Tasty options you can mix and match your sides and salads. We are very Happy Hometown Buffet is doing this with a family of 5 we always walk out happy because everyone picked exactly what they wanted. Our kids love picking out their food and do so well eating all of it. The Dessert options are always great and because you have the choice you can even change up your drink and get a nice cup of coffee to end your meal:) for more information about SeaFoodFridays or to find a location go to http://www.HometownBuffet.com or http://www.OldCountryBuffet.com

We will be Giving away 2 Pairs of Passes for 2 Lucky winners!!!!!!!!

Just comment below and let us know what you will be trying if you win 🙂

Easter Fun

Posted on March 4, 2015 5 Comments

Irvine Park RailRoad Easter Eggstravaganza 2015

Can I just say how excited I am 🙂 We Love Spring Time Fun and celebrating Easter over at Irvine Park railRoad is going to be exciting for us. The Event starts on Saturday March 14th and goes until Saturday April 4th.

Adults and kids can hop on over to the train which runs through Irvine Regional Park 🙂 cost of the train is $5.00. Afterwards kids ages 2-12 can participate in an Easter Egg Hunt. ( not sure about you but our kids go nuts over egg hunts). Just don’t forget your Easter Egg baskets or pails!!!! theres only so much you can hold 😉 but if you do forget they will have them for purchase. Egg Hunts start at 10am daily and tickets can be purchased and exchanged for wristbands to participate at a certain time.

Tickets must be purchased on the day of the event in order to receive the Egg hunt wristband. $10.00 will get your child a picture with the Easter Bunny along with a complimentary picture. Additional prints are available for an extra $6.00. Other fun things to do are Hay Rides,Cookie Decorating,Moon Bounce, carnival Fun,Picture stands,Face Painting and more 🙂 Any questions go to http://www.IrvineParkrailRoad.com

We haven’t been but will be going this year. Like Irvine Park RailRoad on Facebook to get all the updates. Throughout the year they have different events. They have a very popular Pumpkin Patch and Christmas Tree Ranch.

Now are you ready??? We have a Giveaway!!!!!!! 6 Tickets Total! they can be used to ride the train or participate in Easter Eggstravaganza Activities. Plus 1 Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park. Surrey Rental (excludes double) And 1 Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park Boat rental 🙂 Just Comment below or on FB and tell us something your family does for Easter 🙂 Contest ENDS March 7th and the goods will be shipped to your house 🙂 Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!

Irvine Park RailRoad Opens at 10am daily — Train Tickets are $5.00 a person Children under 12 months are FREE

The Park Entrance Fee is $3.00 per vehicle on weekdays and $5.00 per vehicle on weekends.

Irvine Park RailRoad is Located at 1 Irvine Park Road,Orange, Ca 92869

Cinnabon!!! Now at HomeTown Buffet and Five new Steak Choices

Posted on December 11, 2014 1 Comment

Exciting things are Happening at HomeTown Buffet 🙂 Hometown is one of our family favorites. Our kids always eat very good when we go there.Part of the excitement is that we let them pick whatever they want ( as long as there is a vegetable on their plate) 😉 They eat everything because they look forward to picking out dessert!!!!

And speaking of Dessert Hometown Buffet is now serving Cinnabon!!!! How amazing is that???? Eat as many as you want 🙂 Think about how much one costs at the mall and here @HometownBuffet they come with your meal 🙂 But…….. If you feel like you want to take some home they are avaiable for purchase also.

2 Other new Desserts are : BlueBerry Cheesecake Shooter and Chocolate Brownie Cheesecake Shooter Both are very Tasty and a perfect little portions for someone that just wants a little something. But of cource if you’d like a couple feel free 🙂

And now Lets talk about the 5 New Steak Choices I know I kinda went backwards and started with dessert 🙂

Ok so heres the Country Fried Steak all I can say is wow!!! Nice Crunch and so much flavor in both the Breading and the Gravy definitly a must.

This Next one is the Sirloin Steakhouse Chili 🙂 Again Lots of flavor very meaty and the Cheese makes it extra tasty 🙂 Home town has lots of great Bread Choices Im sure you will see something you can dip in the Chilli.

This one is the Sirloin with Potatoes O’Brien If you like Peppers and onion this ones for you 🙂 also a great Choice you can really taste the well seasoned steak here tasty choice 🙂 even though this one has potatoes i think i’ll get some mashed potatoes on the side also 🙂

Ok and this Last Steak Choice is the Sirloin with Potatoes Au Gratin I like this one because it has the Creamy Gravy from the potatoes and The meat sitting right on top so you can either mix or take bites of each so yummy!!!!!

This One here is the 1/3LB Chopped Beef Steak very Tasty and you can add all the onions and mushrooms you like!!

I personally Tried all of these choices and Thumbs up to all. I had them yesterday and all day today I kept thinking about how tasty all of them are. If you haven’t Tried Hometown Buffet we recommend it. Like I said before our kids Love it and Its a great place to have a well balanced meal.

As an FYI Hometown has Family night on Thursday Evenings —Kids eat for 1.99 after 4pm

Hometown Buffet is selling their Big Book of Savings for $10.00 each Seniors can purchace for $5.00each.

The purchase of these booklets are for a Great cause the Restaurant has pledged to donate $10,000 from the sales of the booklets to the Armed Services YMCA. Each book has 25 coupons with more than $75.00in savings.

The Big Book of Savings includes Discounts for Breakfast,Lunch and Dinner and features offers on adult and kids meals.They also offer a smaller coupon book for $5.00 with 18 offers and more than $50.00 in savings. Anyone who purchases $100 in gift cards will receive the holiday booklet FREE .

Offers in the Booklets are good until Feb 13,2015.

I will Be Giving away 4 of The Big Book of Savings so just comment below or on the FaceBook post What you want to go eat @HTBRestaurant 🙂 I’ll announce the winners Friday morning 🙂

Hope you all give it a try!!!!!!!!!!!

Monrovia Holiday Parade and Annual Tree Lighting

Posted on December 4, 2014 Leave a Comment

Today!!!! Monrovia’s Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting 🙂 Bundle up grab some Hot Chocolate and come on over To our yearly Parade and Tree lighting 🙂 Tree lighting starts at 6pm in Library Park and the Parade starts at 7pm. The Parade will be running North to Palm in Old Town Monrovia.

Always fun to see everyone in Our town Celebrating it does get a bit cold so come prepared. After or even before grab some Dinner so many places to pick from.

Or even better come support Monroe Elementary and eat over @Dominicos on Huntington Drive for the fundraiser 🙂